JP2017004290A - Handheld information terminal and management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique that can appropriately switch whether each function can be executed or not in a handheld information terminal that can execute a plurality of functions.SOLUTION: A handheld information terminal 10 executes an information code reading function in response to the input of an information code reading instruction if it can receive a first signal from a first communication device 110, but does not execute the information code reading function even when the information code reading instruction is input if it cannot receive the first signal. In the same manner, the handheld information terminal 10 executes a tag reading function in response to the input of a tag reading instruction if it can receive a second signal from a second communication device 120, but does not execute the tag reading function even when the tag reading instruction is input if it cannot receive the second signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a portable information terminal and a management system for managing the portable information terminal.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a portable information terminal capable of executing various functions such as an information code reading function, and a reader / writer device capable of communicating with an RFID (abbreviation of Radio Frequency IDentifier) tag built in the portable information terminal. A security system is disclosed. In this security system, by providing the RFID tag and the reader / writer device, the portable information terminal is limited to be usable only within a predetermined use area. That is, the reader / writer device is arranged at the entrance / exit of the use area of the portable information terminal, and when the portable information terminal moves from the entry / exit to the outside of the use area, the RFID tag built in the portable information terminal is connected to the portable information terminal. Is taken out state information indicating that is taken out of the use area. When the function execution operation is performed, the portable information terminal does not execute the function when the carry-out state information is recorded in the RFID tag. For this reason, when the portable information terminal is taken out of the use area, the portable information terminal cannot execute the function even if the function execution operation is performed.

  On the other hand, when the portable information terminal returns from outside the use area to inside the use area, the take-out state information recorded on the RFID tag is erased by the reader / writer device operated by the authorized person. Thereby, it becomes possible to cause the portable information terminal brought into the use area to execute the function.

JP 2014-153803 A

  By the way, when using a portable information terminal capable of executing a plurality of functions, there are cases where it is desired to set a use area for each function. For example, there is a case where the first function can be executed in the first use area and the second function can be executed in the second use area. When the technology of Patent Document 1 is applied to such a portable information terminal, for example, when the portable information terminal moves from the first usage area to the outside of the first usage area, the carry-out state information is recorded in the RFID tag. End up. For this reason, if you want to bring the portable information terminal into the second use area and execute the second function, when you bring it into the second use area, first delete the carry-out state information by the authorized person. There is a problem that you have to get.

  The present specification provides a technology that can appropriately switch whether or not each function can be executed in a portable information terminal that can execute a plurality of functions.

  This specification discloses the following portable information terminals. The portable information terminal includes an input unit, a communication unit, a first execution unit capable of executing a first function for reading information recorded on the first type recording medium, and a first type recording medium. Comprises a second execution unit capable of executing a second function of reading information recorded on a different second type of recording medium, and a control unit. The control unit executes the first function in the first execution unit when an instruction to execute the first function is input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device. When the execution instruction of the first function is input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with the first communication device, the first execution unit is not allowed to execute the first function. When an instruction to execute the second function is input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit performs wireless communication with a second communication device different from the first communication device, the second execution unit When the second function is executed and the execution instruction of the second function is input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with the second communication device, the second execution unit receives the second Do not execute the function.

  According to the above configuration, the portable information terminal executes the first function in response to the input of the execution instruction of the first function in a situation where the communication unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device, and the communication unit However, in a situation where wireless communication with the first communication device is not executed, the first function is not executed even if an instruction to execute the first function is input. Similarly, in the situation where the communication unit performs wireless communication with the second communication device, the portable information terminal executes the second function in response to an input of an execution instruction for the second function, and the communication unit performs the second operation. In a situation where wireless communication with the communication device is not executed, the second function is not executed even if an instruction to execute the second function is input. That is, according to the portable information terminal, for example, when the portable information terminal is taken out of the communication range of the wireless communication with the first (or second) communication device, the first (or second) function is performed. Execution can be restricted. Therefore, when wireless communication with the first (or second) communication device is executed (for example, when the portable information terminal is within the communication range of wireless communication with the first (or second) communication device) ), The user of the portable information terminal can be allowed to execute the first (or second) function. Furthermore, according to the portable information terminal described above, when the portable information terminal returns from outside the communication range of wireless communication with the first (or second) communication device to within the communication range, special processing is performed for the portable information terminal. Even if is not performed, the first (or second) function can be executed again. Therefore, according to the portable information terminal, whether or not each function can be executed can be appropriately switched in the portable information terminal that can execute a plurality of functions.

  The present specification further discloses the following management system. The management system includes a first communication device configured to perform wireless communication with the communication unit of the portable information terminal when the portable information terminal is present within the first communication range, and the first communication device. And a second communication device that performs wireless communication with a communication unit of the portable information terminal when the portable information terminal exists in a second communication range different from the communication range.

  According to the above management system, as described above, whether or not each function can be executed can be appropriately switched in the portable information terminal that can execute a plurality of functions.

The figure which shows the structure of a management system typically. The block diagram which shows the structure of a portable information terminal typically. The flowchart which shows the terminal process which the control part of the portable information terminal of 1st Example performs. The flowchart which shows the terminal process which the control part of the portable information terminal of 2nd Example performs.

  The main features of the embodiments described below are listed. In addition, the technical elements shown below are independent technical elements and exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. .

(Feature 1) The control unit may invalidate the input of the instruction to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with either the first communication device or the second communication device.

  According to this configuration, in the situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with either the first communication device or the second communication device, the portable information terminal receives the input of the execution instruction of the first function and the second function. Any instruction input including the execution instruction input can be invalidated. That is, in a situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with either the first communication device or the second communication device, neither the execution of the first function nor the execution of the second function is made executable. be able to.

(Characteristic 2) In the situation where the communication unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device and also performs wireless communication with the second communication device, (a) the input unit has the first function When the execution instruction is input, the first execution unit is caused to execute the first function. (B) When the execution instruction of the second function is input to the input unit, the second execution unit May execute the second function.

  According to this configuration, in a situation where the communication unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device and also performs wireless communication with the second communication device, both the first function and the second function are performed. Can be possible. Therefore, both the first function and the second function can be appropriately executed.

(Characteristic 3) In a specific situation among situations where the communication unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device and also performs wireless communication with the second communication device, (i) the input to the input unit When the execution instruction of the first function is input, the first execution unit is caused to execute the first function, and (ii) when the execution instruction of the second function is input to the input unit, The second function may not be executed by the second execution unit.

  According to this configuration, the communication unit is allowed to execute the first function in a specific situation among situations where the communication unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device and also performs wireless communication with the second communication device. On the other hand, the execution of the second function can be restricted.

(Feature 4) The specific situation may be a situation in which the radio field intensity when the communication unit wirelessly communicates with the first communication device is greater than the radio field intensity when the communication unit wirelessly communicates with the second communication device. .

  According to this configuration, whether or not to execute a plurality of functions can be appropriately switched according to the magnitude of the radio wave intensity.

(First embodiment)
(Overall configuration of management system 2; FIG. 1)
A management system 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for managing a portable information terminal 10 capable of executing a plurality of functions. In the management system 2, for each function of the portable information terminal 10, a use area where the function can be executed is set. The management system 2 includes a portable information terminal 10, a first communication device 110, and a second communication device 120.

(Portable information terminal 10; FIGS. 1 and 2)
The portable information terminal 10 is a portable terminal that is carried by a user. The portable information terminal 10 has an RFID reading function for reading an RFID (abbreviation for Radio Frequency IDentifier) tag, an information code reading function for reading an information code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, and an IC card for reading an IC (abbreviation for Integrated Circuit) card. The terminal is capable of executing a plurality of functions such as a reading function. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which one mobile information terminal 10 exists in any of a plurality of regions (that is, R1 to R4) in the system.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the portable information terminal 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a memory 16, an external interface 18, a control unit 20, an RFID tag 30, a tag reader unit 40, and an information code reader. Section 50 and an NFC (Near Field Communication) interface 60. Hereinafter, the interface is described as “I / F”.

  The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. A user of the portable information terminal 10 can input various instructions to the portable information terminal 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information.

  The memory 16 stores a program for the control unit 20 to execute various processes. The memory 16 also has a temporary storage area for storing various information acquired by reading an RFID tag, an information code, an IC card, and the like.

  The external I / F 18 is a communication I / F for transmitting various information stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 16 to an external server (not shown). In this embodiment, the external I / F 18 is a wireless I / F, but in another example, the external I / F 18 may be a wired I / F.

  The control unit 20 executes various processes according to programs in the memory 16. Details of processing executed by the control unit 20 will be described in detail later.

  The RFID tag 30 is a wireless tag for receiving a first signal transmitted from the first communication device 110 and a second signal transmitted from the second communication device 120. The first signal and the second signal will be described later. Although not shown, the RFID tag 30 includes an antenna, a control circuit, a memory, and the like. When the RFID tag 30 receives the first (or second) signal from the first communication device 110 (or the second communication device 120), the RFID tag 30 sends the carrier signal including its own identification information to the first communication device 110 (or To the second communication device 120). Further, when receiving the first (or second) signal, the RFID tag 30 supplies the received first (or second) signal to the control unit 20. Thereby, the control part 20 can detect having received the 1st (or 2nd) signal.

  The tag reader unit 40 is a reader unit for reading information recorded on one or more RFID tags 200a, 200b (see FIG. 1) existing around the portable information terminal 10. The tag reader unit 40 can read information recorded on the RFID tag 200a and the like by communicating with the RFID tag 200a and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, only the RFID tags 200 a and 200 b are illustrated, but actually, there are many other RFID tags around the portable information terminal 10. Hereinafter, RFID tags represented by the RFID tags 200a and 200b may be collectively referred to as the RFID tag 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tag reader unit 40 includes a transmission circuit 42, a reception circuit 44, and an antenna 46.

  The transmission circuit 42 is a circuit for transmitting a carrier signal via the antenna 46. The carrier signal transmitted from the transmission circuit 42 includes a read request.

  The receiving circuit 44 is a circuit for receiving a carrier signal from each RFID tag 200 via the antenna 46. The carrier signal received by the receiving circuit 44 includes information transmitted by each RFID tag 200 in response to a read request (that is, information recorded in each RFID tag 200).

  The antenna 46 radiates the carrier signal output from the transmission circuit 42 to the space and catches the carrier signal output from each RFID tag 200.

  The information code reader unit 50 is a reader unit for reading information recorded in an information code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The information code reader unit 50 includes a light emitting unit 52 and a light receiving unit 54.

  The light emitting unit 52 irradiates the information code to be read with light. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 52 is applied to the information code. The light receiving unit 54 receives reflected light from the information code. At least a part of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 52 is reflected by the information code. The reflected light from the information code is received by the light receiving unit 54. The control unit 20 can read the information recorded in the information code based on the pattern indicated by the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 54.

  The NFC I / F 60 is a wireless I / F for executing NFC communication (a kind of so-called short-range wireless communication) according to the NFC method with an IC card existing around the portable information terminal 10. The NFC scheme is a wireless communication scheme based on, for example, ISO / IEC 21481 or 18092 international standards. The NFC I / F 60 can detect an IC card and can communicate with the IC card.

(First communication device 110; FIG. 1)
The first communication device 110 is a device for communicating with the RFID tag 30 (see FIG. 2) in the portable information terminal 10. Although not shown, the first communication device 110 includes communication means having the same configuration as the tag reader unit 40 of the portable information terminal 10. That is, the first communication device 110 includes a transmission circuit, a reception circuit, and an antenna.

  The first communication device 110 repeatedly transmits the first signal toward the communication range 112 of the own device. The first signal is a carrier signal that the transmission circuit of the first communication device 110 transmits via an antenna. In the present embodiment, the first signal includes information that permits the portable information terminal 10 to execute the information code reading function. In the present embodiment, the portable information terminal 10 can execute the information code reading function in accordance with a user instruction when receiving the first signal.

  The communication range 112 can be rephrased as a range in which the first signal (that is, the carrier signal) transmitted by the first communication device 110 reaches. The portable information terminal 10 can receive the first signal transmitted by the first communication device 110 when it exists within the communication range 112 (that is, within the region R1 or R3 in FIG. 1).

(Second communication device 120; FIG. 1)
Similarly to the first communication device 110, the second communication device 120 is a device for communicating with the RFID tag 30 (see FIG. 2) in the portable information terminal 10. The second communication device 120 also has the same configuration as the first communication device 110.

  The second communication device 120 repeatedly transmits the second signal toward the communication range 122 of the own device. The second signal is a carrier signal transmitted by the transmission circuit of the second communication device 120 via the antenna. In the present embodiment, the second signal includes information that permits the portable information terminal 10 to execute the tag reading function. That is, in the present embodiment, the portable information terminal 10 can execute the tag reading function in accordance with the user's instruction when receiving the second signal.

  The communication range 122 can be rephrased as a range in which the second signal (that is, the carrier signal) transmitted by the second communication device 120 reaches. The portable information terminal 10 can receive the second signal transmitted by the second communication device 120 when it exists within the communication range 122 (that is, within the region R2 or R3 in FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the communication range 112 of the first communication device 110 and the communication range 122 of the second communication device 120 partially overlap. That is, a region R1 in FIG. 1 is a region that does not overlap the communication range 122 in the communication range 112. In the region R1, the portable information terminal 10 can receive only the first signal and cannot receive the second signal.

  The region R2 is a region that does not overlap the communication range 112 in the communication range 122. In the region R2, the portable information terminal 10 can receive only the second signal and cannot receive the first signal.

  Region R3 is a region where communication range 112 and communication range 122 overlap. Within the region R3, the portable information terminal 10 can receive both the first signal and the second signal.

  The region R4 is a region that is not in either the communication range 112 or the communication range 122. Within the region R4, the portable information terminal 10 cannot receive either the first signal or the second signal.

(Terminal processing; Fig. 3)
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the content of the terminal process executed by the control unit 20 of the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment will be described. When the portable information terminal 10 is powered on, the control unit 20 starts the terminal process of FIG.

  In S10, S20, and S30, the control unit 20 monitors the input of any one of an information code reading instruction, a tag reading instruction, and other instructions.

  While the control unit 20 is monitoring S10, S20, and S30, the user of the portable information terminal 10 operates the operation unit 12 (see FIG. 2) to input a predetermined information code reading instruction. Can do. When the information code reading instruction is input, the control unit 20 determines YES in S10, and proceeds to S12.

  In S12, the control unit 20 determines whether or not to receive the first signal. When the portable information terminal 10 exists in the communication range 112 of the first communication device 110 (that is, in the region R1 or R3 in FIG. 1), the control unit 20 passes the RFID tag 30 through the first communication device. A first signal that 110 repeatedly transmits can be received. When the control unit 20 receives the first signal, the control unit 20 determines YES in S12, and proceeds to S14. On the other hand, when the control unit 20 cannot receive the first signal, the control unit 20 determines NO in S12 and proceeds to S16.

  In S14, the control unit 20 causes the information code reader unit 50 to execute the information code reading function. Specifically, in S14, the control unit 20 irradiates light from the light emitting unit 52, and reads the information recorded in the information code based on the pattern indicated by the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 54. Try. When the reading is successful, the control unit 20 stores the read information in the temporary storage area of the memory 16 and causes the display unit 14 to display a part or all of the read information. If the reading fails, the control unit 20 causes the display unit 14 to display a predetermined error message. When S14 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S10, S20, and S30 again.

  In S16, the control unit 20 performs an error operation without causing the information code reader unit 50 to execute the information code reading function. The error operation includes displaying a predetermined error message on the display unit 14. When S16 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S10, S20, and S30 again.

  In addition, while the control unit 20 is monitoring S10, S20, and S30, the user of the portable information terminal 10 can input a predetermined tag reading instruction by operating the operation unit 12. When the tag reading instruction is input, the control unit 20 determines YES in S20, and proceeds to S22.

  In S22, the control unit 20 determines whether or not to receive the second signal. When the portable information terminal 10 exists within the communication range 122 of the second communication device 120 (that is, within the region R2 or R3 in FIG. 1), the control unit 20 passes the RFID tag 30 through the second communication device. A second signal that 120 repeatedly transmits can be received. When the control unit 20 receives the second signal, the control unit 20 determines YES in S22, and proceeds to S24. On the other hand, when the control unit 20 cannot receive the second signal, the control unit 20 determines NO in S22 and proceeds to S26.

  In S24, the control unit 20 causes the tag reader unit 40 to execute a tag reading function. Specifically, in S24, the control unit 20 transmits a carrier signal including a read request to the surroundings via the transmission circuit 42 and the antenna 46. When each RFID tag 200 present around the portable information terminal 10 receives a carrier signal including a read request, the RFID tag 200 transmits a carrier signal including information recorded in the RFID tag 200 to the portable information terminal 10. The reception circuit 44 receives a carrier signal from each RFID tag 200 via the antenna 46. The reception circuit 44 supplies information (that is, information recorded in each RFID tag 200) included in the received carrier signal to the control unit 20. Thereby, the control part 20 can acquire (that is, read) the information recorded on each RFID tag 200. The control unit 20 stores the acquired information in the temporary storage area of the memory 16 and displays part or all of the acquired information on the display unit 14. On the other hand, when the information acquisition fails, the control unit 20 causes the display unit 14 to display a predetermined error message. When S24 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S10, S20, and S30 again.

  In S26, the control unit 20 performs an error operation without causing the tag reader unit 40 to execute the tag reading function. When S26 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S10, S20, and S30 again.

  In addition, while the control unit 20 is monitoring S10, S20, and S30, the user of the portable information terminal 10 operates the operation unit 12 to perform other instructions other than the information code reading instruction and the tag reading instruction. Can also be entered. Other instructions include various instructions other than the information code reading instruction and the tag reading instruction, such as a setting change instruction for the portable information terminal 10 and a browsing instruction for various information stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 16 of the portable information terminal 10. including. When other instructions are input, the control unit 20 determines YES in S30, and proceeds to S32.

  In S32, the control unit 20 determines whether or not to receive at least one of the first signal and the second signal. When the portable information terminal 10 exists in either the communication range 112 of the first communication device 110 or the communication range 122 of the second communication device 120 (that is, in the regions R1 to R3 in FIG. 1), the control unit 20 can receive at least one of the first signal and the second signal via the RFID tag 30. When the control unit 20 receives at least one of the first signal and the second signal, the control unit 20 determines YES in S32 and proceeds to S34. On the other hand, when the control unit 20 does not exist in either the communication range 112 or the communication range 122 (that is, in the region R4 in FIG. 1), the control unit 20 transmits the first signal and the second signal. Neither can be received. In that case, the control unit 20 determines NO in S32, and proceeds to S36.

  In S34, the control unit 20 executes an operation according to the input instruction. For example, if the input instruction is a setting change instruction for the portable information terminal 10, the control unit 20 causes the display unit 14 to display a predetermined setting screen in S34. For example, when the input instruction is a browsing instruction for various information stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 16 of the portable information terminal 10, the control unit 20 stores the temporary storage area of the memory 16 in S <b> 34. Various kinds of stored information are displayed on the display unit 14 in response to a user request. When S34 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S10, S20, and S30 again.

  In S36, the control unit 20 performs an error operation without executing an operation in accordance with the input instruction (YES in S30). That is, in the present embodiment, the control unit 20 invalidates the instruction input from the operation unit 12 when neither the first signal nor the second signal can be received. When S36 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S10, S20, and S30 again.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the portable information terminal 10 receives information according to the input of the information code reading instruction in a situation where the first signal can be received from the first communication device 110 (YES in S12 of FIG. 3). In a situation where the code reading function is executed (S14) and the first signal cannot be received (NO in S12), the information code reading function is not executed even if an information code reading instruction is input (S16). Similarly, in a situation where the portable information terminal 10 can receive the second signal from the second communication device 120 (YES in S22), the portable information terminal 10 executes the tag reading function in response to the input of the tag reading instruction (S24). In a situation where the signal 2 cannot be received (NO in S22), the tag reading function is not executed even if a tag reading instruction is input (S26). That is, according to the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment, for example, when the portable information terminal 10 is taken out of the communication range 112 of the first communication device 110, the execution of the information code reading function can be restricted. . Similarly, when the portable information terminal 10 is taken out of the communication range 122 of the second communication device 120, execution of the tag reading function can be restricted. Therefore, only when the portable information terminal exists in the communication range 112 (or communication range 122), the user of the portable information terminal 10 can be allowed to execute the information code reading function (or tag reading function). Furthermore, according to the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment, when the portable information terminal 10 returns from outside the communication range 112 (or communication range 122) to within the communication range 112 (or communication range 122), the portable information terminal 10 However, the information code reading function (or tag reading function) can be executed again without special processing. Therefore, according to the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment, whether or not each function can be executed can be appropriately switched in the portable information terminal 10 that can execute a plurality of functions.

  Further, in this embodiment, the portable information terminal 10 invalidates other instructions input to the operation unit 12 in a situation where neither the first signal nor the second signal can be received (NO in S32). (S36). Therefore, in this embodiment, the portable information terminal 10 restricts execution of all functions including the information code reading function and the tag reading function in a situation where neither the first signal nor the second signal can be received. Can do.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the portable information terminal 10 is present in the region R3 where the communication range 112 and the communication range 122 overlap, both the first signal and the second signal can be received. . In this case, the portable information terminal 10 of the present embodiment can execute the information code reading function in response to the input of the information code reading instruction (YES in S10 and S12 in FIG. 3, S14), and in response to the input of the tag reading instruction. The tag reading function can be executed (YES in S20 and S22, S24). In the present embodiment, both the information code reading function and the tag reading function can be appropriately executed when the portable information terminal 10 exists in the region R3 of FIG.

  The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be described. The operation unit 12 is an example of an “input unit”. The RFID tag 30 is an example of a “communication unit”. The information code reader unit 50 and the tag reader unit 40 are examples of a “first execution unit” and a “second execution unit”, respectively. The information code and the RFID tag 200 are examples of “first type recording medium” and “second type recording medium”, respectively. The information code reading function and the tag reading function are examples of the “first function” and the “second function”, respectively. The communication range 112 and the communication range 122 are examples of a “first communication range” and a “second communication range”, respectively.

(Second embodiment)
The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. The management system 2 of the present embodiment also has the same configuration as the management system 2 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the operation content when the portable information terminal 10 is present in an area where the communication range 112 and the communication range 122 overlap (area R3 in FIG. 1) is different from that in the first embodiment (FIG. 4). reference). Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 causes the RFID tag 30 to receive carrier signals (that is, the first signal and the second signal) from each reader / writer device (that is, the first communication device 110 and the second communication device 120). ) Can be measured. Hereinafter, the radio field intensity when the first signal is received from the first communication apparatus 110 is referred to as “first radio field intensity”, and the radio field intensity when the second signal is received from the second communication apparatus 120. May be referred to as “second radio field intensity”.

  The radio wave strength (that is, the first radio wave strength and the second radio wave strength) when the RFID tag 30 receives a carrier signal from each reader / writer device can be expressed by a value of RSSI (abbreviation of Received Signal Strength Indication). it can. In general, the farther the mobile information terminal 10 is from the reader / writer device, the smaller the measured radio field intensity. RSSI is represented by the unit dBm.

(Terminal processing; Fig. 4)
Next, the contents of the terminal process executed by the control unit 20 of the portable information terminal 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the present embodiment, when the mobile information terminal 10 is powered on, the control unit 20 starts the terminal process of FIG.

  In S50, S70, and S90, the control unit 20 monitors the input of any one of an information code reading instruction, a tag reading instruction, and other instructions. Here, the contents of S50, S70, and S90 are the same as the contents of S10, S20, and S30 in FIG. If YES in S50, the process proceeds to S52. If YES in S70, the process proceeds to S72. If YES in S90, the process proceeds to S92.

  In S52, the control unit 20 determines whether or not to receive the first signal. When the portable information terminal 10 exists within the communication range 112 of the first communication device 110 (that is, within the region R1 or R3 in FIG. 1), the control unit 20 receives the first signal via the RFID tag 30. can do. In that case, the control unit 20 determines YES in S52, and proceeds to S54. On the other hand, when the first signal cannot be received, the control unit 20 determines NO in S52 and proceeds to S60.

  In S54, the control unit 20 further determines whether or not the second signal is also received. When the portable information terminal 10 exists in the region R3 where the communication range 112 of the first communication device 110 and the communication range 122 of the second communication device 120 overlap, the control unit 20 adds to the first signal, A second signal can also be received. In that case, the control unit 20 determines YES in S54, and proceeds to S56. On the other hand, when the portable information terminal 10 is in the communication range 112 and in the region R1 that does not overlap with the communication range 122, the control unit 20 receives the first signal, but receives the second signal. I can't. In that case, the control unit 20 determines NO in S54, skips S56, and proceeds to S58.

  In S56, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the first radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the second radio wave intensity. When the first radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the second radio wave intensity, the control unit 20 determines YES in S56 and proceeds to S58. On the other hand, when the first radio field intensity is smaller than the second radio field intensity, the control unit 20 determines NO in S56 and proceeds to S60.

  In S58, the control unit 20 causes the information code reader unit 50 to execute the information code reading function. When S58 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S50, S70, and S90 again.

  In S60, the control unit 20 performs an error operation without causing the information code reader unit 50 to execute the information code reading function. When S60 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S50, S70, and S90 again.

  In S72, the control unit 20 determines whether or not to receive the second signal. When the portable information terminal 10 exists within the communication range 122 of the second communication device 120 (that is, within the region R2 or R3 in FIG. 1), the control unit 20 receives the second signal via the RFID tag 30. can do. In that case, the control unit 20 determines YES in S72, and proceeds to S74. On the other hand, when the second signal cannot be received, the control unit 20 determines NO in S72, and proceeds to S80.

  In S74, the control unit 20 further determines whether or not the first signal is also received. When the portable information terminal 10 exists in the region R3 where the communication range 112 and the communication range 122 overlap, the control unit 20 can also receive the first signal in addition to the second signal. In that case, the control unit 20 determines YES in S74, and proceeds to S76. On the other hand, when the portable information terminal 10 exists in the communication range 122 and in the region R2 that does not overlap the communication range 112, the control unit 20 receives the second signal, but receives the first signal. I can't. In that case, the control unit 20 determines NO in S74, skips S76, and proceeds to S78.

  In S76, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the second radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the first radio wave intensity. When the second radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the first radio wave intensity, the control unit 20 determines YES in S76, and proceeds to S78. On the other hand, when the second radio field intensity is smaller than the first radio field intensity, the control unit 20 determines NO in S76, and proceeds to S80.

  In S78, the control unit 20 causes the tag reader unit 40 to execute the tag reading function. When S78 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S50, S70, and S90 again.

  In S80, the control unit 20 performs an error operation without causing the tag reader unit 40 to execute the tag reading function. When S80 ends, the control unit 20 returns to the monitoring of S50, S70, and S90 again.

  The contents of S92, S94, and S96 are the same as the contents of S32, S34, and S36 of FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the portable information terminal 10 can receive both the first signal and the second signal, the first radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the second radio wave intensity. Can execute the information code reading function (YES in S56 of FIG. 4, S58), but cannot execute the tag reading function (NO in S76, S80). On the other hand, when the second radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the first radio wave intensity, the tag reading function can be executed (YES in S76, S78), but the information code reading function cannot be executed (NO in S56, S60). According to the present embodiment, whether or not to execute a plurality of functions of the portable information terminal 10 can be appropriately switched according to the magnitude of the radio wave intensity.

  The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be described. The case of YES in S56 and the case of NO in S76 are examples of the “specific situation”.

  As mentioned above, although each Example of this invention was described in detail, these are only illustrations and do not limit a claim. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

(Modification 1) When the power ON instruction is input to the operation unit 12 while the power of the portable information terminal 10 is turned off, the control unit 20 performs both of the first signal and the second signal. If it cannot be received, the power-on instruction input from the operation unit 12 may be invalidated (that is, the portable information terminal 10 is not turned on). Generally speaking, the control unit may invalidate the input of the instruction to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with either the first communication device or the second communication device.

(Modification 2) In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the communication range 112 of the first communication device 110 and the communication range 122 of the second communication device 120 are partially overlapped. Yes. However, the communication range 112 and the communication range 122 may not overlap at all.

(Modification 3) In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which whether or not to execute the information code reading function and the tag reading function among a plurality of functions that can be executed by the portable information terminal 10 is switched. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the portable information terminal 10 may be capable of switching whether or not to execute another information reading function. Therefore, for example, in addition to the information code reading function and the tag reading function (or in place of either), the portable information terminal 10 can switch whether to execute the IC card reading function via the NFC I / F 60. May be. In this modification, the IC card is an example of “first type recording medium (or second type recording medium)”.

(Modification 4) In each of the above embodiments, the portable information terminal 10 performs wireless communication according to the RFID method with the first communication device 110 (second communication device 120). A first signal (second signal) is received. However, communication between the portable information terminal 10 and the first communication device 110 and the second communication device 120 is not limited to this, and may be performed according to an arbitrary communication method. Therefore, for example, the portable information terminal 10, the first communication device 110, and the second communication device 120 may perform wireless communication according to the Bluetoorh (registered trademark) system. Moreover, you may perform the radio | wireless communication according to a NFC system.

(Modification 5) In the second embodiment, when the portable information terminal 10 can receive both the first signal and the second signal, the first radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the second radio wave intensity. In this case, the information code reading function can be executed (YES in S56 of FIG. 4, S58), but the tag reading function cannot be executed (NO in S76, S80). On the other hand, when the second radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than the first radio wave intensity, the tag reading function can be executed (YES in S76, S78), but the information code reading function cannot be executed (NO in S56, S60). Instead, when the portable information terminal 10 can receive both the first signal and the second signal, only one predetermined function (for example, an information code reading function) can be executed. You may do it. Further, an executable function may be determined by a method other than the radio wave intensity.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

2: Management system 10: Portable information terminal 12: Operation unit 14: Display unit 16: Memory 18: External I / F
20: control unit 30: RFID tag 40: tag reader unit 42: transmission circuit 44: reception circuit 46: antenna 50: information code reader unit 52: light emitting unit 54: light receiving unit 60: NFC I / F
110: first communication device 112: communication range 120: second communication device 122: communication range 200a, 200b: RFID tag

Claims (6)

A portable information terminal,
An input section;
A communication department;
A first execution unit capable of executing a first function of reading information recorded on a first type of recording medium;
A second execution unit capable of executing a second function of reading information recorded on a second type of recording medium different from the first type of recording medium;
A control unit,
The controller is
When an instruction to execute the first function is input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device, the first function is set to the first execution unit. Let it run
When an instruction to execute the first function is input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with the first communication device, the first function is input to the first execution unit. Without running
When an instruction to execute the second function is input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit performs wireless communication with a second communication device different from the first communication device, the second function Causing the execution unit to execute the second function;
When an instruction to execute the second function is input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with the second communication device, the second function is input to the second execution unit. Do not run,
Mobile information terminal.   The control unit invalidates an instruction input to the input unit in a situation where the communication unit does not perform wireless communication with either the first communication device or the second communication device. The portable information terminal described. In the situation where the control unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device and also performs wireless communication with the second communication device,
(A) When an execution instruction for the first function is input to the input unit, the first execution unit is caused to execute the first function;
(B) When an instruction to execute the second function is input to the input unit, the second execution unit is caused to execute the second function.
The portable information terminal according to claim 1 or 2. In the specific situation, the control unit performs wireless communication with the first communication device and the wireless communication with the second communication device.
(I) When an execution instruction for the first function is input to the input unit, the first execution unit is caused to execute the first function;
(Ii) When an execution instruction for the second function is input to the input unit, the second execution unit is not allowed to execute the second function.
The portable information terminal according to claim 1 or 2. The specific situation is a situation where the radio field intensity when the communication unit wirelessly communicates with the first communication device is greater than the radio field intensity when the communication unit wirelessly communicates with the second communication device.
The portable information terminal according to claim 4. The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A first communication device that performs wireless communication with the communication unit of the portable information terminal when the portable information terminal exists within a first communication range;
A second communication device that performs wireless communication with the communication unit of the portable information terminal when the portable information terminal exists in a second communication range different from the first communication range. system.

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