JP4369210B2 - Wireless tag reading method and wireless tag reading system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag reading method and a wireless tag reading system for reading information from a wireless tag attached to a distribution item by wireless communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is a distribution system in which when a distribution item such as mail or small parcel is accepted from a customer, an identification number is assigned to the distribution item, management in the distribution process is performed based on the identification number, and the distribution item is delivered. In such a distribution system, a server installed at each site that performs underwriting, relaying, and delivery in the distribution process is connected by a network, and an identification number is registered in the server when the distribution material passes, thereby distributing in the distribution process. It manages the position of things.

  Since the registration of identification information to the server at each site requires a great deal of labor, the identification number assigned to the product is assigned to a wireless tag such as an RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification). It has been proposed to use a wireless tag reader to read an identification number from a wireless tag and perform management at each site.

In addition, in a logistics system that transports products stored in a packing box at a shipping site to a receiving site via a distribution route, an electronic tag storing information corresponding to the stored products is attached to the packing box and transported Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-171811 A

  At each of the above-mentioned locations, when reading a wireless tag while being stored in a storage box that stores a distribution item to which a wireless tag is attached, a plurality of antennas are arranged so as to correspond to a table on which the storage box is placed. The RFID tag reader reads the identification information by switching the antennas in a predetermined order.

  However, the distribution items are stored in various storage methods and storage boxes. For example, when a standard size distribution item is arranged in an orderly manner in a storage box and a wireless tag is affixed at substantially the same position, or a non-standard size distribution item is arranged neatly at a different position of each distribution item. A wireless tag may be attached. Moreover, the shape of the storage unit such as the size of the storage box and a partition for storing the distribution items may be different. In all of these cases, the RFID tag reader switches the antennas according to a predetermined order. Therefore, the RFID tag is read even by an antenna that cannot read the identification information from the RFID tag attached to the distribution item. It was useless. This waste of reading time is a short time per storage box, but the number of storage boxes becomes enormous in the distribution process in which a large number of distribution items are distributed, and there are also multiple management sites. For this reason, it has been desired to eliminate the waste of reading time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently read a wireless tag having wireless communication information having identification information affixed to a distribution item stored in a distribution item storage box and a wireless tag. To provide a tag reading system.

  The present invention reads at least shape information relating to the storage shape of the storage unit from the second wireless tag provided in the distribution item storage box having a storage unit for storing the distribution item to which the first wireless tag is attached. Based on the shape information, a plurality of wireless communication is performed so as to correspond to the storage unit of the circulation storage box when the distribution storage box is placed on the table on which the circulation storage box is placed. The antenna switching pattern corresponding to the shape information for switching the antenna is read, a plurality of antennas are switched based on the read antenna switching pattern, and the identification information is read from the first wireless tag.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the radio | wireless tag reading method and radio | wireless tag reading system which read efficiently the radio | wireless tag which has the identification information affixed on the distribution | circulation accommodated in the distribution | distribution storage box can be provided.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where a wireless tag such as an RFID tag is attached to a registered mail that is a distribution product will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a network configuration of a postal system through which registered mail 1 is distributed. Underwriting station server 2 installed in underwriting station 2a, which is a post office that accepts registered mail 1, and delivery station server 3 installed in delivery station 3a, which is a post office that delivers registered mail 1 to its destination, distribution process The relay station server 4 installed in the relay station 4a that relays the registered mail 1 is connected to be communicable via the network 5. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, there is one relay station 4a, and a registered tag 6 as a first wireless tag is attached to a plurality of registered mail items 1 accepted by the underwriting station 2a, and the underwriting station 2a. After being registered in the underwriting station server 2, the relay station 4a is stored in a mail box 8 which is a distribution storage box provided with a name tag tag 7 as a second wireless tag, and performs management in the distribution process. A case will be described where registration is performed in the relay station server 4 and delivery completion is registered in the delivery station server after delivery to each destination by the delivery station staff in the delivery station 3a.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a main part of a wireless tag reader 9 and a wireless tag reader host computer 10 which are wireless tag readers for reading information from the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7, and a configuration common to the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7. FIG. The wireless tag reader 9 and the host computer 10 are arranged in the underwriting station 2a, the relay station 4a, and the delivery station 3a. Each host computer 10 includes the underwriting station server 2, the delivery station server 3, and the relay station server 4. Each of them is connected to be communicable through, for example, a LAN (local area network).

  The wireless tag reader 9 includes an antenna unit 11 and a tag reader body 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna unit 11 is configured by arranging antennas A1 to A12 each having a thick rectangular shape and having a loop-shaped antenna in an array of 3 rows × 4 rows. Moreover, the antenna part 11 is arrange | positioned in the stand 81 for mounting the mail box 8 shown with a broken line in the figure. When the mail box 8 is placed on the table 81, as shown in FIG. 4, the name tag 7 provided on the mail box 8 corresponds to the mark 82 indicating the reference position provided on the table 81. To be placed. The tag reader body 12 includes an interface unit 13 with the host computer 10, a control unit 14 composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a modulation unit 15 that modulates transmission information to the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7, and a modulated radio wave. An output unit 16 that amplifies and radiates from the antenna unit 11, an antenna switching unit 17 that switches an antenna that radiates radio waves based on an instruction from the host computer 10, for example, by a switching circuit, and an amplification unit that amplifies the radio waves received by the antenna unit 11 18 and a demodulator 19 that demodulates the amplified received radio wave.

  A configuration common to the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7 includes a tag antenna 21 formed of a loop coil and the like, and a power generation unit 22 that supplies power to each unit by rectifying and stabilizing the modulated radio wave received by the tag antenna 21. The demodulator 24 that demodulates the modulated radio wave and sends it to the controller 23, the modulator 25 that modulates the information sent from the controller 23 and sends it to the tag antenna 21, and the information demodulated by the demodulator 24 is predetermined. In this case, the information is stored in the storage unit 26 and is read out and transmitted to the modulation unit 25. The control unit 23 and the storage unit 26 are included in the LSI chip.

  Since the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7 have different information stored in the storage unit 26, this information will be described with reference to FIGS. The storage unit 26 of the registered tag 6 is constituted by a read-only ROM, for example, and stores a unique identification ID number set by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage of the registered tag 6 as shown in FIG. . The storage unit 26 of the nameplate tag 7 is composed of, for example, an electrically rewritable PROM. As shown in FIG. 6, along with a unique identification ID number set by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage of the nameplate tag 7, Destination information indicating the destination of the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 (including not only the delivery station 3a but also the relay station 4a to be relayed), and the number information indicating the number of registered mail 1 stored. And the shape information which shows the shape of the storage part of the mail box 8 is memorize | stored.

  With this configuration, the wireless tag reader 9 modulates a predetermined command into a radio wave and transmits it from the antenna unit 11 under the control of the host computer 10 connected to the interface unit 13. On the other hand, when the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7 receive radio waves with the tag antenna 21, power is supplied to each unit from the power generation unit 22, the control unit 23 operates, and the information stored in the storage unit 26 is read. . And after the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 26 is modulated by the modulation | alteration part 25 in the form suitable for radio | wireless transmission, it transmits as a radio wave from the tag antenna 21. FIG. When the radio tag reader 9 receives this radio wave via the antenna unit 11, it is sent to the host computer 10.

  Next, the configuration of the host computer 10 will be described. Since the host computer 10 installed in the underwriting station 2a, the relay station 4a and the delivery station 3a has a common configuration, only the host computer 10 connected to the relay station server 4 will be described. The host computer 10 includes a CPU 31 as a control unit main body, a ROM 32 storing various information and control programs, a RAM 33 used as a work area, a keyboard and the like, an operation unit 34 for an operator to give instructions, and information necessary for the operator Is displayed, an interface unit 36 for connecting to the wireless tag reader 9, and an interface unit 37 for connecting to the relay station server 4 are provided.

  The ROM 32 stores an antenna switching pattern for switching the antenna used for wireless communication from the antennas A1 to A12 of the antenna unit 11 of the connected wireless tag reader 9. A plurality of antenna switching patterns are stored corresponding to the shape of the storage portion of the mail box 8. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a standard mail box 8a having a storage portion provided with a partition in the center so that standard registered mail items 1 can be stored in two vertical rows, as shown in FIG. There are two types of mail box 8a, 8b, a non-standard mail box 8b having a storage portion that is not provided with a partition so that registered mail can be stored, and antenna switching pattern A and antenna switching pattern B 2 corresponding to each. Two antenna switching patterns are stored.

  Since the antenna switching pattern A corresponds to the standard mail box 8a as shown in FIG. 7, when the standard mail box 8a is placed on the table 81, registered antennas A1 to A4 and antennas A9 to A12 are registered. This is a switching pattern in which the antenna of the antenna unit 11 used for reading the tag 6 is switched. Note that when the regular mail box 8a is placed on the table 81 with the mark 82 as a mark, the registered tag 6 attached to the registered mail 1 in the storage unit has one row from the antennas A1 to A4. In order to correspond, the other column corresponds to the antennas A9 to A12. Since the antenna switching pattern B corresponds to the non-standard mail box 8b as shown in FIG. 8, when the non-standard mail box 8b is placed on the table 81, the antennas A1 to A12 and the registered tag 6 This is a switching pattern for switching the antenna of the antenna unit 11 used for reading. The antenna switching time of the antenna switching pattern B, that is, the time for reading the identification ID number from the registered tag 6 with one antenna is longer than the switching time of the antenna switching pattern A.

  Next, processing when the host computer 10 reads the registered mail tag 6 attached to the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 via the wireless tag reader 9 will be described with reference to FIG. When the CPU 31 receives an instruction to start reading the registered tag 6 from the operation unit 34 (or when a sensor is provided at a predetermined position near the table 81 and the mail box 8 is detected by a signal from the sensor), this processing is performed. To start.

  First, the CPU 31 controls the wireless tag reader 9 to radiate a radio wave of a predetermined command from the antenna A1 of the antenna unit 11 to read the nameplate information stored in the nameplate tag 7 (ST1, shape information reading means, distribution item) Number information reading means). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the nameplate information, that is, the destination information, the number information, and the shape information has been read (ST2). If it is determined that the nameplate information is not read, a nameplate tag search process described later is performed. The read nameplate information is stored in the RAM 33.

  If it is determined that the nameplate information has been read, it is determined whether the destination information included in the nameplate information stored in the RAM 33 is correct, that is, whether the destination is the correct relay station 4a (ST3). If it is determined to be correct, the process proceeds to the next process. If it is determined that it is not correct, the display unit 35 is controlled to perform error processing for displaying an error.

  Subsequently, based on the shape information included in the nameplate information stored in the RAM 33, it is determined whether the mail box 8 placed on the table 81 is the standard mail box 8a or the non-standard mail box 8b (ST4). . If it is determined that it is the standard mailing box 8a, the antenna switching pattern A is read from the ROM 32 (ST5), and the antenna switching unit 17 of the wireless tag reader 9 is controlled based on the antenna switching pattern A, and the antennas A1 to A4 and antenna A9 are controlled. From A to A12, each time the antenna is switched, the identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 stored in the standard mail box 8a (ST6, 7). Then, it is determined whether reading of the identification ID number of the registered tag 6 using the antenna A12 that is switched last is completed (ST8). These steps ST5 to ST8 constitute identification information reading means.

  When CPU 31 determines that reading of registered tag 6 based on antenna switching pattern A has been completed, CPU 31 calculates the number of identification ID numbers read (ST9, identification information number calculating means). Then, by comparing the serial number information included in the nameplate information stored in the RAM 33 with the calculated number of identification ID numbers, it is determined whether or not the number of registered items matches (ST10). If it is determined that they do not match, all the read identification ID numbers are discarded (ST11), the process returns to step ST6, and the registered tag 6 is read again based on the antenna switching pattern A. At this time, when the number of times determined not to match in step ST10 is counted to reach a predetermined number, an error may be displayed by controlling the display unit 35, or immediately displayed if they do not match. The unit 35 may be controlled to display an error.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST4 that the mail box 8 placed on the table 81 is an atypical mail box 8b, the antenna switching pattern B is read from the ROM 32 (ST12), and the wireless communication is performed based on the antenna switching pattern B. The antenna switching unit 17 of the tag reader 9 is controlled to switch the antennas in order from the antennas A1 to A12, and each time the antennas are switched, the identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 stored in the standard mail box 8a (ST13). , 14). Subsequent processing steps ST15 to ST18 are the same as the steps ST8 to ST11 described in the case where it is determined that the mail box 8 is the standard mail box 8a, and thus the description thereof is omitted. If it is determined in steps ST10 and ST17 that the number of registered items is the same, the read identification ID number is transmitted to the relay server (ST19). As a result, the reading process ends.

Next, a nameplate tag search process executed by the CPU 31 when the nameplate information cannot be read by reading the nameplate tag 7 using the antenna A1 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the antenna switching unit 17 of the wireless tag reader 9 is controlled to switch from the antenna A1 to the antenna A5 (ST31), and radio waves are radiated from the antenna A5 to determine whether the nameplate information has been read (ST32). If it is determined that the nameplate information has been read, the process proceeds to step ST4 described with reference to FIG. 9. If it is determined that the nameplate information has not been read, the antenna switching unit 17 is controlled to switch from the antenna 5A to the antenna A9 (ST33). It is determined whether or not the nameplate information is read by radiating radio waves from A9 (ST34). If it is determined that the nameplate information has been read, the process proceeds to step ST4 described above. If it is determined that the nameplate information has not been read, the display unit 35 is controlled to display an error (ST35). Then, this process ends.

  Next, in the postal system constructed in this way, the identification ID number is transferred from the registered tag 6 attached to the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 delivered mainly from the underwriting station 2a to the relay station 4a. The operation when registering in the server 4 will be described.

  First, the operation at the underwriting station 2a will be described. When the sender brings the registered mail item 1 to the underwriting station 2a, a member of the underwriting station 2a puts the underwriting number and the bar code storing the underwriting number, a delivery certificate with a receipt stamp column and a registered tag 6 into the registered mail item 1. Issue a receipt with the pasting and acceptance number to the sender. Note that when the registered tag 6 is attached to the registered mail item 1, the position to be attached is determined in advance. For example, the registered tag 6 is attached to the lower right end of the surface of the registered mail item 1. The member of the underwriting station 2a stores in the underwriting station server 2 the underwriting number, the identification ID number of the registered tag 6 affixed to the registered mail item 1, the underwriting date, sender and recipient information, and the like. The underwriting station server 2 distributes the information to the relay station server 4 and the delivery station server 3 via the network 5. The clerk sorts the registered mail 1 for each delivery station 3 a and stores it in the mail box 8. As described above, there are two types of the mail box 8: the standard mail box 8a and the non-standard mail box 8b. Non-standard items are stored in the non-standard mail box 8b.

  At a predetermined time, a member of the underwriting station 2a writes information on the destination, the number of mails, and the shape of the mail box 8 into the storage unit 26 of the nameplate tag 7 attached to the mail box 8 containing the registered mail 1. The name tag tag 7 is affixed to a specified position of the mail box 8 (the name tag tag 7 may be fixed to the mail box 8). For example, a mark is attached in advance to a specified position (a lower part of the specified one surface of the outer peripheral surface of the mail box) and the name tag tag 7 is attached to the mail box 8 and is attached to that position. In this way, the mail box 8 containing the registered mail 1 is delivered to the relay station 4a.

  A member of the relay station 4a registers the registered mail stored in the mail box 8 in order to register in the relay server 4 that the registered mail 1 stored in the delivered mail box 8 has been delivered to the relay station 4a. The registered tag 6 attached to the object 1 is read. First, the clerk places the delivered mail box 8 on the table 81. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the nameplate tag 7 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the mail box 8 is placed in the vicinity of the mark 82 of the table 81 so as to correspond. Then, the clerk operates the operation unit 34 of the host computer 10 to instruct the wireless tag reader 9 to start reading.

  Then, the wireless tag reader 9 first reads the nameplate information from the nameplate tag 7 attached to the mail box 8 using the antenna A1. If the nameplate information cannot be read at this time, the nameplate information is read by switching the antennas in the order of antenna A5 and antenna A9. Thus, by reading the nameplate information only on the side where the nameplate tag 7 is attached to the mail box 8, the nameplate information can be read immediately even if the position where the nameplate tag 7 is attached is shifted.

  When the nameplate information is read in this way, the antenna switching pattern corresponding to the mail box 8 is read from the ROM 32 based on the shape information included in the nameplate information. In the case of the standard mailing box 8a, the antennas are switched in the order of the antennas A1 to A4 and the antennas A9 to A12. In the case of the non-standard mailing box, the antennas are sequentially switched from the antennas A1 to A12. Therefore, in the case of the standard mailing box 8a, it is not necessary to switch the antenna from antenna A5 to A8 and to read the registered tag 6 with each of the antennas A5 to A8, so that the time for reading the registered tag 6 can be shortened. it can. In the case of the non-standard mail box 8b, the antenna switching time is set to be long. Therefore, even if the registered mail 1 is cluttered in the non-standard mail box 8b and the radio wave condition is unstable. The recognition rate of the registered mail tag 6 can be improved. In this way, the identification ID number can be efficiently read from the registered tag 6 attached to the stored registered mail 1 in accordance with the shape of the storage part of the mail box 8, reducing the reading time and recognizing it. The rate can be improved.

  After reading the identification ID number in this way, the registered number tag 6 stored by comparing the number information included in the nameplate information with the number of identification ID numbers read from the registered tag 6 stored in the mail box 8. Since all identification ID numbers can be read reliably, reading reliability can be improved.

  Then, the host computer 10 transmits the read identification ID number to the relay station server 4. The relay station server 4 to which the identification ID number has been transmitted transmits the identification ID number to the underwriting station server 2 and the delivery station server 3 via the network 5, and the registered mail 1 specified by this identification ID number is relayed. It is registered that it has been delivered to the station 4a. Thereafter, the mail box 8 is delivered from the relay station 4a to the delivery station 3a.

  When the mail box 8 is delivered from the relay station 4a, the member of the delivery station 3a reads the registered tag 6 attached to the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 in the same manner as described in the relay station 4a. After that, arrival date information is registered in the delivery station server 3 in correspondence with the acceptance number of the registered mail item 1. The clerk then delivers the registered mail 1 and registers the delivery person and delivery completion information of each registered mail 1 in the delivery server 3. These pieces of information are transmitted from the delivery station server 3 to the underwriting station server 2 and the relay station server 4 via the network 5. In this way, the registered mail 1 received by the underwriting station 2a is managed in the distribution process until the delivery station 3a completes delivery to the destination.

  According to this embodiment, the registered mail read from the name tag provided on the mail box 8 containing the registered mail 1 with the registered tag 6 having identification information attached thereto is read by the host computer 10 and the wireless tag reader 9. By reading the registered tag 6 by switching a plurality of antennas with the antenna switching pattern corresponding to the storage shape for storing the mail item 1, the identification ID number of the registered tag 6 can be read efficiently.

  The above-described embodiment has been described in the case of registered mail in the mail system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a small package collection and delivery system that collects and delivers small packages.

  Moreover, although the case where the size of the storage part of the mail box 8 is the same size and the storage method is different, as shown in FIG. 11, it can be applied to the case where the size of the mail box 8 is different. An antenna switching pattern corresponding to the size of the storage portion of the mail box 8 is stored. For example, if the size of the storage section shown in the figure is used, the antenna switching pattern for switching to the antennas A1, A2, A5 and A6 may be stored for switching the antenna of the antenna section 11.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage, and is disclosed in the embodiment. Various inventions can be modified by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements.

The figure which shows schematically the network structure of the postal system in embodiment of this invention. The block which shows the principal part structure of the wireless tag reader and host computer in the embodiment, and the structure common to a registered tag and a nameplate tag. The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the antenna part of the radio | wireless tag reader in the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the stand in the same embodiment. The figure which shows the information memorize | stored in the registered mail tag in the embodiment. The figure which shows the information memorize | stored in the nameplate tag in the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the antenna switching pattern in the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the other antenna switching pattern in the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a reading process in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the nameplate tag search process in the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the other antenna switching pattern in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Registered mail, 6 ... Registered tag (1st radio tag), 7 ... Nameplate tag (2nd radio tag), 8 Mail box (circulation thing storage box), 8a ... Standard mail box, 8b ... Non-standard Mail box, 9 ... Wireless tag reader, 10 ... Host computer, 11 ... Antenna, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 81 ... Stand

Claims (4)

Read at least shape information relating to the storage shape of the storage unit from the second wireless tag provided in the distribution item storage box having a storage unit for storing the distribution item to which the first wireless tag is attached;
On the basis of the read shape information, a plurality of units arranged so as to correspond to the storage units of the circulating material storage box when the circulating material storage box is mounted on a table on which the circulating material storage box is mounted. Read the antenna switching pattern corresponding to the shape information for switching the antenna for performing wireless communication,
A wireless tag reading method comprising: switching the plurality of antennas based on the read antenna switching pattern and reading identification information from the first wireless tag. Read the circulation number information on the number of circulation items stored in the circulation storage box together with the shape information,
Calculating the number of identification information when reading of the identification information from the first wireless tag is completed;
When the circulation number information does not match the identification number information, the identification information is read again from the first wireless tag attached to the circulation stored in the circulation storage box. Reading method. A memory for storing shape information relating to at least the storage shape of the storage unit provided in the distribution item storage box having a storage unit for storing the distribution item to which the first wireless tag having the storage unit for storing the identification information is attached. A second wireless tag having a portion,
A plurality of antennas arranged so as to correspond to storage parts of the circulation storage box when the circulation storage box is placed on a table on which the circulation storage box is placed;
An antenna switching means for switching an antenna used for wireless communication from the plurality of antennas;
An antenna switching pattern storage means for storing an antenna switching pattern for switching the antenna by the antenna switching means corresponding to the shape information;
Shape information reading means for reading shape information from the second wireless tag via the antenna;
Identification information reading means for reading identification information from a first wireless tag affixed to a distribution item stored in the distribution item storage box based on an antenna switching pattern corresponding to the shape information read by the shape information reading unit; A wireless tag reading system comprising: a wireless tag reading device provided. The storage unit of the second wireless tag stores circulation number information relating to the number of circulation items stored in the circulation storage box,
The wireless tag reader includes a circulation number information reading unit that reads circulation number information from the second wireless tag via the antenna;
Identification information number calculating means for calculating the number of identification information when the identification information reading means finishes reading the identification information from the first wireless tag;
Determining means for determining whether or not the circulation number information read by the circulation number information reading means matches the identification number information calculated by the identification information number calculation means;
If the determination means determines that they do not match, the identification information reading means reads the identification information again from the first wireless tag affixed to the distribution item stored in the distribution item storage box. Item 4. The wireless tag reading system according to Item 3.

Images