JP4473015B2 - Wireless tag reader and wireless tag reading method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag reading device and a wireless tag reading method for reading identification information stored in a wireless tag from a wireless tag provided in a distribution product by wireless communication.

  Management in the distribution process of a distribution item, for example, a mail item is performed as follows. At the reception office that accepts the mail, the staff member gives a unique number to the received mail, and at a predetermined time, sorts the received mail according to the destination and puts it in the storage box. pack. At this time, a delivery form describing the destination, number of copies, etc. of the storage box is attached to the storage box. The storage box is delivered to a post office such as a relay station that relays mail according to destination or a delivery station that delivers mail to a destination. At the post office to which the storage box has been delivered, acceptance confirmation is performed to check whether the postal matter in the storage box matches the contents of the delivery form attached to the storage box. After confirmation, if it is necessary to deliver it again to another post office, the mail items are sorted by destination and stored in a storage box, and a delivery letter is attached to the storage box and delivered to the destination station. . As described above, in the post office, the work of confirming the acceptance of the mail in the delivered storage box, creating the delivery form, etc. is very complicated.

  Therefore, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) in which a radio tag, which is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, is provided in a mail item and the contents described in the delivery form are stored in the storage box instead of the delivery form. It has been proposed to attach a card or the like, and to check the mail in the storage box based on the identification information stored in the IC card and the identification information read by the wireless tag reader. The wireless tag reader, for example, emits a radio wave to each wireless tag in the storage box using an antenna disposed in a mounting table on which the storage box is placed, and returns a wireless tag returned in response to the radio wave. It consists of an interrogator that receives identification information and a host computer that is the host device.

  When the identification information of the wireless tag is read by the wireless tag reader, the identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box can be read due to various causes such as interference of radio waves emitted from the interrogator antenna and the position of the wireless tag. There may not be. Also, identification information that is not stored in the IC card when the identification information of the wireless tag is read because the non-postal matter that should not be stored in the storage box is mixed in the storage box for some reason. It may be possible to read.

  In such a case, the postal matter provided with the wireless tag for which the identification information could not be read or the postal matter provided with the wireless tag stored with the identification information that is not stored in the IC card is included. Need to find from inside the containment box. That is, for example, it is necessary to perform a complicated operation of finding a postal item provided with a certain wireless tag from a storage box in which a large amount of postal items are accommodated, such as 200 mails.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is that the identification information of the wireless tag provided in the distribution item stored in the storage box cannot be read, or should not exist in the storage box. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag reading device and a wireless tag reading method capable of efficiently searching for a product provided with the wireless tag when the identification information of the wireless tag is read.

  The present invention performs wireless communication using a plurality of antennas arranged in a predetermined position with a wireless tag in a storage box that stores a distribution object provided with a wireless tag that stores identification information. In the wireless tag reading method for reading the identification information of the wireless tag, the identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box and the first antenna position information indicating which of the plurality of antennas the identification information is read are stored in association with each other. For example, when each information is acquired from storage means such as an IC card, a server on a network, a wireless tag, and the identification information of the wireless tag is read, the second of the plurality of antennas is used to indicate The antenna position information is acquired in association with each other, and it is determined whether or not the acquired identification information matches. The identification information that is determined not to match is the identification information that does not match. It is intended to notify based on the position in the receiving box distribution product wireless tag is provided in the first antenna position information and the second antenna position information.

  According to the present invention, when the identification information of the wireless tag provided in the distribution item accommodated in the storage box cannot be read, or when the identification information of the wireless tag that should not exist in the storage box is read, the wireless tag It is possible to provide a wireless tag reading device and a wireless tag reading method capable of efficiently searching for a distribution product provided with.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a case where a wireless tag 2 that is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is pasted on a distribution 1 such as a registered mail is described. To do. In addition, the wireless tag 2 provided on the circulation 1 is written so that an identification number made up of characters, numbers, and the like corresponding to identification information stored in the storage unit 26 described later can be seen.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-section of the storage box 3 that stores the flow 1 to which the wireless tag 2 is attached. The storage box 3 is composed of a storage box body 4 and a box lid 5 that store the circulated material 1. The inside of the storage box body 4 has a plurality of sorting plates 4a extended from the bottom surface by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction in order to sort the circulated material 1 according to, for example, a destination. In the storage box main body 4, the circulated product 1 is stored by being sorted by a sorting plate 4a according to the destination. The box lid 5 is provided so as to cover the opening of the storage box body 4.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an RFID tag reader 6 installed in an underwriting station that has assumed the distribution item 1, a relay station that relays the distribution item, and a delivery station that distributes the distribution item. The wireless tag reader is composed of an interrogator 7 that reads the identification information of the wireless tag 2 from the storage box 3, an interrogator 8, and a host computer 9 that is a host device of the interrogators 7 and 8. The interrogator 7 has an antenna unit 10 having antennas A1 to A6, and the interrogator 8 has an antenna unit 11 having antennas B1 to B6, and is connected to a host computer 9 by a communication cable, for example. When the wireless tag 2 in the storage box 3 is read, the mounting table 12 is placed so that the storage box 3 is positioned in advance by an operator based on a mark or the like (not shown) as indicated by an arrow in the figure. The storage box 3 is placed on the top. In the mounting table 12, the antenna units 10 and 11 of the interrogators 7 and 8 are arranged so as to have a square shape with respect to the mounting surface.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the interrogators 7 and 8 and the wireless tag 2. Since the interrogators 7 and 8 have the same configuration, only the configuration of the interrogator 7 will be described. Further, all the wireless tags 2 have the same configuration.

  The interrogator 7 includes an antenna unit 10 and an interrogator body 13. The interrogator body 13 includes an interface unit 14 with the host computer 9, a control unit 15 including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM having a buffer for storing information, and a modulation unit 16 that modulates transmission information to the wireless tag 2. The output unit 17 that amplifies the modulated radio wave and radiates it from the antenna unit 10 and the antennas A1 to A6 of the antenna unit 10 that radiates the radio wave are controlled under the control of the control unit 15 in a predetermined pattern and every predetermined time. The antenna switching unit 18 for switching, the amplification unit 19 for amplifying the radio wave received by the antenna unit 10, and the demodulation unit 20 for demodulating the amplified reception radio wave are included.

  The configuration of the wireless tag 2 includes a tag antenna 21 composed of a loop coil or the like, 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, and demodulates the modulated radio wave The demodulator 24 to be sent to the controller 23, the modulator 25 to modulate the information sent from the controller 23 and send it to the tag antenna 21, and the information demodulated by the demodulator 24 is a predetermined read command The control unit 23 reads out information stored in the storage unit 26 and sends it to the modulation unit 25, and the LSI chip 27 including the storage unit 26 and the like. The storage unit 26 stores, for example, identification information that is a unique identification ID number set by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage of the wireless tag 2.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host computer 9. The host computer 9 is connected to the CPU 28 as the control unit main body, the ROM 29 storing various information and control programs, the RAM 30 used as a work area, the interface unit 31 for connecting to the interrogator 7, and the interrogator 8. Interface unit 32 for connecting to a network provided with a server (not shown), an operation unit 34 for an operator to give various instructions, and a display for displaying information necessary for the operator An IC card reader / writer unit 36 for writing information to or reading information from the IC card 36a instead of the delivery card attached to the unit 35 and the storage box 3 is provided. After the interrogator 7 and 8 starts reading the wireless tag 2, the host computer 9 uses the identification information of the wireless tag 2 stored in the buffer of the control unit 15 of the interrogator 7 and 8 as the interrogator 7 and 8. 8 is read at a predetermined time interval until the reading of the identification information 8 is completed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing processing when each control unit 15 of the interrogators 7 and 8 reads the identification information of the wireless tag 2 in the storage box 3 under the control of the host computer 9. When an instruction to start reading is received from the host computer 9, this process is started. Since each control part 15 of the interrogators 7 and 8 performs the same process, the case of the interrogator 7 will be described.

  First, the control unit 15 controls the antenna switching unit 18 based on a predetermined pattern for the antennas A1 to A6 of the antenna unit 10 used for reading the identification information of the wireless tag 2, for example, the antenna A1. (ST1). Subsequently, using the antenna A1, a predetermined read command is modulated into a radio wave by the modulation unit 16 and transmitted (ST2). When a radio wave in which the identification information in response to the transmitted radio wave is modulated is received from the wireless tag 2 via the antenna A1, the demodulator 20 demodulates the radio wave into the identification information and then indicates the position of the antenna used. Information (for example, information indicating the antenna A1) is associated and stored in the buffer in the control unit 15 (ST3). Then, control unit 15 determines whether or not a predetermined time set in advance for switching antennas has passed (ST4). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the processes of steps ST2 to ST4 are repeated. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, whether or not the antenna switching based on the pattern has been completed. Is determined (ST5). If it is determined that the antenna switching has not ended, the process returns to step ST1 to switch to the next antenna based on the pattern. If it is determined that the antenna switching has ended, the process ends. .

  The process in which the interrogators 7 and 8 read the identification information of the wireless tag 2 in the storage box 3 is common to the underwriting station, the relay station, etc. The processing executed by the CPU 28 of the host computer 9 Since the processing is different between the relay station and the delivery station that perform acceptance confirmation when the box 3 is delivered, each case will be described.

First, processing executed by the CPU 28 of the host computer 9 in the underwriting station will be described with reference to FIG.
The CPU 28 receives an operation from the operation unit 34 after the IC card 36a is inserted into the IC card reader / writer unit 36, and indicates the information indicating the destination station of the storage box 3 and the number of distribution items stored in the storage box 3. The IC card reader / writer unit 36 is controlled to store the information in the storage unit of the IC card 36a (ST11). The information indicating the destination station and the information indicating the number of distribution items are stored in a part of the storage unit of the IC card 36a as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the CPU 28 receives an operation from the operation unit 34, instructs the interrogators 7 and 8 to start reading the identification information of the wireless tag 2, and stores the interrogators 7 and 8 described with reference to FIG. A process of reading the identification information of the wireless tag 2 in the box 3 is performed (ST12). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (ST13). Other processing is performed until the predetermined time has elapsed, and when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the identification information stored in the buffer in the control unit 15 of each interrogator 7 and 8 is associated with the identification information. The first antenna position information is read and temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 30 (ST14). Then, the CPU 28 identifies the wireless tag 2 by the interrogators 7 and 8 based on whether the pattern for switching the antenna from which the control unit 15 of the interrogators 7 and 8 reads the identification information of the wireless tag 2 ends, for example. It is determined whether or not the reading of information is completed (ST15). If it is determined that reading has not been completed, the processes of steps ST13 to ST15 are repeated. If it is determined that reading has been completed, the acquired identification information stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 30 and the antenna position associated with the identification information are stored. Information (hereinafter referred to as first antenna position information) is controlled by the IC card reader / writer unit 36 and stored in the storage unit of the IC card 36a (ST16, storage means). As shown in FIG. 9, the identification information and the first antenna position information associated with the identification information are stored in a part of the storage unit of the IC card 36a.

  Next, processing executed by the CPU 28 of the host computer 9 in the relay station or delivery station will be described with reference to FIG.

  After the IC card 36a is inserted into the IC card reader / writer unit 36, the CPU 28 receives an operation from the operation unit 34, controls the IC card reader / writer unit 36, and stores the wireless tag 2 stored in the IC card 36a. And the first antenna position information associated with the identification information are read out and temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 30. Thereby, the identification information of the wireless tag 2 in the storage box 3 and the first antenna position information associated with the identification information are acquired (ST21, first information acquisition means). Then, the CPU 28 receives the operation from the operation unit 34, repeats the processing of steps ST23 to ST25, causes each interrogator 7, 8 to start reading the identification information of the wireless tag 2, and reads each interrogator 7, 8. Every time a predetermined time elapses until it is determined that the process has been completed, the identification information of the wireless tag 2 stored in the buffer of the control unit 15 and the second antenna position information associated with the identification information are read (first 2 information acquisition means). Since the processing from step ST23 to ST25 is the same as the processing from step ST13 to ST15 described above, detailed description thereof is omitted. When it is determined in step ST25 that the reading of the identification information of the interrogators 7 and 8 has been completed, the identification information acquired from the IC card 36a matches the identification information acquired from the interrogators 7 and 8. (ST26, determination means). The CPU 28 controls the display unit 35 to display a message such as reading completion when it is determined that they match (ST27), and when it determines that they do not match, the display process described with reference to FIG. (ST28, notification means).

Next, the display process in step ST28 will be described with reference to FIG.
The CPU 28 temporarily stores identification information in which the identification information acquired from the IC card 36a does not match the identification information acquired from the interrogators 7 and 8 in the RAM 30 (ST31), and the stored identification information. One piece of identification information is selected from (ST32). Subsequently, the CPU 28 determines whether the information indicating the position of the antenna associated with the selected identification information is the first antenna position information or the second antenna position information (ST33). Thereby, it is determined whether the mismatched identification information is the identification information acquired from the IC card 36 a or the identification information acquired from any of the interrogators 7 and 8. Subsequently, when the first antenna position information is associated with the mismatched identification information (that is, the identification information acquired from the IC card 36a), the antenna position indicated by the first antenna position information is unknown. Information indicating that the wireless tag exists is stored in the work area of the RAM 30 (ST34). If the second antenna position information is associated with the mismatched identification information (that is, the identification information acquired from any of the interrogators 7 and 8), the second antenna position information is Information indicating that a mixed wireless tag is present at the indicated antenna position is stored in the work area of the RAM 30 (ST35). When information is stored in the process of step ST22 or ST23, it is determined whether or not the discriminating identification information has ended (ST36). If it is determined that the process has not been completed, the process returns to step ST32. By repeating the processes of steps ST32 to ST36 in this way, the process of step ST22 or ST23 can be performed for all the identification information stored in the RAM 30 that is determined not to match. If the CPU 28 determines in step ST36 that the processing has ended, the CPU 35 displays the information stored in the work area of the RAM 30 by displaying the display unit 35 (ST37). The display on the display unit 35 at this time displays, for example, the positions of the antennas A1 to A6 of the antenna unit 10 disposed on the mounting table 12, and the positions of the antennas B1 to B6 of the antenna unit 11, and the antennas A1 to A6 and B1. In the vicinity of the display position B6 to B6, “Unknown” is displayed for an unknown wireless tag and “Mixed” is displayed for a mixed wireless tag based on the antenna position stored in the work area of the RAM 30, and this is indicated. An identification number consisting of characters, numbers, etc. indicated by the identification information of the message and its unknown wireless tag and mixed wireless tag is displayed.

Next, the operation of the underwriting station and the station to which the storage box 3 is delivered when the identification information of the wireless tag 2 is read by the wireless tag reader 6 configured as described above will be described.
First, in the underwriting station that has accepted the distribution item 1, the distribution item 1 to which the wireless tag 2 is attached is sorted by destination and stored in the storage box 3. The clerk inserts the IC card 36a into the IC card reader / writer unit 36, and then operates the host computer 9 to store the destination of the storage box 3 and the number of distribution items in the distribution item 2 in the IC card 36a. . Then, the storage box 3 is placed on the mounting table 12, and the interrogators 7 and 8 are caused to read the identification information of the wireless tag 2 in the storage box 3. At this time, the interrogators 7 and 8 are stored in the control unit 15 in association with any one of the antennas A1 to A6 and antennas B1 to B6 of the antenna units 10 and 11 used for reading. The information stored in the control unit 15 is read by the host computer 9 every predetermined time and is stored in the IC card 36a by the operation of the clerk. The IC card 36a is attached to the storage box 3 instead of the delivery form, and delivered to the destination station which is a relay station.

  In the destination station that performs the relay, the receipt confirmation of the delivered storage box 3 is performed. When confirming acceptance, the clerk first inserts the IC card 36 a attached to the storage box 3 into the IC card reader / writer unit 36 of the host computer 9. Then, the operation unit 34 is operated to cause the host computer 9 to read information stored in the IC card 36a. At this time, it is confirmed whether or not the destination station is correct. Then, the clerk places the storage box 3 on the mounting table 12 and operates the host computer 9 to cause the interrogators 7 and 8 to read the identification information of the wireless tag 2 in the storage box 3. At this time, the interrogators 7 and 8 are stored in the control unit 15 in association with any one of the antennas A1 to A6 and antennas B1 to B6 of the antenna units 10 and 11 used for reading. The information stored in the control unit 15 is read by the host computer 9 every predetermined time, and whether the identification information read from the IC card 36a matches the identification information read from the interrogators 7 and 8 or not. Is judged.

  If the identification information matches, for example, “reading complete” is displayed on the display unit 35. If the identification information does not match, it is displayed on the display unit 35 as follows. If the identification information that does not match is read from the IC card 36a, the identification information of the wireless tag 2 provided in the distribution item 1 stored in the storage box 3 cannot be read. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the character “unknown” is displayed at the antenna position indicated by the first antenna position information associated with the identification information, and a message indicating that and the identification number of the identification information are displayed on the display unit 35. To display. In addition, if the identification information that does not match is read from each of the interrogators 7 and 8, the identification information of the wireless tag 2 that should not exist in the storage box 3 is read. As shown in FIG. 13, the character “mixed” is displayed at the antenna position indicated by the second antenna position information associated with the identification information, and the message indicating the fact and the identification number of the identification information are displayed on the display unit 35. To do. Further, although not shown, when the unknown wireless tag and the mixed wireless tag exist at the same time, “unknown” and “mixed” are displayed on the display unit 35 at the same time.

  According to this embodiment, when the staff member confirms the acceptance, the identification information of the wireless tag 2 provided in the distribution item 1 stored in the storage box 3 cannot be read or does not exist in the storage box 3. When the identification information of the supposed wireless tag 2 is read, the position of the article 1 provided with the wireless tag 2 is roughly determined based on the arrangement of the antennas A1 to A6 and B1 to B6 and the display on the display unit 35. After grasping the position, it is possible to search for the article 1 to which the wireless tag 2 having the same identification number as the identification number displayed on the display unit 35 is attached. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently search for the distribution item 1 provided with the wireless tag 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first antenna position information in which the identification information of the wireless tag 2 in the storage box 3 read by the wireless tag reader 6 in the underwriting station and the antenna used for reading the identification information is associated is used. Although it is configured to store in the IC card 36a, it is not limited to this. For example, when using another wireless tag instead of the IC card 36a instead of the delivery form, the underwriting station stores the identification information and the first antenna position information in the storage unit of the wireless tag, and confirms the acceptance. When performing, the information may be acquired from the wireless tag by wireless communication. In addition, in the underwriting station, identification information and first antenna position information for each storage box may be stored in a server on the network, and the information may be acquired from the server when confirming acceptance.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

The figure which shows the radio | wireless tag affixed on the distribution thing in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the storage box in the embodiment. The figure which shows the radio | wireless tag reader in the same embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the interrogator and wireless tag in the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the host computer in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a reading process of identification information of the wireless tag in the embodiment. The figure which shows the process of the host computer in the underwriting station in the embodiment. The figure which shows the information memorize | stored in the IC card in the embodiment. The figure which shows the other information memorize | stored in the IC card in the embodiment. The figure which shows the process of the host computer in the relay station in the embodiment. The figure which shows the display process in the embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of the unknown radio | wireless tag in the embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of the mixing | blending radio | wireless tag in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Distribution | distribution, 2 ... Wireless tag, 3 ... Storage box, 6 ... Wireless tag reader, 7, 8 ... Interrogator, 9 ... Host computer, 10, 11 ... Antenna part, 35 ... Display part, 36a ... IC Card, A1 to A6, B1 to B6 ... Antenna

Claims (6)

Wireless communication is performed using a plurality of antennas arranged in advance at a predetermined position with a wireless tag in a storage box that stores a distribution object provided with a wireless tag that stores identification information, and the wireless tag in the storage box is identified. In a wireless tag reader having reading means for reading information,
The identification information of the wireless tag in the storage box and the respective pieces of information are acquired from the storage means that stores the first antenna position information indicating the identification information of which of the plurality of antennas is read. 1 information acquisition means;
Second information acquisition means for acquiring, in association with second antenna position information indicating which of the plurality of antennas is read when reading the identification information of the wireless tag by the reading means;
Determination means for determining whether or not the identification information acquired by the first information acquisition means and the identification information acquired by the second information acquisition means match;
If it is determined by the determination means that they do not match, the position in the storage box of the distribution item provided with the wireless tag of the identification information is based on the first antenna position information and the second antenna position information. A wireless tag reading apparatus comprising: an informing means for informing. When the determination means determines that there is identification information acquired by the first information acquisition means but not acquired by the second information acquisition means, the notification means associates with the identification information. 2. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1, wherein a notification is made that the wireless tag at the position in the storage box specified by the first antenna position information is unknown. When the determining means determines that there is identification information acquired by the second information acquisition means but not acquired by the first information acquisition means, the notification means associates with the identification information. 3. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1, wherein the wireless tag reader notifies that the wireless tag is mixed at a position in the storage box specified by the second antenna position information. Wireless communication is performed using a plurality of antennas arranged in advance at a predetermined position with a wireless tag in a storage box that stores a distribution object provided with a wireless tag that stores identification information, and the wireless tag in the storage box is identified. In a wireless tag reading method for reading information,
Obtaining each of the information from the storage means that stores the identification information of the wireless tag in the containing box and the first antenna position information indicating which of the plurality of antennas the identification information was read,
When reading the identification information of the wireless tag, the second antenna position information indicating which of the plurality of antennas has been read is associated and acquired,
Determine whether the acquired identification information matches,
Based on the first antenna position information and the second antenna position information, the identification information determined to be inconsistent reports the position in the storage box of the distribution item provided with the wireless tag of the identification information. A wireless tag reading method characterized by the above. When it is determined that there is identification information acquired from the storage means but not read from the wireless tag, the notification is specified by the first antenna position information associated with the identification information. 5. The wireless tag reading method according to claim 4, wherein a notification is made that the wireless tag at a position in the storage box is unknown. When it is determined that there is identification information that is read from the wireless tag but not acquired from the storage means, the notification is specified by the second antenna position information associated with the identification information. 6. The wireless tag reading method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a notification is made that a wireless tag is mixed at a position in the storage box.

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