JP5195457B2 - Antenna operation program, antenna control device, and RFID tag reading gate - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an antenna that communicates with an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for managing an article by attaching an RFID tag (hereinafter simply referred to as a wireless tag) that stores information on the article to manage the article to the article is known. Specifically, a method has been implemented in which a wireless tag reading device is arranged on a wireless tag reading gate that performs inspection, a wireless tag attached to an article is recognized, and inspection is performed simultaneously with the passage of the article through the gate.

  The radio tag reading gate has a plurality of antennas installed at different positions in order to prevent reading omission. Each antenna transmits radio waves and communicates with the wireless tag.

  Here, in the RFID tag reading gate, when each antenna communicates with the RFID tag, radio waves emitted from the antennas may interfere with each other. For this reason, without using a plurality of antennas simultaneously, the antennas are operated evenly one by one to communicate with the wireless tag.

  In addition, a technique for reading a wireless tag by raising and lowering an antenna is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, it is a technique for performing inspections simultaneously with the passage of an article through a gate by moving an antenna up and down to communicate with a wireless tag.

JP 2006-276995 A

  By the way, in the above-described RFID tag reading gate technology, all antennas are used equally without considering the shape of an object passing through the gate, the attachment position of the RFID tag, and the like.

  For this reason, a wasteful work has been performed in which an antenna transmits a radio wave even in a range where no wireless tag exists, and communication is attempted, and there is a problem that efficient communication with a plurality of wireless tags cannot be performed. It was.

  Here, FIG. 14 is a figure for demonstrating a prior art. As illustrated in FIG. 14, even when a baggage attached with a wireless tag does not exist up to the height of the antennas 2 and 4, all the antennas 1 to 4 are used equally, and a plurality of wireless tags and There was a problem that communication could not be performed efficiently.

  Similarly, the above-described technology for reading a wireless tag by moving the antenna up and down similarly attaches the wireless tag because the antenna is moved up and down without considering the shape of an object passing through the gate, the position where the wireless tag is attached, and the like. There is a wasteful work of trying to communicate with the wireless tag in a range other than the part where it is done, and there is a problem that communication with a plurality of wireless tags cannot be performed efficiently.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to efficiently communicate with a plurality of wireless tags.

  The disclosed program operates a plurality of communication units in an equal time-sharing manner, reads a wireless tag, and time-divides each communication unit to operate according to the number of wireless tags that can communicate with each communication unit. The ratio is calculated. Then, the time division ratio at which each communication unit should operate and the type of the object to which the wireless tag is attached are stored in association with each other.

  Thereafter, when reading a wireless tag attached to an object of the same type, the wireless tag is read using a time-division ratio at which each associated communication unit should operate.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that efficient communication with a wireless tag can be performed without performing unnecessary reading.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the reading control apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1-2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the reader / writer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a table layout according to the reading operation table of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a layout of information included in the wireless tag according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the reading process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the reading process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of updating the reading operation pattern according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the reading control apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a table layout according to the reading operation table of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the reading control apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the reading control apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a computer that executes a reading control program. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the prior art.

  Exemplary embodiments of an antenna operation program, an antenna control device, and a wireless tag reading gate according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the following embodiments, the configuration of the reading control device and the flow of processing will be described in order.

[Configuration of reading controller]
First, the configuration of the reading control apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the reading control apparatus according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the reading control device 10 includes a control unit 100 and a storage unit 200, and as an example of a communication unit that communicates with a wireless tag, a wireless tag reading gate provided with a plurality of antennas, It is connected.

  The reader / writer 5 is a device for reading a wireless tag using the antennas 1 to 4. FIG. 1-2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the reader / writer according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the reader / writer 5 includes a power amplifier 30, a detector 31, a control device 32, a memory 33, and a transmission / reception device. The reading control device 10 controls the antennas 1 to 4 through the reader / writer 5 and operates the antennas 1 to 4 to communicate with the wireless tag.

  Hereinafter, communication between the reader / writer 5 and the wireless tag will be described. First, the control device 32 transmits a power supply signal for the wireless tag and a read command to the power amplifier 30. The power amplifier 30 amplifies the wireless tag power supply signal and the read command received from the control device 32 and transmits them to the antennas 1 to 4. The antennas 1 to 4 transmit the power supply signal and the read command received from the power amplifier 30 to the wireless tag by radio waves.

  When receiving a return radio wave from the wireless tag, the antennas 1 to 4 convert the received return radio wave into an electric signal and transmit it to the detector 31. The detector 31 detects information on the wireless tag from the electrical signals received from the antennas 1 to 4 and transmits the information to the control device 32. The control device 32 stores the information of the wireless tag received from the detector 31 in the memory 33. The information stored in the memory 33 is transmitted to the reading control device 10 through the transmission / reception device 34.

  The storage unit 200 stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 100, and particularly includes a reading operation table 20 and a reading data storage unit 21.

  The reading operation table 20 stores the type of product to which the wireless tag is attached and the time division ratio at which the antenna associated with the type of product should operate. Specifically, the reading operation table 20 stores an antenna switching ratio, which is information for controlling a plurality of antennas communicating with a wireless tag, and a type of a product attached with the wireless tag in association with each other. .

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the reading operation table 20 includes a “product number” that uniquely identifies a product type, a “load number” that is the maximum load number of one pallet that carries the product, and the use of each antenna. The “antenna switching ratio” indicating the frequency is associated with each other and stored for each product type. Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a table layout according to the reading operation table of the first embodiment.

  Here, the antenna switching ratio is a time division ratio at which each antenna should operate. Specifically, it is the ratio of the reading time of each antenna to the reading time of all antennas. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the ratio of the reading operation time of each antenna when the total reading time of all the antennas is 1 is stored. The reading time of the antenna 1 is 10% of the total reading time of all the antennas 1 to 4. Note that each antenna repeats the reading operation several times at the above-described antenna switching ratio in order to prevent reading errors of the wireless tag.

  The read data storage unit 21 stores information on the wireless tag read by each antenna. Specifically, the read data storage unit 21 receives and stores the number of wireless tags communicated by each antenna from the counting unit 13.

  The antennas 1 to 4 are antennas that are arranged on a path along which an object moves and communicate with a wireless tag attached to each object. Specifically, each of the antennas 1 to 4 emits radio waves and reads information recorded on the wireless tag. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a layout of information included in the wireless tag according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wireless tag includes an “ID” that uniquely identifies the wireless tag, a “product number” that uniquely identifies the product type, and a “serial number” that uniquely identifies each product. It is recorded.

  The control unit 100 has an internal memory for storing programs defining various processing units and the necessary data, and executes various processes using these. In particular, it includes a reading operation pattern selection unit 11, a reading control unit 12, a counting unit 13, a communication unit control information calculation unit 14, and a communication unit control information storage unit 15.

  The reading operation pattern selection unit 11 acquires the type (for example, product number) of the product to which the wireless tag is attached from each antenna, and selects the antenna switching ratio from the reading operation table 20. Specifically, the reading operation pattern selection unit 11 acquires the type of product recorded on the wireless tag that performs reading from each antenna. The reading operation pattern selection unit 11 searches for and selects an antenna switching ratio associated with the product type acquired by each antenna.

  When the antenna switching ratio corresponding to the reading operation table 20 is registered, the reading operation pattern selection unit 11 acquires the antenna switching ratio from the reading operation table 20 and notifies the reading control unit 12 of the antenna switching ratio.

  The reading control unit 12 operates each antenna and controls each antenna so that tag identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless tag is read from the wireless tag. Specifically, the reading control unit 12 receives the antenna switching ratio from the reading operation pattern selection unit 11, operates the antennas 1 to 4 in a time division based on the received antenna switching ratio, and is recorded in the wireless tag. Tag identification information (“ID” in the example of FIG. 3) is acquired. Further, when the antenna switching ratio is not registered, the reading control unit 12 operates each antenna in an equal time division and reads the tag identification information from the wireless tag.

  Here, using the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the antennas 1 to 4 are operated based on the antenna switching ratio corresponding to the product type, and the reading process of the information recorded in the wireless tag will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the reading process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the reading process according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the reading control unit 12 is a product having a tall shape, and for a product with a wireless tag attached to the right side of the high position, an antenna attached to the high position of the right side. The information recorded in the wireless tag is read based on the reading control pattern 2 that is frequently used.

  In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the reading control unit 12 is a product having a short shape, and the antenna 1 attached to a low position is a product with a wireless tag attached to a low position. The information recorded in the wireless tag is read based on the reading control pattern 3 that is frequently used.

  That is, in a system that performs inspection using a wireless tag, the position of the wireless tag attached to the outer surface of the package is determined for each type of product. Furthermore, for reasons such as safety and inspection efficiency, the number and arrangement of packages on the moving pallet are also determined for each type of product. For this reason, it becomes possible to identify naturally the antenna which should be used in order to perform the reading of an efficient wireless tag from the classification of a package.

  Further, when the antenna switching ratio is not registered, the reading control unit 12 operates the antennas 1 to 4 evenly and reads the “ID” of the wireless tag that uniquely identifies the wireless tag from the wireless tag. The antennas 1 to 4 are controlled.

  The counting unit 13 uses the “ID” of the wireless tag read by the antennas 1 to 4 to count the number of wireless tags with which the antennas 1 to 4 communicated. Specifically, when the antenna switching ratio is not registered, the counting unit 13 obtains the number of wireless tags communicated by the antennas 1 to 4 from the reading control unit 12, counts, and then reads the read data. The data is stored in the storage unit 21.

  Here, the number of wireless tags communicated by each antenna will be described. Each of the antennas 1 to 4 that read the wireless tag independently reads the wireless tag. For this reason, depending on the position where the wireless tag exists, one wireless tag may be recognized by a plurality of antennas. In addition, when the reading operation is repeated several times on the same occasion when the pallet passes the RFID tag reading gate, the same RFID tag may be recognized many times by one antenna.

  On the other hand, each wireless tag has an “ID” that uniquely identifies the wireless tag. The counting unit 13 compares the “ID” of the wireless tag read by each antenna, and when there are a plurality of antennas that read the same “ID”, the number of read wireless tags is duplicated. It can be recognized that there is. In addition, it is possible to recognize an overlap in which the same wireless tag is read many times in one antenna.

  Therefore, every time the pallet passes through the RFID tag reading gate, the counting unit 13 can communicate with each antenna after eliminating the duplication that the same RFID tag is read many times with one antenna. The number of wireless tags (whose ID has been read) is counted. In addition, the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated by each antenna without considering duplication of IDs (total number not considering duplication) is the “total number of communicable”. For example, when the antenna 1 can communicate with “ID: 1” and “ID: 2” and the antenna 2 can communicate with “ID: 1”, “communicable total number: 3”. On the other hand, the total number of wireless tags that can communicate with each antenna in consideration of duplication of IDs (the total number in consideration of duplication) is the “total number of reading and loading”. For example, when the antenna 1 can communicate with “ID: 1” and “ID: 2”, and the antenna 2 can communicate with “ID: 1”, the total number of reading and loading is “2”.

  The communication unit control information calculation unit 14 calculates a time-division ratio at which each antenna should operate according to the number of wireless tags with which each antenna counted by the counting unit 13 can communicate. Specifically, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14 reads information on the wireless tag stored in the read data storage unit 21 when the reading control unit 12 operates the antenna evenly to read the wireless tag. Is used to calculate the antenna switching ratio, which is the ratio of the reading time of each antenna 1 to the reading time of all antennas.

  The communication unit control information storage unit 15 stores the antenna switching ratio calculated by the communication unit control information calculation unit 14 in association with the product type in the reading operation table 20. Specifically, the communication unit control information storage unit 15 updates the antenna switching ratio of the corresponding reading operation table 20 based on the antenna switching ratio calculated by the communication unit control information calculation unit 14.

  Here, an example of updating the reading operation pattern will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an update example of the read operation pattern according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the antenna switching ratio is “null” and the product number “FMW-444” is not registered, the reading control apparatus 10 operates each antenna evenly to perform communication. The number of wireless tags is stored in the read data storage unit 21.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the reading control apparatus 10 has “12” radio tags communicated by the antennas 1 and 3 and “0” radio tags communicated by the antennas 2 and 4. Is stored in the read data storage unit 21.

  Then, the reading control apparatus 10 compares the number of all wireless tags communicated by the antennas 1 to 4 with respect to the number of all wireless tags communicated by all the antennas 1 to 4 (“24” in the example of FIG. 6). In the example of FIG. 6, the ratio of the antenna 1 being “12”) and the antenna switching ratio are calculated. For example, the reading control apparatus 10 calculates “0.5” as the switching ratio of the antenna 1.

  Here, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14 does not calculate the antenna switching ratio described above when the number of mounted devices and the number of read wireless tags do not match. Considering the normal usage state of the RFID tag reading gate, from the viewpoint of efficiency, the maximum number of packages set according to the type is often mounted on the moving pallet. For this reason, the number of loads set according to the type of package (hereinafter referred to as “type-equipped number of loads”) and the number of wireless tags that can communicate with each antenna are summed in consideration of duplication of IDs. Only when the total number of reading and loading is the same, the result of each antenna reading the information of the wireless tag is used.

[Processing of reading controller]
Next, a processing flow of the reading control apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the reading control apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  First, the reading control unit 12 starts reading the wireless tag (step S101). As an example of the trigger for starting reading, a method of installing an optical device or the like and recognizing that a package with a wireless tag is within a wireless tag readable range can be considered. Next, the reading operation pattern selection unit 11 acquires the product type of the package recorded on the wireless tag (step S102).

  Next, the reading operation pattern selection unit 11 searches the reading operation table 20 based on the product type acquired in step S102 (step S103). As a result of the search, when the antenna switching ratio is registered in the reading operation pattern of the corresponding product type (product number) as a result of the search (Yes in step S104), the reading operation pattern selection unit 11 acquires the antenna switching ratio. (Step S105).

  Next, in step S105, the reading control unit 12 receives the antenna switching ratio acquired by the reading operation pattern selection unit 11, operates the antennas 1 to 4 based on the received antenna switching ratio, and is attached to the package. The wireless tag is read (step S106). Specifically, the reading control unit 12 acquires the “ID” of the wireless tag read by each of the antennas 1 to 4. Further, the reading control unit 12 obtains the total number of reading mounted based on the acquired “ID” of the wireless tag. When the reading control unit 12 reads the wireless tag, the wireless tag reading ends (step S112).

  On the other hand, in step S104, the reading operation pattern selection unit 11 will describe a case where the antenna switching ratio is not registered in the reading operation pattern of the type of package attached with the wireless tag to be read (No in step S104). In the case of negative in step S104, the reading control unit 12 operates all the antennas in an equal time division and reads “ID” recorded in the wireless tag (step S107).

  Next, the counting unit 13 counts and stores the number of wireless tags read by each antenna and the “ID” of the wireless tag (step S108). Specifically, the counting unit 13 specifies the number of wireless tags that can communicate with each antenna based on the number of “ID” of the wireless tag that can communicate with each antenna. Furthermore, the counting unit 13 specifies the total number of reading mounted based on the “ID” of the wireless tag read by all the antennas. Thereafter, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14 determines whether or not the total number of mounted readings read by the antennas 1 to 4 matches the type-corresponding mounting number (step S109).

  As a result of step S109, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14 determines that each antenna is connected when the type-corresponding mounting number and the reading mounting total number associated with the read wireless tag match (Yes in step S109). An antenna switching ratio is calculated using the number of read wireless tags (step S110). As an example of calculating the antenna switching ratio, the ratio of the number of wireless tags that can communicate with each antenna to the total number of communicable obtained as a result of reading the wireless tag is calculated for each antenna.

  Next, the communication unit control information storage unit 15 updates the reading operation table 20 based on the calculated antenna switching ratio (step S111). Specifically, the communication unit control information storage unit 15 stores the calculated antenna switching ratio in association with the type of the object with the wireless tag in the reading operation table 20. After step S111, reading of the wireless tag ends (step S112).

  On the other hand, when the type-compatible mounted number does not match the read mounted total number (No at Step S109), the communication unit control information calculating unit 14 ends the reading of the wireless tag without calculating the antenna switching ratio (Step S109). S112).

[Effect of Example 1]
As described above, in the reading control apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the antenna is operated in an equal time division, the wireless tag is read, and the antenna switching ratio is calculated using the result of identifying the wireless tag. Store. Therefore, the reading control apparatus 10 can use an appropriate antenna switching ratio calculated from the result of actually recognizing the wireless tag from the next time. As a result, since the reading control device 10 reads the wireless tag using the antenna switching ratio corresponding to the object to which the wireless tag is attached, the antenna to be read for each type of the product to which the wireless tag is attached. The wireless tag can be read efficiently by using it with priority.

  By the way, in the first embodiment, an example in which the antenna switching ratio is newly set only when the antenna switching ratio in the reading operation pattern is not registered has been described, but even when the antenna switching ratio is set, The antenna switching ratio may be updated using the total number of wireless tags read by each antenna.

  Therefore, in the following second embodiment, a case where a new antenna switching ratio is calculated even when the antenna switching ratio is registered will be described. Specifically, in the reading control apparatus 10a according to the second embodiment, the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each antenna is accumulated as a history, and each antenna with respect to the cumulative addition of the accumulated total number of communicable is a type of package. The ratio of the cumulative addition of the number of radio tags read every time is calculated and set as the antenna switching ratio.

  The counting unit 13a according to the second embodiment counts the total number by accumulating the number of wireless tags that can communicate with each antenna every counting opportunity. Specifically, each time the wireless tag is read, the counting unit 13a cumulatively sums the number of wireless tags that each antenna has read so far.

  Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a table layout according to the reading operation table of the second embodiment. In the reading operation table 20a according to the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, for each type of product to which the wireless tag is attached, the sum of the wireless tags that each antenna has read in the past is stored as a history. Yes.

  And in the communication part control information calculation part 14a which concerns on Example 2, it is with respect to the total number of the radio | wireless tags which all the antennas were communicable about the total number of the radio | wireless tags with which each antenna which the counting part 13a was communicable. The ratio is calculated as the antenna switching ratio. Specifically, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14a changes the ratio of the total number of wireless tags with which each antenna communicated with respect to the cumulatively added communicable total number based on the counting result of the counting unit 13a. The ratio is stored in the reading operation table 20a.

[Processing of reading controller]
Next, a processing flow of the reading control apparatus 10a according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the reading control apparatus according to the second embodiment. First, like the reading control apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the reading control apparatus 10a starts reading the wireless tag, acquires the type of package from the wireless tag, and searches the reading operation table (steps S201 to S201). S203).

  Next, when the antenna switching ratio has been registered (Yes at Step S204), the reading operation pattern selection unit 11a according to the second embodiment acquires the antenna switching ratio from the reading operation table 20a (Step S205). Next, the reading control unit 12a reads the wireless tag using the antenna switching ratio acquired in step S205 (step S206).

  The counting unit 13a counts the number of wireless tags read by each antenna and the “ID” of the wireless tag, and stores them in the read data storage unit 21a (step S207). Next, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14a determines whether or not the total reading mounting number is the same as the type-corresponding mounting number (step S208). As a result of the determination, if the total number of reading and mounting corresponding to the type is the same (Yes at Step S208), the communication unit control information calculation unit 14a sets the cumulative total number of wireless tags that can communicate with each antenna. Based on this, an antenna switching ratio is calculated (step S209).

  Specifically, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14a uses, as an antenna switching ratio, a ratio to the total number of communicable communication that is cumulatively added with respect to the total number that does not consider duplication of wireless tags with which each antenna was able to communicate in the past. Calculate (step S209). Thereafter, the communication unit control information storage unit 15a associates the new antenna switching ratio calculated in step S209 and the counting result of the counting unit 13a with the type of the product to which the wireless tag is attached in the reading operation table 20a. Update is performed (step S210). After updating the reading operation table 20a, the wireless tag reading process is terminated (step S216).

  On the other hand, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14a ends the reading of the wireless tag without calculating the antenna switching ratio when the total number of reading and mounting is not the same (No at Step S208) (Step S216). ).

  In addition, when each antenna switching ratio is not registered in step S204 (No in step S204), the reading control device 10a performs reading by using each antenna equally as in the first embodiment, and newly The antenna switching ratio is calculated, registered, and reading of the wireless tag is terminated (steps S211 to S216).

[Effect of Example 2]
As described above, in the second embodiment, the reading control device 10a collects the number of all the wireless tags that each antenna has read in the past as a history, and calculates the antenna switching ratio using the total number of the collected wireless tags. To do. As a result, the reading control device 10a realizes that the antenna switching ratio is continuously optimized every time the wireless tag is read, thereby enabling more efficient reading of the wireless tag.

  By the way, the RFID tag reading gate using the RFID tag to which the reading control device is attached may be implemented as a system in which a plurality of RFID tag reading gates are combined as illustrated in FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method according to the third embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, a system in which two sets of RFID tag reading gates are combined will be described. Hereinafter, the above-described system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The system illustrated in FIG. 10 includes two reading gates having a plurality of antennas and a reading control device 10b according to the third embodiment that controls the antennas installed in each reading gate. Two sets of reading gates for reading the wireless tag read the wireless tag independently by the first gate and the second gate.

  First, the reading control apparatus 10b reads the wireless tag by operating the first gate in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, the reading control apparatus 10b operates the first gate using the antenna switching ratio registered in the reading operation table 20 to read the wireless tag, but reading omission occurs. There is a high possibility that a package with a wireless tag is misplaced. For this reason, even if the second gate is operated using the same antenna switching ratio, it is considered that the same reading error occurs.

  Therefore, as a result of controlling the plurality of antennas arranged in the first gate based on the antenna switching ratio, the reading control unit 12b according to the third embodiment determines that the number of wireless tags that can communicate (the total number of reading mounted) is in advance. If it does not match the total number of RFID tags set (number of type-compatible devices), the second gate with the antenna switching ratio changed so that the used antenna switching ratio is reversed left and right with respect to the package movement route. The wireless tag is read by operating the antenna arranged in the.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the reading control unit 12b will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In the case illustrated in FIG. 10, the reading control unit 12b uses the fourth antenna at the first gate. However, since the object to which the wireless tag is attached is loaded in an inverted state due to a mistake during loading, the wireless tag cannot be read appropriately. In the case described above, the reading control unit 12b operates the antenna No. 2 installed at the second gate to read the wireless tag, so that it can read the appropriate wireless tag.

[Processing of reading controller]
Next, a processing flow of the reading control apparatus 10b according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the reading control apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  The reading control device 10b reads the wireless tag based on the antenna switching ratio at the first gate (steps S301 to S307). Here, in the communication control information storage unit 15b according to the third embodiment, it is determined whether the total number of RFID tags that are read by all the antennas arranged in the first gate is the same as the number corresponding to the type. (Step S308). When the type-corresponding mounting number and the reading mounting total number are the same (Yes at Step S308), the reading control apparatus 10b according to the third embodiment ends the reading of the wireless tag without performing the reading by the second gate ( Step S315).

  If the type-corresponding mounting number and the reading mounting total number are not the same (No in step S308), the reading control unit 12b assigns the antenna switching ratio used in the first gate to the second gate with the left and right reversed. The antenna is read to read the wireless tag (step S309).

  Specifically, the reading control unit 12b according to the third embodiment uses the antenna switching ratio in which the antenna switching ratio used in the first gate is reversed with respect to the package route, and the second gate Operate the antenna placed in and read the wireless tag. Thereafter, when the reading of the wireless tag is performed, the reading of the wireless tag is terminated (step S315).

  Here, the process of step S309 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the case illustrated in FIG. 10, the reading control unit 12 b switches the antenna switching ratios of the antennas 2 and 4 installed at the opposed positions among the antenna switching ratios used in the first gate, and further The second gate is operated by switching the antenna switching ratio of the antennas 1 and 3 installed at the facing positions.

  If the antenna switching ratio is not registered (No at Step S304), the reading control unit 12b reads the wireless tag by operating the antenna of the first gate in an equal time division (Step S310). The counting unit 13b according to the third embodiment counts and stores the number of wireless tags read by each antenna and “ID” received in step S310 (step S311).

  Further, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14b according to the third embodiment determines whether the total number of RFID tags read and read by all the antennas arranged in the first gate is the same as the number corresponding to the type. (Step S312). As a result, if the total number of reading and mounting is not the same (No in step S312), the reading control unit 12b operates the antenna arranged on the second gate in an equal time division manner. Then, the wireless tag is read (step S316). Thereafter, the reading control device 10b ends the reading of the wireless tag (step S315). On the other hand, when the total number of read mountings is the same as the type-corresponding mounting number (Yes at step S312), the communication control device 10b calculates the antenna switching ratio and updates the reading operation table as in the first embodiment, The reading of the wireless tag is finished (steps S313 to S315).

[Effect of Example 3]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the reading control device 10b is not able to read the wireless tag normally, the reading rate of the wireless tag is reversed by horizontally inverting the antenna switching ratio used for reading the wireless tag. Therefore, it is possible to perform reading of the wireless tag more efficiently than using the wireless tag reading gate of the related art that uses each antenna equally.

  By the way, as a result of reading a wireless tag using a plurality of antennas, there may be a wireless tag that can communicate with only one antenna.

  In such a case, an antenna capable of reading the above-described wireless tag should be operated intensively. Therefore, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14c according to the fourth embodiment compares the “ID” of the wireless tag read by each antenna and determines whether there is an “ID” read by only one antenna. To do. Further, when the communication unit control information calculation unit 14c determines that there is “ID” read by only one of the antennas, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14c sets the time division ratio for operating the read antenna to other antennas. Is set to be higher than the time division ratio to be operated, and stored in the reading operation table 20c according to the fourth embodiment in association with the type of the object to which the wireless tag is attached.

[Processing of reading controller]
Here, the processing of the communication unit control information storage unit 14c will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method according to the fourth embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the reading control apparatus 10 c operates the antennas 1 to 4 to read “ID” held by the wireless tag. The communication unit control information calculation unit 14 c compares “ID” held by the wireless tags received by the antennas 1 to 4.

  The communication unit control information calculation unit 14c compares the “ID” of the wireless tags acquired by the antennas 1 to 4, and has the “ID” acquired by only one of the antennas 1 to 4. Judgment is made. For example, in the example of FIG. 12, only the antenna 1 reads the wireless tag “ID05”. Therefore, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14c according to the fourth embodiment sets an antenna switching ratio in which the usage frequency of the antenna 1 is higher than those of the other antennas 2 to 4.

  That is, the antenna 1 is reading the wireless tag in which “ID05” is registered, and the other antennas are not reading “ID05”. This is because, in such a case, the reading control apparatus 10c should use the antenna 1 with priority in order to prevent the reading of the wireless tag registered with “ID05”.

  In the example of FIG. 12, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14c calculates an antenna switching ratio based on the number of wireless tags that can communicate with each antenna, and further calculates a time division ratio at which the antenna 1 should operate. Set higher than other antennas 2-4. Thereafter, the communication unit control information storage unit 15c stores the antenna switching ratio calculated by the communication control information calculation unit 14c in the reading operation table 20c according to the fourth embodiment.

[Effect of Example 4]
As described above, the reading control apparatus 10c according to the fourth embodiment calculates the antenna switching ratio that causes the antenna that has been able to read the wireless tag that has been read by the only antenna to operate intensively. Through the above processing, the reading control apparatus 10c can operate the antenna capable of reading a wireless tag present at a position where reading is difficult, and can prevent the reading of the wireless tag from being missed. .

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms other than the embodiments described above. Therefore, another embodiment included in the present invention will be described below as a fifth embodiment.

(1) Calculation by Weighting Factor In the reading control devices according to the first to fourth embodiments, the antenna switching ratio is calculated based on the number of wireless tags read by each antenna, but the embodiment is limited to this. Instead, the reading control apparatus may perform calculation in consideration of a weighting factor depending on the material of the object to which the wireless tag is attached.

  That is, depending on the material of the object to which the wireless tag is attached, the size of the object, and the frequency band of the radio wave used for communication, there may be a wireless tag that is difficult to communicate with each antenna. When the above-described wireless tag that is difficult to communicate exists, the reading control device determines the antenna switching ratio according to the material of the object to which the wireless tag is attached, the size of the object, and the frequency band of the radio wave used for communication. May be changed. For example, when the object to which the wireless tag is attached is made of metal and it is difficult to communicate with the wireless tag, the reading control device focuses on the antenna that is closest to the wireless tag attached to the object. Change the antenna switching ratio to operate.

  By reflecting the material of the object to which the wireless tag is attached in the antenna switching ratio, the reading control device can read the wireless tag using the more optimized antenna switching ratio, and is more efficient. It is possible to read a wireless tag.

(2) Correction of Antenna Switching Ratio In the reading control devices according to the first to fourth embodiments, the antenna switching ratio of the antenna that could not read the wireless tag may be set to “0”. However, the reading control apparatus may perform correction that gives a minimum antenna switching ratio even to an antenna that could not read the wireless tag.

  For example, in the case illustrated in FIG. 6, the reading control apparatus stores the antenna switching ratio of the antenna 2 and the antenna 4 as an antenna switching ratio of about “0.1” instead of “0”. In this way, the reading control device sets and uses a minimum antenna switching ratio even for an antenna that cannot read the wireless tag for the type of object to which a certain wireless tag is attached. Therefore, it is possible to minimize reading omissions.

(3) Configuration by External Storage Unit In the reading control devices according to the first to fourth embodiments, the storage unit 200 is built in the reading control device, but the storage unit 200 may be externally connected. As an example of external connection, a server that centrally manages information on products with a wireless tag, a storage device, and the like are connected to the reading control device according to the first to fourth embodiments. This is because the same effect can be obtained.

(4) Reading operation table by external input In the reading control devices according to the first to fourth embodiments, the reading operation table 20 is updated based on the calculation result, but the antenna switching ratio is directly updated from outside the reading control device. You may be able to do it. This is because the reading control apparatus can perform efficient reading from the beginning by registering the antenna switching ratio corresponding to the new object in the reading operation table.

(5) Object type input method Further, in the reading control devices according to the first to fourth embodiments, the antenna switching ratio is acquired from the reading operation table 20 based on the information of the wireless tag obtained from the antennas 1 to 4. . However, this may be another method.

  For example, the reading control device may acquire information on the type of object from an external device. Further, when the order of the types of packages passing through the RFID tag reading gate is determined, the reading control device may select the antenna switching ratio according to the order of the packages without acquiring the information on the types of packages. .

  This is because if the reading control device can appropriately select the antenna switching ratio, it is possible to efficiently read the wireless tag.

(6) RFID tag reader Further, each processing may be executed as a RFID tag reader which is an apparatus in which the reading control device and the antennas 1 to 4 are integrated. The present invention can be implemented as a wireless tag reader that further includes an antenna unit having antennas 1 to 4 that communicate with the wireless tag.

(7) Multiple Antenna Configurations In the reading control apparatuses according to the first to fourth embodiments, the number of antennas has been described as four. However, the number of antennas is not limited to this, and may be plural. That's fine.

(8) Multi-stage gate method Further, in the third embodiment, the embodiment in which two RFID tag reading gates using the reading control apparatus according to the first embodiment are arranged has been described. However, the number of gates may be further increased. A plurality of RFID tag reading gates using the reading control apparatus according to the second or third embodiment may be provided.

(9) Program By the way, in the reading control apparatuses according to the first to fourth embodiments, the case where various processes are realized using hardware has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is prepared in advance. The program may be realized by executing the program on a computer.

  In the following, an example of a computer that executes a program having the same function as that of the reading control apparatus shown in the first embodiment using FIG. 13 will be described. In addition to the reading control apparatus shown in the first embodiment, this embodiment can have the same functions as those of the reading control apparatuses shown in the second to fourth embodiments.

  A computer 400 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes a hard disk drive (HDD) 410, a random access memory (RAM) 420, a central processing unit (CPU) 460, and a read only memory (ROM) 450 connected via a bus 440. Further, a connection terminal portion I / O (Input / Output) 430 for connecting to the antennas 1 to 4 is connected to the bus 440.

  A reading operation table 411 is stored in the HDD 410. Here, the HDD 410 does not need to be built in the computer 400, and the reading operation table 411 may be distributed and stored in, for example, use of a network storage or the like, an external memory, a plurality of HDDs, or the like.

  In the ROM 450, a reading operation pattern selection program 451, a reading control program 452, a counting program 453, a communication unit control information calculation program 454, and a communication unit control information storage program 455 are held in advance. The CPU 460 reads out each program 451 to 455 from the ROM 450 and executes it, so that each program 451 to 455 has a reading operation pattern selection process 461, a reading control process 462, a counting process 463, and a communication unit control as shown in FIG. It functions as the information calculation process 464 and the communication unit control information storage process 465.

  Each process 461 to 465 corresponds to the reading operation pattern selection unit 11, the reading control unit 12, the counting unit 13, the communication unit control information calculation unit 14, and the communication unit control information storage unit 15 illustrated in FIG. To do.

  Note that the programs 451 to 455 do not need to be stored in the ROM 450, and are recorded in the HDD 410, for example, and may be expanded by the CPU and function as the processes 461 to 465.

  Here, the function of the read data storage unit 21 shown in FIG. 1-1 can be achieved by the RAM 420 or the HDD 410.

  The antenna control method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. The program can also be executed by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an MO, or a DVD, and being read from the recording medium by the computer.

  The following additional notes are further disclosed with respect to the embodiment including the above examples.

(Appendix 1) Tag identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless tag by operating a plurality of communication units arranged in the path along which the object moves and communicating with the wireless tag attached to each object in an equal time division manner Reading control procedure for controlling the plurality of communication units so as to read from the wireless tag,
Using the tag identification information read by the plurality of communication units controlled by the reading control procedure, a counting procedure for counting the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit;
A communication unit control information calculation procedure for calculating a time-division ratio for each communication unit to operate according to the number of radio tags that can be communicated with each communication unit counted by the counting procedure;
A communication unit that stores the communication unit control information storage unit in association with the time division ratio that each communication unit should operate and the type of the object to which the wireless tag is attached, calculated by the communication unit control information calculation procedure Control information storage procedure;
A communication unit control program for causing a computer to execute the above.

(Appendix 2) In the counting procedure, the number of wireless tags with which each communication unit can communicate is cumulatively added for each counting opportunity, and the total number is counted.
In the communication unit control information calculation procedure, the ratio of the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated to all of the communication units to the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each of the communication units counted in the counting procedure. The communication unit control program according to appendix 1, wherein the communication unit is calculated as a time division ratio at which each communication unit should operate.

(Additional remark 3) The said communication part control information calculation procedure compares the said tag identification information which each said communication part controlled by the said reading control procedure compares, and only one communication part among the said each communication part If there is the tag identification information read by the one communication unit, and if it is determined that there is the tag identification information read by the one communication unit, the communication unit that read the tag identification information should operate The communication unit control program according to appendix 1, wherein the time division ratio is calculated so that the time division ratio is higher than that of other communication units.

(Supplementary Note 4) In the reading control procedure, as a result of controlling the plurality of communication units based on the time division ratio stored in the communication unit control information storage unit, the number of wireless tags that can communicate is preset. If the total number of wireless tags does not match, the plurality of communication units at a time division ratio in which the time division ratio stored in the communication unit control information storage unit is reversed with respect to the path. The communication unit control program according to appendix 1, wherein the plurality of communication units are controlled so as to read the wireless tag again.

(Supplementary Note 5) Tag identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless tag by operating a plurality of communication units arranged in the path along which the object moves and communicating with the wireless tag attached to each object in an equal time division manner A reading control unit that controls the plurality of communication units so as to read from the wireless tag;
A counting unit that counts the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit using the tag identification information read by the plurality of communication units controlled by the reading control unit;
A communication unit control information calculation unit that calculates a time-division ratio for each communication unit to operate according to the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit counted by the counting unit;
A communication unit that stores the time division ratio that each communication unit should operate calculated by the communication unit control information calculation unit in association with the type of the object with the wireless tag in the communication unit control information storage unit A control information storage unit;
An antenna control device comprising:

(Supplementary Note 6) The counting unit counts the total number by accumulating the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit for each counting opportunity,
The communication unit control information calculation unit calculates a ratio of the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated by the communication units counted by the counting unit to the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated by all the communication units. The antenna control device according to appendix 5, wherein the antenna control device calculates the ratio of time division at which each communication unit should operate.

(Additional remark 7) The said communication part control information calculation part compares the said tag identification information which each said communication part controlled by the said reading control part compares, and only one communication part among the said each communication part If there is the tag identification information read by the one communication unit, and if it is determined that there is the tag identification information read by the one communication unit, the communication unit that read the tag identification information should operate The antenna control apparatus according to appendix 5, wherein the time division ratio is calculated so that the time division ratio is higher than that of the other communication units.

(Supplementary Note 8) As a result of the reading control unit controlling the plurality of communication units based on the time division ratio stored in the communication unit control information storage unit, the number of wireless tags that can communicate is preset. If the total number of wireless tags does not match, the plurality of communication units at a time division ratio in which the time division ratio stored in the communication unit control information storage unit is reversed with respect to the path. The antenna control apparatus according to appendix 5, wherein the plurality of communication units are controlled so that the wireless tag is read again.

(Supplementary Note 9) A plurality of communication units that are arranged in a path along which an object moves and communicate with a wireless tag attached to each object;
A reading control unit that operates the communication unit in an equal time division and controls the plurality of communication units so as to read tag identification information uniquely identifying the wireless tag from the wireless tag;
A counting unit that counts the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit using the tag identification information read by the plurality of communication units controlled by the reading control unit;
A communication unit control information calculation unit that calculates a time-division ratio for each communication unit to operate according to the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit counted by the counting unit;
A communication unit that stores the time division ratio that each communication unit should operate calculated by the communication unit control information calculation unit in association with the type of the object with the wireless tag in the communication unit control information storage unit A control information storage unit;
A wireless tag reading gate comprising:

(Supplementary Note 10) The counting unit counts the total number by accumulatively adding the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit for each counting opportunity,
The communication unit control information calculation unit calculates a ratio of the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated by the communication units counted by the counting unit to the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated by all the communication units. The wireless tag reading gate according to appendix 9, wherein the communication unit calculates the ratio of time division at which each communication unit should operate.

(Additional remark 11) The said communication part control information calculation part compares the said tag identification information which each said communication part controlled by the said reading control part reads, and only one communication part among the said each communication part If there is the tag identification information read by the one communication unit, and if it is determined that there is the tag identification information read by the one communication unit, the communication unit that read the tag identification information should operate The wireless tag reading gate according to appendix 9, wherein the time division ratio is calculated so that the time division ratio is higher than that of other communication units.

(Supplementary Note 12) As a result of the reading control unit controlling the plurality of communication units based on the time division ratio stored in the communication unit control information storage unit, the number of wireless tags that can communicate is preset. If the total number of wireless tags does not match, the plurality of communication units at a time division ratio in which the time division ratio stored in the communication unit control information storage unit is reversed with respect to the path. The wireless tag reading gate according to appendix 9, wherein the plurality of communication units are controlled so as to read the wireless tag again.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reading control apparatus 11 Reading operation pattern selection part 12 Reading control part 13 Counting part 14 Communication part control information calculation part 15 Communication part control information storage part 20 Reading operation | movement table 21 Reading data memory | storage part 100 Control part 200 Storage part 400 Reading control program A computer that executes 410 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
411 Reading operation table 420 RAM (Random Access Memory)
430 I / O (Input / Output)
440 Bus 450 ROM (Read Only Memory)
451 Reading operation pattern selection program 452 Reading control program 453 Counting program 454 Communication unit control information calculation program 455 Communication unit control information storage program 460 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
461 Reading operation pattern selection process 462 Reading control process 463 Counting process 464 Communication unit control information calculation process 465 Communication unit control information storage process

Claims (6)

Tag identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless tag is provided by operating a plurality of communication units arranged in a path along which the object moves and communicating with the wireless tag attached to each object in an equal time division manner. A reading control procedure for controlling the plurality of communication units to read from
Using the tag identification information read by the plurality of communication units controlled by the reading control procedure, a counting procedure for counting the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit;
A communication unit control information calculation procedure for calculating a time-division ratio for each communication unit to operate according to the number of radio tags that can be communicated with each communication unit counted by the counting procedure;
A communication unit that stores the communication unit control information storage unit in association with the time division ratio that each communication unit should operate and the type of the object to which the wireless tag is attached, calculated by the communication unit control information calculation procedure Control information storage procedure;
A communication unit control program for causing a computer to execute the above. In the counting procedure, the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit is cumulatively added for each counting opportunity, and the total number is counted.
In the communication unit control information calculation procedure, the ratio of the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated to all of the communication units to the total number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each of the communication units counted in the counting procedure. The communication unit control program according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit control program is calculated as a time division ratio at which each communication unit should operate.   The communication unit control information calculation procedure compares the tag identification information read by each of the communication units controlled by the reading control procedure, and only one of the communication units has read the tag identification information. When it is determined whether there is tag identification information, and it is determined that there is the tag identification information read by the one communication unit, the time division ratio that the communication unit that has read the tag identification information should operate 2. The communication unit control program according to claim 1, wherein the time division ratio is calculated so as to be higher than other communication units.   As a result of controlling the plurality of communication units on the basis of the time division ratio stored in the communication unit control information storage unit, the reading control procedure is performed for a wireless tag in which the number of wireless tags that can communicate is set in advance. If the total number does not match, operate the plurality of communication units at a time-division ratio in which the ratio of time division stored in the communication unit control information storage unit is reversed with respect to the path, The communication unit control program according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication units are controlled to read the wireless tag again. Tag identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless tag is provided by operating a plurality of communication units arranged in a path along which the object moves and communicating with the wireless tag attached to each object in an equal time division manner. A reading control unit that controls the plurality of communication units to read from
A counting unit that counts the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit using the tag identification information read by the plurality of communication units controlled by the reading control unit;
A communication unit control information calculation unit that calculates a time-division ratio for each communication unit to operate according to the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit counted by the counting unit;
A communication unit that stores the time division ratio that each communication unit should operate calculated by the communication unit control information calculation unit in association with the type of the object with the wireless tag in the communication unit control information storage unit A control information storage unit;
An antenna control device comprising: A plurality of communication units that are respectively arranged on a path along which the object moves and communicate with a wireless tag attached to each object;
A reading control unit that operates the communication unit in an equal time division and controls the plurality of communication units so as to read tag identification information uniquely identifying the wireless tag from the wireless tag;
A counting unit that counts the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit using the tag identification information read by the plurality of communication units controlled by the reading control unit;
A communication unit control information calculation unit that calculates a time-division ratio for each communication unit to operate according to the number of wireless tags that can be communicated with each communication unit counted by the counting unit;
A communication unit that stores the time division ratio that each communication unit should operate calculated by the communication unit control information calculation unit in association with the type of the object with the wireless tag in the communication unit control information storage unit A control information storage unit;
A wireless tag reading gate comprising:

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