JP4397613B2 - IC - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an IC (Integrated Circuit). In particular, the present invention relates to an IC having a function of transmitting product information including product identification information to the outside.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A technique for managing articles using RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) is gradually spreading. This is because RFID (also called an IC tag, wireless tag, electronic tag, etc.), which is a small tag incorporating an IC and wireless signal transmission / reception means, is attached to an article or its packaging material, and the distribution process of the article. In this method, information for identifying the product type and product individual can be read from the RFID, and which product is in stock and where it is managed using a computer.
[0003]
In [Summary] of Patent Document 1, when product information is received from the outside, the product code of the received product information is compared with the product code stored in the memory. An IC (product tag) to be updated with the received product information is described. With this technology, for example, when changing the price of a product by discounting, etc., or when changing many product tags at the same time during the fiscal year end, etc., work such as replacing tags or attaching stickers to tags Therefore, it is possible to reduce manpower.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-133860
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above prior art, product information (such as price information) given from the outside can be stored in the IC, but the state of the product itself cannot be transmitted to the outside. As an example, in tires such as automobiles, motorcycles (motorcycles, bicycles with motors), and four-wheel buggy cars, replacement or replenishment is necessary when the air pressure decreases. Therefore, it is preferable that information relating to air pressure can be known externally.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an IC capable of transmitting not only product information given in advance from the outside but also information representing the current status of the product itself. Objective.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a sensor in an IC comprising storage means for storing product information including product identification information, and control means for reading the product information from the storage means and transmitting it to the outside. The gist is an IC characterized by being provided inside.
With such a configuration, the sensor detects the state of the product. Therefore, the detected state of the product can be transmitted to the outside.
[0008]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above IC, the control means writes the product information in the storage means when receiving the product information from the outside.
With such a configuration, the product information in the IC can be updated by transmitting the product information from the outside to the IC.
[0009]
According to the present invention, in the above IC, the sensor is a pressure sensor.
According to the present invention, in the above IC, the sensor is a temperature sensor.
With each of these configurations, it is possible to detect the pressure or temperature state relating to the product.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above IC, the storage means, the control means, and the sensor are built in a single case.
[0010]
According to the present invention, in the above IC, the circuit supplied with power by the battery includes a sensor, storage means for storing product identification information, and control means, and the product identification read from the storage means by the control means. A memory (RFID) for storing product identification information while transmitting information to the outside and transmitting information detected by the sensor to the outside while a circuit (RFID) that receives power from a power source (power storage means) independent of the battery Means and a second control means, and the second control means transmits the product identification information read from the storage means to the outside.
With this configuration, even when there is no power supply from the battery, the second control unit can transmit the product identification information to the outside as the product identification information.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the IC according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an IC, and 2 denotes a battery for supplying power to the IC · 1. As the battery 2, for example, a lithium battery having excellent durability is used. Reference numeral 3 denotes a switch for switching connection / disconnection between the IC · 1 and the battery 2.
The circuit 15 and the circuit 11 are included in the IC • 1. Of these both, only the circuit 15 is supplied with power from the battery 2. The circuit 11 includes an RFID 12 circuit.
[0012]
The RFID 12 includes a built-in antenna 120, a product information storage unit 121 (storage means), a power storage unit 122, a control unit 123, and a transmission / reception unit 124. The built-in antenna 120 is an antenna for receiving an electromagnetic wave signal from the outside and transmitting the electromagnetic wave signal to the outside. For example, the built-in antenna 120 is realized as a coiled circuit pattern made of a conductive material. The merchandise information storage unit 121 is a memory for storing merchandise information including merchandise identification information capable of identifying the individual merchandise, and is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like. The power storage unit 122 is a circuit for supplying power to the entire circuit 11, and includes a capacitor that temporarily stores power generated using electromagnetic waves received by the built-in antenna 120. The power storage unit 122 is designed with a time constant so that the necessary power supply can be maintained during a series of operations from when the RFID 12 receives a read signal according to a procedure described later to when information is transmitted to the outside. The control unit 123 controls a series of operations until necessary information is read from the product information storage unit and transmitted to the outside when a read signal is received from the outside. The transmission / reception unit 124 receives a read signal from the outside by electromagnetic waves and transmits the signal to the control unit 123, and transmits a signal by electromagnetic waves to the outside based on an instruction from the control unit 123.
[0013]
Information stored in the product information storage unit 121 includes product identification information, price information, store information, appropriate pressure minimum value, appropriate pressure maximum value, appropriate temperature minimum value, and appropriate temperature maximum value. The product identification information is unique code information for identifying the present IC individual. The price information is information on a price set in a store or the like, and is read by a point-of-sale (POS) system of the store when a user purchases a product in which the IC is incorporated. The store information is code information that can identify a store where the product is sold. The appropriate pressure minimum value and the appropriate pressure maximum value represent the range of the appropriate value of pressure detected by the IC. By storing these values, the detected pressure value falls within this range. A warning signal can be issued when there is no such signal. The appropriate temperature minimum value and the appropriate temperature maximum value represent the range of the appropriate value of the temperature detected by this IC. By storing these values, the detected temperature value falls within this range. A warning signal can be issued when there is no such signal.
The product identification information is held by, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) or a memory that can be written only once (Write-Once Memory). In addition to the information listed here, other product information may be stored in the product information storage unit 121.
[0014]
The circuit 15 includes a built-in antenna 150, a pressure detection unit 111 (sensor, pressure sensor), a temperature measurement unit 112 (sensor, temperature sensor), a control unit 113, and a transmission unit 114.
The pressure detection unit 111 is configured using a semiconductor pressure sensor, detects pressure, and outputs a signal corresponding to the numerical value. As an example, the pressure detection range is 0 to 500 kPa (kilopascal), and the pressure detection accuracy is ± (plus or minus) 2%. Such a pressure detection range and pressure detection accuracy is suitable for, for example, measuring the air pressure inside the tire.
The temperature measuring unit 112 measures the temperature and outputs a signal corresponding to the numerical value. As an example, the temperature measurement range is 233K to 393K (minus 40 degrees Celsius to plus 120 degrees), and the temperature measurement accuracy is ± (plus or minus) 8K.
[0015]
The control unit 113 receives a pressure value signal from the pressure detection unit 111 and also receives a temperature value signal from the side temperature unit 112. Further, the control unit 113 stores therein identification information that can identify the present IC individual. And the control part 113 outputs the signal showing pressure value information (sensor information), temperature value information (sensor information), and identification information according to a predetermined timing.
The transmission unit 114 transmits an electromagnetic wave modulated based on the signal output from the control unit 113 to the outside. As an example, the modulation method uses frequency modulation (FM), and the transmission frequency uses an appropriate frequency in the range of several hundred MHz (megahertz) to several tens GHz (gigahertz).
The built-in antenna 110 is used to transmit a signal from the transmission unit 114 to the outside.
[0016]
Next, the arrangement of each part in the IC • 1 will be described. 2A and 2B are schematic views showing an external appearance and the like of the tire pressure monitoring device using the IC according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic side view, and FIG. 2B is a schematic bottom view. Reference numerals shown in FIG. 2 are the same as those shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the battery 2 is disposed in the vicinity of the IC · 1. Inside IC · 1, an internal antenna 110, a pressure detecting unit 111, a temperature measuring unit 112, an RFID · 12, and the like are arranged as illustrated. Each element included in the IC · 1 is built in a single case.
[0017]
As described above, since the circuit 15 is supplied with power from the battery 2, when the switch 3 is in the connected state, the pressure measurement, temperature measurement, and transmission to the outside are performed, and when the switch 3 is in the disconnected state, the circuit 15 is stopped. Yes. On the other hand, since the circuit 11 is supplied with power from the power storage unit 122 therein, as long as sufficient power (voltage / current) is supplied from the power storage unit 122, the circuit 11 is connected / disconnected. Operate.
[0018]
Next, the operation of each part of the IC • 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the contents of the signal transmitted by the circuit 15. In the circuit 15, the control unit 113 receives numerical signals representing measurement results from the pressure detection unit 111 and the temperature measurement unit 112 at predetermined and sufficiently short intervals. Then, the control unit 113 sequentially outputs a synchronization signal, an identification signal, a pressure value signal, and a temperature value signal at a predetermined cycle, and the electromagnetic wave modulated by these signals is transmitted to the outside by the transmission unit 114. The synchronization signal is a signal having a predetermined pattern used for synchronization with the receiver side. The identification signal is a signal generated by reading identification information (information identifying an IC individual) stored in the control unit 113 and corresponding to the identification information. The pressure value signal is a signal corresponding to a numerical value (pressure value) received from the pressure detecting unit 111. The temperature value signal is a signal corresponding to a numerical value (temperature value) received from the temperature measuring unit 112. After the temperature value signal is output, the process returns again, and the synchronization signal, the identification signal, the pressure value signal, and the temperature value signal are output in this order, and this is repeated as long as the power supply from the battery 2 continues. .
[0019]
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the contents of signals transmitted / received by the RFID 12, and FIG. 4 (a) is an IC side when a read signal is received from the outside (read / write device side for reading / writing information of this IC). 4B corresponds to the operation on the IC side when a write signal is received from the outside.
[0020]
In FIG. 4A, first, when a read signal is received from the read / write device side, the power generated inside the RFID 12 is temporarily stored in the power storage unit 122, and the power supply from the power storage unit 122 is received. Then, the control unit 123 and the like start operation. First, the control unit 123 recognizes that the received signal is a read signal, and reads product information from the component information storage unit 121. Then, a response signal including the read product information is output. This response signal is transmitted to the outside as an electromagnetic wave signal by the transmission / reception unit 124. The transmitted electromagnetic wave signal is received by the read / write device. In FIG. 4A, the product information included in the response signal is composed of identification information and others. For example, only the identification information may be included in the response signal.
[0021]
In FIG. 4B, first, when a write signal is received from the read / write device side, the control unit 123 or the like starts operating upon receiving power supply from the power storage unit 122, as described above. The control unit 123 recognizes that the received signal is a write signal, and reads the product identification information from the component information storage unit 121. Then, the read product identification information is compared with the identification information received from the outside. If they do not match, writing to the product information storage unit 121 is not performed, and a signal indicating “failure” is output as a response signal. If the two match in the comparison, the information stored in the product information storage unit 121 is updated with the received product information. That is, the control unit 123 writes the product information in the product information storage unit 121 when product information is received from the outside.
Such product information update is performed, for example, when an appropriate value is set according to the type of tire on which the tire pressure monitoring device is provided (minimum appropriate pressure value, maximum appropriate pressure value, minimum appropriate temperature value, appropriate temperature value). The highest price update). Also, for example, it is performed when a discount is given by a sale or the like at a store (update of price information).
[0022]
Next, identification information registration in the tire pressure monitoring device will be described. The apparatus incorporating the IC according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is provided inside the tire at the tire manufacturing stage. On the other hand, a radio signal (including a pressure value signal and a temperature value signal) transmitted from the transmission unit 114 is received by a receiver provided in a vehicle body such as an automobile or a motorcycle. Therefore, in order for this receiver to operate correctly on the basis of radio signals from the tires of the host vehicle, the identification information of the devices provided on the tires is given to the receiver side at the time of new vehicle manufacturing or tire replacement. It is necessary to register with.
[0023]
When the IC of this embodiment is used, the registration can be performed by two methods. The first is a method of receiving and registering the identification signal transmitted from the circuit 15 on the receiver side. The second is a method of registering on the receiver side using identification information (product identification information) included in the product information transmitted from the RFID 12. In order to use the second method, the identification information represented by the identification signal transmitted from the circuit 15 and the identification information transmitted from the RFID 12 are the same or associated with each other. Here, “corresponding to each other” means, for example, whether the key portions of both pieces of information are the same or whether they are associated with each other by performing an operation using both pieces of information as parameters. Say what you can judge.
Normally, the tire pressure monitoring system stops the signal transmission (switch 3 is disconnected) to prevent the battery from being consumed while being transported or stored in the distribution process. By making it possible, the product identification information can be read from the RFID and registered in the receiver. Therefore, convenience is improved, such as no need for starting the apparatus on the transmitter side for registration.
[0024]
The control unit 113 and the control unit 123 described above are realized by a logic circuit and a sequential circuit using combinational logic. As one form thereof, the control unit 113 or the control unit 123 may be realized using a computer. At this time, the process of each control unit described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above process is performed by the computer reading and executing the program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium means a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to the computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received the distribution may execute the program.
[0025]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and includes a design and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0026]
For example, in FIG. 1, the built-in antenna 110 and the built-in antenna 120 are provided separately, but they may be provided as a single built-in antenna.
For example, in FIG. 1, the transmission unit 114 and the transmission / reception unit 124 are provided separately, but these may be provided as a common transmission / reception unit. In this case, switching means for switching whether the common transmission / reception unit receives power supply from the battery 2 or power storage unit 122 is also provided.
Further, for example, in FIG. 1, product identification information is stored inside the control unit 113, and the control unit 113 outputs an identification signal by reading the product identification information. The product identification information may be read from the information storage unit 121. Also in this case, switching means for switching the power supply of both systems is provided as necessary. With such a configuration, it can be guaranteed that the identification information transmitted from the circuit 15 and the identification information transmitted from the RFID 12 are the same.
Further, the IC according to the present embodiment is not limited to the tire pressure monitoring system, but can be used for other products.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the IC having the means for storing the merchandise information including the merchandise identification information and reading out the merchandise information and transmitting it to the outside, the state of the merchandise is provided by providing the sensor inside. Can be transmitted to the outside. For example, it is possible to detect the life (replacement time) or maintenance time of parts such as automobiles and motorcycles.
Further, according to the present invention, when the IC receives the product information from the outside, the product information is written in the storage means, so that the product information (for example, the product setting information, the distribution related to the price, the store, etc.) Information, etc.) can be updated.
[0028]
Further, by using a pressure sensor as the sensor, it is possible to detect tire air pressure, brake oil pressure, and the like.
Further, by using a temperature sensor as the sensor, it is possible to detect the temperature of the tire (the rubber part thereof), the temperature of the engine coolant, and the like.
In addition, according to the present invention, the storage unit, the control unit, and the sensor included in the IC are built in a single case, so that the parts can be reduced in size and manufactured at low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an IC according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an appearance and the like of a tire pressure monitoring device using an IC according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the contents of a signal transmitted by a circuit (15) in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the contents of signals transmitted and received by the RFID (12) in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... IC, 2 ... battery, 3 ... switch, 11 ... circuit, 12 ... RFID,
15 ... Circuit, 110 ... Built-in antenna, 111 ... Pressure detector (sensor),
112 ... Temperature measuring unit (sensor), 113 ... Control unit, 114 ... Transmitting unit,
120 ... Built-in antenna, 121 ... Product information storage unit, 122 ... Power storage unit,
123: Control unit, 124: Transmission / reception unit

Claims (5)

Storage means for storing product information including product identification information and information relating to an appropriate value for the product;
In an IC comprising: control means for reading out information related to the product identification information and the appropriate value out of the product information from the storage means and transmitting the information to the outside.
With a sensor inside,
The storage means stores, as the product information, a value representing a range of appropriate values corresponding to the type of value detected by the sensor,
The control means transmits the value detected by the sensor to the outside, transmits the product information to the outside when receiving a reading signal from the outside, and sends the product information to the outside when receiving the product information from the outside. An IC characterized by writing to a storage means. The IC of claim 1,
The sensor is a pressure sensor;
The value representing the range of the appropriate value is an appropriate pressure minimum value and an appropriate pressure maximum value. In the IC according to claim 1 or 2,
The sensor is a temperature sensor;
The value representing the range of the appropriate value is an appropriate temperature minimum value and an appropriate temperature maximum value. In the IC according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An IC characterized in that the storage means, the control means, and the sensor are built in a single case.   The IC according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the IC is provided inside a tire of a vehicle.

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