JP2008217570A - Wireless tag processor, and wireless tag processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an identifier report device and an identifier report method, capable of preventing two or more reports of the same identifier. <P>SOLUTION: A wireless tag processor includes a receiving part for receiving an identifier of a wireless tag; a storage part for storing the received identifier and whether it is reported or not; and a report part for reporting an unreported identifier based on the storage content of the storage part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag processing device and a wireless tag processing method.

As an automatic recognition technology that replaces barcodes and the like, wireless tags that exchange information with readers by wireless communication are used. The wireless tag has a number of advantages such as rewriting of data, communication of information even when other members are interposed between readers, and simultaneous reading of a plurality of tags.
Wireless tags are used for managing various items such as products. For example, a wireless tag is attached to each article, and an identifier (ID) in the wireless tag is read by a reader. As a result, articles can be identified and managed from each other.
Note that a state change filter technique for extracting tag data only when a reader starts reading ID (tag data) and when reading is stopped is disclosed (see Non-Patent Document 1). The state change filter filters the same ID from the wireless tag that continues to be in the reader reading range.
http://www.thinkit.co.jp/cert/article/0606/12/4/3.htm

When reading IDs from many wireless tags at the same time in inventory or the like, there is a possibility of reading the ID (same ID) of the same article multiple times. In this case, it is preferable to filter the same ID read a plurality of times.
However, with the above technology, it is difficult to filter IDs when the same wireless tag enters and exits the reading range of the reader. For example, when the wireless tag is separated from the reader or crosses an obstacle such as a metal and the reader cannot read the ID temporarily, the ID cannot be filtered by the state change filter. In this case, the same ID is notified a plurality of times, which is not preferable.
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an identifier notification device and an identifier notification method that prevent multiple notifications of the same identifier.

  A wireless tag processing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives an identifier of a wireless tag; a storage unit that stores the received identifier and presence / absence of notification; and a storage content of the storage unit. A notification unit for notifying an identifier of the notification.

  The wireless tag processing method according to an aspect of the present invention notifies an unnotified identifier based on a step of receiving an identifier of the wireless tag and a storage content of the storage unit that stores the received identifier and the presence / absence of notification. And a step.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the identifier notification apparatus and identifier notification method which prevent the notification of the same identifier in multiple times can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wireless tag processing device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The wireless tag processing device 10 processes a plurality of wireless tags 110 and includes a reader 120 and a processing device main body 130.

  A plurality of wireless tags (also referred to as RFID [Radio Frequency IDentification] tags or non-contact data carriers) 110 are attached to each of the plurality of articles and identify the articles from each other. The wireless tag 110 is an electromagnetic induction type tag that performs communication at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, for example, and includes an IC chip, an antenna coil, and the like.

  The IC chip includes a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a logic circuit, a central processing unit (CPU), and the like. The CPU executes various types of arithmetic processing such as communication control with the reader 120 and response processing using programs and data stored in the ROM and RAM. The ROM stores a tag identification code (tag identification information (identifier: ID)) uniquely assigned to each wireless tag 110 when the wireless tag 110 is manufactured. In addition to the RF circuit for wireless communication, the IC chip is also equipped with a capacitor.

The reader 120 is a reading device that reads an identifier (ID) from the wireless tag 110. For example, when the reader 120 applies electromagnetic waves to the wireless tag 110, communication between the reader 120 and the wireless tag 110 becomes possible.
Further, the wireless tag 110 and the reader 120 correspond to a so-called anti-collision function. That is, the reader 120 can collectively read a plurality of wireless tags 110 within a predetermined reading range (communication area).

  The processing apparatus main body 130 includes an ID filter unit 140 and a higher-level application unit 160. The ID filter unit 140 filters the ID received from the reader 120 and notifies the higher-order application unit 160 of it. The upper application unit 160 executes a predetermined process (for example, inventory management) using the ID notified from the ID filter unit 140.

  The processing apparatus main body 130 can be configured by a combination of hardware (for example, a computer) and software (program). For example, the computer functions as the processing apparatus main body 130 by operating the computer by software (middleware, upper application) corresponding to the ID filter unit 140 and the upper application unit 160, respectively.

  The ID filter unit 140 includes a notified ID list storage unit 141, an unnotified ID list storage unit 142, an ID reception unit 143, a processing control unit 144, a list processing unit 145, and an ID notification unit 146.

The notified ID list storage unit 141 and the unnotified ID list storage unit 142 function as a storage unit that stores the identifier to be received and the presence / absence of notification, and can be configured from a storage medium such as a memory or a hard disk.
The notified ID list storage unit 141 stores a notified ID list that is a list of IDs received from the reader 120 and notified to the upper application unit 160.
The unnotified ID list storage unit 142 stores an unnotified ID list that is a list of IDs received from the reader 120 but not yet notified to the upper application unit 160.

The ID receiving unit 143 functions as a receiving unit that receives the identifier of the wireless tag, and receives the ID of the wireless tag 110 from the reader 120.
The processing control unit 144 controls a processing procedure among the ID receiving unit 143, the list processing unit 145, and the ID notification unit 146.
The list processing unit 145 processes the list in the notified ID list storage unit 141 and the unnotified ID list storage unit 142.
The ID notification unit 146 notifies the host application unit 160 of a list of IDs of the wireless tag 110.

The list processing unit 145 includes a notified ID list determining unit 151, a notified ID adding unit 152, an unnotified ID list determining unit 153, an unnotified ID adding unit 154, and an unnotified ID deleting unit 155.
The notified ID list determination unit 151 determines whether or not the ID received from the reader 120 is included in the notified ID list.
The notified ID adding unit 152 adds the ID list notified to the upper application unit 160 to the notified ID list.
The unnotified ID list determination unit 153 determines whether the ID received from the reader 120 is included in the unnotified ID list.
The unnotified ID adding unit 154 adds the ID received from the reader 120 to the unnotified ID list.
The unnotified ID deletion unit 155 deletes the contents of the unnotified ID list.

(Operation of the wireless tag processing device 10)
Hereinafter, the operation of the wireless tag processing device 10 will be described.
A. Acquisition of ID from reader 120 (see FIG. 2)
(1) The ID receiving unit 143 receives the ID of the wireless tag 110 from the reader 120 (step S11).
(2) The unnotified ID list determination unit 153 confirms whether the ID acquired from the reader 120 is stored in the unnotified ID list (step S12). If the ID acquired from the reader 120 is not stored in the unnotified ID list, the process proceeds to the next step S13.
(3) The notified ID list determination unit 151 checks whether the ID acquired from the reader 120 is stored in the notified ID list (step S13). If the ID acquired from the reader 120 is not stored, the process proceeds to the next step S14.
(4) The unnotified ID adding unit 154 adds the ID acquired from the reader 120 to the unnotified ID list (step S14).

B. ID notification to the upper application unit 160 (see FIG. 3)
For example, the ID is notified in response to a notification request from the upper application unit 160.
(1) The unnotified ID list of the unnotified ID list storage unit 142 is temporarily stored in the buffer (step S21).
(2) The notified ID adding unit 152 adds the contents of the unnotified ID list to the notified ID list (step S22).
(3) The unnotified ID deletion unit 155 deletes the unnotified ID list from the unnotified ID list storage unit 142 (step S23).
(4) The ID notification unit 146 notifies the upper application unit 160 of the contents of the unreported ID list (step S24). For this notification, an unnotified ID list stored in the buffer is used.

C. Initialization of notified ID list / unnotified ID list For example, in response to an initialization request from the upper application section 160, a notified ID list storage section 141 and an unreported ID list storage section 142 notify Discards the contents of the notification ID list.

D. Exclusive control In the following cases (1) and (2), exclusive control is required. As a method for realizing exclusive control, existing methods such as Java (registered trademark) synchronized and a database lock function can be used.
(1) Conflict between deletion of unnotified ID list and addition of ID When adding an ID read from the reader 120 to the unnotified ID list during notification request processing, the reader 120 immediately before deleting the contents of the unnotified ID list If an ID read from the URL is added, an unreported ID may be deleted. In other words, it is preferable to limit the addition of IDs during processing of the notification request and add the ID after the notification request is completed.

(2) Conflict between adding an ID to the unnotified ID list and receiving the ID When acquiring the same ID as the ID being searched from the reader 120 during the search in the notified ID list and adding it to the unnotified ID list, There is a possibility that a plurality of the same IDs are registered in the notification ID list. That is, it is preferable to limit the addition of IDs during the search in the notified ID list and add the IDs after the notification request is completed.

(Advantages of the first embodiment)
The first embodiment has the following advantages.
(1) Since the IDs in the unnotified ID list are notified as they are (no search or restructuring of the list is required at the time of notification request), the response is fast.
(2) The IDs in the acquired ID list and the unnotified ID list are not duplicated (the amount of data to be held is small)

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the RFID tag processing apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The wireless tag processing device 20 processes a plurality of wireless tags 110 and includes a reader 120 and a processing device main body 230.

  The processing device main body 230 includes an ID filter unit 240 and a higher-level application unit 160. The ID filter unit 240 filters the ID received from the reader 120 and notifies the host application unit 160 of it.

The ID filter unit 240 includes an acquired ID list storage unit 241, an ID receiving unit 143, a processing control unit 144, a list processing unit 245, and an ID notification unit 146.
The acquisition ID list storage unit 241 stores an acquisition ID list that is an ID list received from the reader 120.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the acquisition ID list. The acquisition ID list includes an acquisition ID and a notification flag indicating whether the higher-level application unit 160 has been notified. In FIG. 5, the notification flags 0 and 1 represent non-notification and notification, respectively, but may be realized by other methods as long as the presence or absence of notification can be expressed.

The list processing unit 245 includes an acquired ID list determining unit 251, an ID adding unit 252, an unnotified flag setting unit 253, an unnotified ID list acquiring unit 254, and a notification flag setting unit 255.
The acquisition ID list determination unit 251 determines whether the ID received from the reader 120 is included in the acquisition ID list.
The ID adding unit 252 adds the ID received from the reader 120 to the acquired ID list.
The unnotified flag setting unit 253 sets an unnotified flag for the added ID.
The unnotified ID list acquisition unit 254 acquires a list of IDs for which an unnotified flag is set from the acquired ID list.
The notification flag setting unit 255 sets the notification flag of the ID notified to the upper application unit 160 to be notified.

(Operation of the wireless tag processing device 20)
Hereinafter, the operation of the wireless tag processing device 20 will be described.
A. Acquisition of ID from reader 120 (see FIG. 6)
(1) The ID receiving unit 143 receives the ID of the wireless tag 110 from the reader 120 (step S31).
(2) The acquisition ID list determination unit 251 confirms whether the ID acquired from the reader 120 is stored in the acquisition ID list (step S32).
(3) If the ID acquired from the reader 120 is not stored in the acquired ID list, the ID adding unit 252 adds the ID acquired from the reader 120 to the acquired ID list (step S33). At this time, the notification flag is set to not notified.

B. ID notification to the upper application unit 160 (see FIG. 7)
For example, the ID is notified in response to a notification request from the upper application unit 160.
(1) The unnotified ID list acquisition unit 254 acquires a list of IDs whose notification flag is set to unnotified from the acquired ID list (step S41).
(2) The notification flag setting unit 255 sets the notification flag of the acquired ID as notified (step S42).
(3) The ID notification unit 146 notifies a list of acquired IDs (step S43).

C. Initialization of Acquisition ID List For example, in response to an initialization request from the upper application unit 160, the contents of the acquisition ID list including the notification flag are discarded from the acquisition ID list storage unit 241.

D. Exclusive control Exclusive control is required in the following cases. As a method for realizing exclusive control, existing methods such as Java (registered trademark) synchronized and a database lock function can be used.
-Conflict between processes for adding IDs In some cases, unreported IDs may be sent continuously for the process of adding IDs acquired from the reader 120. That is, it is preferable that a plurality of processes for adding IDs do not compete.

(Advantages of the second embodiment)
The second embodiment has the following advantages.
(1) One list of IDs to be held is sufficient (acquired ID list), and ID data does not overlap.

(2) It is easy to expand to the case where there are a plurality of higher-order application units 160
When there are a plurality of higher-order application units 160, this can be dealt with by storing a plurality of notification flags indicating whether or not each higher-order application unit 160 has been notified in the acquired ID list storage unit 241.

(3) Exclusive control between the process of adding the ID acquired from the reader 120 and the process of the notification request is unnecessary.
In the notification request process, the notification flag of the ID notified to the higher-level application unit 160 is simply set to “notified”, and the deletion is not performed. Therefore, there is no possibility of conflict with the process of adding an ID.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an RFID tag processing apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The wireless tag processing device 30 processes a plurality of wireless tags 110 and includes a reader 120 and a processing device main body 330.

  The processing apparatus main body 330 includes an ID filter unit 340 and a higher-level application unit 160. The ID filter unit 340 filters the ID received from the reader 120 and notifies the upper application unit 160 of it.

The ID filter unit 340 includes an acquired ID list storage unit 341, a notified ID list storage unit 342, an ID reception unit 143, a processing control unit 144, a list processing unit 345, and an ID notification unit 146.
The acquisition ID list storage unit 341 stores an acquisition ID list that is an ID list received from the reader 120.
The notified ID list storage unit 342 stores a notified ID list that is a list of IDs notified to the upper application unit 160.

The list processing unit 345 includes an acquisition ID list determination unit 351, an acquisition ID addition unit 352, an unnotified ID list extraction unit 353, and a notified ID addition unit 354.
The acquisition ID list determination unit 351 determines whether the ID received from the reader 120 is included in the acquisition ID list.
The acquisition ID adding unit 352 adds the ID received from the reader 120 to the acquisition ID list.
The unnotified ID list extraction unit 353 constructs an unnotified ID list that is an unnotified ID list from the notified ID list and the acquired ID list.
The notified ID adding unit 354 adds a list of IDs notified to the upper application unit 160 to the notified ID list.

(Operation of the wireless tag processing device 30)
Hereinafter, the operation of the wireless tag processing device 30 will be described.
A. Acquisition of ID from reader 120 (see FIG. 9)
(1) The ID receiving unit 143 receives the ID of the wireless tag 110 from the reader 120 (step S51).
(2) The acquisition ID list determination unit 351 checks whether the ID acquired from the reader 120 is stored in the acquisition ID list (step S52).
(3) If the ID acquired from the reader 120 is not stored in the acquisition ID list, the acquisition ID adding unit 352 adds the ID acquired from the reader 120 to the acquisition ID list (step S53).

B. ID notification to the upper application unit 160 (see FIG. 10)
For example, the ID is notified in response to a notification request from the upper application unit 160.
(1) The unnotified ID list extraction unit 353 extracts a list of IDs included in the acquired ID list but not included in the notified ID list (step S61).
(2) The notified ID adding unit 354 adds the extracted ID list to the notified ID list (step S62).
(3) The ID notification unit 146 notifies a list of extracted IDs (step S63).

C. Initialization of Acquired ID List / Notified ID List For example, in response to an initialization request from the upper application unit 160, the acquired ID list storage unit 341 and the notified ID list storage unit 342 acquire the acquired ID list and the notified ID list. Discard the contents of.

(Advantages of the third embodiment)
The third embodiment has the following advantages.
(1) It is not necessary to delete IDs in the acquired ID list and the notified ID list.
(2) Since the lists used for ID acquisition and notification are different (acquired ID list, notified ID list), there is no possibility of conflicting ID acquisition and notification (exclusive control is unnecessary).

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an RFID tag processing apparatus 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The wireless tag processing device 40 processes a plurality of wireless tags 110 and includes a reader 120 and a processing device main body 430.

  The processing device main body 430 includes an ID filter unit 440 and a host application unit 160. The ID filter unit 440 filters the ID received from the reader 120 and notifies the upper application unit 160 of it.

The ID filter unit 440 includes an acquired ID list storage unit 441, an unnotified ID list storage unit 442, an ID reception unit 143, a processing control unit 144, a list processing unit 445, and an ID notification unit 146.
The acquisition ID list storage unit 441 stores an acquisition ID list that is an ID list received from the reader 120.
The unnotified ID list storage unit 442 stores an unnotified ID list that is a list of IDs not notified to the higher-level application unit 160.

The list processing unit 445 includes an acquired ID list determining unit 451, an acquired ID adding unit 452, an unnotified ID adding unit 453, and an unnotified ID deleting unit 454.
The acquisition ID list determination unit 451 determines whether the ID received from the reader 120 is included in the acquisition ID list.
The acquisition ID adding unit 452 adds the ID received from the reader 120 to the acquisition ID list.
The unnotified ID adding unit 453 adds the ID received from the reader 120 to the unnotified ID list.
The unnotified ID deletion unit 454 deletes the unnotified ID list.

(Operation of the wireless tag processing device 40)
Hereinafter, the operation of the wireless tag processing device 40 will be described.
A. Acquisition of ID from reader 120 (see FIG. 12)
(1) The ID receiving unit 143 receives the ID of the wireless tag 110 from the reader 120 (step S71).
(2) The acquisition ID list determination unit 451 checks whether the ID acquired from the reader 120 is stored in the acquisition ID list (step S72).
(3) When the ID acquired from the reader 120 is not stored in the acquired ID list, the ID acquired by the acquired ID adding unit 452 and the unnotified ID adding unit 453 from the reader 120 in the acquired ID list and the unnotified ID list Is added (step S73).

B. ID notification to the upper application unit 160 (see FIG. 13)
For example, the ID is notified in response to a notification request from the upper application unit 160.
(1) The unnotified ID list of the unnotified ID list storage unit 442 is temporarily stored in the buffer (step S81).
(2) The unnotified ID list in the unnotified ID list storage unit 442 is deleted (step S82).
(3) The ID notification unit 146 notifies the unreported ID list (step S831).

C. Initialization of Acquired ID List / Unnotified ID List For example, in response to an initialization request from the upper application unit 160, an acquired ID list and an unnotified ID list from the acquired ID list storage unit 441 and the unnotified ID list storage unit 442 Discard the contents of.

D. Exclusive control It is preferable to exclusively control access to the unreported list. When exclusive control of access to the unnotified list is not performed, there is a possibility that the newly acquired ID is not notified to the upper application unit 160. For example, the ID acquisition from the reader 120 and the notification request from the upper application unit 160 are almost simultaneous. In this case, immediately after an unnotified ID is acquired from the unnotified ID list, an ID received from the reader 120 is added to the unnotified list before the higher-order application unit 160 is notified of the ID added to the unnotified list. There is a fear of deleting. As a method for realizing the exclusive control, an existing method such as Java (registered trademark) synchronized may be used.
When deleting only the acquired data when deleting the unreported ID list, exclusive control is not necessary.

(Advantages of the fourth embodiment)
(1) The response at the time of notification of ID is quick (no search of the list or addition of data is required).

(Other embodiments)
Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be expanded and modified. The expanded and modified embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless tag processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the wireless tag processing apparatus at the time of ID acquisition. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the wireless tag processing apparatus at the time of ID notification. It is a block diagram showing the radio | wireless tag processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of an acquisition ID list. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the wireless tag processing apparatus at the time of ID acquisition. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the wireless tag processing apparatus at the time of ID notification. It is a block diagram showing the radio | wireless tag processing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the wireless tag processing apparatus at the time of ID acquisition. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the wireless tag processing apparatus at the time of ID notification. It is a block diagram showing the radio | wireless tag processing apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the wireless tag processing apparatus at the time of ID acquisition. It is a flowchart showing the flow of operation | movement of the wireless tag processing apparatus at the time of ID notification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wireless tag processing apparatus, 110 ... Wireless tag, 120 ... Reader, 130 ... Processing apparatus main body, 140 ... ID filter part, 141 ... Notified ID list storage part, 142 ... Unnotified ID list storage part, 143 ... ID reception , 144... Processing control unit, 145... List processing unit, 146.

Claims (6)

A receiver for receiving the identifier of the wireless tag;
A storage unit for storing the received identifier and presence / absence of notification;
A notification unit for notifying an unnotified identifier based on the storage content of the storage unit;
A wireless tag processing device comprising: The storage unit stores a first list representing a list of notified identifiers and a second list representing a list of unnotified identifiers;
A first adding unit that adds the identifier to the second list when the received identifier is not included in any of the first and second lists, and the notification unit; A second addition unit for adding the identifier notified by the first list to the first list,
The wireless tag processing device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies an unnotified identifier based on the second list. The storage unit stores a list representing the identifier and the presence / absence of notification,
The wireless tag processing device further comprising an adding unit that adds the identifier to the list as unreported when the received identifier is not included in the list;
The wireless tag processing device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies an unnotified identifier based on the list. The storage unit stores a first list representing a list of received identifiers and a second list representing a list of notified identifiers;
The RFID tag processing device adds a first addition unit that adds the received identifier not included in the first list to the first list, and an identifier notified by the notification unit to the second list And a second additional unit that includes:
The wireless tag processing device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies an unnotified identifier based on the first and second lists. The storage unit stores a first list representing a list of received identifiers and a second list representing a list of unnotified identifiers;
The RFID tag processing apparatus further comprises an adding unit for adding the received identifier not included in the first list to the first and second lists,
The wireless tag processing device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies an unnotified identifier based on the second list. Receiving a wireless tag identifier;
Notifying an unnotified identifier based on the received identifier and the storage content of the storage unit for storing presence / absence of notification;
A wireless tag processing method comprising:

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