JP2010079553A - Wireless tag communication system and wireless tag communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless tag communication system and a wireless tag communication device capable of sending and receiving information at high reliability. <P>SOLUTION: An operating terminal 200 includes an application processing unit AP' which performs a predetermined process in response to an operator's operational input by an operating unit 202 and generates a corresponding process instruction signal, and a communication process unit CP' which performs an access process corresponding to either a forward access mode or a reverse access mode according to the process instruction signal. In the forward access mode, the communication process unit CP' accesses bites one by one in the forward direction for every block of information obtained, and in a reverse access mode it accesses the bites one by one in reverse direction for every block of information obtained, thus reading the information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag communication system and a wireless tag communication device that perform wireless communication with a wireless tag circuit element including a tag antenna that transmits and receives information and an IC circuit unit that stores information.

  2. Description of the Related Art An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system that transmits and receives information in a contactless manner (an electromagnetic coupling method using a coil, an electromagnetic induction method, a radio wave method, or the like) is known for a wireless tag circuit element that stores information.

  There are a plurality of types of RFID tag circuit elements, many of which comply with the international standard ISO (International Organization for Standardization) / IEC 15693. In the RFID tag circuit element conforming to the ISO / IEC 15693, the memory of the IC circuit unit is managed in units of blocks, and the reader / writer accesses the memory of the IC circuit unit of the RFID tag circuit elements in units of blocks. To read or write information.

  In ISO / IEC 15693, the number of bytes constituting one block is not defined. For this reason, there are RFID circuit elements having different block sizes, for example, one block is 4 bytes or 8 bytes.

An RFID tag communication system capable of communicating with RFID circuit elements having different block sizes has already been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this wireless tag communication system, the wireless tag communication device (wireless tag reader / writer) registers a number of bytes constituting one block of the memory of the wireless tag circuit element to be accessed, and the tag block size. And a control circuit that performs information transmission / reception processing to the RFID circuit element in accordance with the number of bytes registered in the holding unit, and the operator changes the registered contents of the tag block size holding unit to block Communication is also possible with RFID circuit elements having different sizes.
JP 2007-94887 A

  As described above, in the RFID tag circuit element compliant with ISO / IEC 15693, it is necessary to manage the memory of the IC circuit unit in units of blocks, but the storage order of data in the memory (hereinafter referred to as “byte order” as appropriate). Is not specified. For this reason, the byte order is so-called big endian for reading information by accessing the plurality of bytes constituting one block in the forward direction, and information by accessing the plurality of bytes constituting one block in the reverse direction. There are generally two types of RFID tag circuit elements, so-called little endian that perform reading.

  In the above-described conventional RFID tag communication system, information can be transmitted / received to / from RFID circuit elements having different block sizes as described above, but no consideration is given to the byte order. Therefore, it is not always possible to read information in the appropriate access mode corresponding to each byte order for the above two types of RFID circuit elements, and to be able to perform reliable information transmission / reception. I could not say it.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag communication system and a wireless tag communication apparatus capable of performing highly reliable information transmission / reception.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless tag communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a tag antenna that transmits and receives information and an IC circuit unit that stores information, and one block of memory of the IC circuit unit is a plurality of bytes. A wireless tag communication system comprising a wireless tag communication device that performs wireless communication with a configured wireless tag circuit element, and an operation terminal capable of operating the wireless tag communication device, wherein the operation terminal is operated by an operator A first operation means that can be input, an application processing section that performs a process in accordance with a predetermined application program on the operation input of the operator by the first operation means, and generates a corresponding processing instruction signal; and the application Based on the processing instruction signal generated by the processing unit, an application corresponding to either the forward access mode or the reverse access mode is provided. A communication processing unit for performing access processing, wherein the communication processing unit is configured to perform processing for each piece of information in the forward access mode with respect to information acquired from the wireless tag circuit element via the wireless tag communication device. It has first information alignment means for sequentially accessing each byte in the forward direction for each block, and accessing each byte sequentially in the reverse direction for each block of the information in the backward access mode, and reading information. Features.

  The wireless tag communication system of the first invention of the present application corresponds to the fact that there are two patterns in the data storage order in the memory of the IC circuit portion of the wireless tag circuit element. In the first pattern, in each block constituting the memory of the IC circuit section, information is read by accessing the plurality of bytes constituting one block in the forward direction. In the second pattern, in each block constituting the memory of the IC circuit unit, information is read by accessing the plurality of bytes constituting one block in the reverse direction. When reading information from a RFID circuit element, the correct direction (forward or reverse) must be accessed depending on which pattern the memory of the IC circuit section of the RFID circuit element has. If you do not get the correct information.

  In the first invention of the present application, in response to the above, for example, when the operator inputs the pattern of the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated to the first operation means of the operation terminal, the application processing unit A corresponding processing instruction signal is generated. In response to the processing instruction signal, the communication processing unit performs access processing corresponding to the forward access mode (corresponding to the first pattern) or the reverse access mode (corresponding to the second pattern). That is, the first information alignment unit of the communication processing unit sequentially reads the information by sequentially accessing a plurality of bytes of each block of the acquired information in the forward access mode or reads the information in the reverse access mode. Information is read by sequentially accessing the plurality of bytes of each block in the reverse direction.

  As described above, the operation terminal is provided with two access modes, and the communication processing unit switches the access mode in response to an input from the first operation means. Thereby, even if the storage order of the data with respect to the memory of the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element is either of the two patterns, correct information can be read reliably. Therefore, highly reliable information transmission / reception can be performed.

  The wireless tag communication system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the wireless communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the operation terminal has a first display means for displaying to the operator, and the communication processing unit is configured to arrange the first information alignment. An information reading result from the IC circuit unit processed by the forward access mode or the reverse access mode is output to the application processing unit, and the application processing unit is output from the communication processing unit. An information reading result is displayed on the first display unit along the application program.

  As a result, when the information reading executed in a certain mode based on the operation input from the first operation means of the operation terminal is in a different mode, the characters are garbled or meaning (because the memory is not accessed in the correct order). Such as a character string without a mark, it is displayed on the first display means as clearly incorrect information. Therefore, since the operator can recognize that the current mode is wrong, the information can be read correctly thereafter by performing an operation input so as to switch back to the reverse mode and switching the mode.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the RFID tag communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the communication processing unit is the information from the IC circuit unit processed by the first information alignment unit in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode. The reading result is output to the application processing unit, and the application processing unit is configured to store the memory of the IC circuit unit of the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated based on the information reading result output from the communication processing unit. , Having a first memory judging means for judging whether the access should be made in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode, and the first information alignment means of the communication processing unit After the determination by the first memory determination unit of the application processing unit, the forward direction according to the determination result Either by access mode or said reverse access mode, to said information acquired via the wireless tag communication device, and performs processing.

  Thereby, when the information reading performed in a certain mode based on the operation input from the first operation means of the operation terminal is in a different mode, the first memory determination means in the operation terminal determines that the mode is different. can do. As a result, the communication processing unit switches the access mode to the reverse mode. Therefore, information can be read correctly thereafter.

  Further, by providing such an automatic mode correction function, the first operation input from the first operation means is not an operation input for designating a mode but a simple reading start operation (without mode designation). In this case, first, reading is performed in the mode set at that time, and if the mode is wrong, the mode is automatically switched to the reverse mode and the correct mode is obtained.

  A wireless tag communication system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the wireless tag communication apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the wireless tag communication device is configured to acquire information stored in one block of the memory of the IC circuit unit. Command generation means for generating a block read command, command transmission means for transmitting the one-block read command generated by the command generation means to the RFID circuit element by wireless communication via the communication antenna, and the command transmission means Information receiving means for receiving the stored data of the one block transmitted from the RFID circuit element in response to the one-block read command transmitted from the communication terminal, and the communication processing unit of the operation terminal receives the information receiving The first data length detecting means for detecting the data length of the storage data of the one block received by the means, and the first data length detecting means Based was the data length, and having a first block size calculating means for calculating the number of bytes the plurality of bytes constituting the block.

  In the memory structure in the IC circuit portion of the RFID circuit element, there are various numbers of bytes of a plurality of bytes constituting one block, and the number of bytes (so-called block size) of the RFID circuit element to be communicated is unknown. (Or if you know it but want to check). The fourth invention of the present application corresponds to such a case, and the command transmission unit transmits the one-block reading command generated by the command generation unit to the RFID circuit element via the communication antenna. As a result, the RFID circuit element that has received the one-block read command returns the information data stored in one block of the memory of the IC circuit section as a response signal, so that the information receiving means receives the one block of stored data. . Then, the first data length detection means provided in the communication processing unit of the operation terminal detects the data length of the stored data, and based on the detected data length, the first block size calculation means performs the memory of the IC circuit unit. The number of bytes constituting one block (= block size) can be calculated.

  Thereby, even when the block size of the IC circuit portion of the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated is unknown, the block size can be calculated by a simple method. As a result, information transmission / reception to / from the RFID tag circuit element can be facilitated.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless tag communication device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises a tag antenna for transmitting / receiving information and an IC circuit unit for storing information, wherein one block of the memory of the IC circuit unit is a plurality of bytes. A wireless tag communication device that performs wireless communication with the wireless tag circuit element that is configured, wherein the operator can selectively input one of a forward access mode and a reverse access mode; A communication antenna for performing wireless communication with the wireless tag circuit element, and the information acquired from the memory of the IC circuit unit via the communication antenna, the forward access mode by the second operation means Is selected, the bytes are sequentially accessed in the forward direction for each block of the information, and the reverse access mode is selected by the second operating means. Accessing sequentially each byte in the reverse direction for each block of serial data, and having a second information arranging means for performing information reading.

  In the RFID tag communication apparatus according to the fifth invention of the present application, for example, the operator selects and inputs to the second operation means whether the data storage order in the memory of the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated is the aforementioned two patterns. . Then, depending on the selection, the second information alignment means reads the information by sequentially accessing the plurality of bytes of each block of the acquired information in the forward access mode in the forward direction, or acquired in the reverse access mode. Information is read by sequentially accessing a plurality of bytes of each block of information in the reverse direction.

  As described above, two access modes are provided, and switching is performed in response to the selection input from the second operation means. Thereby, even if the storage order of the data with respect to the memory of the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element is either of the two patterns, correct information can be read reliably. Therefore, highly reliable information transmission / reception can be performed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the RFID tag communication apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the second information alignment means processes the information read result from the IC circuit unit processed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode. It has the 2nd display means for displaying to a person.

  As a result, if the information reading processed in a certain mode in the second information alignment means based on the operation input from the second operation means is in a different mode, the characters (because the memory is not accessed in the correct order) It is displayed on the second display means as clearly wrong information such as a garbled character string or meaningless character string. Therefore, since the operator can recognize that the current mode is wrong, the information can be read correctly thereafter by selecting and inputting so as to switch back to the reverse mode and switching the mode.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the RFID tag communication apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the communication processing unit is the information from the IC circuit unit processed by the second information alignment means in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode. According to the read result, whether the memory of the IC circuit unit of the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated is to be accessed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode. A second memory determining unit configured to determine, and after the determination by the second memory determining unit, the second information alignment unit determines whether the forward access mode or the reverse access mode is in accordance with the determination result. The information is read by either of them.

  As a result, when the information reading processed in a certain mode in the second information aligning means based on the operation input from the second operating means is in a different mode, the second memory determining means determines that the mode is different. To do. Then, the mode in the second information alignment means is switched to the reverse mode. Therefore, information can be read correctly thereafter.

  Further, by providing such an automatic mode correction function, the first operation input from the second operation means is not an operation input for designating a mode, but a simple reading start operation (without mode designation). In this case, first, reading is performed in the mode set at that time, and if the mode is wrong, the mode is automatically switched to the reverse mode and the correct mode is obtained.

  The RFID tag communication device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the wireless tag communication device according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein a command for generating a one-block read command for acquiring information stored in one block of the memory of the IC circuit unit Generating means; command transmitting means for transmitting the one-block reading command generated by the command generating means to the RFID circuit element by wireless communication via the communication antenna; and reading the one block transmitted from the command transmitting means Information receiving means for receiving the one block of stored data transmitted from the RFID circuit element in response to a command, and a second data length for detecting the data length of the one block of stored data received by the information receiving means Based on the data length detected by the detection means and the second data length detection means, the byte of the plurality of bytes constituting the one block. And having a second block size calculation means for calculating the number.

  In the eighth invention of this application, the command transmitting means transmits the one-block reading command generated by the command generating means to the RFID circuit element via the communication antenna. As a result, the RFID circuit element that has received the one-block read command returns the information data stored in one block of the memory of the IC circuit section as a response signal, so that the information receiving means receives the one block of stored data. . Then, the second data length detection means detects the data length of the stored data, and based on the detected data length, the second block size calculation means uses the number of bytes constituting one block of the memory of the IC circuit unit ( = Block size) can be calculated.

  Thereby, even when the block size of the IC circuit portion of the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated is unknown, the block size can be calculated by a simple method. As a result, information transmission / reception to / from the RFID tag circuit element can be facilitated.

  According to the present invention, highly reliable information transmission / reception can be performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a wireless tag communication system provided with the wireless tag communication device of the present embodiment.

  The RFID tag communication system RS shown in FIG. 1 includes an RFID tag communication device 100 capable of selectively using a plurality of different communication protocols and communicating with the RFID tag communication device 100 via an interface such as a USB. And an operation terminal 200 capable of operating the RFID tag communication apparatus 100. The operation terminal 200 is a general-purpose personal computer that is generally commercially available, and includes a display unit 201 such as a liquid crystal display and an operation unit 202 such as a keyboard and a mouse. Although the case where the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 and the operation terminal 200 are connected by wire is illustrated here, they may be connected wirelessly via wireless communication.

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the entire system of the RFID tag communication system RS.

  In FIG. 2, an operation terminal 200 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 203, a memory 204 such as a RAM or a ROM, and the operation unit 202 (first operation means) for inputting instructions and information from an operator. ), The display unit 201 that displays various information and messages, a mass storage device 205 that includes a hard disk device and stores various types of information, and the RFID tag communication device 100 via an interface connection that conforms to a standard such as USB. And a communication control unit 206 that controls transmission / reception of the information signal.

  The CPU 203 performs signal processing according to a program stored in advance in the ROM while using the temporary storage function of the RAM, and thereby sends and receives various instruction signals and information signals to and from the wireless tag communication device 100. ing.

  On the other hand, as described above, the wireless tag communication device 100 selectively switches between a plurality of different communication protocols and uses a plurality of wireless communication devices including the IC circuit unit 150 that stores information and the tag antenna 151 that transmits and receives information. The reader / writer is capable of reading and writing information with respect to the tag circuit element To. Here, examples of the plurality of communication protocols that can be switched by the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 include Type A and Type B of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) / IEC 14443, ISO / IEC 15693, and Felica (registered trademark).

  The RFID tag communication apparatus 100 includes a communication range (not shown) including an IC circuit unit 150 that stores information and a tag antenna 151 that transmits and receives information, and includes a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To corresponding to a plurality of communication protocols. And the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To is accessed by wireless communication via the communication antenna 101. The communication antenna 101 performs wireless communication with the RFID circuit elements To. A high-frequency circuit 102 that processes a signal read from the RFID circuit element To and a communication control unit 104 that controls communication performed with the operation terminal 200 are provided. The high-frequency circuit 102 and the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 can transmit and receive information via the communication control units 104 and 206.

In FIG. 2, as an example, the wireless tag communication device 100 performs wireless communication with the wireless tag T (wireless tags T _M , T _B ) corresponding to two different communication protocols via the communication antenna 101. It is shown. Here, the RFID tag _{T M} stores protocol A (first communication protocol. For example ISO / IEC 15693, etc.) information and the tag antenna 151 (first tag antenna) for transmitting and receiving information using a communication protocol IC An RFID circuit element To-M (first RFID tag circuit element) including a circuit unit 150 (first IC circuit unit) is provided, and is provided, for example, on an object related to a person (such as a name tag or an ID card). In the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To-M, personal information such as the name, sex, age, and address of the corresponding person is written.

On the other hand, the wireless tag _{T B} stores the protocol B (second communication protocol. For example ISO / IEC 14443 TypeA, etc.) information and the tag antenna 151 (second tag antenna) for transmitting and receiving information using a communication protocol IC An RFID tag circuit element To-B (second RFID tag circuit element) provided with a circuit section (second IC circuit section) 150, for example, an article (book, file, equipment) to be taken out and rented by the person Etc.). In the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To-B, article information indicating the article name, file contents, equipment number, and the like is written.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a functional configuration for process control in the operation terminal 200.

  In FIG. 3, a plurality of application programs, communication processing programs, and communication driver programs are respectively developed and activated on the memory (RAM) 204 of the operation terminal 200, and functionally by the activation of these programs. The configured application processing unit AP (first application processing unit), communication processing unit CP (first communication processing unit), and communication driver CD can transmit and receive an instruction signal and an information signal to each other. Further, the communication driver CD transmits and receives signals to and from the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the interface connection between the communication control units 206 and 104.

  The application processing unit AP performs processing in accordance with a predetermined application program in response to an operation input by the operator through the operation unit 202, generates a corresponding processing instruction signal (read command, write command, etc.), and performs communication processing. To the CP. The communication processing unit CP generates a corresponding control signal based on the processing instruction signal generated by the application processing unit AP, and transmits the control signal to the wireless tag communication device 100 via the communication driver CD. To control.

The communication processing unit CP is functionally configured by starting the communication processing program, and when the wireless tag communication device 100 succeeds in wireless communication with the wireless tag circuit element To, the wireless tag circuit element To Storage unit CPM (first storage means) that stores the tag ID in association with the communication protocol when communication is successful. That storage unit CPM, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the RFID tag T _M of the RFID circuit element To-M of the tag ID and in association with the communication protocol A stored, the RFID tag T _B of the RFID circuit element To The tag ID of -B is stored in association with the communication protocol B. Note that a part of the memory 204 (may be a part of the mass storage device 205) is used as the memory of the storage unit CPM.

  As a result, the communication processing unit CP, after successful wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To once, provides information on the RFID circuit element To-M or the RFID circuit element To-B from the application processing unit AP. When a processing instruction signal (read command) for instructing reading is input, the wireless tag is configured to read information using the corresponding protocol A or the corresponding protocol B with reference to the storage contents of the storage unit CPM. The communication apparatus 100 is controlled. Similarly, the communication processing unit CP stores a processing instruction signal (write command) instructing information writing to the RFID circuit element To-M or the RFID circuit element To-B from the application processing unit AP. The RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is controlled so that information is written using the corresponding protocol A or the corresponding protocol B with reference to the stored contents of the unit CPM.

  FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration of the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100.

In FIG. 4, the high frequency circuit 102 is connected to the RFID circuit element To (the example shown in FIG. 2) of the RFID tag T (in the example shown in FIG. 2, the RFID tags T _M and T _B. Then, the information of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit elements To-M and To-B (the same applies hereinafter) is accessed. In the high-frequency circuit 102, the signal read from the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID tag circuit element To of the RFID tag T generated by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 is processed to read out information and the RFID circuit element To Various commands for accessing the IC circuit unit 150 and writing desired information are input via the communication control units 206 and 104. Note that the communication controllers 206 and 104 are not shown in FIG.

  The high frequency circuit 102 receives a response wave from the RFID tag circuit element To received by the communication antenna 101 and a transmission unit 142 that transmits a signal to the RFID tag circuit element To of the RFID tag T via the communication antenna 101. The receiver 143 and the transmission / reception separator 144 are configured.

  The transmission unit 142 (write data transmission means) is a block that generates a query wave for accessing the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To. In other words, the transmission unit 142 generates a carrier wave having a predetermined frequency by dividing / multiplying the output of the crystal resonator 145A by the control of the CPU 203 and the crystal resonator 145A that outputs a frequency reference signal, and a PLL (Phase Locked Loop). ) 145B, VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 145C, and transmission multiplication for modulating the generated carrier wave based on a signal supplied from the CPU 203 (in this example, amplitude modulation based on a “TX_ASK” signal from the CPU 203). Circuit 146 (in the case of amplitude modulation, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like may be used) and the modulation wave modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 146 is amplified (in this example, the amplification factor is determined by the “TX_PWR” signal from the CPU 203) Amplified) and desired And a gain control transmission amplifier 147 which generates an interrogation wave. The generated carrier wave uses, for example, a frequency in the UHF band (or may be a microwave band or a short wave band), and an output of the gain control transmission amplifier 147 is transmitted to the communication antenna 101 via the transmission / reception separator 144. To the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To. The interrogation wave is not limited to the signal (modulation wave) modulated as described above, and may be only a carrier wave.

  The reception unit 143 is necessary from the output of the I-phase reception multiplication circuit 148 that multiplies and demodulates the response wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the communication antenna 101 and the carrier wave. I-phase bandpass filter 149 for extracting only a signal in a wide band, an I-phase reception amplifier 162 for amplifying the output of this I-phase bandpass filter 149, and further amplifying the output of this I-phase reception amplifier 162 for digital Q-phase reception that multiplies the I-phase limiter 163 that converts the signal, the response wave received from the RFID tag circuit element To received by the communication antenna 101, and the signal whose phase is delayed by 90 ° by the phase shifter 167 A multiplier circuit 172, a Q-phase bandpass filter 173 for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output of the Q-phase reception multiplier circuit 172, A Q-phase receiving signal amplifier 175 for amplifying the output of the Q-phase bandpass filter 173, and a Q-phase limiter 176 which converts the digital signal output of the Q-phase receiving signal amplifier 175 and further amplified. The signal “RXS-I” output from the I-phase limiter 163 and the signal “RXS-Q” output from the Q-phase limiter 176 are input to the CPU 203 and processed.

  The outputs of the I-phase receiving amplifier 162 and the Q-phase receiving amplifier 175 are also input to an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit 178 as intensity detecting means, and a signal “RSSI” indicating the intensity of these signals is input to the CPU 203. Entered. Thereby, in the RFID tag communication apparatus 100, it is possible to detect the reception strength of the signal from the RFID circuit element To during the communication with the RFID circuit element To.

5, the RFID wireless tag circuit element provided in the T the To (RFID in the example shown in FIG. 2 T _M, the RFID circuit element To-M provided at T _{B, To-B)} of the functional structure of An example is shown.

  In FIG. 5, the RFID circuit element To includes the tag antenna 151 that transmits and receives signals without contact with the communication antenna 101 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 and the IC connected to the tag antenna 151 as described above. Circuit portion 150.

  The IC circuit unit 150 includes a rectification unit 152 that rectifies the interrogation wave received by the tag antenna 151, a power supply unit 153 that accumulates the energy of the interrogation wave rectified by the rectification unit 152, and uses it as a drive power source. A clock extraction unit 154 that extracts a clock signal from the interrogation wave received by the tag antenna 151 and supplies the clock signal to the control unit 157; a memory unit 155 that can store a predetermined information signal; and a modulation / demodulation connected to the tag antenna 151 And a control unit 157 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To via the memory unit 155, the clock extraction unit 154, the modulation / demodulation unit 156, and the like.

  The modem 156 demodulates the interrogation wave received from the communication antenna 101 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 received by the tag antenna 151, modulates the reply signal from the control unit 157, and responds from the tag antenna 151. Transmit as a wave (signal including tag ID).

  The clock extraction unit 154 extracts a clock component from the received signal and supplies a clock corresponding to the frequency of the clock component to the control unit 157.

  The control unit 157 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 156, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 155, and transmits the return signal to the tag antenna by the modulation / demodulation unit 156. Basic control such as control returned from 151 is executed.

  FIG. 6 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 when reading information from the RFID circuit element To.

  In step S <b> 105, the CPU 203 determines based on an operation input signal from the operation unit 202 whether or not the operator has input an information read command to start reading information to the RFID circuit element To. This step is repeated until an information reading command is input, and if it is input, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S110. When an information reading command is input, the CPU 203 performs processing in accordance with the corresponding application program in the application processing unit AP, generates a corresponding processing instruction signal (in this case, a reading command), and the communication processing unit. Output to CP.

  In step S110, the CPU 203 acquires a tag ID list of the RFID circuit element To that is a reading target. This tag ID is, for example, linked information (object) registered in the memory 204 or the mass storage device 205 in advance based on object information (person name, article name, etc.) input by the operator using the operation unit 202. Information obtained by associating information with a tag ID).

  In step S115, the CPU 203 refers to the storage unit CPM in the communication processing unit CP, and determines whether or not all communication protocols respectively associated with the tag IDs included in the acquired tag ID list are stored. To do. When communication protocols associated with all or some of the tag IDs included in the tag ID list are not stored in the storage unit CPM (in other words, all tag IDs included in the tag ID list Unless the communication protocol is stored), the determination is not satisfied and the routine goes to Step S300. In step S300, after performing a protocol registration process (refer to FIG. 8 to be described later for details) that stores a communication protocol related to a tag ID that is not stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP, this flow ends. On the other hand, if the communication protocols of all the tag IDs included in the tag ID list are stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S120.

  In step S120, the CPU 203, in the communication processing unit CP, based on the storage contents of the storage unit CPM, the RFID circuit that first reads information out of the communication protocols of all tag IDs included in the acquired tag ID list. A protocol is set so that wireless communication is possible using a communication protocol corresponding to the tag ID of the element To.

  In step S125, the CPU 203 causes the communication processing unit CP to transmit a control signal corresponding to the set communication protocol based on the processing instruction signal (in this case, the read command) output from the application processing unit AP. Tag reading that is transmitted to the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the units 206 and 104, reads the data recorded in the memory unit 155 of the corresponding RFID circuit element To by designating the tag ID to be read As a signal, an interrogation wave subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To existing within the communication range via the communication antenna 101.

  In step S130, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To within the communication range in response to the tag reading signal has been received via the communication control units 104 and 206. If the reply signal is not received, the determination is not satisfied and the process returns to step S125, and the control signal is transmitted to the high-frequency circuit 102 again to transmit the tag reading signal (retry). Although not shown in FIG. 6, the retry is performed a predetermined number of times, and if no reply signal is received during that time, a corresponding process (for example, an error display is displayed on the display unit 201). Etc.). On the other hand, when the reply signal is received, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S135.

  In step S135, the CPU 203 determines whether or not information reading has been performed on all tag IDs included in the tag ID list acquired in step S110 (related RFID tag circuit element To; the same applies hereinafter). If the information is not read for all the tag IDs, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S140, and the protocol is set so that wireless communication is possible using the communication protocol corresponding to the next tag ID in the tag ID list. Change the setting. Thereafter, the process returns to the previous step S125, and information is read for the next tag ID. On the other hand, if the information has been read for all the tag IDs, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S145.

  In step S145, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the display unit 201 to display the information reading results in the above steps S120 to S140. This flow is completed by the above.

  In the above description, information is read only when the communication protocol of all tag IDs included in the tag ID list is stored in the storage unit CPM of the operation terminal 200, and even one communication protocol in the tag ID list is read. Is not stored, the protocol registration process is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a communication protocol is stored for at least one tag ID in the tag ID list, information reading is performed for the tag ID, and protocol registration processing is performed only for the remaining tag IDs. Good.

  FIG. 7 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 when writing information to the RFID circuit element To.

  In step S <b> 205, the CPU 203 determines based on an operation input signal from the operation unit 202 whether or not the operator has input an information write command to start writing information to the RFID circuit element To. This step is repeated until an information write command is input, and if it is input, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S210. When an information write command is input, the CPU 203 performs processing in accordance with the corresponding application program in the application processing unit AP, generates a corresponding processing instruction signal (in this case, a write command), and the communication processing unit Output to CP.

  In step S210, the CPU 203 acquires a tag ID list of the RFID circuit element To that is a write target. The tag ID list may be input by the operator using the operation unit 202, or may be acquired by reading out information previously registered in the memory 204 or the mass storage device 205.

  In step S215, the CPU 203 refers to the storage unit CPM in the communication processing unit CP and determines whether or not all communication protocols associated with the tag IDs included in the acquired tag ID list are stored. To do. When communication protocols associated with all or some of the tag IDs included in the tag ID list are not stored in the storage unit CPM (in other words, all tag IDs included in the tag ID list Unless the communication protocol is stored), the determination is not satisfied and the routine goes to Step S300. In step S300, after performing a protocol registration process (refer to FIG. 8 described later for details) that stores a communication protocol related to a tag ID that is not stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP, the process proceeds to step S217 described later. . On the other hand, when the communication protocols of all the tag IDs included in the tag ID list are stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S217.

  In step S217, the CPU 203 generates write data for writing to the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To based on an operation input signal from the operation unit 202 by the operator. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the write data is personal information (first write data) such as the name, sex, age, and address of the corresponding person in the RFID circuit element To-M. The element To-B is article information (second write data) representing the article name of the corresponding article, the contents of the file, the equipment number, and the like.

  In step S220, the CPU 203, in the communication processing unit CP, based on the contents stored in the storage unit CPM, among the communication protocols for all the tag IDs included in the acquired tag ID list, the RFID circuit that first writes information A protocol is set so that wireless communication is possible using a communication protocol corresponding to the tag ID of the element To.

  In step S225, the CPU 203 transmits a control signal corresponding to the set communication protocol based on the processing instruction signal (in this case, a write command) output from the application processing unit AP in the communication processing unit CP. The write data generated in step S217 is output to the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 through 206 and 104, the tag ID to be written is specified, and the memory unit 155 of the corresponding RFID circuit element To is created. As a tag writing signal to be written, an interrogation wave subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted via the communication antenna 101 to the RFID circuit element To existing within the communication range.

  In step S230, the CPU 203 determines whether or not information writing to the RFID circuit element To is successful. Specifically, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the high frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104, and transmits an information read signal to the RFID tag circuit element To that has written information. Let Correspondingly, based on the reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To and received via the communication control units 104 and 206, the information stored in the memory unit 157 of the RFID circuit element To is confirmed. It is determined whether the write data is normally stored in the memory unit 157 using a known error detection code (CRC code; Cyclic Redundancy Check, etc.). If the information writing has not been completed normally, the determination is not satisfied and the process returns to step S225 to transmit the control signal to the high-frequency circuit 102 again to transmit the tag writing signal (retry). Although not shown in FIG. 7, the retry is performed a predetermined number of times, and if information writing is not successful during that time, a corresponding process (displays an error on the display unit 201). Etc.). On the other hand, if the information writing has been completed normally, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S235.

  In step S235, the CPU 203 determines whether or not information writing has been performed on all tag IDs included in the tag ID list acquired in step S210 (related RFID tag circuit element To; the same applies hereinafter). If the information has not been written for all the tag IDs, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S240, and the protocol is set so that wireless communication is possible using the communication protocol corresponding to the next tag ID in the tag ID list. Change the setting. Thereafter, the process returns to the previous step S225, and information is written to the next tag ID. On the other hand, if information writing has been performed for all tag IDs, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S245.

  In step S245, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the display unit 201 to display the information writing result in the above steps S217 to S240. This flow is completed by the above.

  Note that, in the above, information writing is executed only when the communication protocol of all tag IDs included in the tag ID list is stored in the storage unit CPM of the operation terminal 200, and even one communication protocol in the tag ID list is used. If the communication protocol is stored for at least one tag ID in the tag ID list, as in FIG. 6, the protocol registration process is performed. Information writing may be executed for tag IDs, and protocol registration processing may be performed only for the remaining tag IDs.

  In the above, the procedure of step 217 constitutes the write data generation means described in the claims.

  FIG. 8 shows a detailed procedure of the protocol registration process in step S300.

  In step S305, the CPU 203 sets a communication protocol in the communication processing unit CP. In the present embodiment, a plurality of communication protocols that are sequentially switched and used in the protocol registration process are preset (registered in the memory 204 or the large-capacity storage device 205) and registered in step S305. The protocol is set so that wireless communication is possible using the first communication protocol.

  In step S310, the CPU 203 transmits a control signal corresponding to the set communication protocol to the high frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104 in the communication processing unit CP, and sets the tag ID. As a tag read signal for reading data recorded in the memory unit 155 of all the RFID circuit elements To that are present in the communication range without being specified, the interrogated wave having been subjected to predetermined modulation is transmitted via the communication antenna 101. It transmits to the RFID circuit element To existing inside.

  In step S315, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To within the communication range in response to the tag reading signal has been received via the communication control units 104 and 206. If the reply signal is not received, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S320, and the protocol setting is changed so that wireless communication is possible using the next communication protocol among the registered communication protocols. Thereafter, the process returns to step S310, and information is read using the next communication protocol. Although not shown in FIG. 8, the determination in step S315 is performed by retrying a predetermined number of times, and if no reply signal is received during that time, the process proceeds to step S320. . On the other hand, if a reply signal is received in step S315, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S325.

  In step S325, in the communication processing unit CP, the CPU 203 associates the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To that has succeeded in communication with the communication protocol at the time of successful communication, and stores it in the storage unit CPM.

  In step S330, the CPU 203 determines whether information has been read using all the communication protocols among the registered communication protocols. If the information reading is not performed using all communication protocols, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S320, and the communication processing unit CP uses the next communication protocol among the plurality of registered communication protocols. Change protocol settings to enable wireless communication. On the other hand, if the information is read using all the communication protocols, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S335.

  In step S335, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the display unit 201 to display the information registration result in the above steps S305 to 330. This routine is completed as described above.

The following operations are performed in the RFID tag communication system RS by the control described with reference to FIGS. That is, for example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, when information is read from the wireless tags T _M and T _B , the wireless tag circuit element To-M and the protocol A are stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP of the operation terminal 200. , when the RFID circuit element to-B and the protocol B are both mapped is in storage, compared RFID circuit element to-M of the RFID tag T _M automatically switch the communication protocol to the protocol a performs information reading, performs information reading to the RFID circuit element to-B of the RFID tag T _B automatically switch the communication protocol to the protocol B. On the other hand, if at least one of the association information is not stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP, the process automatically shifts to a protocol registration process, and communication is performed by sequentially switching a plurality of pre-registered communication protocols. Information is transmitted / received to / from the RFID circuit element To within the range, and when the information reading is successful, the read tag ID and communication protocol are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP. Therefore, when the protocol A and the protocol B are included in the plurality of communication protocols registered in advance, the RFID circuit element To-M, the protocol A, and the RFID circuit element To-B Protocol B is associated and stored in the storage unit CPM. Thus, the RFID tag T _M, when performing information read to T _B is the subsequent information reading to the RFID circuit element To-M of the RFID tag T _M automatically switch the communication protocol to the protocol A was carried out, it is possible to perform information reading with respect to the RFID circuit element to-B of the RFID tag T _B automatically switch the communication protocol to the protocol B.

Further, when information is written to both of the wireless tags T _M and T _B , the wireless tag circuit element To-M, the protocol A, and the wireless tag circuit element To− are stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP of the operation terminal 200. when the B and the protocol B are both mapped are storing performs information writing to the RFID circuit element to-M of the RFID tag T _M automatically switch the communication protocol to the protocol a, the communication protocol writes information to the RFID circuit element to-B of the RFID tag T _B automatically switched to the protocol B. On the other hand, if at least one of the association information is not stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP, the process automatically shifts to a protocol registration process, and communication is performed by sequentially switching a plurality of pre-registered communication protocols. Information is transmitted / received to / from the RFID circuit element To within the range, and when the information reading is successful, the read tag ID and communication protocol are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP. Then, information is written to the RFID circuit elements To-M and To-B. Therefore, when the protocol A and the protocol B are included in a plurality of communication protocols registered in advance in the protocol registration process, the RFID circuit element To-M, the protocol A, and the RFID circuit element are obtained by the protocol registration process. since the the the to-B and the protocol B are stored in the storage unit CPM associated, after protocol registration processing, automatically switching the communication protocol to the protocol a to the RFID circuit element to-M of the RFID tag T _M against performs information writing, it is possible to perform information writing to the RFID circuit element to-B of the RFID tag T _B automatically switch the communication protocol to the protocol B.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the contents stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP of the operation terminal 200 after the protocol registration process.

Figure 9 corresponds to the example shown in FIG. 2 described above, the RFID tag _{T M} of the RFID circuit element To-M ISO / IEC 15693 is associated with the storage of the tag ID "E022BBAA00112233" as the protocol A of Has been. Also, ISO / IEC 14443 TypeA are stored in association as a protocol B to the tag ID "042B1CE9D8B850" of the RFID circuit element To-B of the RFID tag _{T B.}

In the RFID tag communication system RS according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To corresponding to different communication protocols are set as communication targets. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2 described above, the RFID circuit element To-M of the RFID tag T _M corresponding to different communication protocols (protocol A and protocol B) with each other, the RFID tag T _B of the RFID circuit element To-B Both are subject to communication. Then, regardless of which of the RFID circuit elements To-M and To-B exists within the communication range of the communication antenna 101, the RFID circuit elements To-M are switched by performing communication by switching the communication protocol. , To-B can read information.

Namely, the radio tag communication apparatus 100, the protocol registration processing, by performing wireless communication using the communication protocol A via the communication antenna 101, performs information acquisition from the RFID circuit element To-M of the RFID tag T _M. Accordingly, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-M and the communication protocol A are stored in association with each other in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP of the operation terminal 200. Similarly, the radio tag communication apparatus 100 performs wireless communication using the communication protocol B via the communication antenna 101, performs information acquisition from the RFID circuit element To-B of the RFID tag T _B. Accordingly, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-B and the communication protocol B are stored in the storage unit CPM in association with each other.

As a result of such association, thereafter, when performing information reading or information writing to the RFID circuit element To-M of the RFID tag T _M switches the communication protocol to the protocol A, the RFID tag T _B radio When information is read from or written to the tag circuit element To-B, the communication protocol is switched to the protocol B, whereby information can be transmitted and received efficiently and reliably. In other words, even when a plurality of types of RFID circuit elements To corresponding to a plurality of types of communication protocols are to be communicated, reliability can be reliably determined by using communication protocols that match each RFID circuit element To. High information transmission / reception.

In this embodiment, in particular, when information is written to the RFID circuit element To, the communication protocol is switched to a communication protocol corresponding to the RFID circuit element To that is a write target, and write data is transmitted. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2 described above, the write data while switching the communication protocol to the protocol A is when writes information to the RFID circuit element To-M of the RFID tag T _M to the RFID circuit element To-M transmitted, when performing information writing to the RFID circuit element to-B of the RFID tag T _B transmits the write data to the RFID circuit element to-B while switching the communication protocol to the protocol B. In this manner, highly reliable information writing can be performed using the optimum communication protocol for a plurality of types of RFID tag circuit elements To respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of communication protocols.

In the present embodiment, in particular, when an operator performs an operation input via the operation unit 202 of the operation terminal 200, the application processing unit AP converts the processing instruction signal corresponding to the operation input along a predetermined application. . The communication processing unit CP controls the wireless tag communication device 100 based on the converted processing instruction signal. At this time, the communication processing unit CP includes a storage unit CPM, and the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To is stored in association with the communication protocol. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2 described above, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-M of the RFID tag T _M is associated with the protocol A, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-B of the RFID tag T _B Protocols B is stored in association with B.

  Therefore, the communication processing unit CP receives the processing instruction signal for reading information and writing information from the application processing unit AP to the RFID circuit element To-M, based on the above association in the storage unit CPM. The RFID tag communication apparatus 100 can be controlled to automatically transmit and receive information using the protocol A. Similarly, the communication processing unit CP automatically uses the communication protocol B to receive information when a processing instruction signal for reading information from or writing information to the RFID circuit element To-B is input from the application processing unit AP. The RFID tag communication apparatus 100 can be controlled to perform transmission / reception.

  As a result, in the processing within the application processing unit AP, the operator intends to access the RFID circuit element To-M, and the processing instruction instructs the reading or writing to the RFID circuit element To-M. Switching of communication protocols: generating a signal, and operating the operator with the intention of accessing the RFID circuit element To-B → generating a processing instruction signal that instructs reading or writing to the RFID circuit element To-B It is only necessary to perform processing unrelated to the above.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the communication processing unit CP receives a processing instruction signal (read command) for instructing reading of information from the application processing unit AP to the RFID circuit element To-M or the RFID circuit element To-B. In the case where the information has been received, the wireless tag communication device 100 is controlled so as to read information using the corresponding protocol A or the corresponding protocol B with reference to the storage content of the storage unit CPM. As a result, in the processing in the application processing unit AP, the operator inputs information reading from the RFID circuit element To-M and generates a processing instruction signal instructing reading to the RFID circuit element To-M. Only the process unrelated to the switching of the communication protocol, that is, the operator inputs the information reading from the RFID circuit element To-B and generates the processing instruction signal instructing the reading to the RFID circuit element To-B. It is enough to do. As a result, the application processing unit AP can execute processing regardless of which communication protocol is used in wireless communication, and therefore considers compatibility and applicability with each communication protocol in the application to be used. There is no need. As a result, the ease of application development can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the communication processing unit CP receives a processing instruction signal (write command) for instructing information writing to the RFID circuit element To-M or the RFID circuit element To-B from the application processing unit AP. In the case where the information has been received, the wireless tag communication device 100 is controlled so that information is written using the corresponding protocol A or the corresponding protocol B with reference to the storage contents of the storage unit CPM. As a result, in the processing in the application processing unit AP, the operator inputs an operation for writing information to the RFID circuit element To-M, and generates a processing instruction signal for instructing writing to the RFID circuit element To-M. A process unrelated to switching of the communication protocol, in which an operator inputs information to the RFID circuit element To-B, and generates a processing instruction signal for instructing information writing to the RFID circuit element To-B. You only need to do it. As a result, the application processing unit AP can execute processing regardless of which communication protocol is used in wireless communication, and therefore considers compatibility and applicability with each communication protocol in the application to be used. There is no need. As a result, the ease of application development can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the operator performs an operation for writing information to the RFID circuit element To-M or the RFID circuit element To-B, the RFID circuit element To is stored in the storage unit CPM. -When the protocol A corresponding to -M or the protocol B corresponding to the RFID circuit element To-B is not stored, the RFID tag communication device 100 automatically communicates by wireless communication using the communication protocol A. Information can be acquired from the RFID circuit element To-M located within the range, and information can be acquired from the RFID circuit element To-B located within the communication range by wireless communication using the communication protocol B. Based on these information acquisition results, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-M is associated with the protocol A, and the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-B is associated with the protocol B. Is stored in the storage unit CPM. Thus, thereafter, when writing information to the RFID circuit element To-M, the communication protocol is switched to protocol A, and when writing information to the RFID circuit element To-B, the communication protocol is changed to protocol B. By switching to, information can be written efficiently and reliably.

  In this way, when the operator performs an operation with the intention of writing information, even if the communication protocol corresponding to the RFID circuit element To to be written is not stored, the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 automatically Information is acquired from the RFID circuit element To located within the communication range, and based on the information acquisition result, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To is associated with the communication protocol in the storage unit CPM of the operation terminal 200. Since the data is stored, the operator can reliably write information with high reliability using an optimal communication protocol.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order.

(1-1) When storing communication parameters in association with each other In the above embodiment, the communication protocol is associated with the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To In addition to the communication protocol, communication parameters (excluding the communication protocol, for example, transmission output, modulation degree, etc.) may be associated with each other and used for information transmission / reception.

  The RFID tag communication system RS of the present modification is not limited to communication protocols different from each other, and a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To corresponding to different communication parameters (excluding communication protocols; transmission output, modulation degree, etc.) are also subject to communication. It is what. Since the system configuration is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the contents stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP of the operation terminal 200 after the protocol registration process in the present modification.

Figure 10 corresponds to the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 of the above, ISO / IEC 15693 and the communication parameters as the protocol A to the tag ID "E022BBAA00112233" of the RFID circuit element To-M of the RFID tag _{T M} A (first communication parameter, transmission output intensity 20 dBm, etc.) is stored in association with each other. The radio tag _{T B} of the RFID circuit element To-B ISO / IEC 14443 TypeA and communication parameters B (second communication parameters. Transmission output intensity 25dBm, etc.) of the tag ID "042B1CE9D8B850" as the protocol B of association Is remembered.

  In the present modification, the control contents executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 are the same as those in which “protocol” is set to “protocol and parameter” in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. .

By the above control, the following operation is performed in the RFID tag communication system RS of the present modification. That is, for example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, when information is read from the wireless tags T _M and T _B , the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP of the operation terminal 200 is wirelessly connected as illustrated in FIG. 10 described above. When the tag circuit element To-M and the protocol A and the communication parameter A are stored in association with the RFID circuit element To-B and the protocol B and the communication parameter B, the communication protocol is switched to the protocol A. automatically switching the communication parameter to the parameter a performs information reading to the RFID circuit element to-M of the RFID tag T _M, the radio automatically switches the communication parameters switches the communication protocol to the protocol B to the parameter B perform information reading with respect to the RFID circuit element to-B of the tag _{T B.} On the other hand, if at least one of the association information is not stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP, the process automatically shifts to a protocol and parameter registration process, and a plurality of pre-registered communication protocols and communication parameters. Are sequentially switched to perform information transmission / reception with the RFID circuit element To in the communication range, and when the information reading is successful, the read tag ID is associated with the communication protocol and the communication parameter, and the storage unit of the communication processing unit CP Store in CPM. Therefore, when the protocol A, the parameter A and the protocol B, and the parameter B are included in the plurality of communication protocols and communication parameters registered in advance, the RFID circuit element To-M and the protocol are processed by the protocol and parameter registration processing. A, the communication parameter A, the RFID circuit element To-B, the protocol B, and the communication parameter B are associated and stored in the storage unit CPM. As a result, when information is read from the wireless tags T _M and T _B thereafter, the communication protocol is switched to the protocol A and the communication parameter is automatically switched to the parameter A so that the wireless tag circuit of the wireless tag T _M is used. perform information reading with respect to element the to-M, that automatically switches the communication parameters switches the communication protocol to the protocol B to the parameter B to the RFID circuit element to-B of the RFID tag T _B performs information reading it can.

Further, when information is written to both of the wireless tags T _M and T _B , the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP of the operation terminal 200 stores the wireless tag circuit element To-M as shown in FIG. When protocol A and communication parameter A, RFID circuit element To-B and protocol B and communication parameter B are stored in association with each other, the communication protocol is switched to protocol A and the communication parameter is automatically set to parameter A. to perform information writing to the RFID circuit element to-M of the RFID tag T _M switches, RFID circuit of the RFID tag T _B automatically switches the communication parameter to the parameter B switches the communication protocol to the protocol B Information is written to the element To-B. On the other hand, if at least one of the association information is not stored in the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP, the process automatically shifts to a protocol and parameter registration process, and a plurality of communication protocols and parameters registered in advance are displayed. The information is transmitted to and received from the RFID circuit element To in the communication range by sequentially switching, and when the information reading is successful, the read tag ID is associated with the communication protocol and the communication parameter, and the storage unit CPM of the communication processing unit CP. To remember. Then, information is written to the RFID circuit elements To-M and To-B. Therefore, when the protocol A, the parameter A, the protocol B, and the parameter B are included in a plurality of communication protocols registered in advance in the protocol and parameter registration process, the RFID circuit element To- M, protocol A, communication parameter A, and RFID circuit element To-B, protocol B, and communication parameter B are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit CPM. automatically switches the communication parameters with switch to a on the parameter a performs information writing to the RFID circuit element to-M of the RFID tag T _M, automatically the communication parameters in the parameter B switches the communication protocol to the protocol B Switch to Ete can perform information writing to the RFID circuit element To-B of the RFID tag T _B.

  According to the modification described above, even when a plurality of types of RFID circuit elements To corresponding to a plurality of types of communication parameters are targeted for communication, the communication parameters matching each RFID circuit element To can be identified with certainty. By using it, highly reliable information transmission / reception can be performed.

(1-2) When the RFID tag communication apparatus has all functions In the above embodiment, the RFID tag communication apparatus RS and the operation terminal 200 constitute the RFID tag communication system RS. The wireless tag communication device may have all the RS functions.

  FIG. 11 shows the overall structure of the RFID tag communication apparatus 300 of this modification. The RFID tag communication apparatus 300 according to this modification includes a display unit 301 that displays various information and messages, and an operation unit 302 (second operation unit) that includes a plurality of keys for an operator to input instructions and information. Have.

  FIG. 12 shows a functional configuration of the wireless tag communication device 300.

In FIG. 12, the RFID tag communication apparatus 300 includes the display unit 301 and the operation unit 302, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 303, a memory 304 such as a RAM or a ROM, and a hard disk device, and stores various information. And a communication range (not shown) including a plurality of RFID circuit elements To corresponding to a plurality of communication protocols, and performing wireless communication between the plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To A communication antenna 306 to perform, a radio frequency access to the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To via the communication antenna 306, and a high frequency circuit 307 to process a signal read from the RFID circuit element To have. In FIG. 12, similarly to the above-described FIG. 2, the RFID tag communication apparatus 300 is connected to the RFID tags T _M and T _B (RFID tag circuit elements) corresponding to two different communication protocols A and B via the communication antenna 306. A case where wireless communication is performed with To-M, To-B) is illustrated.

  Other configurations of the wireless tag communication device 300 and the control contents executed by the CPU 303 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS. In this case, the application processing unit AP included in the wireless tag communication device 300 constitutes the second application processing unit described in the claims, and the communication processing unit CP constitutes the second communication processing unit. Further, the storage unit CPM included in the communication processing unit CP constitutes a second storage unit. Also by this modification, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment corresponds to the fact that there are two patterns in the data storage order in the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To, and two access modes corresponding to these two patterns. Is improved in the reliability of information transmission / reception by ensuring that the correct information is read regardless of the storage order of the data in the RFID tag circuit element To. It is intended.

  As described above, the RFID tag communication system RS of the present embodiment corresponds to the fact that there are two patterns in the data storage order in the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To. First, two patterns of the data storage order will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 13 conceptually shows a memory block of the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To.

  In general, there are a plurality of types of RFID circuit elements To, but many of them comply with the international standard ISO (International Organization for Standardization) / IEC 15693. In the RFID tag circuit element To compliant with this ISO / IEC 15693, the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 is managed in units of blocks as shown in FIG. 13, and the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is configured of RFID tags in units of blocks. Information is read or written by accessing the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 of the circuit element To. In ISO / IEC 15693, the number of bytes constituting one block is not stipulated. For example, there are RFID circuit elements To having different block sizes such as 4 bytes or 8 bytes in one block. In the embodiment, the case of 4 bytes will be described as an example.

  FIG. 14 conceptually shows the storage order of the two patterns of data.

  In the first pattern shown in FIG. 14A, tag information (“abcd”, “efgh”...) Is recorded for 4 bytes constituting one block in each block constituting the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150. Is stored in the forward direction (so-called big endian), it is necessary to read information by accessing the 4 bytes constituting one block in the forward direction. On the other hand, in the second pattern shown in FIG. 14B, tag information (“abcd”, “efgh”...) Is stored in the reverse direction for the 4 bytes constituting one block (so-called little endian). It is necessary to read information by accessing the 4 bytes constituting one block in the reverse direction.

  At this time, for example, when information is read by accessing in the reverse direction in the first pattern shown in FIG. 14A, the stored tag information (“abcd”, “efgh”...) Tag information (“dcba”, “hgfe”...), And when the information is read by accessing in the forward direction in the second pattern shown in FIG. The tag information (“abcd”, “efgh”...) Stored in “” is read as incorrect tag information (“dcba” “hgfe”...). As described above, when information is read from the RFID circuit element To, the correct direction (order) is determined depending on which pattern the memory section 155 of the IC circuit section 150 of the RFID circuit element To has. If it is not accessed in the direction or the reverse direction, correct information cannot be obtained.

  Next, the RFID tag communication system RS of this embodiment will be described. The wireless tag communication system RS of the present embodiment includes the wireless tag communication device 100 and the operation terminal 200, as in FIG. The functional configurations of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 and the operation terminal 200 are the same as those in FIG. The functional configurations of the high-frequency circuit 102 and the RFID circuit element To are the same as those shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a functional configuration for process control in the operation terminal 200 of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 15, a plurality of application programs, communication processing programs, and communication driver programs are respectively developed and activated on the memory (RAM) 204 of the operation terminal 200, and functionally by the activation of these programs. The configured application processing unit AP ′, communication processing unit CP ′, and communication driver CD can transmit and receive an instruction signal and an information signal to each other. Further, the communication driver CD transmits and receives signals to and from the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the interface connection between the communication control units 206 and 104.

  The application processing unit AP ′ performs processing in accordance with a predetermined application program in response to an operator's operation input by the operation unit 202, generates a corresponding processing instruction signal (read command in this embodiment), and performs communication. The data is output to the processing unit CP ′. The communication processing unit CP ′ acquires information via the wireless tag communication device 100 by transmitting a tag reading signal to the wireless tag communication device 100 via the communication driver CD. Further, based on the processing instruction signal generated by the application processing unit AP ′, the communication processing unit CP ′ performs the forward access mode (forward direction with respect to 4 bytes constituting one block of the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150). In which information is read by accessing the data) or reverse access mode (mode in which information is read by accessing the 4 bytes constituting one block of the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 in the reverse direction). The information alignment process corresponding to is performed.

  Further, the communication processing unit CP ′ outputs the information reading result from the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To processed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode to the application processing unit AP ′ for application processing. The unit AP ′ causes the display unit 201 (first display means) to display the information reading result output from the communication processing unit CP ′ along the application program. As a result, the operator can recognize from the display on the display unit 201 whether or not the current access mode is wrong.

  Further, the communication processing unit CP ′ is functionally configured by starting up the communication processing program, and when the RFID tag communication device 100 can properly read information from the RFID tag circuit element To, the communication processing unit CP ′ A storage unit CPM ′ that stores the tag ID in association with an access mode (whether the forward access mode or the reverse access mode) when information reading is successful is provided. Note that a part of the memory 204 (may be a part of the mass storage device 205) is used as the memory of the storage unit CPM ′.

  As a result, after successfully reading information from the RFID circuit element To once, the communication processing unit CP ′ performs a process instruction signal (read command) instructing the RFID tag circuit element To to read information from the application processing unit AP ′. Is input, information is read in the corresponding access mode with reference to the storage content of the storage unit CPM ′.

  FIG. 16 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 of the present embodiment when reading information for the RFID circuit element To.

  In step S <b> 405, the CPU 203 determines based on the operation input signal from the operation unit 202 whether or not the operator has input an information read command to start reading information to the RFID circuit element To. This step is repeated until an information reading command is input, and when it is input, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S410. When an information reading command is input, the CPU 203 performs processing in accordance with the corresponding application program in the application processing unit AP ′, generates a corresponding processing instruction signal (in this case, a reading command), and performs communication processing. The data is output to the part CP ′.

  In step S410, the CPU 203 acquires the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To that is the reading target. This tag ID is, for example, linked information (object) registered in the memory 204 or the mass storage device 205 in advance based on object information (person name, article name, etc.) input by the operator using the operation unit 202. Information obtained by associating information with a tag ID).

  In step S415, the CPU 203 refers to the storage unit CPM ′ in the communication processing unit CP ′, and determines whether or not the access mode associated with the tag ID to be read is stored. If the corresponding access mode is not stored in the storage unit CPM ′, the determination is not satisfied and the routine goes to Step S500. In step S500, after performing an access mode registration process (refer to FIG. 17 to be described later in detail) for storing an access mode related to a tag ID that is not stored in the storage unit CPM ′ of the communication processing unit CP ′, this flow is performed. finish. On the other hand, when the access mode corresponding to the tag ID is stored in the storage unit CPM ′ of the communication processing unit CP ′, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S420.

  In step S420, the CPU 203 accesses the communication processing unit CP ′ so that wireless communication can be performed in the access mode corresponding to the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To that reads information based on the storage content of the storage unit CPM ′. Set the mode (forward access mode or reverse access mode).

  In step S425, the CPU 203 causes the communication processing unit CP ′ to send a tag reading signal to the wireless tag via the communication control units 206 and 104 based on the processing instruction signal (read command) output from the application processing unit AP ′. It transmits to the high frequency circuit 102 of the communication apparatus 100. As a result, the high frequency circuit 102 designates the tag ID to be read, reads the data recorded in the memory unit 155 of the corresponding RFID tag circuit element To as a tag read signal, and outputs the interrogated wave having undergone predetermined modulation. The signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To existing within the communication range via the communication antenna 101.

  In step S430, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To in the communication range in response to the tag reading signal has been received via the communication control units 104 and 206. If the reply signal is not received, the determination is not satisfied and the process returns to step S425, and the control signal is transmitted again to the high-frequency circuit 102 to transmit the tag reading signal (retry). Although not shown in FIG. 16, the retry is performed a predetermined number of times, and if no reply signal is received during that time, a corresponding process (for example, an error display is displayed on the display unit 201). Etc.). On the other hand, if the reply signal is received, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S440.

  In step S440, the CPU 203 performs information alignment processing for reading information in the access mode set in step S420 on the data acquired based on the reply signal in the communication processing unit CP ′.

  In step S445, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the display unit 201 to display the information reading result processed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode in step S440. This flow is completed by the above.

  In the above, step S440 constitutes the first information alignment means and the second information alignment means described in the claims.

  FIG. 17 shows a detailed procedure of the access mode registration process in step S500.

  In step S503, the CPU 203 determines whether an access mode setting input has been made by the operator. This determination is made based on a selection input signal input by the operator using the operation unit 202 according to the selection screen, for example, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the display unit 201 to display an access mode selection screen. This step is repeated until there is an access mode setting input by the operator. When the setting input is performed, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S505.

  In step S505, the CPU 203 sets an access mode in the communication processing unit CP ′ according to the setting input by the operator.

  In step S510, in the communication processing unit CP ′, the CPU 203 transmits a tag reading signal to the high frequency circuit 102 of the wireless tag communication device 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104, and specifies a tag ID within the communication range. RFID tags that exist within the communication range via the communication antenna 101 are interrogated waves that have undergone predetermined modulation as tag read signals for reading data recorded in the memory unit 155 of all RFID circuit elements To existing in Transmit to the element To.

  In step S515, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To in the communication range in response to the tag reading signal is received via the communication control units 104 and 206. If the reply signal is not received, the determination is not satisfied and the process returns to step S510, and the high-frequency circuit 102 transmits the tag reading signal again (retry). Although not shown in FIG. 17, the retry is performed a predetermined number of times, and if no reply signal is received during that time, a corresponding process (for example, an error display is displayed on the display unit 201). Etc.). On the other hand, if a reply signal is received, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S516.

  In step S516, the CPU 203 performs information alignment processing for reading information in the access mode set in step S505 on the tag information acquired based on the reply signal in the communication processing unit CP ′.

  In step S517, the CPU 203 outputs the tag information processed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode in step S516 in the communication processing unit CP ′ to the application processing unit AP ′, and in the application processing unit AP ′. Then, a control signal is output to the display unit 201 to display the acquired tag information.

  In step S519, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the current access mode is appropriate based on the operation input by the operator. That is, when the display of the tag information on the display unit 201 is displayed as clearly wrong information such as garbled characters or meaningless character strings, the operator notifies that via the operation unit 202. Enter. In this case, the CPU 203 determines that the current access mode is not appropriate, and proceeds to step S520. Then, based on the operation input of the operator, the access mode is changed (that is, when the current mode is the forward access mode, the access mode is changed to the reverse access mode, and when the current mode is the reverse access mode) Change to forward access mode). Then, returning to the previous step S510, the high-frequency circuit 102 transmits the tag reading signal again.

  On the other hand, if the display of the tag information on the display unit 201 is displayed as normal information in step S519, the operator inputs that fact via the operation unit 202. In this case, the CPU 203 determines that the current access mode is appropriate, and proceeds to step S525.

  In step S525, in the communication processing unit CP ′, the CPU 203 associates the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To that has successfully read the information with the access mode at the time of successful information reading, and stores it in the storage unit CPM ′.

  In step S535, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the display unit 201 to display the information registration result in steps S505 to S525. This routine is completed as described above.

  In the above description, in step S503 and step S505, the access mode is set by manual input by the operator. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the access mode may be automatically set in advance to be preset. Good.

  In the above, step S516 constitutes first information alignment means and second information alignment means described in the claims.

  The following operations are performed in the RFID tag communication system RS by the control described above with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. That is, when information is read from the RFID tag T, the access mode (forward access mode or reverse access mode) corresponding to the RFID circuit element To is stored in the storage unit CPM ′ of the communication processing unit CP ′ of the operation terminal 200. ) Are stored in association with each other, the information is read from the RFID tag circuit element To of the RFID tag T by automatically switching the access mode. On the other hand, if the corresponding access mode is not stored in the storage unit CPM ′ of the communication processing unit CP ′, the process automatically shifts to the access mode registration process, and the trial is performed in the access mode set and input by the operator. Then, information is transmitted / received to / from the RFID circuit element To within the communication range, and when the information reading is successful, the tag ID and the access mode are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit CPM ′ of the communication processing unit CP ′. Thereby, when information is read from the RFID tag T thereafter, the access mode can be automatically switched to read information from the RFID tag circuit element To of the RFID tag T.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of the contents stored in the storage unit CPM ′ of the communication processing unit CP ′ of the operation terminal 200 after the protocol registration process. In the example shown in the figure, the tag ID “E022BBAA00112233” and the forward access mode are stored in association with the tag ID “042B1CE9D8B850” and the reverse access mode.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention described above, it is determined whether the access mode corresponding to the RFID tag circuit element To to be communicated is the forward access mode or the reverse access mode. When an operation is input to the operation unit 202, the application processing unit CP ′ generates a corresponding processing instruction signal (read command). Then, in response to the processing instruction signal, the communication processing unit CP ′ performs access processing corresponding to the forward access mode or the reverse access mode. That is, the communication processing unit CP ′ reads information by sequentially accessing a plurality of bytes of each block of information acquired in the forward access mode in the forward direction, or each block of information acquired in the reverse access mode. The information is read by sequentially accessing the plurality of bytes in the reverse direction.

  As described above, the operation terminal 200 is provided with two access modes, and in the operation terminal 200, the communication processing unit CP ′ switches the access mode in response to an input from the operation unit 202. As a result, the correct information can be obtained regardless of whether the data storage order in the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To is one of the two patterns shown in FIGS. Can be read. Therefore, highly reliable information transmission / reception can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the application processing unit AP ′ causes the display unit 201 to display the information reading result output from the communication processing unit CP ′ along the application program. Thereby, when the information reading executed in a certain access mode in the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 based on the operation input from the operation unit 202 of the operation terminal 200 is a mode difference, the memory units of the IC circuit unit 150 are arranged in the correct order. Since 155 is not accessed, it is displayed on the display unit 201 as clearly incorrect information such as garbled characters or meaningless character strings. Therefore, since the operator can recognize that the current access mode is wrong, the information can be read correctly thereafter by switching the access mode by performing an operation input so as to switch to the reverse access mode.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order.

(2-1) When automatically determining whether or not the access mode is correct In the above embodiment, by displaying the information reading result on the display unit 201, the operator determines whether or not the current access mode is incorrect. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation terminal 200 may determine automatically.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of a functional configuration for process control in the operation terminal 200 in the present modification. Note that parts similar to those in FIG.

  In FIG. 19, the application processing unit AP ′ according to the present modification uses the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID tag circuit element To to be communicated based on the information read result output from the communication processing unit CP ′ in the access mode registration process. The memory unit 155 includes a determination unit APJ ′ (first memory determination unit) that determines whether the access should be performed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode. After the determination by the determination unit APJ ′ of the application processing unit AP ′, the communication processing unit CP ′ switches the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 in either the forward access mode or the reverse access mode according to the determination result. Processing is performed on the information acquired through the network. Thereby, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not the current access mode is wrong.

  FIG. 20 shows a detailed procedure of the access mode registration process in step S500 executed by the CPU 203 in this modification. Note that the same steps as those in FIG.

  Steps S503 to S516 are the same as those in FIG. 17 described above. When the operator inputs an access mode setting, the CPU 203 sets the access mode in accordance with the setting input and sends a tag reading signal to the wireless tag. The information is transmitted to the high-frequency circuit 102 of the communication device 100, and information is read from all RFID tag circuit elements To existing within the communication range by specifying the tag ID. Then, information alignment processing for performing information reading in the set access mode is performed on the tag information acquired based on the reply signal received by information reading.

  In step S519A, the CPU 203 outputs the tag information subjected to the information alignment process in the communication processing unit CP ′ to the application processing unit AP ′, and the determination unit APJ ′ of the application processing unit AP ′ performs the current access. Determine whether the mode is appropriate. If it is determined that the current access mode is not appropriate, the process proceeds to step S520A, and the CPU 203 changes the access mode in the communication processing unit CP ′ (that is, when the current access mode is the forward access mode). Change to reverse access mode and change to forward access mode if current mode is reverse access mode). Then, returning to the previous step S510, the high-frequency circuit 102 transmits the tag reading signal again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S519A that the current access mode is appropriate, the process proceeds to step S525.

  Steps S525 and S535 are the same as in FIG. 17 described above, and the CPU 203 determines the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To that has successfully read the information and the access mode when the information has been successfully read in the communication processing unit CP ′. The information is stored in the storage unit CPM ′ and the information registration result is displayed on the display unit 201. This routine is completed as described above.

  Note that the other control contents executed by the CPU 203 in this modification are the same as those in FIG.

  According to the modification described above, when the information reading performed in a certain access mode based on the operation input from the operation unit 202 of the operation terminal 200 is different in mode, the application processing unit AP ′ of the operation terminal 200 The determination unit APJ ′ can determine that the mode is different. As a result, the communication processing unit CP ′ switches the access mode to the reverse mode. Therefore, information can be read correctly thereafter.

  Further, by providing such an automatic mode correction function, the operation input first performed from the operation unit 202 of the operation terminal 200 is not an operation input for designating an access mode but a simple read start operation without mode designation. It ’s enough. In this case, first, reading is performed according to the access mode set at that time, and if the mode is incorrect, the mode is automatically switched to the reverse mode and the correct mode is obtained.

(2-2) When calculating the number of bytes constituting a block As described above, since ISO / IEC 15693 does not specify the number of bytes constituting one block, for example, one block is 4 bytes or 8 bytes. There are RFID circuit elements To with different block sizes. Therefore, there is a case where it is desired to confirm the number of bytes (so-called block size) of the RFID circuit element To to be communicated before reading information. The present modification corresponds to such a case, and by detecting the data length of the stored data transmitted from the RFID circuit element To, based on the detected data length, the RFID circuit element To The block size of the memory unit 155 is calculated.

  FIG. 21 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 when calculating the block size in this modification.

  First, in step S610, the CPU 203 determines whether a command input operation for starting calculation of a block size has been performed by the operator via the operation unit 202. The process waits in a loop until the command input operation is performed. If the operation is performed, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S620.

  In step S620, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104, generates a carrier wave in the UHF band (for example, 915 MHz), and generates based on the control signal. The modulated carrier wave is modulated and amplified, and a tag reading signal is transmitted to the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To via the communication antenna 101.

  In step S630, the CPU 203 determines whether a response corresponding to the read signal is received from the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To that has transmitted the tag read signal via the communication antenna 101 (acquires a tag ID). Whether or not). If the response signal is not received, the determination is not satisfied and the process returns to step S620. On the other hand, when the response corresponding to the read signal is received from the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To (when the tag ID is acquired), the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S640.

  In step S640, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104, and sends the control signal to the transmission unit 142 (command generation unit) of the high-frequency circuit 102 in step S630. The single block read signal for acquiring the storage data stored in one block of the memory unit 155 of the RFID circuit element To that has acquired the tag ID is generated.

  In the next step S650, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the high frequency circuit 102 of the wireless tag communication device 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104, and transmits the communication antenna to the transmission unit 142 (command transmission means) of the high frequency circuit 102. Through 101, the single block read command generated in step S640 is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To that has acquired the tag ID in step S630.

  In the next step S660, the CPU 203 outputs a control signal to the high frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104, and sends the above step to the reception unit 143 (information receiving means) of the high frequency circuit 102. In response to the single block read command transmitted in S650, the response including the stored data of the one block transmitted from the RFID circuit element To is received.

  In step S670, the CPU 203 detects the data length of the storage data of one block in the communication processing unit CP ′ based on the response received in step S660.

  In step S680, the CPU 203 calculates the block size in the communication processing unit CP ′ based on the data length of one block of storage data detected in step S670. Then, this flow ends.

  In the above, step S670 constitutes the first data length detecting means described in the claims, and step S680 constitutes the first block size calculating means.

  In the modified example described above, the generated single block read signal is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To which is a communication target via the communication antenna 101. As a result, the RFID circuit element To that has received the single block read signal returns the information data stored in one block of the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 as a response signal. By detecting the data length of the stored data at the communication processing unit CP ′ of the operation terminal 200, the number of bytes constituting one block of the memory unit 155 of the IC circuit unit 150 (= Block size) can be calculated.

  Thereby, even when the block size of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To which is a communication target is unknown, the block size can be calculated by a simple method. As a result, smooth transmission / reception of information to / from the RFID circuit element To can be achieved.

(2-3) When the RFID tag communication apparatus has all the functions In this embodiment, the RFID tag communication apparatus has all the functions of the RFID tag communication system RS as in the first embodiment. It is good also as a structure. The configuration of the RFID tag communication apparatus in this case is the same as that shown in FIGS. In this case, the display unit 301 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 300 constitutes a second display unit described in each claim. Further, the control contents executed by the CPU 303 of the wireless tag communication apparatus 300 are the same as those shown in FIGS. Also by this modification, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To respectively provided corresponding to a plurality of objects (for example, a person and an article) are associated with each other to be used for taking out / lending management of articles, By appropriately performing the above association, the reliability of information transmission / reception in the case where the wireless tag communication system is used for article management or the like is improved.

  The wireless tag communication system RS of the present embodiment performs wireless communication by forming a communication range S (see FIG. 22 described later) including a plurality of wireless tag circuit elements To corresponding to a plurality of different communication protocols at a time. RFID tag communication apparatus 100 having communication antenna 101 and capable of communicating with a plurality of RFID circuit elements To within communication range S by selectively switching between the plurality of different communication protocols, and the RFID tag communication And an operation terminal 200 capable of operating the apparatus 100. The functional configurations of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 and the operation terminal 200 are the same as those in FIG. The functional configurations of the high-frequency circuit 102 and the RFID circuit element To are the same as those shown in FIGS. In this case, the receiving unit 143 of the high-frequency circuit 102 included in the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 of the present embodiment constitutes an information acquisition unit described in each claim.

FIG. 22 shows an example of a functional configuration for process control in the operation terminal 200 of the present embodiment. Here, the case where the wireless tag communication device 100 performs wireless communication with the wireless tags T _M and T _B corresponding to two different communication protocols located in the communication range S is illustrated as an example. However, these wireless tags T _M and T _B are the same as those shown in FIG. That is, the wireless tag _TM includes a wireless tag circuit element To-M (first wireless tag circuit element) that transmits and receives information using the protocol A (first communication protocol). For example, it is provided on a name tag, an ID card, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “first object”). The RFID tag T _B, the protocol B includes a RFID circuit element To-B for transmitting and receiving information using (second communication protocol) (second RFID circuit element), for example, it is taken out by the person, lending Etc. (for example, books, files, fixtures, etc .; hereinafter referred to as “second object”).

  In FIG. 22, a plurality of application programs, communication processing programs, and communication driver programs are respectively developed and activated on the memory (RAM) 204 of the operation terminal 200, and functionally by the activation of these programs. The application processing unit AP ″, the communication processing unit CP ″, and the communication driver CD that are configured can transmit and receive an instruction signal and an information signal to each other. Further, the communication driver CD transmits and receives signals to and from the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the interface connection between the communication control units 206 and 104.

  The application processing unit AP ″ performs processing in accordance with a predetermined application program in response to an operation input by the operator through the operation unit 202, generates a corresponding processing instruction signal (read command in the present embodiment), and performs communication. The data is output to the processing unit CP ″. The communication processing unit CP ″ controls the wireless tag communication device 100 based on the processing instruction signal generated by the application processing unit AP ″.

  In addition, the communication processing unit CP ″ includes a first association processing unit CPR ″ that associates tag IDs of a plurality of RFID circuit elements To acquired by the RFID tag communication device 100 with a plurality of communication protocols that are switched when information is read. Have. That is, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22, the first association processing unit CPR ″ (first association processing means) uses the tag ID (first ID) of the RFID circuit element To-M acquired by the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 in protocol A. 1 tag identification information) and the tag ID (second tag identification information) of the RFID circuit element To-B acquired by the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 in the switched protocol B.

  The application processing unit AP ″ is a second association processing unit that associates the objects corresponding to the associated tag IDs based on the processing result of the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″. APR ". That is, in the example shown in FIG. 22, the second association processing unit APR ″ (second association processing means) includes the first object corresponding to the RFID circuit element To-M and the RFID circuit element To−. The second object corresponding to B is associated with the second object.

  With the above configuration, when the operator performs a reading operation input on the operation unit 202, the application processing unit AP ″ generates a processing instruction signal instructing corresponding reading, and the communication processing unit CP ″ generates the processing instruction signal based on the processing instruction signal. The wireless tag communication device 100 is controlled. As a result, the tag IDs of the RFID circuit elements To-M and To-B are acquired by the receiving unit 143 of the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 using the communication protocols A and B, respectively. The first association processing unit CPR ″ associates the acquired tag IDs with each other and outputs them collectively to the application processing unit AP ″. Then, the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″ The first object and the second object corresponding to the tag circuit elements To-M and To-B are associated with each other.

  FIG. 23 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 of this embodiment.

  In step S705, the CPU 203 sets a communication protocol in the communication processing unit CP ″. In this embodiment, a plurality of communication protocols that are sequentially switched in information reading are preset (the memory 204 or the mass storage device 205). In step S705, the protocol is set so that wireless communication is possible using the first communication protocol among the plurality of registered communication protocols.

  In step S710, the CPU 203 transmits a control signal corresponding to the set communication protocol to the high frequency circuit 102 of the wireless tag communication device 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104 in the communication processing unit CP ″, and the tag ID. As a tag read signal for reading data recorded in the memory unit 155 of all the RFID circuit elements To existing within the communication range S without designating the interrogation wave, the interrogated wave having undergone predetermined modulation is transmitted via the communication antenna 101. Transmission is performed to the RFID circuit element To existing in the communication range S.

  In step S715, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To in the communication range S in response to the tag reading signal has been received via the communication control units 104 and 206. . When the reply signal is not received, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S720, where the control signal is transmitted to the high frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 via the communication control units 206 and 104, and the transmission unit 142 (protocol) is transmitted. The switching unit) switches the protocol so that wireless communication is possible using the next communication protocol among the registered communication protocols. Thereafter, the process returns to step S710, and information is read using the next communication protocol. Although not shown in FIG. 23, the determination in step S715 is such that retry is performed a predetermined number of times, and if no reply signal is received during that time, the process proceeds to step S720. . On the other hand, if a reply signal is received in step S715, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to step S725.

  In step S725, the CPU 203 obtains the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To that is the reading target in the communication processing unit CP ″ based on the received reply signal.

  In step S730, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the information has been read by using all communication protocols among the registered communication protocols in a predetermined order. If information reading is not performed using all communication protocols, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S720, where a control signal is transmitted to the high-frequency circuit 102 to cause the transmission unit 142 to switch the communication protocol. On the other hand, if the information is read using all the communication protocols, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S735.

  In step S735, the CPU 203 obtains all of the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″ that can be acquired when a plurality of communication protocols are switched in a predetermined order in steps S705 to S730. Associate tag IDs. Thereafter, the associated tag ID is output to the application processing unit AP ″.

  In step S740, the CPU 203 uses the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″, based on the tag IDs associated with the first association processing unit CPR ″, and objects corresponding to these tag IDs. The information is acquired and the object information is associated with each other.The object information is associated with the tag ID in advance and registered in the memory 204 or the large-capacity storage device 205, and the CPU 203 stores the association information ( The target object information is acquired with reference to the target object information and information that associates the tag ID with each other.

  The associated object information is stored in, for example, the large-capacity storage device 205 and is then used for taking out / lending management of articles.

  In addition, “once” of “a communication antenna that forms a communication range including a plurality of the RFID circuit elements corresponding to a plurality of different communication protocols at a time and performs wireless communication” described in the claims In the above steps S705 to S730, it refers to the period during which the communication protocol is switched in a predetermined order to make a round.

  In the RFID tag communication system RS according to the third embodiment of the present invention described above, a plurality of RFID tag circuit elements To corresponding to different communication protocols are set as communication targets. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22 described above, the RFID circuit element To-M performs wireless communication using the protocol A, and the RFID circuit element To-B performs wireless communication using the protocol B. It is like that. The transmission unit 142 of the high-frequency circuit 102 of the wireless tag communication device 100 sequentially switches the communication protocol based on the control signal from the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200, and the reception unit 143 is connected via the communication antenna 101 in each switched communication protocol. Information acquisition from the RFID circuit element To. Thereby, when the communication protocol in the communication range S of the communication antenna 101 is switched to the protocol A, the tag ID is acquired from the RFID circuit element To-M, and the communication protocol in the same communication range S is switched to the protocol B. At this time, the tag ID is acquired from the RFID circuit element To-B.

  In this way, two tag IDs acquired by the RFID tag information communication apparatus 100 in the same communication range S are associated with each other by the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″ of the operation terminal 200. Then, in response to the association between the two tag IDs, the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″ uses the first object corresponding to the RFID circuit element To-M and the RFID circuit element To-B. Can be associated with the second object corresponding to. Thus, as shown in FIG. 22, an article (a book, document, equipment, etc.) that can be transported by the person as a second object using an object (name tag or ID card) related to the person as the first object. By using, it is possible to associate a person with an article. As a result, it is possible to perform takeout management / lending management of the article such as by which person the article is taken out or returned. In this way, since a person and an article can be associated with each other properly, highly reliable information transmission / reception can be performed when the RFID tag communication system RS is used for article management or the like.

  At this time, the RFID circuit element To-M used on the person side and the RFID circuit element To-B used on the article side are different types of RFID circuit elements To having different communication protocols. Thereby, compared with the case where they are constituted by the same type of RFID circuit element To, highly reliable communication with less interference and erroneous reading can be performed, and various processes can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the operation terminal 200 performs an operation input by the operator via the operation unit 202 of the operation terminal 200, the application processing unit AP ″ responds to the operation input along a predetermined application. The communication processing unit CP ″ controls the wireless tag communication device 100 based on the converted processing instruction signal. That is, an application processing unit AP ″ as a higher function and a communication processing unit CP ″ as a lower function are provided. For the processing of the tag ID acquired by the wireless tag communication device 100, the first association processing unit CPR ″ is provided in the communication processing unit CP ″ which is a lower function, and first acquired by the wireless tag communication device 100. Associate a plurality of tag IDs. The second association processing unit APR ″ is provided in the application processing unit AP ″, which is a higher function, and corresponds to a plurality of acquired tag IDs based on the processing result in the first association processing unit CPR ″. Associate objects with each other.

  As described above, both the control of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 based on the operation from the operation terminal 200 and the processing of the tag ID acquired by the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 are shared by the upper function and the lower function, thereby smoothly. In addition, rapid processing can be performed. Further, by enhancing the expertise in the lower functions of the communication processing unit CP ″, it is possible to increase the versatility in the higher functions of the application processing unit AP ″, and the application development can be facilitated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in particular, the tag IDs acquired by the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″ are associated with each other, and are collectively output to the application processing unit AP ″. By outputting, it becomes easier for the received application processing unit AP ″ to recognize the relationship between these tag IDs, and the subsequent processing (such as association between objects) can be performed smoothly and reliably.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the transmission unit 142 of the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 switches between a plurality of communication protocols in a loop based on the control of the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200. Thereby, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 22 described above, in one communication range S, communication by the protocol A and communication by the protocol B are reliably realized, and the acquisition of the tag ID from the RFID circuit element To-M, Acquisition of the tag ID from the RFID circuit element To-B can be executed reliably. By switching between the plurality of protocols A and B in one communication range S, and acquiring two tag IDs corresponding to the RFID circuit elements To-M and To-B in the meantime, These two tag IDs can be acquired almost simultaneously (in the sense of the operator). Therefore, it is possible to acquire information quickly and efficiently compared to a case where a plurality of protocols are switched manually or the like while attempting to acquire a tag ID.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described in order.

(3-1) When two rounds of the protocol are output and the acquisition results match, in the above embodiment, the communication processing unit CP ″ switches the communication protocol in a predetermined order to make a round and associates the tag ID acquired during that cycle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In this modification, when the communication protocol is made to make two rounds and the tag IDs acquired in the first and second rounds coincide with each other, these tag IDs are associated and output to the application processing unit AP ″.

  FIG. 24 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 in this modification.

  Steps S805 to S830 are the same as steps S705 to S730 in FIG. That is, the CPU 203 sets the protocol so that wireless communication is possible using the first communication protocol among the registered communication protocols, and sends a tag read signal to the high-frequency circuit 102 corresponding to the set communication protocol. Is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To existing in the communication range S via the communication antenna 101. When a reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To in response to the tag read signal is received, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To is acquired based on the reply signal. The acquisition of the tag ID is executed while switching until a round of the plurality of communication protocols is made in a predetermined order. If the round of rounds is completed, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S835.

  In step S <b> 835, the CPU 203 stores in the memory 204 the tag ID of the first round acquired until one round of the plurality of communication protocols is made in a predetermined order.

  In step S840, the CPU 203 determines whether or not information reading has been performed using two of the registered communication protocols in a predetermined order. If the two rounds have not been made, the determination is not satisfied and the routine goes to Step S820, where a control signal is transmitted to the high frequency circuit 102 to cause the transmission unit 142 to switch the communication protocol. On the other hand, when information is read using the communication protocol twice, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S850.

  In step S850, the CPU 203 causes the memory 204 to store the tag ID of the second round acquired from the first round of the plurality of communication protocols in a predetermined order to the second round.

  In step S855, the CPU 203 reads the first round tag ID and the second round tag ID stored in the memory 204, and determines whether or not they match each other. If they do not match, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to the previous step S805. On the other hand, if they match, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S860.

  In step S860, the CPU 203 associates the tag IDs matched in step S855 with each other in the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″. Thereafter, the associated tag ID is output to the application processing unit AP ″.

  In step S865, the CPU 203 uses the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″, based on the tag IDs associated with the first association processing unit CPR ″, and objects corresponding to these tag IDs. The information is acquired, and the object information is associated with each other.

  In the modified example described above, the transmission unit 142 of the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 switches the communication protocol so as to make one more round after one round based on the control of the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 (that is, total 2 rounds). Thereby, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 22 described above, in one communication range S, communication by the protocol A and communication by the protocol B can be more reliably realized, and the tag ID can be acquired from the RFID circuit element To-M. The tag ID can be more reliably acquired from the RFID circuit element To-B. And when the acquisition result of the tag ID of the first round and the acquisition result of the tag ID of the second round coincide with each other, by associating those tag IDs, the transient information reading result is eliminated, and the RFID circuit It can be grasped more accurately that the element To-M and the RFID circuit element To-B exist in the same communication range S. As a result, highly reliable information reading and subsequent association can be performed.

(3-2) When the protocol is circulated for a predetermined time In this modified example, when the communication protocol is circulated in a predetermined order and the one cycle is repeatedly switched, the tag IDs acquired within the predetermined time range match each other. In this case, the tag IDs are associated with each other and output to the application processing unit AP ″.

  FIG. 25 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 in this modification.

  In step S <b> 901, the CPU 203 initializes an elapsed time t from the start of reading information to 0, and a variable N that represents the number of laps when switching between a plurality of communication protocols in a predetermined order.

  In step S903, the CPU 203 activates a timer (not shown) and starts counting the elapsed time t from the start of information reading.

  Steps S905 to S930 are the same as those in FIG. That is, the CPU 203 sets the protocol so that wireless communication is possible using the first communication protocol among the registered communication protocols, and sends a tag read signal to the high-frequency circuit 102 corresponding to the set communication protocol. Is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To existing in the communication range S via the communication antenna 101. When a reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To in response to the tag read signal is received, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To is acquired based on the reply signal. The acquisition of the tag ID is executed while switching over the plurality of communication protocols in a predetermined order until the circulation (N-th circulation) is performed. When the circulation is performed, the determination is satisfied and the process proceeds to step S935.

  In step S935, the CPU 203 causes the memory 204 to store the N-th tag ID acquired until the plurality of communication protocols are circulated in a predetermined order (N-th cycle).

  In step S937, the CPU 203 adds 1 to the variable N representing the number of cycles and proceeds to step S940.

  In step S940, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the elapsed time t from the start of information reading, which has started counting in step S903, is equal to or greater than the predetermined time T. The time T is set in advance to an appropriate time and stored in the memory 24 or the mass storage device 205. If the elapsed time t is less than the predetermined time T, the determination is not satisfied and the process returns to the previous step S920 to repeat the communication protocol cycle. On the other hand, if the elapsed time t is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S955.

  In step S955, the CPU 203 determines whether or not the first to Nth tag IDs stored in the memory 204 match each other. If they do not match, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to the previous step S901. On the other hand, if they match, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S960.

  In step S960, the CPU 203 associates the tag IDs matched in step S955 with each other in the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″. Thereafter, the associated tag ID is output to the application processing unit AP ″.

  In step S965, the CPU 203 determines, in the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″, the object corresponding to each of these tag IDs based on the tag ID associated with the first association processing unit CPR ″. The information is acquired, and the object information is associated with each other.

  In the above description, the tag ID is associated only when the tag IDs in the 1st to Nth rounds match each other. However, even if all the tag IDs in the 1st to Nth rounds do not match, a predetermined match is obtained. If the degree (which can be set by the operator) is satisfied, a tag ID may be associated.

  In the above modification, the transmission unit 142 of the high-frequency circuit 102 of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 repeats a round of a plurality of communication protocols within a predetermined time T based on the control of the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200. Switch. Thereby, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 22 described above, in one communication range S, communication by the protocol A and communication by the protocol B can be more reliably realized, and the tag ID can be acquired from the RFID circuit element To-M. The tag ID can be more reliably acquired from the RFID circuit element To-B. When the acquisition results of the tag IDs continuously acquired within the predetermined time T coincide with each other, by associating these tag IDs, the transient information reading result is eliminated, and the RFID circuit element It can be grasped more accurately that To-M and RFID circuit element To-B exist in the same communication range S. As a result, highly reliable information reading and subsequent association can be performed.

(3-3) When retrying a plurality of times partially during the protocol tour Depending on the type of RFID circuit element To and the communication protocol used, even when a tag read signal using a corresponding protocol is received, It does not always respond, but may respond with a certain probability. Considering such a case, information reading (including so-called multiple retries) may be performed a plurality of times for a certain communication protocol among a plurality of communication protocols to be switched in a cycle. Good. Thereby, even when information is read from the RFID circuit element To having a special response mode as described above, the tag ID can be reliably acquired.

  In addition, when information is read a plurality of times with respect to a certain communication protocol, information reading using the communication protocol and a sub-protocol of the communication protocol (although the same communication protocol is used). Information reading using different communication parameters) may be performed. That is, depending on the type of RFID circuit element To and the communication protocol to be used, as described above, even when a tag read signal using a corresponding protocol is received, a response is not always performed, and a certain probability May be set so as to respond, and in that case, it may be set so as to be able to respond to a variant of the communication protocol. The communication protocol variants here are the same communication protocol but different communication parameters (for example, transmission output intensity, modulation degree, etc.). In consideration of such a case, regarding a certain communication protocol among a plurality of communication protocols to be switched in a cycle, information reading using the communication protocol and information reading using the sub-protocol of the communication protocol are performed. By performing the above, even when information is read from the RFID circuit element To having a special response mode as described above, the tag ID can be more reliably acquired.

(3-4) Case where Communication Processing Unit has Tag ID and Object Linking Information FIG. 26 shows an example of a functional configuration for process control in the operation terminal 200 of the present modification. Note that parts similar to those in FIG.

  In FIG. 26, the communication processing unit CP ″ is functionally configured by starting the communication processing program, and has a one-to-one correspondence between each of the plurality of communication protocols and each of the objects of the plurality of RFID circuit elements To. The first storage unit CPM ″ stores the correspondence (table) attached. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 26, the first storage unit CPM ″ (the first storage unit) is configured such that the protocol A and the first object provided with the RFID circuit element To-M corresponding thereto, and the protocol B A table associated with the second object provided with the RFID circuit element To-B corresponding to this is stored.

  In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 26, the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″ is a wireless device acquired using the protocol A based on the correspondence relationship stored in the first storage unit CPM ″. The tag ID of the tag circuit element To-M is associated with the first object, and the tag ID of the wireless tag circuit element To-B acquired using the protocol B is associated with the second object, so that the application processing unit AP ″ To the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″. As a result, the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″ is output from the first association processing unit CPR ″. Based on the tag ID associated with the first object and the tag ID associated with the second object, the first object and the second object are associated with each other. The configuration other than the above is the same as that in FIG.

  FIG. 27 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 in this modification.

  Steps S1005 to S1025 are the same as steps S705 to S725 in FIG. That is, the CPU 203 sets the protocol so that wireless communication is possible using the first communication protocol among the registered communication protocols, and sends a tag read signal to the high-frequency circuit 102 corresponding to the set communication protocol. Is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To existing in the communication range S via the communication antenna 101. When a reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To in response to the tag read signal is received, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To is acquired based on the reply signal.

  In step S1027, the CPU 203 uses the communication protocol set in step S1005 based on the correspondence stored in the first storage unit CPM ″ in the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″. The tag ID of the RFID circuit element To acquired in this way is associated with the corresponding object. Thereafter, the associated tag ID and object are output to the application processing unit AP ″.

  In step S1030, it is determined whether information reading has been performed using the plurality of communication protocols in a predetermined order. If the information reading is not performed using all the communication protocols, the determination is not satisfied and the process proceeds to step S1020, where the control signal is transmitted to the high frequency circuit 102 to cause the transmission unit 142 to switch the communication protocol. On the other hand, if the information is read using all the communication protocols, the determination is satisfied and the routine goes to Step S1040.

  In step S1040, the CPU 203 obtains all the information obtained when the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″ has switched the plurality of communication protocols in a predetermined order in steps S1005 to S1030. For the tag IDs, based on the association between the tag IDs and the objects collectively output from the first association processing unit CPR ″ in step S1027, the object information associated with each of these tag IDs is obtained. As a result, this flowchart is completed.

  In the above modification, the tag ID is associated with the object in advance in the first storage unit CPM ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″ as the lower function, and a plurality of communication is performed in the application processing unit AP ″ as the higher function. By associating a plurality of object information based on the collectiveness of a plurality of tag IDs acquired when the protocol is switched once, it is possible to smoothly and easily carry out take-out management and lending management of articles. .

(3-5) Case where Application Processing Unit has Tag ID and Object Linking Information FIG. 28 shows an example of a functional configuration for processing control in the operation terminal 200 of the present modification. Note that parts similar to those in FIG.

  In FIG. 28, the application processing unit AP ″ is functionally configured by starting the communication processing program, and has a one-to-one correspondence between each of the plurality of communication protocols and each of the objects of the plurality of RFID circuit elements To. And a second storage unit APM ″ for storing the attached correspondence (table). That is, in the example shown in FIG. 28, the second storage unit APM ″ (second storage means) is configured such that the protocol A and the first object provided with the RFID circuit element To-M corresponding thereto, and the protocol B A table associated with the second object provided with the RFID circuit element To-B corresponding to this is stored.

  In the example shown in FIG. 28, the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″ acquires the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-M acquired using the protocol A and the protocol B. The tag IDs of the RFID circuit elements To-B are associated with each other and output collectively to the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″. As a result, the second association processing unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″ is collectively output from the first association processing unit CPR ″ based on the correspondence relationship stored in the second storage unit APM ″. Based on the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-M corresponding to the protocol A and the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To-B corresponding to the protocol B, the first object corresponding to the protocol A and the protocol B are supported. The second object is associated. The configuration other than the above is the same as that in FIG.

  FIG. 29 shows a control procedure executed by the CPU 203 of the operation terminal 200 in this modification.

  Steps S1105 to S1135 are the same as steps S705 to S735 in FIG. That is, the CPU 203 sets the protocol so that wireless communication is possible using the first communication protocol among the registered communication protocols, and sends a tag read signal to the high-frequency circuit 102 corresponding to the set communication protocol. Is transmitted to the RFID circuit element To existing in the communication range S via the communication antenna 101. When a reply signal returned from the RFID circuit element To in response to the tag read signal is received, the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To is acquired based on the reply signal. Then, it is determined whether or not information reading has been performed by using a plurality of communication protocols in a predetermined order, and in the case of making a circuit, in the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″. In step S705 to step S730, all tag IDs that can be acquired when a plurality of communication protocols are switched in a predetermined order are associated. Thereafter, the associated tag ID is output to the application processing unit AP ″.

  In step S1140, the CPU 203 stores the tag ID associated with the first association processing unit CPR ″ in the second association unit APR ″ of the application processing unit AP ″ in the second storage unit APM ″. Based on the correspondence relationship, objects corresponding to a plurality of communication protocols respectively corresponding to the RFID circuit elements To of the respective tag IDs are associated with each other. This flowchart is complete | finished by the above.

  In the above modification, for a plurality of tag IDs associated in the communication processing unit CP ″ as the lower function, the application processing unit AP ″ as the higher function uses a communication protocol type for each of the tag IDs. Associate multiple object information. As a result, it is possible to smoothly and easily carry out take-out management / rental management of articles.

(3-6) Case where RFID tag communication apparatus has all functions In this embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments described above, the RFID tag communication apparatus has all the functions of the RFID tag communication system RS. It is good also as a structure which has. The configuration of the RFID tag communication apparatus in this case is the same as that shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. In this case, the first association processing unit CPR ″ of the communication processing unit CP ″ of the wireless tag communication apparatus 300 constitutes the third association processing means described in the claims, and the first association processing unit C ″ of the application processing unit AP ″. The second association processing unit APR ″ constitutes a fourth association processing means. Further, the control content executed by the CPU 303 of the wireless tag communication device 300 is the same as in FIG. Also by this modification, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, in the above, the arrow shown in each figure of FIG.3, FIG.4, FIG.5 etc. shows an example of the flow of a signal, and does not limit the flow direction of a signal.

  The flowcharts shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and the like do not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above flow, and the addition / deletion or order of the procedures within the scope of the gist and technical idea of the invention. May be changed.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a wireless tag communication system including a wireless tag communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the function structure of the whole system of a radio | wireless tag communication system. It is a block diagram showing an example of a functional composition on processing control in an operation terminal. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed structure of the high frequency circuit of a wireless tag communication apparatus. It is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the wireless tag circuit element with which a wireless tag is equipped. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU of an operating terminal at the time of the information reading with respect to a radio | wireless tag circuit element. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU of a wireless tag communication apparatus at the time of the information writing with respect to a wireless tag circuit element. It is a flowchart showing the detailed content of the protocol registration process of step S300. It is a figure showing an example of the memory content of the memory | storage part of the communication processing part of the operating terminal after a protocol registration process. It is a figure showing an example of the memory content of the memory | storage part of the communication processing part of the operation terminal after the protocol registration process in the modification which matches and memorize | stores a communication parameter. It is a front view showing the whole structure of the RFID tag communication apparatus in the modification in which an RFID tag communication apparatus has all the functions. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the wireless tag communication apparatus in the modification in which a wireless tag communication apparatus has all the functions. It is a figure which represents notionally the memory block of the memory part of the IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which represents notionally the storage order of the data of two patterns. It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure on the process control in the operating terminal in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU of an operating terminal at the time of the information reading with respect to a radio | wireless tag circuit element. It is a flowchart showing the detailed content of the access mode registration process of step S500. It is a figure showing an example of the memory content of the memory | storage part of the communication processing part of the operating terminal after a protocol registration process. It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure on the process control in the operating terminal in the modification which determines automatically whether an access mode is correct. It is a flowchart showing the detailed content of the access mode registration process of step S500 performed by CPU in the modification which determines automatically whether an access mode is correct. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by CPU of an operating terminal at the time of calculation of a block size in the modification which calculates the byte number which comprises a block. It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure on the process control in the operating terminal in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU of an operating terminal. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU of an operating terminal in the modification which outputs when the acquisition result corresponds by making two rounds of a protocol. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU of an operating terminal in the modification which circulates a protocol for a predetermined time. It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure on the process control in the operation terminal in the modification in which a communication process part has tag ID and the linked | related information of a target object. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU of an operating terminal in the modification in which a communication process part has tag ID and the link | linking information of a target object. It is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure on the process control in the operation terminal in the modification in which an application process part has tag ID and the linked | related information of a target object. It is a flowchart showing the control content performed by CPU of an operating terminal in the modification in which an application process part has tag ID and the linked | related information of a target object.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 RFID tag communication apparatus 101 Communication antenna 142 Transmission part (Write data transmission means; Command generation means, Command transmission means; Protocol switching means)
143 Receiver (information receiving means; information acquiring means)
150 IC circuit part (first IC circuit part, second IC circuit part)
151 Tag antenna (first tag antenna, second tag antenna)
200 Operation terminal 201 Display unit (first display means)
202 operation unit (first operation means; operation means)
300 RFID tag communication apparatus 301 Display unit (second display means)
302 operation unit (second operation means)
306 Communication antenna AP application processing unit (first application processing unit; second application processing unit)
AP ′ application processing unit APJ ′ determination unit (first memory determination unit; second memory determination unit)
AP ″ application processing unit APM ″ second storage unit (second storage unit)
APR ″ second association processing unit (second association processing means; fourth association processing means)
CP communication processing unit (first communication processing unit; second communication processing unit)
CPM storage unit (first storage means; second storage means)
CP ′ communication processing unit CP ″ communication processing unit CPM ″ first storage unit (first storage means)
CPR ″ first association processing unit (first association processing means; third association processing means)
RS RFID tag communication system S Communication range To RFID tag circuit element To-B RFID tag circuit element (second RFID tag circuit element)
To-M RFID circuit element (first RFID tag circuit element)

Claims (8)

A wireless tag communication device including a tag antenna for transmitting and receiving information and an IC circuit unit for storing information, wherein wireless communication is performed with respect to a wireless tag circuit element in which one block of the memory of the IC circuit unit is composed of a plurality of bytes An RFID tag communication system comprising an operation terminal capable of operating the RFID tag communication apparatus,
The operation terminal is
A first operating means that allows an operator to input an operation;
An application processing unit that performs processing in accordance with a predetermined application program in response to an operation input of the operator by the first operation means, and generates a corresponding processing instruction signal;
A communication processing unit that performs an access process corresponding to either the forward access mode or the reverse access mode based on the processing instruction signal generated by the application processing unit;
The communication processing unit
For the information acquired from the RFID circuit element via the RFID tag communication device, in the forward access mode, each byte of the information is sequentially accessed in the forward direction, and the backward access mode. The wireless tag communication system according to claim 1, further comprising first information alignment means for sequentially accessing each byte in the reverse direction for each block of the information and reading the information. The wireless tag communication system according to claim 1,
The operation terminal is
First display means for displaying to the operator;
The communication processing unit
The first information alignment means outputs the information read result from the IC circuit unit processed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode to the application processing unit,
The application processing unit
The RFID tag communication system, wherein the information reading result output from the communication processing unit is displayed on the first display means along the application program. The wireless tag communication system according to claim 1,
The communication processing unit
The first information alignment means outputs the information read result from the IC circuit unit processed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode to the application processing unit,
The application processing unit
Based on the information read result output from the communication processing unit, the memory of the IC circuit unit of the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated should be accessed in the forward access mode, or the reverse access A first memory judging means for judging whether the access should be made in the mode;
The first information alignment means of the communication processing unit is
After the determination by the first memory determination unit of the application processing unit, it is acquired via the wireless tag communication device according to either the forward access mode or the reverse access mode according to the determination result. A wireless tag communication system, wherein the information is processed. The wireless tag communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The wireless tag communication device includes:
Command generating means for generating a one-block read command for acquiring information stored in one block of the memory of the IC circuit unit;
Command transmitting means for transmitting the one-block reading command generated by the command generating means to the wireless tag circuit element by wireless communication via the communication antenna;
Information receiving means for receiving stored data of the one block transmitted from the RFID circuit element in response to the one-block reading command transmitted from the command transmitting means;
The communication processing unit of the operation terminal is
First data length detecting means for detecting the data length of the storage data of the one block received by the information receiving means;
A wireless tag communication system comprising: first block size calculation means for calculating the number of bytes of the plurality of bytes constituting the one block based on the data length detected by the first data length detection means. A wireless tag communication device comprising a tag antenna for transmitting and receiving information and an IC circuit section for storing information, wherein one block of the memory of the IC circuit section performs wireless communication with a wireless tag circuit element composed of a plurality of bytes. There,
A second operating means that allows the operator to selectively input either the forward access mode or the reverse access mode;
A communication antenna for performing wireless communication with the RFID circuit element;
When the forward access mode is selected by the second operating means for the information acquired from the memory of the IC circuit unit via the communication antenna, the information is forwarded for each block of the information. Second information aligning means for sequentially accessing each byte and reading each byte sequentially in the reverse direction for each block of the information when the reverse access mode is selected by the second operating means. A wireless tag communication device comprising: The wireless tag communication device according to claim 5, wherein
The second information alignment means has second display means for displaying information reading results from the IC circuit unit processed in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode to the operator. A wireless tag communication device. The wireless tag communication device according to claim 5, wherein
The communication processing unit
The memory of the IC circuit unit of the RFID tag circuit element to be communicated according to the information read result from the IC circuit unit processed by the second information alignment unit in the forward access mode or the reverse access mode Comprises a second memory determining means for determining whether to access in the forward access mode or to access in the reverse access mode,
The second information alignment means includes
After the determination by the second memory determination unit, the information reading is performed by either the forward access mode or the reverse access mode according to the determination result. The wireless tag communication device according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
Command generating means for generating a one-block read command for acquiring information stored in one block of the memory of the IC circuit unit;
Command transmitting means for transmitting the one-block reading command generated by the command generating means to the wireless tag circuit element by wireless communication via the communication antenna;
Information receiving means for receiving stored data of the one block transmitted from the RFID circuit element in response to the one-block reading command transmitted from the command transmitting means;
Second data length detecting means for detecting the data length of the storage data of the one block received by the information receiving means;
An RFID tag communication apparatus comprising: second block size calculating means for calculating the number of bytes of the plurality of bytes constituting the one block based on the data length detected by the second data length detecting means.

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