JP4013534B2 - Tag reader - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to Taguri da having a reading function for the optical information recording tag and the RF tag.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, sales and inventory management of products are performed by reading barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc. (optical information recording tags) printed on labels attached to products with a code reader.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, RF (Radio Frequency) ID tags are attached to products, and information stored in the RF tags is read with a tag reader using radio wave signals (electromagnetic signals), thereby performing product sales and inventory management. Is being put into practical use. In the case of this configuration, the amount of information that can be stored in the RF tag can be managed in a larger and finer manner compared to a barcode, etc., so either a label (optical information recording tag) or an RF tag is used depending on the product. Systems that are suitable or both are considered. In such a system in which both tags are mixedly used, a tag reader capable of reading information stored in any tag has been devised, for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 12-348133. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As examples of RF tags, there are coin-type tags and card-type tags, and in these tags, the center of the tag body substantially coincides with the central axis of the coiled antenna built in the tag. Therefore, if the central axis of the reading unit of the tag reader is opposed to the center of the tag main body, the reading is normally executed.
[0005]
However, for example, a tag for airline baggage is an elongated label-like tag. Therefore, when the RF tag is applied to the tag for airline baggage, it may be determined where the built-in antenna is disposed on the tag for airline baggage. do not know. For this reason, when reading is performed with the reading unit of the tag reader facing the tag for air baggage, the possibility that the built-in antenna of the tag will not be located at an appropriate position with respect to the reading unit of the tag reader increases. Might not be executed normally. In this case, since the tag reader repeatedly performs the retry of the reading operation, power is wasted. In particular, in the case of a handheld (portable) tag reader, since the power source is a battery, there is a problem that the battery is consumed quickly.
[0006]
An object of the present invention recognizes configured to be able to position the antenna in the RF tag is to provide a Taguri da that can perform read successfully.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the tag reader having a reading function for the optical information recording tag and the RF tag, image capturing means for photographing the optical information of the optical information recording tag is provided on the surface of the RF tag. And a sign indicating the position of the antenna built in the RF tag is captured and captured by the image capturing means, and a determination is made as to whether or not the RF tag can be read based on the captured image. Means, RF tag reading means for executing reading of the RF tag when it is determined that the RF tag can be read by the determination means, and irradiating the surface of the RF tag with spot light for position identification And a light projecting means for recognizing the position of the marker on the surface of the RF tag and the position of the spot light, And configured to determine whether or not it is possible to read the RF tag based on. According to this configuration, since the recognition configuration capable position of the antenna in the RF tag, it is possible to successfully perform reading by reader, also Ru can increase the reliability of the readable judgment .
[0011]
In the invention of claim 2 , the lateral positional relationship between the RF tag and the tag reader is estimated, and whether or not the RF tag can be read based on the estimated lateral positional relationship. It was configured to judge. Also with this configuration, it is possible to improve the reliability of the determination of being readable.
[0012]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the reading of the RF tag is executed, control is performed so that the spot light is not irradiated. Therefore, power can be saved by the amount not irradiated with the spot light.
[0013]
According to invention of Claim 4, since the said light projection means is comprised so that a spot light may be irradiated to diagonally toward outward, it can estimate the distance of a tag reader and RF tag.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a tag for airline baggage and a tag reader for reading the tag for airline baggage will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 1 is a partial top view showing an RF tag 1 of this embodiment. The RF tag 1 is, for example, a tag for airline baggage, and is a long label tag as a whole.
[0017]
Inside the main body of the RF tag 1, a coiled antenna 2 (see the broken line in FIG. 1) and an IC chip (not shown) are arranged. On the surface of the main body of the RF tag 1, signs 3a and 3b for displaying the position of the built-in antenna 2 are printed. These signs 3a and 3b are short linear marks, respectively, and are arranged so as to be positioned at both ends of the antenna 2 in the left-right direction in FIG.
[0018]
Further, on the surface of the main body of the RF tag 1, a barcode, a two-dimensional code or the like (none of which is shown) printed on a well-known tag for air baggage is printed. The bar code, the two-dimensional code, and the like are optical information, and the RF tag 1 is also an optical information recording tag.
[0019]
On the other hand, FIGS. 2 to 4 are diagrams schematically showing the overall configuration of the tag reader 4 that reads information recorded in the RF tag 1. The lower half of the tag reader 4 main body in FIG. 2 is a portion that is held by the user's hand, and a key operation portion 5 is disposed on the upper surface of this portion. The key operation unit 5 is provided with a plurality of operation keys. And the display part 6 which consists of a liquid crystal display, for example is arrange | positioned on the upper surface of the upper half part in FIG.
[0020]
An operation switch 7 for instructing the start of reading is provided on the right side surface of the middle portion of the tag reader 4. Further, the upper end portion of the main body of the tag reader 4 in FIG. 1 is a reading unit 8, and the reading unit 8 is read by facing the antenna 2 portion of the RF tag 1 (that is, the portion sandwiched between the signs 3a and 3b). Is configured to run.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a coiled antenna 9 that transmits and receives signals to and from the RF tag 1 is disposed inside the reading unit 8. The antenna 9 is composed of a coil wound in an approximately oval shape, and is disposed along the end surface of the reading unit 8. The size of the antenna 9 is such that the antenna 9 is disposed almost completely inside the reading unit 8.
[0022]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an optical information reading unit 10 for reading a barcode or the like (optical information) printed on the RF tag 1 is provided inside the reading unit 8 side portion of the tag reader 4 main body. It is arranged. The optical information reading unit 10 includes a two-dimensional CCD 11, a mirror 12, and an optical system 13 including a lens. As shown in FIG. 4, the optical system 13 is disposed so as to face the opening 14 provided in the end surface portion of the reading unit 8 (end surface portion of the main body of the tag reader 4).
[0023]
In this configuration, reflected light from a barcode or the like (detection target) printed on the RF tag 1 passes through the opening 14 and the optical system 13 and is reflected by the mirror 12 and received by the two-dimensional CCD 11. It is configured. Accordingly, the two-dimensional CCD 11 can capture a bar code printed on the RF tag 1 and capture the image (data). In this case, the optical information reading unit 10 constitutes an image capturing unit.
[0024]
The central axis of the optical system 13 for reading a barcode or the like printed on the RF tag 1 and the central axis of the antenna 9 for performing communication with the RF tag 1 are configured to coincide with each other. . Thereby, the directivity characteristic of the optical system 13 and the directivity characteristic of the antenna 9 can be made into the same direction.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 4, light projecting sections (light projecting means) 15 and 16 that irradiate spot light for position identification are disposed on the left and right portions of the optical system 13. These light projecting units 15 and 16 are configured by laser diodes, light emitting diodes, or the like. The spot light emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 is applied to the RF tag 1 as shown in FIGS.
[0026]
In this case, when the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is short, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the interval between the spot light irradiation positions 15 a and 16 a emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 becomes small. When the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is long, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the intervals between the spot light irradiation positions 15 a and 16 a emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 are increased. ing. Then, when the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is an appropriate distance for reading the RF tag 1 (a sufficiently readable distance), as shown in FIG. The spot light irradiation positions 15 a and 16 a are configured to substantially coincide with the signs 3 a and 3 b of the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1.
[0027]
In addition, you may comprise so that the light emitting diode for illumination for illuminating the barcode etc. which were printed on RF tag 1 in the vicinity of the said optical system 13 may be arrange | positioned. With this configuration, it is possible to optically read a barcode or the like printed on the RF tag 1 even when the tag reader 4 is used in a dark place.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the tag reader 4. In FIG. 5, the CPU unit 17 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and is configured to control the operation of the tag reader 4 in accordance with an operation signal given from the key operation unit 5.
[0029]
The CPU unit 17 outputs transmission data to the transmission unit 18 to perform modulation, and the transmission unit 18 is configured to output a modulated signal to the antenna 9. The signal received by the antenna 9 is given to the signal processing unit 20 via the receiving unit 19. The signal processing unit 20 is configured to demodulate and decode the received signal and output the decoded received data to the CPU unit 17.
[0030]
The CPU unit 17 is configured to drive and control the display unit 6 and the light projecting units 15 and 16. Further, the CPU unit 17 is configured to receive image data output from the two-dimensional CCD 11 of the optical information reading unit 10.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When the tag reader 4 reads the RF tag 1 for air baggage as shown in FIG. 1, the reading unit 8 of the tag reader 4 is opposed to the portion sandwiched between the signs 3 a and 3 b printed on the RF tag 1. The operation switch 7 of the tag reader 4 is operated. Then, the spot light is emitted from the light projecting units 15 and 16 to the RF tag 1 (see FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12), and the optical information reading unit 10 emits the spot light. The surface of the irradiated RF tag 1 is photographed, and the image is captured.
[0032]
Subsequently, the CPU unit 17 of the tag reader 4 analyzes the captured image and examines the relationship between the labels 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a. Then, it is determined whether or not the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is so close that the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a are located between the signs 3a and 3b, and the signs 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 are located. And whether or not the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a substantially coincide with each other.
[0033]
In this case, it may be configured not only to determine whether or not they exactly match, but also to determine that they are almost the same even if they are deviated to some extent. The above-mentioned degree of deviation is a deviation that allows the RF tag 1 to be read sufficiently, and may be obtained by experiments or the like.
[0034]
In the above determination, as shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is short, and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a are located between the signs 3a and 3b, or FIG. When it is determined that the signs 3a and 3b and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a substantially match, the CPU unit 17 determines that the RF tag 1 can be read by the tag reader 4 as shown in FIG. To do. In this case, the center axis of the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the center axis of the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 substantially coincide with each other, and the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 face each other at an appropriate distance or less. In the case of the above configuration, it is determined whether or not the RF tag 1 can be read based on the captured image, and the CPU unit 17 constitutes a determination unit.
[0035]
When it is determined that the RF tag 1 can be read, the CPU unit 17 starts the reading operation of the RF tag 1. That is, the CPU unit 17 constitutes an RF tag reading unit. In this case, specifically, the CPU unit 17 transmits a power signal from the antenna 9 to the RF tag 1. Then, the RF tag 1 is activated and is configured to transmit a signal to the tag reader 4.
[0036]
As a result, the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 receives the signal from the RF tag 1, and the received signal is sent to the CPU unit 17 via the receiving unit 19 and the signal processing unit 20. As a result, the tag reader 4 can read information stored in the RF tag 1. In this case, the center axis of the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the center axis of the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 coincide with each other, and the distance between the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 is less than an appropriate distance. It has become. Therefore, transmission / reception of signals between the RF tag 1 and the tag reader 4 is performed well.
[0037]
On the other hand, in determining whether or not the RF tag 1 can be read based on the captured image, that is, in the process of examining the relationship between the labels 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a. When the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a are located far outside the signs 3a and 3b (that is, when the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is long), the RF tag 1 cannot be read. Judge. In this case, the CPU unit 17 is configured not to execute the reading operation of the RF tag 1. Thereby, since the tag reader 4 does not execute a useless reading operation, the tag reader 4 can save power. For example, when the power source is a battery, the consumption of the battery can be reduced as much as possible.
[0038]
Further, the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 can be estimated by examining the relationship between the labels 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 and the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a are positioned inside the signs 3a and 3b, the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is larger than the standard distance. Can also be estimated.
[0039]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a are located outside the signs 3a and 3b, the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is larger than the standard distance. Can be estimated to be too far. Here, the reason why the distance can be estimated in this way will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the spot light emitted from the light projecting portions 15 and 16 of the tag reader 4 is configured to travel in an oblique direction toward the outside.
[0040]
For this reason, when the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is short, as shown in FIG. 9, the interval between the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a is narrowed, resulting in the state shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the distance between the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 is long, as shown in FIG. 10, the distance between the spot light irradiation positions 15a and 16a becomes wide, and the state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.
[0041]
If the center axis of the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the center axis of the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 do not coincide with each other, as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the irradiation positions 15a and 16a of the spot light are shifted in the horizontal direction, that is, the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, the diagonal direction, and the like. And even if it shift | displaces in this way, according to a shift | offset | difference direction and shift | offset | difference, it judges that reading of RF tag 1 is impossible, and it is comprised so that reading operation may not be performed. As a result, power can be saved.
[0042]
On the other hand, when the bar code printed on the main body of the RF tag 1 is read by the tag reader 4, the reading unit 8 of the tag reader 4 is placed close to the bar code of the RF tag 1 so that the operation switch of the tag reader 4 is operated. 7 is operated. Then, the surface of the RF tag 1 is photographed by the optical reading unit 10, the image is captured, and the captured image is analyzed by the CPU unit 17 to read the barcode or the like. ing. In this case as well, when the operation switch 7 is operated, spot light is emitted from the light projecting portions 15 and 16 to the RF tag 1.
[0043]
Moreover, in the said Example, when reading the RF tag 1 with the tag reader 4, it comprised so that spotlight might be irradiated with respect to RF tag 1 from the light projection parts 15 and 16, but it replaced with this, and light projection is carried out. The provision of the portions 15 and 16 may be stopped and the spot light may not be irradiated to the RF tag 1.
[0044]
Even in such a configuration, since the labels 3a and 3b are printed on the RF tag 1, it is possible to execute an operation of making the tag reader 4 face the RF tag 1 close to the tag 3a and 3b as marks. Operability is improved. Then, the signs 3a and 3b of the RF tag 1 are photographed by the optical reading unit 10, the images are taken in, and it is determined whether or not the RF tag 1 can be read based on the taken-in images. Can do.
[0045]
For example, if the signs 3a and 3b are photographed at a certain size and in a predetermined position in the captured image, the center axis of the antenna 2 of the RF tag 1 and the center of the antenna 9 of the tag reader 4 are used. The axes substantially coincide with each other, and it can be determined that the tag reader 4 and the RF tag 1 face each other at an appropriate distance or less, and it can be determined that the RF tag 1 can be read.
[0046]
It should be noted that the size and position at which the RF tag 1 can be sufficiently read may be determined and stored by experimentation or trial manufacture for the certain size and the predetermined position.
[0047]
FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the shapes (designs) of the labels 21a and 22b of the RF tag 1 are spot-like. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the same operational effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0048]
FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the shape (design) of the label 22 of the RF tag 1 is the same design (coil shape) as the external shape of the antenna 2. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the third embodiment, the same operational effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0049]
In each of the above embodiments, the RF tag is applied to a tag for an air baggage, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a tag for other baggage, products, products, and the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial top view of an RF tag showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the tag reader. FIG. 3 is a side view of the tag reader. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the tag reader. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which spot light is irradiated to the RF tag (when the RF tag and the tag reader are close to each other). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example (when the RF tag and the tag reader are far away) in which the RF tag is irradiated with spot light. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing RF from the tag reader. FIG. 10 is a partial side view showing an example of a state in which spot light is irradiated to the tag (when the RF tag and the tag reader are close to each other). FIG. 10 is another example of a state in which spot light is irradiated from the tag reader to the RF tag. If) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a state in which spot light is irradiated to the RF tag (when the tag reader is shifted in the left-right direction with respect to the RF tag). FIG. 12 shows spot light applied to the RF tag. The figure which shows the other example (when a tag reader has shifted | deviated to the up-down direction with respect to RF tag) in the irradiated state. FIG. 13 The equivalent figure of FIG. 1 which shows the 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 1 equivalent diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention
1 is an RF tag, 2 is an antenna, 3a and 3b are signs, 4 is a tag reader, 7 is an operation switch, 8 is a reading unit, 9 is an antenna, 10 is an optical information reading unit (image capturing means), and 11 is a two-dimensional display. CCD, 15 and 16 are light projecting sections (light projecting means), 17 is a CPU section (determination means, RF tag reading means), 21a and 21b are signs, and 22 is a sign.

Claims (4)

In a tag reader having a reading function for an optical information recording tag and an RF tag,
Image capturing means for capturing optical information of the optical information recording tag;
A sign that is provided on the surface of the RF tag and displays the position of the antenna built in the RF tag is photographed and captured by the image capturing means, and the RF tag can be read based on the captured image. A determination means for determining whether or not,
RF tag reading means for executing reading of the RF tag when it is determined by the determining means that the RF tag can be read ;
A light projecting means for irradiating the surface of the RF tag with a spot light for position identification,
The determination means recognizes the position of the label on the surface of the RF tag and the position of the spot light, and determines whether the RF tag can be read based on the recognized position. A tag reader characterized by being configured . The determination means estimates a positional relationship between the RF tag and the tag reader in the lateral direction, and determines whether the RF tag can be read based on the estimated lateral positional relationship. tag reader according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to. Wherein when performing a read of the RF tag according to claim 1 or 2 tag reader, wherein the controller controls so as not to irradiate the spot light. The tag reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light projecting means is configured to irradiate the spot light in an oblique direction toward the outside .

Images