JP2008250678A - Radio ic tag reader/writer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio IC tag reader/writer for preventing system efficiency from being deteriorated since the same ID is repeatedly transferred to a host computer, and transfer and storage data quantity becomes huge. <P>SOLUTION: This radio IC tag reader/writer is provided with an ID management part 4 for independently managing ID stored in a storage part 5 of a radio IC tag reader/writer 12, and configured to select ID to be transmitted to a host computer, and to store the ID in four areas set in a storage part 5, and to transmit only an additional ID and a delete ID to the host computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless IC tag reader / writer, and is particularly suitable for an application of reading the ID of a wireless IC tag having unique identification information (hereinafter referred to as ID) and monitoring the entry / exit of the wireless IC tag in a specific area. The present invention relates to a wireless IC tag reader / writer.

  In recent years, article management utilizing the characteristics of wireless IC tags has been devised.

  Each wireless IC tag has a unique ID, and the wireless IC tag reader / writer can read the ID of the wireless IC tag by radio waves. Since the ID reading of the wireless IC tag is performed through radio waves, a plurality of IDs can be read simultaneously without contact.

  Using the characteristics of the wireless IC tag, the wireless IC tag is attached to the article to be managed, the ID of the attached wireless IC tag is associated with the article, and the ID of the wireless IC tag is read by the wireless IC tag reader / writer, thereby It aims to achieve location and traceability.

  In such article management using a wireless IC tag, the wireless IC tag reader / writer constantly monitors the communication range, reads the ID of the wireless IC tag existing in the communication range, and transfers the read ID to the host computer. .

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional wireless IC tag reader / writer.

  The wireless IC tag reader / writer 12 is read from the antenna 11, a transmission unit 2 that transmits a command to the wireless IC tag (not shown), the reception unit 3 that receives a response from the wireless IC tag, and the wireless IC tag. The storage unit 5 stores the ID, the interface unit 6 communicates data with the host computer, and the control unit 1 controls them. The wireless IC tag reader / writer communicates with the wireless IC tag through the control unit 1, the transmission unit 2, and the antenna 11 by a command obtained from the host computer through the interface unit 6, and the antenna 11, the reception unit 3, and the control unit. 1 is stored in the storage unit 5.

  The wireless IC tag reader / writer 12 transfers the ID stored in the storage unit 5 to the host computer at a predetermined interval or a command from the host computer. Such a wireless IC tag reader / writer is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP 2002-31727 A

  Since the conventional wireless IC tag reader / writer described above transfers all the IDs of the read wireless IC tags to the host computer, in an application that constantly monitors the wireless IC tags in the specific area, the same ID is repeatedly used. However, there is a problem that the amount of data transferred to and stored in the host computer becomes enormous.

  The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a wireless IC tag reader / writer capable of avoiding a decrease in system efficiency due to the transfer of the same ID to a host computer repeatedly, resulting in an enormous amount of data transferred and stored.

  The present invention provides an ID management unit that independently manages IDs stored in a storage unit of a wireless IC tag reader / writer, thereby selecting an ID to be transmitted to a host computer, and connecting the host computer and the wireless IC tag reader / writer. The amount of data communication is reduced.

  Further, the ID management unit scans IDs in the storage unit at regular intervals or at arbitrary timing, and selects IDs that continue communication within a fixed time, thereby deleting and storing IDs that have lost communication. Reduce the amount.

  That is, the ID management unit selects the ID to be newly added to the storage unit of the wireless IC tag reader / writer, the ID to be retained, and the ID to be deleted, and only the ID to be added and the ID to be deleted are The data is transmitted to the host computer, and the communication amount and the storage amount are reduced.

  In addition, a plurality of buffers are set in the storage unit of the wireless IC tag reader / writer, and the above-described ID management is smoothly executed.

  According to the present invention, an antenna that communicates with a wireless IC tag, a transmitting unit that transmits first information to the wireless IC tag, a receiving unit that receives second information from the wireless IC tag, and the second A storage unit for storing information; an interface unit for communicating with a host computer; selection of the second information; an ID management unit for transmitting the selected second information to the interface unit; and the transmission unit and reception A wireless IC tag reader / writer characterized by having a control unit for controlling the unit, the storage unit, the interface unit, and the ID management unit is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the storage unit includes a first area for temporarily storing the second information, a second area for storing the second information to be stored, and the second area added to the second area. 2. A wireless IC tag reader / writer characterized by having a third area for storing information and a fourth area for storing the second information deleted from the second area.

  According to the present invention, there is obtained a wireless IC tag reader / writer characterized in that the second information stored in the second area is stored with a retention time recording part and an inspection flag part added thereto.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a wireless IC tag reader / writer in which the holding time recording unit adds the second information to an initial value according to the time stored in the second area.

  According to the present invention, the inspection flag unit is set to an uninspected state when the second information is stored in the second area or in response to a request from the ID management unit. An IC tag reader / writer is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the ID management unit collates the second information stored in the first area with the second information stored in the second area, and the second information is When not stored in the second area, the second information is stored in the second area and the third area, and the initial value is stored in the retention time recording unit of the second information stored in the second area. Is input, and the second information stored in the first area is deleted, so that a wireless IC tag reader / writer is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the ID management unit collates the second information stored in the first area with the second information stored in the second area, and the second information is When stored in the second area, an initial value is input to the retention time recording unit of the second information stored in the second area, and the second information stored in the first area is deleted. A wireless IC tag reader / writer can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, the ID management unit stores the second information stored in the second area in which the inspection flag unit is in an uninspected state when the retention time recording unit is greater than or equal to a preset value. In the wireless IC tag reader / writer, the second information is stored in the fourth area and the second information in the second area is deleted.

  According to the present invention, the ID management unit transmits the second information stored in the third area or the fourth area to the interface unit, and the interface unit transmits the transmitted second information. Is transmitted to the host computer, thereby obtaining a wireless IC tag reader / writer.

  According to the present invention, there is obtained a wireless IC tag reader / writer characterized in that transmission to the host computer is executed in response to a request from the host computer or every preset time.

  By using the IC tag reader of the present invention, the ID change included in the wireless IC tag information read from the wireless IC tag existing in the readable area is selectively transferred to the host computer, and the amount of transferred data becomes enormous. Therefore, it is possible to provide a wireless IC tag reader / writer that can avoid this.

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

  The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to the present invention includes an antenna, a receiving unit, a control unit, and a storage unit for accumulating IDs read via the antenna, a receiving unit, and a difference between the read ID and the ID stored in the storage unit. An ID management unit having a function of transferring only to the host computer.

  The ID management unit operates independently of the control unit. That is, when the ID read by the control unit does not exist in the storage unit, an additional ID is accumulated in the storage unit, and then an ID that cannot be read even after a lapse of a certain time is detected and deleted as a deletion ID. . Only such additional ID and deletion ID are transferred to the host computer to reduce the data transfer amount.

  Note that IDs that are not read again even if a certain time has passed while being stored in the storage unit 5 are deleted from the storage unit by measuring the storage time using a holding counter and being scanned by the ID management unit. , Processed as a deletion ID.

  In order to efficiently execute the above processing, the storage unit includes a first area for temporarily storing the read ID, that is, a temporary ID buffer, a second area for storing the ID being monitored, that is, a holding ID buffer, a host computer 4 in the fourth area for temporarily storing the deletion ID to be transmitted to the host, that is, the deletion ID buffer, and the third area for temporarily storing the new read ID to be transmitted to the host computer, that is, 4 in the additional ID buffer. Has one storage area.

  The ID management unit independently accesses the storage unit, selects an additional ID and a deletion ID to be transmitted to the host computer, and deletes IDs that are not monitored from the holding ID buffer.

  Note that the ID management unit uses a recording time holding unit that is set uniquely, that is, a holding counter, as a selection criterion. That is, an ID that is repeatedly read within a certain period of time clears the retention counter each time it is read, but IDs in the retention ID buffer that have exceeded the set retention counter value after a certain period of time are not monitored. It is deleted from the holding ID buffer and information is also provided as a deletion ID to the host computer. The ID management unit repeats the above operation to detect the deletion ID.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless IC tag reader / writer according to the present invention.

  The wireless IC tag reader / writer transmits the first information, that is, the command 2 to the wireless IC tag (not shown) via the antenna 11, and the second information from the wireless IC tag, that is, the response via the antenna 11. The receiving unit 3 for receiving, the storage unit 5 for storing the ID included in the response of the read wireless IC tag, the ID management unit 4 for accessing the storage unit 5 and managing the stored ID, and a host computer (not shown) It comprises an interface unit 6 for communication and a control unit 1 for controlling them.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the wireless IC tag reader / writer storage unit of the present invention.

  The storage unit 5 is further divided into four areas. That is, the temporary ID buffer 10 that temporarily stores the read ID, the holding ID buffer 9 that holds the read ID, the additional ID buffer 7 that stores the ID newly added to the holding ID buffer 9, and the holding ID The deletion ID buffer 8 stores an ID deleted from the buffer 9.

  FIG. 3 is an operation sequence diagram of the control unit and the ID management unit.

  The control unit and the ID management unit operate independently of each other. That is, the control unit reads the ID from the wireless IC tag and stores the read ID in the temporary ID buffer of the storage unit. The control unit repeats this operation.

  The ID management unit manages the ID stored in the temporary ID buffer of the storage unit. That is, the ID stored in the ID buffer is inspected, re-stored in the holding ID buffer, the deletion ID buffer, and the additional ID buffer, and the ID transmitted to the host computer is selected.

  The control unit 1 reads the ID from the wireless IC tag according to the following procedure. The control unit 1 transmits an ID read command to the wireless IC tag via the transmission unit 2 and the antenna 11. The wireless IC tag that has received the command returns an ID to the wireless IC tag reader / writer. The control unit 1 reads the ID from the wireless IC tag via the antenna 11 and the receiving unit 3. The control unit 1 stores the read ID in the temporary ID buffer 10 of the storage unit 5.

  After storing the read ID in the temporary ID buffer, the ID management unit 4 stores this ID in the holding ID buffer 9 in the case of a new ID, and stores it in the additional ID buffer 7 that stores the ID to be transferred to the host computer. Further, an ID that is not re-read even after a predetermined time has elapsed is deleted from the holding ID buffer and stored in the deletion ID buffer 8 as a deletion ID. The IDs stored in the additional ID buffer 7 and the deletion ID buffer 8 are transmitted to the host computer via the interface unit 6.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the ID adding operation of the present invention.

  The ID management unit 4 confirms whether the read ID is stored in the temporary ID buffer 10. When the read ID is stored in the temporary ID buffer 10, one stored read ID is taken out. Subsequently, the held ID stored in the held ID buffer 9 is compared with the taken-out read ID to determine whether the read ID taken out is stored in the held ID buffer. If the retrieved read ID is not stored in the retained ID buffer 9, the retrieved read ID is recognized as a new ID and stored in the retained ID buffer 9 and the additional ID buffer 7.

  The ID stored in the holding ID buffer is provided with a holding counter and an inspection flag portion, and the holding counter is set as a reference value and the inspection flag portion is set as uninspected. Further, the read ID that has been taken out is erased from the temporary ID buffer. The holding counter is incremented every time a fixed time elapses by a clock built in the host computer.

  When the read ID taken out is stored in the holding ID buffer 9, the holding counter of the same ID as the reading ID stored in the holding ID buffer is cleared and returned to the reference value. Further, the read ID that has been taken out is erased from the temporary ID buffer.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the ID deletion operation of the present invention.

  The ID management unit 4 takes out the holding ID stored in the holding ID buffer 9 and whose check flag part is not checked, and checks whether the holding counter of the extracted holding ID exceeds a specified value. If the holding counter exceeds the specified value, the holding ID is recognized as being no longer read by the wireless IC tag reader / writer, erased from the holding ID buffer, and stored in the deletion ID buffer 8.

  If the retention ID counter of the retrieved retention ID does not exceed the specified value, the inspection flag portion of the retention ID is inspected. The ID management unit 4 repeats the above-described flow until there is no stored ID in the stored ID buffer 9 whose test flag unit has not been tested yet. Subsequently, the inspection flag portions of all the holding IDs are cleared and are not inspected.

  The addition and deletion of the holding ID can be performed at each unique timing. The timing designation method includes a method of executing at regular intervals using a timer or a counter, and a method of executing upon receiving a notification of the end of the ID reading process from the control unit 1, and may be set arbitrarily. In consideration of system efficiency, it is desirable to execute the ID addition operation more frequently than the deletion operation.

  The ID management unit 4 transfers the contents of the additional ID buffer 7 as an additional ID to the host computer. The contents of the deletion ID buffer 8 are transferred as a deletion ID. It is also possible to transmit the addition ID and the deletion ID at the same time. In this case, a message that can distinguish between an additional ID and a deletion ID is added at the time of transfer. When the transfer of the additional ID and the deletion ID is completed, the ID management unit 4 deletes the IDs in the additional ID buffer 7 and the deletion ID buffer 8 respectively.

  Transfer of the additional ID and transfer of the deletion ID can also be performed at a unique timing. As timing specification methods, there are a method using a timer or a counter, a method to be executed at the time of an ID addition operation, a deletion operation, and the like, and it is preferable to select as appropriate.

  By adding the additional ID received from the wireless IC tag reader / writer to the application and deleting the deletion ID from the application, the host computer can recognize the ID currently being read by the wireless IC tag reader / writer without receiving all the IDs. It is.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and any design changes that do not depart from the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention. That is, various changes and modifications that can be naturally made by those skilled in the art are also included in the present invention.

  By using the present invention, a wireless IC tag reader / writer suitable for merchandise management at a store or bookcase management at a library can be constructed.

1 is a block diagram of a wireless IC tag reader / writer according to the present invention. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless IC tag reader / writer storage unit of the present invention. FIG. The operation | movement sequence diagram of the control part and ID management part of this invention. The flowchart explaining ID addition operation | movement of this invention. The flowchart explaining ID deletion operation | movement of this invention. The block diagram of the conventional radio | wireless IC tag reader / writer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 Transmission part 3 Reception part 4 ID management part 5 Storage part 6 Interface part 7 Additional ID buffer 8 Deletion ID buffer 9 Holding ID buffer 10 Temporary ID buffer 11 Antenna 12 Wireless IC tag reader / writer

Claims (10)

  An antenna that communicates with the wireless IC tag, a transmitting unit that transmits first information to the wireless IC tag, a receiving unit that receives second information from the wireless IC tag, and a storage unit that stores the second information An interface unit that communicates with a host computer, selection of the second information, an ID management unit that transmits the selected second information to the interface unit, the transmission unit, the reception unit, and the storage unit And a control unit that controls the ID management unit.   The storage unit stores a first area for temporarily storing the second information, a second area for storing the second information to be stored, and a second area for storing the second information added to the second area. The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to claim 1, further comprising a third area and a fourth area for storing the second information deleted from the second area.   3. The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein the second information stored in the second area is stored with a holding time recording part and an inspection flag part added thereto.   4. The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to claim 3, wherein the holding time recording unit adds the second information to an initial value according to a time stored in the second area.   4. The wireless IC according to claim 3, wherein the inspection flag unit is set to an uninspected state when the second information is stored in the second area or upon a request from the ID management unit. Tag reader / writer.   The ID management unit collates the second information stored in the first area with the second information stored in the second area, and the second information is stored in the second area. If not, the second information is stored in the second area and the third area, and an initial value is input to the retention time recording unit of the second information stored in the second area, and the second information is stored in the second area. 6. The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein the second information stored in one area is erased.   The ID management unit collates the second information stored in the first area with the second information stored in the second area, and the second information is stored in the second area. If there is, an initial value is input to the retention time recording unit of the second information stored in the second area, and the second information stored in the first area is erased. The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to claim 2.   The ID management unit stores the second information when the retention time recording unit of the second information stored in the second area and in which the inspection flag unit is in an uninspected state is greater than or equal to a preset value. The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the second information in the second area is deleted while storing the information in the fourth area.   The ID management unit transmits the second information stored in the third area or the fourth area to the interface unit, and the interface unit transmits the transmitted second information to the host computer. The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the wireless IC tag reader / writer is provided.   10. The wireless IC tag reader / writer according to claim 2, wherein the transmission to the host computer is executed in response to a request from the host computer or at a preset time.

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