JP2009252030A - Radio communication device and radio communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide measuring equipment and measurement method for accurately and efficiently measuring an area that allows communication between an electronic tag and a reader-writer. <P>SOLUTION: This reader testing system measures a position of an electronic tag by using a positional information generating device to determine a communication status with a reader-writer, and has a reader testing device and a recording device, wherein the reader testing device has a detecting means for detecting information sent from the electronic tag to the reader-writer and a notifying means for notifying the recording device that the information has been detected as a detection result, and the recoding device has a position acquisition means for acquiring positional information on the electronic tag from the positional information generating device at the time when the detecting means detects the information when the notifying means notifies that the information has been detected and a recording means for recording the acquired positional information and the detection result notified from the notifying means in association with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reader test apparatus, a reader test system, and a reader test method for measuring a communication state between a tag and a reader / writer.

Electronic tags are being used in various fields such as logistics and distribution. In order to actually use electronic tags, radio wave conditions around the electronic tags, etc., to ensure that the electronic tags are read. It is necessary to adjust in advance the installation position and installation direction of a reader / writer or the like that repeatedly measures and reads the information of the electronic tag.
Conventionally, when measuring the communication state between an electronic tag and a reader / writer, the reader / writer reads information transmitted from the electronic tag while moving the electronic tag, and outputs the read result to the external device from the reader / writer In general, a method for detecting whether communication is possible between the electronic tag and the reader / writer by obtaining the information to be performed. In addition, a method for setting the communication range of an electronic tag or reader / writer according to each application case (Patent Document 1), a method for expanding the communicable area of the electronic tag or reader / writer, and the position of the electronic tag to be communicated accurately A method of detecting the above is considered (Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-137636 A JP 2006-10345 A

However, when the measurement result is obtained from the information output from the reader / writer to the external device as in the conventional test method, the information output from the reader / writer is information processed by software built in the reader / writer. Therefore, there is a problem that a uniform measurement test cannot be performed, depending on the specifications of the reader / writer.
Since there are various types of RFID tags and reader / writer models, it is necessary to communicate with each reader / writer in order to obtain measurement results from information output from the reader / writer. A measurement program corresponding to is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and does not depend on the specifications of a reader / writer, and accurately performs a test for measuring a communication state between an electronic tag and a reader / writer, and a reader test system. And a reader test method.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a reader test apparatus for measuring a communication state between a moving electronic tag and a reader / writer, and detecting means for detecting information transmitted from the electronic tag to the reader / writer. And notification means for notifying the recording apparatus that the information has been detected.

  The present invention also provides a reader test system for measuring a position of an electronic tag by a position information generation device and measuring a communication state with a reader / writer, comprising a reader test device and a recording device, wherein the reader test The apparatus comprises detection means for detecting information transmitted from the electronic tag to the reader / writer, and notification means for notifying the recording apparatus as a detection result that the information has been detected. A position acquisition unit that acquires position information of the electronic tag from the position information generation device at the time when the detection unit detects information when the notification unit is notified of information detection; Recording means for associating and recording the position information and the detection result notified by the notification means.

Here, the detection means stores the time when the information is detected, the notification means notifies the recording device of the time, and the position acquisition means acquires the position information of the electronic tag at the time. .
The detection means records the time when the reader / writer transmits an inquiry signal to the electronic tag, and is transmitted from the reader / writer to the electronic tag within a time determined from the time. When the transmission permission signal cannot be detected, the notification unit may notify the recording device that the detection result cannot be detected.

  The present invention also provides a reader test method for measuring the position of an electronic tag with a position information generation device and measuring the communication state with a reader / writer using a reader test device and a recording device, and a) the reader A step of detecting information transmitted from the electronic tag to the reader / writer; b) a step of notifying the recording device that the reader test device has detected the information as a detection result; c) A step of acquiring the position information of the electronic tag from the position information generating device when the information is detected by the notifying means; and d) the recording device. Comprises a step of associating and recording the acquired position information and the detection result, and each time the electronic tag is moved, steps a) to d) are performed. Characterized in that the return Ri.

According to the present invention, since the information transmitted from the electronic tag to the reader / writer is obtained, it is possible to efficiently measure the communication status between the electronic tag and the reader / writer without depending on the specifications of the reader / writer. is there.
Also, according to the present invention, since the result of measuring the communication status of the electronic tag and the position information of the electronic tag at that time are grasped, it is possible to grasp the communication status at each measurement position of the electronic tag. it can.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a reader test apparatus, a reader test system, and a reader test method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same functional configuration, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the reader test system 1. The reader test system 1 includes a reader / writer 3, an electronic tag 5, a reader test device 7, an electronic tag position control device 9, and a read / write area recording device 11.

The electronic tag 5 is called an RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification), an IC tag or the like, has a memory for storing information, wirelessly communicates with the reader / writer 3 and transmits / receives information. The electronic tag 5 stores tag ID information for identifying the electronic tag 5 and information such as data.
The reader / writer 3 transmits / receives tag ID information and data by transmitting / receiving information (signals) to / from the electronic tag 5.
The reader test device 7 detects a signal transmitted from the reader / writer 3 to the electronic tag 5 and, when detected, notifies the read / write area recording device 11 to that effect. Also, the reader test device 7 stores the time when the signal is detected and notifies the read / write area recording device 11.

The electronic tag position control device 9 has a mechanism for moving the electronic tag 5 to be measured, detects the position of the electronic tag 5 and stores it as position information, and when there is an inquiry from the read / write area recording device 11 The position information of the electronic tag 5 is notified to the read / write area storage device 11.
For example, the electronic tag position control device 9 is connected to a cart to which the electronic tag 5 to be measured is attached, and can move the cart in a linear direction (x coordinate) on a two-dimensional plane (x It is also possible to move to (−y coordinate). Further, the electronic tag position control device 9 has a mechanism for vertically moving a stage that forms a two-dimensional plane, and three-dimensionally (xyz coordinates) moves the cart to which the electronic tag 5 is attached. It is also possible to do.

The read / write area recording device 11 has a storage unit, and stores the signal detection result notified from the reader test device 5 in association with the position information of the electronic tag 5 notified from the electronic tag position control device 9.
The reader test device 7 and the read / write area recording device 11 may be integrated.
Further, the reader test device 7 does not need to move with the electronic tag 5 and may be located at a position where the signal output from the reader / writer 3 can be received.

Next, the operation of this system will be described.
FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of communication status measurement work by the reader test system 1. The reader / writer 3 transmits an inquiry command to the electronic tag 5 (step S101). The electronic tag 5 transmits a response signal in response to the inquiry from the reader / writer 3 (step S102). Here, the response signal is information that can identify the electronic tag 5 among signals that the electronic tag and the reader / writer communicate with each other, such as ID information of the electronic tag 5.

Upon receiving the response signal from the electronic tag 5, the reader / writer 3 transmits a data transmission permission signal to the electronic tag 5 assuming that communication with the electronic tag 5 is possible (step S103). Here, the reader / writer 3 can transmit / receive a signal to / from the electronic tag 5 and transmits a transmission permission signal when it is determined that communication is possible. That is, detecting the transmission permission signal indicates that communication between the reader / writer 3 and the electronic tag 5 is established, and the electronic tag 5 is in a position where communication with the reader / writer 3 is possible.
The reader test device 7 receives the transmission permission signal transmitted from the reader / writer 3 to the electronic tag 5 (step S104). The reader test device 7 notifies the read / write area recording device 11 that the transmission permission signal has been detected as a detection result (step S105).

  The read / write area recording device 11 that has received the notification transmits an inquiry command for inquiring the position information of the electronic tag 5 at the time of receiving the transmission permission signal to the electronic tag position control device 9 (step S106). The position control device 9 transmits the position information (coordinates, etc.) of the electronic tag 5 inquired to the read / write area recording device 11 (step S107). The read / write area recording device 11 records the position information of the electronic tag 5 and the detection of the transmission permission signal as the detection result (step S108).

  Each time the electronic tag position control device 9 moves the position of the electronic tag 5, the read / write area recording device 11 repeats the above-described operation, so that the read / write area recording device 11 can transmit / receive data to / from the reader / writer 3. Measure and accumulate points). Thus, the communicable area between the electronic tag 5 and the reader / writer 3 can be accurately measured.

  Further, in step S104 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the reader test device 7 may record time information when the reader / writer 3 transmits a transmission permission signal, and may transmit the time information to the read / write area recording device 11 in step S105. . The electronic tag position control device 9 stores time and position information (coordinates, etc.) of the electronic tag 5 at that time. Based on the received time information, the read / write area recording device 11 can obtain the position information of the electronic tag 5 at that time by inquiring the electronic tag position control device 9.

As an application example of this system, for example, measurement of the communication status of the electronic tag 5 when the electronic tag 5 is attached to a pallet for transportation, the pallet is mounted on the carriage, and the carriage moves through the gate to which the reader / writer 3 is attached. Consider the case.
The read / write area recording device 11 detects the position of the carriage, that is, the electronic tag 5 from the output result from the encoder attached to the wheel of the carriage, for example, and also receives the time information output from the encoder.

The reader test device 7 stores the time information when the transmission permission signal is received from the reader / writer 3 as a measurement result, and notifies the read / write area recording device 11.
In this way, the read / write area recording device 11 acquires and stores the position information of the electronic tag 5 at that time from the output of the encoder at the time that coincides with the time at which the transmission permission signal is received.
By repeating such measurement work, it is possible to measure the communicable area of the electronic tag 5 attached to the transportation pallet.

As described above, according to the reader test system 1, signals transmitted and received between the reader / writer 3 and the electronic tag 5 such as a response signal and a communication permission signal are standardized. The communicable area between the electronic tag 5 and the reader / writer 3 can be accurately and efficiently measured without depending on the type of the reader / writer 3 or the like.
In addition, since the signal intensity from the reader / writer 3 is larger than that of the signal from the electronic tag 5, the measurement system using this system is smaller than the measurement apparatus that receives the signal from the electronic tag 5. Is possible.

Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the communication status measurement work by the reader test system 1. The reader / writer 3 transmits an inquiry command to the electronic tag 5 (step S201). The reader test device 7 receives the inquiry command transmitted to the electronic tag 5 and stores the received time (step S202). The electronic tag 5 transmits a response signal in response to the inquiry from the reader / writer 3 (step S203).

  Upon receiving the response signal from the electronic tag 5, the reader / writer 3 transmits a data transmission permission signal to the electronic tag 5 assuming that communication with the electronic tag 5 is possible (step S103). The reader test device 7 determines whether or not the transmission permission signal transmitted from the reader / writer 3 to the electronic tag 5 is received within a predetermined time from the inquiry command reception time in step S202 (step S205). If the transmission permission signal is not received within a predetermined time, the reader test device 7 notifies the read / write area recording device 11 that reception is not possible within the time as “timeout” (step S206). ).

  The read / write area recording device 11 that has received the notification transmits an inquiry command for inquiring the position information of the electronic tag 5 to the electronic tag position control device 9 (step S207), and the electronic tag position control device 9 receives the inquiry. The position information (coordinates, etc.) of the electronic tag 5 is transmitted to the read / write area recording device 11 (step S208). The read / write area recording device 11 records the position information of the electronic tag 5 and the fact that communication is impossible at the position, that is, the position is outside the communication area (step S209).

As described above, when the transmission permission signal is not received within a predetermined time from the time when the inquiry command to the electronic tag 5 is received from the reader / writer 3, the reader test apparatus 7 determines the position of the electronic tag 5 at that time. Is notified as a measurement result that it is out of the communication area, and the read / write area recording device 11 records the measurement result.
By repeating this measurement operation each time the electronic tag position control device 9 moves the position of the electronic tag 5, the read / write area recording device 11 can detect the position (points) of the electronic tag 5 that cannot communicate with the reader / writer 3. ) Are measured and stored, and an area where communication between the electronic tag 5 and the reader / writer 3 is impossible can be accurately measured.
When the transmission permission signal can be received within a predetermined time, information indicating that the transmission permission signal has been received and the position information of the electronic tag are associated with each other and stored as a measurement result.

Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a reader test system 21 according to the third embodiment. Here, the reader test apparatus 27 has the function of the reader / writer 3 of the embodiment shown in FIG. Other than that, the electronic tag 25 has the same functional configuration as the electronic tag 5, the electronic tag position control device 29 has the same electronic tag position control device 9, and the read / write area recording device 31 has the same functional configuration.

Next, the operation of the reader test system 21 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of communication status measurement work by the reader test system 21. The electronic tag 25 transmits a signal to the reader test device 27 (step S301). At this time, when the reader test device 27 receives a signal transmitted by the electronic tag 25, the reader test device 27 notifies the read / write area recording device 31 that the signal has been detected as a detection result (step S302). Here, when the electronic tag 25 is an active tag, as shown in FIG. 5, a signal is transmitted from the electronic tag 25 to the reader test device 27 at a predetermined cycle. In the case of an inactive tag (static tag), when the electronic tag 25 receives an inquiry command from the reader test apparatus 27, the reader test apparatus 27 responds to the inquiry command as a response signal from the electronic tag 25. Is transmitted.

  The read / write area recording device 31 that has received the notification transmits an inquiry command for inquiring the position information of the electronic tag 25 at the time when the reader test device 27 receives the signal to the electronic tag position control device 29 (step S303). . The electronic tag position control device 29 transmits the position information (coordinates, etc.) of the electronic tag 25 inquired to the read / write area recording device 31 (step S304). The read / write area recording device 31 records the position information of the electronic tag 25 and the detection of the signal (step S305).

  Each time the electronic tag position control device 29 moves the position of the electronic tag 25, the above-described operation is repeated, so that the read / write area recording device 31 is positioned at the position (point) of the electronic tag 25 at which the reader test device can receive a signal. Measure and accumulate the measurement results. Thus, the communicable area between the electronic tag 25 and the reader test device 27 can be accurately measured.

In addition, by providing the reader test device 7 and the reader test device 27 with an electric field sensor for measuring the electric field strength, the electric field strength at the corresponding position of the electronic tag can be measured.
In the above embodiment, the electronic tag is moved. However, the reader / writer may be moved with the electronic tag fixed. In this case, it is sufficient that the relative position information between the reader / writer and the electronic tag can be grasped.

  The preferred embodiments of the reader test apparatus, the reader test system, and the reader test method according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  Further, according to this embodiment, the reader test apparatus detects a standardized signal transmitted / received between the electronic tag and the reader / writer, so measurement is performed based on information that does not depend on the specifications of the reader / writer. This makes it possible to accurately and efficiently measure the communicable area between the electronic tag and the reader / writer without depending on the specifications of the reader / writer. For this reason, even when using an electronic tag for logistics or the like, it is possible to accurately determine the communicable area of the electronic tag and easily determine the installation position of the reader / writer based on this result. Become.

Configuration diagram of reader test system 1 Sequence diagram showing procedure of measurement processing by reader test system 1 Sequence diagram showing procedure of measurement processing by reader test system 1 Configuration diagram of reader test system 21 Sequence diagram showing procedure of measurement processing by reader test system 21

Explanation of symbols

1, 21 ... Reader test system 3, 23 ... Reader / writer 5, 25 ... Electronic tag 7, 27 ... Reader test device 9, 29 ... Electronic tag position control device 11, 31 ... ... Read / write area recorder

Claims (5)

A reader test apparatus for measuring a communication state between a moving electronic tag and a reader / writer,
Detecting means for detecting information transmitted from the electronic tag to the reader / writer;
Notification means for notifying the recording device that the information has been detected;
A reader test apparatus comprising: A reader test system for measuring a position of an electronic tag with a position information generation device and measuring a communication state with a reader / writer,
A reader test device and a recording device;
The reader test device comprises:
Detecting means for detecting information transmitted from the electronic tag to the reader / writer;
A notification means for notifying the recording device that the information has been detected as a detection result;
Comprising
The recording device comprises:
A position acquisition unit that acquires position information of the electronic tag from the position information generation device when the detection unit is informed of detection of information by the notification unit;
A recording means for associating and recording the acquired position information and the detection result notified by the notification means;
A reader test system comprising: The detection means stores the time when the information is detected,
The notifying means notifies the recording device of the time;
The reader test system according to claim 2, wherein the position acquisition unit acquires position information of the electronic tag at the time. The detecting means stores the time when the reader / writer transmits an inquiry signal to the electronic tag,
When the transmission permission signal transmitted from the reader / writer to the electronic tag cannot be detected within the time determined from the time,
3. The reader test system according to claim 2, wherein the notifying means notifies the recording device that the detection result cannot be detected. A reader test method for measuring a position of an electronic tag with a position information generation device using a reader test device and a recording device, and measuring a communication state with a reader / writer,
a) the reader testing device detecting information transmitted from the electronic tag to the reader / writer;
b) notifying the recording device that the reader test device has detected the information as a detection result;
c) when the detection of the information is notified by the notification means, the recording device acquires the position information of the electronic tag at the time of detecting the information from the position information generation device;
d) The recording device records the acquired position information and the detection result in association with each other;
Comprising
A reader test method, wherein steps a) to d) are repeated each time the electronic tag is moved.

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