JP2010286966A - Information reader, information reading method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information reader or the like for dynamically optimizing the time required for searching of each of a plurality of kinds of RFIDs different in communication protocol. <P>SOLUTION: The information reader detects an information storage storing information in advance, reads the information by a search to read the information, and executes a plurality of kinds of searches for each of the plurality of kinds of information storages different in communication protocol.The information reader includes: a radio communication means for executing one of the plurality of kinds of searches; a setting storage means for storing setting information with a search time indicating a length of a search execution time, and a search sequence indicating a search execution sequence, in each of the plurality of kinds of searches; a search switching means for switching the search executed by the radio communication means, based on the setting information; and a setting changing means for changing automatically the search time and the search sequence defined in the setting information, based on a result of the search executed by the radio communication means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reading device and a program for reading information by short-range communication from a medium or a device that stores information in advance.

  As an example of information reading technology, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is known in which personal information, product information, and the like are stored in advance in a memory in an IC chip, and the information is read by short-range wireless communication (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). RFID is currently widely used for electronic money and automatic ticket gates. In the RFID, for example, the IC chip is embedded (attached) in a medium (member) such as a card or a tag, or is built in a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone. When a medium (hereinafter referred to as an RFID medium) or a device (hereinafter referred to as an RFID device) on which the IC chip is mounted is held over (not contacted with) or touched (contacted) with an information reading device, information in the memory becomes information. It is read by the reader.

  By the way, although the RFID is rapidly spreading at present, a plurality of types of RFID are currently used. For example, RFID communication protocols (communication specifications / communication methods) differ for each company that provides / operates services using RFID. For this reason, some information readers are equipped with a plurality of types of RFID communication protocols. Thereby, it is possible to cope with a plurality of types of RFIDs with a single information reading device, thereby ensuring the convenience of the user.

JP 2006-154923 A JP 2006-222619 A

  Although the above-described information reading apparatus can handle a plurality of types of RFID, it cannot apply a plurality of types of communication protocols at the same time. That is, the information reading apparatus described above supports a plurality of types of RFID by switching processing based on each communication protocol according to a preset setting. The “process based on the communication protocol” refers to a process in which the information reading device detects an RFID medium or an RFID device and reads information using a predetermined communication protocol. be called. The above-mentioned “switching processing based on each communication protocol in accordance with preset settings” is called multi-search.

  However, in the information reading apparatus, as a preset setting, the time for executing each search (search time) is all equal, and the order in which each search is executed (search order) is always constant. Therefore, regardless of the frequency of use of each RFID, each search is always performed in a constant order for a uniform time. However, at present, there are many cases in which the usage frequency of various RFIDs varies depending on the environment. That is, the information reading apparatus has a problem in that the time required for each search is wasted because the frequency of use of each RFID is not considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an information reader and information capable of dynamically optimizing the time required for each search when corresponding to a plurality of types of RFIDs having different communication protocols. An object is to provide a reading method and a program.

  In order to achieve such an object, the information reading apparatus of the present invention can read information by detecting an information storage body that stores information in advance and performing a search for reading the information. An information reading apparatus capable of performing a plurality of types of search corresponding to a plurality of types of information storage bodies having different protocols, a wireless communication means for executing one search among the plurality of types of searches, and a plurality of types For each type of search, setting storage means for storing setting information in which a search time indicating the length of time for which the search is executed and a search order indicating the order in which the search is executed is stored, and based on the setting information The search switching means for switching the search executed by the wireless communication means, and the search time and service specified in the setting information based on the result of the search executed by the wireless communication means. And having a setting changing means for automatically changing the order, a.

  The information reading method of the present invention is capable of reading information by detecting an information storage body storing information in advance and performing a search to read the information, and storing a plurality of types of information with different communication protocols. An information reading method performed by an information reading apparatus capable of performing a plurality of types of searches corresponding to each body, and for each of the plurality of types of searches, a search time indicating a length of time for which the search is performed; A setting information storing step for storing setting information in which a search order indicating the order in which the search is executed is stored, and a search time and a search order specified in the setting information are automatically set based on the result of the executed search. And a search switching step for switching a search to be executed based on the setting information.

  The program of the present invention is capable of reading information by detecting an information storage body that stores information in advance and performing a search to read the information, for each of a plurality of types of information storage bodies having different communication protocols. A program that can be executed by a computer that can perform a plurality of types of searches corresponding to a search time that indicates the length of time during which the search is executed and a search is executed for each of the plurality of types of searches. Setting information storage processing for storing setting information in which the search order indicating the order is specified, and setting for automatically changing the search time and search order specified in the setting information based on the result of the executed search The computer is caused to execute a change process and a search switching process for switching a search to be executed based on setting information.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of types of RFIDs having different communication protocols are supported, the time required for each search can be dynamically optimized.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the information reading apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the information reader which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the information reader which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the information reader which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the information reader which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting information in the information reader which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the configuration of an information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is an information processing apparatus that performs near field communication with an RFID medium or an RFID apparatus and reads personal information or the like. In the present embodiment, a description will be given below using an example of performing wireless communication with an RFID tag (an example of an RFID medium). The RFID medium and the RFID device are examples of the information storage body.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the RFID2 tag includes a memory 21, a wireless communication circuit 22, and an antenna 23. The memory 21 stores, for example, personal information related to users, product information related to products, and the like. The wireless communication circuit 22 is the above-described IC chip, and generates a current and operates when it is brought close to the information reading device 1 that oscillates radio waves using a predetermined communication protocol. Then, the wireless communication circuit 22 reads the information in the memory 21 and transmits it to the information reading device 1 of the present embodiment via the antenna 23.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information reading apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a plurality of wireless communication circuits 13, an antenna 14, and the like. Have

  The CPU 10 reads a control program stored in the ROM 12 and controls each unit (for example, the RAM 11 and the wireless communication circuit 13) connected via the bus 15 according to the control program to realize various functions. The CPU 10 also has a timer function (a function for measuring the passage of a predetermined time) and a clock function (a function for measuring the year, month, day, day of the week, hour, minute, second, etc., as in a general clock). Have.

  The ROM 12 stores the control program and fixed data in advance. As an example of the control program and the fixed data, in addition to a function for realizing a general function of the information reading apparatus (information reading in RFID), the characteristic functions of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. Including those for realization.

  The RAM 11 stores data temporarily necessary for the CPU 10 to execute the control program. As an example of this data, in addition to a function for realizing a general function of an information reading device (information reading in RFID), a characteristic function of this embodiment shown in FIGS. Also included. The RAM 11 may store personal information, product information, and the like read from the RFID tag 2.

  The wireless communication circuit 13 performs processing necessary for performing short-distance wireless communication with the RFID tag 2 using a predetermined communication protocol. For example, in response to an instruction from the CPU 10, the wireless communication circuit 13 outputs a transmission signal having a predetermined frequency to the antenna 14 and outputs a reception signal input from the antenna 14 to the CPU 10. Further, the wireless communication circuit 13 may perform processing such as signal modulation / demodulation and amplification. In this embodiment, as an example, four wireless communication circuits A, B, C, and D that perform wireless communication using different communication protocols are provided. For example, the wireless communication circuit 13A is a circuit that performs wireless communication using the communication protocol A. However, two or more wireless communication circuits 13A to 13D are not used at the same time, and only those designated by the CPU 10 are used. Instead of providing four wireless communication circuits 13 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, one wireless communication circuit 13 may be configured to enable wireless communication using a plurality of different communication protocols.

  The antenna 14 transmits the transmission signal from the wireless communication circuit 13 to the outside of the information reading apparatus 1 as a radio wave signal. Further, the antenna 14 outputs a reception signal received from the RFID tag 2 that has reacted to the radio signal to the wireless communication circuit 13.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the information reading apparatus 1 has a display (an example of a display unit) for displaying various information, and an operator (user) of the information reading apparatus 1 performs various settings. Operation keys and buttons (an example of operation means) may be included. Further, the information reading apparatus 1 may include an interface circuit (an example of an external connection unit) for connecting to other apparatuses, devices, systems, etc. regardless of wired or wireless. Further, the information reading apparatus 1 may include not only an information reading function but also an information writing function.

  Next, functions of the information reading apparatus 1 of the present embodiment (functions realized by the hardware shown in FIG. 1) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the information reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information reading apparatus 1 includes a determination unit 101, a search switching unit 102, a count unit 103, a setting change unit 104, a setting storage unit 105, and a wireless communication unit 106.

  The wireless communication means 106 transmits a transmission signal for detecting the RFID tag 2 by any one of communication protocols A to D respectively corresponding to a plurality of RFIDs (four types of A, B, C, and D in this embodiment). It transmits to the outside as a radio wave signal, or receives a reception signal from the RFID tag 2. The wireless communication means 106 may be capable of supporting the communication protocols A to D by one means as shown in FIG. 2, or individually corresponding to the communication protocols A to D, although not shown in FIG. Four means may be used. The wireless communication means 106 is realized by a plurality of wireless communication circuits 13A to 13D shown in FIG.

  The setting storage unit 105 stores setting information indicating the time of each search and the search order. The search is a process based on a predetermined communication protocol (a process for detecting the RFID tag 2 using a predetermined communication protocol and reading information), which is performed by the wireless communication unit 106. In this embodiment, since four communication protocols (RFID) A to D are taken as an example, there are four types of searches A to D. Therefore, the content of the setting information is determined by the length of time for which each search A to D is executed (referred to as search time) and the order in which the four searches A to D are executed (referred to as search order). It becomes.

  Here, an example of the setting information is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, for example, the description “RFID A” means “search A” (the same applies to the remaining B, C, and D). As shown in FIG. 6, in the setting information in the initial state, the search times of searches A to D are all the same length, and the search order is A → B → C → D. The initial state setting information is applied, for example, when the information reading apparatus 1 is used for the first time.

  Conventionally, for example, since the setting information in the initial state shown in FIG. 6 has not been changed, there has been a problem that the usage frequency of each RFID (in other words, the result of each search) is not considered. In order to solve such problems, the present embodiment aims to optimize each search by automatically changing (updating) the setting information according to the result of each search by the information reading apparatus 1. It is said. As a result of this search (search result), in this embodiment, the number of successful searches (the number of successful searches) will be described as an example. Examples of the number of successful searches include the number of successful tag detections (number of successful detections) and the number of successful readings of information such as tags (successful read times). Note that the number of successful searches used as a search result may be only the number of successful detections or only the number of successful readings. Alternatively, both the number of successful detections and the number of successful readings may be used.

  In FIG. 6, state 1 and state 2 indicate states in which the search results are reflected in the initial state setting information and the contents (each search time and search order) are changed. Note that the process of changing the contents of the setting information is performed by the setting changing unit 104 described later.

  In addition to the setting information, the setting storage unit 105 stores change condition information indicating a condition (timing) for changing the setting information. For example, the change condition information is set (designated) in advance by a user operation before using the information reading apparatus 1. Examples of the change condition information include the number of successful searches (for example, the number of successful detections and the number of successful readings), the time (date and time), the end of a predetermined search, and the completion of the search order. For example, when the change condition information is set to “detection success count = 100”, when the detection success count reaches 100, it is changed to setting information reflecting the detection success count temporarily stored so far. become. Further, for example, when the change condition is set to “time = 22: 30”, when the time reaches 22:30 every day, the setting information is changed to reflect the number of successful detections temporarily stored so far. It will be. Also, for example, when the change condition is set to “after search D is completed”, when the search time of search D ends, the setting information is changed to reflect the number of successful detections temporarily stored so far. It will be.

  The setting storage unit 105 is realized by at least one of the RAM 11 and the ROM 12 shown in FIG.

  Next, the determination unit 101, search switching unit 102, count unit 103, and setting change unit 104 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. Each of these means is realized by the CPU 10 and the RAM 11 shown in FIG.

  For example, the determination unit 101 performs detection success determination, reading success determination, search time determination, and change condition determination. Here, each determination will be described.

  The detection success determination is a process of determining whether the RFID tag 2 has been successfully detected based on the presence / absence of a reception signal received from the RFID tag 2. The determination unit 101 determines that the RFID tag 2 has been successfully detected when a reception signal is input from the wireless communication unit 106. When the determination unit 101 determines that the RFID tag 2 has been successfully detected, the determination unit 101 performs a reading success determination described later, or the counting unit 103 described later performs a count.

  The successful reading determination is a process of determining whether information (personal information, product information, etc.) of the RFID tag 2 has been successfully read based on the content of the received signal received from the RFID tag 2. This successful reading determination is performed, for example, when the detection success determination result is successful. When the reception signal input from the wireless communication unit 106 includes information (personal information, product information, etc.) stored in the memory 21 of the RFID tag 2, the determination unit 101 Judge that reading was successful. When the determination unit 101 determines that the information of the RFID tag 2 has been successfully read, the count unit 103 described later performs counting. The read information is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is output to the above-described display means, external connection means, storage means realized by the RAM 11, or the like.

  The search time determination is a process of determining whether the search time of the search being executed by the wireless communication means 106 has reached the search time defined in the setting information described above. The determination unit 101 measures the passage of time after the search by the wireless communication unit 106 is started, and determines whether the measured time has reached the search time specified in the setting information. When the determination unit 101 determines that the search time being executed has reached the specified search time, the determination unit 101 performs a change condition determination described later, or the search switching unit 102 described later switches the search. Is done.

  The change condition determination is a process for determining whether a preset change condition is satisfied. As described above, the change condition is stored in the setting storage unit 105 as change condition information.

For example, a case where the change condition is the number of successful detections will be described. The determination unit 101 determines whether the number of successful detections stored as a change condition in the setting storage unit 105 matches the current number of successful detections counted by the counting unit 103 described later. When the two match, the determination unit 101 determines that the change condition is satisfied, and the setting information change is performed by the setting change unit 104 described later. If the two do not match, the determination unit 101 determines that the change condition is not satisfied, and the search switching unit 102 described later performs search switching.

For example, a case where the change condition is time will be described. Determination means 101 determines that time is stored as a change condition setting storage means 105 (date and time), whether the current time and match being clocked by itself. When the two match, the determination unit 101 determines that the change condition is satisfied, and the setting information change is performed by the setting change unit 104 described later. If the two do not match, the determination unit 101 determines that the change condition is not satisfied, and the search switching unit 102 described later performs search switching.

  For example, a case where the change condition is one cycle after the search order will be described. The determination unit 101 determines whether the search that is specified to be executed last in the search order of the currently applied setting information matches the search that is currently being executed. If the two match, after the currently executing search is completed, it is determined that the changing condition is satisfied by the determining unit 101, and the setting information is changed by the setting changing unit 104 described later. If they do not match, after the currently executed search is completed, it is determined by the determining means 101 that the change condition is not satisfied, and search switching is performed by the search switching means 102 described later.

  After the search time judgment or the change condition judgment by the judgment means 101, the search switching means 102 performs the search specified next from the currently executed search according to the search order prescribed in the setting information of the setting storage means 105. Switch to. For example, when the initial state setting information shown in FIG. 6 is applied and the wireless communication means 106 is executing the search A, the search switching means 102 searches the search B specified next to the search A. The wireless communication means 106 is instructed to switch to This instruction is performed by sending a control signal or the like. Upon receiving this instruction, the wireless communication means 106 stops search A and starts search B. Such a “process for switching each search according to the setting information” is called a multi-search.

  The counting unit 103 counts the number of successful detections or the number of successful readings after the determination of successful detection or successful reading by the determining unit 101. Further, the counting means 103 may temporarily store the counted result (count result). This count result is used for setting information change by the setting change means 104 described later and for the change condition determination by the determination means 101.

  The setting changing unit 104 reflects the count result (the number of successful detections or the number of successful readings) of the counting unit 103 in the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 105 and changes the contents of the setting information. When a predetermined change condition is not set, the setting change unit 104 reflects the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 105 every time counting is performed by the counting unit 103. On the other hand, when a predetermined change condition is set in advance, the setting change unit 104 is temporarily stored by the counting unit 103 after it is determined that the change condition is satisfied in the change condition determination by the determination unit 101. The counted result is reflected in the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 105. In the present embodiment, the changed setting information is applied at the timing when the setting information change by the setting changing unit 104 is completed.

  Here, an example of setting information change by the setting change unit 104 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where the count result reflected in the setting information is the number of successful detections will be described. For example, it is assumed that a predetermined length of time is preset in the setting change unit 104 so that a predetermined length of time is added to the currently specified search time for each successful detection.

  First, when the setting information in the initial state shown in FIG. 6 is applied, the information reading device 1 starts searching for the RFID tag 2. When a predetermined number of searches are performed and the searches A, C, and D other than search B have the same number of successful detections, the setting change unit 104 sets the time corresponding to the number of successful detections to each currently specified search time. In addition, the search times of search A, search C, and search D increase evenly. As shown in FIG. 6, when there is an upper limit in the total of the four search times, the increased time may be decreased from the search time that has not been detected yet. For example, when the search times A, C, and D are increased, the setting change unit 104 decreases the increased amount from the search time B. Next, the setting change unit 104 places the search order of the search B that has the shortest search time as a result of the change of the search time last. As a result of such a change, the setting information becomes the contents of state 1 shown in FIG. In the state 1, the search order of the search B (RFID B) is the last and the search time of the search B (RFID B) is the shortest compared to the initial state. That is, the state 1 has contents corresponding to an environment where the use frequency of the search B (RFID B) is low. Therefore, if state 1 is applied as the setting information, a waste of time for searching for a tag corresponding to search B with low usage frequency can be saved.

  Thereafter, when the setting information in the state 1 shown in FIG. 6 is applied, the information reading device 1 starts searching for the RFID tag 2. When a predetermined number of searches are performed and the number of successful detections is large in the order of search C, search A, search D, and search B, the setting changing unit 104 sets the time corresponding to the number of successful detections to each search time currently specified. Therefore, search C, search A, search D, and search B are performed in descending order of search time. Next, the setting changing unit 104 first sets the search order of the search C having the longest search time as a result of the change of the search time. As a result of such a change, the setting information becomes the contents of state 2 shown in FIG. In the state 2, compared to the initial state and the state 1, the search order of the search C (RFID C) is the first, and the search time of the search C (RFID C) is the longest. That is, the state 2 has contents corresponding to an environment in which the search C (RFID C) is frequently used. Therefore, if the state 2 is applied as the setting information, it becomes possible to search for a tag corresponding to the search C having a high use frequency preferentially, and to search for a tag corresponding to the search B having a low use frequency. Save waste.

  As described above, the setting changing unit 104 can dynamically change the length of each search time and the search order specified in the setting information, for example, according to the count result such as the number of successful detections. Therefore, the search can be optimized according to the usage frequency of the plurality of RFIDs.

  Next, an operation example of the information reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention (an embodiment of the information reading method of the present invention) will be described. Since there are a plurality of operation examples, they will be described in order with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that each of the following operation examples is realized by each unit of FIG. 2 described above. For convenience of explanation, the subject of the operation of each diagram will be described as “information reading apparatus 1”. In addition, each operation example is not only executed in time series as shown in each figure, but is also configured to be executed in parallel or individually as required by the processing capability of the device that executes the process. It is also possible to do.

[Operation example 1]
Operation example 1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. This operation example 1 is an operation when the number of successful detections is counted and the change condition is not set.

  First, the information reading apparatus 1 starts a search specified at the beginning of the search order of setting information (step S1). For example, if the setting information is in the initial state shown in FIG.

  Next, the information reading apparatus 1 determines whether or not the RFID tag 2 corresponding to the started search A has been detected (step S2). This is the detection success judgment described above. If the RFID tag 2 cannot be detected (step S2 / NO), the process proceeds to step S6. If the RFID tag 2 can be detected (step S2 / YES), the process proceeds to step S3.

  When the RFID tag 2 can be detected (step S2 / YES), the information reading apparatus 1 counts “1” as the number of successful detections (step S3).

  The information reading apparatus 1 adds a predetermined amount of time for each successful detection to the search time of the search A specified in the setting information, and reduces it from the search time B next to the search A, for example. Based on the result, the search order is rearranged in the order of longer search time (step S4). Here, due to the change of the setting information, the search time for search A becomes the longest, the search times for searches C and D remain the same as the initial state, and the search time for search B becomes the shortest. Therefore, in the setting information at this time, the search order is “A → C → D → B”, and the search time is “A> C = D> B”.

  The information reading device 1 determines whether or not the search time specified in the setting information has ended (step S5). This is the search time determination described above. The search time here may be the search time changed in step S4 or may be the search time defined in the initial state. When the search time is over (step S5 / YES), the process proceeds to step S7. If the search time has not ended (step S5 / YES), the process proceeds to step S8. Here, it is assumed that the search time of search A has not ended yet.

  The information reading apparatus 1 returns the search time of search A to the beginning (step S8). Thereby, in step S1, the search A is performed from the beginning of the search time.

  The information reading apparatus 1 starts the search A again (step S1) and makes a detection success determination (step S2). Here, it is assumed that the information reading apparatus 1 cannot detect the RFID tag 2 corresponding to the search A (step S2 / NO). In this case, the information reading apparatus 1 makes a search time determination (step S6).

  When the information reading apparatus 1 determines that the search time of the search A defined in the setting information has not ended (step S6 / NO), the information reading apparatus 1 returns to step S2 again. On the other hand, when the information reading device 1 determines that the search time of the search A defined in the setting information has ended (step S6 / YES), the information reading device 1 performs search switching (step S7). Here, the information reading device 1 switches from search A to search B based on the search order defined in the setting information, and returns to step S1.

  The information reading apparatus 1 starts a search B (step S1) and makes a detection success determination (step S2). Here, it is assumed that the information reading apparatus 1 cannot detect the RFID tag 2 corresponding to the search B (step S2 / NO). Further, the information reading apparatus 1 determines the search time (step S6), determines that the search time of search B specified in the setting information has ended (step S6 / YES), and performs search switching (step S6). Step S7). Here, the information reading device 1 switches from search B to search C based on the search order defined in the setting information, and returns to step S1.

  The information reading apparatus 1 starts a search C (step S1) and makes a detection success determination (step S2). Here, it is assumed that the information reading apparatus 1 has detected the RFID tag 2 corresponding to the search C (step S2 / YES), and counts “1” as the number of successful detections (step S3).

  The information reading device 1 adds a predetermined amount of time for each successful detection to the search time of the search C defined in the setting information, and for example, a search that has been executed but could not be detected. The search order is reduced from time B, and the search order is rearranged in the order of longer search time based on the result (step S4). Here, the search time of search C becomes the same as the search time of search A that was changed earlier due to the change of the setting information. As a result, the setting information at this time has the search time “A = C> D> B” while the search order remains “A → C → D → B”.

  The information reading apparatus 1 determines whether or not the search time specified in the setting information has ended (step S5). Here, it is assumed that the information reading device 1 determines that the search time of the search C defined in the setting information has ended (step S5 / YES), and performs search switching (step S7). The information reading apparatus 1 switches from search C to search D based on the search order defined in the setting information, and returns to step S1.

  The information reading device 1 starts a search D (step S1) and makes a detection success determination (step S2). Here, it is assumed that the information reading apparatus 1 has detected the RFID tag 2 corresponding to the search D (step S2 / YES), and counts “1” as the number of successful detections (step S3).

  The information reading device 1 adds a predetermined amount of time for each successful detection to the search time of the search D specified in the setting information, and for example, a search that has been executed but could not be detected. The search order is reduced from time B, and the search order is rearranged in the order of longer search time based on the result (step S4). Here, due to the change of the setting information, the search time of the search D becomes the same as the search times of the searches A and C that have been changed. As a result, the setting information at this time has the search order “A = C = D> B” while the search order remains “A → C → D → B”. An example of the setting information at this time is the same as in state 1 shown in FIG.

  Thus, according to the operation example 1, the content of the setting information can be dynamically changed based on the number of successful detections.

  In this operation example 1, step S8 may be deleted. That is, the information reading apparatus 1 returns to step S1 when it is determined in the search time determination in step S5 that the search time being executed has not ended (step S5 / NO). In this case, since there is no step S8, in step S1, the search being executed is executed from the middle rather than from the beginning of the search time.

  Alternatively, in this operation example 1, steps S5 and S8 may be deleted. That is, the information reading apparatus 1 performs search switching in step S7 after changing the setting information in step S4. In this case, the search is switched to the next search when the search (detection) is successful without waiting for the end of the search time of the search being executed.

[Operation example 2]
An operation example 2 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. This operation example 2 is an operation when the number of successful readings is counted and the change condition is not set. The basic operation is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, and the reading success judgment at step S13 is added.

  First, the information reading apparatus 1 starts a search defined at the beginning of the search order for setting information (step S11).

  Next, the information reading apparatus 1 determines whether or not the RFID tag 2 corresponding to the started search has been detected (step S12). When the RFID tag 2 cannot be detected (step S12 / NO), the process proceeds to step S17. Step S17 and the subsequent step S18 are the same as steps S6 and S7 in FIG. 3, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

  If the RFID tag 2 can be detected (step S12 / YES), the information reading apparatus 1 determines whether the information (personal information or product information) of the RFID tag 2 has been successfully read (step S13). This is the above-described successful reading determination. If the information cannot be read (step S13 / NO), the process proceeds to step S17.

  When the information reading apparatus 1 has successfully read the information (step S13 / YES), the information reading apparatus 1 counts “1” as the number of successful reading (step S14).

  The information reading device 1 adds a predetermined amount of time for each successful reading to the search time of the search specified in the setting information, and reduces the search time of other searches, Based on the search time, the search order is rearranged based on the search time (step S15).

  Step S16 is also the same as step S5 in FIG. 3, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

  Thus, according to the operation example 2, the contents of the setting information can be dynamically changed based on the number of successful readings.

  In the second operation example, only the number of successful readings is counted (step S14). However, in the case of unsuccessful reading (NO in step S13), the number of successful detections is counted. It may be. In the setting information change (step S15), at least one of the number of successful readings and the number of successful detections may be reflected in the setting information.

  In the second operation example, both the detection success determination (step S12) and the reading success determination (step S13) are performed, but only the reading success determination (step S13) may be performed. In that case, in FIG. 4, the detection success determination (step S12) is deleted.

[Operation example 3]
An operation example 3 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. This operation example 3 is an operation when the number of detections is counted and the change condition is set in advance. The basic operation is the same as that in FIG. 3, and the change condition determination in step S24 is added.

  First, the information reading apparatus 1 starts a search defined at the beginning of the search order for setting information (step S21).

  Next, the information reading apparatus 1 determines whether or not the RFID tag 2 corresponding to the started search has been detected (step S22). When the RFID tag 2 cannot be detected (step S22 / NO), the process proceeds to step S27. Since step S27 is the same as step S6 of FIG. 3, a description thereof is omitted here.

  When the RFID tag 2 can be detected (step S22 / YES), the information reading apparatus 1 counts “1” as the number of successful detections and temporarily stores it (step S23). In this operation example 3, since the timing for reflecting the count result in the setting information is when the change condition is satisfied, the count result is not immediately reflected in the setting information. Therefore, in step S23, the information reading apparatus 1 temporarily stores and accumulates the count results until the change condition is satisfied.

  The information reading apparatus 1 determines whether a preset change condition is satisfied (step S24). This is the change condition determination.

  When the information reading device 1 determines that the preset change condition is not yet satisfied (step S24 / NO), the information reading device 1 performs search switching (step S28). Since step S28 is the same as step S7 of FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here.

  On the other hand, when the information reading apparatus 1 determines that a preset change condition is satisfied (step S24 / YES), the information reading apparatus 1 changes the setting information (step S25). The information reading apparatus 1 multiplies the number of successful detections temporarily stored by accumulating a predetermined amount of time per successful detection frequency. Then, the information reading device 1 adds the result of the multiplication to the search time of the search specified in the setting information, reduces it from the search time of the other search, and searches based on the result in order of increasing search time. Rearrange the order.

  The information reading apparatus 1 makes a search time determination (step S26). When the information reading device 1 determines that the search time specified in the setting information has not ended (step S26 / NO), the information reading device 1 returns to step S21 again. On the other hand, when the information reading device 1 determines that the search time specified in the setting information has ended (step S26 / YES), the information reading device 1 performs search switching (step S28).

  Thus, according to the operation example 3, the content of the setting information can be dynamically changed based on the number of successful detections at a desired timing.

  The operation example 3 has been described based on the operation example 1 of FIG. 3, but may be based on the operation example 2 of FIG. 4. In that case, in FIG. 4, the change condition judgment of step S24 of FIG. 5 is added between steps S14 and S15. Also, in FIG. 4, if YES in step S17, the process proceeds to the added step S24 instead of S18. Accordingly, the contents of the setting information can be dynamically changed based on the number of successful readings at a desired timing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time required for each search can be dynamically optimized when a plurality of types of RFIDs having different communication protocols are supported.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary. Hereinafter, each modification according to the present embodiment will be described.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the number of successful searches (for example, the number of successful detections and the number of successful readings) is used as the search result. However, the number of failed searches (for example, the number of failed detections and the number of failed readings) may be used. .

  The number of detection failures is an error when the search time has timed out without being able to detect itself. Therefore, the determination unit 101 determines that the detection has failed when the search time has passed without receiving the reception signal from the wireless communication unit 106 (detection failure determination).

  The number of reading failures is an error when the information in the RFID tag 2 cannot be read although it could be detected. Therefore, the determination unit 101 determines that reading has failed when the reception signal is input from the wireless communication unit 106 but information cannot be read from the reception signal (reading failure determination).

  For example, when only the detection failure determination is performed by the determination unit 101, the counting unit 103 counts the number of detection failure times when the determination unit 101 determines that the detection is failed. Then, the setting change unit 104 reflects the count result (number of detection failures) in the setting information, and changes the content of the setting information. This changing method is the same as in the case of the number of successful searches described in the above embodiment. For example, the length of the search time to be decreased is preset for each detection failure frequency, and the setting changing unit 104 decreases the time corresponding to the counted detection failure frequency from the specified search time. To.

  In the first modification, the search failure frequency used as the search result may be only the detection failure frequency or the reading failure frequency as described above. Alternatively, both the number of detection failures and the number of reading failures may be used.

[Modification 2]
Further, in relation to the first modification, the search results used in the above embodiment include the number of successful searches (for example, the number of successful detections and the number of successful readings) and the number of failed searches (for example, the number of failed detections and the number of failed readings). Both may be used. In the above embodiment, at least one of the number of successful searches and the number of failed searches may be used as a search result. More specifically, in the above embodiment, at least one of the four types of detection success count, read success count, detection failure count, and read failure count may be used as the search result.

[Modification 3]
In addition, when two or more types of search results are used in relation to the second modification, for example, the amount of increase or decrease in search time is made different for each type of search results in the setting information change. May be.

  For example, the counting unit 103 counts both the number of successful detections (number of reading failures) and the number of successful readings, for example, for a search currently being executed. Here, the setting change means 104 is preset in advance with the length of search time to be increased for each successful detection (referred to as an increase in detection), and the search is increased for each successful read. It is assumed that the length of time (referred to as an increase in reading) is set in advance. The increase in detection and the increase in reading are different values.

  First, the setting change unit 104 multiplies the counted number of successful detections and the detection increase amount, and calculates the result as a total detection increase amount. Next, the setting change unit 104 multiplies the counted number of successful readings and the read increase amount, and calculates the result as a total read increase amount. Next, the setting change unit 104 calculates the sum of the total detection increase amount and the total reading increase amount, and adds the sum to the search time of the currently executing search specified in the setting information, To change. In this way, by changing the value to be changed according to the type of search result, it is possible to optimize the setting information with higher accuracy.

[Modification 4]
The information reading device 1 may allow the user to visually confirm the contents of the current setting information (setting information currently applied) on the screen. For example, if the determination unit 101 determines that the user's operation (display instruction operation) has been received, the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 105 (the currently applied setting information) is read and displayed on a display unit (not shown). Display it. An example of the display at this time is a band graph form shown in FIG.

[Modification 5]
Further, in relation to the modified example 4, after the user confirms the contents of the current setting information on the screen in the information reading apparatus 1, the setting information can be stored in the information reading apparatus 1. Also good. For example, if the determination unit 101 determines that an operation (storage instruction operation) has been received from the user while displaying the current setting information, the determination unit 101 displays the setting information being displayed separately from the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 105. The setting information is stored in storage means (not shown) (implemented by the RAM 11 in FIG. 1 or a storage medium not shown in FIG. 1) or the like. Also, a plurality of setting information can be stored.

[Modification 6]
Further, in relation to the modified example 5, the user selects desired setting information while confirming a plurality of setting information stored in advance on the screen in the information reading apparatus 1, and applies the selected setting information. Thus, the search may be started. For example, when the determination unit 101 determines that an operation (display instruction operation) has been received from the user, the determination unit 101 reads a plurality of setting information stored in a storage unit (not shown) and displays the setting information on a display unit (not shown). If the determination unit 101 determines that an operation (selection instruction operation) has been received from the user while displaying a plurality of setting information, the determination unit 101 switches from the current setting information to the selected setting information. Thereby, the setting information selected by the user is applied.

[Modification 6]
In addition, when the user operates the operation unit (not shown) while confirming the current setting information displayed on the display unit (not shown) in the information reading apparatus 1, the contents of the setting information (the length of each search time and the search time) The order) may be freely changed. For example, when the determination unit 101 determines that an operation (change instruction operation) has been received from the user while displaying the current setting information, the parameter is changed and changed according to the instruction from the user. The content setting information is stored in the setting storage means 105.

[Modification 7]
In the above embodiment, the wireless communication circuit 13 is A to D, but the user may arbitrarily add / delete the wireless communication circuit 13. For example, when the wireless communication circuit 13E that performs the search E is added in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the determination unit 101 determines each search time specified in the setting information when the detection or reading in the search E is successful. A to D are decreased by a predetermined amount. Then, the determination unit 101 sets the decreased amount as the search time of the search E, and newly adds the search time E to the setting information. On the other hand, for example, when the wireless communication circuit 13D that performs the search D in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is deleted, the determination unit 101 deletes the search time D specified in the setting information, and uses the deleted amount for other searches. Allocate to time A, B, C.

[Modification 8]
In the above embodiment, the target to be changed by the setting changing unit 104 is the search time and the search order. However, the number of retries may be used instead of the search time. Alternatively, the change target may be both the search time and the number of retries.

[Modification 9]
For example, the operation in the above-described embodiment can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  When executing processing by software, a program in which a processing sequence is recorded may be installed and executed in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Or you may install and run a program in the general purpose computer which can perform various processes.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or ROM as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program is temporarily or permanently stored on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto optical) disc, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disc, or a semiconductor memory. It can be stored (recorded). Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

  The program may be wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer in addition to being installed on the computer from the removable recording medium as described above. Or you may wire-transfer to a computer via networks, such as LAN (Local Area Network) and the internet. The computer can receive the transferred program and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  The present invention can be applied to apparatuses, devices, systems, systems, methods, programs, and the like that can be prepared by preparing a plurality of types of communication systems in advance and switching each communication system.

1 Information Reader 2 RFID Tag 10 CPU
11 RAM
12 ROM
13 Wireless communication circuits A, B, C, D
14 antenna 15 bus 21 memory 22 wireless communication circuit 23 antenna 101 determination means 102 search switching means 103 count means 104 setting change means 105 setting storage means 106 wireless communication means A, B, C, D

Claims (13)

It is possible to read the information by detecting an information storage body storing information in advance and performing a search to read the information, and a plurality of information storage bodies corresponding to a plurality of types of information storage bodies having different communication protocols An information reader capable of performing types of search,
A wireless communication means for executing one search among the plurality of types of searches;
For each of the plurality of types of searches, a setting storage unit that stores setting information in which a search time that indicates the length of time for which a search is performed and a search order that indicates the order in which the search is performed is defined;
Search switching means for switching a search executed by the wireless communication means based on the setting information;
Setting change means for automatically changing the search time and the search order specified in the setting information based on a result of a search executed by the wireless communication means;
An information reading apparatus comprising: As a result of a search executed by the wireless communication means, the counter further comprises a counting means for counting at least one of a search success count that is the number of successful searches and a search failure count that is the number of times the search has failed,
The setting change means includes
2. The search time and the search order defined in the setting information are changed based on at least one of the search success count and the search failure count counted by the counting means. Information reader. The setting change means includes
After increasing the length of the search time based on the number of successful searches, the search order is arranged in descending order of the length of the search time, or the length of the search time is increased based on the number of search failures 3. The information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the decrease, the search order is arranged in descending order of the search time length. Further comprising detection determination means for determining whether the detection of the information storage body has succeeded or failed by the search executed by the wireless communication means;
The counting means includes
When it is determined by the detection determination means that the information storage body has been successfully detected, the number of successful detections is counted as the number of successful searches,
4. The information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the detection determining unit determines that the detection of the information storage body has failed, the number of detection failures is counted as the number of search failures. Further comprising reading determination means for determining whether reading of information stored in the information storage body has succeeded or failed by a search executed by the wireless communication means;
The counting means includes
If it is determined by the reading determination means that the information stored in the information storage body has been successfully read, the number of successful readings is counted as the number of successful searches,
5. The read failure count is counted as the search failure count when the read determination means determines that reading of the information stored in the information storage has failed. The information reading apparatus according to item 1. The setting change means includes
The search time and the search order defined in the setting information are changed based on at least one of the search success count and the search failure count each time counting by the counting means is performed. The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5. A change condition determining means for determining whether a change condition for changing the setting information designated in advance is satisfied;
The setting change means includes
When it is determined by the change condition determination means that the change condition is satisfied, the setting information is defined based on at least one of the search success count and the search failure count counted by the count means. 6. The information reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a search time and the search order are changed. It is possible to read the information by detecting an information storage body storing information in advance and performing a search to read the information, and a plurality of information storage bodies corresponding to a plurality of types of information storage bodies having different communication protocols An information reading method performed by an information reading apparatus capable of performing a kind of search,
A setting information storing step for storing setting information in which a search time indicating the length of time for which a search is performed and a search order indicating the order in which the search is performed is stored for each of the plurality of types of searches;
A setting change step for automatically changing the search time and the search order specified in the setting information based on the result of the executed search;
A search switching step for switching a search to be executed based on the setting information;
An information reading method comprising: As a result of the executed search, a counting step for counting at least one of the number of successful searches, which is the number of successful searches, and the number of failed searches, which is the number of failed searches, is further performed before the setting changing step. Have
In the setting change step,
9. The search time and the search order defined in the setting information are changed based on at least one of the number of successful searches and the number of failed searches counted in the counting step. Information reading method. In the setting change step,
After increasing the length of the search time based on the number of successful searches, the search order is arranged in descending order of the length of the search time, or the length of the search time is increased based on the number of search failures 10. The information reading method according to claim 9, wherein after the decrease, the search order is arranged in descending order of the search time length. It is possible to read the information by detecting an information storage body storing information in advance and performing a search to read the information, and a plurality of information storage bodies corresponding to a plurality of types of information storage bodies having different communication protocols A program to be executed by a computer capable of performing a kind of search,
A setting information storage process for storing setting information in which a search time indicating a length of time for which a search is performed and a search order indicating an order in which the search is performed is stored for each of the plurality of types of searches;
A setting change process for automatically changing the search time and the search order specified in the setting information based on the results of the executed search;
A search switching process for switching a search to be executed based on the setting information;
A program that causes a computer to execute. As a result of the executed search, a count process for counting at least one of the number of successful searches, which is the number of successful searches, and the number of failed searches, which is the number of failed searches, is performed before the setting change process. To run
As the setting change process,
Causing the computer to execute a process of changing the search time and the search order defined in the setting information based on at least one of the number of successful searches and the number of failed searches counted by the counting process. The program according to claim 11. As the setting change process,
After increasing the length of the search time based on the number of successful searches, the search order is arranged in descending order of the length of the search time, or the length of the search time is increased based on the number of search failures 13. The program according to claim 12, further comprising: causing the computer to execute a process of arranging the search order in descending order of the search time length after the decrease.

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