JP5674877B2 - Wireless communication apparatus and control program - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a wireless communication apparatus that performs wireless communication with a wireless tag attached to an article and performs various types of information processing using information obtained from the wireless tag through the wireless communication, and a control program therefor.

  It is possible to read data from the memory mounted on the wireless tag or write data to the memory by performing wireless communication using radio waves with the wireless tag existing in the communication area of this antenna. Wireless communication devices have been developed and put into practical use. A unique tag code is stored in the memory of each wireless tag, and the wireless tag can be individually identified by reading the tag code. Such a wireless tag is called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). The wireless communication device is also called an RFID reader.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-216048

  In various scenes of our daily lives, we have to find out if we have to find a particular item from among a number of items, and if there are no leaks when arranging multiple items. A situation arises.

  When searching for a specific item from among a large number of items as described above, even if a person tries to search for a specific item by relying on vision or touch, the item is small or there are many similar items around. If it exists, it may take a considerable amount of time to discover it, and it may not be discovered.

  Also, when checking for leaks when aligning multiple items as described above, if you check each item manually, it will take a considerable amount of time if there are many items to be checked. Is required.

  Under such circumstances, it has been necessary to take measures to enable easy and quick search for articles and confirmation of existence.

  In order to solve the above problem, a wireless communication apparatus according to an aspect includes a transmission unit, a reception unit, a detection unit, a selection unit, a registration unit, a designation unit, and first and second notification units. I have.

The transmission means wirelessly transmits an inquiry signal for the wireless tag, and the reception means receives a response signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless tag in response to the inquiry signal wirelessly transmitted from the transmission means. The detecting means detects the strength of the response signal received by the receiving means. The selection unit selects one of the wireless tag registration process and the wireless tag search process. The registration unit registers the wireless tag identified by the response signal received by the reception unit in a predetermined storage unit when the registration process is selected by the selection unit. The designation unit accepts designation of a search target from the wireless tags registered in the storage unit when the search process is selected by the selection unit. First informing means, among the search target wireless tag which has received the designation in the specified unit, the search target the search target wireless tag response signal is received by the receiving means has not received the name of attached articles The first screen that makes it possible to identify the name of the article with the wireless tag is displayed on the display for notification. After the notification by the first notification means, the second notification means switches the display screen to a second screen including a search target area and a tag search situation area, and the first notification means that no response signal has been received. The name of the article attached with the wireless tag selected among the wireless tags notified by the notification means is displayed in the search target area of the second screen, and the selected wireless tag is not detected. When the detection means detects the strength of the response signal from the selected wireless tag, the wireless tag is detected according to the detected strength. the distance to thereby informing on the display of the tag search state field, and informs that is approaching to the wireless tag when the intensity is increasing, from the radio tag when the intensity is decreasing Notifying that are Zaka'.

The figure which shows the system configuration | structure in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the RFID tag in the embodiment. The figure which shows the RFID tag in the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control circuit of the mobile telephone in the same embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a data structure of the intensity | strength detection table in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structural example of the registration tag table in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the registration process in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the registration screen in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the designation | designated screen in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the lost article search mode in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the search screen in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the belongings confirmation mode in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the property confirmation screen in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in combined mode in 2nd Embodiment.

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In each embodiment, as an example of a wireless communication device, a mobile phone having a communication function with a base station for telephone calls and packet communication is illustrated.

(First embodiment)
[System configuration]
A system configuration in the present embodiment is shown in FIG. This system includes a mobile phone 1 that functions as a wireless communication device in the present embodiment, and a plurality of RFID tags 2 that are wireless tags attached to articles.

  The casing of the mobile phone 1 includes, for example, a display 12 which is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an input unit 13 including a plurality of operation buttons and a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display 12, and the base A mobile phone antenna 17 for communication with a station is provided. The mobile phone 1 includes a reader unit 16 that transmits an inquiry signal to the RFID tag 2 and receives a response signal from the RFID tag 2 (see FIG. 4). The inquiry signal from the reader unit 16 is radiated outward from the housing surface on the opposite side of the display 12, for example.

  The RFID tag 2 before being attached to an article is configured, for example, by providing an inlet having an IC 21 and a pair of antennas 22 on a tag base 20 formed of a resin material or the like as shown in FIG. In the memory in the IC 21, a tag code that is not duplicated in each RFID tag 2, for example, SGTIN (serial number + JAN code) of the seller of the RFID tag 2 is stored.

  The RFID tag 2 having such a configuration is stored in a state where an adhesive layer is formed on the back surface of the tag base 20 and a plurality of sheets are attached to the release paper 3 in a line. Then, when the user peels off the RFID tag 2 from the release paper 3 and affixes it to a desired article, it is attached to the article.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the RFID tag 2 is a key holder type in which an inlet having an IC 21 and an antenna 22 is embedded in a thick tag base 23 and a ring 24 for attachment to an article is provided on the base 23. It may be. In this way, the RFID tag 2 can be easily attached to an article that is difficult to attach, for example, the key 25 as shown. In addition, various methods can be employed for attaching the RFID tag 2 such as attaching the RFID tag 2 to an article with a clip.

[Control circuit]
FIG. 4 shows a control circuit of the mobile phone 1. The mobile phone 1 includes a main control unit 10 mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 11, the display 12, the input unit 13, the communication unit 14, the voice input / output unit 15, and the reader unit 16 are connected to the main control unit 10, the antenna 17 is connected to the communication unit 14, and the voice input is performed. A speaker 18 and a microphone 19 are connected to the output unit 15 to constitute a control circuit of the mobile phone 1. In addition, each part which comprises the said control circuit operate | moves by receiving the power supply from the battery 100 attached to the housing | casing of the mobile telephone 1, for example.

  The memory 11 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 11 includes a control program executed by the main control unit 10, an intensity detection table 111 (see FIG. 5) and a registration tag table 112 described later. (See FIG. 6) and the like are stored.

  The communication unit 14 controls mutual communication with the mobile phone base station performed via the antenna 17.

  The microphone 19 collects sound around the mobile phone 1 to generate a sound signal, and outputs the sound signal to the sound input / output unit 15. The voice input / output unit 15 performs A / D conversion on the voice signal input from the microphone 19 and outputs it to the main control unit 10. In addition, the voice input / output unit 15 generates a voice signal according to a command from the main control unit 10 and outputs the voice signal to the speaker 18. The speaker 18 generates actual sound according to the sound signal input from the sound input / output unit 15.

The reader unit 16 includes a reader control unit 160, a transmission unit 161, the antenna 162, a reception unit 163, and an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuit 164.
The transmission unit 161 modulates a predetermined carrier wave with the analog transmission data signal supplied from the reader control unit 160, amplifies the modulated signal, and supplies the amplified signal to the antenna 162. The antenna 162 radiates the signal supplied from the transmission unit 161 as a radio wave (inquiry signal) and receives the radio wave (response signal) transmitted from the RFID tag 2 existing in its own communication area to receive analog signals. Generate a data signal. This received data signal is supplied to the receiving unit 163. The receiving unit 163 amplifies the reception data signal supplied from the antenna 162, performs demodulation to remove a predetermined carrier component from the amplified signal, and outputs a signal in a predetermined low frequency band among the demodulated signals to an LPF (Low Pass). Perform the extraction process in (Filter). The extracted signal is supplied to the AGC circuit 164. The AGC circuit 164 amplifies the signal supplied from the receiving unit 163 and adjusts the gain so that the amplified signal level becomes a constant appropriate level. An output signal of the AGC circuit 164 is supplied to the reader controller 160. Further, as an element for detecting the intensity of the response signal from the RFID tag 2, an adjustment gain value in the AGC circuit 164, for example, any adjustment gain between “0 (no amplification)” to “255 (maximum amplification)” The value is supplied to the reader controller 160.

The main control unit 10 functions as a selection unit 101, a registration unit 102, a designation unit 103, and a notification unit 104 by executing a control program stored in the memory 11.
The selection unit 101 receives selection of processing to be executed from registration processing of the RFID tag 2 and search processing of the RFID tag 2.
The registration unit 102 executes the registration process when the selection unit 101 selects the registration process, and registers the RFID tag 2 identified by the response signal received by the reception unit 163 in the registration tag table 112. Details of the registration process will be described later with reference to FIGS.
The designation unit 103 receives designation of the RFID tag 2 to be searched in the search process from among the RFID tags 2 registered in the registration tag table 112 when the selection unit 101 selects the search process. Details of the operation of the designation unit 103 will be described later with reference to FIG.
When the AGC circuit 164 detects the strength of the response signal from the RFID tag 2 as a search target that has been designated by the designation unit 103, the notification unit 104 detects the search target according to the detected strength and its change. The distance to the RFID tag 2 is notified. Alternatively, among the RFID tags 2 to be searched that have been designated by the designation unit 103, the reception unit 163 notifies that the response signal has been received and the one that has not been received. Details of the operation of the notification unit 104 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[data structure]
The intensity detection table 111 and the registration tag table 112 stored in the memory 11 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure example of the intensity detection table 111. In this table 111, 10 levels of strength “10 (strongest)” to “1 (weakest)” are assigned to the adjustment gain values “0” to “255” in the AGC circuit 164. In general, the closer the distance between the antenna 162 and the RFID tag 2 is, the stronger the response signal is obtained from the RFID tag 2. That is, the RFID tag 2 that has returned the response radio wave is located near the antenna 162 as the strength of the ten steps increases.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure example of the registration tag table 112. The table 112 includes a record in which the tag code read from the RFID tag 2 by the reader unit 16 in the registration process is associated with a character string such as a registered name input via the input unit 13. FIG. 6 shows a state in which several records have already been generated, but there is no record in the table 112 after the registration tag table 112 is cleared at the beginning of shipment of the mobile phone 1 or after a predetermined process. It becomes a state.

Next, the operation of the mobile phone 1 will be described.
When the mobile phone 1 is idle, the selection unit 101 accepts selection of either tag code registration processing or RFID tag 2 search processing. At this time, when the registration process is selected by the operation of the input unit 13, the registration process by the registration unit 102 is executed. When the search process is selected by the operation of the input unit 13, the search process by the designation unit 103 and the notification unit 104 is performed. Is executed.
Hereinafter, each process will be described.

[registration process]
The registration process is a process for newly registering a predetermined RFID tag 2 in the registration tag table 112. Specifically, a record in which a tag code of the RFID tag 2 to be registered and a registered name that can identify an article to be managed by attaching the RFID tag 2 is newly registered in the registration tag table. 112.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of registration processing. When the user operates the input unit 13 to instruct the start of the registration process, the registration unit 102 displays the registration screen 5 shown in FIG. 8A on the display 12 (step S101). The registration screen 5 includes a message for prompting reading of the RFID tag 2, an area 51 for displaying the read tag code, an area 52 for displaying the input registered name, a menu button 53, and a return button. Button 54 is arranged.

  After displaying the registration screen 5, the registration unit 102 outputs a read command to the reader unit 16 (step S102) and waits for a response from the RFID tag 2 (No in step S103). Upon receiving the read command, a transmission data signal is output from the reader control unit 160 to the transmission unit 161, and an inquiry signal is wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 162. At this time, if at least one RFID tag 2 exists in the communication area of the antenna 162, a response signal is wirelessly transmitted from the RFID tag 2.

  When the user puts the RFID tag 2 within the communication area of the antenna 162, a response signal wirelessly transmitted from the RFID tag 2 is received by the antenna 162 and input to the reader control unit 160 via the reception unit 163 and the AGC circuit 164. Is done. The reader controller 160 outputs the input response signal to the main controller 10. At this time, the registration unit 102 determines whether or not the RFID tag 2 identified by the response signal input to the main control unit 10 has been registered in the registration tag table 112 (step S104). Specifically, the tag code indicated by the response signal input to the main control unit 10 is compared with the tag code of each record in the registered tag table 112. If a matching record exists, the RFID tag 2 If it is determined that the RFID tag 2 has been registered, and if there is no matching record, it is determined that the RFID tag 2 has not been registered.

  When it is determined that the RFID tag 2 identified by the response signal has not been registered (No in step S104), the registration unit 102 registers the tag code indicated by the response signal on the registration screen 5 as shown in FIG. 8B. Are displayed in the area 51. And in the state which receives the input of a registration name (step S105), the completion of the input is waited (No of step S106). At this time, when the user operates the input unit 13 to input a registered name, the input name is displayed in the area 52.

  Further, when the user operates the input unit 13 and operates the OK button 55 arranged on the registration screen 5b, the registration unit 102 determines that the input of the registered name is completed (Yes in step S106). At this time, the registration unit 102 refers to the registration tag table 112 and determines whether or not the input registration name is used (step S107). If it is determined that the tag is not used (Yes in step S107), the registration unit 102 generates a record in which the tag code displayed in the area 51 is associated with the registered name displayed in the area 52. It adds to the registration tag table 112 (step S108). Thus, the RFID tag 2 is newly registered in the registration tag table 112, and the registration process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the RFID tag 2 has already been registered in the registration tag table 112 (Yes in step S104), and the registration name input in step S107 is used. If it is determined (No in Step S107), the registration unit 102 notifies that the RFID tag 2 has been registered and that the registered name has already been used (Step S109). This notification is performed, for example, by displaying the message “This tag has already been registered” on the registration screen 5 as shown in FIG. After this notification, the registration unit 102 executes processing according to the operation. For example, if the return button 54 is operated, the tag code and the registered name displayed in the areas 51 and 52 are discarded, the process returns to the process of step S102, and reading of the RFID tag 2 is tried again. If the menu button 53 is operated, an “edit” button and a “delete” button are displayed on the registration screen 5 as shown in FIG. In this registration screen 5, if the “edit” button is operated, the tag code and the registered name displayed in the areas 51 and 52 are edited, and if the “delete” button is operated, the tags 51 and 52 are displayed. The tag code and registered name therein are discarded, and the process returns to step S102 to try reading the RFID tag 2 again.

  With such a flow registration process, the user can register a desired RFID tag 2 as a management target by the mobile phone 1.

[Search process]
The search process is a process for searching for the RFID tag 2 registered in the registration tag table 112 (that is, an article to which the RFID tag 2 is attached). In this embodiment, the “lost article search mode”, It is executed in two modes called “possession confirmation mode”.
First, the procedure for selecting each mode will be described.
When the selection unit 101 accepts selection of search processing by the operation of the input unit 13 when the mobile phone 1 is idle, the specification unit 103 causes the display 12 to display a search target specification screen 6 shown in FIG. On the designation screen 6, the registered names of the records in the registration tag table 112 are displayed as a list together with check boxes. Further, a menu button 61 and a return button 62 are arranged below each registered name displayed in a list, and a scroll bar 63 is arranged to the right of each registered name. When any registered name is designated by the input unit 13, a check box adjacent to the registered name is checked. When a large number of records are registered in the registration tag table 112 and all the registered names cannot be displayed at once on the designation screen 6, only a part of them is displayed and a scrolling operation using the scroll bar 63 is performed. The registered name displayed at the time is switched. When the return button 62 is operated, the designation screen 6 is deleted, and the selection of the processing by the selection unit 101 is performed again.

  When the menu button 61 is operated by the input unit 13, as shown in FIG. 9B, a “lost item search”, “item check”, “list management”, “narrow search”, and “delete” are selected. A list for selecting a process to be executed and an OK button 64 are displayed. When the OK button 64 is operated in a state where “list management” is selected by the operation of the input unit 13, the editing process of each record in the registration tag table 112 is started. In addition, when the OK button 64 is operated in a state where “search refinement” is selected by the operation of the input unit 13, for example, a registration name that matches all or part of a character string input by the input unit 13 is designated. A search process is started in which the search result is notified by searching from the list display of 6 and changing the display color of the found registered name. Further, when the OK button 64 is operated with “Delete” selected by the operation of the input unit 13, the record corresponding to the registered name whose check box is checked is deleted from the registered tag table 112.

<Lost item search>
When one check box is checked by the operation of the input unit 13 and “lost item search” is selected and the OK button 64 is operated, the notification unit 104 starts processing in the lost item search mode. Is done. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the lost item search mode. At the beginning of the process, the notification unit 104 first extracts from the registration tag table 112 the tag code of the RFID tag 2 designated by the designation unit 103, that is, the tag code corresponding to the registered name whose check box is checked on the designation screen 6. (Step S201). Thereafter, the notification unit 104 displays the search screen 7 shown in FIG. 11 on the display 12 (step S202). The search screen 7 includes an area 71 for displaying the registered name of the RFID tag 2 designated as a search target, a search start button 72 for instructing start of search, and a search end button for instructing end of search. 73 and a tag search status display area 74 for sequentially displaying the actual search status. In particular, the tag search status display area 74 includes an undetected indicator 75 that is lit together with the current position ▽ (black) mark when the RFID tag 2 to be searched does not exist within the communication area of the antenna 162 and the RFID tag 2 is not detected. The distance display indicator 76 that displays the distance between the mobile phone 1 and the RFID tag 2 to be searched with a current position ▽ (black) mark on the scale, and the mobile phone 1 has approached the RFID tag 2 to be searched There is an “approaching” indicator 77 that is lit when the mobile phone 1 is away from the RFID tag 2 to be searched, and an “off” indicator 78 that is lit when the mobile phone 1 is separated from the search target RFID tag 2. To inform the user of the tag search status.

  After displaying the search screen 7, the notification unit 104 outputs a read command to the reader unit 16 (step S203), and determines whether there is a response from the RFID tag 2 (step S204). Upon receiving the read command, a transmission data signal is output from the reader control unit 160 to the transmission unit 161, and an inquiry signal is wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 162. At this time, if at least one RFID tag 2 exists in the communication area of the antenna 162, a response signal is wirelessly transmitted from the RFID tag 2.

  If the RFID tag 2 exists within the communication area of the antenna 162, a response signal wirelessly transmitted from the RFID tag 2 is received by the antenna 162 and input to the reader control unit 160 via the reception unit 163 and the AGC circuit 164. . At this time, the adjustment gain value of the response signal is also supplied from the AGC circuit 164 to the reader controller 160. The reader controller 160 outputs the input response signal and adjustment gain value to the main controller 10. When one or more response signals and their adjustment gain values are input to the main control unit 10 in this way, the notification unit 104 determines that there is a response from the RFID tag 2 (Yes in step S204), An attempt is made to select a response signal including the tag code extracted in the process of step S201, that is, the same tag code as the tag code of the RFID tag 2 to be searched (step S205), and the result is determined (step S206).

  When a response from the RFID tag 2 is not obtained in the process of step S204 (No in step S204), a response signal including the same tag code as the tag code of the RFID tag 2 to be searched for is obtained in the process of step S206. If not selected (No in step S206), the RFID tag 2 to be searched does not exist in the communication area of the antenna 162. In this case, the notification unit 104 turns on the undetected indicator 75 together with the current location mark (black) (step S207). At this time, if the distance display indicator 76 is lit, it is turned off.

  On the other hand, when a response signal including the same tag code as the tag code of the RFID tag 2 to be searched is selected in the process of step S206 (Yes in step S206), the search target is within the communication area of the antenna 162. The RFID tag 2 is present. In this case, the notification unit 104 detects the strength of the response signal with reference to the strength detection table 111 based on the adjustment gain value of the response signal output from the AGC circuit 164 (step S208). The detected intensity is stored in the memory 11 as “current intensity”. If the “current intensity” is already stored in the memory 11, the intensity is stored in the memory 11 as the “previous intensity”, and the “current intensity” is updated with the detected intensity. Further, if the undetected indicator 75 is lit, it is turned off, and if the distance display indicator 76 is turned off, it is turned on. Thereafter, the notification unit 104 displays the detected intensity on the distance display indicator 76 (step S209).

  The scale of the distance display indicator 76 indicates “10 (distant distance)” at the left end and “1 (close distance)” at the right end. In the process of step S209, the scale corresponding to the 10-step distance is displayed. The current location ▽ (black) mark is displayed at the position. Therefore, the distance to the RFID tag 2 to be searched can be visually detected based on which position on the scale is indicated by the current position (black) mark.

  The notification unit 104 compares the detected “current intensity” with the “previous intensity” stored in the memory 11 (step S210). As a result, if the “current intensity” is equal to or greater than the “previous intensity” (Yes in step S210), the mobile phone 1 is determined to be approaching the RFID tag 2 to be searched, and the search screen 7 is displayed. The “approached” indicator 77 is turned on and the “away” indicator 78 is turned off (step S211). At this time, if the undetected indicator 75 is lit, it is turned off. At the same time, the generation timing of the intermittent beep sound emitted from the speaker 18 is further shortened (step S212). This intermittent beep sound is started when a response signal is first obtained from the RFID tag 2 to be searched, for example, after a lost item search is started. By turning on the “approaching” indicator 77 and shortening the generation timing of the beep sound, the user can detect that the mobile phone 1 is approaching the RFID tag 2 to be searched.

  On the other hand, when the “current intensity” is smaller than the “previous intensity” (No in step S210), the notification unit 104 determines that the mobile phone 1 is moving away from the RFID tag 2 to be searched. The “I'm away” indicator 78 on the search screen 7 is turned on, and the “I approached” indicator 77 is turned off (step S213). At the same time, the generation timing of the intermittent beep sound emitted from the speaker 18 is extended more than before (step S214). By turning on the “separated” indicator 78 and extending the generation timing of the beep sound, the user can detect that the mobile phone 1 is moving away from the RFID tag 2 to be searched.

  After the process of step S207, step S212, or step S214, the notification unit 104 determines whether or not an instruction to end a series of processes is given (step S215). If the search end button 73 has not been operated yet, it is determined that the process is not instructed (No in step S215), and the notification unit 104 returns to the process in step S203 and outputs the read command again.

  On the other hand, when the user locates the RFID tag 2 to be searched or gives up the search, if the search end button 73 is operated via the input unit 13, it is determined that the end of the process is instructed (step In step S215, the notification unit 104 ends the series of processes related to the lost item search mode.

<Check your belongings>
In the designation screen 6 shown in FIG. 9 (b), when “confirmation” is selected with at least one check box checked by operating the input unit 13, and the OK button 64 is operated, the notification unit 104. As a result, the process in the belonging confirmation mode is started. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the belongings confirmation mode. At the beginning of processing, the notification unit 104 first registers the tag code of one or more RFID tags 2 designated by the designation unit 103, that is, the tag code corresponding to the registered name whose check box is checked on the designation screen 6. Extracted from the tag table 112 (step S301). Thereafter, the notification unit 104 causes the display 12 to display the belonging confirmation screen 8 shown in FIG. 13A (step S302). On the belonging confirmation screen 8, a list of registered names whose check boxes are checked on the designation screen 6 is displayed. Further, above each registered name displayed in a list, a message for prompting reading of the RFID tag 2 and a display area 81 for the number of confirmed tags and the total number of tags to be detected are arranged, and below each registered name A menu button 82 and a return button 83 are arranged, and a scroll bar 84 is arranged on the right side of each registered name. When a large number of registered names are designated on the designation screen 6 and all the registered names designated on the inventory confirmation screen 8 cannot be displayed at once, only a part of them is displayed, and a scrolling operation using the scroll bar 84 is performed. The registered name to be displayed when has been changed. When the menu button 82 is operated, a list for selecting various processes is displayed. The process that can be selected from this list includes, for example, a process of making each registered name in the list display a file and storing it in the memory 11.

  After displaying the belonging confirmation screen 8, the notification unit 104 outputs a read command to the reader unit 16 (step S303), and determines whether there is a response from the RFID tag 2 (step S304). Upon receiving the read command, a transmission data signal is output from the reader control unit 160 to the transmission unit 161, and an inquiry signal is wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 162. At this time, if at least one RFID tag 2 exists in the communication area of the antenna 162, a response signal is wirelessly transmitted from the RFID tag 2.

  If the RFID tag 2 exists within the communication area of the antenna 162, a response signal wirelessly transmitted from the RFID tag 2 is received by the antenna 162 and input to the reader control unit 160 via the reception unit 163 and the AGC circuit 164. . The reader controller 160 outputs the input response signal to the main controller 10. When one or more response signals are input to the main control unit 10 in this way, the notification unit 104 determines that there is a response from the RFID tag 2 (Yes in step S304), and performs the process in step S301. One or more tag codes extracted in this manner, that is, a response signal including the same tag code as the tag code of the RFID tag 2 to be searched is tried (step S305), and the result is determined (step S306).

  If a response signal including the same tag code as the tag code of the RFID tag 2 to be searched is selected (Yes in step S306), the RFID tag 2 to be searched exists in the communication area of the antenna 162. Become. In this case, the notification unit 104 determines whether or not the selected one or more tag codes are the tag codes of the RFID tag 2 whose existence has been confirmed in the process in the current belonging confirmation mode (step S307). ). If it is not the tag code of the confirmed RFID tag 2 (No in step S307), the notification unit 104 is selected from among the registered names displayed in the inventory confirmation screen 8 as shown in FIG. 13B. The character “OK” is added to the left of the registered name corresponding to the tag code (step S308). In this way, it is possible to identify the RFID tag 2 to be searched for that the response signal is received by the receiving unit 163 and the one that is not received. Further, the notification unit 104 increases the number of confirmed points in the display area 81 by the number of registered names with “OK” as shown in FIG. 13B (step S309), and causes the speaker 18 to beep once. A sound is generated (step S310). As a result, the user can detect that one of the designated search targets has been searched, and the display in the display area 81 is, for example, “3/8 (number of confirmed tags / number of all tags to be searched)”. Therefore, it is possible to easily detect how many of the designated search targets have been confirmed.

  If the response from the RFID tag 2 is not obtained in the process of step S304 after the process of step S310 (No in step S304), the same tag code as the tag code of the RFID tag 2 to be searched in the process of step S306 When the response signal including the code is not selected (No in step S306), and when it is determined that the tag code has been confirmed in the process in step S307 (Yes in step S307), the notification unit 104 It is determined whether or not the end of the process is instructed (step S311). If the return button 83 has not been operated yet, it is determined that the process has not been instructed (No in step S311), and the notification unit 104 returns to the process in step S303 and outputs the read command again.

  On the other hand, when the user operates the return button 83 via the input unit 13, it is determined that the end of the process has been instructed (Yes in step S311), and the notification unit 104 performs a series of processes related to the belonging confirmation mode. Exit.

[Action]
The operation in this embodiment will be described.
The user of the mobile phone 1 attaches the RFID tag 2 to the mobile phone 1 in order to manage things that are easily lost or difficult to find on the mobile phone 1, and executes a registration process to attach the attached RFID tag 2 to the registration tag. Register in the table 112.

  After that, for example, when it is not known where the article with the registered RFID tag 2 is attached, the RFID tag 2 attached to the article is designated with reference to the registered name displayed on the designation screen 6. After that, the search process in the lost item search mode is started. Thereafter, the user moves around while holding the mobile phone 1 with his / her hand while referring to each of the indicators 75 to 78 on the search screen 7 displayed on the display 12 and the beep sound emitted from the speaker 18 to search for the RFID to be searched. Locate the tag 2. Thus, it is possible to find an article to which the RFID tag 2 designated as a detection target is attached.

  Further, for example, when it is desired to check whether there are any forgotten items when going out of the house, the RFID tag 2 attached to the necessary item at the place of going is designated with reference to the registered name displayed on the designation screen 6. Then, the search process in the inventory confirmation mode is started. Thereafter, the user holds the mobile phone 1 with his hand and puts it in a baggage such as a bag, and tries to read the RFID tag 2 in the baggage. At this time, if there is an RFID tag 2 to be searched for in the baggage, the response signal is obtained. Therefore, among the registered names of the RFID tags 2 to be searched listed on the belonging confirmation screen 8, the response signal is obtained. The characters corresponding to the RFID tag 2 are marked with “OK”. Eventually, if there is a registered name that does not have the word “OK” attached to all of the baggage, even though the mobile phone 1 has been tampered with, the item corresponding to the registered name is not included in the baggage. I understand. On the other hand, if the characters “OK” are attached to all registered names, it can be understood that all the articles corresponding to the designated registered names are included in the baggage and there are no forgotten items. The presence or absence of forgotten items can also be recognized by checking the display area 81.

  As described above, the cellular phone 1 according to the present embodiment can search for a specific article by wireless communication using the reader unit 16 by utilizing the processing in the lost article search mode, and can arrange a plurality of articles. When it is desired to check whether there is any leakage, it is possible to check whether all the articles are prepared by wireless communication by the reader unit 16 by utilizing the processing in the belongings confirmation mode. If the reader unit 16 included in the mobile phone 1 is used to search for articles and check whether they exist, the user does not have to manually search and check each scene in daily life. These operations can be performed easily and quickly.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, after the processing in the belongings confirmation mode is executed, the processing in the lost item search mode is performed on the RFID tag 2 whose existence could not be confirmed in the processing. Mode (hereinafter referred to as combined mode). Since the configuration other than the processing in the newly added combination mode is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the designation unit 103 according to the present embodiment displays a list provided with items such as “search for lost items” and “confirmation of belongings” as shown in FIG. The item “Combination” is provided, and selection of processing in the combination mode is accepted.

  When “combination” is selected with one or more check boxes checked, the notification unit 104 starts processing in the combination mode. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the combined mode. At the beginning of the process, first, the notification unit 104 executes the process in the belonging confirmation mode for the RFID tag 2 designated on the designation screen 6 (step S401). That is, the notification unit 104 executes the processes of steps S301 to S311 illustrated in FIG.

  After the process in the belonging confirmation mode is completed, the notification unit 104 determines whether there is an RFID tag 2 that has not received a response signal in the process (step S402). If there is no RFID tag 2 that could not receive the response signal, the process in the combined mode is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is even one RFID tag 2 that could not receive the response signal (Yes in step S402), the notification unit 104 selects one of the RFID tags 2 that could not receive the response signal ( In step S403, the selected RFID tag 2 is lost as a search target, and processing in the object search mode is executed (step S404). That is, the notification unit 104 executes the processes of steps S201 to S215 illustrated in FIG.

  After the process in the lost item search mode is completed, the notification unit 104 performs the process in the lost item search mode for all RFID tags 2 that have not received a response signal in the process in the belonging confirmation mode in step S401. It is determined whether or not the execution has been completed (step S405). If there is an RFID tag 2 that has not received the response signal yet to be searched for processing in the object search mode (Yes in step S405), the notification unit 104 identifies the RFID that is not to be searched. One tag 2 is selected (step S403), and the selected RFID tag 2 is lost as a search target, and processing in the object search mode is executed (step S404). In this way, when the processing in steps S403 to S405 is repeated and eventually the processing in the lost item search mode is completed for all the RFID tags 2 that have not received the response signal in the processing in the belonging confirmation mode in step S401. (No in step S405), the notification unit 104 ends the process in the combined mode.

As described above, in this embodiment, the combined mode is provided, and the RFID tag 2 that cannot be confirmed by the process in the belonging confirmation mode is automatically lost as a search target, and the process in the object search mode is executed. With such a configuration, when aligning a plurality of articles, it is possible to first check whether there are any leaks in the aligned articles. If there is a leak, it is possible to immediately search for the location of the articles. In addition, at that time, it is not necessary for the user to switch the mode by operating the mobile phone 1, so that the labor required for the operation can be saved.
It goes without saying that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Modification)
The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments can be variously modified. Specific examples of modifications are as follows.

(1) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the mobile phone 1 is provided with the reader unit 16 and the mobile phone 1 performs the registration process and the search process is exemplified. However, the reader unit 16 may be externally attached to the external connection terminal of the mobile phone 1. In addition, a reader unit 16 is provided in a terminal other than a mobile phone, for example, a handy terminal used for article management in a warehouse or a store, and this handy terminal executes registration processing and search processing, which is used for inventory management, inventory, etc. May be.

(2) In each of the above embodiments, the registration process is performed by the mobile phone 1 and the tag data of the RFID tag 2 to be managed is registered in the registration tag table 112. However, the registration tag table 112 is created using a terminal such as a personal computer, the created table 112 is transmitted to the cellular phone 1 via the Internet, and the cellular phone 1 is transmitted using the transmitted table 112. It is good also as a structure by which search processing is performed.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the processing in the belonging confirmation mode is executed for the RFID tag 2 designated on the designation screen 6. However, a file in which the RFID tag 2 to be searched for is created in advance using a terminal such as a mobile phone 1 or a personal computer, and the file is read by a predetermined operation to search in processing in the belonging confirmation mode. The target RFID tag 2 may be set.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile phone, 2 ... RFID tag, 10 ... Main control part, 11 ... Memory, 12 ... Display, 13 ... Input part, 16 ... Reader unit, 160 ... Reader control part, 161 ... Transmission part, 162 ... RFID antenna 163, receiving unit, 164, AGC circuit, 101, selecting unit, 102, registering unit, 103, specifying unit, 104, notifying unit, 111, intensity detection table, 112, registration tag table

Claims (4)

Display,
A transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an inquiry signal to the wireless tag;
Receiving means for receiving a response signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless tag in response to an inquiry signal wirelessly transmitted from the transmission means;
Detecting means for detecting the intensity of the response signal received by the receiving means;
A selection means for selecting one of a wireless tag registration process and a wireless tag search process;
When the registration process is selected by the selection means, the wireless tag identified by the response signal received by the receiving means and the name of the article to which the wireless tag is attached are registered in a predetermined storage means. Registration means;
A designation unit that accepts designation of a search target from among the wireless tags registered in the storage unit when the search process is selected by the selection unit;
Among the search target wireless tags received by the specifying means, the name of the article with the search target wireless tag whose response signal is received by the receiving means and the search target wireless tag that has not been received are attached. First informing means for informing the display by displaying on the display a first screen that enables identification of the name of the article that has been made ;
After the notification by the first notification means, the display screen is switched to the second screen including the search target area and the tag search status area, and the first notification means notifies that the response signal is not received. The name of the article to which the selected wireless tag is attached is displayed in the search target area of the second screen, and the selected wireless tag is not detected. When the detection means detects the strength of the response signal from the selected wireless tag, it displays information up to the wireless tag according to the detected strength. the distance as well as notification by the display of the tag search state field, and informs that is approaching to the wireless tag when the intensity is increasing, the wireless data when the intensity is decreasing A second informing means for informing that it is away from,
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: An input means for receiving an input of an arbitrary registered name when the registration processing is selected by the selection means;
The registration means registers the tag information unique to each wireless tag indicated by the response signal received by the receiving means and the registration name input by the input means in association with the storage means,
The designation unit displays a registered name registered in the storage unit on a predetermined display unit, and searches for a wireless tag indicated by tag information corresponding to the registered name selected from the registered unit. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1.   The said registration means alert | reports that when the radio | wireless tag identified by the response signal received by the said reception means is already registered into the said memory | storage means. Wireless communication device. Transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an inquiry signal for the wireless tag, reception means for receiving a response signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless tag in response to an inquiry signal wirelessly transmitted from the transmission means, and a response received by the reception means A computer comprising detection means for detecting the intensity of the signal;
A selection function for selecting one of a wireless tag registration process and a wireless tag search process;
A registration function for registering a wireless tag identified by a response signal received by the reception unit in a predetermined storage unit when the registration process is selected by the selection function;
When the search process is selected by the selection function, a designation function that accepts designation of a search target from among the wireless tags registered in the storage unit;
Among the search target wireless tags that have been specified by this specification function, the name of the article with the search target wireless tag whose response signal has been received by the receiving means and the search target wireless tag that has not been received are attached. A first notification function for displaying on a display a first screen that enables identification of the name of the article that has been made ; and
After the notification by the first notification function, the display screen is switched to the second screen including the search target area and the tag search situation area, and the first notification function notifies that the response signal is not received. The name of the article to which the selected wireless tag is attached is displayed in the search target area of the second screen, and the selected wireless tag is not detected. When the detection means detects the strength of the response signal from the selected wireless tag, it displays information up to the wireless tag according to the detected strength. the distance as well as notification by the display of the tag search state field, and informs that is approaching to the wireless tag when the intensity is increasing, the wireless data when the intensity is decreasing A second notification function for notifying that it is away from,
Control program to realize.

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