JP3657481B2 - Non-contact type data storage device for data storage and non-contact ID tag reading device for cafeteria settlement - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and method using a non-contact data storage body, and more particularly to a data processing apparatus and method capable of using a plurality of types of non-contact data storage bodies having different response sensitivities.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system, a system in which an ID tag (non-contact ID tag) using radio waves is embedded in tableware or a tray to perform automatic settlement processing of a cafeteria, or a ski lift ticket The system etc. which were applied to etc. are realized. In recent years, ID tags have become relatively inexpensive, and their application in various fields has been studied and realized.
[0003]
As a canteen system using a non-contact ID tag, for example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-115475. This canteen system has a writing means for writing the required ID information on the ID tag of the tableware placed on the writing table when the food is delivered to the customer, and a reading table when the customer pays the cash register. Reading means for reading the ID information from the ID tag of the placed tray, and a payment means for calculating the price of the food based on the ID information read by the reading means and the price information registered in advance. It is equipped.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The ID tag reading device applied to the cafeteria system using the ID tag as described above uses an ID tag having the same response sensitivity, attaches the ID tag to a tray or tableware in advance, and the ID tag reading device An electromagnetic wave having a constant frequency is emitted from an excitation antenna (also called an excitation antenna or an excitation antenna), and an ID code from an ID tag is read out in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic induction of the electromagnetic wave.
[0005]
In such an ID tag reading device, it is not assumed that reading is performed in a state where a plurality of types of ID tags having different response sensitivities are mixed. Therefore, when reading with a plurality of types of ID tags in a mixed state, mutual interference occurs between the ID tags due to the difference in response sensitivity. Therefore, in the conventional reading apparatus, the ID code from the ID tag is used. It is assumed that a tag having the same response sensitivity may be used.
[0006]
In addition, the conventional ID tag reading device generally generates a magnetic field using an excitation antenna formed so as to circulate around the reading region, and the strength of the magnetic field varies depending on the position of the reading region, Since the ID code may not be recognized depending on the position where the ID tag exists, the place where the object to which the ID tag is attached is limited to some extent. Therefore, in a cafeteria system that requires a wide detection area for reading out the ID tag attached to each tableware on the tray, the shape of the tableware and the place on the tray cannot be made arbitrary.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in the circumstances as described above, and the object of the present invention is to provide each type of non-contact type data storage device having different response sensitivities (magnetic field sensitivity, output characteristics) even in a mixed state. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of reading data in a data storage body. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method that enable excitation with an appropriate magnetic field in an apparatus that requires a wide detection area, regardless of where the non-contact data storage body is located in the detection area. It is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a data processing device and method for a non-contact type data storage that can be read at least, and a non-contact ID tag reading device for canteen settlement. The above object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device. ,A mounting table on which a plurality of types of non-contact data storage bodies having different response sensitivities are placed, a plurality of receiving antenna groups that are arranged below the mounting table and wound with conductive wires, and circulate around the receiving antenna groups An antenna module having an excitation antenna formed by an excitation coil formed on the same plane, and excitation means for exciting the excitation coil;
The excitation antenna excited by the excitation means induces a power supply voltage of the non-contact type data storage body, receives information stored therein via the reception antenna, and each non-contact type data In order to obtain an exciting electric field that does not cause mutual interference between the storage bodies, the excitation coil current excited by the excitation means is set according to the type of the non-contact type data storage body having the different response sensitivity. A control unit is provided to change the size step by step.Is achieved.
[0009]
Further, in the invention of the non-contact ID tag reading device for canteen settlement, it is used for a checkout settlement system for a canteen that takes out the menu of the ID collected from the tray on which the tableware embedded with the non-contact ID tag is placed and performs settlement. A non-contact ID tag reading device,The non-contact ID tag reading device includes:Excitation means capable of exciting the non-contact ID tag with a plurality of excitation currents;Grouped by areaHas multiple receiving antennas,ID tag reading means for selecting an individual receiving antenna and reading an ID transmitted by the non-contact ID tagAnd,
  Non-contact with multiple types of sensitivity and outputIDStart reading with the tableware mixed with tags, excited with a plurality of excitation currents, and read by the receiving antenna,When it is determined that the same ID is read by a plurality of receiving antennas in the same group with the antenna number or position information of the receiving antenna added to the read ID and stored. Deletes duplicates and determines whether the same ID has been read redundantly between different groups.Is achieved by removing
[0011]
Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a data processing apparatus using a non-contact type data storage capable of reading at least, wherein the reader excites an excitation antenna comprising an excitation coil that surrounds the reading area. Excitation means for applying the power source energy to the data storage body, a mounting table on which a plurality of the data storage bodies for transmitting information stored by the power source when a power supply voltage is induced by the excitation means is mounted, A plurality of receiving antennas arranged in each of the divided areas obtained by dividing the readout area that circulates the excitation antenna, and a control unit that can vary a current of an excitation coil that is excited by the excitation means; When reading the non-contact data storage at the center of the area, a stronger excitation current is applied than when reading the outer peripheral area of the read area. It is achieved by providing the container.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, in the data processing apparatus of the non-contact type data storage body, the magnitude (intensity) of the excitation current applied to the excitation antenna can be varied, thereby increasing the strength of the excitation electric field applied to the non-contact type data storage body. In the first invention, the magnitude of the excitation current is stepped in accordance with the type of the non-contact type data storage having different response sensitivities so that mutual interference between ID tags does not occur. The non-contact type data storage body of the response sensitivity is sequentially read out under the strength of the appropriate excitation electric field, so that each type of data storage body can be mixed even in a mixed state. The ID code can be read out.
[0013]
In the second aspect of the invention, the read area is divided into a plurality of areas in accordance with the difference in magnetic field strength caused by the location in the read area in accordance with the shape of the excitation antenna, etc., and corresponds to each divided area. Receiving antennas are stored, and the magnitude of the excitation current is changed stepwise to sequentially generate states in which the excitation electric fields are substantially the same in each divided area. The strength of the response signal input through the receiving antenna is controlled by reading the ID code for the data from the receiving antenna in the divided area corresponding to the magnitude of the excitation current at that time. Is substantially the same for all receiving antennas, so that the influence of the difference in the electric field distribution characteristics at each location due to the physical size of the excitation antenna can be avoided.
[0014]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a non-contact type data storage body according to the present invention will be described. The non-contact type data storage body applied to the present invention has a unique number (ID number), and when receiving power by electromagnetic coupling of a non-contact antenna, the non-contact type data storage body itself stores ID data at a specific frequency. This is a data carrier that outputs serially and uses an RFID chip or a transponder element as an ID chip. The data carrier is not limited to the battery-free type but also includes a battery.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a non-contact type data storage applied to the present invention and an antenna unit on the data processing apparatus side. The non-contact type data storage body 10 is an ID tag in this example, and, as shown in the figure, a coil 11 that functions as an antenna, a rectifier circuit 12a, a tag control circuit that has a memory access and response signal modulation function 12b and an IC section composed of an EEPROM 12c. In this example, an EEPROM is used as the memory of the ID tag 10 and data can be written by a write command.
[0016]
FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of the structure of the ID tag 10. The ID tag 10 has a coil 11 wound around it, and an IC portion 12 is included therein. In this example, the coil 11 and the IC part 12 are arranged in a circular recess formed in the center of the disk-shaped resin holder 13, and the upper part is covered with a resin mold 14. Forming. In the example of FIG. 2, the IC part 12 is rectangular, and an annular coil 11 is provided on the outer periphery of the IC part 12. However, the shape and arrangement of the coil 11 and the IC part 12 are dependent on the application. It can be changed as appropriate.
[0017]
In the restaurant cash register settlement system to be described later, the ID tag 10 as described above is pasted or embedded in tableware, and is read out in a state of being placed on the tableware tray of the cafeteria. (For example, a unique ID code of about 20 to 40 bits) is written in the EEPROM 12c, and only reading is performed.
[0018]
Here, the principle of reading the ID tag will be described with reference to FIG. An excitation antenna (excitation antenna) 121 is provided in the tag reading unit on the data processing device side. When a high-frequency current is passed through the excitation antenna 121, the tag 10 is inside the tag 10 by electromagnetic induction of the fundamental oscillation signal from the excitation antenna 121. A power supply voltage is induced and a basic clock is induced. The contents of the EEPROM 12c are read out by the tag control circuit 12b in synchronization with the basic clock induced under the power of the power supply, and the serial signal modulated by the modulator is output from the antenna coil 11, and the data processor side The signal is received by the receiving antenna 111. The data stored in the tag 10 is only the ID in this example, and the ID is written in the initial writing, and thereafter, it is always used exclusively for reading.
[0019]
Next, the configuration of the data processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the reading unit of the data processing apparatus according to the present invention. The reading unit (reader) of the data processing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of control CPUs 130 and performs signal processing of the receiving antenna group in parallel on a group basis. In this example, the reading area is divided into a plurality of areas, each receiving antenna group in each divided area is set as one group, and the ID tag reading process in the divided area of each group is controlled by each control CPU 130. The configuration is implemented in parallel.
[0021]
In FIG. 3, each reception unit 110 includes a reception antenna 111 of the group, an antenna switching unit 112a that switches each reception antenna of the group, an amplification unit 112b that amplifies a response signal (serial signal) from the ID tag, and an amplification It comprises a demodulator 112c that demodulates the later signal and a decoder 112d that converts the demodulated response signal into an ID code. On the other hand, the transmission unit (excitation unit) 120 includes an oscillation unit 122a that provides a predetermined oscillation frequency, a current control unit 122b that varies the excitation current applied to the excitation antenna and controls on / off of the excitation current, and an excitation driver 122c. And the excitation antenna (excitation antenna) 121, and the current control unit 122 b in the transmission unit 120 sends the excitation current of the commanded magnitude according to the command from the control CPU 130 a that controls the entire excitation antenna 121. And an appropriate magnetic field is generated in the reading area of the ID tag. In this example, control of the entire reading unit of the data processing apparatus 100 and control of the transmission unit 120 are performed by a control CPU 130a (hereinafter referred to as a master CPU), and ID tag reading control in each divided area described later is performed with the master CPU 130a. The other control CPU 130b (hereinafter referred to as a slave CPU) is used.
[0022]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of an antenna module that is a component of the reading unit. The antenna module 101 is disposed below a mounting table on which a structure having an ID tag (such as tableware with an ID tag) is placed. Here, the case where it applies to the settlement system of the dining room mentioned later is taken as an example, and it is made into the rectangular shape according to the tableware tray used in a dining room. In FIG. 4, an antenna module 101 uses a coil 111 formed by winding a conducting wire as a receiving antenna (tag lead antenna), and arranges the receiving antenna group in a reading area so that the receiving antennas 111 do not interfere with each other. Excitation antennas 121 made up of rectangular excitation coils formed so as to circulate are arranged in the same plane.
[0023]
In the example of FIG. 4, the antenna module 101 includes 60 receiving antennas 111. For example, when the ID tag reading area is divided into four parts and read out in parallel by four control CPUs 130, In order to include 15 receiving antennas 111 in the area, it is divided into four in the longitudinal direction or in the short direction, divided into four in a square shape, or divided into four by reducing the rectangle into four stages. Divide by shape.
[0024]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which the ID tag read area 102a is divided into four in the longitudinal direction. In the data processing apparatus 100, the 15 reception antennas 111 in each divided area P1, P2, P3, and P4 are grouped into one group, and the master CPU 130a and the slave CPUs 130b described above have a total of four control CPUs for each group. The reading operation of the ID tag is controlled. Regarding the reading of the ID tag, the same program is built in the four control CPUs, and the four groups of receiving antenna groups are scanned at the same speed and at the same speed.
[0025]
Here, the reading method of the present invention in a state where the characteristics of an ID tag to be read and ID tags having a plurality of characteristics are mixed will be described.
[0026]
When an ID tag in use becomes difficult to obtain due to production stoppage or the like, it may be necessary to switch the ID tag used in the system to a new one. There are many ID tags on the market that can be used with the same modulation method and the same frequency, but the actual situation is that the sensitivity with respect to the magnetic field and the output when excited with a constant magnetic field are different. For this reason, during the switching of the type of ID tag used in the system, it is necessary to use a mixture of ID tags with the same excitation and different outputs. The ID tag does not have a collision prevention function and continues to transmit data if there is a magnetic field. However, when such an ID tag is used, the degree of influence between the tags is reduced by controlling the magnitude of the excitation current. Thus, individual ID tags can be read.
[0027]
In the present invention, under the control of the control unit (master CPU 130a), the magnitude of the excitation current applied to the excitation antenna 121 is varied via the current control unit 122b, so that the strength of the excitation electric field applied to the ID tag can be increased. I can control it. In the first invention, the ID code of each tag can be controlled even in a state where a plurality of types of ID tags are mixed by controlling the whole in a stepwise manner according to the types of ID tags having different response sensitivities. It can be read.
[0028]
FIG. 6 shows an example of output characteristics of two types of non-contact ID tags a and b having different response sensitivities (magnetic field sensitivity and output characteristics), the vertical axis V indicates the output voltage, and the horizontal axis H indicates the magnetic field. Shows the strength of As shown in the characteristic curve in FIG. 6, the tag a is a high-sensitivity / high-output type non-contact ID tag that can operate even in a magnetic field weaker than the tag b and can exhibit a high output. On the other hand, the tag b operates with a magnetic field stronger than the tag a and has a low output. The mutual interference line in FIG. 6 is a tag output level when the tag b (or a) cannot be read due to the influence of the tag a (or b) at the allowable minimum inter-tag distance. In the case of reading in a state where these tags a and b are mixed, for example, the tag a is read by applying a weak magnetic field first, and then the magnetic field is strengthened within a range in which the influence of mutual interference can be avoided. By reading, two types of tags having different characteristics can be read.
[0029]
In the example of FIG. 6, when reading the tag a, excitation is performed with the excitation current 1, reading is performed under the magnetic field of A that is not affected by the tag b, and when reading the tag b next, excitation is performed with the excitation current 2. Thus, the data of each tag can be read by reading under the magnetic field of B with little influence from the tag a.
[0030]
A data processing apparatus having a function for controlling the magnitude of the excitation current as described above can be suitably provided for, for example, an automatic settlement system for a dining room using an ID tag. In other words, in the cafeteria, tableware with a non-contact ID tag is used every day, but the cycle of “cooking” → “use for meals” → “cleaning and drying” is repeated, and when the period comes, the life of the tableware itself is reached. The old ones are always discarded and replaced with new dishes. Therefore, the old type ID tag will inevitably be replaced with the new type ID tag, but replacing all at once will be a waste of resources, and the old and new types will be mixed in the process due to cost problems. It will be inevitable. In the data processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to read out each ID tag even when these new and old type ID tags are mixed.
[0031]
Hereinafter, the case where the data processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an automatic settlement system of a cafeteria will be described as an example.
[0032]
In a self-service cafeteria, you usually select and pick up your favorite single dishes (dish) at the menu selection corner and place them on a tray for checkout before or after meals. In this system, the menu number, menu name, unit price, etc. are separately registered in the server in accordance with the ID number of the ID tag attached to the tableware. In an automatic checkout machine (hereinafter referred to as “auto register terminal”) provided with a data processing device according to the present invention, a payment amount is calculated from read data of an ID tag corresponding to each menu, and a non-contact ID card The user is identified from the data and the payment information is sent to the server for payment. For settlement, the user uses a prepaid card or an employee ID card (non-contact IC card, magnetic card, etc.). As the form of payment, there are a payment by a postpaid method and a payment by a prepaid method when a read-only contactless ID card or a rewritable contactless ID card (contactless IC card) is used as a prepaid card, From the viewpoint of unmanned and manned, there are settlement at an unattended cash register for settlement and settlement at a general POS cash register (manned cash register).
[0033]
FIG. 7 shows an example of the overall configuration of a restaurant automatic checkout system. In FIG. 7, a server 500 is a device that stores order data and money amount data in association with an ID for identifying a user, and totals and manages settlement information, etc., and other devices via a communication line such as a LAN. Connected with. The topping terminal 600 is a terminal for registering a new price when a price change occurs for the ID tag. The topping terminal 600 corresponds to the topping menu and notifies the server 500 of the tag code whose value has been changed along with the new price. . The auto cash register terminal 200 is a terminal for automatically adjusting the usage fee, and includes a data processing device (hereinafter referred to as a non-contact ID tag reading device), a processor main body that performs data communication with the server 500, a card, and the like. It consists of leaders.
[0034]
Data such as a menu name and a price corresponding to the ID are downloaded from the server 500 and stored in advance in the auto cash register terminal 200. Whenever there is a menu addition, change, or price setting change, the difference of the changed part or the entire data is downloaded from the server 500. In the auto cash register terminal 200, the ID code is read from the tableware tag on the tray placed on the mounting table by the non-contact ID tag reading device, and the amount data corresponding to the ID code, the dish name code, and the like are used as order information in the server. 500 is notified. At that time, when a non-contact ID card (hereinafter referred to as a non-contact IC card as an example and referred to as an IC card) is used as a postpaid card, the server 500 is notified of the ID code of the user read from the IC card. . On the other hand, when an IC card is used as a prepaid card, the prepaid balance is subtracted by the auto cash register terminal 200 and the processing result (payment information) is notified to the server 500.
[0035]
The settlement terminal 300 is a terminal that performs settlement and settlement with payment of charges such as when an IC card is used as a prepaid card and the prepaid balance is insufficient. In addition, as a reference function based on the user's own ID (user ID), a function for displaying the payment details and the total amount used in the month, and a function for calculating and displaying a nutritional value such as a calorie value from the contents of the order. I have. The payment terminal 300 downloads order information and amount data from the server 500 using an IC card ID code, and performs payment processing. In the payment terminal 300, in addition to the method of paying using an IC card purchased as a prepaid card and the method of paying using an IC card for employees, prepaid payment using a prepaid card used in another system, ID payment using a magnetic card, There is cash settlement by cash payment. The POS cash register 400A is a manned cash register that performs a settlement process when an abnormality occurs in the auto cash register terminal 200 or the payment terminal 300, and a general POS terminal 400 is installed. In the POS terminal 400, similarly to the payment terminal 300, payment by prepaid payment using a prepaid card used in another system, ID payment using a magnetic card, and cash payment using cash payment is possible.
[0036]
Hereinafter, a configuration and an operation example of the automatic cash register terminal 200 to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail.
[0037]
FIG. 8 shows the internal configuration of the auto cash register terminal 200 in correspondence with the configuration example of the reading unit shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, an auto cash register terminal 200 includes a data processing device (non-contact ID tag reading device) 100 and a processor main body (personal computer) that performs overall control related to automatic settlement processing and data communication control with a host computer. ) 211, a touch panel type liquid crystal display 212, a card reader 213 for performing card payment, a tray detection sensor 214 for detecting a tableware tray placed on the mounting table, and the like. Since the configuration of the non-contact ID tag reading device 100 is the same as that of the data processing device described above, description thereof is omitted here.
[0038]
FIG. 9 schematically shows a configuration of a main part of the auto cash register terminal 200. The processor body 211 for overall control is connected to the non-contact ID tag reading device 100 having the mounting table 102 by an interface cable such as RS-232C.
[0039]
FIG. 10 shows an example of the external configuration of the main part of the auto cash register terminal 200 installed in the cafeteria. In FIG. 10, the user places the tray 2 on which the various dishes 1 are placed on the tray mounting table 102 and holds the contactless IC card over the reading unit 213a of the card reader so as to settle the usage fee. Yes. Below the tray mounting table 102, the antenna module 101 of the above-described non-contact ID tag reading device is provided, and the ID code of the ID tag 10 embedded in each tableware 1 placed on the tray 2 is read. The total amount (billed amount) obtained from the amount data corresponding to each ID code, the dish name (menu details) corresponding to each ID code, and the like are displayed on the display unit 212.
[0040]
For example, tableware 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d as shown in FIG.2If it is above, the processor main body 211 of the automatic cash register terminal 200 is based on the read information from the non-contact ID tag reading device 100 (ID code, coordinate data specifying the antenna number or position of the receiving antenna) (see FIG. 11). The position of each tableware 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d on the tray 2 shown in A) is recognized, and the total amount is displayed on the display 212 as shown in FIG. Each dish name, amount, calorie calculation value, and the like are displayed together with the symbol images 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D indicating the respective dishes 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d.
[0041]
Here, the user looks at the display 212 and, when agreeing to pay, pays the usage fee by holding the non-contact IC card over the reading unit 213a of the card reader in FIG. In the automatic cash register terminal 200, the display of the “OK” button 215a of the operation unit in FIG. 10 is turned on to notify the end of the process. When the IC card is used as a postpaid card, the automatic checkout terminal 200 completes the payment of the user, and when the IC card is used as the postpaid card, the payment information is obtained from the ID code and order information of the user read from the IC card by the card reader 213. To the server 500, and the usage fee is settled by payroll deduction.
[0042]
An operation example of the auto cash register terminal 200 having the above-described configuration and including the contactless ID tag reading device according to the present invention will be described in detail.
[0043]
First, a control example related to the read operation of the master CPU in the first invention will be described along the flow of the flowchart of FIG.
[0044]
In the master CPU 130a (control CPU 1), a tray is placed on the mounting table 102.2Is detected by the reflection type tray detection sensor 214 (step S1).2Is detected, first, the first excitation current 1 is set as the excitation current for exciting the excitation antenna 121 (step S2). Then, a read start command (read start command by the first excitation current 1) is sent to each slave CPU 130b, and the ID tag is read under the intensity of the first-stage excitation magnetic field under the control of the master CPU 130a and each slave CPU 130b. Are simultaneously started for each group of receiving antennas (step S3).
[0045]
In this example, the read area is divided into four areas, and a plurality of antennas are arranged in each divided area. As shown in FIG. 5, each divided area P1, P2, P3, P4 is grouped into one group. Each group is processed in parallel by the master CPU 130a and each slave CPU 130b, and the tag is read (step S4). At that time, one antenna is selected as a driving target from the plurality of receiving antennas 111 in the divided area, and the antenna switching unit 30 sequentially switches and drives each antenna 111 to read the ID code from the antenna, The antenna number (or coordinate data specifying the position) of the antenna is added to the ID code and temporarily stored as read information (step S5).
[0046]
In the master CPU 130a, the ID code reading process is performed for all the receiving antennas designated in its own area (step S6), and the processing of a predetermined antenna designated in a table (a control table described later) is performed separately. If completed, the second exciting current 2 is set as the exciting current for exciting the exciting antenna 121 (step S7), and a reading start command (reading start command by the second exciting current 2) is sent to each slave CPU 130b. The ID tag is read out in units of groups under the intensity of the excitation magnetic field in the second stage (step S8). Then, in the same manner as in steps S4 to S6, the ID code reading process is performed for all the receiving antennas separately designated in its own area (steps S9 to S11), and the processing of all the receiving antennas is completed. For example, it is checked whether or not the reading of the other group (each slave CPU 130b) is completed by an end flag described later (step S12). If the reading is completed, the reading information is received from each slave CPU 130b (step S13). ).
[0047]
The tag read information read in steps S5 and S10 is read by two to three adjacent antennas for one tag, and the data is duplicated. Since the same ID may be read by the corresponding antenna, whether or not the data of the same ID code is duplicated based on the value of the ID code and its position information (antenna number or coordinate data included in the read information). Is determined, and the overlap (read information of the corresponding receiving antenna 111) in its own area is deleted and arranged. In addition, the read information of each slave CPU 130b received in step S13 is transmitted with the duplication in the area similarly deleted. In the master CPU 130a, it is determined whether or not there is information that has been read over a plurality of areas in the read information read out by each CPU by combining the amount in its own area and the amount read by each slave CPU 130b. Judgment is made based on the value of the ID code and its position information, and the duplicates are deleted and arranged so that one piece of read information is obtained for one tag. Then, the read information of each tag after arrangement is set as a read result (step S14), and all the read operations are finished.
[0048]
Next, a control example related to the reading operation in the slave CPU 130b will be described along the flow of the flowchart of FIG. Note that the ID tag read operation using the first excitation current 1, the ID tag read operation using the second excitation current 2, and the process of deleting the duplicate read information are the same as the operations of the master CPU 130a. Therefore, the description will be simplified.
[0049]
Each slave CPU 130b waits for a read start command by the first excitation current 1 from the master CPU 130a, and starts the ID tag read operation all at once upon receipt of the read start command (step S21). When the reading operation of the ID tag under the intensity of the excitation magnetic field in the first stage is completed (steps S22 to S24), the reading end flag is turned on, a read start command from the master CPU 130a is waited, and the second received from the master CPU 130a is waited for. In response to the read start command by the excitation current 2, the ID tag read operation under the intensity of the excitation magnetic field in the second stage is started (step S25). When the read operation is completed (steps S26 to S28), the read end flag in the second stage is turned on, and the read information overlapped in the area is deleted and arranged (step S29). The subsequent read information is sent to the master CPU 130a (step S30), and all the read operations of the slave CPU 130b are finished.
[0050]
The ID tag read information read out as described above is transmitted from the master control CPU 130a to the processor main body 211. The processor main body 211 in the auto cash register terminal 200 performs the above-described settlement process based on the ID code of the card ID user read from the IC card by the card reader 213 and the ID tag read information from the master CPU 130a, and performs the automatic settlement process. finish.
[0051]
Although not described in the above description of the flowchart, both the tag a and the tag b can be read by exciting with the excitation current 2 in the ID tag characteristic diagram of FIG. It is also effective to receive only the tag b by lowering the sensitivity.
[0052]
Next, the second invention of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the data processing device (non-contact ID tag reading device) 100 and the hardware configuration of the auto cash register terminal 200 equipped with the device are the same as those in the first invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0053]
In an apparatus that requires a wide detection area, for example, an apparatus that requires a reading area that matches the size of the tableware tray as in this example, the reading area is surrounded by the antenna module 101 shown in FIG. When a magnetic field is generated using the circulating excitation antenna 121, there arises a problem that the strength of the magnetic field varies depending on the location of the ID tag in the reading area.
[0054]
FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate the difference in magnetic field strength at each location in the readout region, and excitation is performed with a predetermined excitation current using an excitation antenna 121 that circulates around the readout region. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, a phenomenon occurs in which the strength of the magnetic field decreases with increasing distance from the excitation antenna 121 immediately after the excitation antenna 121. The appropriate excitation range in the horizontal direction of FIG. 14 is within the range of the appropriate excitation upper limit SU and the appropriate excitation lower limit SL in FIG. 14B, and the Ax range corresponds to the readout region of FIG. . The same phenomenon also occurs in the vertical direction of FIG. 14, and the range of Ay is an appropriate excitation range in the readout region of FIG. 14A, and the inside of the broken line frame in FIG. 14A is outside the appropriate excitation range. Under such a magnetic field, when tag a and tag b are present at positions as shown in FIG.aIs a suitable magnetic field, but the tagbIs not an appropriate magnetic field. The excitation antenna 121 is one in this example, and it is impossible to provide an appropriate magnetic field to both the tag a and the tag b by one excitation.
[0055]
Therefore, by reading the tag a with a weak magnetic field and reading the tag b with a strong magnetic field, any tag can be expected to output appropriately. That is, the read areaBreakThe area outside the line frameweakRead by excitation,BreakIf the areas in the line frame are read with strong excitation, each area can be read under an appropriate magnetic field.
[0056]
In the first invention described above, under the control of the control unit (control CPU 1), the magnitude of the excitation current applied to the excitation antenna is changed by the current control unit according to the sensitivity of the ID tag, so that the ID to be read out is changed. The intensity of the excitation electric field applied to the tag is adjusted to avoid the interference of ID tags having different sensitivities and read out the ID tag having the sensitivity. In the second aspect of the invention, the strength of the magnetic field at each location in the readout area is measured, the readout area is divided according to the difference in the strength of the magnetic field, and is controlled by the control unit (control CPU 1). Thus, by sequentially varying the magnitude of the excitation current applied to the excitation antenna so that the magnetic field strength of each divided area is constant, and sequentially reading out the reception antennas in the divided area, it is possible to obtain substantially the same. The entire reading area is read under the magnetic field strength. By changing the excitation current in this manner, in an apparatus that requires a wide detection area, excitation can be performed with an appropriate magnetic field regardless of the position of the tag in the detection area. In this example, parallel processing is performed by a plurality of CPUs, a divided area (first divided area) for each group for parallel processing, and a divided area (second area) corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field. Unlike the divided area, there may be a plurality of the second divided areas for one group processed by one control CPU in the first divided area for parallel processing. Therefore, in the second invention, the following control table is prepared to control reading of the ID tag.
[0057]
FIG. 15 shows an example of a control table used in the second invention. When one control CPU controls the reading operation of one group of ID tags by setting the reading process from 15 receiving antennas 111 obtained by dividing 60 into one group, 15 receiving antennas 1 as shown in FIG. -15 are classified into weak excitation antennas (read target antennas during weak excitation) and strong excitation antennas (read target antennas during strong excitation), and the excitation current type is set for each receiving antenna 111 (1-15). Prepare a table for recognition. In FIG. 15, 1 to 15 are antenna numbers, and 00 indicates the end of data. Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 14A, a case where the reading area is divided into two and the receiving antennas 7 to 10 are arranged in a broken line frame is taken as an example. In this case, the numbers read out under strong excitation, that is, under the excitation of a strong magnetic field, are the receiving antennas numbered 7, 8, 9, and 10.
[0058]
The above table is prepared for 4 CPUs in this example, the excitation current is given to the excitation antenna in two stages, and the reading process is performed at each stage. As a method of reading control, for example, a total of four tables for master CPU and slave CPUs 1, 2 and 3 are provided in the memory on the master CPU 130a side, and the master CPU 130a receives each slave CPU 130b together with a read start command and a receiving antenna to be read Send the number. Then, the slave CPU 130b executes a process of reading only the received antenna number.
[0059]
Hereinafter, the reading operation in the second invention will be described in detail.
[0060]
First, a control example related to the reading operation in the master CPU 130a will be described along the flow of the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0061]
The master CPU 130a detects whether or not the tray is placed on the mounting table 102 by the reflective tray detection sensor 214 (step S31). If the tray is detected, the master CPU 130a generates an excitation current for exciting the excitation antenna 121. First, a weak excitation current is set (step S32). Then, the number of the weak excitation antenna to be read in the first stage is read from the control table for each CPU, and the read start command (read start command by the weak excitation current) includes information on the antenna number to be read. Sending out to the slave CPU 130b, under the control of the master CPU 130a and each slave CPU 130b, the first stage ID tag reading by the weak excitation current is started simultaneously for each reception antenna group of each group for the weak excitation antenna. (Step S33).
[0062]
The master CPU 130a sets the leading number of the weak excitation antenna and reads the ID code (step S35). Then, the master CPU 130a determines whether or not the predetermined antenna has ended by using the control table (step S36). If not, the number of the next weak excitation antenna is set, and the antenna switching unit 30 switches to the antenna to drive (step S37), and reads the ID code from the next antenna.
[0063]
In the master CPU 130a, the ID code reading process is performed for all receiving antennas for weak excitation in its own area. If the processing of all the receiving antennas is completed, all the other groups (each slave CPU 130b) are read. Whether or not it is completed is checked by an end flag to be described later (step S38). If it is completed, the control table is searched to check whether or not there is an antenna to be read in the next stage (step S39). If not, the process proceeds to step S47. In this example, there are two stages for weak excitation and strong excitation, and there is a strong excitation antenna. Therefore, the excitation antenna is driven by setting a strong current as the excitation current to excite the excitation antenna (step S40). The number of the strong excitation antenna to be read in the stage is read from the control table for each CPU, and the read start command (read start command by strong excitation current) includes the information of the antenna number to be read and sent to each slave CPU 130b. Then, reading of the second stage ID tag by the strong excitation current is performed in units of groups for the weak excitation antenna (step S41).
[0064]
Then, in the same manner as in steps S34 to S37, ID code reading processing is performed for all strong excitation antennas in the area (steps S42 to S45), and processing of all strong excitation antennas is completed. If it is, it is checked whether or not reading of the other group (each slave CPU 130b) is completed by an end flag to be described later (step S46), and if completed, read information is received from each slave CPU 130b ( Step S47).
[0065]
Similarly to the first invention, the master CPU 130a deletes all duplicate data of the same ID code and arranges it so that one read information is obtained for one tag. Then, the read information of each tag after arrangement is set as a read result (step S48), and all the read operations are completed.
[0066]
Next, a control example related to the reading operation in the slave CPU 130b will be described along the flow of the flowchart of FIG. Note that the ID tag read operation using the weak excitation current, the ID tag read operation using the strong excitation current, and the process for deleting the duplicated read information are the same as the operation of the master CPU 130a, and therefore simplified. I will explain.
[0067]
Each slave CPU 130b waits for a read start command based on the weak excitation current from the master CPU 130a, and starts the ID tag read operation simultaneously upon reception of the read start command (step S51). When the first stage ID tag read operation by the weak excitation current is completed (steps S52 to S54), the read end flag is turned on, a read start command wait timer is set, and a read start command from the master CPU 130a is awaited. (Step S55). In the case of time-out, it is determined that there is no antenna to be read in the next stage, and the process proceeds to step S60. In this example, there are two stages for weak excitation and strong excitation, and the read operation of the second stage ID tag by the strong excitation current is started by the read start command received from the master CPU 130a (step S56). When the read operation is completed (steps S57 to S59), the read end flag is turned on, and the read information in the area is deleted and arranged (step S60). To the master CPU 130a (step S61), and all the reading operations of the slave CPU 130b are terminated.
[0068]
With the above processing, the ID tag can be read under an appropriate magnetic field throughout the reading area, and the influence of the difference depending on the location of the excitation electric field generated by the excitation antenna can be avoided.
[0069]
In the above-described embodiment, since the description is complicated, the first invention and the second invention are described separately. However, a combination of the first and second inventions is also included in the present invention. That is, for example, the excitation current control method of the first invention may be applied to the area in which the magnetic field is made appropriate by the second invention. Further, in the first invention, the case where two types of non-contact data storage bodies having different response sensitivities are described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to two types. In the flow of the flowchart, the order of the first stage and the second stage may be reversed in both the first and second inventions.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when a plurality of non-contact ID tags having different magnetic field response sensitivity and output characteristics are mixed, data of each non-contact ID tag is read. Is possible. Therefore, for example, in a conventional dining room settlement system, when replacing the discarded tableware with a new one due to the life of the tableware itself, the old type non-contact ID tag used before or the tableware provided with the tag can be ordered or the lifetime It is no longer necessary to discard ID tags and tableware that have not been replaced and replace them with new ones, making it possible to use resources effectively and to significantly reduce expenses. .
[0071]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to excite the data storage body under an appropriate magnetic field regardless of the position of the non-contact type data storage body in the readout region. It is possible to avoid the influence due to the difference in the electric field distribution characteristics at each location due to the physical size of the.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a non-contact type data storage body according to the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view showing an example of the structure of the non-contact type data storage body of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a reading unit of the data processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective structural view showing an example of a configuration of an antenna module according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a method of dividing a read area of a non-contact type data storage body.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of output characteristics of an ID tag according to the first invention of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a restaurant automatic payment system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of an auto cash register terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an auto cash register terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of an auto cash register terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a display example for dishes on a tray in the auto cash register terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the master CPU of the data processing device according to the first aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a read operation in the slave CPU of the data processing device according to the first aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a difference in magnetic field strength at each location in a read area according to the second aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a control table used in the second invention of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the master CPU of the data processing device according to the second aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a partial view of the flowchart of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a read operation in the slave CPU of the data processing device according to the second aspect of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Tableware
2 trays
10 Non-contact data storage (ID tag)
11 Antenna coil
12 IC chip
12a Rectifier circuit
12b Tag control circuit
12c EEPROM
100 Data processing device (non-contact ID tag reading device)
101 Antenna module
102 mounting table
110 Receiver
111 Receiving antenna
112 Read circuit
112a Antenna switching unit
112b Amplifier
112c Demodulator
112d decoding unit
120 Transmitter
121 Excitation antenna
122 Oscillation control circuit
122a Oscillator
122b Current control unit
122c driver
130 Control CPU
130a Master CPU
130b Slave CPU
200 Auto cash register terminal
211 Processor body
212 LCD display
213 card reader
214 Tray detection sensor
215 Operation unit
300 payment terminal (for unattended cash register)
400 payment terminal (for manned cash register)
500 servers
600 topping terminal

Claims (2)

In a data processing apparatus using a non-contact data storage that can be read at least, the data processing apparatus includes:
A mounting table on which a plurality of types of non-contact data storage bodies having different response sensitivities are placed;
An antenna in which a plurality of receiving antenna groups, which are arranged below the mounting table and are formed by winding a conducting wire, and an exciting antenna made of an exciting coil formed so as to go around the receiving antenna group are arranged on the same plane Module,
An excitation means for exciting the excitation coil,
The excitation antenna excited by the excitation means induces a power supply voltage of the non-contact type data storage body, and receives information stored therein via the reception antenna,
The current of the exciting coil excited by the exciting means is changed to the type of the non-contact type data storage body having the different response sensitivity so that the excitation electric field does not cause mutual interference between the non-contact type data storage bodies. Accordingly, a data processing device for a non-contact type data storage body provided with a control unit that varies the magnitude of the excitation current stepwise. The contactless ID tag reading device for use in the contactless ID tag diner to checkout taken out menu of the ID tableware was taken from the tray rests embedded cash register payment system, noncontact ID tag reading apparatus Is
Excitation means capable of exciting the non-contact ID tag with a plurality of excitation currents;
A plurality of receiving antennas that are grouped for each area, and a reading ID tags reading means to transmit to the ID of each receiving antenna selection to the contactless ID tag Rutotomoni,
Reading is started in a state in which the tableware in which a plurality of types of non-contact ID tags are mixed is placed on the sensitivity and output, and excitation is performed with a plurality of excitation currents, and reading is performed by the receiving antenna. Is added and stored with the antenna number or position information of the receiving antenna,
When it is determined that the same ID is read by a plurality of receiving antennas in the same group using the antenna number or position information as a clue, the duplicate is deleted, and further, the same ID is duplicated between different groups. A non-contact ID tag reading device for cafeteria settlement , wherein it is judged whether it has been read and deleted if it is duplicated .

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