JP2008033524A - Rfid communication control method, rfid communication controller and rfid communication control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently optimize a reading condition for improving reading performance. <P>SOLUTION: A reading processing control part 407 performs reading processing according to reading condition value sets each composed of two or more reading condition values respectively corresponding to two or more kinds of reading conditions, for each of the reading condition value sets. The reading processing control part 407 relates two or more reading results obtained respectively by two or more reading processings respectively with the utilized reading condition value set, and accumulates the reading results in a data accumulation part 403. A reading result analysis part 404 analyzes the two or more accumulated reading results, and determines a reading condition value set which makes the reading performance best as an optimal reading condition value set from among the two or more reading condition value sets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for identifying each article that constitutes a group of articles being conveyed using RFID.

  Generally, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) refers to a technology for identifying an object using non-contact communication using radio waves. A system for realizing RFID (hereinafter referred to as an RFID system) includes, for example, an RFID tag (a device incorporating an IC chip and an antenna) attached to an object to be identified (hereinafter referred to as an identification object), an RFID tag, It can be realized by a reader / writer that performs contactless communication to read or write information stored therein, and a host system that processes information read by the reader / writer.

In the case of Patent Document 1 which is an example of an RFID system, the reader / writer includes a transmission / reception unit for performing contactless communication with the RFID tag, a storage unit for storing identification information of the RFID tag read from the RFID tag, It comprises communication means for transmitting the identification information of the RFID tag stored in the storage means to the host system. In this configuration, the reader / writer stores the identification information of the RFID tag read from the RFID tag and transmits it to the host system. Further, the host system counts and processes the RFID tag information received from the reader / writer.
JP 2004-240767 A

  When the RFID system is adopted in the physical distribution field, the basic configuration is the same as described above. In the logistics field, generally, an RFID tag is affixed to an article to be distributed, and a gate (for example, a belt conveyor) through which the article passes is provided with an antenna for performing non-contact communication with the RFID tag ( Hereinafter, an antenna gate) is installed, and a reader / writer is connected to the antenna. Each reader / writer performs non-contact communication with an RFID tag attached to an article via an antenna, and reads information stored in the RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as RFID tag information). The RFID tag information is information for identifying an article to which the RFID tag is attached, for example. Hereinafter, the process of reading RFID tag information by performing non-contact communication with the RFID tag is simply referred to as a reading process. Each reader / writer may display the read RFID tag information by itself to notify the user, or may be connected to a host system (for example, a personal computer (PC)) to read the read RFID tag information. In some cases, a higher system is notified. In the latter case, the host system stores RFID tag information sent from all readers / writers under management and notifies the user.

  A configuration example of an RFID system employed in the physical distribution field is shown in FIG. FIG. 1 shows a case where an identification object 101 (for example, a set of a plurality of articles as will be described later) is conveyed by the belt conveyor 103. When the identification object 101 passes through the antenna gate 104 installed at an arbitrary point on the belt conveyor 103, each RFID tag attached to each article constituting the identification object 101 communicates via the antenna 102. Wireless communication with the control device 105 is performed. At this time, the communication control device 105 reads RFID tag information from each RFID tag. Here, the communication control device 105 refers to the reader / writer described above.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the identification object 101. In this example, the identification target object 101 is a set of a plurality of articles stacked on the pallet 201, and an RFID tag 202 is attached to each article. Of course, the identification target object 101 may be one article to which one RFID tag 202 is attached.

Here, in the RFID system in the physical distribution field, the following severe restrictions are imposed.
The communication control device must perform reading processing for each RFID tag of the identification target in the transport state, not in the stopped state.
The identification object includes a plurality (for example, several hundreds) of RFID tags, and the communication control device must perform reading processing for all of the RFID tags in a short time during which the identification object passes through the antenna gate. Don't be.

  As a reading process method in the RFID system, a communication control apparatus reads a plurality of RFID tag information at once (strictly speaking, a plurality of RFID tags are read within a certain period by switching the RFID tags to be read. A method for performing processing is also realized, but under such severe restrictions, there is still a problem in its reading performance. Here, the reading performance is a so-called recognition rate, and the communication control device succeeds in reading RFID tag information, for example, among N RFID tags in total (an integer of N ≧ 1, for example, 100). Means the number of RFID tags.

  The reading performance of the RFID differs depending on the performance of the RFID tag and the communication control device itself. On the other hand, even when the same RFID tag and the same communication control device are used, various conditions (hereinafter referred to as reading conditions) for performing the reading process are used. ) Depends on.

  The reading conditions include, for example, an antenna position condition, an antenna switching condition, and a protocol condition.

  The antenna position condition is a condition related to the antenna position. The antenna position is the position of the antenna with respect to the path through which the identification object passes, and can be defined by a plurality of elements, for example, an angle and a distance, and at least one of these elements is variable. Thus, the antenna position condition can be changed. If it demonstrates in detail using FIG. 3, the angle with respect to the path | route through which an identification target object will be represented by (b) or (e), and distance will be represented by (c) or (f). Here, (a), (b), and (c) are views of FIG. 1 viewed from the top, and (d), (e), and (f) are views of FIG. 1 viewed from the side. When the reference position of the antenna 102 when viewing FIG. 1 from the top is (a) and the reference position of the antenna 102 when viewing FIG. 1 from the side is (d), (b) is the antenna for the belt conveyor 103. (E) is the way of movement by adjusting the vertical angle of the antenna 102 with respect to the belt conveyor 103. Further, (c) shows how the antenna 102 moves relative to the belt conveyor 103 by adjusting the horizontal distance, and (f) shows how the antenna 102 moves relative to the belt conveyor 103 by adjusting the vertical distance.

  The antenna switching condition is a condition related to switching of a plurality of antennas arranged in one antenna gate, and is defined by a plurality of elements, for example, the number of times of switching, the order, and the length of time for using one antenna. The antenna switching condition can be changed by making at least one of these elements variable.

  The protocol condition is a condition related to a communication protocol for contactless communication with an RFID tag, and can be defined by a plurality of elements. By making at least one of these elements variable, the protocol condition Can be changed. For example, in the case of a protocol that generates a random number in order to randomly assign a reading order to a plurality of RFID tags, the maximum value of the random number is an element of the protocol condition.

  In order to maximize the reading performance, it is necessary to set optimum reading conditions. However, it is difficult to optimize the reading conditions, and there is no choice but to proceed with trial and error. This is because there are many factors that affect the reading performance in addition to the reading conditions. For example, if attention is paid to the identification object, the RFID tag attaching position, the arrangement of a plurality of articles, the material of the article (the reading performance is deteriorated if it is a material that blocks radio waves), etc. Reading performance varies depending on reading conditions and combinations of various elements.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to efficiently perform reading condition optimization for improving reading performance.

  The RFID communication control device according to the present invention is communicably connected to an antenna group for communicating with an RFID tag, and each RFID is information stored in each RFID tag of each article constituting the article group being conveyed. While the article group passes through the communication area of the antenna group, the tag information is read while appropriately switching a plurality of antennas constituting the antenna group. The RFID communication control device performs a reading process control unit for each of a plurality of reading condition value sets to perform the reading process according to a reading condition value set composed of a plurality of reading condition values respectively corresponding to a plurality of reading condition types. A reading result storage unit that stores a plurality of reading results obtained by a plurality of reading processes performed for each of the plurality of reading condition value sets in association with the plurality of reading condition value sets, and the storage And reading the RFID tag information out of the total number of RFID tags present in the article group based on the analysis result and at least one of the plurality of reading condition value sets. A reading result analysis unit that determines an optimum reading condition value set that provides the best reading performance represented by the number of successful RFID tags. For example, the reading result analysis unit selects a reading condition value set that provides the best reading performance from a plurality of reading condition value sets, and uses the selected reading condition value set itself as an optimum reading condition value set. Also good. Further, the reading result analysis unit may correct the selected reading condition value set so that the reading performance is the best.

  In the first embodiment of the RFID communication control apparatus according to the present invention, a user I / F unit for notifying the user of the determined optimum reading condition value set is further provided.

  In the second embodiment of the RFID communication control apparatus according to the present invention, each reading condition value set includes an antenna position condition value relating to the position of each of the plurality of antennas. Before the reading process is performed according to the selected reading condition value set, the position of each of the plurality of antennas is automatically adjusted to match the antenna position condition value included in the reading condition value set. An antenna position control unit is further provided.

  In a third embodiment of the RFID communication control apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of antenna groups each including a plurality of antennas are installed, and the plurality of antenna groups are installed at different locations along the conveyance path of the article group. Is done. The RFID communication control device is communicably connected to the plurality of antenna groups. The antenna group communicable with each RFID tag of the article group among the plurality of antenna groups changes according to the conveyance of the article group. The reading result storage unit stores the plurality of reading results by storing the result of reading processing performed through each antenna group.

  In a fourth embodiment of the RFID communication control apparatus according to the present invention, a type / optimum set storage unit that associates and stores a type of the article group and the optimum reading condition value set, and a newly conveyed article group An article group type input unit that receives an input of a type, and a search unit that searches an optimum reading condition value set corresponding to the input article group type from the type / optimum set storage unit. The reading process control unit performs the reading process according to the optimum reading condition value set found by the search unit.

  In the fifth embodiment of the RFID communication control apparatus according to the present invention, in the fourth embodiment, the reading process control unit has an optimum reading condition value set corresponding to the input article group type as the search unit. If not found, reading processing using each of the plurality of reading condition value sets is performed. The type / optimum set storage unit stores the input article group type and the determined optimum reading condition value set in association with each other.

  In the sixth embodiment of the RFID communication control apparatus according to the present invention, a changing unit for changing a specific reading condition value set according to a certain rule is further provided. The plurality of reading condition value sets include reading condition value sets obtained by the changing unit.

  The RFID communication control system according to the present invention includes two or more RFID communication control devices each communicably connected to a plurality of antenna groups for communicating with an RFID tag. Each of the plurality of antenna groups is installed at a different location. Each of the two or more RFID communication control devices communicates each RFID tag information, which is information stored in each RFID tag of each article constituting the article group being transported, to the antenna group connected to itself. While the article group passes through the area, reading is performed while appropriately switching a plurality of antennas constituting the antenna group according to a reading condition value set including a plurality of reading condition values respectively corresponding to a plurality of reading condition types. Read processing is performed. The RFID communication control system includes a plurality of reading results as a result of the reading process performed by each of the two or more RFID communication control devices, and a plurality of reading condition value sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of reading results. Based on at least one of the above, the optimum reading condition value set that provides the best reading performance represented by the number of RFID tags that have successfully read RFID tag information out of the total number of RFID tags existing in the article group is determined. To do. One or more antenna groups are connected to one RFID communication control apparatus. A reading condition value set used in each reading process of the two or more RFID communication control apparatuses is different from reading condition value sets used in other RFID communication control apparatuses.

  Note that the RFID communication control system may include a management device that is communicably connected to two or more RFID communication control devices. In that case, the management device receives the reading results from each of the two or more RFID communication control devices, and obtains a plurality of reading results and a plurality of reading condition value sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of reading results. An optimal reading condition value set may be determined based on at least one of them.

  Further, for example, in the RFID communication control apparatus, an optimal reading condition value set may be determined as follows. That is, the RFID communication control device (x) receives from the RFID communication control device (x-1) a reading condition value set used in the RFID communication control device (x-1) and a reading process according to the reading condition value set. May be received. The RFID communication control device (x) may perform a reading process using another reading condition value set, and compare the reading result with the reading result from the RFID communication control device (x-1). If the RFID communication control device (x) has a better reading result, the RFID communication control device (x) may transmit the reading result and the other reading condition value set to the RFID communication control device (x + 1). On the other hand, if the reading result from the RFID communication control device (x-1) is better, the RFID communication control device (x) and the reading condition value from the RFID communication control device (x-1) The set may be transmitted to the RFID communication control device (x + 1). Further, the RFID communication control device (x) reads the better one of the comparison results when the RFID communication control device (x + 1) does not exist (that is, if it is the last RFID communication control device). A reading condition value set corresponding to the result may be set in a storage area included in the RFID communication control device (x), and thereafter, reading processing according to the set reading condition value set may be performed.

  In the first embodiment of the RFID communication control system according to the present invention, in the first embodiment, each of the plurality of RFID communication control devices receives a set of reading condition values used in another RFID communication control device. And a condition value set changing unit that changes a reading condition value set used by another RFID communication control device according to a certain rule, and using the reading condition value set obtained by the condition value set changing unit, Read processing is performed.

  In a second embodiment of the RFID communication control system according to the present invention, the article group includes a specific storage unit that stores article group type information indicating the type of the article group. A reading unit that reads article group type information from the specific storage unit and a transmission unit that transmits the article group type information read by the reading unit to the RFID communication control system are provided on the mobile body that carries the article group. Provided. The RFID communication control system stores the type / optimum set storage unit that associates and stores the type of the product group and the optimum reading condition value set, and the product group type information that indicates the product group type that is newly conveyed. A receiving unit that receives from the transmitting unit, and a search unit that searches the type / optimum set storage unit for an optimum reading condition value set corresponding to the article group type represented by the received article group type information. The reading process control unit performs the reading process according to the optimum reading condition value set found by the search unit.

  The RFID communication control method according to the present invention has a first step and a second step. In the first step, a plurality of pieces of RFID information, which is information stored in each RFID tag of each article that constitutes the article group that is being conveyed, are transmitted while the article group passes through the communication range of the antenna group. For each of the plurality of reading condition value sets, reading processing is performed while appropriately switching the plurality of antennas constituting the antenna group according to the reading condition value set composed of the plurality of reading condition values respectively corresponding to the reading condition types. Do. In the second step, the article group is present based on a plurality of reading results as a result of a plurality of reading processes and at least one of a plurality of reading condition value sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of reading results. An optimum reading condition value set that provides the best reading performance represented by the number of RFID tags that have successfully read the RFID tag information out of the total number of RFID tags is determined.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently optimize reading conditions for improving reading performance.

  Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of the communication control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication control device 401 and the antenna 102 are connected by, for example, wired connection, and the antenna 102 and the RFID tag 202 are connected wirelessly. Here, when the communication control apparatus 401 has a plurality of antennas 102, one antenna 102 designated from the communication control apparatus 401 is connected to the RFID tag 202 by radio.

  As a result, the communication control device 401 can communicate with the RFID tag 202 via the antenna 102. Specifically, the communication control device 401 can read RFID tag information stored in the RFID tag 202 and write to the RFID tag 202. The RFID tag 202 to be read by the communication control device 401 may be singular or plural. In addition, there may be a single antenna or a plurality of antennas 102 connected to the communication control apparatus 401, but in this embodiment, a plurality of antennas are considered.

  The communication control device 401 can be positioned as, for example, a reader / writer itself or an integrated reader / writer and a host system. The communication control device 401 includes a transmission / reception data control unit 409, an RF signal transmission / reception unit 410, a user I / F unit 406, an external communication unit 408, a reading process control unit 407, and a reading control optimization unit 402.

  The transmission / reception data control unit 409 controls processing of data transmitted / received between the communication control device 401 and the RFID tag 202. For example, the transmission / reception data control unit 409 performs encoding of data to be transmitted to the RFID tag 202 and decoding of data received from the RFID tag 202.

  The RF signal transmission / reception unit 410 transmits / receives an RF signal to / from the RFID tag 202 using the antenna 102 specified by the reading processing control unit 407.

  The user I / F unit 406, for example, a device (for example, a keyboard) on which a user inputs a reading condition, a reading process start command, and the like, a reading condition to be evaluated, and an optimum reading condition (hereinafter referred to as an optimum reading condition). (For example, a display).

  The external communication unit 408 is an interface for performing communication with an external system (hereinafter referred to as an external system) of the communication control apparatus 401. Here, as the external system, for example, when the communication control device 401 is positioned as a reader / writer, the above-described host system can be used.

  The reading processing control unit 407 performs control related to reading processing, for example, control for wireless communication with the RFID tag 202, switching of the plurality of antennas 102, and the like. More specifically, for example, the reading processing control unit 407 performs reading processing by setting the reading condition received from the reading control optimization unit 402, and the reading result obtained thereby is read control optimization unit 402. To notify. In addition, during the reading process, the reading process control unit 407 performs control to sequentially switch the antenna to be used according to the antenna switching condition (for example, the antenna switching order and the time length for using one antenna).

  The reading control optimizing unit 402 performs processing for optimizing reading conditions. The reading control optimization unit 402 includes a data storage unit 403, a reading result analysis unit 404, and an optimization processing control unit 405.

  The data accumulation unit 403 accumulates information related to optimization of reading conditions, such as reading conditions, reading results, and optimum reading conditions. Here, the reading result is information related to the result of the reading process, for example, at least the recognition rate, and other information that can be used for optimizing the reading condition, for example, the RFID tag that each antenna has successfully read. , The position of the RFID tag on the identification object that has been successfully read, or the position of the identification object on the belt conveyor when the reading is successful. Information stored in the data storage unit 403 will be described in detail below.

  The reading result analysis unit 404 analyzes the reading result stored in the data storage unit 403 and determines the optimum reading condition. As the simplest method for determining the optimum reading condition, the reading condition that provides the highest recognition rate is selected as the optimum reading condition from the evaluated reading conditions (that is, the reading conditions employed in the reading process). There is a way. Other methods include, for example, the number of RFID tags that each antenna has successfully read, the position of the RFID tag in the identification object that has been successfully read, or the belt of the identification object that has been successfully read, along with the recognition rate. A method of statistically analyzing the position on the conveyor and correcting the evaluated reading condition based on the analysis result and setting the corrected reading condition as the optimum reading condition is also conceivable.

  The optimization processing control unit 405 controls the reading control optimization unit 402 as a whole. For example, the optimization processing control unit 405 receives the reading conditions input from the user I / F unit 406 and the reading results obtained for each reading condition from the reading processing control unit 407 and stores them in the data storage unit 403. To do. Also, the optimization processing control unit 405 delivers the reading conditions stored in the data storage unit 403 and the optimum reading conditions obtained by analyzing the reading results by the reading result analysis unit 404 to the reading processing control unit 407 and transmits them to the user. The data is output to the I / F unit 406. Further, the optimization processing control unit 405 and the reading processing control unit 407 cooperate with each other to send the reading conditions, reading results, or optimum reading conditions stored in the data storage unit 403 via the external communication unit 408 to the external system. Can be sent to. When optimizing the reading conditions, the optimization processing control unit 405 reads the reading conditions and the reading results from the data storage unit 403 and passes them to the reading result analysis unit 404, and the reading result analysis unit 404 analyzes the reading results. And the optimum reading conditions are determined.

  Next, an example of information stored in the data storage unit 403 will be described. 5 and 6 are diagrams representing information stored in the data storage unit 403 as being stored in, for example, a table.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration example of the reading condition value range table 501. The reading condition value range table 501 shows the reading condition item names (hereinafter referred to as reading condition item names) to be evaluated and ranges corresponding to the respective reading condition item names (hereinafter referred to as reading condition values). Yes. In the description of this embodiment, the “reading condition” represents at least one of a reading condition item name and a reading condition value. As can be seen from this figure, the reading conditions include, for example, an antenna position condition, an antenna switching condition, and a protocol condition. The antenna position conditions include, for example, the left and right angles of the antenna (see FIG. 3B), the vertical angles (see FIG. 3E), and the horizontal distance (see FIG. 3C) with respect to the path through which the identification object passes. , There is a vertical distance (see FIG. 3 (f)). The antenna switching condition includes, for example, a switching sequence indicating the number of antenna switching, the order of antennas to be switched, and a switching timing indicating a time from switching an antenna to switching to the next antenna. The protocol condition includes, for example, a random number MAX value that is a maximum value of random numbers given when reading a plurality of RFID tags at once. Of course, these reading conditions are only examples, and various other reading condition items can be considered.

  The reading condition value range table 501 stores a range of reading condition values for each reading condition. In the case of FIG. 5, the left and right angles of the antenna position condition can be set to 0 degrees (reference value), 10 degrees left, 20 degrees left, 10 degrees right, 20 degrees right,. The switching sequence of the antenna switching condition is switched in the order of antenna 1 → antenna 2 → antenna 3; switching is performed in the order of antenna 1 → antenna 3 → antenna 2; antenna 1 → antenna 2 → antenna 3 → antenna 2 → antenna 1 This indicates that it can be set as follows. The antenna switching timing corresponds to the antenna switching sequence. When switching is performed in the order of antenna 1 → antenna 2 → antenna 3, antenna 1 is 2 seconds, antenna 2 is 2 seconds, and antenna 3 is 2 Indicates switching at intervals of seconds. Further, when switching is performed in the order of antenna 1 → antenna 3 → antenna 2, it indicates that antenna 1 is switched for 2 seconds, antenna 3 is switched for 2 seconds, and antenna 2 is switched for 2 seconds. When switching in order of antenna 1 → antenna 2 → antenna 3 → antenna 2 → antenna 1, antenna 1 is 1 second, antenna 2 is 1 second, antenna 3 is 1 second, antenna 2 is 1 second, antenna 3 Represents switching at intervals of 1 second. Of course, these description methods are merely examples, and there are various other methods for describing the range of the reading condition value.

  The reading condition value range table 501 is created for each type of identification object (hereinafter, identification object type). The identification target type is a categorization of combinations of various elements that affect the reading performance when focusing on the identification target object such as the RFID tag attachment position, the arrangement of a plurality of articles, the material of the article, and the like. . In FIG. 5, only the material of the article is considered as the identification target type.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration example of the reading condition value set table 601. The reading condition value set table 601 shows combinations of values of a plurality of reading conditions to be evaluated (hereinafter referred to as reading condition value sets). The reading conditions in FIG. 6 are the same as those in FIG.

  The reading condition value set table 601 is associated with a reading result obtained by performing a reading process using the reading condition value set with respect to the reading condition value set.

The combination of various reading condition values in the reading condition value set can be configured from various viewpoints. For example, the reading condition set A is as follows.
-Left and right angle of antenna position condition: 0 degree-Vertical angle of antenna position condition: 0 degree-Horizontal distance of antenna position condition: 1 meter-Vertical distance of antenna position condition: 1 meter-Switching frequency of antenna switching condition: 3 times・ Switching sequence of antenna switching conditions: antenna 1 → antenna 2 → antenna 3
・ Switching timing of antenna switching condition: antenna 1 is switched for 2 seconds, antenna 2 is switched for 2 seconds, antenna 3 is switched for 2 seconds ・ random number MAX value of protocol condition: 100
:

  The reading result when the reading condition set A is used indicates that the reading result is 75/100 (or 75%). The reading result here simply indicates the number of RFID tags (recognition rate) successfully read with respect to the total number of RFID tags included in the identification target, but can be used to optimize other reading conditions, For example, the number of RFID tags successfully read by each antenna, the position of the RFID tag that was successfully read on the identification object, or the position of the identification object on the belt conveyor when the reading was successful are stored together. You can also keep it.

  Hereinafter, the flow of processing performed in the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the operation environment of the communication control apparatus in this embodiment is FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, and the communication control apparatus 105 in FIG. It shall be replaced.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of optimization processing by the communication control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The user inputs in advance from the user I / F unit 405 a target identification target type, a plurality of reading condition value sets for evaluation, and an evaluation order thereof. The optimization processing control unit 405 receives the input information from the reading processing control unit 407 and stores it in the data storage unit 403. Thereby, the reading condition value set table 601 is configured (S701).

  Next, the optimization processing control unit 405 selects one unevaluated reading condition value set from the data storage unit 403 according to the evaluation order, and sends it to the user I / F unit 406 via the reading processing control unit 407. It outputs (S702). As a result, each reading condition value of the reading condition value set to be evaluated next is displayed on the user I / F unit 406. For example, the left and right angle of the antenna position condition is 0 degree, the vertical angle is 0 degree, the horizontal distance is 1 meter, the vertical distance is 1 meter, the antenna switching condition is switched three times, the switching sequence is antenna 1 → antenna 2 → antenna 3. The switching timing is such that the antenna 1 is switched for 2 seconds, the antenna 2 is switched for 2 seconds, the antenna 3 is switched for 2 seconds, the protocol condition random number MAX value is 100,.

  Next, the user adjusts the position of the antenna 102 so as to meet the antenna position condition displayed on the user I / F unit 406 (S703). Further, the reading process control unit 407 sets the antenna switching condition and the protocol condition as internal parameters of the communication control apparatus 401 (S704).

  In the state where the reading condition value set to be evaluated is set as described above, the communication control apparatus 401 receives the start command input from the user I / F unit 406 and starts the reading process (S705). By the reading process, the reading process control unit 407 controls the switching of the antenna 102 based on the set antenna switching condition, and performs wireless communication with the RFID tag 202 based on the set protocol condition, and the RFID RFID tag information is obtained from the tag 202.

  In the reading process, for example, the following process is performed. That is, the reading process control unit 407 transmits a transmission command (for example, an inquiry about whether communication is possible) to the RFID tag 202 to the transmission / reception data control unit 409. The transmission / reception data control unit 409 encodes the transmission command and passes it to the RF signal transmission / reception unit 410. The RF signal transmission / reception unit 410 transmits a transmission command to the RFID tag 202 using radio resources via the antenna 102. The RFID tag 202 returns a response (for example, notification that communication is possible) after performing processing (for example, confirmation of communication availability) for the received command. The RF signal transmission / reception unit 410 that has received the response from the RFID tag 202 via the antenna 102 extracts the reception response and passes it to the transmission / reception data control unit 409. The transmission / reception data control unit 409 decodes the reception response to receive data and transmits it to the reading processing control unit 407. The command / response process as described above is repeatedly performed under the control of the reading process control unit 407, so that the reading process control unit 407 finally obtains RFID tag information of the RFID tag 202.

  The reading result obtained by performing the reading process is stored in the data storage unit 403 by the reading process control unit 407 via the optimization process control unit 405 (S706).

  If all the plurality of reading condition value sets registered in S701 have not been evaluated (NO in S707), the optimization processing control unit 405 performs S702 again.

  When the reading process is completed for all the reading condition value sets, the reading result analysis unit 404 analyzes the reading results stored in the data storage unit 403 under the control of the optimization processing control unit 405 to obtain the optimum value. A reading condition value set (hereinafter referred to as an optimum reading condition value set) is determined (S708). For example, the reading result analysis unit 404 considers only the recognition rate of the evaluated reading condition value set, and selects and determines the one that shows the highest recognition rate among them as the optimum reading condition value set.

  Finally, the optimization processing control unit 405 displays the optimal reading condition value set on the user I / F unit 406 via the reading processing control unit 407 and ends (S709).

  The above is the flow of processing for obtaining the optimum reading condition value set for one identification target type. Therefore, the process flow shown in FIG. 7 is repeatedly performed for various types of identification targets, so that optimum reading condition value sets corresponding to the various types of identification targets can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, reading processing is performed by changing various reading conditions, each reading result is accumulated, and a plurality of accumulated reading results are analyzed, so that the optimum reading is performed. Conditions are determined. That is, the reading condition optimization for improving the reading performance is efficiently performed.

  In the description of the processing in this embodiment, the material of the article is considered as the identification target type. However, the RFID tag attachment position, the arrangement of a plurality of articles, and the combination thereof may be considered.

  In the description of the processing in the present embodiment, the antenna position condition, the antenna switching condition, and the protocol condition are considered as the reading conditions. However, there are various other parameters such as parameters that affect the reading algorithm on the wireless communication protocol and the number of repetitions of the reading process. Factors that affect proper reading performance may be considered.

  In the processing of this embodiment, the reading result analysis unit 404 determines the optimum reading condition in consideration of only the recognition rate. However, along with the recognition rate, the number of RFID tags successfully read by each antenna is read. The reading condition value evaluated based on the result of statistical analysis of the position of the RFID tag on the identification target that succeeded or the position of the identification target on the belt conveyor when reading was successful. The corrected set may be determined as the optimum reading condition value set. In addition, the reading result analysis unit 404 determines the optimum reading condition value set by using the received radio wave level detected by the RF signal transmission / reception unit 409 at the time of response from the RFID tag 202 as the communication state index level (selection and correction). It may be either).

  In the processing of the present embodiment, the reading process control unit 407 only stores the reading result in the data storage unit 403 in S706, and the reading result analysis unit 404 performs processing for all reading condition value sets in S708. Although the optimum reading condition value set is determined by analyzing the reading result, the following method may be employed instead of such processing. In other words, in step S <b> 706, the reading process control unit 407 stores a reading result (hereinafter, the latest reading result) of the evaluated reading condition value set (hereinafter, the latest reading condition value set) in the data storage unit 403. Thereafter, the reading result analysis unit 404 analyzes the latest reading result and compares it with the reading performance of the currently selected optimum reading condition value set. When the reading performance based on the latest reading condition value set is higher than the reading performance of the currently selected optimum reading condition value set, the optimum reading condition value set is updated to the latest reading condition value set. The above processing is repeated for all reading condition value sets to be evaluated. In this case, the process corresponding to S708 is not performed.

  In the processing of this embodiment, the identification target type to be evaluated in S701 is registered and the reading condition value set is evaluated for each identification target type. However, the identification target type to be evaluated in S701 is not necessarily registered. Also good. For example, a large number of reading condition value sets may be registered in advance, and all of these reading condition value sets may be evaluated. Further, after the optimum reading condition value set is obtained by the evaluation, the reading condition value set and the identification target type may be associated with each other.

  In this embodiment, one antenna group including a plurality of (for example, three) antennas is connected to the communication control apparatus 401. The communication control apparatus 401 is connected along the conveyance path of the identification object. May be connected to a plurality of antenna groups.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a communication control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and description of common points with the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

  The communication control device 401 ′ further includes an antenna position control unit 801 in the reading control optimization unit 402.

  The antenna position control unit 801 can communicate with the antenna 102 (for example, connected by a cable or the like), and the antenna position (left and right angles, vertical angles and horizontal distances as shown in FIG. 3) so as to meet the antenna position conditions. , Vertical distance, etc.). That is, in the second embodiment, the position of the antenna 102 can be adjusted automatically instead of manually. As a mechanism for automatic adjustment, for example, the antenna position control unit 801 may control a mounting jig of the antenna 102 with a motor or the like.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of optimization processing by the communication control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The basic processing flow is the same as the optimization processing by the communication control apparatus according to the first embodiment described in FIG. To explain only the different points, S703 “manual adjustment of the antenna position according to the antenna position condition value” in FIG. 7 is changed to S903 “automatic adjustment of the antenna position according to the antenna position condition value”. That is, in FIG. 7, the user manually adjusts the antenna position, but in FIG. 9, the communication control device 401 ′ automatically adjusts the antenna position.

  The antenna position control unit 801 adjusts the position of the antenna 102 to meet the antenna position condition under the control of the reading process control unit 407 and the optimization process control unit 405 (S903).

  According to the second embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to adjust the antenna position for each reading condition. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently perform the reading condition optimization for improving the reading performance.

  In the third embodiment, the reading conditions are optimized by using a plurality of communication control devices in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a communication control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  A plurality of antenna gates 104 are installed on the belt conveyor 103 that conveys the identification object 101. Each antenna gate 104 is provided with a plurality of antennas 102, and each antenna 102 is connected to a communication control device 401 ′ prepared for each antenna gate 104. Further, all the communication control devices 401 ′ are connected to the communication control management device 1001 via the external communication unit 408 by a network communication protocol such as TCP / IP, for example.

  Regarding the plurality of antenna gates 104, it is assumed that the environment in the reading process, for example, the number of antennas and the delivery speed by the conveyor are the same.

  Numbers (1), (2),... (N) given to the communication control device 401 ′ indicate the order in which the reading process is performed. Accordingly, the reading process of the identification object 101 is performed in the order of the communication control device (1) → the communication control device (2) →... → the communication control device (N). These communication control devices 401 ′ are assumed to be communication control devices according to the second embodiment described above.

  The communication control management device 1001 is a device that manages a plurality of communication control devices 401 ′, and is, for example, a PC. The communication control management apparatus 1001 determines the reading condition value sets to be evaluated for each communication control apparatus 401 ′ so as not to overlap among all the communication control apparatuses 401 ′, and notifies them. Alternatively, the communication control device (1) 401 ′ that performs the reading process of the initial reading condition value set first is notified to all the communication control devices 401 ′ of a change pattern for appropriately changing the reading condition value set.

  Here, the change pattern is a rule stipulating that the reading condition value set is changed under a certain pattern (for example, changing the horizontal distance of the antenna position condition by +0.5 meters or a random number of the protocol condition) For example, the MAX value is changed by +10). The change pattern is transferred between the communication control management device 1001 and the communication control device 401 ′ as a file in a script format, for example.

  When each communication control apparatus 401 ′ determines a reading condition value set to be evaluated based on the change pattern, the reading condition value set of the communication control apparatus 401 ′ that has performed the reading process is used. Specifically, the communication control device (x) sets the reading condition value set used by the communication control device (x-1) according to the change pattern as a reading condition value set for evaluation (2 ≦ x <An integer of N). Thereby, as a whole, each communication control device 401 ′ can perform reading processing using different reading condition value sets.

  Further, the communication control management device 1001 accumulates the reading condition value set and the reading result notified from the communication control device 401 ′ under management, and analyzes them to determine the optimum reading condition value set.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of optimization processing by the communication control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a case where each communication control device 401 ′ determines a reading condition value set to be evaluated based on the initial reading condition value set and the change pattern will be described.

  The communication control management device 1001 notifies the change pattern to all the communication control devices 401 ′ under management (S1101). In each communication control device 401 ′, the notified change pattern is set.

  The communication control management apparatus 1001 notifies the initial reading condition value set to the communication control apparatus (1) 401 ′ that performs the reading process first among all the communication control apparatuses 401 ′ under management (S1102). ).

  The communication control apparatus (1) 401 ′ performs a reading process using the initial reading condition value set received from the communication control management apparatus 1001. Further, the communication control apparatus (1) 401 ′ transmits the reading condition value set and the reading result when the reading process is performed to the communication control management apparatus 1001 (S1103).

  Furthermore, the communication control apparatus (1) 401 ′ changes the reading condition value set used for the reading process based on the change pattern, and transmits the changed reading condition value set to the communication control apparatus (2) 401 ′ ( S1104).

  The communication control device (2) 401 ′ performs a reading process using the reading condition value set received from the communication control device (1) 401 ′. Further, the communication control apparatus (2) 401 ′ transmits the reading condition value set and the reading result when the reading process is performed to the communication control management apparatus 1001 (S1105).

  Further, the communication control device (2) 401 ′ changes the reading condition value set used for the reading process based on the change pattern, and transmits the changed reading condition value set to the next communication control device 401 ′ ( S1106).

  The communication control device (x) 401 ′ will be described. The communication control device (x) 401 ′ performs a reading process using the reading condition value set received from the communication control device (x−1) 401 ′. In addition, the communication control device (x) 401 ′ transmits the reading condition value set and the reading result when the reading process is performed to the communication control management device 1001.

  Furthermore, the communication control device (x) 401 ′ changes the reading condition value set used for the reading process based on the change pattern, and transmits the changed reading condition value set to the communication control device (x + 1) 401 ′.

  After all the communication control devices 401 ′ perform the above processing, and the communication control device (N) 401 ′ transmits the reading condition value set and the reading result when the reading conditions are performed to the communication control management device 1001. The communication control management apparatus 1001 analyzes the reading condition value set and the reading result received from all the communication control apparatuses 401 ′, and determines the optimum reading condition value set. The analysis performed by the communication control management apparatus 1001 here is the same as the analysis performed by the reading result analysis unit 403 of the communication control apparatus 401 (or 401 ′) described above.

  According to the third embodiment described above, it is possible to efficiently perform reading condition optimization for improving reading performance during operation using a plurality of communication control devices. That is, in the first and second embodiments, since the number of antenna gates is one, it is necessary to perform the reading condition optimization before operation (before the goods to be distributed are successively conveyed). In the embodiment, it can be expected that at least one antenna gate performs accurate reading and the reading condition can be optimized before the identification object type conveyed first passes through the last antenna gate. In the third embodiment, in order to set an optimum reading condition during the conveyance of the first identification object, the number of reading condition value sets needs to be equal to or less than the number of antenna gates.

  Note that the reading condition optimization during operation can be expected to be realized by one communication control device, for example, if a plurality of antenna groups are provided in one communication control device. Also, changing the reading condition value set using the change pattern and performing the reading process according to the changed reading condition value set may be applied to either the first or second embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, optimum reading conditions for various types of identification targets are stored in advance, and the optimum reading conditions are switched according to the types of identification targets. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a communication control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the communication control management device 1001 ′ to which a plurality of communication control devices 401 ′ are connected and the mobile unit 1202 are both connected to the same communication network 1201.

  Each communication control device 401 ′ and communication control management device 1001 ′, and communication control management device 1001 ′ and mobile unit 1202 can communicate with each other by a network communication protocol such as TCP / IP, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the communication control device 401 ′ connected to the communication control management device 1001 ′ is not limited to the case where the environment in the reading process is the same. Therefore, the optimum reading condition value sets of the respective communication control devices 105 ′ for the same identification object may be different. These communication control devices 401 ′ are assumed to be communication control devices according to the second embodiment described above.

  The communication control management device 1001 ′ is a device that manages a plurality of communication control devices 401 ′, for example, a PC. The communication control management device 1001 ′ stores in advance optimum reading conditions for various types of identification targets for each communication control device 401 ′ under management. The communication control management device 1001 ′ receives the identification target type of the identification target from the moving body 1202 before performing the reading process. Then, for each communication control device 401 ′ under management, the optimum reading condition value set for the identification target type is searched, and the obtained optimum reading condition value set is notified for each corresponding communication control device 401 ′. To do.

  The moving body 1202 carries an identification object, and for example, a forklift can be considered. The moving body 1202 conveys the identification object before the communication control device 401 ′ performs the reading process, and acquires and holds the identification object type. As a method for the mobile body 1202 to acquire the identification target type of the identification target object, for example, when the mobile body 1202 has an RFID tag reading function, a reading process may be used. Specifically, as an example, an RFID tag is also attached to a pallet on which an identification object is placed, and the identification target type information of the identification object placed on the pallet is stored in the RFID tag. The moving body 1202 includes a reading device that reads information from the RFID tag, and the reading target device reads information from the RFID tag of the pallet, whereby the identification target type information can be acquired. In addition, even when the moving body 1202 does not have an RFID tag reader, for example, by a method such as user input or notification from another moving body via a communication network, The identification target type can be acquired.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the use of optimum reading conditions by the communication control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The moving body 1202 reads the identification object type of the identification object (S1301).

  The mobile unit 1202 transmits the read identification target type to the communication control management apparatus 1001 ′ that manages the communication control apparatus 401 ′ that will perform the reading process (S1302).

  The communication control management apparatus 1001 ′ searches the communication control apparatus 401 ′ under management for the optimum reading condition value set for the notified classification target type (S1303).

  The communication control management apparatus 1001 ′ notifies the optimum reading condition value set searched for each communication control apparatus 401 ′ under management to each corresponding communication control apparatus 401 ′ (S1304).

  Each communication control device 401 ′ performs a reading process using the notified optimum reading condition value set (S1305, S1306).

  Thereby, before carrying out the reading process, the identification target type of the identification target can be known, and the optimum reading condition suitable for the identification target type can be used.

  In the processing in this embodiment, assuming that the moving body 1202 has an RFID tag reading function, the identification target type is acquired by performing the reading processing on the identification target in S1301. Instead of such processing, the identification target type of the identification target may be acquired by a method such as a user input or a notification from another mobile body via a communication network.

  In addition, if the optimum reading condition value set corresponding to the received identification target type is not registered, any of the reading condition optimizations in the first to third embodiments may be performed. Good (in other words, the fourth embodiment may be applied to the first to third embodiments). The optimum reading condition value set determined thereby can be stored in the data storage unit in association with the received identification target type. In addition, the optimum reading condition value set corresponding to the received identification target type may be provided in advance from a merchandise supplier via a communication network.

  As mentioned above, although several Example of this invention was described, these Examples are only the illustration for description of this invention, and is not the meaning which limits the scope of the present invention only to that Example. The present invention can be implemented in various other modes without departing from the gist thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of an RFID system employed in the physical distribution field. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of an identification object. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram regarding the antenna position. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of the communication control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a configuration example of the reading condition value range table. FIG. 6 is a configuration example of the reading condition value set table. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of optimization processing by the communication control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a communication control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of optimization processing by the communication control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a communication control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of optimization processing by the communication control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a communication control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the use of optimum reading conditions by the communication control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Identification target object 102 ... Antenna 103 ... Belt conveyor 104 ... Antenna gate 105 ... Communication control device 201 ... Pallet 202 ... RFID tag 401 ... Communication control device 401 '... Communication control device 402 ... Reading control optimization unit, 403... Data storage unit, 404... Reading result analysis unit, 405... Optimization processing control unit, 406... User I / F unit, 407 ... Reading processing control unit, 408. Transmission / reception data control unit, 410 ... RF signal transmission / reception unit, 501 ... reading condition value range table, 601 ... reading condition value set table, 801 ... antenna position control unit, 1001 ... communication control management device, 1001 '... communication control management device, 1201 ... Communication network, 1202 ... Mobile

Claims (11)

Each RFID tag information, which is information stored in each RFID tag of each article that is communicably connected to an antenna group for communicating with the RFID tag and that constitutes the article group in transit, A communication control device that performs reading processing while appropriately switching a plurality of antennas constituting the antenna group while passing through the communication range of the antenna group,
A reading process control unit that performs the reading process according to a reading condition value set composed of a plurality of reading condition values respectively corresponding to a plurality of reading condition types;
A reading result storage unit that stores a plurality of reading results obtained by a plurality of reading processes performed for each of the plurality of reading condition value sets, in association with the plurality of reading condition value sets;
RFID tag information out of the total number of RFID tags present in the article group based on the analysis result of the plurality of stored reading results and at least one of the plurality of reading condition value sets. An RFID communication control apparatus comprising: a reading result analysis unit that determines an optimum reading condition value set that provides the best reading performance represented by the number of RFID tags that have been successfully read. A user I / F unit that notifies the user of the determined optimum reading condition value set;
The RFID communication control device according to claim 1, further comprising: Each reading condition value set includes an antenna position condition value relating to the position of each of the plurality of antennas,
Before the reading process is performed according to the selected reading condition value set, the position of each of the plurality of antennas is automatically adjusted to match the antenna position condition value included in the reading condition value set. Antenna position controller,
The RFID communication control device according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of antenna groups composed of a plurality of antennas are installed, and the plurality of antenna groups are installed in different places along the conveyance path of the article group,
The RFID communication control device is communicably connected to the plurality of antenna groups;
In accordance with the conveyance of the article group, an antenna group that can communicate with each RFID tag of the article group of the plurality of antenna groups transitions,
The reading result storage unit stores the plurality of reading results by storing a result of reading processing performed through each antenna group.
The RFID communication control apparatus according to claim 1. A type / optimum set storage unit that associates and stores the type of the article group and the optimum reading condition value set;
An article group type input unit for receiving an input of a type of an article group to be newly conveyed;
A search unit that searches the type / optimum set storage unit for an optimal reading condition value set corresponding to the input article group type;
The reading process control unit performs the reading process according to an optimal reading condition value set found by the search unit;
The RFID communication control apparatus according to claim 1. The reading process control unit performs a reading process using each of the plurality of reading condition value sets when an optimum reading condition value set corresponding to the input article group type is not found by the search unit,
The type / optimum set storage unit stores the input article group type and the determined optimum reading condition value set in association with each other.
The RFID communication control apparatus according to claim 5. A change unit for changing a specific reading condition value set according to a certain rule;
The plurality of reading condition value sets include reading condition value sets obtained by the changing unit.
The RFID communication control apparatus according to claim 1. A communication control system including two or more RFID communication control devices that are communicably connected to a plurality of antenna groups for communicating with an RFID tag,
Each of the plurality of antenna groups is installed in a different place,
Each of the two or more RFID communication control devices communicates each RFID tag information, which is information stored in each RFID tag of each article constituting the article group being transported, to the antenna group connected to itself. While the article group passes through the area, reading is performed while appropriately switching a plurality of antennas constituting the antenna group according to a reading condition value set including a plurality of reading condition values respectively corresponding to a plurality of reading condition types. Perform the reading process,
The communication control system includes a plurality of reading results as a result of the reading process performed by each of the two or more RFID communication control devices, and a plurality of reading condition value sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of reading results. Based on at least one of the above, the optimum reading condition value set that provides the best reading performance represented by the number of RFID tags that have successfully read RFID tag information out of the total number of RFID tags existing in the article group is determined. And
The reading condition value set used in each reading process of the two or more RFID communication control devices is different from the reading condition value set used in other RFID communication control devices.
RFID communication control system. Each of the plurality of RFID communication control devices receives a read condition value set used by another RFID communication control device, and changes a read condition value set used by another RFID communication control device according to a certain rule Having a value set changing unit, and performing the reading process using the reading condition value set obtained by the condition value set changing unit,
The RFID communication control system according to claim 8. The product group has a specific storage unit that stores product group type information indicating the type of the product group,
A reading unit that reads article group type information from the specific storage unit and a transmission unit that transmits the article group type information read by the reading unit to the RFID communication control system are provided on the mobile body that carries the article group. Provided,
The RFID communication control system is
A type / optimum set storage unit that associates and stores the type of the article group and the optimum reading condition value set;
A receiving unit that receives article group type information representing a newly conveyed article group type from the transmission unit;
A search unit for searching the optimum reading condition value set corresponding to the article group type represented by the received article group type information from the type / optimum set storage unit;
The reading process control unit performs the reading process according to an optimal reading condition value set found by the search unit;
The RFID communication control system according to claim 8. Each RFID information, which is information stored in each RFID tag of each article that constitutes the article group that is being transported, is divided into a plurality of reading condition types while the article group passes through the communication range of the antenna group. Performing reading processing for each of the plurality of reading condition value sets while appropriately switching a plurality of antennas constituting the antenna group according to a reading condition value set composed of a plurality of corresponding reading condition values;
Based on a plurality of reading results as a result of a plurality of reading processes and at least one of a plurality of reading condition value sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of reading results, the total number of RFID tags existing in the article group And a step of determining an optimum reading condition value set that provides the best reading performance represented by the number of RFID tags that have successfully read the RFID tag information.

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