JP2008234265A - Rfid device, program for rfid device, rfid control method and rfid system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control all the frequencies and communication specifications of RFID tags for read and write from a remote place in a RFID system compatible with RFID tags of a plurality of frequencies or communication specifications. <P>SOLUTION: In a multi-reader 200 including a plurality of RFID reader/writers 202, the operation state showing operability, frequency, and communication protocol of each individual RFID reader/writer 202 is stored in a RFID reader/writer control information storage part 203. An application terminal 100 sets the operation state, frequency and communication protocol to the multi-reader 200 via a network 900. A multi-reader control part 201 of the multi-reader 200 performs read/write only to the on-state RFID reader/writer 202. The multi-reader control part 201 changes setting of the RFID reader/writer 202 according to the set frequency and communication protocol. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an RFID (Radio Frequency-Identification) reader / writer and an RFID tag.

  As described in Non-Patent Document 1, the RFID is composed of an RFID tag having a built-in IC that stores large-capacity information and can read and write at high speed, and a reader / writer that reads from and writes to the RFID tag. A major feature of RFID is that when a reader / writer reads / writes an RFID tag, it communicates at a short distance across a space using an electromagnetic field without having an electrical contact. FIG. 19 shows a configuration of a general RFID system. The RFID tag has an antenna module, and radio waves sent from the RFID reader / writer are received by the antenna module, and the contents of the radio waves are decoded by the main control unit in the RFID tag, and written to or read from the memory in the RFID tag. Process according to the instructions. In the case of reading, the value in the RFID tag memory read in a form superimposed on the radio wave sent from the RFID reader / writer is returned to the RFID reader / writer.

  FIG. 18 shows the frequency, radio specifications, and applications of RFID tags that are in practical use today. As the frequency of RFID, 13.56 MHz, 950 MHz, and 2.45 GHz bands are common. For each frequency, for example, the 13.56 MHz band is resistant to moisture, the 950 MHz band can extend the flight distance to about 5 meters, and the 2.45 GHz band has a flight distance of about 1 meter. There are different features, such as the possibility of sticking. There are communication protocols defined by various standard organizations such as ISO or unique ones. In ISO, there are ISO15693, ISO18000-4, ISO14443, and the like. As described above, RFID tags having different frequencies and communication protocols and different shapes and corresponding RFID reader / writers have been developed and commercialized according to various applications.

  In addition, RFID reader / writers that are commercialized today generally implement the communication protocol in hardware, and write or read commands to the RFID tag from a PC connected to the RFID reader / writer via a network or RS232C. When it is received, the operation is performed.

  Further, as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2, there is also known one that can change specifications such as frequency and communication protocol by using software defined radio.

  As a problem in the spread of the current RFID tag and RFID reader / writer, when supervising equipment using RFID tags in supermarkets, convenience stores, or hospitals, the target equipment is a PET bottle packed with moisture. There are various types of medicines, from tablet medicines packaged with metal, to one type of RFID tag that cannot be handled.

  The simplest method for solving this problem is to arrange RFID reader / writers corresponding to a plurality of RFID tags side by side in this method, but in this method, a plurality of RFID reader / writers are arranged at the installation location. There is a problem of requiring space.

  As a technique for solving this problem, a technique in which a function corresponding to the frequencies and communication specifications of a plurality of different RFID tags is added to one RFID reader / writer is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, in an RFID reader / writer that may read and write cards and tags with different communication specifications at the same frequency, a signal with different communication specifications is sent out in a polling manner from the RFID reader / writer, and a nearby card A method in which a general method is applied to an RFID reader / writer in a computer modem in which communication with a communication specification is started when a tag or tag responds in accordance with one of the communication specifications. Further, in Patent Document 2, in an RFID reader / writer that may read and write cards and tags with different communication specifications at the same frequency, circuits with different communication specifications operate exclusively instead of the polling method. A method of preventing signals having different communication specifications from being simultaneously transmitted by preparing a control signal is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 3, in an RFID reader / writer that may read / write a card or tag at a plurality of different frequencies, circuits of different frequencies operate exclusively to prevent interference between signals. A method of preventing is disclosed.

JP 2001-143023 A JP 2005-339089 A JP 2005-143073 A "Book of contactless IC card", Hiroshi Isobe, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, 2003 “Ubiquitous Wireless Devices”, Hideyuki Nejiya, Maki Ogawa, Tokyo Denki University Press, 2005

  However, with the techniques disclosed in these patent documents, even if a single RFID reader / writer can handle cards and tags with multiple frequencies and communication specifications, these frequencies and communication specifications are fixed. There is.

  In general, the RFID reader / writer often specifies the type of RF tag to be read depending on the installation location, rather than reading all information of the RF tag that can be read. If the RFID reader / writer reads all readable RF tag information, the RFID reader / writer reads all readable RF tag information and notifies the server. Normally, the server can determine that the RF tag is an invalid RF tag other than the RF tag to be originally read from the read content of the notified RF tag. However, depending on the data code system, the server may not be able to determine the invalidity. There is also sex. Further, even if the server can reliably determine invalidity, a useless transaction occurs between the RFID reader / writer and the server.

  Therefore, even in an RFID reader / writer that can handle a plurality of frequencies and communication specifications, it is necessary to be able to set a frequency and communication specifications that can be read and written from the outside in accordance with the situation and installation location.

  In many cases, a large number of RFID reader / writers are installed in a remote place such as a building or a factory. In such a case, it is not realistic from the viewpoint of operation and maintenance to perform the frequency and communication specifications that can be read and written by the RFID reader / writer at each installation location.

  Therefore, it is necessary to set the specification of the RFID reader / writer from a remote location.

(Object of invention)
It is an object of the present invention to remotely control the frequency and communication specifications of RFID tags for reading and writing in an RFID system in which a large number of RFID reader / writers corresponding to cards and tags having a plurality of frequencies and communication specifications are installed. An RFID apparatus, an RFID apparatus program, an RFID control method, and an RFID system are provided.

  A first RFID device according to the present invention includes a plurality of RFID reader / writers having different wireless specifications, an RFID reader / writer control information storage unit for storing and managing the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers, and a read command from an application terminal Is received, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to, the RFID tag is read from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is ON, read data is notified to the application terminal, and the application terminal is read. When a write command including write data is received from a terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit is referred to, and the write data is written to the RFID tag with respect to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on. With reader control means Characterized by comprising.

  According to a second RFID device of the present invention, in the first RFID device, the RFID device further includes an access interval storage unit that stores an access interval to each RFID reader / writer, and the multi-reader control unit includes: Reading from the RFID reader / writer or writing to the RFID reader / writer is performed in a unit of time designated by the access interval.

  In the third RFID device of the present invention, in the first or second RFID device, when the multi-reader control unit further receives a setting command including an identifier and an operating status of the RFID reader / writer from the application terminal, The operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier is stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage means.

  According to a fourth RFID device of the present invention, in the first or second RFID device, the multi-reader control unit further receives a setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier, a frequency, and a communication protocol from the application terminal. In this case, the frequency and the communication protocol are set in the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier.

  According to a first RFID system of the present invention, in an RFID system in which an application terminal and an RFID device are connected via a network, the application terminal transmits a read command means for transmitting a read command to the RFID device, and a write command including write data. And a RFID reader / writer control information for storing and managing a plurality of RFID reader / writers having different wireless specifications and the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers. When the read command is received from the storage means and the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to read the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, When the read data is notified to the application terminal and the write command is received from the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit is referred to, and the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on Multi-reader control means for writing the write data to the tag is provided.

  According to a second RFID system of the present invention, in the first RFID system, the RFID device further includes an access interval storage unit that stores an access interval to each RFID reader / writer, and the multi-reader control unit includes: Reading from the RFID reader / writer or writing to the RFID reader / writer is performed in a unit of time designated by the access interval.

  According to a third RFID system of the present invention, in the first or second RFID system, the application terminal further includes a setting command means for transmitting a setting command including an identifier of an RFID reader / writer and an operation status to the RFID device. And the multi-reader control means of the RFID device further stores the operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier in the RFID reader / writer control information storage means when the setting command is received from the application terminal. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a fourth RFID system of the present invention, in the first or second RFID system, the application terminal further transmits a setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier, a frequency, and a communication protocol to the RFID device. Command means, and the multi-reader control means of the RFID device further sets the frequency and the communication protocol in the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier when the setting command is received from the application terminal. Features.

  According to a fifth RFID system of the present invention, in an RFID system in which an application terminal, a server, and an RFID device are connected by a network, the application terminal transmits a device-unspecific read command to the RFID device, and writing A multi-reader management information storage means for storing and managing the device operating status of each of the plurality of RFID devices, and a write command means for transmitting a device-independent type write command including data to the RFID device; When receiving the device-independent type read command from the application terminal, the RFID device refers to the multi-reader management information storage means, transmits a read command to the RFID device whose device operation status is on, and the RFID device Received read data from In this case, when the read data is notified to the application terminal and the device unspecified type write command is received from the application terminal, the RFID device whose device operation status is on is referred to by referring to the multi-reader management information storage means Transfer control means for transmitting a write command, and the RFID device stores a plurality of RFID reader / writers having different wireless specifications and the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers. When the read command is received from the writer control information storage means and the server, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to read the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on. The read data is transferred to the application terminal. When the write command is received from the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit is referred to, and the write data is written to the RFID tag with respect to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on. And a multi-reader control means for performing.

  According to a sixth RFID system of the present invention, in the fifth RFID system, the RFID device further includes an access interval storage unit that stores an access interval to each RFID reader / writer, and the multi-reader control unit includes: Reading from the RFID reader / writer or writing to the RFID reader / writer is performed in a unit of time designated by the access interval.

  According to a seventh RFID system of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth RFID system, the application terminal further transmits a device-independent type setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier and an operation status to the server. The transfer control means of the server further receives the device unspecified type setting command from the application terminal, refers to the multi-reader management information storage means, and the device operating status is on. When a setting command is transmitted to the RFID device, and the multi-reader control means of the RFID device further receives the setting command from the server, the operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier is The information is stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage means.

According to an eighth RFID system of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth RFID system, the application terminal further sends a device-independent type setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier, a frequency, and a communication protocol. Setting instruction means for transmitting to the server, the transfer control means of the server further refers to the multi-reader management information storage means when receiving the device unspecified type setting command from the application terminal, and the device operating status Is sent to the RFID device, and when the multi-reader control means of the RFID device further receives the setting command from the server, the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier The frequency and the communication protocol are set.
The first RFID device program according to the present invention is an RFID device program including a plurality of RFID reader / writers having different wireless specifications, and stores and manages the operating status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers. When a read command is received from the RFID reader / writer control information storage means and the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to read the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on. When the read data is notified to the application terminal and a write command including the write data is received from the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on. In contrast, RF Characterized in that to function as a multi-reader control means for writing the write data to the D tag.

  The second RFID device program according to the present invention is the first RFID device program, wherein the RFID device program further stores a computer and an access interval storage unit that stores an access interval to each RFID reader / writer. The multi-reader control means performs reading from the RFID reader / writer or writing to the RFID reader / writer in a unit of time designated by the access interval.

  According to a third RFID device program of the present invention, in the first or second RFID device program, the multi-reader control unit further sends a setting command including an identifier and an operating status of the RFID reader / writer from the application terminal. When received, the operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier is stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage means.

According to a fourth RFID device program of the present invention, in the first or second RFID device program, the multi-reader control unit further includes an identifier, a frequency, and a communication protocol of the RFID reader / writer from the application terminal. When the setting command is received, the frequency and the communication protocol are set in the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier.
In the first RFID control method of the present invention, when an RFID device including a plurality of RFID reader / writers having different wireless specifications receives a read command from an application terminal, the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers is stored. A reading step of referring to an RFID reader / writer control information storage unit to be managed, reading out an RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, and notifying the application terminal of read data, and the application terminal A write step of writing the write data to the RFID tag with reference to the RFID reader / writer control information storage means when the write command including the write data is received from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on And And wherein the Mukoto.

  According to a second RFID control method of the present invention, in the first RFID control method, reading from the RFID reader / writer in the reading step or writing to the RFID reader / writer in the writing step is performed in the access interval storage means. It is characterized in that it is performed in a unit of time specified by a stored access interval.

  According to a third RFID control method of the present invention, in the first or second RFID control method, when the RFID device further receives a setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier and an operation status from the application terminal, And a setting step of storing the operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier in the RFID reader / writer control information storage means.

  According to a fourth RFID control method of the present invention, in the first or second RFID control method, the RFID device further receives a setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier, a frequency, and a communication protocol from the application terminal. In this case, the frequency and the communication protocol are set in the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier.

  The effect of the present invention is that, in an RFID system corresponding to RFID tags of a plurality of frequencies and communication specifications, reading / writing for only an RFID tag corresponding to a specific specification can be controlled from a remote location. The maintenance efficiency can be improved. The reason is that, in a multi-reader that accommodates a plurality of RFID reader / writers, the operation status indicating whether each RFID reader / writer can be operated is stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit, and the application terminal stores the operation status via the network. This is because the multi-reader performs reading / writing only with respect to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an RFID system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The RFID system of the present invention includes an application terminal 100, a multi-reader 200, an RFID tag 300, and a network 900.

  The application terminal 100 is an information processing apparatus that operates under program control, such as a PC or a workstation, and stores RFID reader / writer control information in response to a request from an application that uses the RFID tag 300 executed on the application terminal 100. A setting command (set-mr) to the unit 203, a read command (read-mr) for the RFID tag 300, and a write command (write-mr) for the RFID tag 300 are issued.

  The multi-reader 200 includes a multi-reader control unit 201, a plurality of RFID reader / writers 202, an RFID reader / writer control information storage unit 203, an access interval storage unit 204, an RFID software storage unit 205, and a timer unit 206. Connected to terminal 100.

  The individual RFID reader / writers 202a, 202b, and 202c are realized by software radio, and it is possible to change specifications of different frequencies and communication protocols by replacing software.

  The multi-reader control unit 201 receives and executes an instruction command (set-mr, read-mr, or write-mr) from the application terminal 100, and reads the read command to the RFID reader / writer 202 as necessary (read-). tag) or a write-tag command, and is executed on the CPU under program control.

  When the RFID reader / writer 202 receives a read command (read-mr) or write command (write-mr) with a specified time interval from the multi-reader control unit 201, the RFID reader / writer 202 reads data from the RFID tag 300 only during the time interval. Or write.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit 203 stores and manages an index, a unique ID, a current operation status, a frequency, and a communication protocol for each RFID reader / writer 202. When implemented in a programming language, it can be defined as an array. Here, the “index” is a unique number that expresses the order of the table, and is used when iterative processing is performed. The “unique ID” is a name for uniquely specifying the RFID reader / writer 202. “Operation status” designates whether or not the RFID reader / writer 202 can be operated, and is set to “ON” when reading / writing is to be performed using the RFID reader / writer 202, and “OFF” when it is not desired to perform reading / writing. Set to. “Frequency” designates the frequency of the RFID reader / writer 202, and is set to a value such as 13.56 MHz, 950 MHz, 2.45 GHz, for example. “Protocol” designates the type of communication protocol of the RFID reader / writer 202. For example, a value such as ISO15693, ISO18000-4, ISO14443, or the like is set.

  The access interval storage unit 204 stores and manages a time interval when reading or writing to the RFID reader / writer 202. When implemented in a programming language, it can be implemented with real type variables.

  The RFID software storage unit 205 stores and manages software corresponding to different frequencies and communication protocols used in software radio.

  The timer unit 206 always records the current time and responds to the inquiry with the current time. Since a computer usually has a built-in timer, its function is used as it is.

  The RFID tag 300 is a normal RFID tag, and differs depending on various frequencies and communication protocol standards.

  Next, in the first embodiment of the present invention, an instruction issued by the application terminal 100 to the multi reader 200 and an outline of the operation will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows commands issued by the application terminal 100 to the multi reader 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the commands issued by the application terminal 100 to the multi reader 200 include an RFID reader / writer setting command (set-mr), an RFID reader / writer read command (read-mr), and an RFID reader / writer write command (write-). There are three types of mr).

  The RFID reader / writer setting command (set-mr) is a command for setting the RFID reader / writer 202, and as shown in FIG. 4, which RFID reader / writer 202 in the multi-reader 200 is activated or stopped. Instruct. Further, it designates specifications such as the frequency band and the type of communication protocol for each RFID reader / writer 202 existing in the multi-reader 200. These settings are stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit 203. Further, set-mr sets an access interval for each RFID reader / writer 202. The access interval is stored in the access interval storage unit 204. Normally, the RFID reader / writer 202 transmits radio waves (or electromagnetic waves, which are explained here by using radio waves in a unified manner) when reading / writing from / to the RFID tag 300. If radio waves are transmitted at the same time, they interfere with each other and the RFID tag 300 cannot receive radio waves correctly. Therefore, when instructing reading / writing to a plurality of RFID reader / writers 202, the multi-reader control unit 201 delimits a short time interval specified by the access interval so that the RFID reader / writers 202 do not transmit radio waves simultaneously. The transmission time is controlled from RFID reader / writer 202a from time T1 to T2 (= T1 + access interval), and RFID reader / writer 202b from time T2 to T3 (= T2 + access interval). The access interval is, for example, a unit of 1 millisecond (1/1000 second), and it is as if a plurality of RFID reader / writers 202 simultaneously read and write RFID tags 300 (13.56 MHz and 2.45 GHz) having different specifications. Looks like you are doing.

  The RFID reader / writer read command (read-mr) is a command for reading from the RFID tag 300. As shown in FIG. 5, when the multi-reader control unit 201 receives read-mr, it issues an RFID tag read command (read-tag) to each RFID reader / writer 202 in units of access intervals. Upon receiving this command, each RFID reader / writer 202 emits a radio wave during the access interval and waits for a response from the RFID tag 300 that is expected to be nearby. If there is no corresponding RFID tag 300 in the vicinity, there is no response, and the processing is terminated as it is when the access interval elapses. Even if the RFID tag 300 exists, it does not react if it differs from the specification (frequency or communication protocol) of the RFID reader / writer 202, so that it is the same as when the RFID tag 300 does not exist. When there is an RFID tag 300 that conforms to the specifications of the RFID reader / writer 202 nearby, there is a response from the RFID tag 300, and the memory value held by the RFID tag 300 is returned. Notify the control unit 201. The multi-reader control unit 201 notifies the application terminal 100 of the return result.

  The RFID reader / writer write command (write-mr) is a command for writing to the RFID tag 300. As shown in FIG. 6, upon receiving write-mr, the multi-reader control unit 201 issues an RFID tag write command (write-tag) to each RFID reader / writer 202 in units of access intervals. Upon receiving this command, each RFID reader / writer 202 emits a radio wave during the access interval and waits for a response from the RFID tag 300 that is expected to be nearby. If there is no corresponding RFID tag 300 in the vicinity, there is no response, so the processing is terminated as it is when the access interval has elapsed. Even if the RFID tag 300 is present, it does not react if the specification (frequency or communication protocol) of the RFID reader / writer 202 is different from the RFID tag 300, and therefore, the same as when the RFID tag 300 does not exist. When there is an RFID tag 300 that conforms to the specification of the RFID reader / writer 202 nearby, writing to the memory held by the RFID tag 300 is successful for the RFID tag 300.

  FIG. 7 shows the inside of the RFID reader / writer 202. The RFID reader / writer 202 accepts two commands: read-tag for reading the RFID tag for a specified time and write-tag for writing to the RFID tag for the specified time. Regardless of which command is received, the radio wave is continuously transmitted for a specified time.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 8 shows an operation flow when the multi-reader control unit 201 of the multi-reader 200 receives an RFID reader / writer setting command (set-mr) from the application terminal 100. The multi-reader control unit 201 receives a set-mr from the application terminal 100 with the unique ID, operation status, frequency, communication protocol, and access interval as arguments (step S101). The multi-reader control unit 201 stores the access interval passed as the argument of set-mr in the access interval storage unit 204 (step S102). In addition, the multi-reader control unit 201 searches for the row of the RFID reader / writer 202 with the unique ID passed as an argument (step S104), and sets the operation status, frequency, and communication protocol passed as an argument for each item. Then, the information is stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit 203 (step S105). Further, the multi-reader control unit 201 searches the RFID software storage unit 205 for RFID software corresponding to the designated frequency and communication protocol, loads the RFID software on the RFID reader / writer 202 designated by the unique ID, and executes it (step S106). ).

  FIG. 9 shows an operation flow when the multi-reader control unit 201 of the multi-reader 200 receives an RFID reader / writer read command (read-mr) from the application terminal 100. The multi-reader control unit 201 receives read-mr with the specified time as an argument (step S201). The multi-reader control unit 201 confirms the operating status of each RFID reader / writer 202 with reference to the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit 203 for a specified time specified as an argument of read-mr (step S203). If the situation is ON, the access time stored in the access interval storage unit 204 is designated for the RFID reader / writer 202, a read command (read-tag) is issued (step S204), and the value is read from the tag. When read, the value is transmitted to the application terminal 100 (step S205).

  FIG. 10 shows an operation flow when the RFID reader / writer 202 of the multi-reader 200 receives a read command (read-tag) from the multi-reader control unit 201. The RFID reader / writer 202 receives a read-tag with the specified time (= access interval) as an argument from the multi-reader control unit 201 (step S301). The RFID reader / writer 202 repeatedly transmits a radio wave for a read command to the RFID tag 300 for a specified time specified as an argument of read-tag (steps S303 to S305). If there is a reply from the RFID tag 300, it is returned to the multi-reader control unit 201 (step S303).

  FIG. 11 shows an operation flow when the multi-reader control unit 201 of the multi-reader 200 receives an RFID reader / writer write command (write-mr) from the application terminal 100. The multi-reader control unit 201 receives write-mr with the specified time and the value to be written as arguments (step S401). The multi-reader control unit 201 refers to the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit 203 for a specified time specified as an argument of write-mr, and confirms the operating status of each RFID reader / writer 202 (step S403). If the operation status is on, the RFID reader / writer 202 has a write command (write-tag) that specifies the access time stored in the access interval storage unit 204 and the value to be written specified as the write-mr argument. ) Is issued (step S404).

  FIG. 12 shows an operation flow when the RFID reader / writer 202 of the multi-reader 200 receives a write command (write-tag) from the multi-reader control unit 201. The RFID reader / writer 202 receives a write-tag from the multi-reader control unit 201 with the specified time (= access interval) and the value to be written as arguments (step S501). The RFID reader / writer 202 repeatedly transmits the value passed as the argument to the RFID tag 300 on the radio wave of the write command for the specified time specified as the write-tag argument (steps S503 to S505).

  Thus, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention is completed.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention, in an RFID system corresponding to RFID tags having a plurality of frequencies and communication specifications, reading / writing for only an RFID tag corresponding to a specific specification can be remotely controlled. System operation and maintenance efficiency can be improved. The reason is that, in a multi-reader that accommodates a plurality of RFID reader / writers, the operation status indicating whether each RFID reader / writer can be operated is stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit, and the application terminal stores the operation status via the network. This is because the multi-reader performs reading / writing only with respect to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on.

  Further, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the RFID system corresponding to the RFID tags having a plurality of frequencies and communication specifications, it is possible to remotely control the supported frequencies and communication protocols, and to operate and maintain the RFID system. Efficiency can be further improved. The reason is that in a multi-reader accommodating a plurality of RFID reader / writers, the frequency and communication protocol settings of each RFID reader / writer are stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit, and the application terminal stores the frequency and communication protocol on the network. This is because the multi-reader changes the frequency and communication protocol of each RFID reader / writer in accordance with the setting.

(Second embodiment of the invention)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, when there are a plurality of multi-readers 200, the application terminal 100 does not issue commands for setting, reading, and writing to each multi-reader 200. The server 400 is installed between the application terminal 100 and the multi-reader 200, and the application terminal 100 issues a setting, reading, and writing command that does not specify the multi-reader to the server 400. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that setting, reading, and writing commands are issued to the reader 200 instead.

  FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the RFID system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The RFID system of the present invention includes an application terminal 100, a multi-reader 200, an RFID tag 300, a server 400, and a network 900. The operations of the multi-reader 200 and the RFID tag 300 are the same as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In response to a request from an application using the RFID tag 300 executed on the application terminal 100, the application terminal 100 sets a setting command (set-anonymous-mr) and a read command (read-anonymous-mr) that do not specify a multi-reader. ) And a write command (write-anonymous-mr).

  The server 400 includes a transfer control unit 401 and a multi-reader management information storage unit 402.

  When the transfer control unit 401 receives a setting command (set-anonymous-mr), a read command (read-anonymous-mr), and a write command (write-anonymous-mr) that do not specify a multi-reader from the application terminal 100, the transfer control unit 401 operates. A set command (set-mr), a read command (read-mr), and a write command (write-mr) are issued to all the multi-readers 200 therein.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the multi-reader management information storage unit 402 stores and manages the network address and the current operation status for each multi-reader 200. Here, the “network address” is the IP address of the multi-reader 200. “Operating status” designates whether or not the multi-reader 200 can be operated, and is set to “on” when the multi-reader 200 is used to perform reading / writing, and is set to “off” when it is not desired to perform the reading / writing. To do. The contents of the multi-reader management information storage unit 402 may be edited directly by the user on the server 400 or may be set by issuing a command from the application terminal 100.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 15 shows an operation flow when the application terminal 100 issues a setting command (set-anonymous-mr) that does not specify a multi-reader.

  The application terminal 100 issues a set-anonymous-mr with the unique ID, operation status, frequency, communication protocol, and access interval as arguments to the server 400 (step S601). When the server 400 receives the set-anonymous-mr from the application terminal 100, the server 400 refers to the multi-reader management information storage unit 402, and sets the set-anonymous-mr argument for all the multi-readers 200 whose operation state is on. A multi-reader write command (set-mr) in which the same argument is set is issued (step S602). When the multi-reader 200 receives set-mr from the server 400, the multi-reader 200 performs settings in the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit 203 and the access interval storage unit 204 (step S603). Details of the operation of the multi-reader 200 at this time are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 16 shows an operation flow when the application terminal 100 issues a read command (read-anonymous-mr) that does not specify a multi-reader.

  The application terminal 100 issues read-anonymous-mr with the specified time as an argument to the server 400 (step S701). When the server 400 receives the read-anonymous-mr from the application terminal 100, the server 400 refers to the multi-reader management information storage unit 402, and sets the write-anonymous-mr argument for all the multi-readers 200 whose operation state is on. A multi-reader read command (read-mr) in which the same argument is set is issued (step S702). When the multi-reader 200 receives read-mr from the server 400, the multi-reader 200 issues a read-tag to the RFID reader / writer 202 and reads out from the RFID tag 300 (step S703). Details of the operation of the multi-reader 200 at this time are the same as those in the first embodiment. However, in this case, when the multi-reader 200 obtains a read result from the RFID reader / writer 202, it returns it to the server 400 (step S704). The server 400 notifies the application terminal 100 of the network address of the multi-reader 200 from which the read result is obtained and the read value (step S705).

  FIG. 17 shows an operation flow when the application terminal 100 issues a write command (write-anonymous-mr) that does not specify a multi-reader.

  The application terminal 100 issues a write-anonymous-mr with the specified time and the value to be written as arguments to the server 400 (step S801). When the server 400 receives the write-anonymous-mr from the application terminal 100, the server 400 refers to the multi-reader management information storage unit 402, and sets the write-anonymous-mr argument for all the multi-readers 200 whose operation state is on. A multi-reader write command (write-mr) in which the same argument is set is issued (step S802). When receiving the write-mr from the server 400, the multi-reader 200 issues a write-tag to the RFID reader / writer 202 and writes to the RFID tag 300 (step S803). Details of the operation of the multi-reader 200 at this time are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Thus, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention is completed.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, in an RFID system in which a plurality of multi-readers accommodating a plurality of RFID reader / writers are connected via a network, reading and writing of an RFID tag is performed without specifying the multi-reader. be able to. The reason is that a server is installed between the application terminal and the multi-reader, the operation status of each multi-reader is stored in the multi-reader management information storage unit of the server, and the application terminal identifies the multi-reader to the server. This is because a read / write command is issued, and the server issues a read / write command on behalf of only the multi-reader whose operation state is on.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the RFID reader / writer 202 can change the specifications of the frequency and communication protocol by replacing software. It can also be a commercial RFID reader / writer using hardware. In this case, it is the same as the first and second embodiments of the present invention except that the frequency and communication protocol for each RFID reader / writer 202 cannot be changed.

It is a block diagram which shows 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the RFID reader-writer control information storage part in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the command which an application terminal issues to a multi reader in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the RFID reader-writer setting command (set-mr) in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the RFID reader-writer read-in command (read-mr) in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement of the RFID reader-writer writing command (write-mr) in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the operation | movement of read-tag and write-tag in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement about set-mr in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement about read-mr in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement about read-tag in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement about write-mr in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement about write-tag in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the multi reader | leader management information storage part in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement about set-anonymous-mr in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement about read-anonymous-mr in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement about write-anonymous-mr in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the RFID tag put into practical use. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a RFID tag and a RFID reader / writer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Application terminal 200 Multi reader 201 Multi reader control part 202 RFID reader / writer 203 RFID reader / writer control information storage part 204 Access interval storage part 205 RFID software storage part 206 Timer part 300 RFID tag 400 Server 401 Transfer control part 402 Multi reader management information Storage unit 900 network

Claims (20)

A plurality of RFID reader / writers with different wireless specifications;
RFID reader / writer control information storage means for storing and managing the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers;
When a read command is received from an application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to read the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, and the read data is sent to the application terminal. When the notification is received and a write command including write data is received from the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit is referred to, and the write data is stored in the RFID tag with respect to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on. An RFID device comprising multi-reader control means for writing The RFID device further includes access interval storage means for storing an access interval to each RFID reader / writer,
2. The RFID device according to claim 1, wherein the multi-reader control unit performs reading from the RFID reader / writer or writing to the RFID reader / writer in a unit of time designated by the access interval. The multi-reader control unit further stores the operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier in the RFID reader / writer control information when receiving a setting command including the identifier and operation status of the RFID reader / writer from the application terminal. The RFID device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the RFID device is stored in the means. The multi-reader control unit further sets the frequency and the communication protocol in the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier when receiving a setting command including the identifier, frequency and communication protocol of the RFID reader / writer from the application terminal. The RFID device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein In an RFID system in which an application terminal and an RFID device are connected via a network,
The application terminal is
A read command means for transmitting a read command to the RFID device;
Write command means for transmitting a write command including write data to the RFID device,
The RFID device
A plurality of RFID reader / writers with different wireless specifications;
RFID reader / writer control information storage means for storing and managing the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers;
When the read command is received from the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit is referred to read the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, and the read data is transferred to the application When notifying the terminal and receiving the write command from the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, and the write data of the write data is stored in the RFID tag. An RFID system comprising multi-reader control means for performing writing. The RFID device further includes access interval storage means for storing an access interval to each RFID reader / writer,
6. The RFID system according to claim 5, wherein the multi-reader control unit performs reading from the RFID reader / writer or writing to the RFID reader / writer in a unit of time designated by the access interval. The application terminal further includes a setting command means for transmitting a setting command including an identifier of the RFID reader / writer and an operation status to the RFID device,
The multi-reader control unit of the RFID device further stores the operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier in the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit when the setting command is received from the application terminal. The RFID system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the above. The application terminal further includes setting command means for transmitting a setting command including an identifier, a frequency, and a communication protocol of the RFID reader / writer to the RFID device.
The multi-reader control means of the RFID device further sets the frequency and the communication protocol in an RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier when the setting command is received from the application terminal. The RFID system according to claim 5 or 6. In an RFID system in which an application terminal, a server, and an RFID device are connected via a network,
The application terminal is
Read command means for transmitting a device-unspecific read command to the RFID device;
Write command means for transmitting a device-independent type write command including write data to the RFID device,
The server
Multi-reader management information storage means for storing and managing the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID devices;
When receiving the device-independent type read command from the application terminal, the RFID device refers to the multi-reader management information storage means, transmits a read command to the RFID device whose device operation status is on, and the RFID device When the read data is received from the application terminal, the read data is notified to the application terminal, and when the device unspecified type write command is received from the application terminal, the multi-reader management information storage unit is referred to, and the device operation status And a transfer control means for transmitting a write command to the RFID device with ON,
The RFID device
A plurality of RFID reader / writers with different wireless specifications;
RFID reader / writer control information storage means for storing and managing the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers;
When the read command is received from the server, the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit is referred to read the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, and the read data is stored in the application When notifying the terminal and receiving the write command from the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, and the write data of the write data is stored in the RFID tag. An RFID system comprising multi-reader control means for performing writing. The RFID device further includes access interval storage means for storing an access interval to each RFID reader / writer,
10. The RFID system according to claim 9, wherein the multi-reader control unit performs reading from the RFID reader / writer or writing to the RFID reader / writer in a unit of time designated by the access interval. The application terminal further includes a setting command means for transmitting a device-unspecific type setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier and an operation status to the server,
The transfer control means of the server further refers to the multi-reader management information storage means when receiving the device unspecified type setting command from the application terminal, and refers to the RFID device whose device operating status is on. , Send the setting command,
The multi-reader control unit of the RFID device further stores the operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier in the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit when the setting command is received from the server. The RFID system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the RFID system is characterized. The application terminal further includes a setting command means for transmitting a device-independent type setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier, a frequency, and a communication protocol to the RFID device.
The transfer control means of the server further refers to the multi-reader management information storage means when receiving the device unspecified type setting command from the application terminal, and refers to the RFID device whose device operating status is on. , Send the setting command,
10. The multi-reader control means of the RFID device further sets the frequency and the communication protocol in an RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier when the setting command is received from the server. The RFID system according to claim 10. An RFID apparatus program comprising a plurality of RFID reader / writers having different wireless specifications, comprising:
RFID reader / writer control information storage means for storing and managing the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers;
When a read command is received from an application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to read the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, and the read data is sent to the application terminal. When the notification is received and a write command including write data is received from the application terminal, the RFID reader / writer control information storage unit is referred to, and the write data is stored in the RFID tag with respect to the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on. A program for an RFID device, which functions as a multi-reader control means for writing data. The RFID device program causes a computer to further function as an access interval storage unit that stores an access interval to each RFID reader / writer,
14. The program for an RFID device according to claim 13, wherein the multi-reader control unit performs reading from the RFID reader / writer or writing to the RFID reader / writer in a unit of time designated by the access interval. . The multi-reader control unit further stores the operation status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier in the RFID reader / writer control information when receiving a setting command including the identifier and operation status of the RFID reader / writer from the application terminal. 15. The RFID device program according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the program is stored in a means. The multi-reader control unit further sets the frequency and the communication protocol in the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier when receiving a setting command including the identifier, frequency and communication protocol of the RFID reader / writer from the application terminal. 15. The RFID device program according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the program is for RFID devices. RFID devices equipped with a plurality of RFID reader / writers with different wireless specifications
When receiving a read command from the application terminal, refer to the RFID reader / writer control information storage means for storing and managing the operation status of each of the plurality of RFID reader / writers, and for the RFID reader / writer whose operation status is on, When the RFID tag is read and a read command for notifying the application terminal of read data and a write command including the write data from the application terminal are received, the RFID reader / writer control information storage means is referred to, and the operating status A write step of writing the write data to an RFID tag with respect to the RFID reader / writer with ON turned on,
An RFID control method comprising: The reading from the RFID reader / writer in the reading step or the writing to the RFID reader / writer in the writing step is performed in a unit of time specified by an access interval stored in an access interval storage unit. Item 18. The RFID control method according to Item 17. When the RFID device further receives a setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier and operating status from the application terminal, the operating status of the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier is stored in the RFID reader / writer control information storage means. 19. The RFID control method according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising a setting step for storing. When the RFID device further receives a setting command including an RFID reader / writer identifier, frequency, and communication protocol from the application terminal, the RFID device sets the frequency and the communication protocol in the RFID reader / writer corresponding to the identifier. The RFID control method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized by the above.

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