JP3771359B2

JP3771359B2 - Mobile object identification device

Info

Publication number: JP3771359B2
Application number: JP24520297A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 床洋一郎岩; 田浩宮; 木茂紀鈴
Original assignee: GL Science Inc
Current assignee: GL Science Inc
Priority date: 1997-09-10
Filing date: 1997-09-10
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-10
Also published as: JPH1183993A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は識別時間を短縮し、識別精度の信頼性を向上するとともに、小型のアンテナを複数配置し、それらを順次切換えることによってアンテナの交信可能領域を広げ、多数の被識別物を迅速かつ正確に識別でき、しかもこれを安価に製作できるようにした移動体識別装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近時、磁気媒体やオンラインシステムの代わりに、電波を利用した識別装置が提案されている。
例えば特開平２ー１９８３８２号公報では、絶縁紙等に複数種の共振回路を設けて応答器を形成し、この応答器を移動体に備え、識別機より複数種の所定周波数の電波を発信し、該応答器の共振回路に共振し、かつ反射する電波の周波数を検知して、前記移動体を識別できる制御部をＣＰＵに設けた識別装置が示されている。
【０００３】
しかし、上記識別装置は、応答器と識別機の構成が複雑で高価になる上に、識別機が検知する共振反射波は、移動体の移動によって受信入力電波に対し位相差を生じて識別精度の信頼性が低下し、またこの識別に時間が掛かる等の問題があった。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明はこのような問題を解決し、識別時間を短縮し、識別精度の信頼性を向上するとともに、小型のアンテナを複数配置し、それらを順次切換えることによってアンテナの交信可能領域を広げ、多数の被識別物を迅速かつ正確に識別でき、しかもこれを安価に製作できるようにした移動体識別装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
このため、請求項１の発明は、移動可能な被識別物に装着され、所定の電波を送受信可能な複数のアンテナを有するデ−タキャリアと、該デ−タキャリアに所定の電波を送受信可能な複数のアンテナを有し、かつ受信信号を識別し読取信号を出力可能な複数の読取ユニットと、前記複数のアンテナを順次切り替え、その受信信号を前記読取ユニットに入力可能な第１選択手段と、前記デ−タキャリアと読取ユニットに装備され、受信電波を識別し解読可能な制御部と、を備え、前記デ−タキャリアと読取ユニットを電波の交信可能領域内に配置し、前記複数のアンテナの受信信号を各読取ユニットに入力し、その出力を制御可能にした移動体識別装置において、前記各読取ユニットの何れか一つの出力を選択的に出力可能な単一の第２選択手段を設け、該第２選択手段を各読取ユニットと同時に作動可能に設け、各読取ユニットと第２選択手段の情報処理を並行処理可能に設け、複数のアンテナの受信信号を読取ユニット毎に合理的かつ迅速に処理し、識別時間の短縮化と識別の信頼性向上を図り、広域な受信領域内で多数のデ−タキャリアを迅速かつ正確に識別可能にしている。
【０００６】
請求項２の発明は、前記被識別物を載置可能な平坦面を有する読取盤を設け、該読取盤の載置面に臨ませて、前記読取ユニットに信号入力可能な複数のアンテナを埋設し、該複数のアンテナを前記読取ユニットと同数にグル−プ分けし、各読取ユニットに対応する複数のアンテナをグル−プ分けして読取盤に配置し、各読取ユニットないしグル−プ毎の合理的な情報処理を実現するとともに、被識別物を載置可能な読取盤における合理的な情報処理を得られるようにしている。
【０００７】
請求項３の発明は、前記読取盤に設けた複数のアンテナを前記グル−プ毎に配置し、グル−プ上の被識別物と正確かつ合理的に交信し識別の信頼性を図るようにしている。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の基本形態について説明すると、図１は本発明に適用したデ−タキャリアシステムを示し、これは後述する読取ユニットの質問電波を受信し、所定の応答電波を発信可能な被識別物（物や人を含む）に装着されるデ−タキャリア１と、該キャリア１からの応答電波を受信して認識し、所定の信号を表示器等に出力可能な読取ユニット２とで構成されている。
【００１０】
データキャリア１は後述のアンテナに誘起される電力によって作動可能にされ、その主要部をＩＣメモリで構成されていて、これはアンテナ３、実施形態では後述のアンテナと特性を異にし、かつその発信周波数を前記アンテナの共振周波数に一致させた送受信兼用のループアンテナと、信号を増幅可能な送受信部４と、信号を変復調可能な変復調部５と、信号を解読可能な識別部６と、信号を符号化可能な符号部７と、所定の情報を記憶可能な記憶部８と、受信した信号を記憶部８の記憶情報に基いて比較判断し、読取ユニット２に対する応答の是非を判断する制御部９とを備えている。
【００１１】
読取ユニット２はＤＣ電源によって作動可能にされ、その主要部をマイクロコンピュータ等のＣＰＵで構成され、これは前記アンテナ３と特性を異にし、かつその発信周波数を前記アンテナ３の共振周波数に一致させたアンテナ１０、実施形態では送受信兼用のループアンテナと、信号を増幅可能な送受信部１１と、信号を変復調可能な変復調部１２と、信号を解読して目的のデータキャリア１であることを認識可能な識別部１３と、信号を符号化可能な符号部１４と、所定の情報を記憶可能な記憶部１５と、必要に応じて処理信号、つまり読取信号を出力端子１６を介して表示器（図示略）へ出力可能な制御部１７とを備えている。
【００１２】
図２〜５は前記データキャリアシステムを用いた識別装置の一例を示し、図中１８は後述の読取ユニットに接続する横長矩形の読取盤で、前記読取ユニットの近接位置に配置され、その平坦な表面に前記読取ユニット２のアンテナ１０に相当する複数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４が埋め込まれている。
【００１３】
これらのアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４は、前記アンテナ３と特性を異にし、かつその発信周波数を前記アンテナ３の共振周波数に一致させた、同形かつ同一特性の送受信兼用のル−プアンテナで構成され、その形状は読取盤１８をアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４の数で等分に区画した形状に区画されていて、可及的に小形、つまり実効開口面積を小さく形成され、質問電波を発信し対応するデ−タキャリアと交信可能にされている。
前記読取盤１８の表面は合成樹脂等の適宜部材で被覆され、その表面に種々の移動体である被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４、基本形態では食器が食器トレ−（図示略）を介して載置されている。
【００１４】
前記被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４の適所、基本形態では食器の底部の略中央に固有のデ−タキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４が装着され、これらのデ−タキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４に被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４を識別する固有の識別番号が記憶されている。
【００１５】
前記アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４は読取ユニット１９に装備した選択部（選択手段）２０の接点に接続され、該選択部２０はマイクロコンピュータ等のＣＰＵで機能されていて、前記アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４と同数の接点を有し、これらの接点を自動的に切換え、各アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４と対応するデータキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４との交信を可能にするとともに、各データキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４からの応答信号を選択的に入力可能にされている。
読取ユニット１９は主要部をマイクロコンピュータ等のＣＰＵで構成され、これは複数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４と選択部２０の構成を除いて、前記読取ユニット２と実質的に同一に構成されている。
【００１６】
すなわち、読取ユニット１９は、信号を増幅可能な送受信部２１と、信号を変復調可能な変復調部２２と、信号を解読して目的のデータキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４であることを認識可能な識別部２３と、データキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４へ送信する情報を符号化する符号部２４と、所定の情報を記憶可能な記憶部２５と、必要に応じて処理信号を表示器２６等へ出力可能な制御部２７とを備えている。
【００１７】
このように構成した移動体識別装置の基本形態は、デ−タキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４と読取ユニット１９とで構成され、このうち各デ−タキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４は、各アンテナ３の発信電波に誘起される電力で作動するから、特別の電源を要せず、また単一のアンテナ３と、ＩＣメモリ等のＩＣ化されたもので構成されているから、構造が簡単である。
【００１８】
また、読取ユニット１９は実質上、複数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４を埋設した読取盤１８と、マイクロコンピュータ等のＣＰＵとで構成され、その作動は後述のように各データキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４の応答信号を受信し、それらを特定して識別するものであるから、反射電波の周波数を検知して識別する従来のものに比べて、構造が簡単で安価に製作できる。
しかも、前記アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４は同一特性で同一周波数の電波を発信可能に構成しているから、異特性で複数種のアンテナを配置する場合に比べて、アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４を合理的に製作でき、読取盤１８を簡単な構成で実現することができる。
【００１９】
次に前記識別装置の使用に際し、読取ユニット１９の電源を投入するとともに、食器トレー（図示略）に種々の被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４を載せ、これを読取ユニット１９側に移動して読取盤１８上に載せる。
このようにすると、読取盤１８に電源が投入され、また被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４が食器トレーを介して読取盤１８上に置かれ、それらがアンテナ３およびＡ１〜Ａ４の電界強度域、つまり送受信可能域内に位置する。
【００２０】
このような状況の下で選択部２０が作動し、アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４の接点を一定の周期で自動的に切換えると、選択部２０に接続されたアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４が質問電波を発信し、データキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４との交信を開始する。
例えば、図５のように選択部２０がアンテナＡ１の接点に接続されると、アンテナＡ１から質問電波が発信され、当該アンテナＡ１の領域内で被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４の存在の確認とその識別が行なわれる。
【００２１】
その際、例えば図２のようにアンテナＡ１の交信領域内に被識別物Ｂ１の一部が位置し、かつそのデータキャリアＣ１が位置していると、該データキャリアＣ１のアンテナ３によって、前記アンテナＡ１の電波が受信される。
この場合、アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４は可及的に小形に構成されているから、各アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４の交信可能領域内に一つのデータキャリアが位置する。
【００２２】
受信後、上記電波はデータキャリアＣ１の送受信部４で増幅され、変復調部５で復調され、識別部６で解読されて、この解読信号を記憶部８で記憶している情報を基に制御部９で比較判断する。
そして、読取ユニット１９に応答すべきと判断した場合、記憶部８で記憶しているデータキャリアＣ１に関する情報を、制御部９を介して符号器７で符号を付加し、変復調部５で復調し送受信部４で増幅して、アンテナ３からアンテナＡ１へ送信する。
【００２３】
上記送信信号、つまり応答信号はアンテナＡ１で受信され、送受信部２１で増幅され、変復調部２２で復調されて、識別部２３で目的の信号であることを識別して制御部２７へ入力され、これを記憶部２５に記憶し、必要に応じて表示器２６へ出力する。
【００２４】
この後、選択部２０がアンテナＡ２に導通する接点に切換わると、アンテナＡ２から質問電波が発信され、当該アンテナＡ２の領域内で被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４の存在の確認とその識別が行なわれる。
例えば、図２のようにアンテナＡ２の領域内に被識別物Ｂ２の一部が位置し、かつそのデータキャリアＣ２が位置している場合は、該データキャリアＣ２のアンテナ３によって、前記アンテナＡ２の質問電波が受信される。
【００２５】
受信後、上記電波は前述と同様にデータキャリアＣ２で処理され、読取ユニット１９に応答すべきと判断された場合、データキャリアＣ２に関する情報がアンテナ３からアンテナＡ２へ送信され、読取ユニット１９で目的の信号であることを識別されて、記憶部２５に記憶される。
【００２６】
以下、同様に選択部２０の作動を介して、アンテナＡ３，Ａ４とデータキャリアＣ３，Ｃ４のアンテナ３とが交信し、その応答信号をアンテナＡ３，Ａ４が受信し、それらの情報を記憶部２５が記憶する。
こうして、アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４の質問電波に対する応答が得られたところで、例えばそれらの価格の合計が計算され、これが表示器２６に表示される。
【００２７】
このように本発明は識別盤１８の全域に亙って複数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４を配置し、このアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４の区画域内に置かれた被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４を識別するようにしているから、単一のアンテナで識別するものに比べて、複数の被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４を確実かつ精密に識別でき、広い面積の識別盤１８による識別に好適である。
【００２８】
また、本発明は識別盤１８上の複数の被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４を識別するに当たって、各アンテナＡ１〜Ａ４からの応答信号を選択部２０を介して、読取ユニット１９の制御部へ順次入力し識別するようにしているから、制御部の誤動作を未然に防止し、識別精度の信頼性を向上するとともに、識別盤１８上の被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４の有無とその位置情報を得られる。
【００２９】
しかも、本発明は複数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４を可及的に小形に形成し、一つのアンテナの領域内に複数のデータキャリアが存在しないようにして、一つのアンテナと一つのデータキャリアとの交信を確保するとともに、このアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４を順次切換えることによって、複数のデータキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４との交信が可能になり、交信可能領域が広がる。
【００３０】
図６乃至図８は本発明の実施形態で、前述の基本形態の構成と対応する部分に同一の符号を用いている。
この実施形態の識別盤２８は前記識別盤１８よりも面積が広く、その平坦な表面の全域に亘って多数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２が配置されている。
【００３１】
これらのアンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２は、前記アンテナ３と特性を異にし、かつその発信周波数を前記アンテナ３の共振周波数に一致させた、同形かつ同一特性の送受信兼用のループアンテナで構成され、その形状は可及的に小形に形成されていて、それらの表面に合成樹脂等の適宜部材が被覆され、その表面に種々の被識別物Ｂ１〜Ｂ４、実施形態では食器が食器トレー（図示略）を介して載置されている。
【００３２】
上記アンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２は、複数のグループＧ１〜Ｇ３に分けられ、これらのグループＧ１〜Ｇ３は実質的に同一で上記グループと同数の読取ユニット１９，２９，３０に接続されている。
上記読取ユニット１９，２９，３０は、入力側に第１選択部（選択手段）２０を配置し、該選択部２０の接点に、対応するアンテナＡ１〜Ａ４，Ａ５〜Ａ８，Ａ９〜Ａ１２を接続し、各受信信号を制御部へ選択的に入力可能にしている。
【００３３】
各読取ユニット１９，２９，３０の制御部２７の出力端子３１〜３３は、第２選択部３４の接点に接続され、該第２選択部３４は前記マイクロコンピュータ等のＣＰＵで機能させていて、前記読取ユニット１９，２９，３０と同数の接点を有し、これらの接点を自動的に切換え、各読取ユニット１９，２９，３０の記憶部２５に記憶した情報を選択的に入力可能にされている。
【００３４】
第２選択部３４の作動は出力制御部３５で制御され、該制御部３５を介して読取ユニット１９，２９，３０からの入力情報を記憶部３６に記憶し、必要に応じて表示器３７へ出力可能にしている。
【００３５】
すなわち、この実施形態は識別盤２８に設けた多数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２を複数にグループ分けし、該グループＧ１〜Ｇ３に対応する読取ユニット１９，２９，３０を前記グループと同数設け、アンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２の受信信号をそれぞれの第１選択部２０を介して、読取ユニット１９，２９，３０へ選択的に入力し、記憶部２５に記憶する。
【００３６】
一方、読取ユニット１９，２９，３０の作動と同時に第２選択部３４が作動し、その接点を一定周期で自動的に切換え、各接点を読取ユニット１９，２９，３０の出力端子３１〜３３に順次接続して、各記憶部２５の記憶情報を出力制御部３５へ入力し、記憶部３６に記憶する。
そして、必要に応じて前記入力情報を制御部３５を介して表示部３７へ出力する。
【００３７】
このように、この実施形態は多数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２を複数のグループに分け、該グループの一つのアンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２の受信信号を選択する第１選択部２０と、前記グループと同数の読取ユニット１９，２９，３０と、該読取ユニット１９，２９，３０の一つを選択する第２選択部３４とを設け、前記読取ユニット１９，２９，３０における情報処理と、出力制御部３５における情報処理とを並行処理したから、多数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２の受信信号を迅速に処理することができる。
したがって、広い面積の識別盤２８や、該識別盤２８で多数の被識別物Ｂを識別する場合の認識時間を短縮し、この種の識別を迅速かつ正確に行なえる。
【００３８】
また、この実施形態においても複数のアンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２を可及的に小形に形成し、各アンテナの領域内に複数のデータキャリアが存在しないようにして、一つのアンテナと一つのデータキャリアとの交信を確保し、更にこれらのアンテナＡ１〜Ａ１２を順次切換えることによって、複数のデータキャリアＣ１〜Ｃ４との交信が可能になり、その交信可能領域が広がる。
【００３９】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、請求項１の発明は、各読取ユニットの何れか一つの出力を選択的に出力可能な単一の第２選択手段を設け、該第２選択手段を各読取ユニットと同時に作動可能に設け、各読取ユニットと第２選択手段の情報処理を並行処理可能に設けたから、複数のアンテナの受信信号を読取ユニット毎に合理的かつ迅速に処理し、識別時間の短縮化と識別の信頼性向上を図れ、広域な受信領域内で多数のデ−タキャリアを迅速かつ正確に識別することができる。
【００４０】
請求項２の発明は、前記被識別物を載置可能な平坦面を有する読取盤を設け、該読取盤の載置面に臨ませて、前記読取ユニットに信号入力可能な複数のアンテナを埋設し、該複数のアンテナを前記読取ユニットと同数にグル−プ分けしたから、各読取ユニットに対応する複数のアンテナをグル−プ分けして読取盤に配置し、各読取ユニットないしグル−プ毎の合理的な情報処理を実現できるとともに、被識別物を載置可能な読取盤における合理的な情報処理を得られる効果がある。
【００４１】
請求項３の発明は、前記読取盤に設けた複数のアンテナを前記グル−プ毎に配置したから、グル−プ上の被識別物と正確かつ合理的に交信し識別の信頼性を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の基本形態に適用したデ−タキャリアシステムを示す説明図である。
【図２】本発明の基本形態に適用した読取盤と、該盤上に収容された被識別物の配置状況を示す平面図である。
【図３】本発明の基本形態に適用した読取盤とアンテナの配置状況を示す平面図である。
【図４】本発明の基本形態に適用した被識別物を示す平面図である。
【図５】本発明の基本形態に適用した読取ユニットを示す説明図である。
【図６】本発明の実施形態に適用した読取ユニットを示す説明図である。
【図７】本発明の実施形態に適用した読取盤と、該盤上に収容された被識別物の配置状況を示す平面図である。
【図８】本発明の実施形態に適用した読取盤とアンテナの配置状況を示す平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１,Ｃ１〜Ｃ４デ−タキャリア
２,１９,２９,３０読取ユニット
３,１０,Ａ１〜Ａ１２アンテナ
１８,２８読取盤
２０選択手段（第１選択手段）
３４第２選択手段
３５出力制御部
Ｇ１〜Ｇ３グル−プ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention shortens the identification time and improves the reliability of the identification accuracy, and arranges a plurality of small antennas, and sequentially switches them to widen the area where the antenna can be communicated. The present invention relates to a mobile object identification device that can be identified at low cost and can be manufactured at low cost.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, identification devices using radio waves have been proposed instead of magnetic media and online systems.
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-198382, a plurality of types of resonance circuits are provided on insulating paper or the like to form a responder. An identification device is shown in which a CPU is provided with a control unit that can identify the moving body by detecting the frequency of a radio wave that resonates and reflects in the resonance circuit of the responder.
[0003]
However, the identification device has a complicated and expensive configuration of the responder and the identification device, and the resonance reflected wave detected by the identification device produces a phase difference with respect to the received input radio wave due to the movement of the moving body, thereby identifying accuracy. There is a problem that the reliability of the system is lowered and it takes a long time for the identification.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention solves such problems, shortens the identification time, improves the reliability of the identification accuracy, arranges a plurality of small antennas, and sequentially switches them to widen the antenna communicable area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile object identification device that can quickly and accurately identify an object to be identified and that can be manufactured at low cost.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this reason, the invention of claim 1 is equipped with a data carrier mounted on a movable identification object and having a plurality of antennas capable of transmitting and receiving predetermined radio waves, and can transmit and receive predetermined radio waves to and from the data carrier. A plurality of reading units that can identify a received signal and output a read signal, and a first selection unit that can sequentially switch the plurality of antennas and input the received signal to the read unit. A control unit that is mounted on the data carrier and the reading unit and that can identify and decode received radio waves, and the data carrier and the reading unit are disposed within a radio wave communication area, the reception signal of the antenna is input to the scanning unit, the mobile identification apparatus which can control its output, the one of the selectively printable single second select hand the output of the reading unit The second selection means can be operated simultaneously with each reading unit, the information processing of each reading unit and the second selection means can be processed in parallel, and the reception signals of a plurality of antennas are rational for each reading unit. In addition, the data processing is performed quickly, the identification time is shortened and the identification reliability is improved, and a large number of data carriers can be identified quickly and accurately in a wide reception area .
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading board having a flat surface on which the identification object can be placed, and a plurality of antennas capable of inputting signals to the reading unit are embedded so as to face the placement surface of the reading board. The plurality of antennas are grouped in the same number as the reading units, and the plurality of antennas corresponding to each reading unit are grouped and arranged on the reading board, and each reading unit or group In addition to realizing rational information processing, it is possible to obtain rational information processing on a reading board on which an identification object can be placed .
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of antennas provided on the reading board are arranged for each of the groups, and accurate and rational communication with an object to be identified on the group is achieved to ensure identification reliability. ing.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Explaining the basic form state of the present invention, FIG. 1 de is applied to the present invention - illustrates a data carrier system, which receives a question wave of the reading unit to be described later, originating possible the identified predetermined response radio wave A data carrier 1 mounted on an object (including an object and a person), and a reading unit 2 that receives and recognizes a response radio wave from the carrier 1 and outputs a predetermined signal to a display or the like. Has been.
[0010]
The data carrier 1 is made operable by electric power induced in an antenna, which will be described later, and its main part is composed of an IC memory, which differs in characteristics from the antenna 3 and in the embodiment, the antenna described later, and its transmission. A loop antenna for both transmission and reception whose frequency is matched with the resonance frequency of the antenna, a transmission / reception unit 4 capable of amplifying a signal, a modulation / demodulation unit 5 capable of modulating / demodulating the signal, an identification unit 6 capable of decoding the signal, and a signal An encoding unit 7 that can be encoded, a storage unit 8 that can store predetermined information, and a control unit that compares the received signal based on the stored information in the storage unit 8 and determines whether the response to the reading unit 2 is appropriate. 9 and.
[0011]
The reading unit 2 is made operable by a DC power source, and its main part is composed of a CPU such as a microcomputer, which has a characteristic different from that of the antenna 3 and makes its oscillation frequency coincide with the resonance frequency of the antenna 3. The antenna 10, in the embodiment, a loop antenna that can be used for both transmission and reception, a transmission / reception unit 11 that can amplify a signal, a modulation / demodulation unit 12 that can modulate and demodulate a signal, and a signal that can be recognized as a target data carrier 1 An identification unit 13, a coding unit 14 that can encode a signal, a storage unit 15 that can store predetermined information, and a processing signal, that is, a read signal, if necessary, via an output terminal 16. And a control unit 17 capable of outputting to (not shown).
[0012]
2 to 5 show an example of an identification device using the data carrier system. In the figure, 18 is a horizontally-long rectangular reading board connected to a reading unit, which will be described later. A plurality of antennas A1 to A4 corresponding to the antenna 10 of the reading unit 2 are embedded on the surface.
[0013]
These antennas A1 to A4 are composed of a transmission / reception loop antenna having the same shape and the same characteristics, the characteristics of which differ from those of the antenna 3 and the transmission frequency of which matches the resonance frequency of the antenna 3. Is divided into a shape in which the reading board 18 is equally divided by the number of antennas A1 to A4, and is formed as small as possible, that is, the effective opening area is made as small as possible. It is possible to communicate with.
Placed via the (not shown) - the surface of the reading board 18 is covered with an appropriate member such as synthetic resin, the identified object B1~B4 are various mobile on its surface, in the basic form tableware Tableware Torre Has been.
[0014]
In the basic form of the identification objects B1 to B4, a specific data carrier C1 to C4 is mounted at the approximate center of the bottom of the tableware, and the identification objects B1 to B4 are attached to these data carriers C1 to C4. A unique identification number for identification is stored.
[0015]
The antennas A1 to A4 are connected to contacts of a selection unit (selection means) 20 provided in the reading unit 19, and the selection unit 20 is functioning by a CPU such as a microcomputer and has the same number of contacts as the antennas A1 to A4. These contacts are automatically switched to enable communication between the antennas A1 to A4 and the corresponding data carriers C1 to C4, and selectively input response signals from the data carriers C1 to C4. Has been made possible.
The main part of the reading unit 19 is constituted by a CPU such as a microcomputer, which is substantially the same as the reading unit 2 except for the configuration of the plurality of antennas A1 to A4 and the selection unit 20.
[0016]
That is, the reading unit 19 includes a transmission / reception unit 21 that can amplify a signal, a modulation / demodulation unit 22 that can modulate / demodulate the signal, and an identification unit 23 that can recognize the target data carriers C1 to C4 by decoding the signal. A coding unit 24 that encodes information to be transmitted to the data carriers C1 to C4, a storage unit 25 that can store predetermined information, and a control unit 27 that can output a processing signal to the display 26 or the like as needed. It has.
[0017]
The basic form of the mobile unit identification apparatus configured as described above is composed of data carriers C1 to C4 and a reading unit 19, and among these, each data carrier C1 to C4 is induced in the transmitted radio wave of each antenna 3. Since it operates with the electric power generated, it does not require a special power source, and is composed of a single antenna 3 and an integrated circuit such as an IC memory, so the structure is simple.
[0018]
The reading unit 19 is substantially composed of a reading board 18 in which a plurality of antennas A1 to A4 are embedded, and a CPU such as a microcomputer. The operation of the reading unit 19 is a response signal of each data carrier C1 to C4 as will be described later. Since they are received and identified and identified, the structure is simpler and less expensive than the conventional one that detects and identifies the frequency of the reflected radio wave.
In addition, since the antennas A1 to A4 are configured to be able to transmit radio waves of the same frequency with the same characteristics, the antennas A1 to A4 can be reasonably manufactured as compared with the case where a plurality of types of antennas are arranged with different characteristics. The reading board 18 can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0019]
Next, when the identification device is used, the reading unit 19 is turned on, and various identification objects B1 to B4 are placed on a tableware tray (not shown) and moved to the reading unit 19 side to read the reading board 18. Put it on top.
In this way, the reading board 18 is turned on, and the objects to be identified B1 to B4 are placed on the reading board 18 via the tableware tray, and these are the electric field strength regions of the antenna 3 and A1 to A4, that is, transmission / reception. Located in the possible area.
[0020]
Under such circumstances, when the selection unit 20 operates and the contacts of the antennas A1 to A4 are automatically switched at a constant cycle, the antennas A1 to A4 connected to the selection unit 20 transmit inquiry radio waves, and data Communication with the carriers C1 to C4 is started.
For example, when the selection unit 20 is connected to the contact point of the antenna A1 as shown in FIG. 5, an inquiry radio wave is transmitted from the antenna A1, and the presence and identification of the objects to be identified B1 to B4 in the area of the antenna A1 are identified. Is done.
[0021]
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a part of the identification object B1 is located in the communication area of the antenna A1 and the data carrier C1 is located, the antenna 3 of the data carrier C1 A1 radio waves are received.
In this case, since the antennas A1 to A4 are made as small as possible, one data carrier is located in the communicable area of each of the antennas A1 to A4.
[0022]
After reception, the radio wave is amplified by the transmission / reception unit 4 of the data carrier C1, demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 5, decoded by the identification unit 6, and the control unit based on the information stored in the storage unit 8 The comparison is made at 9.
If it is determined that the response to the reading unit 19 is to be made, information relating to the data carrier C1 stored in the storage unit 8 is added with a code by the encoder 7 via the control unit 9, and demodulated by the modem unit 5. The signal is amplified by the transmission / reception unit 4 and transmitted from the antenna 3 to the antenna A1.
[0023]
The transmission signal, that is, the response signal is received by the antenna A1, amplified by the transmission / reception unit 21, demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 22, identified as a target signal by the identification unit 23, and input to the control unit 27, This is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 25, and it outputs to the indicator 26 as needed.
[0024]
Thereafter, when the selection unit 20 switches to a contact point that conducts to the antenna A2, an interrogation radio wave is transmitted from the antenna A2, and the presence and identification of the identification objects B1 to B4 are performed within the area of the antenna A2. .
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a part of the identification object B2 is located in the area of the antenna A2 and the data carrier C2 is located, the antenna 3 of the data carrier C2 Interrogation radio waves are received.
[0025]
After reception, the radio wave is processed by the data carrier C2 in the same manner as described above, and when it is determined that the reading unit 19 should respond, information on the data carrier C2 is transmitted from the antenna 3 to the antenna A2, and the reading unit 19 Is stored in the storage unit 25.
[0026]
Similarly, the antennas A3 and A4 and the antennas 3 of the data carriers C3 and C4 communicate with each other through the operation of the selection unit 20, and the response signals are received by the antennas A3 and A4. Remember.
Thus, when responses to the interrogation radio waves of the antennas A1 to A4 are obtained, for example, the sum of their prices is calculated and displayed on the display 26.
[0027]
Thus, the present invention arranges the plurality of antennas A1 to A4 over the entire area of the identification board 18, and identifies the objects to be identified B1 to B4 placed in the partitioned areas of the antennas A1 to A4. Therefore, it is possible to identify the plurality of identification objects B1 to B4 more reliably and precisely than those identified by a single antenna, which is suitable for identification by the identification board 18 having a large area.
[0028]
In the present invention, when identifying the plurality of identification objects B1 to B4 on the identification board 18, the response signals from the antennas A1 to A4 are sequentially input to the control unit of the reading unit 19 via the selection unit 20. Since identification is performed, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the control unit, improve reliability of identification accuracy, and obtain presence / absence of identification objects B1 to B4 on the identification board 18 and position information thereof.
[0029]
In addition, in the present invention, a plurality of antennas A1 to A4 are formed as small as possible so that a plurality of data carriers do not exist within the area of one antenna, and communication between one antenna and one data carrier is performed. , And by sequentially switching the antennas A1 to A4, communication with a plurality of data carriers C1 to C4 becomes possible, and the communicable area is expanded.
[0030]
6 to 8 in the implementation of the invention, are designated by the same reference numerals in the configuration corresponding to those of the basic embodiment described above.
The identification board 28 of this embodiment has a larger area than the identification board 18, and a large number of antennas A1 to A12 are arranged over the entire flat surface.
[0031]
These antennas A1 to A12 are composed of loop antennas having the same shape and the same characteristics, the characteristics of which are different from those of the antenna 3, and the transmission frequency of which is the same as the resonance frequency of the antenna 3. They are formed as small as possible, and the surface thereof is covered with appropriate members such as synthetic resin, and various objects to be identified B1 to B4, and in the embodiment, the tableware is passed through a dish tray (not shown). It is placed.
[0032]
The antennas A1 to A12 are divided into a plurality of groups G1 to G3, and these groups G1 to G3 are substantially the same and are connected to the same number of reading units 19, 29, and 30 as the above groups.
The reading units 19, 29, and 30 have a first selection unit (selection means) 20 on the input side, and corresponding antennas A 1 to A 4, A 5 to A 8, and A 9 to A 12 are connected to the contacts of the selection unit 20. Each received signal can be selectively input to the control unit.
[0033]
The output terminals 31-33 of the control unit 27 of each reading unit 19, 29, 30 are connected to the contacts of the second selection unit 34, and the second selection unit 34 is functioned by a CPU such as the microcomputer, It has the same number of contacts as the reading units 19, 29, and 30, and these contacts are automatically switched so that information stored in the storage unit 25 of each reading unit 19, 29, 30 can be selectively input. Yes.
[0034]
The operation of the second selection unit 34 is controlled by the output control unit 35, and the input information from the reading units 19, 29, and 30 is stored in the storage unit 36 via the control unit 35, and to the display unit 37 as necessary. Output is enabled.
[0035]
That is, in this embodiment, a large number of antennas A1 to A12 provided on the identification board 28 are grouped into a plurality of groups, and the same number of reading units 19, 29, and 30 corresponding to the groups G1 to G3 are provided as the groups. The reception signal of A12 is selectively input to the reading units 19, 29, and 30 through the first selection units 20 and stored in the storage unit 25.
[0036]
On the other hand, the second selection unit 34 operates simultaneously with the operation of the reading units 19, 29, and 30, and the contacts are automatically switched at regular intervals, and the respective contacts are connected to the output terminals 31 to 33 of the reading units 19, 29, and 30. The storage information is sequentially connected, and the storage information of each storage unit 25 is input to the output control unit 35 and stored in the storage unit 36.
Then, the input information is output to the display unit 37 via the control unit 35 as necessary.
[0037]
As described above, this embodiment divides a large number of antennas A1 to A12 into a plurality of groups, and selects a reception signal of one antenna A1 to A12 of the group, and the same number of reading units as the group. 19, 29, 30 and a second selection unit 34 for selecting one of the reading units 19, 29, 30. Information processing in the reading units 19, 29, 30 and information processing in the output control unit 35 are provided. Are processed in parallel, the received signals of the multiple antennas A1 to A12 can be processed quickly.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the recognition time when identifying the identification board 28 having a large area or a large number of identification objects B with the identification board 28, and this kind of identification can be performed quickly and accurately.
[0038]
Also in this embodiment, a plurality of antennas A1 to A12 are formed as small as possible, and a plurality of data carriers do not exist in the area of each antenna, so that one antenna and one data carrier By ensuring communication and further switching these antennas A1 to A12 in sequence, communication with a plurality of data carriers C1 to C4 becomes possible, and the communicable area is expanded.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the single second selection means capable of selectively outputting any one output of each reading unit is provided, and the second selection means operates simultaneously with each reading unit. Since the information processing of each reading unit and the second selection means can be processed in parallel, the reception signals of a plurality of antennas can be processed reasonably and quickly for each reading unit, shortening the identification time and identifying Reliability can be improved, and a large number of data carriers can be quickly and accurately identified within a wide reception area .
[0040]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading board having a flat surface on which the identification object can be placed, and a plurality of antennas capable of inputting signals to the reading unit are embedded so as to face the placement surface of the reading board. Since the plurality of antennas are grouped in the same number as the reading units, a plurality of antennas corresponding to the reading units are grouped and arranged on the reading board, and each reading unit or group is arranged. This makes it possible to achieve reasonable information processing and to obtain reasonable information processing on a reading board on which an identification object can be placed .
[0041]
The invention of claim 3, a plurality of antennas provided in the reading board the Group - because placed every flop, Group - Ru FIG reliability accurately and rationally communicate with the identified object on the flop identification be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a data carrier system applied to a basic form of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a reading board applied to the basic form of the present invention and identification objects accommodated on the board.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state of arrangement of a reading board and antennas applied to the basic form of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an identification object applied to the basic form of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a reading unit applied to the basic form of the present invention.
6 is an explanatory diagram showing the applied reading unit in the implementation of the invention.
7 is a plan view showing the applied the reading machine to implementation form, the disposition of an object to be identified object contained on該盤of the present invention.
8 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of the applied reading board and antenna implementation of the invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, C1-C4 data carrier
2, 19, 29, 30 Reading unit
3,10, A1-A12 antenna
18,28 Reader
20 selection means (first selection means)
34 Second selection means
35 Output controller
G1 to G3 group

Claims

A data carrier mounted on a movable identification object and having a plurality of antennas capable of transmitting and receiving a predetermined radio wave, and a plurality of antennas capable of transmitting and receiving a predetermined radio wave to the data carrier and receiving A plurality of reading units capable of identifying a signal and outputting a reading signal, a plurality of antennas are sequentially switched, a first selection unit capable of inputting the received signal to the reading unit, and the data carrier and the reading unit Equipped with a control unit that can identify and decode received radio waves, arrange the data carrier and the reading unit in a radio wave communication area, and input received signals of the plurality of antennas to each reading unit and, in the mobile identification apparatus which can control its output, the provided second selection means for a single selectively enable outputting any one of the outputs of the reading unit, the second selecting means each Winding unit operably provided simultaneously, each read units and mobile identification device, characterized in that the information processing is provided to allow parallel processing of the second selection means.

A reading board having a flat surface on which the identification object can be placed is provided, and a plurality of antennas capable of inputting signals to the reading unit are embedded so as to face the mounting surface of the reading board, and the plurality of antennas are arranged. The mobile object identification device according to claim 1, wherein the same number of groups as the reading units are grouped .

The mobile object identification device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of antennas provided on the reading board are arranged for each group .