JP4981366B2 - Communication apparatus and communication method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device having a function of performing wireless communication with a wireless tag of an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) system and a communication method therefor.

In recent years, wireless tags are often used to identify or manage people and articles. The wireless tag is mainly composed of an IC (Integrated Circuit) for information processing and an antenna for radio wave transmission / reception.
There are various types and types of wireless tags. Among them, wireless tags of the type (passive type) that get power from received radio waves without mounting a battery are easy to realize downsizing and cost reduction, so they are used in a wide range of fields, and their application is expected. Has been.

  On the other hand, also in reader / writers (communication devices) used for communication with wireless tags, technological development aimed at improving performance such as communication distance and communication speed has been actively performed. The reader / writer usually includes an information processor and memory, a communication interface with a host device, a communication control unit that modulates and demodulates a radio signal, an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, and the like.

The frequency band used for the wireless communication mainly includes a 13.56 MHz band, a 2.45 GHz band, a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band, and the like. Reader / writers, wireless tags, and the like need to be developed for each frequency and communication method.
Therefore, reader / writers and wireless tags generally support only specific frequency bands and communication systems, but reader / writers and wireless tags compatible with multiple frequency bands and communication systems have also been proposed. .
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique regarding a reader / writer having a signal processing unit corresponding to a plurality of communication methods.
JP 2004-213582 A

  However, in the reader / writer using the technology of Patent Document 1, the hardware configuration is fixed, so if you want to adopt another frequency band or communication method later, just adding hardware In addition, additional software and redevelopment are required, and the cost and effort are burdened. In addition, as the corresponding frequency band and communication method increase, the configuration becomes complicated, which causes a problem that it becomes difficult to control all data communication.

  In particular, a reader / writer that performs wireless communication with a wireless tag often needs to communicate with a host device (such as a personal computer). Therefore, the reader / writer may need to communicate not only with a plurality of wireless tags but also with a plurality of higher-level devices. In this case, the number of combinations of communication methods further increases, and it becomes more difficult to cope with them.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a communication device and a communication method that can easily cope with a plurality of wireless tags, a plurality of host devices, and the like. .

In order to solve the above-described problems, a communication device according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication modules that communicate with an external device by wire or wirelessly, and a control module that controls the plurality of communication modules. Connected via transmission line.
Each of the plurality of communication modules holds its own identification information and functional information related to communication.
Further, the control module acquires identification information and function information regarding a plurality of communication modules, and selects a communication module that performs communication with an external device based on the acquired information.
The same applies to the communication method.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication apparatus and communication method which can respond easily to a some radio | wireless tag, a some high-order apparatus, etc. can be provided.

Hereinafter, communication devices according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. The wireless communication device 1 (corresponding to the communication device of claim 2) includes a control unit 2, an upper communication unit 3 (generic name for upper communication units 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n) and a wireless communication unit. 4 (generic name for the wireless communication units 4-1, 4-2,..., 4-n).

  The control unit 2, the higher-level communication units 3-1, 3-2,..., 3-n and the wireless communication units 4-1, 4-2,. (The control unit 2 is a control module, the higher-level communication unit 3 is a communication module, and the wireless communication unit 4 is a (wireless tag) communication module) and can be freely selected to configure the wireless communication device 1. It is like that.

The control unit 2 includes an information processing unit 21, an information storage unit 22, an upper communication IF (interface) unit 23, and a wireless communication IF (interface) unit 24.
The information processing unit 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and by executing a program (a driving program that is a driver) stored in the information storage unit 22, an upper communication unit connected to the control unit 2 3, a function of acquiring information of the wireless communication unit 4, a function of setting a communication route (also simply referred to as “route”) (selecting the upper communication unit 3 or the wireless communication unit 4 to be used), the upper communication IF unit 23, Function for communicating with external device 6 (see FIG. 2A) via host communication unit 3, wireless tag 8 via wireless communication IF unit 24 and wireless communication unit 4 (see FIG. 3A) Has a function to communicate with.
The information storage unit 22 is a memory, for example, and functions as a work area for the information processing unit 21.

The host communication IF unit 23 sends the data from the host communication unit 3 to the information processing unit 21 and the data from the information processing unit 21 to the host communication unit 3 according to communication path setting information (details will be described later). It has a function to transmit.
The upper communication unit 3 has a function of transmitting data received from the external device 6 to the upper communication IF unit 23 and a function of transmitting data received from the upper communication IF unit 23 to the external device 6. Further, there may be any number of upper communication units 3 as long as there are two or more.

The wireless communication IF unit 24 has a function of transmitting data received from the wireless communication unit 4 to the information processing unit 21 and the data received from the information processing unit 21 according to communication path setting information (details will be described later). 4 has a function of transmitting.
The wireless communication unit 4 has a function of demodulating a radio wave received by wireless communication from an external wireless tag 8 (see FIG. 3A) into electronic data and transmitting it to the wireless communication IF unit 24, and a wireless communication IF unit 24. 1 has a function of modulating the electronic data received from 1 to an external radio tag 8 and the like. Further, there may be any number of the wireless communication units 4 as long as there are two or more.

Next, the configuration of the host communication unit will be described with reference to FIG. 2 (see FIG. 1 as appropriate). In FIG. 2, (a) is a block diagram of an upper communication unit and its peripheral devices, and (b) is a block diagram of a modification of the upper communication unit.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the upper communication unit 3 includes an information processing unit 31, an information storage unit 32, a communication IF (interface) unit 33, an upper communication control unit 34, and an external IF (interface) unit 35. Yes.

The information processing unit 31 is, for example, a CPU, and realizes the above-described data transmission function and the like by executing a program stored in the information storage unit 32.
The information storage unit 32 is, for example, a memory and functions as a work area for the information processing unit 31.

  The communication IF unit 33 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from the upper communication IF unit 23. The upper communication control unit 34 has a function of processing data according to the type of communication means with the external device 6 (details will be described later) and communicating with the external device 6. The external IF unit 35 has a function of connecting the external device 6 and the higher-level communication unit 3 via a network 5 such as wired or wireless.

For example, when the communication means is Ethernet (registered trademark), the higher-level communication control unit 34 mutually converts the electronic data processed by the communication IF unit 33 and the electrical signal for Ethernet (registered trademark) into RJ-45. Communication with the external device 6 is performed via an external IF unit 35 such as a connector.
When the communication means is Bluetooth (registered trademark), the upper communication control unit 34 modulates or demodulates the electronic data and the radio wave for Bluetooth (registered trademark) to each other, and via the external IF unit 35 such as an antenna. Communicate with the external device 6.

Further, when the communication means is serial communication such as RS-232C, the upper communication control unit 34 mutually converts the electronic data and the electric signal for serial communication, and external IF unit 35 such as a D-Sub 9-pin connector. Communicate with the external device 6 via.
Note that the communication means is not limited to these, but other than that, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a telephone line such as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) and a mobile phone, ZigBee (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus) ), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), or the like.

Further, the functions of the information processing unit 31 and the information storage unit 32 of the upper communication unit 3 may be included in the information processing unit 21 and the information storage unit 22 of the control unit 2, and the upper communication unit 3a in this case is The configuration is as shown in FIG.
The upper communication unit 3a has a configuration in which a unique information unit 36 is added except for the information processing unit 31 and the information storage unit 32 from the upper communication unit 3 in FIG.

The unique information unit 36 has a function of holding unique information 37 (see FIG. 4A), which will be described later, and transmitting / receiving the unique information 37 to / from the higher-level communication IF unit 23 via the communication IF unit 33. The unique information unit 36 may be implemented as a function of the communication IF unit 33.
Further, in the upper communication unit 3 in FIG. 2A, the information processing unit 31 and the information storage unit 32 may execute the function of the unique information unit 36.

Next, the configuration of the wireless communication unit will be described with reference to FIG. 3 (see FIG. 1 as appropriate). 3A is a configuration diagram of the wireless communication unit and its peripheral devices, and FIG. 3B is a configuration diagram of a modification of the wireless communication unit.
3A, the wireless communication unit 4 includes an information processing unit 41, an information storage unit 42, a communication IF (interface) unit 43, a wireless communication control unit 44, and an antenna 45 (antennas 45-1, 45-). 2,..., 45-n).

The information processing unit 41 is, for example, a CPU, and realizes functions such as the above-described data modulation / demodulation and transmission by executing a program stored in the information storage unit 42.
The information storage unit 42 is a memory, for example, and functions as a work area for the information processing unit 41.
The communication IF unit 43 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from the wireless communication IF unit 24. The wireless communication control unit 44 has a function of modulating or demodulating data according to the type of wireless communication (details will be described later) and performing wireless communication with the external wireless tag 8 via the antenna 45.

There are a plurality of antennas 45 of different lengths (equal, 1/2, 1/4, etc. of the wavelength of the used radio wave) and shapes (bar, circle, plate, etc.). In this case, The wireless communication control unit 44 has a function of switching the antenna 45 to be used.
For example, when the wireless communication is a 2.45 GHz band RFID system, the wireless communication control unit 44 wirelessly transmits the radio data via the antenna 45 by modulating the electronic data into a 2.45 GHz band radio wave or demodulating the radio wave into electronic data. Communicate with tag 8.

The frequency band used in the RFID system is not limited to the 2.45 GHz band, but may be a short wave band, a long wave band, a UHF band, or the like. Further, the RFID system may be either a passive type in which a power source is not mounted on the wireless tag 8 or an active type in which a power source is mounted on the wireless tag 8.
Further, the wireless communication may be other than the RFID system, for example, wireless LAN, ZigBee (registered trademark), UWB, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.
Further, the number of antennas 45 may not be plural but one.

The functions of the information processing unit 41 and the information storage unit 42 of the wireless communication unit 4 may be included in the information processing unit 21 and the information storage unit 22 of the control unit 2, and the wireless communication unit 4a in that case is shown in FIG. The configuration shown in FIG.
The wireless communication unit 4a has a configuration in which a unique information unit 46 is added except for the information processing unit 41 and the information storage unit 42 from the wireless communication unit 4 of FIG.

The unique information unit 46 has a function of holding unique information 47 (see FIG. 4A) to be described later and transmitting / receiving the unique information 47 to / from the wireless communication IF unit 24 via the communication IF unit 43. The unique information unit 46 may be implemented as a function of the communication IF unit 43.
In the wireless communication unit 4 of FIG. 3A, the information processing unit 41 and the information storage unit 42 may execute the function of the unique information unit 46.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4A, unique information of the higher-level communication unit and the wireless communication unit will be described (see FIGS. 1 to 3 as appropriate). FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of unique information included in the upper communication unit and the wireless communication unit.
In FIG. 4A, illustration of the control unit 2 is omitted for simplification.

The unique information 37 in the upper communication unit 3 includes identification information 38 and function information 39. The identification information 38 is information for identifying the upper communication unit 3 such as a physical position (physical position of the upper communication unit 3 in the wireless communication apparatus 1) and a unique address (IP (Internet Protocol) address, etc.). is there.
The function information 39 is information related to a communication function such as a communication type, a communication speed, a communication protocol, a communication frequency, and a security level.
The unique information 37 does not need to be fixed, and may be appropriately updated (changed, added, deleted, etc.) by the information processing unit 21 or the like after the information processing unit 21 detects the upper communication unit 3. .

  Specific information 47 in the wireless communication unit 4 includes identification information 48 and function information 49. In addition to the same information as the identification information 38, the identification information 48 includes information for identifying the antenna 45 when the wireless communication unit 4 has a plurality of antennas 45.

In addition to the information similar to the function information 39, the function information 49 may include information related to wireless communication such as the number of antennas 45, and information on presence / absence of congestion control when the wireless communication is an RFID system.
The unique information 47 does not need to be fixed, and may be appropriately updated (changed, added, deleted, etc.) by the information processing unit 21 or the like after the information processing unit 21 detects the wireless communication unit 4. .

Next, priority setting information will be described with reference to FIG. 4B (see FIGS. 1 to 4A as appropriate). FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of priority setting information.
The priority setting information 7 is information stored in the information storage unit 22, and when the information processing unit 21 sets a communication path, a criterion for selecting the upper communication unit 3 and the wireless communication unit 4 to be used is set as a priority. They are arranged in order from the highest.

In FIG. 4B, the criteria of radio interference, high-speed communication, communication distance, wireless communication, congestion control (presence / absence), power consumption,...
When the information processing unit 21 uses the priority setting information 7, the communication path may be set using only a criterion having a certain degree of priority, or each criterion is weighted by priority. The communication path may be set using the above criteria, and further, the communication path may be set using a method using both of them.

  Next, a procedure in which the control unit acquires connection information between the host communication unit and the wireless communication unit and sets a communication path will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (see FIGS. 1 to 4 as appropriate). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of each device in that case.

  First, the information processing unit 21 of the control unit 2 instructs the upper communication IF unit 23 to execute detection of the connected upper communication unit 3 (step 501). Note that the trigger of the processing in step 501 may be, for example, a power-on operation of the wireless communication device 1 or may be that a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous similar processing.

  In response to this, the upper communication IF unit 23 tries to communicate with the connected upper communication unit 3 (here, 3-1 and 3-2) sequentially (steps 502 and 504), and the detected upper communication unit 3 The unique information 37 (see FIG. 4A) is acquired (steps 503 and 505).

The upper communication IF unit 23 transmits the detected unique information 37 of the upper communication unit 3 to the information processing unit 21 (step 506).
Here, after the upper communication IF unit 23 detects all the upper communication units 3 connected, the specific information 37 is collectively transmitted to the information processing unit 21. In addition, the unique information 37 may be sequentially transmitted to the information processing unit 21 every time one or a predetermined number of upper communication units 3 are detected.
The information processing unit 21 stores the acquired unique information 37 of the higher-level communication unit 3 in the information storage unit 22 (step 507).

Subsequently, the information processing unit 21 instructs the wireless communication IF unit 24 to execute detection of the connected wireless communication unit 4 (step 508).
In response to this, the wireless communication IF unit 24 sequentially tries to communicate with the connected wireless communication unit 4 (4-1 and 4-2 in this case) (steps 509 and 511), and the detected wireless communication unit 4 The unique information 47 (see FIG. 4A) is acquired (steps 510 and 512).

The wireless communication IF unit 24 transmits the detected unique information 47 of the wireless communication unit 4 to the information processing unit 21 (step 513).
Here, after the wireless communication IF unit 24 detects all the connected wireless communication units 4, the specific information 47 is collectively transmitted to the information processing unit 21. In addition, the unique information 47 may be sequentially transmitted to the information processing unit 21 each time one or a predetermined number of wireless communication units 4 are detected.
The information processing unit 21 stores the acquired unique information 47 of the wireless communication unit 4 in the information storage unit 22 (step 514).

  Note that the processing of step 507 and step 514 by the information processing unit 21 may be executed at any timing, not immediately after the acquisition of the unique information 37 and 47, respectively.

  Next, the information processing unit 21 acquires, from the information storage unit 22, unique information 37 of the upper communication unit 3, unique information 47 of the wireless communication unit 4, and priority setting information 7 (see FIG. 4B) to be described later. (Step 515), a communication path is set from the information and the like (selecting the upper communication unit 3 and the wireless communication unit 4 to be used) and stored in the information storage unit 22 (Step 516).

  In this way, the wireless communication device 1 can acquire connection information between the upper communication unit 3 and the wireless communication unit 4 and set a communication path based on the connection information.

  Here, the setting of the communication path by the information processing unit 21 (step 516 in FIG. 5) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when the information processing unit 21 sets a communication path.

First, the information processing unit 21 searches the information storage unit 22 and determines whether there is communication path setting information by the user (step 601).
The case where there is communication path setting information by the user is, for example, when there is communication path setting information in the information storage unit 22, or when the data itself contains information regarding communication path setting.

When there is communication path setting information by the user (Yes in Step 601), the information processing unit 21 sets a communication path according to the setting information (Step 602). At this time, the priority setting information 7 is not used.
If there is no communication path setting information by the user (No in step 601), the information processing unit 21 sets a communication path based on the priority setting information 7 (step 603).

For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the wireless communication device 1 (see FIG. 1), the upper communication unit 3-1 is a 2.4 GHz band wireless LAN, the upper communication unit 3-2 is high-speed communication Ethernet (registered trademark), It is assumed that the wireless communication unit 4-1 is configured with a 2.45 GHz band RFID system and the wireless communication unit 4-2 is configured with a 13.56 MHz band RFID system.
In this case, if there is communication path setting information by the user, the wireless communication unit 4-1 or 4-2 is set as the communication path based on the setting information. Hereinafter, a case where there is no communication path setting information by the user will be described.

  When the upper communication unit 3-1 receives data from the external device 6, the route having the highest priority is routed through the wireless communication unit 4-2 in which radio wave interference does not occur (communication frequencies do not overlap) based on the priority setting information 7. Set as (route 501). The radio communication unit 4-1 that is likely to cause radio wave interference (with overlapping communication frequencies) can be set as a route with the lowest priority (route 502) or a route that cannot be used.

  When the upper communication unit 3-2 receives data from the external device 6, since the upper communication unit 3-2 is wired communication, radio wave interference with the wireless communication unit 4 does not occur. The route is set based on the high-speed communication of the second priority. Then, the wireless communication unit 4-1 with a long communication distance is set as the route with the highest priority (route 503), and the wireless communication unit 4-2 with a short communication distance is set as the route with the lowest priority (route 504). To do.

  Conversely, when the wireless communication unit 4-1 receives data from the wireless tag 8, the high-order communication unit 3-2 that does not cause radio wave interference is set as the highest priority route (route 505), and the frequency band is the same. Since the (close) host communication unit 3-1 is likely to cause radio wave interference, it is set as a route with the lowest priority (route 506) or an unusable route.

  Further, when the wireless communication unit 4-2 receives data from the wireless tag 8, the higher-order communication unit 3-2 that does not cause radio wave interference at a high speed is set as the highest priority route (route 507), and the upper-level communication for low-speed communication. The unit 3-1 is set as the route with the lowest priority (route 508).

Note that when a failure occurs in a high priority route, communication may be performed using another route. In addition, when there are a plurality of communication paths, a plurality of a predetermined number of paths may be used simultaneously in case of a failure.
Further, the priority setting information 7 may be included in the entire wireless communication device 1 or may be included in the upper communication unit 3 or the wireless communication unit 4 individually or for each group. Also good.
Further, the content of the priority setting information 7 may not be fixed but may be updated as appropriate according to the situation.

Furthermore, the predetermined communication path may be determined in conjunction with other communication paths without setting all the communication paths. For example, when the upper communication unit 3-1 receives data from the external device 6 and the wireless communication unit 4-2 communicates with the wireless tag 8 in response to the data, the wireless communication unit 4-2 receives priority setting information. 7 may be sent back to the original upper communication unit 3-1 regardless of 7.
Further, communication path setting information may be put in advance in data sent from the external device 6 to the higher-level communication unit 3 and used.

  In this way, when there is communication path setting information by the user, the wireless communication device 1 sets the communication path based on the setting information, and when there is no communication path setting information by the user, the priority is set. A communication path can be set based on the setting information, and an appropriate communication path can be set.

Next, acquisition of a program (a driving program that is a driver) for executing communication processing by the control unit 2, the upper communication unit 3, and the wireless communication unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram for explaining program acquisition by the upper communication unit 3 and the wireless communication unit 4.
Here, it is assumed that at least one of the control unit 2, the upper communication unit 3, the wireless communication unit 4, and the external device 6 already has a program P for executing communication processing.

For example, when there is a program P in the control unit 2, the information processing unit 21 converts the program P in the information storage unit 22 based on the unique information 37 and the unique information 47 to a higher-level communication that does not have the program P. It may be provided to the unit 3 and the wireless communication unit 4 (method 701).
Further, when the upper communication unit 3 or the wireless communication unit 4 includes the program P, the control unit 2, the upper communication unit 3 or the wireless communication unit 4 that does not have the program P may acquire the program P. Good (method 702).

Furthermore, when the external device 6 has the program P, the control unit 2, the upper communication unit 3, or the wireless communication unit 4 that does not have the program P may acquire the program P (method 703).
When the upper communication unit 3 includes the information processing unit 31, the information processing unit 31 executes the program P. However, when the upper communication unit 3 does not include the information processing unit 31, the control unit 2 The information processing unit 21 executes the program P for the higher-level communication unit 3.

Next, an example of the flow of data communication in the wireless communication device 1 (see FIG. 1) will be described with reference to FIG. 8 (refer to other figures as appropriate). FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of data communication in the wireless communication device 1.
Here, the case where the wireless communication is an RFID system and a read command for reading the unique information 47 (see FIG. 4A) is executed from the wireless tag 8 will be described as an example. A similar data communication flow can be applied even for communication.

First, it is assumed that the upper communication unit 3-1 receives a read command from the external device 6 (step 801).
Then, the content of the read command is transmitted from the upper communication unit 3-1 to the information processing unit 21 through the upper communication IF unit 23 (step 802) (step 803).
At this time, an ack signal is transmitted from the information processing unit 21 to the upper communication unit 3-1, in order to confirm whether or not the information processing unit 21 has normally received the read command from the upper communication unit 3-1. (Steps 804 and 805), this process may be omitted.

The information processing unit 21 acquires the information related to the communication path setting (information set in FIG. 6) from the information storage unit 22 (step 806), and selects the wireless communication unit 4 that actually executes the read command (step 806). 807).
The information processing section 21 transmits the read command via the wireless communication IF section 24 (step 808) to the wireless communication section 4 (here, the wireless communication section 4-1) selected in step 807 (step 809). .

The wireless communication unit 4-1 executes the read command and communicates with the wireless tag 8 (step 810).
The wireless communication unit 4-1 acquires communication information with the wireless tag 8 (step 811-1) and transmits the communication information to the wireless communication IF unit 24 (step 812-1).

A wireless communication unit 4-2 different from the wireless communication unit 4-1 acquires communication information with the wireless tag 8 (step 811-2), and transmits the communication information to the wireless communication IF unit 24 ( Step 812-2) may be performed.
Further, the communication information with the wireless tag 8 may include error information indicating that communication is not possible. Furthermore, the number of the wireless tags 8 is not limited to one and may be plural.
Subsequently, the wireless communication IF unit 24 transmits communication information with the wireless tag 8 to the information processing unit 21 (step 813).

When the information processing unit 21 receives the communication information with the wireless tag 8, the information processing unit 21 selects the upper communication unit 3 (here, the upper communication unit 3-2) that transmits the communication information as in the case of Steps 806 and 807. (Steps 814, 815).
The upper communication unit 3 selected here may be the upper communication unit 3-1 that first receives the read command, or may be another upper communication unit 3-2.
Further, the processing in steps 814 and 815 may be performed in combination with the processing in steps 806 and 807.

The information processing unit 21 transmits the communication information with the wireless tag 8 to the upper communication unit 3-2 via the upper communication IF unit 23 (step 816) (step 817).
At this time, the upper communication unit 3-2 transmits an ack signal from the upper communication unit 3-2 to the information processing unit 21 in order to confirm whether or not the communication information from the information processing unit 21 has been normally received. (Steps 818 and 819), this process may be omitted.
Finally, the upper communication unit 3-2 transmits communication information with the wireless tag 8 to the external device 6 (step 820).

  In this way, when the wireless communication device 1 receives a read command from the external device 6, the wireless communication device 1 appropriately sets an internal communication path, acquires communication information with the wireless tag 8 according to the communication path, and Communication information can be transmitted to the external device 6.

Of the processes from step 801 to step 820, the data format used in the processes (steps 802, 805, 817, 818) between the upper communication unit 3 and the upper communication IF unit 23 is the same as that of the upper communication unit 3. It may be different depending on the type, or may be the same.
If the data formats are different, the data conversion function for making the data format used in the processing (steps 803, 804, 816, 819) between the higher-level communication IF unit 23 and the information processing unit 21 higher is used. By having either the communication IF unit 23 or the information processing unit 21, the information processing unit 21 can communicate with the upper communication unit 3 in a common data format regardless of the type of the upper communication unit 3.

Similarly, the data format used between the wireless communication unit 4 and the wireless communication IF unit 24 may be different depending on the type of the wireless communication unit 4 or may be the same.
When the data formats are different, the data conversion function for making the data format used between the wireless communication IF unit 24 and the information processing unit 21 a common data format is either the wireless communication IF unit 24 or the information processing unit 21. Therefore, the information processing unit 21 can communicate with the wireless communication unit 4 using a common data format regardless of the type of the wireless communication unit 4.

  Next, a data format of a command used in the wireless communication device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 (refer to other figures as appropriate). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of a command used in the wireless communication device 1.

  The command used in the wireless communication device 1 includes, for example, a physical position (physical position of the module in the wireless communication device 1), a specific address (IP address, etc.), a frequency (frequency used), as shown in the data 91. ), Command (READ (read), WRITE (write), KILL (unusable)).

  As shown in the data 91, the priority setting information is obtained by including a part of the unique information 37 (see FIG. 4A) of the upper communication unit 3 and the unique information 47 (see FIG. 4A) of the wireless communication unit 4 in the data. 7 can be selected (Yes in step 601 in FIG. 6 → step 602) regardless of the communication path set based on 7 (step 603 in FIG. 6).

Taking the case of selecting the wireless communication unit 4 as an example, for example, by specifying the physical position of the wireless communication unit 4 as in command example 1 of the data 91, a READ command is executed to the corresponding wireless communication unit 4 Can be made.
Further, by specifying the unique address of the wireless communication unit 4 as in command example 2, the corresponding wireless communication unit 4 can execute the WRITE command.
Further, by specifying the frequency of the wireless communication unit 4 as in command example 3, it is possible to cause the corresponding wireless communication unit 4 to execute the KILL command.

Such command data may be transmitted as binary data or ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) data by serial communication or packet communication. As shown in data 92, XML (eX tensible) may be used. It may be transmitted as Markup Language (HTML) or Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) data.
Further, for example, various applications may be performed such as broadcasting with all the items of the unique address specified.

Next, another example of the flow of data communication in the wireless communication device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (refer to other figures as appropriate). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of data communication at that time.
In addition, the same code | symbol (example: step 801) or the code | corresponding to it (example: step 801-1) is attached | subjected to the process similar to the process (example: step 801) of FIG. 8, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. To do.
Further, the upper communication unit 3-1 and the upper communication unit 3-2 may be referred to as two upper communication units 3 (each upper communication unit 3), and the same applies to the wireless communication unit 4 and the external device 6.

When commands are transmitted from the two external devices 6 to the two upper communication units 3 (steps 801-1 and 801-2), the command transmission is duplicated from the two upper communication units 3 to the upper communication IF unit 23. (Steps 802-1 and 802-2).
The host communication IF unit 23 that receives the command in duplicate processes the received command in the order of reception (occurrence order) or in the order according to the predetermined priority (step 821).
Then, the upper communication IF unit 23 transmits the commands to the information processing unit 21 individually or all at once (step 822).

Subsequently, the information processing unit 21 sets each communication path for the command from each higher-level communication unit 3 (steps 806 and 807).
The information processing unit 21 transmits the commands individually or all at once to the wireless communication IF unit 24 (step 823).

The wireless communication IF unit 24 sequentially transmits the received command to the wireless communication unit 4 selected by the communication path setting (steps 809-1 and 809-2).
Each wireless communication unit 4 communicates with each wireless tag 8 in accordance with the acquired command (steps 810-1, 811-1, 810-2, 811-2).
Each wireless communication unit 4 transmits communication information with each wireless tag 8 to the wireless communication IF unit 24 (steps 812-1 and 812-2).

Here, it is assumed that another command from an external device 6 is received from the information processing unit 21 before the wireless communication IF unit 24 finishes obtaining all the communication information with each wireless tag 8 from each wireless communication unit 4. (Steps 801-3, 802-3, 824, 825).
In this case, the wireless communication IF unit 24 transmits the communication information with each wireless tag 8 to the information processing unit 21 (step 827), and transmits the command received in step 825 to the wireless communication unit 4 (step). 809-3) is determined in what order (step 826).

  As a method for determining this order, for example, a method of processing in the order in which necessary processing has occurred, a transmission process from the wireless communication IF unit 24 to the information processing unit 21, and a process from the wireless communication IF unit 24 to the wireless communication unit 4 A method of giving priority to any one of the transmission processes, or a method of performing several processes at the same time can be considered.

Here, the wireless communication IF unit 24 immediately transmits the communication information with the wireless tag 8-1 obtained in step 812-1 to the external device 6-1 (steps 827, 814, 815). , 828, 817-1, 820-1).
On the other hand, the wireless communication IF unit 24 suspends the processing of step 827 and collects communication information with each wireless tag 8 from all the wireless communication units 4 (steps 809-3, 810-3, 811-3 and 812-3), they may be collectively transmitted to the external devices 6 (steps 829, 830, 817-2, 820-2, 817-3, 820-3). .

  In this way, even when the host communication IF unit 23 receives a duplicate command, the wireless communication device 1 appropriately sets an internal communication path, and communicates with each wireless tag 8 according to the communication path. Information can be acquired and the communication information can be transmitted to each external device 6.

Next, still another example of the flow of data communication in the wireless communication device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 (refer to other figures as appropriate). FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of data communication at that time.
The same processes as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Here, a case will be described in which the upper communication unit 3 receives from the external device 6 a command with a content requesting predetermined processing to the plurality of wireless communication units 4.
Here, the predetermined processing is, for example, writing data read from the wireless tag 8-1 to the wireless tag 8-2.

When the information processing unit 21 receives a command related to the predetermined processing from the external device 6 (steps 801, 802, 803, 806, and 807), first, the wireless communication IF unit 24 sends the wireless communication unit 4-1 to the wireless communication IF unit 24. A read command is transmitted (step 831).
Subsequently, the wireless communication IF unit 24 transmits the read data from the wireless tag 8-1 acquired in Steps 809-1, 810-1, 811-1 and 812-1 to the information processing unit 21 (Step 832). .

Next, the information processing unit 21 transmits a command for writing the read data to the wireless communication IF unit 24 (step 833).
In steps 809-2, 810-2, 811-2, and 812-2, the wireless communication IF unit 24 writes read data to the wireless tag 8-2 and acquires communication information with the wireless tag 8-2. Do.
Then, the wireless communication IF unit 24 transmits communication information with the wireless tag 8-2 to the external device 6 (steps 834, 835, 817, and 820).

Note that the processes of steps 832 and 833 may be omitted, and instead, the process of converting read data into write data (step 836) may be performed within the wireless communication IF unit 24.
Further, when the communication with all the wireless tags 8 is processed normally, the processing after step 835 may be omitted.
Further, when an abnormality occurs in communication with each wireless tag 8, the abnormality information is transferred from the wireless communication IF unit 24 to the information processing unit 21 (the same applies to the higher-order communication IF unit 23). You may make it transmit.

  In this way, the wireless communication device 1 performs processing for a plurality of wireless tags 8 only by receiving one command from the external device 6, and even in this case, the internal communication path is appropriately set, It is possible to communicate with each wireless tag 8 according to the communication path.

  As described above, as is apparent from the description of FIGS. 1 to 11, the wireless communication device 1 having the plurality of upper communication units 3 and the plurality of wireless communication units 4 can automatically and appropriately set the internal communication path. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with changes, additions, deletions, etc. of the upper communication unit 3 and the wireless communication unit 4.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the wireless communication device 1a of the second embodiment (corresponding to the communication devices of claims 1 and 12) will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 (refer to other figures as appropriate). FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the wireless communication device 1a of the second embodiment.
The wireless communication device 1a includes a control unit 2a and a communication unit 120 (generic name for communication units 120-1, 120-2,..., 120-n).

In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to the structure of FIG. 1, and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
In the wireless communication device 1a, the communication unit 120 is a higher-level concept (commonization) of the upper communication unit 3 and the wireless communication unit 4 of the wireless communication device 1 (see FIG. 1), and a communication IF (interface) unit. Reference numeral 25 denotes a higher-level concept of the upper communication IF unit 23 (see FIG. 1) and the wireless communication IF unit 24 (see FIG. 1) of the wireless communication device 1.

The control unit 2a includes an information processing unit 21, an information storage unit 22, and a communication IF unit 25.
As in the case of the first embodiment, the information processing unit 21 executes a program stored in the information storage unit 22 to acquire connection information of the communication unit 120 and to set a communication path. The communication IF unit 25 has a function of communicating with the external device 6 (see FIG. 2) by wire or wireless.
The information storage unit 22 functions as a work area for the information processing unit 21.

  The communication IF unit 25 has a function of transmitting data from the communication unit 120 to the information processing unit 21 and a function of transmitting data from the information processing unit 21 to the communication unit 120 according to the communication path setting described above.

The communication unit 120 has a function equivalent to either the upper communication unit 3 (see FIG. 1) or the wireless communication unit 4 (see FIG. 1) of the wireless communication device 1 (see FIG. 1).
Note that there may be any number of communication units 120 as long as there are two or more.

Next, an example of the flow of data communication in the wireless communication device 1a will be described with reference to FIG. 13 (see FIG. 12 as appropriate). FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of data communication in the wireless communication device 1a.
Here, the communication unit 120-1 and the communication unit 120-3 communicate with the external device 6 through Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless LAN, or the like, and the communication unit 120-2 is connected to the wireless tag 8 in the RFID system. Assume wireless communication. However, the configuration of the communication unit 120 is not limited to these, and the same communication flow can be applied to other configurations.

First, when the communication unit 120-1 receives a read command for the wireless tag 8 from the external device 6 (step 1301), the content of the read command is sent via the communication IF unit 25 (step 1302) to the information processing unit. 21 (step 1303).
The information processing unit 21 acquires information related to communication path setting from the information storage unit 22 (step 1304), and determines the communication unit 120 that executes the command (step 1305).

Next, the information processing unit 21 transmits the read command via the communication IF unit 25 (step 1306) to the communication unit 120-2 selected in step 1305 (step 1307).
The communication unit 120-2 executes communication with the wireless tag 8 (steps 1308 and 1309), and transmits the communication information to the information processing unit 21 via the communication IF unit 25 (step 1310) (step 1311). ).

Subsequently, the information processing unit 21 acquires information related to the communication path setting (step 1312), and selects the communication unit 120 (here, the communication unit 120-3) that transmits the communication information with the wireless tag 8 to the external device 6. (Step 1313).
The information processing unit 21 transmits the communication information to the communication unit 120-3 via the communication IF unit 25 (step 1314) (step 1315).
Finally, the communication unit 120-3 transmits the communication information to the external device 6 (step 1316).

  As described above, according to the wireless communication device 1a, the upper communication unit 3 (see FIG. 1) and the wireless communication unit 4 (see FIG. 1) of the wireless communication device 1 (see FIG. 1) are conceptualized as a communication unit 120. As a result, the internal communication path can be automatically and appropriately set with a simpler configuration than the wireless communication device 1, so that changes, additions, deletions, etc. of the communication unit 120 can be easily handled. .

(Third embodiment)
Next, the wireless communication device 1b (corresponding to the communication device of claim 7) of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 (refer to other figures as appropriate). FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication device 1b according to the third embodiment.
The wireless communication device 1b includes two or more communication units 140 (generic names of communication units 140-1, 140-2, ..., 140-n).
In the wireless communication device 1b, the communication unit 140 is a high-level concept of the communication unit 120 and the control unit 2a of the wireless communication device 1a (see FIG. 12).

The communication unit 140 includes an information processing unit 141, an information storage unit 142, a communication IF (interface) unit 143, a communication control unit 144, and an external IF (interface) unit 145.
The communication unit 140 has a function equivalent to that of the communication unit 120 in the second embodiment, and at least one information processing unit 141 of the communication unit 140 has a function equivalent to that of the information storage unit 22 (see FIG. 12). Have

Next, an example of the flow of data communication in the wireless communication device 1b will be described with reference to FIG. 15 (see FIG. 14 as appropriate). FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data communication flow in the wireless communication device 1b.
Here, it is assumed that the communication unit 140-1 communicates with the external device 6 via Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN, and the communication unit 140-2 performs wireless communication with the wireless tag 8 in the RFID system. To do. However, the configuration of the communication unit 140 is not limited to these, and the same communication flow can be applied to other configurations.

First, when the external IF unit 145-1 of the communication unit 140-1 receives a read command for the wireless tag 8 from the external device 6 (step 1501), the information processing unit 141-1 displays the content of the read command. Then, it is acquired via the communication control unit 144-1 (not shown in FIG. 15) (step 1502).
Then, the information processing unit 141-1 acquires information on communication path setting from the information storage unit 142-1 (not shown in FIG. 15), and determines the communication path (step 1503).

Next, the information processing unit 141-1 transmits the read command to the information processing unit 141-2 of the communication unit 140-2 selected in Step 1503 via the communication IF unit 143-n (Step 1504). (Step 1505).
The information processing unit 141-2 communicates with the wireless tag 8 via the communication control unit 144-2 (not shown in FIG. 15) and the external IF unit 145-2 in accordance with the read command transmitted (step) 1506-1509).

The information processing unit 141-2 transmits the acquired communication information with the wireless tag 8 to the information processing unit 141-1 of the communication unit 140-1 via the communication IF unit 143-n (steps 1511 and 1512).
Here, the information processing unit 141-2 may determine a communication path for transmitting the acquired communication information with the wireless tag 8 in accordance with the communication path setting described above (step 1510).
Finally, the information processing unit 141-1 sends the acquired communication information with the wireless tag 8 to the external device 6 via the communication control unit 144-1 (not shown in FIG. 15) and the external IF unit 145-1. Transmit (steps 1513 and 1514).

  As described above, according to the wireless communication device 1b, unlike the wireless communication device 1 (see FIG. 1), even if the control unit 2 (see FIG. 1) that controls data communication is not provided, Since the communication path of data communication between the plurality of communication units 140 can be automatically controlled, it is possible to easily cope with changes, additions, deletions, etc. of the communication unit 140 with a simpler configuration.

  This is the end of the description of the embodiments, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to these. Specific configurations such as hardware and flowcharts can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a block diagram of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 1st Embodiment. (A) is a block diagram of a high-order communication part and its peripheral device, (b) is a block diagram of the modification of a high-order communication part. (A) is a block diagram of a radio | wireless communication part and its peripheral device, (b) is a block diagram of the modification of a radio | wireless communication part. It is the figure which showed the example of the specific information which a high-order communication part and a radio | wireless communication part have. It is the figure which showed the example of priority setting information. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of setting a communication path in a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of the communication path setup by an information processing part. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the program acquisition by a high-order communication part and a radio | wireless communication part. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the flow of the data communication in a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of the data format of the command used in a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the other process of the data communication in a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the further another process of the data communication in a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is a block diagram of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the flow of the data communication in the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the flow of the data communication in the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless communication apparatus 2 Control part 3 High-order communication part 4 Wireless communication part 6 External apparatus 8 Wireless tag

Claims (10)

A communication device comprising a plurality of communication modules that communicate with an external device in a wired or wireless manner, and a control module that controls the plurality of communication modules, which are connected to each other via a transmission path,
Each of the plurality of communication modules holds its own identification information and function information related to communication,
The control module is
Obtaining the identification information and the function information regarding a plurality of the communication modules, and based on the obtained information, select the communication module that communicates with the external device ,
A drive program for the communication module is obtained from any of the plurality of communication modules and the external device, and the drive program is transmitted to a communication module that does not have the drive program among the plurality of communication modules. A communication device characterized in that the communication device is acquired . Among the plurality of communication modules, at least two of them are wireless tag communication modules that perform wireless communication with a wireless tag that is a kind of the external device,
The control module selects the communication module that communicates with the external device other than the wireless tag and the wireless tag communication module that performs wireless communication with the wireless tag based on the identification information and the function information. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The control module retains priority setting information representing a priority related to the function information, and if the selection of the communication module to communicate with the external device is not set in advance by the user, the priority setting information The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication module that performs communication with the external device is selected based on the communication module. When the control module performs data communication with the plurality of communication modules in two or more data formats, the control module performs a data communication with the plurality of communication modules by having a conversion function between the two or more data formats. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The control module and the plurality of communication modules each complete all data processing according to an occurrence order or a predetermined priority when a plurality of data processing occurs. 2. The communication device according to 2. A communication device in which a plurality of communication modules that communicate with an external device in a wired or wireless manner are connected to each other via a transmission path,
Each of the plurality of communication modules holds its own identification information and function information related to communication,
Any of the communication modules
Obtaining the identification information and the function information related to a plurality of other communication modules, and based on the obtained information, select the communication module that communicates with the external device ,
A drive program for the communication module is obtained from any of the plurality of other communication modules and the external device, and the communication module that does not have the drive program among the plurality of other communication modules A communication apparatus that transmits and acquires a drive program . The communication module that performs the selection holds priority setting information that represents the priority related to the function information, and when the selection of the communication module that performs communication with the external device is not preset by the user, the priority The communication apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the communication module that performs communication with the external device is selected based on setting information. The communication module that performs the selection has a function of converting between the two or more types of data formats when performing data communication with the other plurality of communication modules in two or more types of data formats. The communication apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein data communication is performed with a communication module. The communication device according to claim 6 , wherein when a plurality of data processes occur, the plurality of communication modules each complete all data processes according to the generation order or a predetermined priority. A plurality of communication modules that communicate with an external device in a wired or wireless manner, and a control module that controls the plurality of communication modules, and a communication method using a communication device in which they are connected to each other via a transmission path,
The plurality of the communication module, respectively, holds the function information regarding the communication with the own identification information,
The control module is
Obtaining the identification information and the function information regarding a plurality of the communication modules, and based on the obtained information, select the communication module that communicates with the external device ,
A drive program for the communication module is obtained from any of the plurality of communication modules and the external device, and the drive program is transmitted to a communication module that does not have the drive program among the plurality of communication modules. communication method for causing acquired Te.

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