JP3415969B2 - Identification device and identification system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is attached to an article, a vehicle, an animal or the like (hereinafter, referred to as an article, etc.), receives an inquiry radio wave from an interrogator, and sends a response radio wave to the interrogator. The present invention relates to an identification device that identifies the article or the like, and an identification system using the identification device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of identification device is used by being attached to an article or its container and used together with an interrogator having a transmitting function and a receiving function. For example, clearing and inventory control when a product is sold in a supermarket. , And to check at the exit of the store to prevent the unlawful removal of goods.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional identification device and an interrogator. Reference numeral 10 is an interrogator, and 20 is an identification device. The identification device 20 includes a receiver 21 that receives an inquiry radio wave from the interrogator 10, a code generator 22 that generates identification information of the identification device 20, and an inquiry radio wave from the receiver 21 according to the identification information of the code generator 22. Modulator 2 for modulating
3, a transmitter 24 that outputs the output of the modulator 23 as a response radio wave, and a gap length detector 25 that detects the interruption time of the inquiry radio wave, that is, the gap length. An example of the gap length detection unit 25 is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-21154, but detects whether the inquiry radio wave is interrupted for a predetermined time immediately after transmitting the response radio wave, for example.

The interrogator 10 includes a transmitter 11 for transmitting an inquiry radio wave, a receiver 12 for receiving a response radio wave from the identification device 20, a code analyzer 12 for extracting an identification signal from the received response radio wave, and a controller. 14 and. Identification device 20
Is initially in a state where power is not supplied (hereinafter, referred to as a reset state), and all circuits are not operating.

The interrogation radio wave from the interrogator 10 is the identification device 20.
In the receiving unit 21 of the identification device 20, the electric power used for the operation of the identification device 20 is accumulated in the reception unit 21 of the identification device 20 by the identification information of the code generation unit 22 according to the inquiry radio wave. The inquiry radio wave is modulated by the modulation unit 23 to form a response radio wave, and the transmission unit 24
Output from. This response radio wave is at random time intervals,
It is sent intermittently. The interrogator 10 receives the response radio wave at the receiving unit 12, extracts the identification code of the identification device 20, and identifies and counts the corresponding products. Also, the transmission of the inquiry radio wave is interrupted for a predetermined time after the reception of the response radio wave. The identification device 20 determines that the identification information has been accepted by the interrogator 10 when the gap length detection unit 25 detects that the inquiry radio wave has been interrupted for a predetermined time (gap length) G0 immediately after the transmission of its own response radio wave. Then, thereafter, the output of the identification information from the code generator 22 is prohibited, and the transmission of the response radio wave is stopped, that is, the set state is set. On the contrary, if the inquiry radio wave is not interrupted immediately after the transmission of the response radio wave of its own, it is determined that the identification information is not accepted, and the response radio wave is continuously transmitted. The above process is repeated until the identification information is received. This prevents the same identification device 20 from being repeatedly counted.

On the other hand, in the interrogator, if the identification code is not correctly identified due to a jam of the radio wave from the identification device 20, the interrogation radio wave continues to be sent, so the identification device 2
0 continues to transmit the response radio wave. Thus, the transmission of the response radio wave is repeated until the identification code is correctly identified.

Even when there are a plurality of identification devices for one interrogator 10, each identification device intermittently sends out response radio waves at random time intervals, so that the transmission of response radio waves is repeated. Which will be correctly identified.

In this way, response radio waves from the identification devices attached to a plurality of products can be detected, and inventory control, clearing of the clearing place, check at the exit, etc. can be performed.

[0009]

However, the above-mentioned identification device is used together with the interrogator installed at the clearing place and the interrogator installed at the exit for clearing at the clearing place and checking at the exit of the store. If so, there are the following problems.

The identification device attached to the product placed in the store is in the reset state. When the product is brought to a clearing place and enters the reachable range of radio waves, the product is cleared by the above operation. If the product is taken out of the radio wave reach of the interrogator installed in the clearing place after completing the clearing at the clearing place, the power supply by the radio wave will be cut off and it will be in the reset state, and the identification device that has not been cleared It will be in the same state as. Therefore, in the interrogator installed next at the exit, it is impossible to distinguish between the identification device that has been cleared at the settlement location and the identification device that has not been cleared.

To prevent this, the interrogation radio wave of the interrogator can be strengthened so that the entire area from the settlement place to the exit is covered by any interrogator.
However, if the interrogating radio wave from the interrogator at the exit reaches the identification device for the product at the clearing location, or if there are multiple clearing locations, the interrogative radio wave from the interrogator at one clearing location will be transmitted to the other There is a problem of reaching the interrogator. In addition, the inquiry radio wave of the interrogator at the clearing place reaches the identification device of the product under inventory control in the store, and conversely the inquiry radio wave of the interrogator for inventory management reaches the identification device of the product at the settlement place. As a result, incorrect identification and counting operations may be performed. Therefore, the reach of radio waves for liquidation is
Must be small to some extent.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an identification device which can be used for various purposes such as clearing, check at exit, and inventory control.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an identification system in which there is no risk of erroneous identification, counting, etc. even if the settlement and check at the exit and inventory control are performed relatively close to each other. .

[0014]

The identification device according to claim 1 comprises:
Receiving means for receiving the interrogation radio wave from the interrogator, means for transmitting a response radio wave including a preset unique identification code according to the interrogation radio wave, and the interrogation radio wave having a first length.
Time by interruption of a first gap length detection means for generating a first detection signal indicating that the said question wave previous
Note that when interrupted for a second length of time that is longer than the first length of time, a second gap length detecting means for generating a second detection signal indicating that is provided, and means for transmitting the response radio wave. It is immediately after transmission of the response radio wave, when the front Stories second detection signal is <br/> generated, and stops sending the subsequent response radio wave, also immediately after delivery of the response electric wave, the first 1 detection signal
Signal is generated, the transmission of the response radio wave is stopped,
And once the stored power is cut off, the power is supplied.
However, even if the
Characterized by lifting.

[0015]

The identification device according to claim 2 further comprises the first device.
When the detection signal is generated, the display means is provided for displaying the fact.

The identification device according to claim 3, wherein the display means includes an electrochromic device which changes color upon application of a voltage, and display control means for applying a voltage to the electrochromic device according to the first detection signal It is characterized by having.

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021] according to claim 4 identification system comprises a first interrogator, a second interrogator, and a discrimination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second questions Each of the containers sends an inquiry radio wave, and the identification device sends a response electric wave in response to the inquiry radio wave, whereby the first and second radio waves are transmitted.
In the identification system for identifying the identification device with the interrogator, the first interrogator interrupts the transmission of the interrogation radio wave for the first length of time, and the second interrogator includes the second interrogator. It is characterized in that the transmission of the interrogation radio wave is interrupted only for a time period of 2.

[0022]

According to the identifying device of the first aspect, it is possible to respond to different kinds of interrogators having different interruption times. Also, when the inquiry radio wave is the first length
When responding to the interrogator (first interrogator) interrupted for a while ,
After that, he does not respond to the interrogator. The use of such an identification device is convenient when the attributes of the identification device or the article to which the identification device is attached change or need to be changed after passing the interrogator side. For example, if the first interrogator is an interrogator at a clearing place in a supermarket, the product will be the property of the person who purchased it by liquidation, so indicating that by permanently changing the state of the identification device. You can

[0023]

According to the identification device of the second aspect , since the display means is used, it is responsive to the first interrogator,
Or you can visually confirm that the attributes have changed.

According to the identification device of the third aspect , the display can be realized by a small device which consumes less power.

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

According to the identification system of the fourth aspect , the first interrogator and the second interrogator have different roles so that identification and counting for different purposes can be performed.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are all applied to the case where the identification device and the interrogator are applied to inventory management, clearing, and exit check of products in a supermarket.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The identification device 30 includes a reception unit 21, a code generation unit 22, a modulation unit 23, and a transmission unit 2 as in the conventional identification device 20.
4, the first gap length detection unit 31 and the second gap length detection unit 32 are provided. When the gap length (interruption time of the inquiry radio wave) G is within the predetermined first range G10 to G11, that is, when G10 <G <G11, the first gap length detection unit 31 detects it. The first detection signal S1 is generated. The second gap length detection unit 32 has a second range G20 to G2 in which the gap length G is predetermined.
When it is within 1, that is, when G20 <G <G21, this is detected to generate the second detection signal S2.

The code generator 22 detects the detection signals S1 and S
When either of the two is generated, the set state is entered and the generation of the code is stopped. This set state is released when the power supply to the identification device 30 is once cut off and then the power is supplied again. That is, the identification device 30 is in the reset state and is in the same state as before the detection signals S1 and S2 were generated. When the detection signal S1 is generated by the modulator 23,
It becomes a state in which the transmission of the response radio wave is stopped, that is, a permanent stop state. The permanent stop state is a state in which the power supply to the identification device 30 is once cut off, and then is maintained even if the power is supplied again, and the transmission of the response radio wave is permanently stopped.

In order to retain the information indicating the permanently stopped state, the information is electrically burned to retain the information, for example, a fuse ROM, or the electrical information that can be retained once the power is cut by writing once. Erasable EE
PROM can be used.

The identification device 30 described above is suitable for use with a plurality of types of interrogators, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, for example, an interrogator 10A is an inventory control interrogator, 10B is a settlement interrogator, and 10C is an interrogator for checking at the exit. Interrogator 10A, 10B
And 10C each have the same structure as the interrogator 10 of the conventional example. However, the interruption time (gap length) is different. For example, the gap length Gb of the interrogator 10B falls within the first predetermined range G10-G11, while the gap lengths Ga and Gc of the interrogators 10A and 10C fall within the second predetermined range G20-G21. . That is, G10 <Gb <G11 G20 <Ga <G21 G20 <Gc <G21 When the inventory control interrogator 10A is approached, the identification device 30 responds to the interrogator 10A and clears as shown by a broken line. When it is brought near the interrogator 10B at the place, it responds to the interrogator 10B, and when passing near the interrogator 10C for exit check as shown by the chain line, it responds to the interrogator 10C. When responding to the interrogators 10A and 10C, the second gap length detection unit 32 sets G20 <G
When a <G21 and G20 <Gc <G21 are detected, the detection signal S2 is generated to enter the set state, and thereafter the transmission of the identification code is stopped. As a result of such an operation, identification for inventory control, counting and checking at the exit can be performed. When the interrogator 10A is moved away from the interrogator 10A or separated from the interrogator 10C, the identification device 30 that responds in this manner is reset and returns to a state in which it can respond to the interrogator again.

When responding to the interrogator 10b, the first gap length detector 31 detects G10 <Gb <G11 and generates the detection signal S1 to enter the set state, after which the transmission of response radio waves is stopped. Not only that, the modulation unit 23 is permanently stopped and does not respond to any interrogator. As a result of such an operation, the interrogator 10B can identify and count for settlement. Further, after receiving the settlement in this way, the interrogators 10A and 10C also stop responding. In other words, even when passing through the exit, the interrogator 10C at the exit does not mistakenly determine that the product is unjustly taken out, and the purchaser has completed the liquidation and has the product which he / she owns in the store. Interrogator 10A for inventory management when it is included
There is no inconvenience to be identified by.

In the above example, the second gap length detector 32 detects the gap length G when it is within the second range G20 to G21, that is, when G20 <G <G21. Although the second detection signal S2 is generated, the upper limit may not be set and the second detection signal S2 may be generated when G20 <G. Further, G20 and G11 may be equal to each other.

Second Embodiment FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. The identification device 40 is similar to the identification device 30 of the first embodiment, but further includes a display device 33. The display device 33 includes a display control unit 34 and a display device 35. The display device 35 is composed of, for example, an electrochromic device, and changes color by injecting charges, and then maintains the state after color change even when the voltage is removed.
As an example, tungsten trioxide WO ₃ is usually colorless, but it turns blue when a voltage is applied and then maintains this state.

When the first detection signal S1 is generated, the display control section 34 applies a voltage to the display device 35 to change its color.

With such a configuration, not only can inventory control, settlement, and exit check be performed as in the first embodiment, but the display device 35 of the identification device that has finished settlement is discolored. It is convenient to be able to see it visually. For example, it is possible to confirm the judgment of the question device 10C by looking at the identification device with respect to the product which is judged to be unjustly taken out by the question device 10C at the time of exit check.

The identification device is discolored even if an illegally processed product is once added to a product that has been cleared, and the product is secretly returned to the product shelf to damage the customer's trust in the product. If you do so, you can easily find the product by eye,
Such fraud is surely prevented.

In the above example, the response radio wave by the first detection signal S1 may not be permanently stopped, and only the color change display by the display device may be performed. Such an identification device is useful when the identification device is used for inventory management and settlement without performing an exit check.

In the above example, WO ₃ is used as the electrochromic device, but MoO ₃ is used instead.
An inorganic material such as the above or a viogen-based organic material may be used. Further, liquid crystal or LED may be used.

In the above embodiment, the identification device takes out the electric power required for the circuit operation from the interrogation radio wave, but it may be configured to have a built-in battery. In this case, it is desirable to supply power to each circuit when receiving the interrogation radio wave.

The case where the identification device and the identification system are used for inventory management, clearing, and exit check in a supermarket has been described above, but the present invention has other uses,
For example, it can be used to identify vehicles and animals.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the identification device is used for different purposes such as clearing, check at exit, inventory control, etc., or is performed relatively close, erroneous identification, counting, etc. There is no possibility that

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an identification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an identification system including an identification device and an interrogator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an identification device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a conventional identification device and an interrogator.

[Explanation of symbols]

30 identification device, 31, 32 first gap length detection unit, 32 second gap length detection unit.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-7-311263 (JP, A) JP-A-5-333145 (JP, A) JP-A-4-315081 (JP, A) JP-A-4-315081 218789 (JP, A) JP-A-1-182778 (JP, A) JP-A-5-203734 (JP, A) European Patent Application Publication 585132 (EP, A 1) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01S ⁷ /00-7/42 G01S 13/00-13/95 G08B 13/22 H04B 1/59

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving an interrogation radio wave from an interrogator, a means for transmitting a response radio wave containing a preset unique identification code in response to the interrogation radio wave, and the interrogation radio wave being the first A first gap length detecting means for generating a first detection signal indicating that when the length of time is interrupted, and a second length in which the inquiry radio wave is longer than the first length of time.
Interrupting the time, and a second gap length detection means for generating a second detection signal indicating that the means for sending the response radio wave is immediately sent in the response electric wave, before Symbol second when the detection signal is generated, and stops the subsequent response radio wave sent, also, delivery of the response electric wave
Immediately after that, when the first detection signal is generated, the response
A. Stop sending radio waves and temporarily stop the stored power.
After receiving the power,
An identification device characterized by maintaining a state in which no waves are transmitted . 2. The identification device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the first detection signal when the first detection signal is generated. 3. The display means includes an electrochromic device that changes color when a voltage is applied, and a display control means that applies a voltage to the electrochromic device according to the first detection signal. The identification device according to claim 2 . 4. A first interrogator, a second interrogator, and a discrimination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second interrogator each question wave Send out,
The identification device sends a response radio wave in response to the interrogation radio wave, whereby the identification device identifies the identification device by the first and second interrogators, wherein the first interrogator is the first interrogator. The identification system, wherein the transmission of the inquiry radio wave is interrupted for a length of time, and the second interrogator suspends the transmission of the inquiry radio wave for the second length of time.