JP2008271382A - Wireless authentication system and sensor therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless authentication system and a sensor therefor which can automatically complete a setting mode after slot setting when communicating with a wireless tag through time division multiple access while using a wireless communication band common between sensors in a wireless authentication system wherein a plurality of sensors are disposed along the moving space of a detection object, and movement is detected by performing communication between the wireless tag carried with the detection object and any sensor. <P>SOLUTION: IDs are added to slot numbers (No.) to be used by the sensors in order from a high-order sensor S1 respectively and sequentially transmitted to a low-order side as used slot notifications. Thus, slot setting is automatically performed in such a manner that interference does not occur between adjacent sensors, the end of setting is determined when a terminal sensor S4 does not receive notifications from the others just for a period W3, and a slot setting end notification containing the ID is transmitted. When end notifications are received from all the sensors at the low-order side of the present sensor, in accordance with the ID, the setting mode is ended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, a detection target such as a user carrying a wireless tag (slave station) or a product to which the wireless tag is attached is detected by the wireless tag communicating with a sensor (parent station, reader). In particular, the wireless authentication system and the sensor thereof, in particular, a plurality of sensors adjacent to each other along the moving space of the detection target so that the location of the wireless tag and the trajectory passed can be detected. The present invention relates to a configuration in which parts are arranged so as to overlap each other and are detected without omission.

  Conventionally, there is a wireless authentication system that performs appropriate services by detecting a wireless tag (slave station) carried by a user or pasted on a product with a sensor (master station, reader) for use in entrance / exit management, etc. in use. For example, it is an entry / exit control system that performs authentication processing with a wireless tag carried by the user and controls opening and closing of a nearby automatic door, or a wireless tag attached to an asset such as a portable computer An asset management system that manages the taking out of assets by detecting with sensors installed at the doorway, or a logistics management system that manages the location of luggage by detecting wireless tags attached to luggage pallets etc. at each logistics base It is.

However, these systems manage moving wireless tags in terms of points, and usually the sensors are spatially separated. However, if you intend to use this wireless tag to manage people and objects on the surface, such as occupancy management and location detection in the office, if you try to detect the wireless tag without any gaps, It is necessary to arrange a plurality of sensors along the target movement space so that a part of each detection target area overlaps between adjacent sensors. In this case, in order to prevent interference of communication with the wireless tag between the sensors, it is conceivable to change the frequency CH to be used for each sensor as in Patent Document 1, for example. In Patent Document 1, when a slave station (wireless tag) detects interference, interference is avoided by causing the master station (sensor) to channel hop.
Japanese Patent No. 3405322

  In the above-described prior art, it is possible to automatically set the frequency CH to be used for each sensor, and it is possible to save a certain amount of labor for new sensor installation and additional work. It is not clearly defined. Therefore, for example, when the end determination is performed in a timeout process that ends the setting mode when a certain setting period has elapsed since the setting mode starts, if the number of sensors is large, the number of sensors does not end within the certain setting period. When there are few, there is a problem that it ends early and it takes unnecessary time to start operation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless authentication system and its sensor capable of automatically completing a setting mode and starting system operation.

  The wireless authentication system and its sensor according to the present invention are arranged such that a plurality of sensors are adjacent to each other along a moving space of a detection target so that a part of each detection target area overlaps and is carried by the detection target. In the wireless authentication system in which the wireless tag detects the movement of the detection target by communicating with one of the sensors, the sensors are connected in multiple ways using the same wireless communication technique. Communicating with the wireless tag so as not to interfere between sensors by the wireless communication unit that can communicate between adjacent sensors, and the connection to be used in the wireless communication unit in the wireless communication unit when in the setting mode Select the method so as not to interfere with the upper sensor, and transmit the connection method used notification including the identification information of the own device from the wireless communication unit, When the use connection method notification is received from the lower sensor in the wireless communication unit, the identification information of the lower sensor is stored, and a predetermined time has elapsed after the use connection method notification is transmitted. When the use connection method notification from the lower sensor is not received, it is determined that the own device is at the end of the sensor array, and a connection method setting end notification including the identification information of the own device is transmitted to end the setting mode. A connection method setting unit that receives the connection method setting end notification and includes the identification information of the own device, transfers the connection method setting end notification including the identification information of the own device, and ends the setting mode; It is characterized by including.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of detection targets such as a user carrying the wireless tag or a product attached with the wireless tag can be detected along the movement space of the detection target so that the location and the trajectory passed can be detected. Sensors are arranged so that a part of each detection target area overlaps between adjacent sensors, and a wireless tag carried by the detection target communicates with any one of the sensors to detect the detection target. In a wireless authentication system configured to detect movement, wireless communication units are mutually equal among the sensors such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), etc. When using the wireless communication method, which is a multiple access method, to communicate with the wireless tag so as not to interfere between sensors, the connection method is set when the setting mode is entered. However, the wireless communication unit is used to search for a connection method such as a free time slot (TDMA), frequency (FDMA), code (CDMA), etc. so as not to interfere with each other, and automatically Set.

  At that time, if the use connection method notification from the upper sensor is not received, the own device determines that it is the start of the sensor array, selects an arbitrary connection method, and identifies its own identification information in the connection method. When the included connection method notification is transmitted and the connection connection method notification is received from the upper sensor, it is determined that the own device is in the middle or the end of the sensor array, and is different from the upper sensor. In the same manner, a notification of the used connection method is transmitted. In this way, the connection method is selected so that interference does not occur between the sensors, and when the selection is completed up to the end sensor, the setting mode is terminated.

  It should be noted that in the present invention, the end determination is performed. First, at the end sensor, the use connection method notification from the lower sensor is not received even if a predetermined time elapses after the use connection method notification is transmitted. Then, it is determined that the own device is at the end, the end determination is performed, the setting mode is ended, and a connection method setting end notification including the identification information of the own device is transmitted. Accordingly, the connection method setting end notification is received by the sensor at the start or halfway, but the identification information included in the connection method is used from the lower sensor received after the own device transmits the use connection method notification. If it matches the identification information included in the notification, it is determined that the setting mode has been completed in order from the lower side, and the own device similarly transfers the connection method setting end notification to change the setting mode. If the identification information does not coincide with the identification information, the connection method setting completion notification is determined to be in another sensor array, and the setting mode is not terminated. In addition, when the own device receives the used connection method notification from a plurality of sensors after transmitting the used connection method notification, it can be determined that the own device is located at a branch point of the sensor arrangement, The setting mode does not end until connection method setting end notifications are received from lower-level sensors in all branch paths.

  In this way, a connection method that does not interfere between the sensors is automatically set so that the ripple spreads from the start sensor to the end sensor, and when the setting is completed, the ripple is transferred from the end sensor to the start sensor. The setting mode can be automatically terminated to reflect. This makes it possible to automatically complete the setting mode and start system operation without setting information such as the total number of sensors in advance, so that new sensors can be installed or added easily. Can do. In addition, since the same connection method can be used between sensors where the detection target areas do not overlap, the number of connection methods used can be reduced even when many sensors are installed in a wide area without causing interference. Responsiveness can be improved by minimizing it to the minimum (effectively assigning connection methods) and shortening the detection cycle (cycle in which the slot makes a round) in the case of time division multiple access.

  Further, in the wireless authentication system of the present invention, the connection method setting unit selects a connection method to be used by itself when in the setting mode, and transmits a used connection method notification, the connection method assignment processing unit, A setting end detection unit that determines the end of the setting mode and transmits a connection method setting end notification and a connection method allocation processing unit that receives the collision detection notification after transmitting the use connection method notification from its own device. Collision detection processing for re-searching the connection method being used and retransmitting the used connection method notification, receiving the used connection method notification, and transmitting the collision detection notification if the notification contents could not be reproduced It is characterized by comprising a part.

  According to the above configuration, after the own device transmits the used connection method notification, the next or second used connection method notification is received, and when it is duplicated, that is, the own device is in the moving space. The detection target areas do not overlap between the next and second sensors, and it is not known that the connection methods selected from each other overlap. The unit transmits a collision detection notification, and causes the connection method allocation processing unit to search for a free connection method and perform a transmission operation of the used connection method notification again.

  Therefore, overlapping (interference) of connection methods can be reliably prevented between adjacent sensors.

  Furthermore, in the wireless authentication system of the present invention, the connection method setting unit of each sensor uses time division multiple access as the wireless communication method, and is selected by each sensor for the use connection method notification to be transferred. The connection method setting unit of the sensor that sequentially adds the slot number history as the connection method and sends the connection method setting end notification indicates the maximum value of the slot number used including its own device in one frame period. The number of slots is included in the connection method setting end notification and transmitted.

  According to the above configuration, when time division multiple access (TDMA) is used as the wireless communication method, the possibility of interference decreases as the number of slots in one frame period increases. Since the response time for wireless tag detection is reduced and the response time of the wireless tag is reduced, the one frame period is not set in advance, and the connection method setting unit from the start sensor to the end sensor as described above. Automatically selects the slot that is the connection method to be used on its own device, and then uses the connection method setting unit of the terminal sensor from the history of the slot number used by each sensor that was sequentially stored in the used connection method notification. The number of slots is determined and included in the connection method setting end notification and sequentially transferred to the start side.

  Therefore, since one frame period can be set according to the number of slots actually used in the installed wireless authentication system, the response to the wireless tag can be improved while preventing interference between sensors.

  In the wireless authentication system of the present invention, a setting button is connected to the connection method setting unit, and the setting mode is started by operating the setting button, and the start button is operated or the use from another sensor is performed. When the connection method notification is received, selection of the connection method is started.

  According to the above configuration, the setting mode is entered by operating the setting button, and when the start button is operated in that state, or when a connection connection method notification is received from another sensor, When the search is started and the search can be performed, the connection method is selected as the connection method to be used by the own device as described above, and the use connection method notification is transmitted to other sensors.

  Therefore, when the start button of any one of the sensors is operated with all the sensors in the setting mode, the sensor first starts searching for a connection method using that as a trigger. When the connection method notification is transmitted, the next sensor adjacent to the sensor starts searching for the connection method by receiving the used connection method notification. In this way, when the start button of one sensor is operated, the connection method to be used can be automatically and sequentially set to the end sensor like a ripple using that as a trigger.

  Furthermore, in the wireless authentication system of the present invention, the connection method setting unit is used from a connection method having a higher priority order among connection methods that are not used.

  According to the above configuration, in the case of TDMA, for example, if the first slot, the second slot,... If they are arranged side by side, the first slot and the second slot are repeatedly used, and the third slot having a low priority is not used.

  Therefore, the number of slots used can be minimized as described above (in this case, two slots), and the detection cycle can be shortened to improve the responsiveness.

  In the wireless authentication system of the present invention, when the setting button is operated to start the setting mode, the connection method setting unit transmits the transmission power and the reception sensitivity to the wireless communication unit rather than during communication with a wireless tag. And at least one of them is enlarged.

  According to the above configuration, for example, by making the transmission power or the reception sensitivity four times that at the time of communication with the wireless tag, communication between the sensors can be performed up to twice the distance.

  Therefore, even if the sensor interval is widened so that the detection target areas of the wireless tag overlap each other, the connection method can be reliably set with sufficient communication quality.

  As described above, the wireless authentication system and the sensor of the present invention can detect the location and the trajectory passed without detecting the detection target such as the user carrying the wireless tag or the product attached with the wireless tag. The wireless tag carried by the detection target is a sensor in which a plurality of sensors are arranged adjacent to each other along the moving space of the detection target so that a part of each detection target area overlaps each other. In the wireless authentication system in which movement of the detection target is detected by communicating with the wireless communication unit, the wireless communication unit includes time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), code division multiple access ( To communicate with the wireless tag so that the sensors do not interfere with each other by multiple access using the same wireless communication method between the sensors such as CDMA). Therefore, when the setting mode is entered, if the connection method setting unit receives the use connection method notification from the upper sensor so as not to interfere with each other using the wireless communication unit, an empty time slot is obtained. (TDMA), frequency (FDMA), code (CDMA) and other connection methods are searched and automatically set, and when a use connection method notification is received from the next sensor, the identification information of the sensor is obtained. It is memorized, and when the end sensor does not receive use connection method notifications from other, the end determination is made, and when connection method setting end notification is sent, each sensor will complete connection method setting from all the next sensors When the notification is received, the own device also transfers it to the upper sensor and ends the setting mode.

  Therefore, a connection method that does not interfere between the sensors is automatically set so that the ripple spreads from the start sensor to the end sensor, and when the setting is completed, the ripple is transferred from the end sensor to the start sensor. The setting mode can be automatically terminated so that is reflected. This makes it possible to automatically complete the setting mode and start system operation without setting information such as the total number of sensors in advance, so that new sensors can be installed or added easily. Can do. In addition, since the same connection method can be used between sensors where the detection target areas do not overlap, the number of connection methods used can be reduced even when many sensors are installed in a wide area without causing interference. Responsiveness can be improved by minimizing it to the minimum (effectively assigning connection methods) and shortening the detection cycle (cycle in which the slot makes a round) in the case of time division multiple access.

  In addition, as described above, the wireless authentication system of the present invention receives a connection connection method notification in the second or second order after the own device has transmitted the use connection method notification, and it is duplicated. In other words, if the aircraft is located at a branch point, the detection area does not overlap between the next and next sensors, and it is not clear that the selected connection method overlaps. A detection notification is transmitted, and a search for a free connection method and a transmission operation of a used connection method notification are performed again.

  Therefore, overlapping (interference) of connection methods can be reliably prevented between adjacent sensors.

  Furthermore, as described above, the wireless authentication system of the present invention does not set one frame period in advance when the time division multiple access (TDMA) is used as the wireless communication method. The connection method setting unit automatically selects the slot that is the connection method to be used on its own machine, and from the history of the slot number used by each sensor that has been sequentially stored in the used connection method notification, The connection method setting unit determines the number of used slots and sequentially transfers it to the start end side in the connection method setting end notification.

  Therefore, since one frame period can be set according to the number of slots actually used in the installed wireless authentication system, the response to the wireless tag can be improved while preventing interference between sensors.

  In addition, as described above, the wireless authentication system of the present invention enters the setting mode by operating the setting button, and when the start button is operated in that state or when a use connection method notification from another sensor is received. When a search for an unused connection method is started and can be searched, the connection method is selected as a connection method to be used by the own device as described above, and a notification of the used connection method is transmitted to other sensors.

  Therefore, when the start button of any one of the sensors is operated in a state where all the sensors are in the setting mode, the sensor first starts searching for a connection method using that as a trigger. When the used connection method notification is transmitted, the next sensor adjacent to the sensor starts searching for the connection method by receiving the used connection method notification. In this way, when the start button of one sensor is operated, the connection method to be used can be automatically and sequentially set to the end sensor like a ripple using that as a trigger.

  Furthermore, in the wireless authentication system of the present invention, as described above, the connection method setting unit uses a connection method having a high priority among connection methods that are not used.

  Therefore, the number of slots used can be minimized, the detection cycle can be shortened, and the responsiveness can be improved.

  Further, in the wireless authentication system of the present invention, as described above, when the setting button is operated and the setting mode is started, the connection method setting unit causes the wireless communication unit to communicate with the wireless tag, Increase at least one of transmission power and reception sensitivity.

  Therefore, even when the sensor intervals are widened so that the detection target areas of the wireless tag overlap, the connection method can be reliably set with sufficient communication quality.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless authentication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this wireless authentication system, a plurality of sensors S1, S2, S3, S4,... (Referred to collectively as reference numeral S hereinafter) are arranged along the moving space 1 of the user to be detected, The wireless tag TG carried by the user communicates with one of the sensors S, and the detection result is monitored by the host device 2 so that the host device 2 detects the location of the user and the trajectory passed. Is. Each sensor S is mounted on a ceiling or the like, and its detection target areas A1, A2, A3, A4,... (Generally referred to as reference numeral A below) detect such users without omission. In order to be able to do so, it arrange | positions so that the one part may mutually overlap between adjacent sensors S. FIG. The wireless tag TG can be detected by the sensor S having the detection target area A as long as it moves within the detection target area A.

  It should be noted that in this embodiment, the sensors S are mutually connected between the sensors S such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), and code division multiple access (CDMA). When performing communication with the wireless tag TG so as not to interfere between the sensors S by multiple access using the same wireless communication technique, each sensor S is set in a free time slot (TDMA), frequency ( It searches for connection methods such as FDMA) and code (CDMA) and automatically sets them. In the following description, TDMA is described as an example of the multiple access method, but it is needless to say that it can be applied to other connection methods such as FDMA and CDMA. The setting mode is switched in response to an operation of a setting button, which will be described later, or a setting instruction by wireless (remote control).

  Each of the sensors S uses a UHF band or the like for communication, and its detection target area A is usually about 7 m in diameter in order to prevent interference between adjacent sensors. In the setting mode by addition or the like, by increasing at least one of the transmission power and the reception sensitivity, for example, four times, in FIG. 1, reference signs A1 ′, A2 ′, A3 ′, A4 ′,. Even if the range of the sensor S is widened so that the detection range A is doubled and the detection target area A overlaps as shown by the reference symbol A ′ below, the slot setting is sufficient. It can be done reliably with good communication quality.

  Specifically, the increase in the transmission power can be easily realized by increasing the gain of the transmission amplifier. On the other hand, the increase in reception sensitivity can be realized by, for example, reducing the directivity of the antenna or switching to a method with a low communication speed but high sensitivity in order to increase only the signal level without increasing noise. Increasing the reception sensitivity is preferable because the interval between the sensors S can be increased when the transmission power cannot be increased due to restrictions on the circuit and restrictions on communication standards and regulations.

  FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the slot setting operation of each sensor S. In setting, as described above, each sensor S is in the setting mode by the operation of the setting button or the setting instruction by wireless, and the operator selects an arbitrary sensor, preferably a sensor located at the end of the sensor array ( In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, S1) is selected, and the setting operation is started from the sensor S1 in response to an operation of a start button or a start instruction by the wireless (remote control). In the setting operation, first, an empty slot in the TDMA is searched, and if it is detected, the slot having the highest priority (No. 1 in the example of FIG. 2) is selected and the connection method to be used by the own device. Assigned to the slot No. 1 including the identification information ID1 of the own device is transmitted to other sensors as a use slot notification which is a use connection method notification.

  Accordingly, in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, when the subsequent sensors S2 and S3 receive the use slot notification, the sensors S2 and S3 also start the setting operation using the notification as a trigger. 1 is not used for its own slot allocation, and other slots are similarly searched for empty slots, and when detected, the slot with the highest priority (No. 2 in the example of FIG. 2) is selected. Assigned to the slot to be used by the own device. 2 includes its own identification information ID2 and ID3, and transmits it to other sensors as a use slot notification.

  At this time, in the example of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the sensor S1 is located at the branching portion of the moving space 1, and the sensors cascaded to the sensor S1 are the two sensors S2 and S3 as described above. In S1, use slot notifications are simultaneously transmitted from two sensors, and data cannot be reproduced due to a collision. The sensor S1 that has detected the collision transmits a collision detection notification to the other sensors S2 and S3. The collision detection notification is made based on only the reception timing so that it can be detected even if it collides with a notification from another sensor. Specifically, within one transmission cycle W1, a window for a predetermined period W2 after transmission of the use slot notification is set is set, and when a signal of a certain length or more is received in the window, a collision detection notification It is determined that During this window, the used slot notification is not transmitted.

  When the collision is detected in this way, the sensors S2 and S3 end the window and when the next transmission cycle W1 is reached, while avoiding a collision with other sensors while performing carrier sensing by a method such as normal CSMA-CA, The used slot notification is transmitted again. In the example of FIG. 2, after the next transmission cycle W1, the sensors S2 and S3 wait for an arbitrary time in the CSMA-CA method, and then start transmission, from the sensor S2 having a short standby time. The use slot notification is given priority, and the sensor S2 is assigned the slot No. for the time being. 2 is assigned to its own slot.

  At this time, when the sensor S3 having a long standby time detects the use slot notification from the sensor S2 by the carrier sense of the CSMA-CA method, the sensor S3 executes the use slot notification process again. Slot No. 2 and the previously received slot number. 1 is not used for the slot assignment of its own device, and other slots are searched for empty slots in the same manner. If detected, the slot with the highest priority (No. 3 in the example of FIG. 2) is detected. Select and assign it to the slot to be used by its own device. 3 including the identification information ID3 of the own device is transmitted as a use slot notification toward another sensor in the next transmission cycle W1. At this time, the upper sensor S1 can recognize from the received use slot notification that the sensor S2 with the identification information ID2 and the sensor S3 with the identification information ID3 exist below the own device.

  As a result, when the transmission of the used slot notification is completed without collision, the used slots of the sensors S2 and S3 are set in the above-mentioned No. 2 and no. 3 and the subsequent sensors (S4 in the example of FIG. 2) start the setting operation. At this time, in the sensor S4, the arrival ranges A1 ′, A2 ′; A4 ′ of the signals related to the sensors S1, S2 do not overlap, that is, the sensor S4 receives the use slot notification transmitted by the sensors S1, S2. The slot No. used by the adjacent sensor S3 is not. Only 3 is recognized. Therefore, when a slot having a higher priority is selected from other slots, the slot No. 1

  Thus, between the adjacent sensors S1 and S4, the used slot No. By allowing 1 to overlap, the number of slots used is minimized (slot allocation is performed efficiently) even when many sensors are installed in a wide area without interference, and the detection cycle It is possible to improve the responsiveness by shortening the (cycle in which the slot makes a round).

  Also, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the slot is selected so as not to cause interference between the sensors as described above, and when the selection is completed up to the end sensor S4, the setting mode is automatically set. It is to end. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, the use slot notification from the lower sensor is received even if a predetermined time W3 elapses after the use slot notification is received from the upper sensor S3 and the own device transmits the use slot notification. The sensor S4 that has not received the notification determines that its own device is at the end of the sensor array, makes an end determination, ends the setting mode of its own device, and sends a slot setting end notification including its own identification information ID4. send.

  On the other hand, the sensor S1; S3 that has received the used slot notification from the lower sensors S2, S3; S4 within the predetermined time W3 after the own device transmits the used slot notification determines that the own device is not the terminal. Then, the identification information ID2, ID3; ID4 in the received use slot notification is stored, and the system waits as it is. Then, slot setting end notifications including the identification information ID2, ID3; ID4 are received from the lower sensors S2, S3; S4, and when they match the stored identification information, the setting mode is sequentially set from the lower side. If the ID information ID2, ID3; ID4 does not match, the slot setting end notification is in another sensor array. The setting mode is not terminated. At this time, the sensor S3 in the middle transfers a slot setting end notification including the identification information ID3 of the own device to the sensor S1. Since the slot setting end notification received from another sensor after the own device transmits the slot setting end notification is transferred by the upper sensor, it is discarded.

  Here, although the sensor S2 is also a terminal sensor, in the order of FIG. 2, the use slot notification is transmitted before the sensor S3, and the use slot notification of the sensor S3 transmitted later is received and waited. is doing. When the sensor S2 transmits the use slot notification after the sensor S3 by the carrier sense of the CSMA-CA method, the sensor S2 cannot receive the use slot notification from the sensor S4, and is thus determined to be the end. Then, the slot setting end notification is transmitted.

  On the other hand, the sensor S1 that has received the used slot notifications from the two sensors S2 and S3 after the own device transmits the used slot notification can determine that the own device is located at a branch point of the sensor array. The setting mode is not ended until the slot setting end notification is received from the lower sensors S2 and S3 in all the branch paths.

  In this way, slots that do not interfere with each of the sensors S1 to S4 are automatically set so that ripples spread from the sensor S1 at the end to the sensors S2 and S4 at the end, and when the setting is completed, the sensor S2 at the end is set. , S4 can automatically end the setting mode so that the ripple is reflected from the sensor S1 at the start. This makes it possible to automatically complete the setting mode and start system operation without setting information such as the total number of sensors in advance, so that new sensors can be installed or added easily. Can do. In addition, since the same slot can be used between the sensors S1 and S4 where the detection target areas A1 and A4 do not overlap, even if a large number of sensors are installed in a wide area without causing interference, Responsiveness can be improved by minimizing the number of used slots (performing slot allocation efficiently) and shortening the detection period (period in which the slot makes a round).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the sensor S that realizes the above-described function. This sensor S communicates with other sensors and the wireless tag TG, and the slot as described above between the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 11 which is a wireless communication unit and the other sensor via the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 11. A tag selection unit 12 that performs a setting operation, a user interface 13 that is used for the slot setting operation and the like, and a tag management unit 14 that communicates with and authenticates the wireless tag TG via the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 11. And a network interface 15 that transmits the authentication data obtained by the tag management unit 14 to the host device 2 and receives the control data of the sensor S from the host device 2.

  The slot selection unit 12 which is a connection method setting unit first selects a slot to be used by itself as shown in FIG. 2, and a slot allocation processing unit 21 which is a connection method allocation processing unit which transmits a used slot notification. When the collision notification is received after transmitting the used slot notification from its own device, the slot allocation processing unit 21 is caused to retransmit the used slot notification, and when the received slot notification is received and cannot be reproduced, A collision detection processing unit 22 that transmits a collision detection notification, a slot synchronization unit 23 that synchronizes wireless communication, a setting end detection unit 24 that determines the end of the slot setting operation as shown in FIG. 3, and the slot selection And a transmission / reception slot management unit 25 that controls the entire unit 12.

  The user interface 13 displays, for example, that a normal wireless tag TG is being detected, and displays a lamp indicating whether the setting mode is in effect, whether the setting mode has ended normally, or has ended abnormally, etc. The status display means 31 for informing the user, etc., and a buzzer for notifying that the occurrence of an abnormality or a suspicious radio tag is detected, or that the radio tag TG can be recognized normally and the door is unlocked, etc. The alarm / notification sound generator 32 and the setting switch 33 such as the setting button and the start button are configured.

  When the slot setting operation is started by operating the setting button or the start button of the setting switch 33, the empty slot detection processing unit 211 of the slot allocation processing unit 21 searches for an empty slot as described above. The slot having the highest priority is selected and assigned to the slot to be used by the own device. The identification information ID of the own device is transmitted from the used slot notification transmission processing unit 212 to other sensors via the transmission / reception slot management unit 25 and the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 11. On the other hand, the used slot notification received from the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 11 via the transmission / reception slot management unit 25 is stored in the used slot notification reception processing unit 213 and used for slot selection by the empty slot detection processing unit 211. When the use slot notification is received by the use slot notification reception processing unit 213, if the sensor has not started the slot setting operation, the setting operation is started by using the sensor as a trigger, and the empty slot detection processing unit 211 Starts slot selection.

  The use slot notification transmitted in this way is determined to be a collision when the collision detection unit 221 of the collision detection processing unit 22 cannot reproduce the data as described above, but detects the reception of some data. In response to the determination result, the collision notification transmission processing unit 222 transmits the collision detection notification from the transmission / reception slot management unit 25 via the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 11. On the other hand, when the collision detection notification is received by the collision notification reception processing unit 223 from the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 11 via the transmission / reception slot management unit 25, the retransmission control unit 224 searches the slot allocation processing unit 21 for a free slot. Re-send from.

  On the other hand, the identification information ID in the used slot notification received within a predetermined period W3 after the own device transmits the used slot notification is stored in the setting end detection processing knowledge unit 241 in the setting end detection unit 24. When the own device does not receive a used slot notification from another sensor within a predetermined period W3 after transmitting the used slot notification, the setting completion detection processing knowledge unit 241 indicates that the own device is at the end of the sensor array. The setting mode is terminated and the setting end notification processing knowledge unit 242 is caused to transmit the slot setting end notification from the transmission / reception slot management unit 25 to the radio signal transmission / reception unit 11. Further, when the setting end notification processing knowing unit 242 receives a use slot notification from another sensor, the identification information ID included in the notification is stored as a sensor on the lower side of the own device and the identification information ID of the sensor. When the slot setting end notifications are received from all the sensors on the lower side that coincide with each other, the setting mode is terminated, and if it is in the middle of the sensor array, the slot setting end notification is transferred with its own identification information ID. To do. Whether it is in the middle or the beginning of the sensor row, whether the trigger for transmitting the use slot notification is the operation of the start button or the like, as described above, or the reception of the use slot notification from the upper sensor It can be judged from.

  In the transmission / reception of such a use slot notification, collision detection notification, and slot setting end notification, the slot synchronization signal detection processing unit 231 of the slot synchronization unit 23 determines the transmission cycle W1 and the like from the received data in the transmission / reception slot management unit 25. Synchronization is detected, and synchronization is obtained by controlling the transmission / reception slot management unit 25 so that the synchronization timing adjustment processing unit 232 matches its own timing with the system timing. The setting mode is ended in the setting end detecting unit 24 as described above. When the setting mode is ended, the normal wireless tag detection mode is automatically set.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the slot setting operation shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by the slot selection unit 12 shown in FIG. In setting, the slot selection unit 12 is in the setting mode by the operation of the setting switch 33 of the user interface unit 13 or the wireless setting instruction as described above, and the status display unit 31 is in the setting mode. Is displayed. In this state, when the setting switch 33 is operated, a wireless start instruction or the like, or when a use slot notification is received from another sensor, the setting operation shown in FIG. 5 is started using them as a trigger.

  In step S1, it is determined whether or not the setting operation is started by receiving a use slot notification (from a higher-order sensor). If so, that is, if it is an intermediate or terminal sensor, step S2 is executed. Then, after the received identification information ID is stored in the used slot notification reception processing unit 213, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, that is, if it is a starting sensor, the process proceeds directly to step S3. In step S3, the empty slot detection processing unit 211 searches for an empty slot as described above.

  In step S4, it waits until the next transmission cycle W1 starts. When the next transmission cycle W1 is reached, after waiting for an arbitrary time in step S5, carrier sense is performed by a method such as normal CSMA-CA in step S6, When a carrier from another sensor is detected, the process returns to step S4 and waits until the next transmission cycle W1, and when a carrier is not detected, the process proceeds to step S7, and a use slot notification is sent from the use slot notification transmission processing unit 212. Send.

  In step S8, the collision notification reception processing unit 223 sets the window for the predetermined period W2, and in step S9, it is determined whether or not a collision detection notification is received. If received, the process returns to step S4 and resends. The control unit 224 causes the empty slot detection processing unit 211 to redo the use slot notification from the detection of the empty slot, and when the collision detection notification is not received, determines the use slot in its own device.

  Subsequently, in step S11, in the next transmission cycle W1, a use slot notification from another sensor (lower sensor) is received by the use slot notification reception processing unit 213 or waits, and is not received in step S12. If this is the case, that is, if the device itself is a terminal sensor, the process proceeds to step S13, where the setting end detection processing unit 241 determines this and causes the setting end notification processing unit 242 to transmit the slot setting end notification. In step S14, the state display means 31 is displayed to end the setting mode and switch to the normal operation state, and in step S15, the setting mode is ended by waiting for a synchronization signal in the normal operation state. .

  On the other hand, if a use slot notification is received from another sensor (lower sensor) in step S11, that is, if the own device is a start or middle sensor, the process proceeds to step S21. It is determined whether or not the identification information ID of the own device is included in the use slot notification, that is, whether or not the use slot notification is received from the next sensor. If so, in step S22, the use slot notification is received. After the processing unit 213 registers the received sensor of the identification information ID in the slave unit (next order) list, the processing unit 213 waits to receive a use slot notification or a slot setting end notification in step S23.

  When the use slot notification or the slot setting end notification is received in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24, and it is determined whether or not the received use slot notification is received. If so, the process proceeds to step S21 again. It is determined whether or not the sensor is the slave device (next order) of the own device. If not, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, it is determined whether or not it is a slot setting end notification. If not, the next reception waiting of step S23 is awaited. If so, the process proceeds to step S26, and the setting end detection processing unit The identification information ID received in the slot setting end notification received by 241 is deleted from the slave (next) list. Thereafter, in step S27, it is determined whether or not the slave unit (next order) list is emptied. If not, the slave unit (next order) sensor has not received a slot setting end notification. Since it remains, it moves to the step S23 and waits for the next reception. When it is empty, it receives the slot setting end notification from all the slave units (next ranks) sensors, so it moves to the step S13. The own device also transmits a slot setting end notification.

  When the setting mode is completed as described above and the mode is changed to the normal radio tag detection mode, the tag management unit 14 transmits a question signal to the radio signal transmission / reception unit 11 in the slot selected by the slot allocation processing unit 21. When the response signal is received from the wireless tag TG, it is determined whether or not the ID of the wireless tag TG is registered in advance, and an unlocking operation or the like is performed.

  With this configuration, when the setting button of the setting switch 33 is operated, the slot setting mode is set. In this state, when the start button is operated or when a use slot notification is received from another sensor, the slot selection is performed. Since the start button of one sensor (S1 in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2) is operated, the slot to be used is automatically set to the end like a ripple, using it as a trigger. can do.

  Furthermore, the slot selection by the empty slot detection processing unit 211 of the slot allocation processing unit 21 is performed from the slot with higher priority among the empty slots that do not interfere with the adjacent sensors. Can be minimized, and the detection cycle can be shortened to improve the responsiveness.

  When the collision detection unit 221 of the collision detection processing unit 22 detects that the use slot notifications are duplicated, the collision notification transmission processing unit 22 transmits a collision notification, and the collision notification reception processing unit 223 transmits the collision notification. , The retransmission control unit 224 performs re-search for empty slots and retransmission processing for the used slot notification. Thus, in the case of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as in the case of the sensors S2 and S3, After the own device (S1) has transmitted the use slot notification, the next or second use slot notification is received, and when it is duplicated, that is, the own device is located at the branch portion of the moving space 1 If the second and second sensors (S2, S3) do not overlap with each other, the detection target areas (A2, A3) do not overlap with each other, and it is not clear that the used slot notifications overlap each other. , Time, it is possible to perform the transmission operation of the search and use slot notifications free slot. Thereby, slot overlap (interference) can be reliably prevented between adjacent sensors (S2, S3).

  During the additional work, the slot number of the entire system is the same as in the new work. May be reset and the slot setting may be performed again, or only the additional sensors and the sensors in the vicinity thereof may determine the slots used by the surrounding sensors and allocate the slots.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the wireless authentication system according to another embodiment of the present invention. As the sensor of the present embodiment, the sensor having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 described above can be used. First, in the present embodiment, the used slot notification transmission method differs between FIG. 2 and FIG. That is, the history of the slot number selected by each sensor S is sequentially added to the used slot notification transmitted in the slot setting mode. Correspondingly, the setting end notification processing unit 242 of the terminal sensor S4 that transmits the slot setting end notification uses the maximum number of slot numbers used including its own device as the number of slots in one frame period. It is included in the slot setting end notification and transmitted. Note that the number of slots actually used may be selected by a predetermined number larger than the maximum value in preparation for addition of a sensor or the like.

  Upon receiving the slot setting end notification from each branch, the starting sensor S1 transmits the maximum value of the slot number among them as the number of slots in one frame period and included in the synchronization signal at the start of operation. Thus, frame synchronization between the sensors S is ensured.

  By configuring in this way, one frame period can be set according to the number of slots actually used in the installed wireless authentication system without setting the one frame period in advance. The response to the wireless tag can be improved while preventing the problem.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless authentication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for explaining slot setting operation of each sensor concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating completion | finish of the slot setting operation | movement of each sensor which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the sensor which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating slot setting operation | movement of each sensor which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the slot setting operation | movement of each sensor in the radio | wireless authentication system which concerns on the other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Movement space 2 Host apparatus 11 Radio signal transmission / reception part 12 Slot selection part 13 User interface 14 Tag management part 15 Network interface 21 Slot allocation process part 211 Empty slot detection process part 212 Use slot notification transmission process part 213 Use slot notification reception Processing unit 22 Collision detection processing unit 221 Collision detection unit 222 Collision notification transmission processing unit 223 Collision notification reception processing unit 224 Retransmission control unit 23 Slot synchronization unit 231 Slot synchronization signal detection processing unit 232 Synchronization timing adjustment processing unit 24 Setting end detection unit 241 Setting end detection processing knowledge unit 242 Setting end notification processing knowledge unit 25 Transmission / reception slot management unit 31 Status display means 32 Alarm / notification sound generator 33 Setting switches A1, A2, A3, A4,. S3, S4, ... Sa TG radio tag

Claims (7)

A plurality of sensors are arranged so that a part of each detection target area overlaps between adjacent sensors along the movement space of the detection target, and the wireless tag carried by the detection target communicates with any one of the sensors. In the wireless authentication system that detects the movement of the detection target by performing
Each sensor is
A wireless communication unit that communicates with the wireless tag so as not to interfere between sensors by multiple access using mutually equal wireless communication techniques, and capable of communicating between adjacent sensors;
In the setting mode, the wireless communication unit selects the connection method to be used by the own device so as not to interfere with the upper sensor, and transmits the used connection method notification including the identification information of the own device from the wireless communication unit. When the use connection method notification from the lower sensor is received by the wireless communication unit, the identification information of the lower sensor is stored, and a predetermined time elapses after the use connection method notification is transmitted. Even if the use connection method notification from the lower sensor is not received, it is determined that the own device is at the end of the sensor array, and a connection method setting end notification including the identification information of the own device is transmitted and the setting mode is set. The connection method setting end notification is received, and if the own device identification information is included, the connection method setting end notification including the own device identification information is transferred to end the setting mode. Radio frequency identification system, characterized in that it comprises a modulus setting unit. The connection method setting unit
A connection method assignment processing unit that selects a connection method to be used by itself when in the setting mode and transmits the used connection method notification;
A setting end detection unit that determines the end of the setting mode and transmits a connection method setting end notification;
After transmitting the used connection method notification from its own device, upon receiving a collision detection notification, the connection method allocation processing unit performs a search for a free connection method and a retransmission process of the used connection method notification, and the used connection method The wireless authentication system according to claim 1, further comprising: a collision detection processing unit that receives the technique notification and transmits the collision detection notification when the notification content cannot be reproduced.   The connection method setting unit of each sensor uses time division multiple access as the wireless communication method, and sequentially adds a history of slot numbers as connection methods selected by each sensor to the used connection method notification to be transferred. Then, the connection method setting unit of the sensor that transmits the connection method setting end notification includes the maximum value of the used slot number including the own device as the number of slots in one frame period in the connection method setting end notification. The wireless authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless authentication system transmits the wireless authentication system.   A setting button is connected to the connection method setting unit, and when the setting button is started, the setting mode is started, and when the start button operation or the use connection method notification is received from another sensor, the connection method is set. The wireless authentication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the selection of is started.   The wireless connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection method setting unit is used from a connection method having a higher priority among connection methods that are not used.   When the setting button is operated to start a setting mode, the connection method setting unit causes the wireless communication unit to increase at least one of transmission power and reception sensitivity compared to when communicating with a wireless tag. The wireless authentication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A plurality of sensors are arranged so that a part of each detection target area overlaps between adjacent sensors along the movement space of the detection target, and the wireless tag carried by the detection target communicates with any one of the sensors. In the sensor of the wireless authentication system that detects the movement of the detection target by performing
A wireless communication unit that communicates with the wireless tag so as not to interfere between sensors by multiple access using mutually equal wireless communication techniques, and capable of communicating between adjacent sensors;
In the setting mode, the wireless communication unit selects the connection method to be used by the own device so as not to interfere with the upper sensor, and transmits the used connection method notification including the identification information of the own device from the wireless communication unit. When the use connection method notification from the lower sensor is received by the wireless communication unit, the identification information of the lower sensor is stored, and a predetermined time elapses after the use connection method notification is transmitted. Even if the use connection method notification from the lower sensor is not received, it is determined that the own device is at the end of the sensor array, and a connection method setting end notification including the identification information of the own device is transmitted and the setting mode is set. The connection method setting end notification is received, and if the own device identification information is included, the connection method setting end notification including the own device identification information is transferred to end the setting mode. Sensor which comprises a modulus setting unit.

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