JP2016177778A - Wireless tag reader and wireless tag system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag system that can read tag IDs of a large number of wireless tags in a short time and improve a reading success rate.SOLUTION: In reading processing by a control unit 21, the control unit controls a wireless tag processing unit 30 to be in a first communication mode to read a wireless tag 60 within a communication available range without specifying a tag ID at the time of starting reading, and to be in a second communication mode to individually read a tag ID which could not be read during the first communication mode by specifying the tag ID on the basis of reading object tag IDs stored in an inventory database in a memory 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag system that read information stored in a wireless tag.

  Currently, each article to be managed is attached with a wireless tag. By reading this wireless tag with a wireless tag reader, the management status of each article can be easily grasped, and the management of each article is made more efficient. ing. As a technique related to the wireless tag reader and the wireless tag system for improving the efficiency of management of each article as described above, for example, a position information management system disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known.

  This position information management system is provided for each contactless identification tag attached to each book, a management device for managing position information of books stored in each storage section of the bookshelf, and each storage section of the bookshelf. And a data communication device. One or two or more data communication devices that have received a response from a contactless identification tag attached to a designated book among the data communication devices can detect the contactless identification tag from the radio wave intensity received from the contactless identification tag. Estimate the direction and distance. When the position of the designated book is calculated based on the direction and distance of the non-contact identification tag estimated as described above by the representative data communication apparatus, the calculated position information is transmitted to the management apparatus. The designated book can be searched for by being displayed on the display unit so that the position of the designated book is specified by the management apparatus that has received this.

JP 2004-287718 A

  By the way, when a large number of wireless tags are to be read and tag IDs to be read are determined as in inventory, an inventory command that does not specify a tag ID is transmitted from the wireless tag reader (anti-collision (collision prevention) function). The reading method is generally used to identify individual tags. However, in such a reading method, a wireless tag that has returned a response to the inventory command does not respond to the inventory command again while receiving power propagation from the electric field from the wireless tag reader. There is a case where a response is made again by entering the electric field again after the supply power is lost. In such a system in which the state of the electric field changes every moment due to the movement of the wireless tag reader, there is a problem that the re-response of the wireless tag as described above affects the responsiveness and certainty of the reading process.

  In order to solve this problem, measures such as increasing the output of the wireless tag reader and ensuring a large electric field are taken, but even if the output is increased and the electric field is large enough, interference may occur due to the positional relationship of the tags. However, the current situation is that no drastic solution has been reached. Further, in the configuration as described in Patent Document 1, it is not only necessary to prepare a plurality of data communication devices, but it is also necessary to arrange each data communication device at a predetermined location, which increases the system. End up.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag that can read tag IDs of a large number of wireless tags in a short time and improve the reading success rate. To provide a system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a wireless tag reader (10) for reading tag IDs stored in a plurality of wireless tags (60), wherein the plurality of wireless tags Communication means (30) for wirelessly communicating with, storage means (22) for storing a tag ID to be read, and control means (21) for controlling the communication means, the control means comprising: The communication means is controlled to a first communication mode for reading a wireless tag within a communicable range without specifying a tag ID at the start of reading, and based on a tag ID to be read stored in the storage means The tag ID that could not be read in the first communication mode is controlled to the second communication mode for individually reading by specifying the tag ID.

The invention according to claim 5 is a plurality of wireless tags (60) which are attached to a plurality of articles and store tag IDs, respectively, and wireless communication with the plurality of wireless tags. A wireless tag system (1) comprising a wireless tag reader (10) having a communication means (30) for storing and a storage means (5) in which a tag ID to be read is stored, wherein the wireless tag reader is The communication means is controlled to a first communication mode for reading a wireless tag within a communicable range without specifying a tag ID at the start of reading, and based on a tag ID to be read stored in the storage means Control means (21) for controlling the second communication mode for individually reading the tag ID that cannot be read in the first communication mode by designating the tag ID is provided.
In addition, the code | symbol in each said parenthesis shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

  In the first and fifth aspects of the invention, the control means controls the communication means to the first communication mode for reading the wireless tag within the communicable range without specifying the tag ID at the start of reading. Based on the tag ID to be read, the tag ID that could not be read in the first communication mode is controlled to the second communication mode for designating and individually reading the tag ID.

  Thereby, at the start of reading, the communication means is controlled to the first communication mode in which the wireless tags within the communicable range are collectively read without specifying the tag ID using the anti-collision function or the like by the inventory command. Even if a large number of wireless tags are to be read, most of them can be read efficiently in a short time. For the remaining small number of tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode, the communication means is controlled in the second communication mode for individually reading by designating the tag ID. Since the influence of such coupling is suppressed and the communication state becomes easier to read, the success rate of reading can be increased even with the wireless tag that has not been read in the first communication mode. Therefore, tag IDs of a large number of wireless tags can be read in a short time and the reading success rate can be improved.

  In the second and sixth aspects of the invention, when the number of readings per unit time in the first communication mode falls below a predetermined threshold value, the communication means is controlled by the control means so as to switch to the second communication mode. That is, when a wireless tag that can be easily read in the first communication mode has been read and the remaining wireless tags are difficult to read in the first communication mode, the mode is switched to the second communication mode. As a result, the reading efficiency does not deteriorate when trying to read a radio tag that is difficult to read in the first communication mode, so that the reading time can be further shortened.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the unread data list in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode is divided into two or more divided lists based on the tag IDs to be read stored in the storage means. Divided by means. In the second communication mode, the tag IDs recorded in the division list for each division list are specified and read individually.

  Since the tag ID recorded in the divided list is designated and read individually in this way, the reading target becomes clearer than when the tag ID recorded in the unread data list is designated and read individually. The reading success rate of the wireless tag can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 4, in the second communication mode, when each tag ID recorded in the split list is individually read by designating the tag ID, a plurality of unread data lists are read based on the unread data list. If the tag ID is determined to be present, the new unread data list in which the plurality of unread tag IDs are recorded is re-divided by a dividing unit in a different type from the previous one, and the division is performed for each of the re-divided divided lists. The tag ID recorded in the list is individually read by specifying the tag ID.

  Thus, since the unread tag ID is re-divided into a different type from the previous one, the reading condition for the unread wireless tag can be changed, and the reading success rate of the wireless tag that has been unread last time can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 7, a plurality of wireless tag readers and a server capable of communicating with the plurality of wireless tag readers are provided. Then, the server creates an unread data list in which the unread tag IDs are recorded based on the information received from the plurality of wireless tag readers and the tag IDs to be read stored in the storage unit, and each of the plurality of wireless tag readers. Send. The wireless tag reader transmits the tag ID read in the first communication mode to the server, receives the unread data list from the server, and individually designates the tag ID recorded in the unread data list as the second communication mode. Read and transmit the read tag ID to the server.

  Thus, even when a large number of wireless tags are read using a plurality of wireless tag readers, each wireless tag reader efficiently reads most of the wireless tags in the first communication mode in a short time and remains in the second communication mode. Can be read reliably. In particular, since the information read using each wireless tag reader can be managed by the server, it is only necessary to read the wireless tag to be read by at least one of the plurality of wireless tag readers. it can.

  In the invention of claim 8, the unread data list in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode is divided into two or more divided lists based on the tag IDs to be read stored in the storage means. Divided by means. Then, the division list divided by the dividing unit is transmitted to each of the plurality of wireless tag readers.

  Thus, in the second communication mode of each wireless tag reader, the tag ID recorded in the divided list is designated and read individually as described above, and therefore the tag ID recorded in the unread data list is designated and read individually. Compared to the case, since the reading target becomes clearer, the reading success rate of the wireless tag can be improved.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the server determines that there are a plurality of unread tag IDs even in the second communication mode with a plurality of wireless tag readers, a new unread tag in which the plurality of unread tag IDs are recorded. The data list is re-divided by the dividing unit in a different type from the previous time, and the re-divided divided list is transmitted to each of the plurality of RFID tag readers.

  As described above, since the unread tag ID is re-divided into a division list different from the previous one, the reading condition for the unread wireless tag can be changed, and the reading success rate of the wireless tag that has been unread last time can be improved. .

  In the invention of claim 10, the area specifying tag is arranged for each of the plurality of arrangement areas, and the division list is divided so as to correspond to the arrangement area. Then, the wireless tag reader transmits the area information obtained by reading the area specifying tag together with the tag ID read in the first communication mode to the server. Further, the server transmits a divided list corresponding to the arrangement area specified by the area information received from the wireless tag reader to the wireless tag reader.

  Thereby, in the second communication mode of each wireless tag reader, the tag ID stored in the arrangement area where the wireless tag reader is located is read, so that the reading success rate in the divided list can be improved. Further, it can be determined that an article with a wireless tag that cannot be read in the second communication mode has moved to an arrangement area different from the registered arrangement area, and indicates that the article is not in the registered arrangement area. Not only the information but also information that prompts the user to move to the registered arrangement area can be notified.

  In the invention of claim 11, the server transmits a divided list corresponding to the request from the wireless tag reader to the wireless tag reader. As a result, the wireless tag reader can receive a divided list suitable for the reading operation, and can improve the work efficiency related to the reading operation.

  In the invention of claim 12, the server transmits the two or more division lists divided by the division unit to the plurality of wireless tag readers so as not to overlap each other. Accordingly, since the same divided list is not transmitted to two or more wireless tag readers, the same unread wireless tag is not read by two or more wireless tag readers. Can be prevented and work efficiency can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 13, an area specifying tag is arranged for each of a plurality of arrangement areas, and the division list is divided so as to correspond to the arrangement area. Then, the wireless tag reader transmits the area information obtained by reading the area specifying tag together with the tag ID read in the first communication mode to the server. In addition, the server transmits two or more division lists divided by the division unit to a plurality of wireless tag readers so as not to overlap each other in consideration of the arrangement area specified by the area information received from the wireless tag reader. .

  As a result, not only the divided list is transmitted to each wireless tag reader so that the wireless tag reader does not overlap, but also the divided list is transmitted in consideration of the arrangement area where the wireless tag reader is located, which is suitable for the position of the wireless tag reader. You can send a split list. For this reason, the movement of the user of the wireless tag reader during the reading operation can be reduced, and the working efficiency related to the reading operation can be improved.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the server transmits information related to the divided list to be transmitted to another wireless tag reader when the divided list is transmitted. As a result, the user of the wireless tag reader that has received the information related to the divided list to be transmitted to the other wireless tag readers together with the divided list can not only grasp the unread wireless tag to be read by the user, but also be read by the other user. You can also grasp unread wireless tags. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent duplication of reading work relating to an unread wireless tag, and to further improve work efficiency.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure outline | summary of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment, FIG. 1 (A) shows a top view and FIG. 1 (B) shows a side view. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the wireless tag reader in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram schematically illustrating the wireless tag processing unit in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is a block diagram schematically illustrating the information code reading unit in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of a wireless tag. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the relationship between the tag ID of reading object, the type | mold of the articles | goods with which the wireless tag which memorize | stored the tag ID was attached | subjected, and an arrangement area. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of reading processing by a control unit of the wireless tag reader according to the first embodiment. It is a graph which shows the time change of a reading rate. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which read information is added to FIG. 4. It is explanatory drawing explaining an unread data list. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining each divided list obtained by dividing the unread data list of FIG. 8 into three in the second embodiment. FIG. 9A shows the divided data corresponding to the arrangement area A, and FIG. FIG. 9B shows the divided data corresponding to the arrangement area B, and FIG. 9C shows the divided data corresponding to the arrangement area C. It is explanatory drawing which shows the tag for area specification arrange | positioned at each arrangement | positioning area. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the reading process by the control part of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of reading processing by a control unit of the wireless tag reader according to the third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure outline | summary of the wireless tag system which concerns on 4th Embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the server of FIG. 13. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the reading process by the control part of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the reading process by the control part of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the tag management process by the control part of the server which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining division list information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure outline | summary of the wireless tag system which concerns on the modification of 4th Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a wireless tag reader according to the present invention is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings.
The wireless tag reader 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as a portable information terminal that is carried by a user and used in various places, and uses a radio tag (RFID tag) 60 through a radio wave transmitted and received via an antenna. In addition to the function of reading and writing information stored in the memory, it also has a function as an information code reader for reading information codes such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes, and can be read in two ways.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a wireless tag reader 10 includes a longitudinal casing configured by assembling an upper case 11a and a lower case 11b formed of a synthetic resin material such as ABS resin. The outline is formed by 11. The upper case 11a is provided with a key operation unit 25 such as function keys and numeric keys operated when inputting predetermined information, a display unit 24 for displaying predetermined information, and the like. The lower case 11b has a reading port 12 that opens downward.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a control unit 21 that controls the entire wireless tag reader 10 is provided in the housing 11 of the wireless tag reader 10. The control unit 21 is composed mainly of a microcomputer, has a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and constitutes an information processing apparatus together with the memory 22. In the memory 22, a predetermined program or the like for executing a reading process or the like to be described later is stored in advance so as to be executable by the control unit 21. In addition, an inventory database that stores tag IDs to be read, which will be described later, is constructed in the memory 22. The memory 22 may correspond to an example of “storage means”.

  The control unit 21 is connected to an LED 23, a display unit 24, a key operation unit 25, a vibrator 26, a buzzer 27, an external interface 28, and the like. The key operation unit 25 is configured to give an operation signal to the control unit 21, and the control unit 21 receives the operation signal and performs an operation according to the content of the operation signal. Further, the LED 23, the display unit 24, the vibrator 26 and the buzzer 27 are configured to be controlled by the control unit 21, and each operate in response to a command from the control unit 21. The external interface 28 is configured as an interface for performing data communication with an external device such as a server via a network Ne or the like, and is configured to perform communication processing in cooperation with the control unit 21. . In addition, a power supply unit 29 is provided in the housing 11, and power is supplied to the control unit 21 and various electrical components by the power supply unit 29 and the battery 29 a.

In addition, a wireless tag processing unit 30 and an information code reading unit 40 are connected to the control unit 21.
First, the wireless tag processing unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
The wireless tag processing unit 30 performs electromagnetic wave communication with the wireless tag 60 in cooperation with the antenna 34 and the control unit 21, reads data stored in the wireless tag 60, or writes data to the wireless tag 60. It functions to perform. The wireless tag processing unit 30 is configured as a circuit that performs transmission by a known radio wave system. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 2B, the wireless tag processing unit 30 includes a transmission circuit 31, a reception circuit 32, a matching circuit 33, and the like. Have.

  The transmission circuit 31 includes a carrier oscillator, an encoding unit, an amplifier, a transmission unit filter, a modulation unit, and the like, and is configured to output a carrier (carrier wave) having a predetermined frequency from the carrier oscillator. The encoding unit is connected to the control unit 21, encodes transmission data output from the control unit 21, and outputs the transmission data to the modulation unit. The modulation unit is a part to which the carrier (carrier wave) from the carrier oscillator and the transmission data from the encoding unit are input. The carrier (carrier wave) output from the carrier oscillator is encoded at the time of command transmission to the communication target. A modulated signal that is ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulated by the encoded transmission code (modulated signal) output from the encoding unit is generated and output to the amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the input signal (the modulated signal modulated by the modulation unit) with a predetermined gain, and outputs the amplified signal to the transmission unit filter. The transmission unit filter filters the amplified signal from the amplifier. The transmission signal is output to the antenna 34 via the matching circuit 33. When the transmission signal is output to the antenna 34 in this way, the transmission signal is radiated to the outside from the antenna 34 as a transmission radio wave.

  On the other hand, the response signal received by the antenna 34 is input to the receiving circuit 32 via the matching circuit 33. The receiving circuit 32 includes a receiving unit filter, an amplifier, a demodulating unit, a binarization processing unit, a decoding unit, and the like. After the response signal received through the antenna 34 is filtered by the receiving unit filter, The signal is amplified by an amplifier, and the amplified signal is demodulated by a demodulator. The demodulated signal waveform is binarized by the binarization processing unit, decoded by the decoding unit, and then the decoded signal is output to the control unit 21 as received data.

  The wireless tag processing unit 30 configured as described above uses an anti-collision (collision prevention) function based on an inventory command or the like to set the wireless tag 60 within the communicable range of the wireless tag reader 10 without specifying a tag ID. It is possible to read all at once, and it is also possible to individually read one designated tag ID. The anti-collision function is a known function for controlling a response procedure with the wireless tag 60 or the like in order to read a plurality of wireless tags or the like at one time. For example, there is a communication method such as a binary tree method or a time slot method. The wireless tag processing unit 30 may correspond to an example of “communication means” for wireless communication with a plurality of wireless tags 60.

Here, the electrical configuration of the wireless tag 60 to be read by the wireless tag reader 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless tag 60 includes an antenna 61, a power supply circuit 62, a demodulation circuit 63, a control circuit 64, a memory 65, a modulation circuit 66, and the like. The power supply circuit 62 rectifies and smoothes the transmission signal (carrier signal) received from the wireless tag reader 10 via the antenna 61 to generate an operation power supply. The operation power supply includes the control circuit 64 and the like. Is supplied to each component.

  The demodulating circuit 63 demodulates data superimposed on the transmission signal (carrier signal) and outputs the demodulated data to the control circuit 64. The memory 65 is composed of various semiconductor memories such as a ROM and an EEPROM, and stores a control program, identification information (tag ID) for identifying the wireless tag 60, data corresponding to the use of the wireless tag 60, and the like. ing. The control circuit 64 is configured to read the information and data from the memory 65 and output it as transmission data to the modulation circuit 66. The modulation circuit 66 performs load modulation on the response signal (carrier signal) with the transmission data. Then, the antenna 61 is configured to transmit as a reflected wave.

Next, the information code reading unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The information code reading unit 40 functions to optically read the information code. As shown in FIG. 2C, the information code reading unit 40 includes a light receiving sensor 43 including a CCD area sensor, an imaging lens 42, a plurality of LEDs, It has a configuration including an illumination unit 41 composed of a lens and the like, and functions to read an information code C (bar code or two-dimensional code) attached to a reading target R in cooperation with the control unit 21. To do.

  When reading is performed by the information code reading unit 40, first, the illumination light Lf is emitted from the illumination unit 41 that has been instructed by the control unit 21, and the illumination light Lf is irradiated to the reading object R through the reading port 12. The Then, the reflected light Lr reflected by the information code C from the illumination light Lf is taken into the apparatus through the reading port 12 and is received by the light receiving sensor 43 through the imaging lens 42. The imaging lens 42 disposed between the reading port 12 and the light receiving sensor 43 is configured to form an image of the information code C on the light receiving sensor 43, and the light receiving sensor 43 is an image of the information code C. The light reception signal corresponding to the is output. The light receiving signal output from the light receiving sensor 43 is stored as image data in the memory 22 (FIG. 2A) and used for decoding processing for acquiring information included in the information code C. The information code reading unit 40 is provided with an amplifying circuit for amplifying the signal from the light receiving sensor 43 and an AD converting circuit for converting the amplified signal into a digital signal. Is omitted.

  Next, when the work (inventory work) for confirming the storage state of the plurality of articles stored in any of the plurality of arrangement areas using the wireless tag 60 attached to the article is controlled by the wireless tag reader 10. A reading process performed by the unit 21 will be described. Here, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the tag ID to be read is the type (type) of the article to which the wireless tag 60 storing the tag ID is attached and the storage location of the article (for example, Are stored in advance in the inventory database of the memory 22 in association with the arrangement area indicating the shelf. In the following description, for example, three types of “T-shirt”, “hat”, and “sock” are prepared as article types (kinds), and “Area A” and “Area B” are provided as arrangement areas. A case where three types of “area C” are prepared will be described. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, “T-shirt” is stored in either “area A” or “area B”, and “hat” and “sock” are stored in “area C”. It is assumed that The control unit 21 may correspond to an example of “control means”.

Hereinafter, the reading process performed by the control unit 21 during the inventory work will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the control unit 21 starts a reading process by performing a predetermined operation on the key operation unit 25, first, a first communication mode transition process shown in step S101 of FIG. 5 is performed. In this process, the process for reading the wireless tags 60 within the communicable range of the wireless tag reader 10 without specifying the tag ID using the anti-collision function by the wireless tag processing unit 30 is the first communication. Made as a mode.

  As described above, when a large number of wireless tags 60 are read using the anti-collision function, the inventory of the memory 22 is added so that information indicating that the tag ID of the read wireless tag 60 has been read is added. The database is updated (S103). Subsequently, the reading rate calculation process shown in step S105 is performed, and the number of readings (reading rate) N per unit time is calculated.

  When the reading rate N is calculated as described above, it is determined whether or not the reading rate N is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Nth in the determination process shown in step S107. As shown in FIG. 6, the reading rate N is high immediately after the start of the first communication mode, so the update frequency increases. However, when the number of readings of the wireless tag 60 increases, the wireless tag 60 that can be read in the first communication mode. Since the update frequency is reduced due to the decrease in the reading rate N, the reading rate N decreases with time. Here, the predetermined threshold value Nth is set to a value at which the number of readings per unit time between reading of the wireless tag 60 using the anti-collision function and individual reading specifying the tag ID is substantially the same. That is, when the reading rate N is larger than the predetermined threshold Nth, the reading of the wireless tag 60 using the anti-collision function (first communication mode) is more than the individual reading specifying the tag ID. The wireless tag 60 can be read efficiently in a short time. For this reason, when the reading rate N is larger than the predetermined threshold value Nth (No in S107), the processing from Step S101 is repeated, and the first communication mode is maintained. During this repetitive processing, the inventory database in the memory 22 is sequentially updated so as to add information indicating that the tag ID of the read wireless tag 60 has been read (S103).

  Then, since the number of wireless tags 60 that can be read in the first communication mode decreases, when the reading rate N decreases and falls below a predetermined threshold value Nth (Yes in S107), the unread data list creation process shown in step S109 is performed. . In this process, by removing the already read data from the inventory database data sequentially updated as described above, an unread data list in which data related to the tag IDs that have not been read is tabulated is created. For example, when the reading target is as illustrated in FIG. 4, if information (see “1” in the check column in FIG. 7) indicating that reading has been performed is added as illustrated in FIG. 7, As shown in FIG. 7, an unread data list is created by excluding the data of the read tag from the data of FIG.

  When the unread data list is created in this way, the second communication mode transition process shown in step S111 is performed. In this process, using the wireless tag processing unit 30, a process for designating and individually reading one of a plurality of tag IDs recorded in the unread data list is performed as the second communication mode. When the designated tag ID is read, the unread data list is updated so as to add information indicating that the read tag ID has been read (S113). And when there exists unread tag ID, it determines with Yes in step S115, the process from the said step S111 is repeated, and a 2nd communication mode is maintained. During this repetitive processing, the unread data list is sequentially updated so as to add information indicating that the tag ID of the read wireless tag 60 has been read (S113). Then, when all the tag IDs to be read are read (No in S115), it is determined that the inventory work has been completed, and this reading process ends.

  As described above, in the wireless tag reader 10 according to the present embodiment, in the reading process by the control unit 21, the wireless tag processing unit 30 causes the wireless tag 60 within the communicable range without specifying the tag ID at the start of reading. To the first communication mode for reading, and individually specifying the tag ID for the tag ID that could not be read in the first communication mode based on the tag ID to be read stored in the inventory database of the memory 22 Control to the second communication mode for reading.

  As a result, at the start of reading, the wireless tag processing unit 30 is controlled to the first communication mode in which the wireless tags 60 within the communicable range are collectively read without using the anti-collision function based on the inventory command and designating the tag ID. Therefore, even if a large number of wireless tags 60 are to be read, most of them can be read efficiently in a short time. Then, for the remaining few tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode, the wireless tag processing unit 30 is controlled to the second communication mode for individually reading by designating the tag ID. Since the influence of electrical coupling between them is suppressed and the communication state becomes easier to read, the reading success rate can be increased even in the wireless tag 60 that has not been read in the first communication mode. Therefore, the tag IDs of a large number of wireless tags 60 can be read in a short time and the reading success rate can be improved.

  In particular, when the reading rate (number of readings per unit time) N in the first communication mode becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Nth, the wireless tag processing unit 30 is controlled to switch to the second communication mode. That is, if the wireless tag 60 that can be easily read in the first communication mode has been read, and the remaining wireless tag 60 is difficult to read in the first communication mode, the mode is switched to the second communication mode. As a result, the reading efficiency does not deteriorate when trying to read the wireless tag 60 that is difficult to read in the first communication mode, so that the reading time can be further shortened.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a wireless tag reader according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the wireless tag reader 10 according to the second embodiment, the unread data list in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode is divided into two or more divided lists, and the second for each divided list. The point of reading in the communication mode is different from the wireless tag reader according to the first embodiment.

  Specifically, for example, in the reading state in the first communication mode in which the unread data list as shown in FIG. 8 described above is created, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the predetermined division is performed. A plurality of lists (hereinafter also referred to as divided lists) divided (grouped) based on the rules are created. 9A to 9C are created so that the unread data list is divided into three divided lists based on the arrangement area. Thus, by creating a plurality of division lists based on the arrangement area, the reading success rate in the second communication mode in the arrangement area can be improved.

  In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, area specifying tags 71 to 73 are arranged as wireless tags storing area information for specifying the arrangement area for each of the three arrangement areas A to C. For example, “1001” is stored as area information in the area specifying tag 71 arranged in the arrangement area A, and “1002” is stored as area information in the area specifying tag 72 arranged in the arrangement area B. The area specifying tag 73 arranged in the arrangement area C stores “1003” as area information. Thereby, the wireless tag reader 10 can detect the arrangement area where the wireless tag reader 10 is located based on the area information read from the area specifying tag.

  A reading process in which the unread data list is divided into a plurality of divided lists and read in the second communication mode for each divided list will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, the reading state in the first communication mode in which the unread data list as shown in FIG. 8 described above is created, and the unread data list is divided into a plurality of divided lists based on the arrangement area. A case of division will be described.

  As in the first embodiment, when the first communication mode transition process (step S101 in FIG. 11) is repeated and the reading rate N decreases and becomes equal to or less than the predetermined threshold Nth (Yes in S107), the step The division list creation process shown in S109a is performed. In this process, three divided lists are created by dividing an unread data list in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode are recorded based on the arrangement area (FIG. 9 ( A) to (C)). The control unit 21 that executes Step S109a may correspond to an example of a “dividing unit”.

  Subsequently, the arrangement area detection process shown in step S110 is performed, and the arrangement area where the wireless tag reader 10 is located is detected based on the area information read from the area specifying tag. For example, since the user having the wireless tag reader 10 is in the arrangement area A, when the area specifying tag 71 is read, the arrangement area A is detected as the arrangement area where the wireless tag reader 10 is located.

  When the arrangement area is detected in this way, the second communication mode transition process shown in step S111 is performed, and one of the tag IDs recorded in the division list corresponding to the detected arrangement area is designated and read individually. For this purpose is performed as the second communication mode. For example, when the arrangement area A is detected as described above, the tag IDs recorded in the division list shown in FIG. 9A are individually read. Then, when the designated tag ID is read, the division list is updated so as to add information indicating that the read tag ID is already read (S113). If there is an unread tag ID in the divided list, it is determined Yes in step S115, and the processing from step S111 is repeated.

  When all the tag IDs recorded in the divided list are read (No in S115), it is determined whether there is a next divided list in the determination process shown in step S117. When all tag IDs recorded in one division list are read, this may be notified by light emission of the LED 23, screen display of the display unit 24, vibration of the vibrator 26, ringing of the buzzer 27, and the like.

  At this stage, since the tag ID has not been read for the split list shown in FIG. 9B and the split list shown in FIG. 9C, it is determined Yes in step S117, and the split list shown in step S119. Switching processing is performed. In this process, the user who has finished reading the wireless tag 60 stored in the arrangement area A moves to the next arrangement area, and an area identification tag different from the area identification tag 71 is read. The list is switched to the division list corresponding to the area information read from the tag. For example, when the area specifying tag 72 is read by moving to the arrangement area B, the list is switched to the divided list shown in FIG.

  The second communication mode transition process is performed on the divided list thus switched (S111), and one of the tag IDs recorded in the divided list corresponding to the detected arrangement area B is designated and read individually. This process is performed as the second communication mode. When all the tag IDs recorded in the divided list are read (No in S115), it is determined Yes in step S117 because there is a next divided list. Then, the user who has finished reading the wireless tag 60 stored in the arrangement area B moves to the arrangement area C, and an area specifying tag 73 different from the area specifying tag 72 is read, so that FIG. (S119).

  The second communication mode transition process is performed on the divided list thus switched (S111), and one of the tag IDs recorded in the divided list corresponding to the detected arrangement area C is designated and read individually. This process is performed as the second communication mode. Then, when all the tag IDs recorded in the division list are read (No in S115), since reading has been completed for all the division lists, it is determined No in step S117, and the inventory work is completed. As a result, the reading process ends.

  As described above, in the wireless tag reader 10 according to the present embodiment, the unread data list in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode is divided into two or more divided lists. In the second communication mode, the tag IDs recorded in the division list for each division list are specified and read individually.

  Since the tag ID recorded in the divided list is designated and read individually in this way, the reading target becomes clearer than when the tag ID recorded in the unread data list is designated and read individually. The reading success rate of the wireless tag can be improved.

  In particular, the area specifying tags (71 to 73) are arranged for each of a plurality of arrangement areas, and the division list is divided so as to correspond to the arrangement areas. Therefore, in the second communication mode, the arrangement area where the wireless tag reader 10 is located Since the tag ID stored in is read, the reading success rate in the divided list can be improved. Further, it can be determined that the article with the wireless tag 60 that cannot be read in the second communication mode has moved to a different arrangement area from the registered arrangement area, and that the article is not in the registered arrangement area. Not only the information to be shown, but also information that prompts the user to move to the registered arrangement area can be notified by, for example, a screen display by the display unit 24.

  In the division list creation process (S109a), the unread data list is not limited to being divided on the basis of the arrangement area, but other elements, for example, the type (type) of the article attached with the wireless tag 60 is used as a reference. You may divide into.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a wireless tag reader according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the wireless tag reader 10 according to the third embodiment, in the second communication mode, when there is an unread tag ID even if the divided list is used, a divided list obtained by re-dividing a new unread data list is used. Different from the wireless tag reader according to the second embodiment.

  Specifically, in the second communication mode, when it is determined that there is a plurality of unread tag IDs when the tag IDs recorded in the division list for each division list are individually specified and read. The new unread data list in which the plurality of unread tag IDs are recorded is subdivided into a different type from the previous one, and the tag ID is recorded for each tag ID recorded in the split list for each subdivided split list. Specify and read individually.

A reading process in which the unread data list is subdivided and read in the second communication mode for each of the divided lists will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Similar to the second embodiment, after a plurality of division lists are created (S109a in FIG. 12), the second communication mode transition process (S111) is repeated for one division list. In this iterative process, before all the tag IDs recorded in the divided list are read, the time during which the divided list is read in the second communication mode (hereinafter also referred to as individual reading time T) is a predetermined time Tth. After the elapse of time (Yes in S114), the processes in and after step S117 are performed without performing the determination in step S115. Here, the predetermined time Tth is sufficiently longer than the time required to read all the tag IDs when all the tag IDs recorded in the division list are readable in the second communication mode. It is set to a large value. That is, when the individual reading time T elapses the predetermined time Tth, it is determined that there is a tag ID that cannot be read in the divided list, and the processing after step S117 is performed.

  If it is determined No in step S117 by completing reading for all the divided lists, it is determined whether or not there is an unread tag ID in the determination process shown in step S121. Here, if it has not been determined to be Yes once in step S114 and all tag IDs have been read in each divided list, it is determined as No in step S121, and the reading process ends. To do.

  On the other hand, if there is an unread tag ID in any of the division lists, it is determined Yes in step S121, and the re-division list creation process shown in step S123 is performed. In this process, a new unread data list is created in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read using the split list divided as described above are recorded, and this new unread data list is different from the previous type. To re-divide and create a split list. For example, when a split list is created based on the arrangement area last time, a plurality of split lists are created based on other elements, for example, the type (kind) of the article to which the wireless tag 60 is attached. And the process from said step S111 is made | formed using the some division | segmentation list | wrist subdivided in this way. Note that the control unit 21 that executes Step S123 may correspond to an example of a “dividing unit”.

  As described above, in the wireless tag reader 10 according to the present embodiment, when the tag ID recorded in the divided list is specified for each divided list and individually read in the second communication mode. When it is determined that there are a plurality of unread tag IDs based on the unread data list (Yes in S121), the new unread data list in which the plurality of unread tag IDs are recorded is subdivided into a different type from the previous time, For each tag ID recorded in the split list, the tag ID is designated and read individually for each sub-partition list.

  As described above, since the unread tag ID is subdivided into a type different from the previous one, the reading condition for the unread wireless tag 60 can be changed, and the reading success rate of the wireless tag 60 that has been unread last time can be improved. it can.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a wireless tag system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 13, the wireless tag system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of wireless tags 60, a plurality of wireless tag readers 10 that can communicate with the wireless tags 60, and a server that can communicate with the wireless tag readers 10. 2 are provided. The wireless tag system 1 uses the wireless tag reader 10 to read information recorded on the wireless tag 60 attached to each article to be managed, and transmit the information to the server 2 via a predetermined network Ne. This is a system for managing the storage status of each article by the server 2. In FIG. 1, for convenience, only four of the plurality of wireless tags 60 are illustrated, and only three of the plurality of wireless tag readers 10 are illustrated.

  The server 2 is configured as a computer, for example, and as shown in FIG. 14, a control unit 3 composed of a CPU or the like, a display unit 4 composed of a liquid crystal monitor or the like, a storage unit 5 composed of ROM, RAM, HDD, etc., a mouse, An operation unit 6 configured as a keyboard or the like, a communication unit 7 configured as a communication interface, and the like are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the inventory database in which the tag IDs to be read and the like are stored is constructed in the storage unit 5 of the server 2 instead of the memory 22 of the wireless tag reader 10. That is, the server 2 receives the read tag ID read in the first communication mode from the wireless tag reader 10. In addition, the server 2 creates an unread data list from the tag ID to be read and the received tag ID that has been read in the first communication mode, and transmits the created unread data list to the wireless tag reader 10, thereby The read tag ID read in the two communication mode is received from the wireless tag reader 10. In this way, the server 2 updates the inventory database in the storage unit 5 by acquiring the read tag IDs read in the first communication mode and the second communication mode from the wireless tag reader 10. It functions to manage the storage status of goods. The storage unit 5 may correspond to an example of “storage unit”.

Hereinafter, a reading process performed by the control unit 21 of the wireless tag reader 10 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that this reading process is performed by each of the plurality of wireless tag readers 10 managed by the server 2.
When the reading process is started and the first communication mode transition process is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment (S101), the already-read ID transmission process shown in step S103a is performed and read using the anti-collision function. The tag ID of the wireless tag 60 is transmitted to the server 2 as the read tag ID. In the server 2, the inventory database in the storage unit 5 is updated according to the read tag ID received from each wireless tag reader 10.

  The process of collectively reading the wireless tags 60 using the anti-collision function (S101) is repeated until the reading rate N becomes a predetermined threshold value Nth or less. Then, since the number of wireless tags 60 that can be read in the first communication mode decreases, when the reading rate N decreases and falls below a predetermined threshold Nth (Yes in S107), an unread data list acquisition process shown in step S109b is performed. . In this process, an unread data list created by the server 2 based on the tag ID to be read and the read tag ID in the first communication mode is acquired from the server 2. That is, the server 2 creates and transmits an unread data list in response to a request from the wireless tag reader 10.

  When the unread data list is acquired in this way, the second communication mode transition process shown in step S111 is performed, and a process for individually specifying and reading one of a plurality of tag IDs recorded in the unread data list is performed. This is done as the second communication mode. When the designated tag ID is read, the read tag ID is transmitted to the server 2 as a read tag ID (S113a). In the server 2, the inventory database in the storage unit 5 is updated according to the received read tag ID.

  And when there exists unread tag ID, it determines with Yes in step S115, the process from the said step S111 is repeated, and all tag IDs of reading object are read after that (No in S115), Assuming that the inventory work has been completed, the reading process ends.

  As described above, the wireless tag system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the plurality of wireless tag readers 10 and the server 2 that can communicate with the plurality of wireless tag readers 10. Then, the server 2 creates an unread data list in which unread tag IDs are recorded based on the information received from the plurality of wireless tag readers 10 and the tag IDs to be read stored in the inventory database of the storage unit 5. To each of the plurality of wireless tag readers 10. When the wireless tag reader 10 transmits the tag ID read in the first communication mode to the server 2 and acquires (receives) the unread data list from the server 2, the tag ID recorded in the unread data list as the second communication mode. Is read individually, and the read tag ID is transmitted to the server 2.

  As a result, even when a large number of wireless tags 60 are read using a plurality of wireless tag readers 10, each wireless tag reader 10 can efficiently read most of the wireless tags 60 in a first communication mode in a short time, and perform second communication. The remaining wireless tag 60 can be reliably read in the mode.

  It should be noted that during the repetitive processing from step S111, an unread data list updated so as to reduce the number of unread tag IDs according to the reading results of the other RFID tag readers 10 is acquired, and the updated unread data list is obtained. Processing for designating and individually reading one of a plurality of tag IDs to be recorded may be performed. As described above, since the information read using each wireless tag reader 10 can be managed by the server 2, it is only necessary to read the wireless tag 60 to be read by at least one of the plurality of wireless tag readers 10. Efficiency can be improved.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a wireless tag system according to a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the wireless tag system 1 according to the present embodiment, each wireless tag reader 10 generates two or more unread data lists in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode are recorded as in the second embodiment. The wireless tag system according to the fourth embodiment is different from the wireless tag system according to the fourth embodiment in that it is divided into the divided lists and the divided list is transmitted to each wireless tag reader 10.

  A reading process in which the unread data list is divided into a plurality of divided lists and read in the second communication mode for each divided list will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, the reading state in the first communication mode in which the unread data list as shown in FIG. 8 described above is created, and the unread data list is divided into a plurality of divided lists based on the arrangement area. A case of division will be described.

  Similarly to the fourth embodiment, when the first communication mode transition process (step S101 in FIG. 16) is repeated and the reading rate N decreases and becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Nth (Yes in S107), the step The split list request process shown in S108 is performed. In this process, the server 2 is requested to create a divided list obtained by dividing the unread data list created based on the tag ID to be read and the read tag ID in the first communication mode into two or more. The

  Subsequently, a divided list acquisition process shown in step S109c is performed, and two or more divided lists created in response to the request are acquired from the server 2. That is, the server 2 creates and transmits two or more divided lists in response to a request from the wireless tag reader 10. For example, when an unread data list as shown in FIG. 8 is created, a divided list as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C is acquired from the server 2 based on the arrangement area. The division list is created according to a predetermined process performed by the control unit 3 of the server 2, and the control unit 3 may correspond to an example of “division means”.

  When a plurality of division lists are acquired from the server 2 in this way, the processing after step S111 is performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and the tag ID 1 recorded in the division list corresponding to the detected arrangement area is obtained. The process for individually reading and specifying one is performed for all the divided lists.

  As described above, in the wireless tag system 1 according to the present embodiment, in the server 2, the unread data list in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode is divided into two or more divided lists. The Then, the divided list is transmitted to each of the plurality of RFID tag readers 10.

  As a result, in the second communication mode of each wireless tag reader 10, the tag ID recorded in the divided list is designated and read individually as described above, so the tag ID recorded in the unread data list is designated individually. Compared with the case of reading, the reading target becomes clearer, so that the reading success rate of the wireless tag can be improved.

  In the reading process according to the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, since there are a plurality of unread tag IDs even in the second communication mode, a divided list obtained by re-dividing a new unread data list is displayed on the server 2. And may be transmitted to each wireless tag reader 10. That is, when the server 2 determines that there are a plurality of unread tag IDs even in the second communication mode with the plurality of wireless tag readers 10, the server 2 sets a new unread data list in which the plurality of unread tag IDs are recorded as the previous time. The data is re-divided into different types, and the re-divided division list is transmitted to the plurality of RFID tag readers 10, respectively. Thus, since the unread tag ID is re-divided into a different division list from the previous time, the reading conditions for the unread wireless tag can be changed, and the reading success rate of the wireless tag 60 that was previously unread can be improved. it can.

  In addition, in the reading process according to the present embodiment, the division list request process (S108) reads from the area specifying tag on the assumption that there is at least one user possessing the wireless tag reader 10 in each arrangement area. By transmitting the area information to the server 2, only the divided list corresponding to the arrangement area detected in the divided list acquisition process (S109c) may be acquired from the server 2. Even in this way, the server 2 can acquire the tag ID of the wireless tag 60 attached to the article stored in each arrangement area, and the user does not need to perform a reading operation in another arrangement area. In addition, the efficiency of inventory work can be improved.

  In the split list request process (S108), a split list that is split into a desired split state may be requested in accordance with an input operation or the like by the user of the wireless tag reader 10. In this case, the server 2 transmits a divided list corresponding to the request from the wireless tag reader 10 to the wireless tag reader 10. As a result, the wireless tag reader 10 can receive a divided list suitable for the reading work, and can improve the work efficiency related to the reading work.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a radio tag system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The wireless tag system 1 according to the present embodiment is different from the wireless tag system according to the fifth embodiment in that the server 2 transmits two or more divided lists to the wireless tag readers 10 so as not to overlap each other.

  In the present embodiment, the server 2 creates the unread data list when receiving the read tag ID in the first communication mode from each of the plurality of wireless tag readers 10 by the tag management processing performed by the control unit 3. Then, the unread data list is divided on the basis of the arrangement area to create two or more divided lists. Thereafter, the server 2 transmits the two or more divided lists created as described above to the wireless tag readers 10 so as not to overlap each other, in order to prevent duplication of reading work related to unread wireless tags.

  Specifically, for example, based on the read tag IDs received from the wireless tag reader 10 of the user A, the wireless tag reader 10 of the user B, and the wireless tag reader 10 of the user C, for example, the server 2 in FIG. When an unread data list as illustrated is created, three divided lists as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C are created based on the arrangement area. Thereafter, the server 2 transmits the divided data corresponding to the arrangement area A (see FIG. 9A) to the wireless tag reader 10 of the user A, and the divided data corresponding to the arrangement area B (FIG. 9B). Reference) is transmitted to the wireless tag reader 10 of the user B, and the divided data (see FIG. 9C) corresponding to the arrangement area C is transmitted to the wireless tag reader 10 of the user C.

  In this case, the server 2 can determine which divided data is to be transmitted to which wireless tag reader 10 in consideration of the reading result of each wireless tag reader 10 and other factors. Further, for example, based on the read tag IDs received from the wireless tag reader 10 of the user A and the wireless tag reader 10 of the user B, an unread data list as illustrated in FIG. In this case, the server 2 transmits the divided data (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) corresponding to the arrangement area A and the arrangement area B to the wireless tag reader 10 of the user A, and the arrangement area The divided data corresponding to C (see FIG. 9C) can be transmitted to the wireless tag reader 10 of the user B.

Hereinafter, tag management processing performed by the control unit 3 of the server 2 in accordance with reading processing by each wireless tag reader 10 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
When a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 6, the tag management process is started in the control unit 3, and the read tag ID in the first communication mode transmitted from each wireless tag reader 10 can be received. It becomes a state. Subsequently, when a read tag ID transmitted from any one of the wireless tag readers 10 is received (Yes in S201 in FIG. 17), the inventory database in the storage unit 5 is updated according to the received tag ID ( S203). Until the division list creation request (see S108) is received from all the wireless tag readers 10, it is determined No in step S205, and the processing from step S201 is repeated.

  When the division list creation request is received from all the RFID tag readers 10 (Yes in S205), the unread data list creation process shown in step S207 is performed. In this process, similar to the process in step S109 in the reading process by the wireless tag reader 10, the read data is still removed from the inventory database data in the storage unit 5 that has been sequentially updated as described above. An unread data list in which data related to unread tag IDs is tabulated is created.

  Subsequently, a division list creation process shown in step S209 is performed. In this process, similarly to the process in step S109a in the reading process by the wireless tag reader 10, the unread data list created as described above is divided into two or more divided lists so as to be divided based on the arrangement area. Is created.

  Next, a divided list transmission process shown in step S211 is performed. In this process, the divided lists are transmitted so as not to overlap each other, to the wireless tag reader 10 that has transmitted the divided list creation request. For example, as described above, the divided data corresponding to the arrangement area A (see FIG. 9A) is transmitted to the wireless tag reader 10 of the user A, and the divided data corresponding to the arrangement area B (FIG. 9B )) Is transmitted to the wireless tag reader 10 of the user B, and the divided data (see FIG. 9C) corresponding to the arrangement area C is transmitted to the wireless tag reader 10 of the user C.

  As described above, when the split list is transmitted to each wireless tag reader 10 so as not to overlap, the read tag ID in the second communication mode transmitted from each wireless tag reader 10 can be received. When a read tag ID transmitted from any one of the wireless tag readers 10 is received (Yes in S213), the inventory database in the storage unit 5 is updated according to the received tag ID (S215). The process from step S213 is repeated until all planned tag IDs are received from the wireless tag reader 10 (No in S217). When reading of all tag IDs is completed (Yes in S217), this tag The management process ends.

  As described above, in the wireless tag system 1 according to the present embodiment, the server 2 does not overlap two or more divided lists divided by the divided list creation process (S209) with respect to the plurality of wireless tag readers 10, respectively. To send. Accordingly, since the same divided list is not transmitted to two or more wireless tag readers 10, the same unread wireless tag 60 is not read by two or more wireless tag readers 10. Duplication of reading work can be prevented and work efficiency can be improved.

  In the split list transmission process in step S211, information related to the split list to be transmitted to another wireless tag reader 10 may be transmitted. That is, the server 2 can transmit information related to a divided list to be transmitted to another RFID tag reader 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as divided list information) when the divided list is transmitted.

  For example, the division list information includes a flag “1” for the arrangement areas (arrangement areas A to C in the example of FIG. 18) to be read by the server 2 by the server 2 as illustrated in FIG. It is set so that the flag “0” is set for the arrangement areas (placement areas D to F in the example of FIG. 18) that are set and to be read by other wireless tag readers 10.

  Thereby, the user of the wireless tag reader 10 that has received the information related to the divided list (divided list information) to be transmitted to the other wireless tag reader 10 together with the divided list displays the divided list information on the display unit 24, and the like. Thus, not only the unread wireless tag 60 to be read by itself but also the unread wireless tag 60 to be read by other users can be recognized. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent duplication of reading work related to the unread wireless tag 60, and to further improve work efficiency.

  It should be noted that the division list information includes information indicating which wireless tag reader 10 of which the other RFID tag readers 10 are to be read out, that is, which division with respect to which wireless tag reader 10 according to the setting of the flag. The list may be created so that it can be grasped whether the list is transmitted.

  Further, in the division list creation process (S209), the unread data list is not limited to being divided based on the arrangement area, but based on other elements, for example, the type (type) of the article to which the wireless tag 60 is attached. You may divide into.

  The characteristic configuration for transmitting the division list information can also be applied to other embodiments using the server 2.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a wireless tag system according to a seventh embodiment of the invention will be described.
In the wireless tag system 1 according to this embodiment, the server 2 transmits two or more divided lists to each wireless tag reader 10 in consideration of the position of the wireless tag reader 10 so as not to overlap each other. Different from the wireless tag system according to the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the area specifying tags (71 to 73) are arranged for each arrangement area, and each wireless tag reader 10 requests the server 2 to create a divided list. In this case (see S108), the area information read from the area specifying tag is transmitted to the server 2. In the divided list transmission process shown in step S211, the two or more divided lists do not overlap with each wireless tag reader 10 in consideration of the arrangement area specified by the area information received from the wireless tag reader 10. Sent to.

  For example, the division data (see FIG. 9A) corresponding to the arrangement area A is transmitted to the RFID tag reader 10 that has transmitted the area information “1001” at the time of the division list creation request, and the area information “1002” at the time of the division list creation request. Is transmitted to the RFID tag reader 10 that has transmitted the area information “1003” at the time of the division list creation request. Divided data (see FIG. 9C) corresponding to area C is transmitted. For example, when there are a plurality of wireless tag readers 10 that transmitted the area information “1001” at the time of the division list creation request, the divided data corresponding to the arrangement area A is transmitted to any one wireless tag reader 10. Then, the remaining divided data not sent is transmitted to the remaining RFID tag readers 10 so as not to overlap.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the area specifying tags (71 to 73) are arranged for each of a plurality of arrangement areas, and the division list is divided so as to correspond to the arrangement areas. The wireless tag reader 10 transmits the area information obtained by reading the area specifying tag together with the tag ID read in the first communication mode to the server 2. Further, the server 2 transmits the two or more divided lists to the plurality of wireless tag readers 10 so as not to overlap each other in consideration of the arrangement area specified by the area information received from the wireless tag reader 10. .

  Thereby, not only the division list is transmitted to each wireless tag reader 10 so as not to overlap, but also the divided list is transmitted in consideration of the arrangement area where the wireless tag reader 10 is located. A division list suitable for the position can be transmitted. For this reason, the movement of the user of the wireless tag reader 10 during the reading operation can be reduced, and the working efficiency related to the reading operation can be improved.

[Other Embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, For example, you may actualize as follows.
(1) As shown in FIG. 13, the wireless tag system 1 according to the present invention can communicate with a plurality of wireless tags 60, a plurality of wireless tag readers 10 that can communicate with the wireless tags 60, and the wireless tag readers 10. It is not limited to be configured to include the server 2, but may be configured to include a plurality of wireless tags 60, one wireless tag reader 10, and the server 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the wireless tag system 1 according to the present invention may be configured to include a plurality of wireless tags 60, a wireless tag reading device 10a, an application execution device 10b, and a database device 2a. Good. The wireless tag reading device 10a and the application execution device 10b are devices for realizing functions corresponding to the wireless tag reader 10 described above. The wireless tag reading device 10a is a so-called portable scanner, which uses a tag command transmission / reception function and uses a modulation unit, a demodulation unit, and an antenna that function in the same manner as the wireless tag processing unit 30, and the wireless tag 60. The reading is executed in the first communication mode or the second communication mode. The application execution device 10b is configured separately from the wireless tag reading device 10a as a computer on which the application program for executing the reading process as described above is executed. Communication with the information related to the tag ID read with the host communication transmission / reception function of the apparatus 10a is performed. Further, the application execution device 10b instructs the wireless tag reading device 10a to switch between the first communication mode and the second communication mode by the read command selection function. In the application execution device 10b, a predetermined application program is executed by a control unit such as a CPU in accordance with a reference result of a reference table constructed in a storage unit or the like or an input from a user interface device such as a keyboard. The reading process as described above is performed. In the reference table, the data is updated in accordance with an instruction from the application program and a control function such as database arrangement of the database device 2a. The reference table and the database of the database device 2a are each provided with an update frequency monitoring device that monitors the update frequency, and the application execution device 10b can execute processing according to each update frequency. Note that the database of the database device 2a may correspond to an example of “storage means” in which a tag ID to be read is stored.

(2) In the first communication mode transition process, the anti-collision (collision prevention) function is used to read the wireless tags 60 within the communicable range all together without specifying the tag ID. By using this communication method, the wireless tags 60 within the communicable range may be read at once without specifying the tag ID.

(3) The predetermined threshold value Nth may be changed according to a work environment, an operation by a user, or the like. In the wireless tag system 1, a predetermined threshold value Nth suitable for the work environment or the like may be transmitted from the server 2 to the wireless tag reader 10.

(4) In the reading process, the switching from the first communication mode to the second communication mode is not limited to the case where the reading rate N is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold Nth. May be made when the number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wireless tag system 2 ... Server 5 ... Memory | storage part (memory | storage means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wireless tag reader 21 ... Control part (control means, dividing means)
22 ... Memory (storage means)
30 ... RFID tag processing unit (communication means)
60 ... Wireless tag

Claims (14)

A wireless tag reader that reads tag IDs stored in a plurality of wireless tags,
Communication means for wirelessly communicating with the plurality of wireless tags;
Storage means for storing a tag ID to be read;
Control means for controlling the communication means;
With
The control means controls the communication means to a first communication mode for reading a wireless tag within a communicable range without designating a tag ID at the start of reading, and the reading means stored in the storage means A wireless tag reader, wherein a tag ID that could not be read in the first communication mode based on a tag ID is controlled to a second communication mode for individually reading by specifying the tag ID.   The control means controls the communication means to switch to the second communication mode when the number of readings per unit time in the first communication mode becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. The wireless tag reader according to 1. Dividing means for dividing an unread data list in which a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode are recorded into two or more divided lists based on tag IDs to be read stored in the storage means. Prepared,
3. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1, wherein in the second communication mode, the tag ID recorded in the division list is individually read for each division list by designating the tag ID. 4.   In the second communication mode, there are a plurality of unread tag IDs based on the unread data list when the tag IDs recorded in the split list for each of the split lists are individually specified and read. When the determination is made, the new unread data list in which the plurality of unread tag IDs are recorded is re-divided by the dividing unit in a type different from the previous one, and each re-divided divided list is recorded in the divided list. The RFID tag reader according to claim 3, wherein the tag ID is individually read by designating the tag ID. A plurality of wireless tags attached to each of a plurality of articles, each storing a tag ID;
A wireless tag reader having a communication means for wirelessly communicating with the plurality of wireless tags;
Storage means for storing a tag ID to be read;
A wireless tag system comprising:
The wireless tag reader is
The communication means is controlled to a first communication mode for reading a wireless tag within a communicable range without specifying a tag ID at the start of reading, and based on a tag ID to be read stored in the storage means A wireless tag system comprising: control means for controlling a second communication mode for individually reading a tag ID that could not be read in the first communication mode by designating the tag ID.   The control means controls the communication means to switch to the second communication mode when the number of readings per unit time in the first communication mode becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. The wireless tag system described in 1. A plurality of the wireless tag readers and a server capable of communicating with the plurality of wireless tag readers,
The server
Having the storage means;
Based on the information received from the plurality of wireless tag readers and the tag IDs to be read stored in the storage means, an unread data list in which unread tag IDs are recorded is created and transmitted to the plurality of wireless tag readers. ,
The wireless tag reader is
When the tag ID read in the first communication mode is transmitted to the server and the unread data list is received from the server, the tag ID recorded in the unread data list is designated individually as the second communication mode. 7. The wireless tag system according to claim 5, wherein the read tag ID is read and transmitted to the server. The server
Based on the information received from the plurality of wireless tag readers and the tag IDs to be read stored in the storage means, a plurality of unread tag IDs that could not be read in the first communication mode by the plurality of wireless tag readers. A dividing unit for dividing the recorded unread data list into two or more divided lists;
8. The RFID tag system according to claim 7, wherein the division list divided by the dividing unit is transmitted to each of the plurality of RFID tag readers.   If the server determines that there are a plurality of unread tag IDs even in the second communication mode with the plurality of wireless tag readers, the server changes a new unread data list in which the plurality of unread tag IDs are recorded from the previous time. 9. The RFID tag system according to claim 8, wherein the RFID tag system is further subdivided by the dividing means, and the subdivided division list is transmitted to each of the plurality of RFID tag readers. The article to which the wireless tag is attached is placed in any of a plurality of placement areas, and an area specifying tag is placed as a wireless tag storing area information for specifying the placement area for each placement area,
The division list is divided so as to correspond to the arrangement area registered in advance as a storage location of the article with the wireless tag,
The wireless tag reader transmits the area information obtained by reading the area specifying tag together with the tag ID read in the first communication mode to the server,
The wireless tag according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the server transmits the division list corresponding to the arrangement area specified by the area information received from the wireless tag reader to the wireless tag reader. system.   10. The wireless tag system according to claim 8, wherein the server transmits the divided list corresponding to a request from the wireless tag reader to the wireless tag reader. 11.   The wireless tag system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the server transmits the two or more divided lists divided by the dividing unit to the plurality of wireless tag readers so as not to overlap each other. . The article to which the wireless tag is attached is placed in any of a plurality of placement areas, and an area specifying tag is placed as a wireless tag storing area information for specifying the placement area for each placement area,
The division list is divided so as to correspond to the arrangement area registered in advance as a storage location of the article with the wireless tag,
The wireless tag reader transmits the area information obtained by reading the area specifying tag together with the tag ID read in the first communication mode to the server,
The server does not overlap two or more of the divided lists divided by the dividing unit in consideration of an arrangement area specified by the area information received from the wireless tag reader with respect to the plurality of wireless tag readers. The wireless tag system according to claim 12, wherein the wireless tag system is transmitted to the wireless tag system.   The wireless tag system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the server transmits information on a divided list to be transmitted to the other RFID tag reader when the divided list is transmitted.

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