JP4586986B2 - Information reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reading apparatus that reads information held in a barcode, a wireless tag circuit element, or the like provided in an object to be read.

2. Description of the Related Art An information reading device that includes an information holding unit (such as a barcode or a wireless tag) in an article to be managed and reads the held information in a non-contact manner is already known when performing article management. For example, when a wireless tag is provided as an information holding unit, RFID (Radio)
(Frequency Identification) system.

  In this system, for example, a wireless tag circuit element provided in a label-like wireless tag includes an IC circuit unit that stores predetermined wireless tag information and an antenna that is connected to the IC circuit unit and transmits / receives information. Even if the RFID tag is dirty or placed in an invisible position, the reader / writer side can access (read / write information) the RFID tag information in the IC circuit section. It is already expected to be used in various fields.

  Here, since the storage capacity of the IC circuit unit of the RFID circuit element is not so large and limited, generally, the IC circuit unit stores predetermined identification information (tag ID) and the corresponding object. In many cases, article information (= object information) of an object (or a part thereof) is stored and held in another database. Then, for example, the identification information of the RFID circuit element related to the object is read by a reader, and the database is searched based on the read identification information, whereby the object information related to the object is appropriately acquired from the database.

  As an example of such a prior art, there is an article management system described in Patent Document 1, for example. This article management system (collection management system) stores and holds correlation information (link information) between identification information (tag ID) of RFID circuit elements provided for each book and article information (book information) in a book storage database. An operation terminal (processing computer) is connected to be able to search this database. Then, using the information (tag ID) searched in the database using the operation terminal, the reader can search for the RFID tag circuit element of each book on the bookshelf, thereby finding the target book. it can.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-8346 (paragraph numbers 0048 to 0059)

  However, the following problems exist in the above-described conventional technology. That is, when a user wants to search for a certain article (book), first, in a fixed operation terminal installed beside the bookshelf, information for identifying the target article while viewing the display means (display monitor) ( The database is searched by book name, author name, etc., and identification information (tag ID) of the RFID circuit element corresponding to the article is acquired. Thereafter, the acquired tag ID and the like are transmitted as book search information to a portable reader (wireless tag reader terminal). Then, after confirming that the reading device has received and acquired the book search information, carry the reading device to the bookshelf, and perform a search in each bookshelf.

  In this way, three procedures are required: specifying an article with a fixed type operation terminal, searching a database, transferring and inputting the search result to a portable reading device, and searching for the target article with the reading device again. is there. For this reason, it becomes a very large labor burden for the operator (user), and convenience in article management is low.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information reading apparatus capable of improving the convenience of an operator in article management.

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention stores and holds correlation information between holding unit identification information held in an information holding unit provided in an object and object identification information corresponding to the object. An information reading apparatus configured as a portable operation terminal that can access a database and can be carried by an operator, comprising: an IC circuit unit that stores information; and a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit Wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving information by wireless communication with a wireless tag circuit element as an information holding unit and acquiring tag identification information of the wireless tag circuit element as the holding unit identification information; An operation means for operating and inputting a search condition, first object identification information of a position specifying object to be a position specifying object among the objects, and a RFID tag circuit element for a specified object corresponding thereto 1st correlation information with 1st tag identification information, 2nd object identification information of the position reference object which gives the reference position at the time of position specification of the position specific object among the objects, and a radio tag for reference objects corresponding to this Second correlation information with the second tag identification information of the circuit element, and third correlation between the first object identification information or the first tag identification information and the corresponding second object identification information or the second tag identification information Accessing the database storing and holding information, based on the information related to the position specified object input from the operation means as the search condition, the corresponding first object identification information or the first tag identification information, corresponding to the third correlation information, and the corresponding second identifying information or the second tag identification information, a search signal output means for outputting a search signal for a, based on the information about the localization thereof Search Depending on the result Display means for displaying a plurality of sets of the first object identification information and the second object identification information corresponding to the first object identification information, and the displayed first object identification information and the second object identification information. Selecting means for the operator to select a desired plurality of sets from the set, wherein the wireless communication means corresponds to the plurality of first object identification information selected by the selection means The acquisition of a plurality of the first tag identification information is started.

  In the first invention of the present application, when the operator wants to search for the current position of a specific article, for example, an operation means inputs and specifies a predetermined search condition, or means such as a terminal outside the reading device The search conditions can be specified by reading the search conditions from another information holding unit (such as a RFID tag circuit element provided in a building, car, person, etc.) that gives position information. A signal is input and acquired from the search condition input means. Then, a signal corresponding to the acquired signal is further output from the search signal output means, and the corresponding search is executed in the database. This database stores and holds correlation information between the holding unit identification information of the information holding unit related to the article and the object identification information of the object associated with the information holding unit, and can be operated by specifying the search condition. The holding unit identification information related to the article that the person wants to search for is specified.

  Thus, for example, when the information holding unit is a bar code, the article storage location corresponding to the holding unit identification information is displayed to the operator via the display unit, and then the holding unit identification information is read from the article at the location. The item can be confirmed with. Alternatively, for example, when the information holding unit is a wireless tag circuit element, the wireless communication unit designates holding unit identification information (tag identification information) and performs wireless communication to detect a corresponding wireless tag circuit element. In this way, it is possible to easily find an article to be searched for.

  As described above, when searching for a specific article, the information reading device side has a search instruction function to the database of the article and the corresponding holding unit identification information, so that the operator can search for the article to be searched for. There is no need to separately identify and input corresponding information. Furthermore, it is not always necessary to store or input the specific article name, and a specific article to be searched for can be determined by simply inputting or selecting a vague article type or the like. Therefore, the convenience of the operator in article management can be greatly improved.

When the operator wants to search for the current position of a specific article, the search signal output means outputs a signal corresponding to the specified search condition, and the corresponding search is executed in the database. Is done. This database stores and holds correlation information between the tag identification information of the RFID circuit element and the object identification information of the object associated with the RFID circuit element. Tag identification information related to the desired article is specified. Then, the wireless communication means designates the tag identification information and performs wireless communication to acquire the tag identification information from the corresponding wireless tag circuit element, thereby detecting the wireless tag circuit element, You can find the item you want.

  In this way, when searching for a specific article, by providing the information reader with a search instruction function to the database of tag identification information of the article and the corresponding RFID circuit element, the operator can There is no need to separately identify and input tag identification information corresponding to the article to be searched. Furthermore, it is not always necessary to store or input the specific article name, and a specific article to be searched for can be determined by simply inputting or selecting a vague article type or the like. Therefore, the convenience of the operator in article management can be greatly improved.

Further, in the database, the first correlation information between the first object identification information and the first tag identification information, the second correlation information between the second object identification information and the second tag identification information, and further the first object identification information or the first One tag identification information and third object correlation information corresponding to the second object identification information or the second tag identification information are stored and held.

  Thus, when the first object identification information related to the article that the operator wants to search for is specified based on the specification of the search condition, and the first tag identification information is specified using the first correlation information, the third correlation information is obtained. The corresponding second object identification information is specified. Alternatively, when the second object identification information related to the article that the operator wants to search is specified based on the specification of the search condition (or the corresponding second tag identification information is specified using the second correlation information), The corresponding first object identification information is specified using the three correlation information, and further the first tag identification information is specified using the first correlation information.

  Therefore, when the operator goes to a place corresponding to the second object identification information and designates the first tag identification information by wireless communication means and performs wireless communication, the tag identification information is obtained from the corresponding RFID circuit element. Thus, by detecting the RFID tag circuit element, it is possible to find an article to be searched for.

Further, when the operator inputs a search condition with the operation means, a signal based on the input search condition is output from the search signal output means, the corresponding search is performed in the database, and the search result corresponding to the display means is displayed. can do.

In addition, when information related to the position specific object is input by the operation means, a corresponding signal is output from the search signal output means, thereby searching the corresponding first object identification information or first tag identification information in the database. Can do.

Based on the first object identification information or the first tag identification information corresponding to the information input with respect to the position specific object, the corresponding signal is output from the search signal output means, and the third correlation information is used in the database. The second object identification information or the second tag identification information corresponding to this can be searched.
Further, by displaying the first object identification information and the second object identification information corresponding to the first object identification information, the operator can obtain the name of the position specific object and the position where the position specific object is located as a search result. The name of the reference object can be visually recognized in a clearly associated form.
The display means displays a plurality of sets of the first object identification information and the corresponding second object identification information as one set, and the operator can select a desired one from the displayed plurality of sets. is there. As a result, the operator can search his / her own among the display of each set consisting of the name of the position-specific object and the name of the position reference object where the position-specific object is displayed, which is displayed on the display means as the search result. A set corresponding to the desired one can be selected and the subsequent processing can be performed.
Further, the wireless communication unit starts acquisition of the plurality of first tag identification information corresponding to the plurality of first object identification information selected by the selection unit. As a result, the operator can search his / her own among the display of each set consisting of the name of the position-specific object and the name of the position reference object where the position-specific object is displayed, which is displayed on the display means as the search result. It is possible to select a plurality of sets corresponding to the desired one at a time, and then collectively perform detection processing using the corresponding first tag identification information processing.
In a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, whether or not acquisition of the plurality of first tag identification information corresponding to the plurality of first object identification information started to be acquired by the wireless communication unit is completed. The wireless communication unit continues to acquire the plurality of first tag identification information until the determination unit determines that the acquisition of the plurality of first tag identification information has been completed. It is characterized by that.

According to a third invention, in the first invention, the search signal output means accesses the database, and based on the information on the position reference object input from the operation means as the search condition, the corresponding second object A signal for searching the identification information or the second tag identification information is output.

  When information related to the position reference object is input by the operation means, a corresponding signal is output from the search signal output means, so that the corresponding second object identification information or second tag identification information can be searched in the database. .

In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect , the search signal output means is responsive to the third correlation information based on the second object identification information or the second tag identification information corresponding to the information on the position reference object. A signal for searching for the corresponding first object identification information or the first tag identification information is output.

  Based on the second object identification information or the second tag identification information corresponding to the information input with respect to the position reference object, the corresponding signal is output from the search signal output means, so that the third correlation information is used in the database. The first object identification information or the first tag identification information corresponding to this can be searched.

According to a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect , the search signal output means corresponds to the first object identification corresponding to the third correlation information based on the second tag identification information input from the operation means. A signal for searching for information or the first tag identification information is output.

  Based on the second tag identification information corresponding to the information input with respect to the position reference object, the corresponding signal is output from the search signal output means, so that the third correlation information is used in the database to correspond to the second tag identification information. One-piece identification information or first tag identification information can be searched.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects , the display unit continuously or collectively arranges a plurality of the first object identification information having the same second object identification information associated therewith. Thus, the first object identification information and the second object identification information corresponding to the first object identification information are displayed.

  As a result, since the position-specific objects in the same position reference object are displayed together, the operator can easily find the article he / she wants to find from the list display of the search results.

In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect , the display means gives priority to the second object identification information having a larger number of the first object identification information associated with the first object identification information. And the second object identification information corresponding thereto are displayed.

  As a result, for each position-specific object in the same position reference object, the higher the number of position-specific objects, the higher priority is displayed, so the operator can quickly find the article he / she wants to find from the list of search results with a high probability. You can find out.

An eighth invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to seventh inventions, there is provided a voice notification means for performing a corresponding voice notification upon completion of acquisition of the first tag identification information by the wireless communication means. .

  Accordingly, it is possible to audibly notify the operator that the article that the operator wants to find is found.

A ninth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to seventh inventions, the display means performs a corresponding acquisition display when the acquisition of the first tag identification information by the wireless communication means is completed.

  Thereby, it is possible to visually notify the operator that the article desired by the operator has been found.

A tenth invention is characterized in that, in the ninth invention, the display means simultaneously displays the corresponding first object identification information in the acquisition display.

  Thereby, it is possible to visually notify the operator that the article that the operator wants to find is found together with the name of the article.

An eleventh invention is characterized in that, in the tenth invention, the display means simultaneously displays the corresponding first object identification information and the second object identification information in the acquisition display.

  Thereby, it is possible to visually notify the operator that the article that the operator wants to find is found together with the name of the article and the name of the place where the article is found.

In a twelfth aspect based on any one of the first to seventh aspects, the position reference object is a current management place of the position specification object, and the second object identification information is a name of the current management place. The second tag identification information is tag identification information of the RFID tag circuit element for the reference object associated with the name of the current management place, and the wireless communication means includes the first tag identification information If the first tag identification information cannot be acquired within a predetermined time-out period after the start of acquisition, the wireless communication means can acquire the current location where the information reading device is located. The second tag identification information is acquired.

  When the first tag identification information cannot be acquired, there is a possibility that the article that the operator wants to search for does not exist at the place where the wireless communication is performed. In the twentieth invention of the present application, in such a case, the above situation can be clarified by acquiring the second tag identification information that can be acquired by the wireless communication means.

In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect , the acquired second tag identification information matches the second tag identification information corresponding to the first tag identification information that could not be acquired within the predetermined timeout period. Determination means for performing a collation determination on whether or not and a notification signal output means for outputting a notification signal for performing notification corresponding to the operator when the collation determination of the determination means is not satisfied. Features.

  Accordingly, when the first tag identification information cannot be acquired, the operator can be surely visually recognized that the article desired by the operator does not exist at the place where the wireless communication is performed.

In a fourteenth aspect based on any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the search signal output means accesses the database via wireless communication.

  Thereby, it is possible to freely access the database using the information reading device in a relatively wide range without restriction of the device installation location and the installation range as in the case of via wire communication.

According to a fifteenth aspect , in the fourteenth aspect , the search signal output unit accesses the database via wireless communication in a communication mode mutually exclusive with respect to the communication mode of the wireless communication unit.

  As a result, highly reliable wireless information communication can be ensured without adversely affecting each other during wireless communication.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the convenience of the operator in article management can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a reading device (wireless tag information reading device) provided with a RFID circuit element as an information holding unit for an article to be managed and reading information stored in the RFID circuit element. Embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag information communication system having the wireless tag information reading device (reader, scanner) of the present embodiment.

In the RFID tag information communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1, information (details will be described later) in a RFID circuit element To (information holding unit) provided in the RFID tag T is accessed (in this example, reading) is performed. (Portable operation terminal, information reading device), reader 200 and wireless LAN (Local
A base station 204 capable of wireless communication via an area network) and a server 207 provided with a database DB connected to the base station 204 via a wireless (or wired) communication line 206.

  The wireless tag T includes the wireless tag circuit element To including the antenna 151 (tag antenna) and the IC circuit unit 150, and a corresponding object (for example, a document, a book, a fixture, a material, a facility, and a machine). Other items such as general items; buildings such as rooms and warehouses or specific parts thereof, automobiles) are attached and pasted together, bundled, etc., and are handled in some form.

  The reader 200 includes an antenna (device-side antenna) 10 that exchanges signals with the antenna 151 of the RFID circuit element To by wireless communication, and an IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 10. A wireless LAN communication unit for performing communication by wireless LAN via the antenna 205 of the base station 204 and the high-frequency circuit 201 that processes (reads or writes) and processes a signal read from the wireless tag circuit element To 203 and a control circuit 202 that is connected to the high-frequency circuit 201 and the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and controls them.

The wireless tag circuit element To stores and holds a tag ID (tag identification information) as unique (but may be rewritable) identification information (holding unit identification information), and the control circuit 202 uses the tag ID to store the server ID. By making an inquiry to 207, various information (= object information, etc.) relating to the object stored in advance in the database DB of the server 207 can be read from the server 207 (details will be described later). .

  FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the overall schematic structure of the reader 200 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the reader 200 includes a housing 4, a display unit 5 (display means) disposed so as to occupy most of the upper portion (front side in FIG. 2) of the housing 4, and the housing 4. Voice notification means 7 (for example, a buzzer, an alarm, a chime speaker, etc.) disposed above the display unit 5.

  Below the display unit 5 is an operation unit 6 of a mechanical type (in this example, a slider type, but may be other appropriate keys, buttons, switches, pads, etc.) constituting a part of the operation means. Is provided. In this example, as will be described later, the display unit 5 is configured as a known touch panel, and most of the functions as operation means are various buttons (see FIGS. 6 to 13 and the like described later) displayed on the touch panel. It can be done. Various operation inputs related to display, search, and the like can be performed by the buttons and the like of the touch panel and the operation unit 6 (details will be described later).

  The housing 4 includes the antenna 10 (device-side antenna) that transmits and receives signals to the RFID circuit element To. In addition, an antenna 203a of the wireless LAN communication unit 203 that performs communication by wireless LAN is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the RFID circuit element To provided in the RFID tag T that is handled in association with an object that is a search (search) target of the reader 200.

  In FIG. 3, as described above, the RFID circuit element To includes an antenna 151 (tag antenna) that transmits and receives signals without contact with the antenna 10 on the reader 200 side using a high frequency such as the UHF band, and the antenna. IC circuit unit 150 connected to 151.

  The IC circuit unit 150 includes a rectification unit 152 that rectifies the carrier wave received by the antenna 151, and a power source unit 153 that accumulates energy of the carrier wave rectified by the rectification unit 152 and serves as a driving power source for the IC circuit unit 150. A clock extraction unit 154 that extracts a clock signal from the carrier wave received by the antenna 151 and supplies the clock signal to a control unit (described later) 157; a memory unit 155 that functions as an information storage unit that can store a predetermined information signal; A modulation / demodulation unit 156 connected to the antenna 151, and a control unit 157 for controlling the operation of the RFID circuit element To through the rectification unit 152, the clock extraction unit 154, the modulation / demodulation unit 156, and the like. Yes.

  The modem unit 156 demodulates the communication signal received from the antenna 10 of the reader 200 received by the antenna 151 and modulates the carrier wave received by the antenna 151 based on the return signal from the control unit 157. Retransmit as reflected wave.

  The control unit 157 interprets the received signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 156, generates a return signal based on the information signal stored in the memory unit 155, and performs basic control such as returning by the modulation / demodulation unit 156. Execute proper control.

  The clock extraction unit 154 extracts a clock component from the received signal and extracts the clock to the control unit 157, and supplies a clock corresponding to the speed of the clock component of the received signal to the control unit 157.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the reader 200.

  In FIG. 4, the high-frequency circuit 201 for accessing (reading or writing) the information (the RFID tag information including the tag ID) of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 10; The reader 200 as a whole includes a function of processing signals read from the IC circuit unit 150 of the tag circuit element To to read information and generating access information for accessing the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID tag circuit element To. And the control circuit 202 for controlling the operation.

  The high-frequency circuit 201 includes a transmission unit 212 that transmits a signal to the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 10, a reception unit 213 that receives a reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 10, and a transmission / reception And a separator 214.

  The transmission unit 212 includes a crystal resonator 215A that generates a carrier wave for accessing (reading / writing) the RFID tag information of the IC circuit unit 150 of the RFID circuit element To, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) 215B, and a VCO. (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 215C and a transmission multiplication circuit that modulates the generated carrier wave based on a signal supplied from the control circuit 202 (in this example, amplitude modulation based on a “TX_ASK” signal from the control circuit 202) 216 (in the case of “TX_ASK signal”, an amplification factor variable amplifier or the like may be used) and the modulated wave modulated by the transmission multiplication circuit 216 is amplified (in this example, by the “TX_PWR” signal from the control circuit 202). And a variable transmission amplifier 217 that amplifies). The generated carrier wave uses, for example, a frequency in the UHF band or the microwave band, and the output of the transmission amplifier 217 is transmitted to the transmission antenna 10 via the transmission / reception separator 214 to be transmitted to the RFID circuit element To. It is supplied to the IC circuit unit 150. Note that the RFID tag information is not limited to the signal modulated as described above, but may be only a carrier wave.

  The reception unit 213 multiplies the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 10 and the generated carrier wave and demodulates the received first multiplication circuit 218, and the reception first multiplication circuit 218. A first bandpass filter 219 for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output, a reception first amplifier 221 that amplifies the output of the first bandpass filter 219, and further amplifies the output of the reception first amplifier 221 The first limiter 220 that converts the signal into a digital signal, the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To received by the antenna 10 and the carrier wave that has been generated and delayed by 90 ° by the phase shifter 227 And a second band-pass filter 22 for extracting only a signal of a necessary band from the output of the reception second multiplication circuit 222. 3, a reception second amplifier 225 that amplifies the output of the second band pass filter 223, and a second limiter 224 that amplifies the output of the reception second amplifier 225 and converts it into a digital signal. The signal “RXS-I” output from the first limiter 220 and the signal “RXS-Q” output from the second limiter 224 are input to the control circuit 202 and processed.

  The outputs of the reception first amplifier 221 and the reception second amplifier 225 are also input to an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) circuit 226 serving as an intensity detection means, and a signal “RSSI” indicating the intensity of these signals is used as a control circuit. 202 is input. In this way, the reader 200 of this embodiment demodulates the reflected wave from the RFID circuit element To by IQ orthogonal demodulation.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 203 is connected to the control circuit 202 via an input / output interface (not shown).

  The control circuit 202 communicates with the RFID circuit element To and with the antenna 205 of the base station 204 so that the wireless communication can be performed exclusively without mutual interference with the wireless communication on the wireless LAN communication unit 203 side. The communication mode is different (for example, the protocol or frequency is different). When different protocols are used, an amplification control signal and a modulation control signal corresponding to the protocol are output to the high-frequency circuit transmission unit 212, and a reception signal from the high-frequency circuit reception unit 213 is input and then based on the protocol. Then, predetermined arithmetic processing for processing the signal read from the RFID circuit element To is performed. The control circuit 202 inputs an operation signal from an operation unit such as the operation unit 6, and outputs a display control signal to the display unit 5, a notification signal to the voice notification unit 7, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the control circuit 202.

In FIG. 5, a control circuit 202 is a so-called microcomputer, and includes a central processing unit CPU 202A, ROM 202B, RAM 202C, a circuit control unit 202D that transmits and receives signals to and from the high-frequency circuit 201, and the like, and a temporary storage function of the RAM 202C. The signal processing is performed in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM 202B while using. The control circuit 202 is connected to the communication line 206 (see FIG. 1 described above) via the wireless LAN communication between the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and the antenna 205 and the base station 204, and is connected to the communication line 206. Information can be exchanged with the above-described server 207 and other terminals, computers, servers, and the like. Non-volatile memory (Flash
ROM) 202E may be provided. Note that the server 207 is also composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

  As described above, the feature of the present embodiment relates to an article that the operator accesses to the database DB of the server 207 via the wireless LAN mainly by operating various buttons displayed on the display unit 5 of the reader 200. It is to be able to search. Hereinafter, the detailed procedure will be described in order with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13 using an example of a display screen in the display unit 5 of the touch panel type.

  For each screen thereafter, for example, a display template file serving as a basis for executing each screen display mode is prepared in advance in the ROM 202B of the control circuit 202 together with the above program (or separately from the program). When a corresponding operation signal is input to the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 by operation of various operation buttons (or power-on operation or operation of the operation unit 6), a corresponding display template is extracted and selected from the display template file. The display control signal corresponding to is output to the display unit 5, and thereby the display corresponding to the display unit 5 (various text / numerical value display, coloring / enlargement / decoration display including inversion, data extraction / list display of database DB, (Transition to the next screen) etc. are performed (details will be described later) .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an initial screen 101 displayed on the display unit 5 after the reader 200 of the present embodiment is powered on. In FIG. 6, the initial screen 101 includes a “Search” button 101 </ b> A for executing the search of the database DB and various setting elements (for example, server IP address, length of timeout time, etc.) that can be preset by the operator. For example, a “Setting” button 101C is provided.

  When the operator operates the “Search” button 101A with his / her finger or an appropriate operation tool (writing instruments such as pens and pencils are also applicable, the same applies hereinafter), the process proceeds to the database search instruction screen 102 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a database search instruction screen 102 displayed on the display unit 5 by operating the “Search” button 101A. In FIG. 7, this screen 102 includes a keyword input box 102A, a “Search” button 102B for searching the database DB, and a “Clear” button for clearing the keyword input in the keyword input box 102B. 102C and a “Quit” button 102D for stopping the processing and returning to the initial screen 101 are provided.

  The keyword input box 102A is used for inputting a search keyword (search condition) for performing a search in the database DB. In this example, the operator inputs “Legal File (legal document)”. ing. In this text input, for example, when this box 102A is operated, a text input screen (or an interrupt window or the like) (not shown) may be displayed and an input button for Japanese syllabary or alphabet may be displayed. However, when the operator performs a freehand writing operation with the above-described finger or operation tool, the CPU 202A may perform a known character recognition process based on this detection signal, although not shown in FIG. A separate mechanical operation button for text input may be provided on the housing 4.

  At this time, it is not always necessary to input a full name such as a file name (“Legal File 9” as will be described later) as a keyword in the keyword input box 102A, and only a part of the name can be searched as described above. (“Legal File” and the like. For example, “File”, “Legal”, etc. may be used. Further, “F”, “L”, etc. may be used for search). When no keyword is input in the box 102A and the “Search” button 102B is operated, all data stored and held in the database DB may be listed and displayed. Further, once entered in the box 102A, the keyword is stored in, for example, the RAM 202C. When the screen is moved to another screen and then returned to the database search instruction screen 102 (or this screen 102 is displayed at the next operation). When displayed, the stored keyword may be displayed as an initial display.

  When the operator inputs a predetermined keyword into the keyword input box 102A and operates the “Search” button 102B, an operation signal is input to the CPU 202A and a search instruction signal (search command) corresponding to the operation signal is generated. Then, it is output to the antenna 205 by wireless communication via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and further input from the base station 204 to the server 207 via the communication line 206.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing a list of data stored in the database DB. In FIG. 8, the database DB includes documents (objects, in this example, legal documents as described above) such as documents, fixtures, materials, equipment, machines, and other general items as objects (specifically, position-specific items). Name (first object identification information, object identification information), the tag ID (first tag identification information, ItemTagID) of the RFID circuit element To associated therewith, and the location where the article is arranged Identifying objects such as rooms, warehouses, or structures such as pillars, shelves, tables, floors, ceilings, etc. The name of the current management location (Location) (second object identification information, object identification information), such as in a car, etc., and the tag ID (second ID) of the RFID circuit element To associated therewith tag Another information, LocationTagID) and is updatable stored in the form of the correlation information correlated respectively.

  Specifically, the correlation information between the name of the article (first object identification information, object identification information) and the tag ID (first tag identification information) associated therewith corresponds to the first correlation information, Correlation information between the name of the management place (the second object identification information, the object identification information) representing the place where the article is arranged and the tag ID (second tag identification information) associated therewith corresponds to the second correlation information Further, the fact that these are correlated with each other corresponds to the third correlation information.

  Based on the keyword included in the search instruction signal, the server 207 extracts data corresponding to the keyword from all data (files) stored in the database DB as illustrated in FIG. Then, the extracted data information is output to the base station 204 via the communication line 206 contrary to the above. This signal is further output from the antenna 205 to the wireless LAN communication unit 203 by wireless communication and input to the CPU 202A. The CPU 202 A generates a display control signal corresponding to the input signal and outputs it to the display unit 5. As a result, the display unit 5 shifts to the search result display screen 103 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the search result display screen 103 displayed on the display unit 5 as described above. In FIG. 9, on this screen 103, an article display section ("Item") 103A, a location display section ("Location") 103B representing the search results, a data number display section 103F, and the database DB are retried. There are provided a “Retry” button 103D for stopping and a “Quit” button 103E for stopping the processing and returning to the initial screen 101.

  In this example, an example corresponding to the case where the keyword input box 102A “Legal File (legal document)” is input on the database search instruction screen 102 described above is shown, and the data number display section 103F corresponds to this case. It is shown that there were 200 hits as data, and the article display unit 103A has names of the 200 data “Legal File 1”, “Legal File 2”, “Legal File 3”, etc. in a predetermined order (this example In the place display portion 103B, the arrangement locations “2F Book Shelf No. 1” (not shown at the end for the sake of simplicity, the same applies hereinafter) “2F Book Shelf No. 2” “ 2F BookShelf No.3 "" 2F Book kShelf No.4 "" 2F BookShelf No.5 "" 3F BookShelf No.1 "" 3F BookShelf No.2 "" 3F BookShelf No.3 "" 3F BookSelf No.3 " They are displayed in a predetermined order (in this example, scrollable).

  In this state, when the operator selects one piece of data on the article display unit 103A or the place display unit 103B with the above-described finger or operation tool, the article search preparation completion state is set as shown in FIG. 10, in this example, the item display unit 103A has selected “Legal File 9” and the data represented by “3F Book Shelf No. 5 (not shown at the end to avoid complexity)” is selected in the place display unit 103B. (Display state such as shading, inversion, etc.), and with this selection, the above-described “Retry” button 103D becomes inoperable and the “Scan” button 103C for instructing search start can be operated. Appear. In addition, the identification information (tag ID, ItemTagID) of the RFID circuit element To corresponding to the selected data (“Legal File 9”) is extracted by the CPU 202A based on the correlation information illustrated in FIG. It is acquired and stored (set) as a search target tag ID (for example, in the RAM 202C), and preparation for searching for an article related to the selected data is completed. When the “Scan” button 103C is operated in this state, the screen shifts to the next place confirmation screen 105 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a place confirmation screen 105 displayed on the display unit 5 by operating the “Scan” button 103C. 11, on this screen 105, the name and arrangement location of the currently selected data (the same contents “Legal File 9” and “3F Book Shelf No. 5” as the article display portion 103A or the location display portion 103B) are displayed. For starting the search for the RFID circuit element To associated with the article (in this example, the legal document) of the data using the current information display unit 105A to be displayed and the tag ID already set as described above. A “Start” button 105B is provided.

  In this state, for example, the operator confirms the display of the location display unit 103B, and moves to the fifth bookshelf on the 3rd floor of the building if the displayed location, that is, “3F Book Shelf No. 5”. To do. Thereafter, when the “Start” button 105B is operated, as shown in FIG. 12, the state of “Scanning” is being executed while the RFID circuit element search is being executed. In order to further improve the simplicity of the operation, when the “Scan” button 103C in FIG. 10 is operated, the state shown in FIG. 12 may be immediately shifted to FIG.

  In FIG. 12, the “Start” button 105B described above becomes inoperable, and the “Stop” button 105C for instructing to stop searching for the RFID circuit element appears. At the same time, using the set tag ID, based on the control of the CPU 202A, an information reading signal to the RFID circuit element To that specifies the tag ID is generated by the high frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D. Then, the signal is transmitted and radiated within the communicable range via the antenna 10, and the search for the RFID circuit element To to be searched having the tag ID is executed (details will be described later).

  When a response signal including the tag ID is received from the search target RFID circuit element To by the antenna 10 and the tag ID is acquired by the CPU 202A via the high frequency circuit 201 and the circuit control unit 202D (= search target RFID circuit When the element To is found), the CPU 202A generates a display control signal corresponding to the acquisition and outputs it to the display unit 5. As a result, the display unit 5 shifts to a search success display screen 107 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the search success display screen 107 displayed on the display unit 5 as described above. In FIG. 13, on this screen 107, a success display portion 107A for displaying a success display “Bingo!” Indicating that the search for the target RFID circuit element To has been successful, and the data name and arrangement of the RFID circuit element To are shown. A current information display unit 107B that displays a location (substantially the same content as the above-described current information display unit 105A), a “Retry” button 107C for retrying the search for the RFID circuit element To, and the processing is stopped. A “Quit” button 107E for returning to the initial screen 101 is provided.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing main control procedures executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 provided in the reader 200 in order to realize the screen display and various processes described above.

  In FIG. 14, for example, when a power switch (not shown) is operated, this flow is started. First, in step S5, a display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display the initial screen 101 shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S10, it is determined whether or not there is a search instruction (whether the “Search” button 101A on the initial screen 101 is operated and a corresponding operation signal is input). If the button 101A is operated for DB search, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S15.

  In step S15, a display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display the database search instruction screen 102 shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S20, it is determined whether or not there has been a database search start instruction (whether or not the “Search” button 102B has been operated and a corresponding operation signal has been input after inputting a predetermined keyword in the keyword input box 102A). If the “Search” button 102B is operated to instruct start of database search, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S100.

  In step S100, the database DB search process corresponding to the operation signal of the button 102B is performed, and a search instruction signal (search command) is generated and output to the server 207 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and the base station 204. .

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25, where the search result executed by the server 207 in response to the search instruction signal in step S100 is received via the base station 204 and the wireless LAN communication unit 203, and a corresponding display control signal is generated. The search result display screen 103 is displayed by outputting to the display unit 5.

  Thereafter, in step S30, whether one piece of data has been selected in the article display portion 103A or the location display portion 103B of the search result display screen 103 (whether the “Search” button 101A has been operated and a corresponding operation signal has been input after data selection). Determine). If the button 101A is operated for the article search, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S150.

  In step S150, an article search preparation process is performed, and the identification information (tag ID) of the RFID circuit element To corresponding to the selected data is received from the server 7 in step S100 in response to the selection operation in step S30. The extracted data is extracted and acquired and stored (set) as a search target tag ID (for example, in the RAM 202C).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S35, where a display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display the location confirmation screen 105 shown in FIG.

  In step S40, it is determined whether or not a search start instruction has been given on the place confirmation screen 105 (whether or not the “Start” button 105B has been operated and a corresponding operation signal has been input). If the button 105B is operated to start searching for the RFID circuit element To associated with the search target article, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S200.

  In step S200, using the tag ID already set in step S150, an information reading signal is generated for the RFID circuit element To that identifies the tag ID in the high frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D. The signal is transmitted and radiated within the communicable range via the antenna 10, and the search for the RFID tag circuit element To to be searched having the tag ID is executed (see FIG. 15 described later for details).

  Thereafter, in step S45, it is determined whether the search is successful (whether the search target RFID circuit element To has been found). If the response signal including the tag ID is received by the antenna 10 from the target RFID circuit element To and acquired via the high frequency circuit 201 and the circuit control unit 202D, the determination is satisfied, and the routine goes to Step S50.

  In step S50, a display control signal corresponding to the acquisition success determination in step S45 is generated and output to the display unit 5 to display the search success display screen 107 shown in FIG. To end this flow.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag search process in step S200. First, in step S105, the search target tag ID specified in the search preparation process is set as a parameter of the “Scroll ID” signal.

  Thereafter, in step S110, a variable N for counting the number of times of retrying (number of access attempts) when there is no response from the RFID circuit element To is initialized to zero.

  In step S120, a “Scroll ID” signal for reading information stored in the specific RFID circuit element To having the search target tag ID set in the previous step S105 is generated and the corresponding search is performed via the high-frequency circuit 201. It is transmitted to the target RFID circuit element To using the above communication protocol to prompt a reply.

  Next, in step S130, the reply signal (including the tag ID and the like) transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be searched corresponding to the “Scroll ID” signal is received via the antenna 10, and the high frequency circuit Capture via 201.

  Next, in step S140, it is determined using a known CRC code (Cyclic Redundancy Check) whether or not there is an error in the reply signal received in step S130.

  If the determination is not satisfied, the process moves to step S150, 1 is added to N, and it is further determined in step S160 whether N = 5. If N ≦ 4, the determination is not satisfied and the routine returns to step S120 and the same procedure is repeated.

  If N = 5, the process proceeds to step S190, where an error display control signal is output to the display unit 5 to display a corresponding reading failure (error), or an error audio signal is output to the audio notification means 7. The corresponding voice is uttered, and this flow ends.

  On the other hand, when the determination in step S140 is satisfied, reading of the tag ID from the RFID circuit element To as a search target (= scanning of the target RFID tag T) is completed, and this flow is finished.

  In the above description, the high-frequency circuit 201 and the antenna 10 read and acquire the holding unit identification information of the information holding unit from the information holding unit that holds information in a readable manner substantially non-contact. The contact information acquisition means is configured, and more specifically, the information is obtained by wireless communication with an RFID circuit element as an information holding unit including an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit. A wireless communication unit is configured to perform transmission / reception and acquire tag identification information of the RFID circuit element as holding unit identification information.

  Further, the “Search” button 101A after selecting one data in the article display portion 103A or the location display portion 103B of the search result display screen 103 described in relation to step S30 shown in FIG. 14 executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 is shown. Is a selection means for the operator to select a desired one from the set of the displayed plurality of sets of first object identification information and second object identification information.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the operator wants to search for the current position of a specific article, a predetermined search condition (keyword) is displayed in the box 102A of the screen 102 displayed on the display unit 5. A signal corresponding to this is output and input to the server 207 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203, the base station 205, and the communication line 206, and the corresponding search is executed in the database DB (FIG. 14). Step S100). Since the database DB stores and holds correlation information between the article identification information (in this example, the name) of the article and the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To corresponding to the article identification information, the operator can search for it by specifying the search condition. The tag ID related to the desired article is specified (step S150). Then, by specifying the tag ID, wireless communication is performed from the high frequency circuit 201 and the antenna 10 to the antenna 152 of the corresponding RFID tag circuit element To, and the tag ID is read and acquired from the IC circuit unit 151 to obtain the RFID tag. The circuit element To can be detected to find an article to be searched for (see step S45, step S50, and the screen 107 in FIG. 13).

  As described above, when searching for a specific article, the reader 200 side has an instruction function for searching and executing the tag ID of the article and the RFID tag circuit element To corresponding to the article in the database DB. Does not need to separately identify and input a tag ID or the like corresponding to the article to be searched. Furthermore, it is not always necessary to memorize and input all of the specific article names, and a specific item to be searched by simply inputting a vague article type or the like as a keyword (or selecting from a list). Can be determined (see FIGS. 7, 9, and 10). Therefore, the convenience of the operator in article management can be greatly improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, in particular, the display unit 5 displays the article name as the first object identification information on the article display unit 103A according to the search result, and the location as the second object identification information together with this. By displaying the name on the location display unit 103B, the operator can search for the name of the position specified object (legal document in the above example) and the position reference object (in the above example) where the position specified object is located. The name of the bookshelf) can be visually recognized in a clearly associated form. In this way, the operator can select a desired item in a state where a plurality of sets of article names and corresponding place names are displayed as one set on the display unit 5. The person can select the group corresponding to the one he / she wants to search from the display of each group displayed as the search result, and perform the subsequent processing.

  In this embodiment, in particular, when the search result is displayed on the display unit 5, a plurality of article names (first object identification information) having a common location name (second object identification information) are continuously arranged. Displayed in such a way as to be (batch arrangement). For example, in the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10, “2F Bookshelf” and “3F Bookshelf” are displayed separately. As a result, since the articles at the same place are displayed together, the operator can easily find the article he / she wants to find from the list display of the search results. In the above example, when there are a plurality of items in the same bookshelf, they may be displayed in more detail for each of “2F Bookshelf No. 1” and “2F Bookshelf No. 2”. .

  Further, at this time, the display unit 5 may display the place names with higher priority as the number of article names associated in common is larger. For example, in the above-described example, when the number of data grouped in “3F Bookshelf” is larger than the number of data grouped in “2F Bookshelf”, the former is prioritized and the data group grouped in “3F Bookshelf” is selected. You may make it display on the upper side rather than the data group put together by "2F Bookshelf". In this case, since an article having a larger number in the same place is preferentially displayed, the operator can quickly find an article he / she wants to find from a list display of search results with a high probability.

  In this embodiment, in particular, the apparatus installation as in the case of via wired communication is performed by accessing the database DB via the wireless communication (in this example via the wireless LAN communication unit 203) from the reader 200 and performing a search. The database DB can be accessed using the reader 200 freely in a relatively wide range without any restrictions on the location and the installation range.

  In this embodiment, in particular, when the acquisition of the tag ID by wireless communication via the antenna 10 is completed, an acquisition display corresponding to the display unit 5 (see the success display unit 107A in FIG. 13) is performed so that the operator can The operator can be visually notified that the article to be searched for has been found. In addition, when performing the same audio notification by the audio notification means 7, it is possible to make an audio notification. At this time, the corresponding article name and the place name are also displayed on the display unit 5 (refer to the current information display unit 107B), so that the article that the operator wants to find is found. And the name of the found location can be visually notified to the operator.

  In this embodiment, in particular, wireless communication with the antenna 205 of the base station 204 via the wireless LAN communication unit 203 and wireless communication with the RFID circuit element To via the antenna 10 do not interfere with each other. The communication modes are different (preferably, the communication timing is different. The frequency or the like may be different) so that each can communicate exclusively. As a result, highly reliable wireless information communication can be ensured without adversely affecting each other during wireless communication.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the gist and the technical idea. The modifications will be described below.

(1) When performing a search using a location or the like as a keyword In the above-described embodiment, “Legal File” that is an article name (first object identification information) is entered in the keyword input box 102A on the database search instruction screen 102 in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a place name (second object identification information) may be input. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a database search instruction screen 102 ′ according to such a modification, and corresponds to FIG. 7 of the above embodiment. In FIG. 16, a keyword input box 102'A for inputting a place name is provided. Like the keyword input box 102A described above, it is not always necessary to input a full name such as a place name as a keyword. It has become. This example shows a case where “2F (second floor)” is input to the keyword input box 102′A by the operator as a search keyword (search condition). FIG. 17 shows still another example, in which the operator inputs “Bookshelf” in the keyword input box 102′A. As described above, when no keyword is entered in the box 102′A and the “Search” button 102B is operated, all data stored and held in the database DB are listed and displayed. Alternatively, the keyword stored last time may be displayed as the initial display when the screen 102 'is displayed next time.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to providing the box 102'A for inputting the location name, and if the tag ID (second tag identification information) of the RFID circuit element To corresponding to the location is known, the tag A box for inputting the ID may be provided (in this case as well, it is not necessary to check the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To related to the article or to store and input the tag ID).

  By inputting the place name or a part of the place name or the corresponding tag ID into the box 102′A and operating the “Search” button 102B as described above, the same processing as in the above embodiment is performed. 9 is displayed, and corresponding first object identification information (such as “Legal File 1”) is displayed. Subsequent processing is the same as that in the above embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Also by this modification, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment is acquired.

(2) When performing a plurality of article searches collectively In the above-described embodiment, in the search result display screen 103 of the display section 5 shown in FIG. 9, each stage is paired with the article display section 103 </ b> A and the location display section 103. In this example, only one of the data listed in the list (200 in this example) is selected (see FIG. 10), and the subsequent processing is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of data is selected at once. The subsequent processing may be performed.

  In this modification, for example, in the search result display screen 103 shown in FIG. 3 described above, the article name “Legal” displayed as a pair (as one data) on the article display unit 103A and the place display unit 103B. Among a plurality of data such as “File 1” and a place name “2F Book Shelf No. 1”, the operator can select a plurality of data together with the above-described finger or operation tool. FIG. 18 is a diagram substantially corresponding to FIG. 10 showing an example at this time, and in this example, “Legal File 1” “2F Book Shelf No. 1”, “Legal File 2” “2F Book Shelf No. 2”, “Legal”. Three data of “File 3” and “2F Book Shelf No. 3” are selected at once.

  Then, by the plurality of data selections, the identification information (tag ID) of the RFID circuit element To corresponding to each of the selected data based on the correlation information illustrated in FIG. 8 as in the above embodiment. Is extracted and acquired by the CPU 202A and stored (set) as a search target tag ID (for example, in the RAM 202C), and preparation for the article search is completed.

  When the “Scan” button 103C is operated in the above state, the screen shifts to the location confirmation screen 105 shown in FIG. 11 similar to the above embodiment. Note that the current information display unit 105A of the screen 105 in FIG. 11 shows only the name and arrangement location of one data, but in this modification, the name and arrangement location are displayed for all the selected data. (Not shown).

  Then, by further operating the “Start” button 105B on the screen 105, as shown in FIG. 12, the state of “Scanning” is performed while the RFID tag circuit element search is being executed. At this time, using the plurality of set tag IDs in order, an information reading signal is generated to the RFID circuit element To that specifies the tag ID by the high frequency circuit 201 via the circuit control unit 202D, and the antenna 10 The search is performed sequentially for the RFID circuit element To as a search target having the tag ID (see FIG. 20 described later).

  Each time a response signal including the tag ID is received from the RFID circuit element To to be searched and the tag ID is acquired by the CPU 202A (every time the detection process is completed for one RFID circuit element To), The CPU 202A generates and outputs a corresponding display control signal.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the search success display screen 107 ′ displayed on the display unit 5 at this time, and is a diagram substantially corresponding to FIG. In FIG. 19, a screen 107 ′ includes a “Retry” button 107C and a “Quit” button 107E similar to the screen 107 in FIG. 13, and corresponds to the success display portion 107A and the current information display portion 107B in FIG. A success display section 107'A and a current information display section 107'B are provided.

  The current information display unit 107′B is configured to display “Item” and “Location” in a plurality of stages corresponding to the selection of the plurality of data described above. Then, the success display section 107′A displays a success display “Bingo!” Indicating that the search for the target RFID circuit element To has been successful for each of the data in each stage. In the illustrated example, when searching in the order of “Legal File 1” → “Legal File 2” → “Legal File 3”, the search for the RFID circuit element To is completed (successful) for the first data, This indicates that the second data is currently being searched.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a main control procedure executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 provided in the reader 200 of the present modification, and corresponds to FIG. 20, in this flow, step S55 is newly provided after step S50, and it is determined whether or not the search for the RFID circuit element To related to all the selection data related to the determination in step S30 is completed. This determination is not satisfied until the tag ID reading of the RFID circuit element To related to all the selected data is completed, and the process returns to step S200 to continue searching for the next RFID circuit element To, and one RFID circuit element To Each time the search is completed, the corresponding success display is performed in step S50 (see the success display portion 107′A of the screen 107 ′ shown in FIG. 19). When all the searches are completed, the determination in step S55 is satisfied and this End the flow.

  In this modification, the operator selects a plurality of data corresponding to what he / she wants to search among a plurality of sets of data displayed on the display unit 5 as a search result, and the corresponding RFID circuit The detection process can be collectively performed by sequentially specifying the tag IDs of the elements To.

(3) When performing location confirmation when tag detection is difficult In the above, the operator moves to the location after viewing the location information shown on the display of the current information display portion 105A of the location confirmation screen 105 shown in FIG. If the RFID tag circuit element To related to the data item selected on the screen 104 or the like is searched, and the search is completed (RF tag circuit element To), the flow shown in FIG. It was decided to end. However, when the operator accidentally moves, the operator has moved to a location different from the location indicated on the display of the current information display unit 105A, or the current arrangement location of the article stored in the database DB. When the information itself is incorrect, it is difficult to detect the RFID circuit element To even if the operator performs the search (cannot be detected or cannot be detected within a predetermined timeout time).

  In this case, in this modification, an attempt is made to acquire the tag ID (second tag identification information) of the RFID circuit element To related to the current point (location) that can be read by the reader 200 (= location tag detection processing). FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 202A of the control circuit 202 in this place tag detection process, and corresponds to FIG.

  21 is different from FIG. 15 in that the object tag ID (first tag identification information) to be searched selected in step S150 in FIG. 14 is scanned in FIG. 15, whereas in FIG. 21, the step in FIG. The point is that the search target place tag ID (second tag identification information) selected in S150 is scanned. Other than that, it is almost the same as FIG.

  That is, in step S105 ′ newly provided in place of step S105, the location tag ID (second tag identification information) to be searched is set in the parameter of the “Scroll ID” signal. Note that the tag ID of the RFID circuit element To having the location tag ID (second tag identification information) may be acquired and identified hierarchically by outputting a “Ping” signal instead of the “Scroll ID” signal.

  Thereafter, after initializing the variable N in step S110, in step S120, the information stored in the RFID circuit element To having the search target place tag ID (second tag identification information) set in the previous step S105 is stored. A “Scroll ID” signal to be read is generated and transmitted to the corresponding RFID tag circuit element To to be searched (location) via the high-frequency circuit 201 using the communication protocol to prompt a reply.

  Next, in step S130, a reply signal (including tag ID and the like) transmitted from the RFID circuit element To to be searched corresponding to the “Scroll ID” signal is fetched, and in step S140, the signal has no error. It is determined whether or not.

  Since the subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG.

  Although the tag ID acquired in this way may be displayed as it is on the display unit 5, the acquired tag ID is compared with the tag ID displayed on the information display unit 105A, and whether or not they match. The collation determination may be performed (determination means). Furthermore, when this collation determination is not satisfied, a signal corresponding to the collation determination may be output to perform notification (predetermined display on the display unit 5 or voice notification by the voice notification unit 7) to the operator. (Notification signal output means).

  Thereby, when the tag ID (first tag identification information) of the RFID circuit element To related to the search target article cannot be acquired, the article that the operator wants to search for does not exist in the place where the wireless communication is executed. Can be reliably recognized by the operator.

(4) Others In the above, an example has been described in which the RFID tag circuit element To is provided as an information holding unit on an object, and the present invention is applied to a reader 200 that reads a tag ID as holding unit identification information by wireless communication. However, it is not limited to this. That is, a known barcode or a two-dimensional barcode (QR code) is provided on the object as an information holding unit, and the barcode information as the holding unit identification information is optically substantially non-contact (not touched). The present invention may also be applied to a barcode reader that reads in a detectable manner.

  In this case, when the operator wants to search for the current position of a specific article, a search condition is designated by a predetermined operation input means provided on the barcode reader, and the corresponding signal is displayed on the barcode. Output from the reader (search signal output means), input to a server connected to the database via a wired or wireless network, and the corresponding search is executed in the database. In this database, correlation information between bar code information related to the article and object identification information (article name etc.) of the object associated with the article is stored and held in advance. Bar code information related to the item to be searched is specified.

  Thus, the article storage location corresponding to the barcode information is displayed to the operator by the display means of the barcode reader based on the search result, and the operator then visits the location based on the location display of the display means. By reading the barcode information from the article, the operator can surely confirm that the article is to be searched (if it is not the article, a warning notification to that effect may be issued).

  Therefore, in this case as well, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, when searching for a specific article, the information reading apparatus side has a search instruction function to the database of the article and the barcode information corresponding to the article. Eliminates the need to separately identify and input information corresponding to the item to be searched. Furthermore, it is not always necessary to store or input the specific article name, and a specific article to be searched for can be determined by simply inputting or selecting a vague article type or the like. Therefore, the convenience of the operator in article management can be greatly improved.

  In FIG. 8, the database DB includes names (first object identification information, object identification information) of articles such as documents, fixtures, materials, equipment, machines, and other general objects as objects, and the associated items. The tag ID (first tag identification information) of the RFID circuit element To that has been placed, a room as a target object representing the location where the article is placed, a building such as a warehouse, a pillar, a shelf, a table, The name of the current management place (second object identification information, object identification information), such as a specific part of a building such as a floor or a ceiling, or in an automobile, and the RFID circuit element To associated with the name Although the tag ID (second tag identification information) is stored in an updatable manner in the form of correlation information associated with the tag ID (second tag identification information), these may be stored separately.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the first correlation table as the article management table stores the relationship between the first object identification information (such as “Legal File 1”) and the first tag identification information (such as “0123456”) ( 22 (a)), the second correlation table as the position management table stores the relationship between the second object identification information (such as “2f Boolean shelf 1”) and the second tag identification information (such as “1234567”). 22 (b)), the third correlation table as the article location management table stores the relationship between the first tag identification information (such as “0123456”) and the second tag identification information (such as “1234567”). It is also possible (FIG. 2 (c)). If the database DBs are individually configured in this way, there is an advantage that the database DB can be easily managed and operated.

The “Scroll” used above
It is assumed that the “ID” signal conforms to a specification established by EPC global. EPC global is a non-profit corporation established jointly by the International EAN Association, which is an international organization of distribution codes, and the United Code Code Council (UCC), which is an American distribution code organization. Note that signals conforming to other standards may be used as long as they perform the same function.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a wireless tag information communication system having a reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view showing the whole schematic structure of the reader shown in FIG. It is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the RFID circuit element with which the RFID tag was equipped. It is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the control system of a reader. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing detailed functions of the control circuit shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure showing the initial screen displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure showing the database search instruction | indication screen displayed on the display part of a reader. It is a figure which represents notionally the list of the data memorize | stored in the database. It is a figure showing the search result display screen displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the article search preparation completion state display displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the place confirmation screen displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the state in progress of the RFID tag circuit element search displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a figure showing the search success display screen displayed on the display part of the reader. It is a flowchart showing the main control procedures which CPU of the control circuit with which the reader was equipped performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the tag search process shown to FIG.14 S200. It is a figure showing an example of the database search instruction | indication screen of the modification which searches using a place etc. as a keyword. Another example of a database search instruction screen of a modified example for performing a search using a place or the like as a keyword is still another example. It is a figure showing the article search preparation completion status display displayed on the display part of the reader in the modification which searches a plurality of articles collectively. It is a figure showing an example of the search success display screen displayed on a display part. It is a flowchart showing the main control procedures which CPU of the control circuit of a reader performs. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which CPU of a control circuit performs in the modification which confirms a place when tag detection is difficult. It is a figure which represents notionally another structural example of a database.

Explanation of symbols

10 Antenna (non-contact information acquisition means, wireless communication means)
201 High frequency circuit (contactless information acquisition means, wireless communication means)
200 reader (information reading device)
To RFID tag circuit element (information holding unit)
DB database 150 IC circuit section 151 Antenna (tag side antenna)
5 Display section (display means, operation means)
6 Operation part (operation means)
7 Voice notification means

Claims (15)

A database that stores and holds correlation information between the holding unit identification information held in the information holding unit provided on the object and the object identification information of the object corresponding to the holding unit identification information. An information reading device configured as an operation terminal,
Information is transmitted and received by wireless communication with an RFID circuit element as the information holding unit including an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag-side antenna connected to the IC circuit unit, and the information as the holding unit identification information Wireless communication means for obtaining tag identification information of the wireless tag circuit element;
Operation means for operating and inputting predetermined search conditions for the database;
Of the objects, first correlation information between first object identification information of a position identification object that is a position identification object of the object and corresponding first tag identification information of a RFID tag circuit element for the identification object, and among the objects Second correlation information between second object identification information of a position reference object that gives a reference position at the time of specifying the position of the position specification object and second tag identification information of a corresponding RFID tag circuit element for a reference object; Accessing the database storing and holding the first object identification information or the first tag identification information and the third correlation information corresponding to the second object identification information or the second tag identification information, and the operation as the search condition Based on the information related to the position specific object input from the means, the corresponding first object identification information or the first tag identification information and the corresponding second object identification information corresponding to the third correlation information or the Second tag identification information A search signal outputting means for outputting a signal for searching,
Depending on the localization was based on information about the search result, and said first identifying information, display means for a plurality of sets display and said second identifying information corresponding thereto as a set,
Selection means for the operator to select a desired plurality of sets from the set of the displayed first object identification information and second object identification information,
Have
The wireless communication means includes
2. An information reading apparatus, wherein acquisition execution of a plurality of the first tag identification information corresponding to the plurality of first object identification information selected by the selection unit is started. The information reading apparatus according to claim 1,
A determination means for determining whether or not acquisition of the plurality of first tag identification information corresponding to the plurality of first object identification information, whose acquisition execution has been started by the wireless communication means,
The wireless communication means includes
The information reading apparatus is characterized in that the acquisition of the plurality of first tag identification information is continued until the determination means determines that the acquisition of the plurality of first tag identification information has been completed. In the information reading device according to claim 1 or 2,
The search signal output means includes
The database is accessed, and a signal for searching for the corresponding second object identification information or the second tag identification information is output based on the information related to the position reference object input from the operation means as the search condition. An information reading apparatus. The information reading device according to claim 3,
The search signal output means includes
Based on the second object identification information or the second tag identification information corresponding to the information on the position reference object, the corresponding first object identification information or the first tag identification information is searched according to the third correlation information. An information reading apparatus that outputs a signal for performing the operation. The information reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The search signal output means includes
Outputting a signal for searching for the corresponding first object identification information or the first tag identification information according to the third correlation information, based on the second tag identification information input from the operation means. An information reader characterized by. The information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The display means includes
The first object identification information and the second object identification information corresponding to the first object identification information and the plurality of first object identification information that are associated with the second object identification information are arranged continuously or collectively. An information reading apparatus characterized by displaying. The information reading apparatus according to claim 6,
The display means includes
Displaying the first object identification information and the second object identification information corresponding to the first object identification information so that priority is given to the second object identification information having a larger number of the first object identification information associated in common. An information reader characterized by. The information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An information reading apparatus, comprising: a voice notification unit that performs a corresponding voice notification when the acquisition of the first tag identification information by the wireless communication unit is completed. The information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The display means includes
An information reading apparatus that performs a corresponding acquisition display when the acquisition of the first tag identification information by the wireless communication unit is completed. The information reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
The display means includes
An information reading apparatus that displays the corresponding first object identification information at the time of the acquisition display. The information reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
The display means includes
An information reading apparatus that displays the corresponding first object identification information and second object identification information at the time of the acquisition display. The information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The position reference object is:
The current location of the location object,
The second object identification information is:
The name of the current management location,
The second tag identification information is
Tag identification information of the RFID tag circuit element for the reference object associated with the name of the current management location,
The wireless communication means includes
If the first tag identification information cannot be acquired within a predetermined time-out period after the start of the acquisition of the first tag identification information, the information reading device that can be acquired by the wireless communication means at that time An information reading apparatus, wherein the second tag identification information relating to a current location is obtained. The information reading device according to claim 12,
A determination means for performing a collation determination as to whether or not the acquired second tag identification information matches the second tag identification information corresponding to the first tag identification information that could not be acquired within the predetermined timeout time;
An information reading apparatus comprising: a notification signal output means for outputting a notification signal for performing notification corresponding to the operator when the collation determination of the determination means is not satisfied. The information reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The search signal output means includes
An information reading device that accesses the database via wireless communication. The information reading apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
The search signal output means includes
An information reading apparatus for accessing the database via wireless communication in a communication mode mutually exclusive with respect to a communication mode of the wireless communication means.

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