JP2011061412A - Relay apparatus, relay method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily improve the reading ratio of personal identification information written in a non-contacting information storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: When a relay apparatus 100 communicating with a reader and writer 300 which reads the personal identification information written in RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 receives a read signal for reading the personal identification information from RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 transmitted from the reader and writer 300, the relay apparatus 100 intercepts the personal identification information transmitted from the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 according to the read signal, and transmits the intercepted personal identification information to the reader and writer 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay device, a relay method, and a program for relaying information.

  In recent years, a non-contact information storage medium such as an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag in which individual identification information uniquely identifiable is written is attached to the object, and the individual identification is performed from the RFID tag by a reader such as a reader / writer. A method of managing articles by reading information is performed.

  When reading RFID tags affixed to multiple items stacked three-dimensionally on carts, etc. in factories, warehouses, and distributions, the relative position of affixing the RFID tag to the item with respect to the reader / writer antenna Depending on the case, the irradiation radio wave from the reader / writer antenna may not reach the RFID tag, or the response radio wave from the RFID tag may not reach the reader / writer antenna. As a result, all pieces of individual identification information may not be collectively read.

  In such a case, in order to improve the reading rate, it also affects the object to be read, so the RFID tag attachment position and the reader / writer antenna installation position must be adjusted. It takes time. In addition, reader / writer antennas must be added.

  Therefore, a technique is considered in which a relay device is provided between the reader / writer and the wireless tag, and a signal transmitted / received between the reader / writer and the wireless tag is relayed by the relay device (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2008-187653 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the relay device must activate the wireless tag.

  The objective of this invention is providing the relay apparatus, the relay method, and program which solve the subject mentioned above.

The relay device of the present invention
A relay device capable of communicating with a reader / writer that reads individual identification information written in a non-contact information storage medium,
When receiving a read signal transmitted from the reader / writer for reading the individual identification information from the non-contact information storage medium, the individual identification information transmitted from the non-contact information storage medium in response to the read signal An interceptor to intercept
A transmission unit that transmits the intercepted individual identification information to the reader / writer.

Also, the relay method of the present invention is
When receiving a read signal for reading the individual identification information from the non-contact information storage medium transmitted from the reader / writer that reads the individual identification information written in the non-contact information storage medium, A process of intercepting the individual identification information transmitted from the non-contact information storage medium;
Processing to transmit the intercepted individual identification information to the reader / writer.

The program of the present invention is
A program for causing a relay device capable of communicating with a reader / writer to read individual identification information written in a non-contact information storage medium,
When receiving a read signal transmitted from the reader / writer for reading the individual identification information from the non-contact information storage medium, the individual identification information transmitted from the non-contact information storage medium in response to the read signal The steps to intercept
Transmitting the intercepted individual identification information to the reader / writer.

  As described above, in the present invention, the reading rate of the individual identification information written in the non-contact information storage medium can be easily improved.

It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the system by which the relay apparatus of this invention is used. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the relay apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a relay method in the relay apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the individual identification information previously registered into the relay apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the relay method in the relay apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the usage example of the relay apparatus of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement in the structure shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of the operation in the configuration shown in FIG. 6.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a system in which the relay device of the present invention is used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the system in this embodiment includes a relay device 100, RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2, and a reader / writer 300. In the present embodiment, the number of RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 is “2” as an example, but the number is not specified.

  When the relay device 100 receives a read signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300 for reading the individual identification information (ID: Identification) written in the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2, the relay device 100 responds to the read signal. The individual identification information transmitted from the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 is intercepted. The intercepting method may be a generally used method, and is not particularly specified here. Further, the relay device 100 transmits the intercepted individual identification information to the reader / writer 300. Further, the relay device 100 may transmit only the same individual identification information registered in advance to the reader / writer 300 among the intercepted individual identification information. The relay device 100 is installed at a position where communication with the reader / writer 300 is possible.

  The reader / writer 300 is a reading device that reads individual identification information unique to each of the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 written in the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2. At this time, the reader / writer 300 transmits a read signal for reading the individual identification information to the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2, and the individual identification transmitted from the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 as a response thereto. The information is recognized as individual identification information of each of the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2. The reader / writer 300 writes the individual identification information in the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2. Since this write operation is not related to the present invention (it should be written in advance), the description of the write operation is omitted.

  The RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 are non-contact information storage media. Each of the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 stores unique individual identification information. This individual identification information is written in advance in the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 by the reader / writer 300. Further, when a reading signal for reading the individual identification information is transmitted from the reader / writer 300, the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 transmit the stored individual identification information to the reader / writer 300. The RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 may be either active tags or passive tags.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the relay apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the relay device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a reception unit 110, an interception unit 120, and a transmission unit 130. Note that FIG. 2 shows only the components according to the present invention among the components of the relay apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  The receiving unit 110 receives a read signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300.

  When the receiving unit 110 receives a read signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300, the intercepting unit 120 intercepts the individual identification information transmitted from the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 according to the read signal. The intercepting unit 120 outputs the intercepted individual identification information to the transmitting unit 130.

  The transmitting unit 130 transmits the individual identification information output from the intercepting unit 120 to the reader / writer 300.

  Below, the relay method in the relay apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a relay method in relay apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  First, when a reading signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300 for reading the individual identification information is received by the receiving unit 110 (step S1), the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 receive the reading signal in response to the reading signal. The transmitted individual identification information is intercepted by the intercepting unit 120 (step S2). Here, in order to determine whether or not the signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300 is a read signal, the format of the read signal for the reader / writer 300 to read the individual identification information of the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 ( Format) may be recognized in advance by the relay apparatus 100, and a comparison with the recognition may be used.

  The intercepted individual identification signal is output from the interceptor 120 to the transmitter 130.

  Then, the individual identification information output from the intercepting unit 120 is transmitted from the transmitting unit 130 to the reader / writer 300 (step S3).

  The transmission unit 130 may transmit only the same individual identification information registered in advance from the individual identification information output from the intercepting unit 120 to the reader / writer 300.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of individual identification information registered in advance in the relay apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  In the relay apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, individual identification information is registered in advance as shown in FIG.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when “00001”, “00004”, and “00005” are registered as individual identification information, the individual identification information output from the intercepting unit 120 is “00001”. The individual identification information is transmitted from the transmission unit 130 only when either “00004” or “00005”. The process will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the relay method in relay apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  First, when a reading signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300 for reading the individual identification information is received by the receiving unit 110 (step S11), the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 receive the reading signal in response to the reading signal. The transmitted individual identification information is intercepted by the interceptor 120 (step S12). Here, in order to determine whether or not the signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300 is a read signal, the format of the read signal for the reader / writer 300 to read the individual identification information of the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 ( Format) may be recognized in advance by the relay apparatus 100, and a comparison with the recognition may be used.

  The intercepted individual identification signal is output from the interceptor 120 to the transmitter 130.

  Then, the individual identification information output from the intercepting unit 120 and the individual identification information registered in advance in the relay device 100 are compared by the transmission unit 130 (step S13).

  When the same individual identification information output from the interception unit 120 is registered in the relay device 100, the individual identification information is transmitted from the transmission unit 130 to the reader / writer 300 (step S14).

  On the other hand, if the same individual identification information output from the interception unit 120 is not registered in the relay device 100, the individual identification information output from the interception unit 120 is not transmitted from the transmission unit 130 to the reader / writer 300. .

  A usage example of the relay device 100 configured as described above will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an example of use of the relay device 100 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a management terminal 400 that controls the reader / writer 300 is connected to the reader / writer 300. The RFID tag 200-1 is attached to the article 500-1, and the RFID tag 200-2 is attached to the article 500-2. Further, the relay device 100 and the articles 500-1 to 500-2 are mounted on a loading platform 600 such as a cart passing through a store passage or a factory production line (hereinafter referred to as a passage 700). Here, a case where one RFID tag 200-1 to 200-2 is attached to each of the articles 500-1 to 500-2 is taken as an example, but a plurality of RFID tags are attached to one article. It may be affixed. Further, a plurality of relay devices may be installed.

  The reader / writer 300 is a general one and includes an antenna. Although not shown in FIG. 6, sensors, indicator lights, gates, and the like for detecting the loading platform 600 are installed near the reader / writer 300.

  The reader / writer 300 reads the individual identification information from the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 when the sensor detects the loading platform 600 passing on the passage 700. Further, the installation position of the relay apparatus 100 is a position where the relay apparatus 100 can communicate with the reader / writer 300 when the sensor detects the loading platform 600, and has been transmitted from the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2. It may be a position where the relay device 100 can intercept the individual identification information, and may be attached to the inside or outside of the articles 500-1 to 500-2 or the side surface or the bottom surface of the loading platform 600.

  The operation in the configuration shown in FIG. 6 will be described below. Hereinafter, a case where the individual identification information of the RFID tag 200-1 is “00004” and the individual identification information of the RFID tag 200-2 is “00005” will be described as an example.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the operation in the configuration shown in FIG.

  When the loading platform 600 is detected by the sensor, a reading signal for reading the individual identification information is transmitted from the reader / writer 300 (step S21).

  Then, according to the read signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300, the individual identification information “00005” is transmitted from the RFID tag 200-2 (step S22).

  Here, it is assumed that the individual identification information “00005” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-2 does not reach the reader / writer 300 due to the relative position between the reader / writer 300 and the RFID tag 200-2. As a result, the individual identification information “00005” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-2 cannot be recognized by the reader / writer 300.

  On the other hand, the individual identification information “00005” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-2 is intercepted by the intercepting unit 120 of the relay device 100 (step S23).

  The intercepted individual identification information “00005” is output from the interceptor 120 to the transmitter 130 and transmitted from the transmitter 130 to the reader / writer 300 (step S24). Thus, the individual identification information “00005” that has not reached the reader / writer 300 in step S22 can be recognized by the reader / writer 300.

  Further, the individual identification information “00004” is transmitted from the RFID tag 200-1 in response to the read signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300 (step S25).

  Here, it is assumed that the individual identification information “00004” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-1 does not reach the reader / writer 300 due to the relative position between the reader / writer 300 and the RFID tag 200-1. As a result, the individual identification information “00004” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-1 cannot be recognized by the reader / writer 300.

  On the other hand, the individual identification information “00004” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-1 is intercepted by the intercepting unit 120 of the relay device 100 (step S26).

  The intercepted individual identification information “00004” is output from the interceptor 120 to the transmitter 130 and transmitted from the transmitter 130 to the reader / writer 300 (step S27). Thereby, the individual identification information “00004” that has not reached the reader / writer 300 in step S25 can be recognized by the reader / writer 300.

  Further, an RFID tag may be attached to the relay device 100, and individual identification information may be written on the RFID tag. Hereinafter, a case where the individual identification information written in the RFID tag attached to the relay device 100 is “00006” will be described as an example.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of the operation in the configuration shown in FIG.

  When the loading platform 600 is detected by the sensor, a reading signal for reading the individual identification information is transmitted from the reader / writer 300 (step S31).

  Then, in accordance with the read signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300, the individual identification information “00006” is transmitted from the relay device 100 (step S32). Here, since the relay device 100 is installed at a position where it can communicate with the reader / writer 300, the individual identification information “00006” transmitted from the relay device 100 reaches the reader / writer 300, and the reader / writer 300. Can be recognized.

  Further, the individual identification information “00005” is transmitted from the RFID tag 200-2 in response to the read signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300 (step S33).

  Here, it is assumed that the individual identification information “00005” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-2 does not reach the reader / writer 300 due to the relative position between the reader / writer 300 and the RFID tag 200-2. As a result, the individual identification information “00005” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-2 cannot be recognized by the reader / writer 300.

  On the other hand, the individual identification information “00005” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-2 is intercepted by the intercepting unit 120 of the relay device 100 (step S34).

  The intercepted individual identification information “00005” is output from the interceptor 120 to the transmitter 130 and transmitted from the transmitter 130 to the reader / writer 300 (step S35). Thereby, the individual identification information “00005” that has not reached the reader / writer 300 in step S33 can be recognized by the reader / writer 300.

  Further, the individual identification information “00004” is transmitted from the RFID tag 200-1 in response to the read signal transmitted from the reader / writer 300 (step S36).

  Here, it is assumed that the individual identification information “00004” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-1 does not reach the reader / writer 300 due to the relative position between the reader / writer 300 and the RFID tag 200-1. As a result, the individual identification information “00004” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-1 cannot be recognized by the reader / writer 300.

  On the other hand, the individual identification information “00004” transmitted from the RFID tag 200-1 is intercepted by the intercepting unit 120 of the relay device 100 (step S37).

  The intercepted individual identification information “00004” is output from the interceptor 120 to the transmitter 130 and transmitted from the transmitter 130 to the reader / writer 300 (step S38). Thereby, the individual identification information “00004” that has not reached the reader / writer 300 in step S36 can be recognized by the reader / writer 300.

  As described above, even when the individual identification information transmitted from the RFID tags 200-1 to 200-2 does not reach the reader / writer 300, the individual identification information is intercepted and relayed by the relay device 100. Thus, the reader / writer 300 can recognize it.

  Note that the processing performed by each component provided in the relay device 100 described above may be performed by a logic circuit manufactured according to the purpose. Alternatively, a program describing processing contents may be recorded on a recording medium readable by the relay apparatus 100, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read by the relay apparatus 100 and executed. The recording medium readable by the relay apparatus 100 includes a transfer medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, a DVD, and a CD, as well as a ROM, a RAM, and the like built in the relay apparatus 100. Refers to memory, HDD, etc. The program recorded on this recording medium is read by a CPU (not shown) in the relay apparatus 100, and the same processing as described above is performed under the control of the CPU. Here, the CPU operates as a computer that executes a program read from a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Relay apparatus 110 Reception part 120 Interception part 130 Transmission part 200-1 to 200-2 RFID tag 300 Reader / writer 400 Management terminal 500-1 to 500-2 Goods 600 Loading platform 700 Passage

Claims (6)

A relay device capable of communicating with a reader / writer that reads individual identification information written in a non-contact information storage medium,
When receiving a read signal transmitted from the reader / writer for reading the individual identification information from the non-contact information storage medium, the individual identification information transmitted from the non-contact information storage medium in response to the read signal An interceptor to intercept
A relay apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the intercepted individual identification information to the reader / writer. The relay device according to claim 1,
The transmission unit transmits only the same individual identification information registered in advance among the intercepted individual identification information to the reader / writer. When receiving a read signal for reading the individual identification information from the non-contact information storage medium transmitted from the reader / writer that reads the individual identification information written in the non-contact information storage medium, A process of intercepting the individual identification information transmitted from the non-contact information storage medium;
A relay method comprising: transmitting the intercepted individual identification information to the reader / writer. The relay method according to claim 3,
A relay method comprising a process of transmitting, to the reader / writer, only the same individual identification information registered in advance among the intercepted individual identification information. To a relay device that can communicate with a reader / writer that reads individual identification information written in a non-contact information storage medium,
When receiving a read signal transmitted from the reader / writer for reading the individual identification information from the non-contact information storage medium, the individual identification information transmitted from the non-contact information storage medium in response to the read signal The steps to intercept
A program for executing the intercepted individual identification information to the reader / writer. The program according to claim 5,
A program for executing a procedure for transmitting, to the reader / writer, only the same individual identification information registered in advance among the intercepted individual identification information.

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