JP6875523B2 - Wireless tag reader, wireless tag system, and control method of wireless tag reader - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tag reader that reads information recorded on a tag in a non-contact manner, a tag system including the tag reader, and a control method of the tag reader.

A tag reader that reads the information recorded on a tag in a non-contact manner is well known. An example of such a tag is a wireless tag that can read the recorded information by wireless communication. Another example is an optical tag that can optically read recorded information such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark). Here, there is an application in which information from a tag is read at a plurality of reading positions. In such an application, equipment for a tag reader is required for each reading position, and there is a problem that the installation cost is high.

A technique related to such a problem is described in Patent Document 1. The tag reader described in Patent Document 1 records the intensity of the radio wave received from the radio tag while moving the antenna within a predetermined range, and identifies that the radio tag exists at the coordinates where the maximum value of the radio wave intensity is recorded. If the antenna is moved in a range including a plurality of reading positions by using this tag reader, one tag reader can handle a plurality of reading positions. In this case, it is not necessary to install the tag reader equipment for each reading position, and the cost for installation can be suppressed.

Japanese Patent Publication "Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-89844 (published on April 22, 2010)"

Here, it may be desired to change the operating conditions of the tag reader according to the reading position. However, the tag reader described in Patent Document 1 operates under the same conditions at any reading position to read information from the wireless tag. That is, the tag reader described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it has low flexibility when the operating conditions of each part of the own device are changed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a tag reader, a tag system, and a tag reader control method having high flexibility in the case of changing the operating conditions of each part of the own device. is there.

In order to solve the above problems, the tag reader according to one aspect of the present invention has a reading unit that reads the operation control information recorded on the tag in a non-contact manner, and its own device based on the operation control information read by the reading unit. It is provided with an operation control unit that controls the operation of each unit.

Further, the tag system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned tag reader and the tag for storing the above-mentioned operation control information.

Further, the tag reader control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling a tag reader including a reading unit that reads operation control information recorded on the tag in a non-contact manner, and the operation read by the reading unit. It includes a step of controlling the operation of each part of the own device based on the control information.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a tag reader, a tag system, and a tag reader control method having high flexibility in the case of changing the operating conditions of each part of the own device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control method of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on other application examples of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on the specific example of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the wireless tag to be read in the specific example of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the stationary wireless tag in the specific example of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the host apparatus in the specific example of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of other information stored in the host apparatus in the specific example of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the stationary wireless tag in the modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on other modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on other modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control method of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the stationary wireless tag in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the tag system which used the optical tag instead of the wireless tag in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the tag reader which used the optical tag instead of the wireless tag in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the tag system which used the optical tag in addition to the wireless tag in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the tag reader which used the optical tag in addition to the wireless tag in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another structure of the tag system which used the optical tag in addition to the wireless tag in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another structure of the tag reader which used the optical tag in addition to the wireless tag in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the tag system which used the optical tag instead of the wireless tag in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control method of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the portable wireless tag in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag system which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag reader which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the stationary wireless tag in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the wireless tag to be read in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the host apparatus in the specific example of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of other information stored in the host apparatus in the specific example of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tag system which concerns on embodiment of this invention applied to the management system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless tag reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention applied to the management system.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each embodiment, the same configuration and the same process are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted. Moreover, in each embodiment, an example of applying a wireless tag as a tag in one aspect of the present invention will be described. The wireless tag refers to a tag consisting of an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip that stores information and an antenna that performs short-range wireless communication. Accordingly, in each embodiment, the tag reader and tag system according to one aspect of the present invention will be referred to as a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag system. However, the tags that can be used in one aspect of the present invention are not limited to wireless tags. An example of another tag that can be used for the same purpose as a wireless tag is an optical tag on which a barcode, QR code, or the like is displayed. An example of using the optical tag will be described at the end of this specification. Examples of the information that can be stored in the tag include position identifier, motion control information, motion control identifier, and the like, which will be described later, in addition to individual information for identifying the individual to which the tag is attached.

Further, in the following description of each embodiment, the "neighborhood" of a certain point shall mean the point or the periphery of the point. Further, the "periphery" of a certain point means a range in which communication is possible with a wireless tag located at that point, or a range in which communication is possible with a wireless tag reader located at that point.

[First Embodiment]
(Production system configuration)
The wireless tag system 1 as the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to the production system 900. First, the configuration of the production system 900 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a production system 900 including a wireless tag system 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the production system 900 has production devices 901_1 to 901_N on a production line 909 to which the article 902 to be produced moves. Here, N is a natural number of 1 or more. Although the case of N = 3 is shown in FIG. 1, the number N of the manufacturing devices 901_1 to 901_N is arbitrary. The production system 900 may be installed indoors (for example, in a factory) or outdoors. In the following, each of the manufacturing apparatus 901_1, the manufacturing apparatus 901_2, and the manufacturing apparatus 901_3 will be referred to as the manufacturing apparatus 901_i. Here, i is a natural number of 1 or more and N or less. The article 902 moves from upstream to downstream on the production line 909 of the production system 900. In FIG. 1, the dashed arrow indicates the direction in which the article 902 moves. The manufacturing apparatus 901_1, the manufacturing apparatus 901_2, and the manufacturing apparatus 901_3 may be the same type of manufacturing apparatus or different types of manufacturing apparatus. In the manufacturing apparatus 901_i, each manufacturing apparatus may be the same type of apparatus as the others, or may be a different type of apparatus from the others.

A wireless tag 903 is attached to the article 902. The wireless tag 903 is an example of a wireless tag to be read in one aspect of the present invention. The wireless tag 903 stores various information about the article 902. For example, the wireless tag 903 may store information indicating the type of the article 902. Further, the wireless tag 903 may store information for identifying an individual of the article 902. The wireless tag 903 may also store other information about the article 902. Further, the wireless tag 903 may store any combination of these various types of information.

The manufacturing apparatus 901_i performs a process related to production on the article 902 moving on the production line 909. The reading positions of the wireless tags 903 are defined in the vicinity of the carry-in entrance where the article 902 is carried into the manufacturing apparatus 901_i and in the vicinity of the carry-out outlet where the article 902 is carried out, respectively. Specifically, the reading position 9000_1 is defined in the vicinity of the carry-in entrance where the article 902 is carried into the manufacturing apparatus 901_1, and the reading position 9000_2 is set in the vicinity of the carry-out outlet. Further, a reading position 9000_3 is defined in the vicinity of the carry-in entrance where the article 902 is carried into the manufacturing apparatus 901_2, and a reading position 9000_4 is set in the vicinity of the carry-out outlet. Further, a reading position 9000_5 is defined in the vicinity of the carry-in entrance where the article 902 is carried into the manufacturing apparatus 901_3, and a reading position 9000_6 is set in the vicinity of the carry-out outlet. Further, the reading position 9000_0 is also defined at the movement start point at which the movement of the wireless tag reader 10 is started on the production line 909. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which the movement start point (that is, the reading position 9000_0) is set further upstream than the most upstream reading position 9000_1 among the other reading positions 9000_1 to 9000_6. .. However, the position of the movement start point on the production line 909 is not limited to this. For example, the movement start point may be set between two adjacent reading positions among the other reading positions 9000_1 to 9000_6. Further, the movement start point may be set further downstream than the reading position 9000_6 which is the most downstream side among the other reading positions 9000_1 to 9006. Further, the movement start point may be set to the same position as any of the other reading positions 9000_1 to 9000_6. Hereinafter, each of the reading positions 9000_0 to 9000_6 will also be referred to as a reading position 9000_j. In addition, j is a natural number of 0 or more and M or less, and M is a natural number of 1 or more. In the present embodiment, an example of M = 6 is shown, but the number of reading positions 9000_j defined in the wireless tag system 1 is arbitrary. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the reading positions defined in each of the manufacturing apparatus 901_i are two, but the number of reading positions defined in each manufacturing apparatus 901_i is not limited. Further, the reading position 9000_j is not limited to the position shown in FIG. Further, a wireless tag 90_j is deferred at each reading position 9000_j. The details of the wireless tag 90_j will be described later.

Further, in the vicinity of the production line 909, a rail 905 is laid along the production line 909. The wireless tag reader 10 described later moves on the rail 905.

(Overall configuration of wireless tag system)
Next, the configuration of the wireless tag system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless tag reader 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless tag system 1 includes a wireless tag reader 10, a host device 80, and a plurality of stationary wireless tags 90_0 to 90_M. Here, M is a natural number of 1 or more. Although the case of M = 6 is shown in FIG. 1, the number of wireless tags 90_0 to 90_M (M + 1) is arbitrary. In the following, the wireless tags 90_j will be described as representatives of the wireless tags 90_0, 90_1, 90_2, 90_3, 90_4, 90_5, and 90_6. Here, j is a natural number of 0 or more and M or less. The wireless tag reader 10 is configured to be movable on the rail 905 described above. The moving direction is either an upstream direction toward the upstream side of the production line 909 or a downstream direction toward the downstream side. In FIG. 1, the alternate long and short dash arrow indicates the direction in which the wireless tag reader 10 can move.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the wireless tag reader 10 includes an antenna 11, an antenna angle control unit 111, a moving unit 12, a reading unit 13, a control unit 14, and a power supply unit 15. The control unit 14 includes a movement direction determination unit 141, a movement control unit 142, an operation control unit 143, and a communication unit 144.

The antenna 11 and the reading unit 13 are communicably connected via a cable or the like. The control unit 14 is controllably connected to each of the antenna angle control unit 111, the moving unit 12, and the reading unit 13 via a cable or the like. Further, the communication unit 144 is communicably connected to the host device 80 via a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination thereof. Further, the power supply unit 15 is connected to each of the antenna angle control unit 111, the moving unit 12, the reading unit 13, and the control unit 14 so as to supply electric power.

(Deferred wireless tag configuration)
Next, the details of the configuration of the stationary wireless tag 90_j will be described. Each of the plurality of stationary radio tags 90_j is arranged in the vicinity of each of the reading positions 9000_j set on the production line 909. As described above, the reading position 9000_j is set at the movement start point and the vicinity of the carry-in entrance and the carry-out exit of the manufacturing apparatus 901_i, so that the reading position is N × 2 + 1 (N is a natural number of 1 or more). .. In the present embodiment, assuming that there is one wireless tag 90 stationary in the vicinity of each reading position 9000_j, the number M of the stationary wireless tags 90_j is N × 2 + 1. The number of stationary wireless tags 90_j does not necessarily have to be the same as the number of reading positions 9000_j.

The stationary wireless tag 90_j stores the position identifier. The position identifier is an ID that identifies the reading position 9000_j. The stationary radio tag 90_j is deferred in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_j identified by the stored position identifier. In other words, the stationary radio tag 90_j stores a position identifier that identifies the reading position 9000_j in the vicinity of the stationary position. As a place where the wireless tag 90_j is placed, for example, the side of the flow line of the wireless tag reader 10, that is, the vicinity of the production line 909 can be mentioned. Further, the flow line of the wireless tag reader 10 can be mentioned. However, the wireless tag 90_j may be placed inside or on the surface of the manufacturing apparatus 901_i.

Here, two methods for updating the stationary wireless tag 90_j when the reading position 9000_j is changed will be described. In the first method, it is premised that the position identifiers of natural numbers are sequentially assigned to each reading position 9000_j from the upstream side to the downstream side of the production system 900 in order from 0. In this case, the radio tag 90_j placed at each reading position 9000_j stores natural number position identifiers in order from 0 according to the arrangement order of the reading position 9000_j. If the reading position 9000_j is added or deleted, the position identifier is reassigned according to the new arrangement order of the reading position 9000_j. Then, a new wireless tag 90_j is deferred at the added reading position 9000_j, and the wireless tag 90_j is removed from the deleted reading position 9000_j. Then, in the wireless tag 90_j deferred at each reading position 9000_j, the reassigned position identifiers are stored in the arrangement order of the deferred reading position 9000_j. However, for the wireless tag 90_j in which the position identifier to be stored does not change, the process of updating the position identifier can be omitted.

In the second method, it is premised that the host device 80 or the control unit 14 manages a sequence of position identifiers representing the arrangement order of the reading positions 9000_j on the production line 909. Such a column of position identifiers will also be referred to as placement order information hereafter. In this case, the position identifier is stored in advance in the wireless tag 90_j placed at each reading position 9000_j according to the arrangement order information. If a new reading position 9000_j is added, the host device 80 or the control unit 14 adds a new position identifier assigned to the new reading position 9000_j to the existing arrangement order information to the new reading position 9000_j. Insert at the position corresponding to the insertion position. Then, a new wireless tag 90_j is deferred at the new reading position 9000_j, and a new position identifier is stored. When the existing reading position 9000_j is deleted, the host device 80 or the control unit 14 deletes the position identifier of the corresponding reading position 9000_j from the existing arrangement order information. Then, the wireless tag 90_j is removed from the corresponding reading position 9000_j.

In this way, the wireless tag 90_j that stores the position identifier that identifies the reading position 9000_j on which it is placed can flexibly respond to a change in the reading position 9000_j. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond when the layout of the manufacturing apparatus 901_i is changed or when the manufacturing apparatus 901_i is added or deleted. The method of updating the stationary wireless tag 90_j when the reading position 9000_j is changed is not limited to the above two methods.

Further, each stationary wireless tag 90_j stores operation control information in addition to the position identifier. The operation control information is information that controls the operation of each part when the wireless tag reader 10 reads information from the wireless tag 903 at the destination of the wireless tag reader 10. One stationary wireless tag 90 may store a plurality of operation control information. Further, an operation control identifier is assigned to each operation control information.

Specifically, the motion control information may include information indicating the angle of the antenna 11. Further, for example, the operation control information may include information indicating the output power of the antenna 11. Further, for example, the operation control information may include information indicating the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 13. Further, for example, the operation control information may include information that specifies the type of information to be read from the wireless tag 903. Such information will also be referred to as read target designation information below. That is, the operation control information may include the reading target designation information. For example, the reading target designation information may be information that specifies the type of the article 902. Further, for example, the reading target designation information may be information that specifies other types of information regarding the article 902. Further, for example, the reading target designation information may be a combination of information that specifies one or more types of information, or information that specifies other types of information.

(Configuration of host device)
Next, the details of the configuration of the host device 80 will be described. The host device 80 is composed of a computer device including a processor, a memory, and a network interface. The host device 80 transmits to the wireless tag reader 10 a set of a position identifier indicating the movement destination and an operation control identifier to be applied at the movement destination. The operation control identifier will be described later. Further, the host device 80 receives from the wireless tag reader 10 a set of the position identifier indicating the reading position 9000_j and the information read from the wireless tag 903 existing in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_j based on the operation control identifier. These functions of the host device 80 are realized by the processor reading and executing the programs and data stored in the memory and communicating with the wireless tag reader 10 via the network interface.

For example, the host device 80 may transmit a set of a position identifier and an operation control identifier indicating the next movement destination to the wireless tag reader 10 each time the movement to a certain movement destination is completed. Alternatively, the host device 80 may transmit a set of a position identifier and an operation control identifier indicating the next movement destination to the wireless tag reader 10 at each timing to move. Such a configuration is suitable for an environment in which the wireless tag reader 10 and the host device 80 can communicate with each other in most of the moving range of the wireless tag reader 10.

Further, for example, the host device 80 may transmit to the wireless tag reader 10 in advance a column in which a set of a position identifier indicating a movement destination and an operation control identifier is arranged according to the order of the reading position 9000_j to be moved. Good. The sequence of such a set of the position identifier and the operation control identifier will be hereinafter also referred to as movement order information. Such a configuration is suitable for an environment in which it is difficult for the wireless tag reader 10 and the host device 80 to communicate with each other in most of the moving range of the wireless tag reader 10.

(Wireless tag reader configuration)
Next, the details of the configuration of each part of the wireless tag reader 10 will be described.

The antenna 11 is configured so that the angle can be adjusted by the antenna angle control unit 111. The antenna angle control unit 111 operates based on external control. The direction of the communication area that can be communicated by the antenna 11 is changed by adjusting the angle of the antenna 11. Further, the antenna 11 converts the electric signal acquired from the reading unit 13 into an electromagnetic wave and radiates it into the communication area. Further, the antenna 11 converts the electromagnetic wave received from the wireless tag in the communication area into an electric signal and provides it to the reading unit 13. The wireless tag reader 10 is not limited to one antenna 11, and may include a plurality of antennas 11. In that case, the wireless tag reader 10 includes an antenna angle control unit 111 that adjusts the angle of each antenna 11.

The moving unit 12 moves the entire wireless tag reader 10 on the rail 905. Further, the moving unit 12 is configured to be movable based on external control. For example, the moving unit 12 includes a pedestal that supports the entire wireless tag reader 10, wheels running on the rail 905, and an externally controllable drive device that rotationally drives the wheels.

The reading unit 13 receives the information stored in the wireless tag via the antenna 11. For example, the reading unit 13 transmits information instructing reading via the antenna 11 toward the radio tag 90_j or 903 that may exist in the vicinity. Then, the reading unit 13 reads the information stored in the wireless tag from the wireless tag that has received the information instructing the reading via the antenna 11. Examples of the information to be read include, but are not limited to, a position identifier, an operation control identifier, and an article identification information.

The control unit 14 is composed of a computer device including a processor, a memory, and a network interface. Each functional block of the control unit 14, the movement direction determination unit 141, the movement control unit 142, the operation control unit 143, and the communication unit 144, read and execute the program and data stored in the memory by the processor, and also via the network interface. It is realized as a software function by communicating with the host device 80. However, a part or all of each functional block of the control unit 14 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

The movement direction determination unit 141 determines the movement direction based on the position identifier indicating the current location and the position identifier indicating the movement destination. The position identifier indicating the current location is a position identifier read by the reading unit 13 from the stationary wireless tag 90_j near the current location of the wireless tag reader 10. Further, the position identifier indicating the movement destination is received from the host device 80 as described above. The movement direction determination unit 141 communicates with the host device 80 via the communication unit 144 described later. The moving direction is a direction in which the wireless tag reader 10 is moved from the current location to the moving destination. Here, as described above, the wireless tag reader 10 moves along the production line 909. Assuming that there is no branch in the middle of the production line 909, either the upstream direction or the downstream direction is determined as the moving direction. With such a configuration of the moving direction determining unit 141, in the present embodiment, when the reading position 9000_j is set in the vicinity of the production line 909 without branching, the moving direction of the antenna 11 can be easily determined. The wireless tag reader 10 can be realized. Further, with such a configuration of the moving direction determining unit 141, in the present embodiment, when the reading position 9000_j is set in the vicinity of the production line 909 without branching, the moving direction of the antenna 11 can be easily determined. A possible wireless tag system 1 can be realized. Similarly, in the present embodiment, when the reading position 9000_j is set in the vicinity of the production line 909 without branching, a control method of a wireless tag reader capable of easily determining the moving direction of the antenna 11 is realized. can do.

Specifically, the movement direction determination unit 141 determines the movement direction based on the order relationship between the position identifier indicating the current location and the position identifier indicating the movement destination. In this case, the order relationship between the position identifiers represents the arrangement order relationship on the production line 909 of the reading position 9000_j identified by each position identifier.

For example, as described above, it is assumed that the position identifier is represented by a natural number according to the arrangement order. In this case, the movement direction determination unit 141 determines either the upstream direction or the downstream direction as the movement direction based on the magnitude relationship between the position identifier indicating the current location and the position identifier indicating the movement destination.

Alternatively, the movement direction determination unit 141 may acquire the above-mentioned arrangement order information. The arrangement order information may be received from the host device 80 or may be stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 14. In this case, the movement direction determination unit 141 refers to the reading position 9000_j identified by the position identifier indicating the movement destination by referring to the arrangement order information, and is upstream from the reading position 9000_j identified by the position identifier indicating the current location. Determine if it is on or downstream. Then, the movement direction determination unit 141 determines either the upstream direction or the downstream direction as the movement direction based on the determination result.

The movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to move the wireless tag reader 10 in the movement direction determined by the movement direction determination unit 141. Then, when the movement control unit 142 moves the position identifier indicating the movement destination received from the host device 80 into a readable area that can be read by the reading unit 13 via the antenna 11, the wireless tag reader 10 moves. The moving unit 12 is controlled so as to stop the movement of the moving unit 12.

Specifically, in the movement control unit 142, has the wireless tag reader 10 reached the movement destination based on the position identifier read by the reading unit 13 via the moving antenna 11 and the position identifier indicating the movement destination? Judge whether or not. Here, reaching the movement destination means reaching any position in the readable area where the position identifier indicating the movement destination can be read. Then, when the movement control unit 142 determines that the wireless tag reader 10 has reached the movement destination, the movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to stop the movement of the wireless tag reader 10.

The determination that the destination has been reached may be made when the position identifier indicating the destination matches the position identifier read by the reading unit 13 during the movement for the first time. Alternatively, the determination that the destination has been reached may be made at a timing determined based on the time point (for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time point, or after a predetermined distance has been moved from the time point, etc.). Alternatively, the determination that the destination has been reached may be made based on the reception strength of the information representing the position identifier indicating the destination.

As a method of determining whether or not the destination has been reached based on the reception strength, for example, the following three methods can be mentioned. The first determination method is whether or not the antenna 11 is within a communicable range with the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be the destination, in other words, the position identifier indicating the destination by the antenna 11. Is a method of determining whether or not the antenna can be received. Here, the determination that the antenna 11 is within the range in which the wireless tag 90_j can communicate is determined by the wireless tag reader 10 determining that the antenna 11 can receive the position identifier indicating the movement destination. To do. Further, it is assumed that the determination that the antenna 11 is not within the range in which the wireless tag 90_j can communicate is determined by the wireless tag reader 10 determining that the antenna 11 cannot receive the position identifier indicating the moving destination. ..

The second determination method is whether or not the antenna 11 is close to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be the movement destination, that is, the antenna 11 has a predetermined lower limit value of the position identifier indicating the movement destination. This is a method for determining whether or not reception is performed with the above intensity. Here, the determination that the antenna 11 is close to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be the moving destination is determined by the antenna 11 having a position identifier indicating the moving destination with an intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit value. It is assumed that the wireless tag reader 10 determines that the tag is being received. Further, in the determination that the antenna 11 is not close to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position as the movement destination, the antenna 11 receives the position identifier indicating the movement destination with an intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit value. It is assumed that the wireless tag reader 10 determines that the tag reader 10 has not done so.

The third determination method is closer to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved than when the antenna 11 is closer to the radio tag 90_j by the second determination method (hereinafter, simply closer to the radio tag 90_j). It is also described as), that is, it is a method of determining whether or not the antenna 11 receives the position identifier indicating the moving destination at the maximum intensity. Here, the determination that the antenna 11 is closer to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be the movement destination is that the antenna 11 receives the position identifier indicating the movement destination with the maximum intensity. It is assumed that the tag reader 10 determines. Further, the determination that the antenna 11 is not even closer to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be the movement destination is that the antenna 11 does not receive the position identifier indicating the movement destination with the maximum intensity, or the wireless tag reader. It is assumed that it is performed by the judgment of 10.

The movement control unit 142 determines whether or not the movement destination has been reached by at least one of these three determination methods.

Further, when the movement control unit 142 stops the movement of the antenna 11, the movement speed of the antenna 11 (as in the present embodiment, as in the present embodiment, is based on the judgment result obtained by at least one of the above three judgment methods. When the antenna 11 moves together with the wireless tag reader 10, the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10) can be controlled.

Examples of the method of controlling the moving speed of the antenna 11 based on the determination result obtained by the second determination method include the following three methods. The first control method is a method of starting deceleration of the antenna 11 when it is determined that the antenna 11 is close to the radio tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the second determination method. After that, the movement control unit 142 gradually reduces the moving speed of the antenna 11 until the antenna 11 is stopped, for example. The second control method changes the movement of the antenna 11 from the normal movement to the low speed movement when it is determined that the antenna 11 is close to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the second determination method. It is a method of switching. After that, the movement control unit 142 stops the antenna 11 after operating the antenna 11 at a low speed for a predetermined time, for example. The third control method is a method of immediately stopping the movement of the antenna 11 when it is determined that the antenna 11 is close to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the second determination method. ..

Further, as a method of controlling the moving speed of the antenna 11 based on the determination results obtained by the first determination method and the second determination method, for example, the following method can be mentioned. First, the movement control unit 142 determines that the antenna 11 is within a communicable range with the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the first determination method described above. Deceleration is started, or the movement of the antenna 11 is switched from normal movement to low speed movement. After that, the movement control unit 142 stops the antenna 11 when it is determined that the antenna 11 is close to the radio tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the second determination method described above. According to such a control method, the antenna 11 can be stopped depending on whether or not the antenna 11 receives the position identifier indicating the moving destination with an intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined lower limit value. It is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 10 capable of bringing the antenna 11 close to the reading position.

Further, as a method of controlling the moving speed of the antenna 11 based on the determination results obtained by the first determination method, the second determination method, and the third determination method, the following methods can be mentioned. First, the movement control unit 142 determines that the antenna 11 is within a communicable range with the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the first determination method described above. Deceleration is started, or the movement of the antenna 11 is switched from normal movement to low speed movement. After that, the movement control unit 142 temporarily stops the antenna 11 when it is determined that the antenna 11 is close to the radio tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the second determination method described above. After that, the movement control unit 142 reciprocates the antenna 11 in the vicinity of the temporarily stopped position while monitoring the reception intensity of the position identifier indicating the movement destination. In this reciprocating motion, the movement control unit 142 refers to a point where the antenna 11 is closer to the radio tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the third determination method described above (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a proximity point). ) Is specified, and the antenna 11 is stopped at the specified point. According to such a control method, the antenna 11 can be stopped depending on whether or not the antenna 11 receives the position identifier indicating the moving destination at the maximum intensity, so that the antenna can be stopped at the reading position to be the moving destination. It is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 10 capable of bringing 11 closer to each other.

In the above control method, the antenna is used until it is determined that the antenna 11 is within a communicable range with the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the first determination method described above. The angle of the antenna 11 may be controlled so as to face the moving direction of the 11 or the direction in which the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be the moving destination exists. Further, in the above control method, the antenna 11 is determined to be within a communicable range with the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the first determination method described above. The output power of may be controlled to a high power (a predetermined power higher than the normal power). Further, while the antenna 11 decelerates, until the movement of the antenna 11 is switched from the normal movement to the low speed movement, or after the low speed movement until the work of specifying the proximity point is started, the confirmation of the proximity point is performed. The angle of the antenna 11 may be controlled so as to face a predetermined direction as the direction. Further, in the above control method, the work of specifying the proximity point is started while the antenna 11 is decelerating, until the movement of the antenna 11 is switched from the normal movement to the low speed movement, or after the low speed movement. Up to this point, the output power of the antenna 11 may be returned from high power to normal power. In this way, before starting the work of identifying the proximity point with respect to the wireless tag 90_j placed at the reading position to be moved according to the third determination method, a predetermined direction is set as the direction for confirming the proximity point. By controlling the angle of the antenna 11 so that it faces, it is possible to suppress variations in the specified proximity points.

The operation control unit 143 acquires one or more operation control information read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 90_j that stores the position identifier indicating the movement destination. Further, the operation control unit 143 specifies the operation control information corresponding to the operation control identifier received from the host device 80 among the read operation control information. Then, the motion control unit 143 may simply describe each section of the wireless tag reader 10's own device (hereinafter, depending on the content of the paragraph, each section) based on the specified motion control information. Further, the specific configuration will be described. It will be described later.) Is controlled.

For example, it is assumed that the specified motion control information includes information indicating the angle of the antenna 11. In this case, the motion control unit 143 controls the antenna angle control unit 111 so as to adjust the angle according to the information. Further, for example, it is assumed that the specified operation control information includes information indicating the output power of the antenna 11. In this case, the operation control unit 143 controls the antenna 11 so as to adjust the output power according to the information. Further, for example, it is assumed that the specified operation control information includes information indicating the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 13. In this case, the operation control unit 143 controls the reading unit 13 so as to adjust the reception sensitivity according to the information. Further, for example, it is assumed that the specified operation control information includes a condition for designating the information to be read. In this case, the operation control unit 143 filters the information read from the radio tag 903 existing in the vicinity of the movement destination according to the condition.

Further, the operation control unit 143 transmits the reading information read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 903 existing in the vicinity of the moving destination and the position identifier indicating the moving destination to the host device 80. The read information is information stored in the wireless tag 903, and is, for example, article identification information described later. Further, transmission to the host device 80 is performed via the communication unit 144 described later. For example, the operation control unit 143 may transmit the read information and the set of the position identifier to the host device 80 each time the read information is read from the radio tag 903 existing in the vicinity of the movement destination. Such a configuration is suitable for an environment in which the wireless tag reader 10 and the host device 80 can communicate with each other in most of the moving range of the wireless tag reader 10.

Further, for example, each time the operation control unit 143 reads the read information from the wireless tag 903 existing near the move destination, the operation control unit 143 associates the read information with the position identifier indicating the read position 9000_j of the move destination and stores it in the memory. You may. In this case, the operation control unit 143 may collectively transmit the set of the information and the position identifier stored in the memory to the host device 80 at a predetermined timing. In this case, the predetermined timing may be, for example, the timing at which communication with the host device 80 becomes possible, or the timing at which a transmission instruction is received from the host device 80. Alternatively, the predetermined timing may be the timing at which the predetermined reading position 9000_j is reached. Such a configuration is suitable for an environment in which it is difficult for the wireless tag reader 10 and the host device 80 to communicate with each other in most of the moving range of the wireless tag reader 10.

The communication unit 144 communicates with the host device 80. The communication unit 144 communicates with the host device 80 via a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination thereof.

The power supply unit 15 supplies electric power to each unit of the wireless tag reader 10. Further, the power supply unit 15 may be configured to be rechargeable, and may be configured to be charged by electric power supplied from a power source (not shown) at the above-mentioned movement start point, for example.

(Wireless tag reader control method)
Next, the control method of the wireless tag reader 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the control method S1 of the wireless tag reader 10. The control method S1 is executed by the control unit 14, and includes the following steps.

Step S101: The moving direction determination unit 141 acquires the position identifier read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of the current location of the wireless tag reader 10. This position identifier is a position identifier indicating the current location.

Step S102: The movement direction determination unit 141 receives a set of a position identifier and an operation control identifier indicating a movement destination from the host device 80. The execution order of the steps S101 and S102 does not necessarily have to be this order, and the steps S102 and S101 may be executed in this order.

Step S103: The movement direction determination unit 141 determines whether or not the position identifier indicating the current location and the position identifier indicating the movement destination are the same. If it is determined that they are the same, step S108, which will be described later, is executed. If it is determined that they are not the same, the next step S104 is executed.

Step S104: The movement direction determination unit 141 determines the movement direction based on the position identifier indicating the current location and the position identifier indicating the movement destination.

Step S105: The movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to move the wireless tag reader 10 in the movement direction determined by the movement direction determination unit 141.

Step S106: The movement control unit 142 acquires the position identifier read by the reading unit 13 from the stationary radio tag 90_j that can be read via the moving antenna 11. Then, the movement control unit 142 determines whether or not the wireless tag reader 10 has reached the movement destination based on the acquired position identifier and the position identifier indicating the movement destination.

As described above, in step S106, the movement control unit 142 states that the wireless tag reader 10 has reached the movement destination at the time when the acquired position identifier and the position identifier indicating the movement destination first match or at a timing based on that time. You may judge. Alternatively, the movement control unit 142 may determine whether or not the movement destination has been reached based on the reception strength of the position identifier indicating the movement destination.

When it is determined that the wireless tag reader 10 has reached the destination, the next step S107 is performed. If it is determined that the wireless tag reader 10 has not reached the destination, step S106 is repeated.

Step S107: The movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to stop the movement of the wireless tag reader 10.

Step S108: The motion control unit 143 operates the motion control identifier corresponding to the motion control identifier received in step S102 among one or more motion control information read by the reader 13 from the wireless tag 90_j storing the position identifier indicating the movement destination. Identify control information.

Step S109: The operation control unit 143 controls the operation of each unit of the wireless tag reader 10 according to the specified operation control information. For example, the motion control unit 143 controls the antenna angle control unit 111 so as to adjust the angle of the antenna 11 according to the motion control information. Further, for example, the motion control unit 143 controls the antenna 11 so as to adjust the output power according to the motion control information. Further, for example, the operation control unit 143 controls the reading unit 13 so as to adjust the reception sensitivity according to the operation control information.

Step S110: The operation control unit 143 filters the information read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 903 existing in the vicinity of the movement destination according to the operation control information.

Step S111: The operation control unit 143 transmits the information obtained as a result of filtering in step S110 and the position identifier indicating the movement destination received in step S102 to the host device 80.

Step S112: The movement direction determination unit 141 determines whether or not there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination. If there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination, steps S101 to S110 are performed again. If there is no position identifier indicating the next destination, the control unit 14 terminates the operation of the wireless tag reader 10.

The presence or absence of the position identifier indicating the next movement destination is determined by receiving a set of the position identifier indicating the next movement destination and the operation control identifier from the host device 80 within a predetermined elapsed time from the execution time of the step S112. It may be done based on whether or not it is. Alternatively, the presence or absence of the position identifier indicating the next movement destination may be determined based on the above-mentioned movement order information. The movement order information may be previously received from the host device 80. In this case, the movement direction determination unit 141 may receive the above-mentioned movement order information from the host device 80 in advance, and in step S102, sequentially acquire the position identifier indicating the next movement destination from the movement order information. .. Further, the movement direction determination unit 141 stores the above-mentioned movement order information in the memory in advance, and in step S102, sequentially acquires the position identifier indicating the next movement destination from the movement order information stored in the memory. You may.

Further, in step S111, the control unit 14 may store the set of the information and the position identifier in the memory instead of transmitting the set to the host device 80. In that case, as described above, the control unit 14 may collectively transmit the accumulated set of the information and the position identifier to the host device 80 at a predetermined timing.

(Other application examples)
In the present embodiment, an example in which the wireless tag system 1 applies the wireless tag 903 attached to the article 902 to be produced moving on the production line 909 as a reading target has been described. In addition, the wireless tag system 1 of the present embodiment can also be applied to the case where the wireless tag attached to the tool used in the production system is to be read.

Such other application examples will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a production system 910 that produces a linear product (which may be a planar product). As shown in FIG. 4, the production system 910 has manufacturing apparatus 911_1 to 911_N. Here, N is a natural number of 1 or more. Although the case of N = 2 is shown in FIG. 4, the number N of the manufacturing apparatus 911_1 to 911_N is arbitrary. The production system 910 may be installed indoors (for example, in a factory) or outdoors. In the following, the manufacturing apparatus 911_1, the manufacturing apparatus 911_2, ..., The manufacturing apparatus 911_N will be referred to as the manufacturing apparatus 911_i. Here, i is a natural number of 1 or more and N or less. The manufacturing apparatus 911_1 and the manufacturing apparatus 911_2 may be of the same type of manufacturing or different types of manufacturing apparatus.

A bobbin 912a_i around which a linear article is wound is arranged at the carry-in port of each manufacturing apparatus 911_i. The bobbin 912a_i refers to each of the bobbins 912a_1 and 912a_2. From the bobbin 912a_i arranged at the carry-in entrance, a linear article is unwound and carried into the manufacturing apparatus 911_i. Further, at the carry-out port of each manufacturing apparatus 911_i, a bobbin 912b_i different from the bobbin 912a_i at the carry-in port is arranged. The bobbin 912b_i may be a bobbin having the same shape, structure, and material as the bobbin 912a_i, or may be a bobbin having a shape, structure, or material different from that of the bobbin 912a_i. The bobbin 912b_i refers to each of the bobbins 912b_1 and 912b_2. The bobbin 912b_i arranged at the carry-out port winds up the linear article carried out from the manufacturing apparatus 911_i. The broken line arrow shown in FIG. 4 indicates the direction in which the linear article is carried in and out of each manufacturing apparatus 911_i. Hereinafter, each of bobbins 912a_i and 912b_i will also be simply referred to as bobbin 912. The type of each bobbin 912 may be the same as or different from the other bobbins 912.

The bobbin 912b_i at the carry-out port of one manufacturing device 911_i may be the same bobbin as the bobbin 912a_k at the carry-in port of another manufacturing device 911_k (k is a natural number of 1 or more and N or less, however, k ≠ i). .. This is because the bobbin 912b_i, which has finished winding the linear article, can be placed at the carry-in port of another manufacturing apparatus 911_k. In that case, the bobbin 912 may be moved from the carry-out port of one manufacturing device 911_i to the carry-in port of another manufacturing device 911_k by an operator or by another moving method. However, the bobbin 912b_i that has finished winding the linear article does not necessarily have to be arranged at the carry-in port of the other manufacturing device 911_k, and the bobbin 912a_k at the carry-in port of the certain manufacturing device 911_k is not necessarily placed in another manufacturing device. It does not have to be moved from the carry-out port of device 911_i.

A wireless tag 903a_i is attached to the bobbin 912a_i. A wireless tag 903b_i is attached to the bobbin 912b_i. The wireless tag 903a_i refers to each of the wireless tags 903a_1 and 903a_2. Further, the wireless tag 903b_i refers to each of the wireless tags 903b_1 and 903b_2. Hereinafter, each of the wireless tags 903a_i and b_i will also be simply referred to as the wireless tag 903. In this case, the radio tag 903 stores various information about the bobbin 912. For example, the radio tag 903 may provide information indicating the type of bobbin 912, information identifying an individual bobbin 912, information on the winding state of the bobbin 912, other information on the bobbin 912, or any combination of these information. It may be stored. Information other than the information for identifying the individual bobbin 912 may not be stored in the wireless tag 903 and may be managed in an external database or the like.

The manufacturing apparatus 911_i performs a process related to production on the linear article carried in from the carry-in port, and carries out the linear article from the carry-out port. The vicinity of the carry-in entrance and the vicinity of the carry-out outlet of the manufacturing apparatus 911_i are defined as the reading position 9000_j of the wireless tag 903, respectively. Further, the reading position 9000_j is also defined at the movement start point at which the movement of the wireless tag reader 10 is started in the production system 910. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the reading positions 9000_j defined in each of the manufacturing devices 911_i are two, but the number of reading positions 9000_j and the total number of reading positions 9000_j defined in each manufacturing device 911_i are , Not limited. Further, the reading position 9000_j is not limited to the position shown in FIG.

Further, it is assumed that the rail 915 for moving the wireless tag reader 10 is laid so as to pass through the carry-in entrance and carry-out port of each manufacturing apparatus 911_i and the reading position 9000_j defined at the movement start point. Then, one of the directions along the rail 915 is regarded as the upstream direction, and the other is regarded as the downstream direction.

Further, each radio tag 90_j stores the position identifier of the reading position 9000_j and is placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_j. The place where the wireless tag 90_j is placed includes, for example, the side of the flow line of the wireless tag reader 10, that is, the side of the rail 915. Further, for example, the flow line of the wireless tag reader 10 can be mentioned. Further, for example, the upper surface of a pillar provided between the manufacturing apparatus 901_i and the bobbin 912 can be mentioned. Further, for example, the ground plane on which the manufacturing apparatus 901_i is installed can be mentioned.

In such another application example, the wireless tag system 1 of the present embodiment operates in the same manner and exerts the same effect. In this case, for example, the wireless tag system 1 of the present embodiment is the individual number of the bobbin 912 used at the carry-in port and the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_i in the production system 910 for producing a linear product, and the winding state thereof. It can be used for tracing such as.

(Specific example of control method of wireless tag reader)
Next, a specific example of the control method S1 of the wireless tag reader 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. The wireless tag reader 10 in this specific example is applied to the production system 910A which is a modification of the production system 910 described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless tag reader 10 applied to the production system 910A. As shown in FIG. 5, the production system 910A has manufacturing apparatus 911_1, 911_2 and 911_3. The manufacturing devices 911_1, 911_2, and 911_3 may be of the same type as the others, but in this specific example, they are different types of devices.

In FIG. 5, the manufacturing apparatus 911_1 is an apparatus in which the type A member 916a set at the carry-in port is processed, and the completed linear semi-finished product Q is wound around the bobbin 912b_1 set at the carry-out port. The bobbin 912b_1 wound up with the semi-finished product Q may be arranged at the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_2, in which case the bobbin 912a_2 is regarded as the bobbin 912a_2.

The manufacturing apparatus 911_2 processes the semi-finished product Q wound around the bobbin 912a_2 set at the carry-in port, the type B member 916b, and the type C member 916c, and produces the completed linear semi-finished product R. It is a device that winds up on the bobbin 912b_2 set at the carry-out port. The bobbin 912b_2 wound up with the semi-finished product R may be arranged at the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_3, in which case it is regarded as the bobbin 912_a3.

The manufacturing apparatus 911_3 is a linear semi-finished product obtained by processing two points, a semi-finished product R wound around a bobbin 912_a3 set at a carry-in port and a member 916d of type D, using a jig 917 of type G. This is a device for winding S around a bobbin 912b_3 set at a carry-out port. Examples of the jig 917 include a jig for changing the moving direction or width of the semi-finished product R. When the semi-finished product R is flat, a jig for performing a resist mask, a jig for performing die cutting, and the like can also be used as the jig 917.

Next, the reading position 9000_j and the wireless tag 90_j in this specific example will be described. In this specific example, a reading position 9000_j is defined near the movement start point, the vicinity of the carry-in entrance and the carry-out port of each manufacturing device 911_i, and the vicinity of the jig mounting position of the manufacturing device 911_3, and the wireless tag 90_j is deferred. ing. Specifically, 0 is stored as a position identifier in the radio tag 90_0 placed at the reading position 9000_0 near the movement start point. Further, 1 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 90_1 installed at the reading position 9000_1 near the carry-in entrance of the manufacturing apparatus 911_1. 2 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 90_2 installed at the reading position 9000_2 near the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_1. 3 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 90_3 placed at the reading position 9000_3 near the carry-in entrance of the manufacturing apparatus 911_2. 4 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 90_4 placed at the reading position 9000_4 near the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_2. 5 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 90_5 placed at the reading position 9000_5 near the carry-in entrance of the manufacturing apparatus 911_3. 6 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 90_6 placed at the reading position 9000_6 near the jig mounting position of the manufacturing apparatus 911_3. 7 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 90_7 placed at the reading position 9000_7 near the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_3. In this specific example, j as a position identifier stored in the wireless tag 90_j is described as "position identifier: j".

Further, any of the wireless tags 903_1 to 903_10 is attached to each of the bobbin 912, the members 916a to 916d, and the jig 917. Each of the wireless tags 903_1 to 903_10 is also referred to as a wireless tag 903. As shown in FIG. 6, the wireless tag 903 includes information indicating the type of the attached article (“A” in FIG. 6) and information indicating the individual number of the attached article (“001” in FIG. 6). ") And at least the article identification information is stored. However, the wireless tag 903 attached to the bobbin 912 may store the article identification information of the bobbin 912, or the article identification information of the linear semi-finished product wound around the bobbin 912. You may. In the former case, the article identification information of the semi-finished product wrapped around the bobbin 912 is associated with the article identification information of the bobbin 912 in an external database or the like. The types of various articles (members 916a to 916d, jig 917, semi-finished products Q, R, S) shown in FIG. 5 are eight types, A, B, C, D, G, Q, R, and S. It is represented by either. Regarding the member 916a of the type A, in the article identification information stored in the wireless tag 903 attached to the member, the information indicating the type of the article is also "A". The same applies to the type B member 916b, the type C article 916c, and the type D jig 917. On the other hand, regarding the semi-finished product Q, in the article identification information of the bobbin 912 around which the semi-finished product is wrapped and the article identification information of the semi-finished product associated with an external database or the like, the information indicating the type of the semi-finished product is also "Q". ". The same applies to the semi-finished product R and the semi-finished product S. However, the information indicating the types of the above-mentioned various articles that can be stored in the wireless tag 903 as the article identification information is not limited to these eight types, and may be any number of types.

Further, each of the stationary wireless tags 90_j stores operation control information with an operation control identifier in addition to the position identifier. FIG. 7 is an example of the operation control information stored in the wireless tag 90_3. The wireless tag 90_3 stores the operation control information to which "301" is assigned as the operation control identifier and the operation control information to which "302" is assigned as the operation control identifier. Hereinafter, "X" as an operation control identifier will also be described as "operation control information: X". For example, the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 301 stored in the wireless tag 90_3 includes "Q, B" as the reading target designation information. This specifies to read the article identification information of semi-finished product Q and type B. Further, this motion control information includes "+315 degrees" as a horizontal angle and "+30 degrees" as a vertical angle. This is the azimuth angle of the antenna 11 (the angle formed by the direction in which the antenna 11 is facing and the reference direction parallel to the ground when the wireless tag reader 10 is viewed from above) and the elevation angle (when the wireless tag reader 10 is viewed from the side). , The angle formed by the direction in which the antenna 11 is facing and the reference direction parallel to the ground) is specified to be controlled to +315 degrees and +30 degrees, respectively. The sign "+" attached to the angle indicates that the angle is an angle measured clockwise with respect to a predetermined direction, and the sign "-" attached to the angle indicates that the angle is. Indicates that the angle is measured clockwise with respect to a predetermined direction. Further, this operation control information includes "+25 dBm" as the output power. This is a value that specifies the output power of the antenna 11, and is a setting example that enables information to be received from the wireless tag 90_j that exists in an area wider than "+ 10 dBm" described later. Further, this operation control information includes "-60 dBm" as the reception sensitivity. This is a value that specifies the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 13. Further, this operation control information includes "C" as filter information. This specifies that the article identification information including the type C is excluded from the read article identification information. The reading target designation information can be regarded as the information that specifies the type of the article to be read, while the filter information can be regarded as the information that specifies the type of the article that is ignored even if it is read.

Further, the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 302 includes "C" as the reading target designation information. This specifies that the article identification information of type C is read. Further, this motion control information includes "+45 degrees" as a horizontal angle and "+60 degrees" as a vertical angle. This specifies that the azimuth and elevation angles of the antenna 11 are controlled to +45 degrees (45 degrees clockwise from the reference direction) and +60 degrees (60 degrees upward from the reference direction), respectively. There is. Further, this operation control information includes "+10 dBm" as the output power. This is a value that specifies the output power of the antenna 11, and is a setting example that enables information to be received from the wireless tag 90_j that exists in an area narrower than the above-mentioned "+ 25 dBm". Further, this operation control information includes "-60 dBm" as the reception sensitivity. This is a value that specifies the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 13. Note that this operation control information does not include filter information.

In this way, the wireless tag 90_3 can store a plurality of operation control information. More specifically, according to the specific example shown in FIG. 5, the wireless tag 90_3 includes (1) operation control information for reading the information stored in the wireless tag 903_3 corresponding to the semi-finished product Q. (2) To read the operation control information for reading the information stored in the wireless tag 903_4 corresponding to the member 916b of the type B, and (3) to read the information stored in the wireless tag 903_5 corresponding to the member 916c of the type C. Operation control information and can be stored respectively. As a result, (1) when reading the wireless tag 903_3, the angle and output power of the antenna 11 are set to a state suitable for reading the wireless tag 903_3, and (2) when reading the wireless tag 903_4, the antenna 11 is set. Set the angle and output power of the antenna 11 to a state suitable for reading the wireless tag 903_4, and (3) when reading the wireless tag 903_5, set the angle and output power of the antenna 11 to a state suitable for reading the wireless tag 903_5. can do. As a result, at the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_2, it is possible to detect an attachment error of each article in at least two kinds of articles among the semi-finished product Q, the member 916b of type B, and the member 916c of type C. ..

Next, the host device 80 in this specific example will be described. The host device 80 stores a list of combinations of the position identifier and the operation control identifier. FIG. 8 is an example of a combination list. In the combination list, the combination of the position identifier and the operation control identifier represents the operation control identifier stored in the radio tag 90_j that stores the position identifier. In other words, the combination of the position identifier and the operation control identifier represents the operation control information applicable to the wireless tag reader 10 at the reading position 9000_j identified by the position identifier. In this example, the host device 80 stores the combination list including information representing an outline of the operation control information corresponding to the corresponding operation control identifier. This is information for the administrator of the host device 80 to refer to when managing the combination list. The information regarding the position of the "manufacturing apparatus 911_1-carry-in port" or the like in each process represents the reading position in the process and corresponds to the position identifier stored in the wireless tag 90_i placed at the reading position. Further, the information about the article such as "member A" in each process represents the type of the article to be read in the process, and corresponds to the article identification information stored in the wireless tag 903 attached to the article. Further, the information regarding the timing such as "before the start of production" in each process represents the reading timing in the process, and the information managed by the host device 80 as the timing for transmitting the reading command including the position identifier and the operation control identifier. Corresponds to. In this combination list, as an outline of the operation control information associated with the position identifier: 2, it is described that it is confirmed that the bobbin Q is arranged at the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_1 before the start of production. There is. The purpose of such confirmation is that if the bobbin Q is not arranged at the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_1 before the start of production, foreign matter will be mixed into the semi-finished product. It should be noted that the outline of the operation control information is not the information referred to by the apparatus and is not the information necessary for carrying out one aspect of the present invention. Therefore, the host device 80 does not necessarily have to store the combination list including the information representing the outline of the operation control information.

Further, in order to instruct the wireless tag reader 10 in the movement order, the host device 80 generates the above-mentioned movement order information based on such a combination list. FIG. 9 is an example of movement order information. This movement order information is first read based on the operation control information: 301 at the reading position 9000_3 of the position identifier: 3, and then read based on the operation control information: 401 at the reading position 9000_4 of the position identifier: 4. , Subsequent readings are performed in the order shown in the figure.

Further, in this specific example, the host device 80 transmits a set of a position identifier and an operation control identifier to the wireless tag reader 10 according to the movement order information. Here, when the host device 80 transmits one set of the position identifier and the operation control identifier to the wireless tag reader 10 and then receives the set of the position identifier and the reading information from the wireless tag reader 10, the host device 80 transmits the next set to the wireless tag reader 10. It shall be.

Further, in the initial state, it is assumed that the wireless tag reader 10 is located at the movement start point. As described above, the movement start point is a point at which the wireless tag reader 10 starts moving, and is a position capable of communicating with the wireless tag 90_0 placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_0 defined in the vicinity thereof.

In this case, the moving direction determining unit 141 acquires the position identifier: 0 indicating the current location read from the wireless tag 90_0 by the reading unit 13 (step S101).

Next, it is assumed that the movement direction determination unit 141 receives from the host device 80 a set of the position identifier: 3 indicating the movement destination and the operation control identifier: 301 (step S102). The reading position 9000_3 indicated by the position identifier: 3 is near the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_2.

Next, the moving direction determining unit 141 compares the position identifier indicating the current location: 0 and the position identifier indicating the moving destination: 3, and since the position identifier indicating the moving destination is larger, the moving direction is the downstream direction. (No in step S103, step S104).

Next, the movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to move the wireless tag reader 10 in the downstream direction (step S105). Specifically, the movement control unit 142 moves the wireless tag reader 10 in the downstream direction after controlling the output power of the antenna 11 to high power and controlling the antenna angle control unit 111 so that the antenna 11 faces the movement direction. The moving unit 12 is controlled so as to cause the movement.

Next, the movement control unit 142 acquires the position identifier: 1 read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 90_1 that can be read from the moving antenna 11. Then, the movement control unit 142 determines that the wireless tag reader 10 has not reached the movement destination because the position identifier: 1 read during the movement and the position identifier: 3 indicating the movement destination do not match (step). No in S106).

Therefore, the movement control unit 142 repeats the step S106. That is, the movement control unit 142 acquires the position identifier: 2 read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 90_2 that can be read next from the moving antenna 11. Then, the movement control unit 142 determines that the wireless tag reader 10 has not reached the movement destination because the position identifier: 2 read during the movement and the position identifier: 3 indicating the movement destination do not match (step). No in S106).

Therefore, the movement control unit 142 further repeats step S106 until the position identifier: 3 indicating the movement destination becomes readable. Here, the fact that the position identifier: 3 indicating the movement destination becomes readable means that communication with the wireless tag 90_3 placed at the reading position which is the movement destination becomes possible. Here, an example in which the movement control unit 142 determines that the wireless tag reader 10 has reached the movement destination is described based on the reception sensitivity of the position identifier indicating the movement destination.

Then, when the movement control unit 142 becomes readable by the position identifier: 3 indicating the movement destination (Yes in step S106), the movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to stop the movement of the wireless tag reader 10. (Step S107). The method of controlling the movement speed of the movement control unit 142 when the movement of the wireless tag reader 10 is stopped has already been described in detail.

Next, the operation control unit 143 operates the operation corresponding to the operation control identifier: 301 received in step S102 among the operation control information read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 90_3 storing the position identifier: 3 indicating the movement destination. The control information is specified (step S108).

The operation control unit 143 controls each unit of the wireless tag reader 10 according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 301. Specifically, the motion control unit 143 controls the antenna angle control unit 111 so that the azimuth and elevation angles of the antenna 11 are +315 degrees and +30 degrees from the reference direction, respectively. Further, the operation control unit 143 controls the output power of the antenna 11 to + 25 dBm. Further, the operation control unit 143 controls the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 13 to −60 dBm (step S109).

Here, in the vicinity of the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 911_2, there are a bobbin 912a_2 around which the semi-finished product Q is wound, a member 916b of type B, and a member 916c of type C. Therefore, it is assumed that the motion control unit 143 has acquired the article identification information "Q001" read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 903_3 attached to the bobbin 912a_2 on which the semi-finished product Q is wound. Further, it is assumed that the operation control unit 143 has acquired the information "B001" read by the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag 903_4 attached to the member 916b of the type B. Further, it is assumed that the operation control unit 143 has acquired the information "C001" read by the reading unit 13 from the radio tag 903_5 attached to the member 916c of the type C. Then, the motion control unit 143 sets "C001" in the read article identification information according to the read target designation information "Q, B" and the filter information "C" included in the motion control information of the motion control identifier: 301. Exclude to obtain "Q001" and "B001" (step S110).

The operation control unit 143 transmits to the host device 80 a set of the information “Q001” and “B001” obtained in the step S110 and the position identifier: 3 indicating the moving destination (step S111).

The movement direction determination unit 141 determines whether or not there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination (step S112). Here, it is assumed that the set of the position identifier: 4 and the operation control identifier: 401 indicating the next movement destination is received from the host device 80. The reading position 9000_4 indicated by the position identifier: 4 is in the vicinity of the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 901_2.

Therefore, the control unit 14 determines that there is a next destination (YES in step S112), and executes steps S101 to S110 again in the same manner. As a result, the wireless tag reader 10 moves to the vicinity of the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 901_2. Then, the horizontal angle, vertical angle and output power of the antenna 21 and the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 13 are adjusted according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 401, and the article identification information is read.

In this way, the control unit 14 re-executes steps S101 to S110 if there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination, and if there is no position identifier indicating the next movement destination, the control unit 14 may perform the next step. It is determined that there is no destination (NO in step S112), and the operation of the wireless tag reader 10 is terminated. The wireless tag reader 10 may be returned to the reading position 9000_0, which is the movement start point, as a process when it is determined that there is no movement destination.

(Effect of this embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the number of wireless tag readers 10 required for reading the wireless tag 903 at a plurality of reading positions 9000_j is smaller than the number of reading positions 9000_j, but the flexibility for changing the reading position 9000_j. The wireless tag reader 10 and the wireless tag system 1 can be realized. Similarly, it is possible to realize a control method of the wireless tag reader 10 capable of increasing the flexibility in the case of changing the reading position 9000_j.

The reason will be explained. In the present embodiment, the wireless tag reader 10 determines the moving direction of the antenna 11 based on the position identifier indicating the current location and the position identifier indicating the moving destination, and the position identifier indicating the moving destination according to the determined moving direction. This is because the antenna 11 is moved into the readable area where the antenna 11 can be read. Here, the position identifier indicating the current location is a position identifier read by the reading unit 13 from the radio tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of the current location of the antenna 11. Further, the position identifier indicating the movement destination is the one received from the host device 80.

With this configuration, in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 10 capable of moving to a plurality of reading positions 9000_j and reading information from the wireless tag to be read by one wireless tag reader 10. Further, with this configuration, in the present embodiment, the wireless tag system 1 capable of moving to a plurality of reading positions 9000_j and reading information from the wireless tag to be read by one wireless tag reader 10 is provided. realizable. Similarly, in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a control method of the wireless tag reader 10 capable of moving to a plurality of reading positions 9000_j and reading information from the wireless tag to be read by using one wireless tag reader 10. ..

Further, in the present embodiment, when the position where the wireless tag 90_j is deferred is changed or the position identifier stored in the deferred wireless tag 90_j is rewritten, only this is required by one wireless tag reader 10 to perform a plurality of reading positions. It becomes possible to move to 9000_j and read information from the wireless tag to be read. Therefore, it is possible to realize the wireless tag reader 10 that can flexibly respond to the change of the reading position 9000_j. Further, in the present embodiment, only by changing the position where the wireless tag 90_j is deferred or rewriting the position identifier stored in the deferred wireless tag 90_j, one wireless tag reader 10 moves to a plurality of reading positions 9000_j. It becomes possible to read the information from the wireless tag to be read. Therefore, it is possible to realize the wireless tag system 1 that can flexibly respond to the change of the reading position 9000_j. Similarly, in the present embodiment, when the position where the wireless tag 90_j is deferred is changed or the position identifier stored in the deferred wireless tag 90_j is rewritten, only one wireless tag reader 10 is used. , It becomes possible to move to a plurality of reading positions 9000_j and read information from the wireless tag to be read. Therefore, it is possible to realize a control method of the wireless tag reader 10 that can flexibly respond to a change in the reading position 9000_j.

Further, in the present embodiment, the wireless tag reader 10 operates based on the position identifier indicating the moving destination received from the host device 80, so that the moving destination of the wireless tag reader 10 can be controlled by the host device 80. Therefore, the wireless tag reader 10 can be controlled not only by the position identifier stored in the stationary wireless tag 90_j but also by the host device 80, and can be managed by different position information. Therefore, it is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 10 that can flexibly respond to a change in the reading position 9000_j with a relatively simple configuration. Further, it is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 10 that can respond relatively easily and flexibly when the reading position 9000_j is changed.

Further, when one wireless tag reader 10 is present in the vicinity of at least one reading position 9000_j among the plurality of reading positions 9000_j, the following effects can be obtained. That is, in the present embodiment, the control unit 14 of the wireless tag reader 10 has the antenna 11 of the wireless tag reader 10, the antenna angle control unit 111, and the operation content suitable for each of the plurality of reading positions 9000_j by one wireless tag reader 10. Each part (all or part) of the own device such as the moving part 12 and the reading part 13 can be operated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a control method for the wireless tag reader 10, the wireless tag system 1, and the wireless tag reader 10, which are highly flexible when the operating conditions of each part of the own device are changed.

The reason will be explained. In the present embodiment, the wireless tag reader 10 reads the antenna 11, the antenna angle control unit 111, the moving unit 12, and the reading unit of the wireless tag reader 10 based on the operation control information read from the wireless tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of the moving destination. This is because each part (all or part) of the part 13 is controlled. Which of the antenna 11, the antenna angle control unit 111, the moving unit 12, and the reading unit 13 is to be controlled is determined according to the operation control information.

With this configuration, for example, even when the same wireless tag reader 10 is used, the present embodiment includes the angle of the antenna 11, the output power, the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 13, and the reading target according to the reading position 9000_j. It is possible to flexibly change the operation control information such as the type of the article to be read and the type of the article not to be read. Further, it is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 10 and a wireless tag system 1 that can flexibly adapt to changes in the surrounding radio wave environment.

Further, in the present embodiment, even if the reading position is the same 9000_j, each part of the wireless tag reader 10 can be operated with different operation contents according to the instruction.

The reason will be explained. This is because, in the present embodiment, the wireless tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of the moving destination can store a plurality of operation control information. Then, the wireless tag reader 10 refers to the operation control information to which the operation control identifier to be applied at the movement destination of the wireless tag reader 10 is attached among the operation control information read from the wireless tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of the movement destination. This is because each part described above is controlled.

With this configuration, in the present embodiment, for example, while the wireless tag reader 10 is staying at one reading position 9000_j, the radio is attached to a plurality of types of articles 902 existing in different directions in the vicinity thereof. Information can be read from the tag 903.

The wireless tag system 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described effect traces the type, individual number, etc. of the article 902 that has passed through the manufacturing apparatus 901_i in the production system 900 in which the article 902 moves on the production line 909. It can be used for various purposes.

(Modification example 1)
In the present embodiment, it has been described that a plurality of reading positions 9000_j are set on the production line 909 having no branch. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a plurality of reading positions 9000_j are set on a path having a branch laid in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space by modifying as follows. It is also applicable when it is set at an arbitrary position in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the production system 900B to which the wireless tag system 1 is applied in this modification. In FIG. 10, in the production system 900B, a rail 905B having a branch is laid between the vicinity of the manufacturing devices 901_1 to 901_3. The rail 905B branches from the upstream into two downstream directions d1 and d2 at the branch point 905b. In addition to the position identifier and the operation control information, the stationary radio tag 90_j stores direction information. The direction information is information indicating the relative direction of the reading position 9000_j indicated by another position identifier with respect to the reading position 9000_j indicated by the position identifier. For example, directional information is represented by a pair of other position identifiers and relative directions. The branching form such as the number of branching points and the number of branching points on the rail 905B is not limited to the form shown in FIG.

Here, an example of the direction information stored in the wireless tag 90_2 is shown in FIG. In this example, the radio tag 90_2 in which the position identifier "2" is stored stores a set of another position identifier "1" and the direction information "upstream direction". This indicates that the reading position 9000_1 identified by the position identifier: 1 is in the upstream direction with respect to the reading position 9000_2 placed in the vicinity of the radio tag 90_2. Further, the wireless tag 90_2 in which the position identifier "2" is stored stores a set of another position identifier "3" and the direction information "downstream direction d2". This indicates that the reading position 9000_3 identified by the position identifier: 3 is in the downstream direction d2 with respect to the reading position 9000_2 in which the radio tag 90_2 is placed in the vicinity. A wireless tag storing such direction information may be deferred in the vicinity of the branch point. In that case, the wireless tag placed in the vicinity of the branch point need only store at least direction information, and does not necessarily have to store the position identifier and the operation control information.

In this case, the moving direction determining unit 141 operates as follows in the step S104 shown in FIG. That is, the moving direction determining unit 141 acquires the direction information read by the reading unit 13 from the radio tag 90_j that stores the position identifier indicating the current location. Then, the movement direction determination unit 141 may determine the direction associated with the position identifier indicating the movement destination among the acquired direction information as the movement direction. Further, it is assumed that the direction information stored in the wireless tag placed in the vicinity of the moving path is read by the reading unit 13 while the wireless tag reader 10 is moving. In this case, the movement direction determination unit 141 may determine the direction associated with the position identifier indicating the movement destination among the newly read direction information as the new movement direction. Then, in this case, the movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to move the wireless tag reader 10 in the newly determined movement direction.

The movement direction determination unit 141 may apply not only the direction information read by the reading unit 13 but also the direction information received from the host device 80 as the direction information for determining the movement direction. In this case, the movement direction determination unit 141 may receive direction information from the host device 80 in addition to the position identifier and the operation control identifier in the step S102 shown in FIG.

In this modification, the wireless tag reader 10 is described as moving on a rail 905 having a branch, which is laid in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. Not limited to this, the wireless tag reader 10 may be configured to be freely movable in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. In that case, as the direction information, for example, information indicating the direction of another reading position 9000_k (k ≠ j) as seen from one reading position 9000_j may be used. Further, when the wireless tag reader 10 can be freely moved in the three-dimensional section, a propeller may be used as the moving unit 12, for example.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a wireless tag system 1 in which a plurality of reading positions are set in a two-dimensional space. In the wireless tag system 1 shown in FIG. 12A, three reading positions 9000_0 to 9000_2 are set on the floor, which is a two-dimensional space, and each reading position 9000_j (j is a natural number of 0 or more and 2 or less). ), A radio tag 90_j in which a position identifier corresponding to the reading position is stored is deferred. The wireless tag reader 10 can freely move on the floor, and for example, reads various information from the wireless tag 903 arranged in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_0. In FIG. 12A, only the reading position 9000-0 to 9000_2, the stationary wireless tag 90_0 to 90_2, the wireless tag 903 to be read, and the wireless tag reader 10 are shown, and the other components are not shown. doing.

In the wireless tag system 1 shown in FIG. 12A, the wireless tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of each reading position 9000_j has a position identifier and operation control information, as well as other readings viewed from the reading position 9000_j. Directional information indicating the direction of the position 9000_k (k is a natural number different from j of 0 or more and 2 or less) is stored in association with the position identifier “k” of another reading position 9000_k. For example, in the wireless tag 90_0 placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_0, (1) direction information indicating the direction of the reading position 9000_1 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is stored in association with the position identifier "1" of the reading position 9000_1. (2) Direction information indicating the direction of the reading position 9000_2 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is stored in association with the position identifier "2" of the reading position 9000_2.

FIG. 12B is a perspective view showing a wireless tag system 1 in which a plurality of reading positions are set in a three-dimensional space. In the wireless tag system 1 shown in FIG. 12B, three reading positions 9000_0 to 9000_2 are set in a room which is a three-dimensional space, and each reading position 9000_j (j is a natural number of 0 or more and 2 or less). ), A radio tag 90_j in which a position identifier corresponding to the reading position is stored is deferred. The wireless tag reader 10 can freely move in this room, and for example, reads various information from the wireless tag 903 arranged in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_0. In FIG. 12B, only the reading position 9000-0 to 9000_2, the stationary wireless tag 90_0 to 90_2, the wireless tag 903 to be read, and the wireless tag reader 10 are shown, and the other components are not shown. doing.

In the wireless tag system 1 shown in FIG. 12B, the wireless tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of each reading position 9000_j has a position identifier and operation control information, as well as other readings viewed from the reading position 9000_j. Directional information indicating the direction of the position 9000_k (k is a natural number different from j of 0 or more and 2 or less) is stored in association with the position identifier “k” of another reading position 9000_k. For example, in the wireless tag 90_0 placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_0, (1) direction information indicating the direction of the reading position 9000_1 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is stored in association with the position identifier "1" of the reading position 9000_1. (2) Direction information indicating the direction of the reading position 900_2 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is stored in association with the position identifier "2" of the reading position 9000_2.

In the wireless tag system 1 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the moving direction determination unit 141 of the wireless tag reader 10 operates as follows. That is, the moving direction determining unit 141 acquires the direction information read by the reading unit 13 from the radio tag 90_j located near the current location. Then, the movement direction determination unit 141 determines the direction represented by the direction information associated with the position identifier indicating the movement destination among the acquired direction information as the movement direction. For example, when the position identifier indicating the movement destination is the position identifier "2", the movement direction determination unit 141 uses the direction information associated with the position identifier "2" among the direction information acquired from the wireless tag 90_0, that is, the direction information. The direction of the reading position 9000_2 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is determined as the moving direction.

By transforming as described above, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of reading positions 9000_j are set on a path having a branch, or when they are set at arbitrary positions in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. Further, it is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 10 and a wireless tag system 1 capable of easily determining the moving direction of the antenna 11 while achieving the same effects as described above.

(Modification 2)
Further, in the present embodiment, the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10 may be modified so as to be controllable.

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the wireless tag system 1A according to such a modified example. In FIG. 13, the wireless tag system 1A is applied to the production system 900 in the same manner as the wireless tag system 1. Further, the wireless tag system 1A has a wireless tag 99 in addition to the same configuration as the wireless tag system 1. The wireless tag 99 stores speed control information and is placed at the speed control position 9009. Here, the speed control information is information representing the control content of the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10. The speed control information may be, for example, information that specifies the speed. Further, the speed control information may be information for instructing a speed change such as deceleration or acceleration. The speed control position is a position for controlling the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10. When the speed control position and the reading position 9000_j are shared, the radio tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_j may further store the speed control information in addition to the position identifier and the operation control information. Further, when the speed control position is determined at a position different from the reading position 9000_j, the wireless tag 99 placed in the vicinity of the speed control position need only store at least the speed control information, and stores the position identifier and the operation control information. It does not have to be. The number and positions of the wireless tags 99 for storing the speed control information are not limited to those shown in FIG. 13 and are arbitrary.

In this case, the movement control unit 142 is deformed so as to operate as follows. Specifically, in step S105 of FIG. 3, the movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 to move the wireless tag reader 10 according to the speed indicated by the speed control information read by the reading unit 13. For example, it is assumed that the speed control information is stored in the wireless tag 90_j that stores the position identifier indicating the current location. In this case, the movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to move the wireless tag reader 10 in the movement direction determined by the movement direction determination unit 141 at a speed according to the speed control information. Further, it is assumed that the speed control information stored in the wireless tag placed in the vicinity of the moving path is read by the reading unit 13 while the wireless tag reader 10 is moving. In this case, the movement control unit 142 controls the movement unit 12 so as to change the movement speed of the wireless tag reader 10 according to the read speed control information.

This makes it possible to control the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10 in this embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform control such as decelerating the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10 as it approaches the reading position 9000_j of the moving destination.

By deforming as described above, the present embodiment can realize the wireless tag reader 10 capable of controlling the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10 before and after the start of movement or during the movement while achieving the same effect as described above. it can. Further, when the above wireless tag 99 storing the speed control information for accelerating the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10 is provided around the wireless tag 90_j storing the position identifier indicating the current location, the movement destination is read. Since the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10 can be accelerated toward the position 9000_j, it is possible to realize the wireless tag reader 10 capable of speed control such that the wireless tag reader 10 can be stopped at the reading position 9000_j of the moving destination and its vicinity more quickly. Further, when the wireless tag 99 in which the speed control information for decelerating the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10 is stored is provided on the upstream side of the reading position 9000_j of the moving destination, as the reading position of the moving destination approaches 9000_j Since the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 10 can be reduced, it is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 10 capable of more precise position control such that the wireless tag reader 10 can more reliably stop at the reading position 9000_j of the moving destination and its surroundings.

(Modification example 3)
Further, in the present embodiment, it is also possible to control the information to be written in the wireless tag 903 that is the target of reading at the destination of the wireless tag reader 10. In this case, the wireless tag reader 10 is configured to further include a writing unit (not shown). The writing unit writes information to the wireless tag via the antenna 11. Further, the wireless tag 90_j placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_j further includes operation control information instructing the content to be written to the wireless tag 903. In the case of such deformation, if the operation control unit 143 controls the writing unit to write to the wireless tag 903 according to the operation control information read by the moving destination of the wireless tag reader 10 in the step S110 of FIG. Good. Examples of the information to be written in the wireless tag 903 include, but are limited to, the usage status of the article 902 with the wireless tag 903 (for example, the remaining amount of the linear article wound around the bobbin 912). Absent.

The operation control unit 143 may apply not only the operation control information read by the reading unit 13 but also the operation control information received from the host device 80 as the operation control information instructing the written contents. For example, in step S102 shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the host device 80 receives the operation control information instructing the content to be written in addition to the position identifier and the operation control identifier. In this case, the operation control unit 143 may control the writing unit according to the operation control information received from the host device 80 in the step S110.

Although the writing of information to the wireless tag 903 has been described here, it is also possible to write or update the information to the wireless tag 90_j placed at each reading position. For example, when it becomes necessary to update the position identifier, the operation control information, or the operation control identifier stored in the wireless tag 90_j, the wireless tag reader 10 follows the instruction from the host device 80 and the position stored in the wireless tag 90_j. Update the identifier, motion control information, or motion control identifier. When it is necessary to update the position identifier stored in the wireless tag 90_j, for example, there is a case where the position identifier is reassigned with the addition of the reading position. Further, as a case where it is necessary to update the operation control information stored in the wireless tag 90_j, for example, there is a case where the angle of the antenna 11 is changed in order to correspond to the wireless environment.

(Other variants)
In the present embodiment, an example in which the wireless tag system 1 includes the host device 80 has been described. However, the wireless tag system 1 does not have to include the host device 80. In this case, the control unit 14 of the wireless tag reader 10 may store in advance a set of a position identifier and an operation control identifier indicating a movement destination or a column thereof in a memory. Alternatively, the control unit 14 of the wireless tag reader 10 may have a function that can calculate a set of a position identifier and an operation control identifier indicating a movement destination or a column thereof based on information acquired from the outside. Further, the control unit 14 of the wireless tag reader 10 may output the set of the information read from the wireless tag 903 and the position identifier of the reading position 9000_j to a separately connected output device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the wireless tag 903 to be read has been described as being attached to the article 902 moving on the path of the production system 900. Not limited to this, the wireless tag 903 to be read may be attached to other articles existing in the production system 900. Such articles may be, for example, articles carried or worn by workers, auxiliary materials such as paints and chemicals, jigs attached to the manufacturing apparatus 911, production instructions, manuals, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the host device 80 transmits the movement order information, which is a set of the position identifier indicating the movement destination and the operation control identifier, to the wireless tag reader 10 in a batch in advance. explained. In this case, the host device 80 may transmit interrupt information to the wireless tag reader 10 which is sequentially moving to the moving destination according to the moving order information. The interrupt information is information that has been received from the host as the movement order information and instructs the host to move to at least a different movement destination in preference to the set of the position identifier indicating the movement destination and the operation control identifier. Such different destinations are also referred to as priority destinations. The interrupt information includes at least a position identifier indicating a priority movement destination. Further, the interrupt information may include an operation control identifier to be applied to the wireless tag reader 10 at the priority movement destination. In this case, when the movement direction determination unit 141 and the movement control unit 142 receive the interrupt information, as the position identifier indicating the next movement destination and the operation control identifier, the position identifier indicating the priority movement destination included in the interrupt information is used. You can apply it. Further, the operation control unit 143 may use the operation control identifier included in the interrupt information when controlling the operation of each unit of the wireless tag reader 10 at the priority movement destination. Then, the movement direction determination unit 141 and the movement control unit 142 move the wireless tag reader 10 to the priority movement destination to control the operation of each unit, and then, among the movement order information initially received, the movement destination that has not yet been visited. It suffices to apply and operate as the next move destination in order from.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which a natural number is applied as a position identifier has been described. In addition, the position identifier may be represented by including information representing the geographical section of the reading position 9000_j. For example, the position identifier can be expressed as "nm". Both n and m are natural numbers. In this case, the position identifier "nm" is assigned to the m-th reading position 9000_j in the section "n". Further, it is assumed that the partition "n" is partitioned on the route in the order of the magnitude of the value of n. Further, it is assumed that the reading positions 9000_j with the position identifier "nm" are arranged on the route in the order of the magnitude of the value of m in the section "n". In this case, the moving direction determination unit 141 compares the position identifier “n1-m1” indicating the current location with the position identifier “n2-m2” indicating the moving destination, and is based on the magnitude relationship between the values of n1 and n2. , The moving direction may be determined. Further, when n1 and n2 are equal, the moving direction determining unit 141 may determine the moving direction based on the magnitude relationship of m1 and m2.

[Second Embodiment]
(Structure of manufacturing equipment)
The wireless tag system 2 as a second embodiment of the present invention is applied to a manufacturing apparatus 921 for manufacturing a linear product (which may be a planar product). First, the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 921 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 921. The wireless tag 99 and the speed control position 9009 in FIG. 14 are configurations used in a modification described later, and are not essential configurations in the present embodiment.

The bobbin 922a around which the linear article is wound is arranged at the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 921. From the bobbin 922a arranged at the carry-in entrance, a linear article is unwound and carried into the manufacturing apparatus 921. Further, a bobbin 922b different from the bobbin 922a at the carry-in port is arranged at the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 921. The bobbin 922b may be a bobbin having the same shape, structure, and material as the bobbin 922a, or may be a bobbin having a shape, structure, or material different from that of the bobbin 922a. The bobbin 922b arranged at the carry-out port winds up the linear article carried out from the manufacturing apparatus 921. Hereinafter, each of bobbins 922a and 922b will also be simply referred to as bobbin 922. The broken line arrow shown in FIG. 14 indicates the direction in which the linear article is carried in and out of the manufacturing apparatus 921.

A wireless tag 923a is attached to the bobbin 922a. A wireless tag 923b is attached to the bobbin 922b. Hereinafter, each of the wireless tags 923a and 923b will also be simply referred to as a wireless tag 923. The radio tag 923 stores various information about the bobbin 922 to which it is attached. For example, the radio tag 923 can provide information indicating the type of bobbin 922, information identifying an individual bobbin 922, information on the winding state of bobbin 922, other information on bobbin 922, or any combination of these information. It may be stored. Information other than the information for identifying the individual bobbin 922 may not be stored in the wireless tag 923 and may be managed in an external database or the like. Further, the information for identifying the individual bobbin 922 may be associated with the article identification information of the semi-finished product wrapped around the bobbin 922 in an external database or the like.

The manufacturing apparatus 921 performs a process related to production on the linear article carried in from the carry-in port, and carries out the linear article from the carry-out port. The vicinity of the carry-in entrance and the vicinity of the carry-out outlet of the manufacturing apparatus 921 are defined as the reading position 9002_j of the wireless tag 923 (j is a natural number of 0 or more and 1 or less), respectively. Although the present embodiment shows an example in which the manufacturing apparatus 921 has two reading positions, the number of reading positions 9002_j is not limited.

Further, in the manufacturing apparatus 921, a moving unit 22 for moving the antenna 21 and the antenna angle control unit 211 is installed. The antenna 21, the antenna angle control unit 211, and the moving unit 22 form a part of the wireless tag reader 20, which will be described later. The moving unit 22 includes, for example, a pedestal that supports the antenna 21 and the antenna angle control unit 211, wheels that move the pedestal, and a rail that is laid between the reading position 9002_j near the carry-in entrance and the reading position 9002_j near the carry-out exit. , It may be composed of a drive device for rotationally driving the wheels.

(Overall configuration of wireless tag system)
The configuration of the wireless tag system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 14, the wireless tag system 2 includes a wireless tag reader 20, a host device 82, and a plurality of stationary wireless tags 92. The wireless tag reader 20 includes the above-mentioned moving unit 22, an antenna 21 and an antenna angle control unit 211 that are movable by the moving unit 22, a reading unit 23, and a control unit 24. The control unit 24 includes a movement direction determination unit 241, a movement control unit 242, and an operation control unit 243.

The antenna 21 and the reading unit 23 are communicably connected via a cable or the like. The control unit 24 is connected to each of the other units in a controllable manner via a cable or the like. Further, the control unit 24 is communicably connected to the host device 82 via a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination thereof.

(Deferred wireless tag configuration)
Next, the detailed configuration of the stationary wireless tag 92 will be described. Each of the plurality of stationary radio tags 92 is arranged in the vicinity of each of the reading positions 9002_j set in the manufacturing apparatus 921. As described above, the reading position 9002_j is set in the vicinity of the carry-in entrance and the vicinity of the carry-out exit. In the present embodiment, assuming that there is one wireless tag 92 stationary in the vicinity of each reading position 9002_j, the number of stationary wireless tags 92 is two. Hereinafter, each stationary wireless tag 92 may be described as a stationary wireless tag 92_j (j is 0 or 1). However, the number of stationary wireless tags 92_j is not limited to two. Further, the number of stationary wireless tags 92_j does not necessarily have to be the same as the number of reading positions 9002_j. For example, a further reading position 9002_j may be set at an arbitrary position on the rail laid between the reading position 9002_j near the carry-in entrance and the reading position 9002_j near the carry-out port.

The stationary radio tag 92_j stores the position identifier. The position identifier is as described in the first embodiment. For example, 0 may be assigned as a position identifier to the reading position 9002_j near the carry-in entrance (upstream side), and 1 may be given as a position identifier to the reading position 9002_j near the carry-out port (downstream side). When three or more reading positions 9002_j are set, natural number position identifiers are assigned in order from 0 from the reading position 9002_j on the carry-in entrance (upstream) side to the reading position 9002_j on the carry-out port (downstream) side. It may have been done. The stationary radio tag 92_j is deferred in the vicinity of the reading position 9002_j identified by the stored position identifier. In other words, the stationary radio tag 92_j stores a position identifier that identifies the reading position 9002_j in the vicinity of the stationary position. As a place where the wireless tag 92_j is placed, for example, the side of the flow line of the wireless tag reader 20 can be mentioned. Further, for example, the flow line of the wireless tag reader 20 can be mentioned. Further, for example, the upper surface of a pillar provided between the manufacturing apparatus 921 and the bobbin 922 can be mentioned. Further, for example, the ground plane on which the manufacturing apparatus 921 is installed can be mentioned.

Further, each stationary wireless tag 92_j stores the operation control information to which the operation control identifier is given in addition to the position identifier. Since the operation control information is as described in the first embodiment, the description in the present embodiment will be omitted.

(Configuration of host device)
The host device 82 is configured in the same manner as the host device 80 described in the first embodiment.

(Wireless tag reader configuration)
Next, the configuration of each part of the wireless tag reader 20 will be described. The antenna 21 and the antenna angle control unit 211 are installed in the manufacturing apparatus 921. Further, the antenna 21 and the antenna angle control unit 211 are moved by the moving unit 22 installed in the manufacturing apparatus 921. Regarding other points, since the antenna 21 and the antenna angle control unit 211 are configured in the same manner as the antenna 11 in the first embodiment, the description in the present embodiment will be omitted.

As described above, the moving unit 22 is installed in the manufacturing apparatus 921. Since other points are configured in the same manner as the moving portion 12 in the first embodiment, the description in the present embodiment will be omitted.

A part or all of the antenna 21, the antenna angle control unit 211, and the moving unit 22 may exist outside the manufacturing apparatus 921.

The reading unit 23 is configured in the same manner as the reading unit 13 in the first embodiment. However, unlike the reading unit 13 in the first embodiment, the reading unit 23 is not supported by the moving unit 22 and does not move together with the antenna 21.

The control unit 24 is composed of a computer device including a processor, a memory, and a network interface. The movement direction determination unit 241, the movement control unit 242, the operation control unit 243, and the communication unit 244, which are the functional blocks of the control unit 24, read and execute the programs and data stored in the memory by the processor, and also via the network interface. It is realized as a software function by communicating with the host device 82. However, a part or all of each functional block of the control unit 24 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Unlike the control unit 14 in the first embodiment, the control unit 24 is not supported by the moving unit 22 and does not move together with the antenna 21.

The moving direction determining unit 241 is configured in the same manner as the moving direction determining unit 141 in the first embodiment.

The movement control unit 242 controls the movement unit 22 so as to move the antenna 21 in the movement direction determined by the movement direction determination unit 241. Then, the movement control unit 242 stops the movement of the antenna 21 when the antenna 21 moves within a readable area in which the reading unit 23 can read the position identifier indicating the movement destination from the wireless tag 92_j placed in the vicinity of the movement destination. The moving unit 22 is controlled so as to do so.

Since the configuration for determining whether or not the antenna 21 has reached the moving destination by the movement control unit 242 is as described in the first embodiment, the description in the present embodiment will be omitted.

The operation control unit 243, the communication unit 244, and the power supply unit 25 are similarly configured as the operation control unit 143, the communication unit 144, and the power supply unit 15 in the first embodiment.

(Wireless tag reader control method)
Next, the control method of the wireless tag reader 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a control method S2 of the wireless tag reader 20. The control method S2 is executed by the control unit 24 and includes the following steps.

Step S201: The moving direction determining unit 241 acquires the position identifier read by the reading unit 23 from the radio tag 92_j placed in the vicinity of the current location of the antenna 21. This position identifier is a position identifier indicating the current location.

Step S202: The movement direction determination unit 241 receives a set of a position identifier and an operation control identifier indicating a movement destination from the host device 82. The execution order of steps S201 and S202 does not necessarily have to be this order, and steps S202 and S201 may be executed in this order.

Step S203: The moving direction determining unit 241 determines whether or not the position identifier indicating the current location and the position identifier indicating the moving destination are the same. If it is determined that they are the same, step S208 described later is executed. If it is determined that they are not the same, the next step S204 is executed.

Step S204: The moving direction determining unit 241 determines the moving direction based on the position identifier indicating the current location and the position identifier indicating the moving destination.

Step S205: The movement control unit 242 controls the movement unit 22 so as to move the antenna 21 in the movement direction determined by the movement direction determination unit 241.

Step S206: The movement control unit 242 acquires the position identifier read by the reading unit 23 from the stationary radio tag 92_j that can be read via the moving antenna 21. Then, the movement control unit 242 determines whether or not the antenna 21 has reached the movement destination based on the acquired position identifier and the position identifier indicating the movement destination.

As described above, the movement control unit 242 determines in step S206 that the antenna 21 has reached the movement destination at the time when the acquired position identifier and the position identifier indicating the movement destination first match or at a timing based on that time. You may. Alternatively, the movement control unit 242 may determine whether or not the movement destination has been reached based on the reception strength of the information representing the position identifier indicating the movement destination.

If it is determined that the antenna 21 has reached the destination, the next step S207 is performed. If it is determined that the antenna 21 has not reached the destination, step S206 is repeated.

Step S207: The movement control unit 242 controls the movement unit 22 so as to stop the movement of the antenna 21.

Step S208: The motion control unit 243 operates according to the motion control identifier received in step S202 among one or more motion control information read by the reader 23 from the wireless tag 92_j that stores the position identifier indicating the movement destination. Identify control information.

Step S209: The operation control unit 243 controls the operation of each unit of the wireless tag reader 20 according to the specified operation control information. For example, the motion control unit 243 controls the antenna angle control unit 211 so as to adjust the angle of the antenna 21 according to the motion control information. Further, for example, the motion control unit 243 controls the antenna 21 so as to adjust the output power according to the motion control information. Further, for example, the operation control unit 243 controls the reading unit 23 so as to adjust the reception sensitivity according to the operation control information.

Step S210: The operation control unit 243 filters the information read by the reading unit 23 from the wireless tag 923 existing in the vicinity of the movement destination according to the operation control information.

Step S211: The operation control unit 243 transmits the information obtained in step S210 and the position identifier indicating the moving destination to the host device 82.

Step S212: The movement direction determination unit 241 determines whether or not there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination. If there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination, steps S201 to S210 are performed again. If there is no position identifier indicating the next destination, the control unit 24 terminates the operation of the wireless tag reader 20. The wireless tag reader 20 may be returned to the reading position 9002_0, which is the movement start point, as a process when it is determined that there is no movement destination.

Since the details of determining the presence / absence of the position identifier indicating the next movement destination are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description in this embodiment will be omitted. Further, since the operation of accumulating the set of the information and the position identifier in step S211 instead of transmitting the information is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description in the present embodiment will be omitted.

(Specific example of control method of wireless tag reader)
Next, a specific example of the control method S2 of the wireless tag reader 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 14 to 16.

Here, 0 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 92_0 placed in the vicinity of the carry-in entrance of the manufacturing apparatus 921. Further, 1 is stored as a position identifier in the wireless tag 92_1 installed near the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 921.

Further, the wireless tag 923 attached to the bobbin 922 stores information similar to the information shown in FIG. 6 referred to in the specific example of the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, the type A or B shall represent the type of bobbin 922. In addition, the individual number shall represent the individual number of bobbin 922.

Further, each of the stationary wireless tags 92_j stores operation control information with an operation control identifier in addition to the position identifier. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of operation control information stored in the wireless tag 92_j. As shown in FIG. 16, the operation control information of the operation control identifier 101 is stored in the radio tag 92_0. The operation control information of the operation control identifier: 101 includes "A" as the reading target designation information. This specifies that the article identification information including "A" as a type is read. Further, this motion control information includes "+315 degrees" as a horizontal angle and "+30 degrees" as a vertical angle. This specifies that the azimuth and elevation angles of the antenna 21 are controlled to +315 degrees (clockwise 315 degrees) and +30 degrees (upward 30 degrees), respectively, from the reference direction. Further, this operation control information includes "+25 dBm" as the output power. This is a value that specifies the output power of the antenna 21. Further, this operation control information includes "-60 dBm" as the reception sensitivity. This is a value that specifies the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 13. Further, the wireless tag 92_1 stores the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 201. The operation control information of the operation control identifier: 201 includes "B" as the reading target designation information. This specifies that the article identification information including "B" as a type is read. The information other than the read target designation information included in the operation control control information of the operation control identifier: 201 is the same as the information included in the operation control control information of the operation control identifier: 101 except for the horizontal angle. This is because at the reading position 9002_1, the radio tag 923a is to the left of the reading position 9002_1, whereas at the reading position 9002_1, the radio tag 923b is to the right of the reading position 9002_1.

Further, in the initial state, it is assumed that the antenna 21 is at the reading position 9002_1 near the carry-out port.

In this case, the moving direction determining unit 241 acquires the position identifier: 2 indicating the current location read from the wireless tag 92_1 by the reading unit 23 (step S201).

Next, it is assumed that the movement direction determination unit 241 receives a set of the position identifier: 0 and the operation control identifier: 101 indicating the movement destination from the host device 82 (step S202). The reading position 9002_0 indicated by the position identifier: 0 is near the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 921.

Next, the movement direction determination unit 241 determines the movement direction toward the carry-in entrance (upstream) side based on the position identifier: 1 indicating the current location and the position identifier: 0 indicating the movement destination (step S204).

Next, the movement control unit 242 controls the movement unit 22 so as to move the antenna 21 in the direction toward the carry-in entrance side (step S205).

Next, the movement control unit 242 acquires the position identifier: 0 read by the reading unit 23 from the radio tag 92_0 that can be read from the moving antenna 21. Then, the movement control unit 242 determines that the antenna 21 has reached the movement destination because the read position identifier: 0 and the position identifier indicating the movement destination: 0 match (YES in step S206). That is, the antenna 21 has reached the vicinity of the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 921.

Here, the movement control unit 242 describes an example in which the antenna 21 determines that the antenna 21 has reached the movement destination when the read position identifier and the position identifier indicating the movement destination match for the first time after the movement.

Therefore, the movement control unit 242 controls the movement unit 22 so as to stop the movement of the antenna 21 (step S207).

Next, the operation control unit 243 operates the operation corresponding to the operation control identifier: 101 received in step S202 among the operation control information read by the reading unit 23 from the wireless tag 92_0 storing the position identifier: 0 indicating the movement destination. The control information is specified (step S208).

The operation control unit 243 controls each unit of the wireless tag reader 20 according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 101. Specifically, the motion control unit 243 controls the antenna angle control unit 211 so that the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of the antenna 21 are +315 degrees and +30 degrees from the reference direction, respectively. Further, the operation control unit 243 controls the output power of the antenna 21 to + 25 dBm. Further, the operation control unit 243 controls the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 23 to −60 dBm (step S209).

Here, it is assumed that a bobbin 922c (not shown) of type C exists in addition to the bobbin 922a of type A in the vicinity of the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 921. It is assumed that the bobbin 922c has a wireless tag 923c (not shown). Therefore, the operation control unit 243 acquires the information "C001" read from the radio tag 923c attached to the bobbin 922c of the type C. Further, the operation control unit 243 acquires the information "A001" read from the radio tag 923a attached to the bobbin 922a of the type A. Then, the operation control unit 243 obtains "A001" as a result of filtering the read information with the information including the type A according to the reading target designation information included in the operation control information of the operation control identifier 101 (step S210).

The operation control unit 243 transmits a set of the information “A001” obtained in the step S210 and the position identifier: 0 indicating the moving destination to the host device 82 (step S211).

The movement direction determination unit 241 determines whether or not there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination (step S212). Here, it is assumed that the set of the position identifier: 1 indicating the next movement destination and the operation control identifier: 201 is received from the host device 82. The reading position 9002_1 indicated by the position identifier: 1 is near the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 921.

Therefore, the control unit 24 determines that there is a next destination (YES in step S212), and executes steps S201 to S210 again in the same manner. As a result, the antenna 21 moves to the vicinity of the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 921. Then, the horizontal angle, vertical angle and output power of the antenna 21 and the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 23 are adjusted according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 201, and the article identification information is read.

Then, if there is no position identifier indicating the next movement destination, the control unit 24 determines that there is no next movement destination (NO in step S212), and ends the operation of the wireless tag reader 20. The wireless tag reader 20 may be returned to the reading position 9002_0, which is the movement start point, as a process when it is determined that there is no movement destination.

(Effect of this embodiment)
In this embodiment, even when it is difficult to secure a space for moving the wireless tag reader 20 outside the manufacturing apparatus 921 by installing the moving portion 22 for moving the antenna 21 inside one manufacturing apparatus 921. , The same effect as that of the first embodiment of the present invention can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the reading unit 23 is not supported by the moving unit 22 and does not move together with the antenna 21 has been described. Not limited to this, in the present embodiment, the reading unit 23 can be configured to be supported by the moving unit 22. In this case, the reading unit 23 moves together with the antenna 21. Even in this case, the present embodiment has the same effect as described above.

(Modification example 1)
In this embodiment, the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20 can be transformed into a controllable form.

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the wireless tag system 2 according to such a modified example. In FIG. 14, the wireless tag system 2 is applied to the manufacturing apparatus 921 in the same manner as the wireless tag system 2. Further, the wireless tag system 2 has a wireless tag 99 in addition to the same configuration as the wireless tag system 2. The wireless tag 99 stores speed control information and is placed at the speed control position 9009. Here, the speed control information is information representing the control content of the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20. The speed control information may be, for example, information that specifies the speed. Further, the speed control information may be information for instructing a speed change such as deceleration or acceleration. The speed control position is a position for controlling the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20. When the speed control position and the reading position 9002_j are shared, the radio tag 92_j placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9002_j may further store the speed control information in addition to the position identifier and the operation control information. Further, when the speed control position is determined at a position different from the reading position 9002_j, the wireless tag 99 placed in the vicinity of the speed control position need only store at least the speed control information, and stores the position identifier and the operation control information. It does not have to be. The number and positions of the wireless tags 99 for storing the speed control information are not limited to those shown in FIG. 14, and are arbitrary.

In this case, the movement control unit 242 is deformed so as to operate as follows. Specifically, in step S205 of FIG. 15, the movement control unit 242 controls the movement unit 22 to move the wireless tag reader 20 according to the speed indicated by the speed control information read by the reading unit 23. For example, it is assumed that the speed control information is stored in the radio tag 92_j that stores the position identifier indicating the current location. In this case, the movement control unit 242 controls the movement unit 22 so as to move the wireless tag reader 20 in the movement direction determined by the movement direction determination unit 241 at a speed according to the speed control information. Further, it is assumed that the speed control information stored in the wireless tag placed in the vicinity of the moving path is read by the reading unit 23 while the wireless tag reader 20 is moving. In this case, the movement control unit 242 controls the movement unit 22 so as to change the movement speed of the wireless tag reader 20 according to the read speed control information.

This makes it possible to control the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20 in this embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform control such as decelerating the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20 as it approaches the reading position 9002_j of the moving destination.

By transforming as described above, the present embodiment can realize the wireless tag reader 20 capable of controlling the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20 before and after the start of movement or during the movement while achieving the same effect as described above. it can. Further, when the above wireless tag 99 storing the speed control information for accelerating the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20 is provided around the wireless tag 92_j storing the position identifier indicating the current location, the movement destination is read. Since the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20 can be accelerated toward the position 9002_j, the wireless tag reader 20 capable of speed control such that the wireless tag reader 20 can be stopped at the reading position 9002_j at the moving destination and its vicinity can be realized more quickly. Further, when the wireless tag 99 in which the speed control information for decelerating the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20 is stored is provided on the upstream side of the reading position 9002_j of the moving destination, as it approaches the reading position 9002_j of the moving destination, Since the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 20 can be reduced, it is possible to realize a wireless tag reader 20 capable of more precise position control such that the wireless tag reader 20 can more reliably stop at the reading position 9002_j of the moving destination and its surroundings.

(Modification 2)
Further, the present embodiment can be transformed into a form in which information is written in the wireless tag 923 to be read at the destination of the wireless tag reader 20. In this case, the wireless tag reader 20 is configured to further include a writing unit (not shown). The writing unit writes information to the wireless tag via the antenna 21. Further, the radio tag 92_j placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9002_j further includes operation control information instructing the content to be written to the radio tag 923. In the case of such deformation, if the operation control unit 243 controls the writing unit to write to the wireless tag 923 according to the operation control information read by the moving destination of the wireless tag reader 20 in the step S210 of FIG. Good. Examples of the information to be written in the wireless tag 923 include, but are limited to, the usage status of the article 922 with the wireless tag 923 (for example, the remaining amount of the linear article wound around the bobbin 922). Absent.

The operation control unit 243 may apply not only the operation control information read by the reading unit 23 but also the operation control information received from the host device 80 as the operation control information instructing the written contents. For example, in step S202 shown in FIG. 15, it is assumed that the host device 80 receives the operation control information instructing the content to be written in addition to the position identifier and the operation control identifier. In this case, the operation control unit 243 may control the writing unit according to the operation control information received from the host device 80 in the step S210.

(Other variants)
In the present embodiment, an example in which the wireless tag system 2 includes the host device 80 has been described. However, the wireless tag system 2 does not have to include the host device 80. In this case, the changes to the control unit 24 of the wireless tag system 2 are the same as the changes to the control unit 14 of the wireless tag system 1 described in the other modification of the first embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, the wireless tag 923 to be read has been described as being attached to the article 922 moving on the path of the manufacturing apparatus 921. Not limited to this, the wireless tag 923 to be read may be attached to other articles existing in the manufacturing apparatus 921. Such articles may be, for example, articles carried or worn by workers, auxiliary materials such as paints and chemicals, jigs attached to the manufacturing apparatus 911, production instructions, manuals, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the host device 80 transmits the movement order information, which is a set of the position identifier indicating the movement destination and the operation control identifier, to the wireless tag reader 20 in a batch in advance. explained. In this case, the host device 80 may transmit interrupt information to the wireless tag reader 20 which is sequentially moving to the moving destination according to the moving order information. The interrupt information is information instructing to move to at least a different movement destination in preference to the set of the position identifier and the operation control identifier indicating the movement destination. Such different destinations are also referred to as priority destinations. The interrupt information includes at least a position identifier indicating a priority movement destination. Further, the interrupt information may include an operation control identifier to be applied to the wireless tag reader 20 at the priority movement destination. In this case, when the movement direction determination unit 241 and the movement control unit 242, which have been received from the host as the movement order information, receive the interrupt information, the interrupt information is used as the position identifier and the operation control identifier indicating the next movement destination. A position identifier indicating the included priority movement destination may be applied. Further, the operation control unit 243 may use the operation control identifier included in the interrupt information when controlling the operation of each unit of the wireless tag reader 20 at the priority movement destination. Then, the movement direction determination unit 241 and the movement control unit 242 move the wireless tag reader 20 to the priority movement destination to control the operation of each unit, and then, among the movement order information initially received, the movement destination that has not yet been visited. It suffices to apply and operate as the next move destination in order from.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which a natural number is applied as a position identifier has been described. In addition, the position identifier may be represented by including information representing the geographical section of the reading position 9002_j. For example, the position identifier can be expressed as "nm". Both n and m are natural numbers. In this case, the position identifier "nm" is assigned to the m-th reading position 9002_j in the section "n". Further, it is assumed that the partition "n" is partitioned on the route in the order of the magnitude of the value of n. Further, it is assumed that the reading positions 9002_j with the position identifier "nm" are arranged on the route in the order of the magnitude of the value of m in the section "n". In this case, the moving direction determining unit 241 compares the position identifier “n1-m1” indicating the current location and the position identifier “n2-m2” indicating the moving destination, and is based on the magnitude relationship between the values of n1 and n2. , The moving direction may be determined. Further, when n1 and n2 are equal, the moving direction determining unit 241 may determine the moving direction based on the magnitude relationship of m1 and m2.

[Usage example 1 of optical tag]
Next, an example of using the optical tag will be described. The optical tag is a tag that can optically read the recorded information. Examples of the information recorded on the optical tag include a barcode which is one aspect of the one-dimensional code and a QR code which is one aspect of the two-dimensional code, but the information is not limited to these and may be a three-dimensional code. The optical tag can be realized as, for example, a stickable label (or sticker) on which the above-mentioned barcode, QR code, or the like is printed. Hereinafter, the information recorded on the optical tag is also described as an information code.

The wireless tag system 1 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 18 with respect to the tag system 1C modified by using an optical tag instead of the wireless tag. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the tag system 1C. Further, FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the tag reader 10C.

As shown in FIG. 17, the tag system 1C is applied to the production system 900C. The production system 900C is different from the production system 900 in the first embodiment in that an optical tag 94_j, which will be described later, is deferred at each reading position 9000_j instead of the wireless tag 90_j. Further, the article 902 is different in that the optical tag 943 is attached instead of the wireless tag 903. The optical tag 943 is different from the wireless tag 903 in that the information described above is optically readable and displayed as being stored in the wireless tag 903. The configuration of the other production system 900C is the same as that of the production system 900.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the tag system 1C has a tag reader 10C instead of the wireless tag reader 10 and an optical tag 94_j (j) instead of the wireless tag 90_j with respect to the wireless tag system 1 according to the first embodiment. Is an integer of 0 or more and M or less). The configuration of the other tag system 1C is the same as that of the wireless tag system 1. The optical tag 94_j refers to each of the optical tags 94_0 to 94_6. In this usage example, an example of M = 6 is shown, but the number of optical tags 94_j included in the tag system 1C is arbitrary.

The optical tag 94_j is placed at each reading position 9000_j as described above. The optical tag 94_j is different from the wireless tag 90_j in that the information code representing the above-mentioned information is optically readable and displayed as being stored in the wireless tag 90_j.

Specifically, the optical tag 94_j displays an information code representing a position identifier and operation control information. The position identifier is as described in the first embodiment. The operation control information is information that controls the operation of each part when the tag reader 10C reads the information from the optical tag 943 at the moving destination. Specifically, the motion control information may include information indicating the angle of the optical sensor 41, which will be described later. Further, the operation control information may include information indicating the type (bar code, QR code, etc.) of the information code displayed on the optical tag 943. Further, the operation control information may include information that specifies the type of information to be read from the optical tag 943.

In addition to the position identifier and motion control information, the optical tag 94_j further displays the direction information described in the above-mentioned modification 1 or the information code further representing the speed control information described in the above-mentioned modification 2. You may.

As shown in FIG. 18, the tag reader 10C omits the antenna 11, the antenna angle control unit 111, and the reading unit 13 from the wireless tag reader 10 according to the first embodiment, and instead uses the optical sensor 41 and the optical sensor angle control. A unit 411 and a reading unit 43 are added. The configuration of the other tag reader 10C is the same as that of the wireless tag reader 10.

The optical sensor 41 captures the information displayed on the optical tag 94_j or the optical tag 943 and outputs an image signal. For example, the optical sensor 41 may include an illumination light source, a lens, and light receiving elements arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. In this case, the optical sensor 41 forms an image of the reflected light reflected by the optical tag 94_j from the light emitted from the illumination light source in an array of light receiving elements by the lens, and based on the light receiving signals obtained from each light receiving element, an image is obtained. Output a signal.

The reading unit 43 decodes the image signal obtained by the optical sensor 41 and reads the information recorded on the optical tag 94_j or the optical tag 943. Specifically, the reading unit 43 decodes the image signal by performing image processing according to the characteristics of the type of information code. The information read by decoding is a position identifier, an operation information identifier, an article identification information, and the like. In addition, the information read by decoding may include direction information or speed control information.

The tag system 1C and the tag reader 10C configured as described above operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, thereby achieving the same effects as in the first embodiment. That is, while the number of tag readers 10C required when reading the optical tag 943 at a plurality of reading positions 9000_j is smaller than the number of reading positions 9000_j, the flexibility for changing the reading position 9000_j is further increased. be able to. Further, in this usage example, the flexibility for changing the operating conditions of the tag reader 10C can be further increased.

Further, this usage example can be similarly applied to the second embodiment. For example, when the present usage example is applied to the second embodiment, the wireless tag 92_j is replaced with the optical tag 94_j, the wireless tag 923 attached to the bobbin 922 is replaced with the optical tag 943, and the wireless tag reader 20 is used. The antenna 21 may be replaced with the optical sensor 41, the optical sensor angle control unit 411 may be added, and the reading unit 23 may be replaced with the reading unit 43.

[Usage example 2 of optical tag]
Next, the tag system 1D in which the wireless tag system 1 in the first embodiment is modified to use an optical tag in addition to the wireless tag will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 20. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the tag system 1D. Further, FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the tag reader 10D.

As shown in FIG. 19, the tag system 1D is applied to the production system 900D. The production system 900D is different from the production system 900 in the first embodiment in that the wireless tag 95_j and the optical tag 96_j, which will be described later, are deferred at each reading position 9000_j instead of the wireless tag 90_j. The configuration of the other production system 900D is the same as that of the production system 900.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the tag system 1D has a tag reader 10D instead of the wireless tag reader 10, a wireless tag 95_j instead of the wireless tag 90_j, and an optical tag system 1 according to the first embodiment. The difference is that the tag 96_j (j is an integer of 0 or more and M or less) is included. The wireless tag 95_j refers to each of the wireless tags 95_0 to 95_6. Further, the optical tag 96_j refers to each of the optical tags 96_0 to 96_6. In this usage example, an example of M = 6 is shown, but the number of wireless tags 95_j and the number of optical tags 96_j included in the tag system 1D are arbitrary.

The wireless tag 95_j is deferred at each reading position 9000_j, as described above. Further, the wireless tag 95_j stores a position identifier among the above-mentioned information as being stored in the wireless tag 90_j. Further, the wireless tag 95_j may further store the direction information described in the above-mentioned modification 1 or the speed control information described in the above-mentioned modification 2.

The optical tag 96_j is placed at each reading position 9000_j as described above. The optical tag 96_j optically readablely displays an information code representing operation control information among the above-mentioned information stored in the wireless tag 90_j. The operation control information is as described in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the tag reader 10D is a wireless tag reader 10 according to the first embodiment, to which an optical sensor 41 and an information code reading unit 53 are added. The configuration of the optical sensor 41 is as described in Usage Example 1. The information code reading unit 53 is configured in the same manner as the reading unit 43 in the first use example. However, the tag targeted by the information code reading unit 53 is different from the reading unit 43 in that it is an optical tag 96_j. The information code reading unit 53 is an example of a part of the reading unit in one aspect of the present invention.

The tag system 1D and the tag reader 10D configured as described above operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, thereby achieving the same effects as in the first embodiment. That is, while the number of wireless tag readers 10D required when reading the wireless tag 903 at a plurality of reading positions 9000_j is smaller than the number of reading positions 9000_j, the flexibility for changing the reading position 9000_j is higher. can do. Further, in this usage example, the flexibility for changing the operating conditions of the tag reader 10D (for example, antenna angle, output power, reception sensitivity, etc.) can be further increased.

Further, this usage example can be similarly applied to the second embodiment. For example, when the present usage example is applied to the second embodiment, the wireless tag 92_j may be replaced with the wireless tag 95_j and the optical tag 96_j, and the optical sensor 41 and the information code reading unit 53 may be added to the wireless tag reader 20. ..

It is also possible to apply the tag system 1D to the production system 900C in which the optical tag 943 is attached to the article 902 as in the usage example 1. In that case, the tag reader 10D may further include an optical sensor angle control unit 411. As described above, which of the information (for example, position identifier, motion control information, direction information, speed control information, article identification information, etc.) that can be stored in the tag in each embodiment of the present invention is stored in the wireless tag. Any combination is possible as to whether or not to store the in the optical tag.

[Usage example 3 of optical tag]
Next, the tag system 1E in which the wireless tag system 1 in the first embodiment is modified to use an optical tag in addition to the wireless tag will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 22. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the tag system 1E. Further, FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the tag reader 10E.

As shown in FIG. 21, the tag system 1E is applied to the production system 900E. The production system 900E is different from the production system 900 in the first embodiment in that the article 902 is attached with the optical tag 943 instead of the wireless tag 903. The optical tag 943 is different from the wireless tag 903 in that the information described above is optically readable and displayed as being stored in the wireless tag 903. The configuration of the other production system 900E is the same as that of the production system 900.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the tag system 1E is different from the wireless tag system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the tag reader 10E is included in place of the wireless tag reader 10. The configuration of the other tag system 1E is the same as that of the wireless tag system 1.
As shown in FIG. 22, the tag reader 10E is obtained by adding an optical sensor 41, an optical sensor angle control unit 411, and an information code reading unit 53 to the wireless tag reader 10 according to the first embodiment. The configuration of the other tag reader 10E is the same as that of the wireless tag reader 10. The configurations of the optical sensor 41 and the optical sensor angle control unit 411 are as described in the first usage example, and the configuration of the information code reading unit 53 is as described in the second usage example. ..
The tag system 1E and the tag reader 10E configured as described above operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, thereby achieving the same effects as in the first embodiment. That is, while the number of tag readers 10E required for reading the optical tag 943 at a plurality of reading positions 9000_j is smaller than the number of reading positions 9000_j, the flexibility for changing the reading position 9000_j is further increased. be able to. Further, in this usage example, the flexibility for changing the operating conditions of the tag reader 10E (for example, antenna angle, output power, reception sensitivity, etc.) can be further increased.

Further, this usage example can be similarly used in the second embodiment. For example, when the present usage example is applied to the second embodiment, the wireless tag 923 attached to the bobbin 922 is replaced with an optical tag 943, and the wireless tag reader 20 has an optical sensor 41, an optical sensor angle control unit 411, and the like. And the information code reading unit 53 may be added.

FIG. 23A is a perspective view showing an example of a tag system 1E in which a plurality of reading positions are set in a two-dimensional space. In the tag system 1E shown in FIG. 23A, three reading positions 9000_0 to 9000_2 are set on the floor, which is a two-dimensional space, and each reading position 9000_i (i is a natural number of 0 or more and 2 or less). A radio tag 90_i in which a position identifier corresponding to the reading position is stored is deferred in the vicinity of. The tag reader 10E can move freely on the floor, and reads various information from, for example, an optical tag 943 arranged in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_1. In FIG. 23A, only the reading position 9000-0 to 9000_2, the stationary wireless tag 90_0 to 90_2, the optical tag 943 to be read, and the tag reader 10E are shown, and the other components are not shown. ing.

In the tag system 1E shown in FIG. 23 (a), in addition to the position identifier and the operation control information, the wireless tag 90_i placed in the vicinity of each reading position 9000_i has another reading position seen from the reading position 9000_i. Direction information indicating the direction of 9000_k (k is a natural number different from i of 0 or more and 2 or less) is stored in association with the position identifier “k” of another reading position 9000_k. For example, in the wireless tag 90_0 placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_0, (1) direction information indicating the direction of the reading position 9000_1 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is stored in association with the position identifier "1" of the reading position 9000_1. (2) Direction information indicating the direction of the reading position 9000_2 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is stored in association with the position identifier "2" of the reading position_9000.

FIG. 23B is a perspective view showing a tag system 1E in which a plurality of reading positions are set in a three-dimensional space. In the tag system 1E shown in FIG. 23 (b), three reading positions 9000_0 to 9000_2 are set in a room which is a three-dimensional space, and each reading position 9000_i (i is a natural number of 0 or more and 2 or less). A radio tag 90_i in which a position identifier corresponding to the reading position is stored is deferred in the vicinity of. The tag reader 10E can move freely in this room, and for example, reads various information from the optical tag 943 arranged in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_0. In FIG. 23B, only the reading position 9000-0 to 9000_2, the stationary wireless tag 90_0 to 90_2, the optical tag 943 to be read, and the tag reader 10E are shown, and the other components are not shown. ing.

In the tag system 1E shown in FIG. 23 (b), in addition to the position identifier and the operation control information, the wireless tag 90_i placed in the vicinity of each reading position 9000_i has another reading position seen from the reading position 9000_i. Direction information indicating the direction of 9000_k (k is a natural number different from i of 0 or more and 2 or less) is stored in association with the position identifier “k” of another reading position 9000_k. For example, in the wireless tag 90_0 placed in the vicinity of the reading position 9000_0, (1) direction information indicating the direction of the reading position 9000_2 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is stored in association with the position identifier "2" of the reading position 9000_2. (2) Direction information indicating the direction of the reading position 900_3 as seen from the reading position 9000_1 is stored in association with the position identifier "3" of the reading position_9000_3.

In the tag system 1E shown in FIGS. 23A and 23, the moving direction determining unit 141 of the tag reader 10E operates as follows. That is, the moving direction determining unit 141 acquires the direction information read by the reading unit 13 from the radio tag 90_j located near the current location. Then, the movement direction determination unit 141 determines the direction represented by the direction information associated with the position identifier indicating the movement destination among the acquired direction information as the movement direction. For example, when the position identifier indicating the movement destination is the position identifier "1", the movement direction determination unit 141 uses the direction information associated with the position identifier "1" among the direction information acquired from the wireless tag 90_0, that is, the direction information. The direction of the reading position 9000_1 as seen from the reading position 9000_0 is determined as the moving direction.

Further, in this usage example, the optical tag 943 to be read has been described as being attached to the article 902 moving on the path of the production system 900. Not limited to this, the optical tag 943 to be read may be attached to other articles existing in the production system 900. Such articles may be, for example, articles carried or worn by workers, auxiliary materials such as paints and chemicals, jigs attached to the manufacturing apparatus 911, production instructions, manuals, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the host device 80 collectively transmits the movement order information, which is a set of the position identifier and the operation control identifier indicating the movement destination, to the tag reader 10E in advance will be described. did. In this case, the host device 80 may transmit interrupt information to the tag reader 10E which is sequentially moving to the moving destination according to the moving order information. The interrupt information is information that has been received from the host as the movement order information and instructs the host to move to at least a different movement destination in preference to the set of the position identifier indicating the movement destination and the operation control identifier. Such different destinations are also referred to as priority destinations. The interrupt information includes at least a position identifier indicating a priority movement destination. Further, the interrupt information may include an operation control identifier to be applied to the tag reader 10E at the priority movement destination. In this case, when the movement direction determination unit 141 and the movement control unit 142 receive the interrupt information, as the position identifier indicating the next movement destination and the operation control identifier, the position identifier indicating the priority movement destination included in the interrupt information is used. You can apply it. Further, the operation control unit 143 may use the operation control identifier included in the interrupt information when controlling the operation of each unit of the tag reader 10E at the priority movement destination, or the position indicating the movement destination before receiving the interrupt information. The operation control identifier that has been paired with the identifier may be used, or these two operation control identifiers may be used together. Then, the movement direction determination unit 141 and the movement control unit 142 move the tag reader 10E to the priority movement destination to control the operation of each unit, and then from the movement order information initially received from the movement destination that has not yet been visited. In order, it may be applied and operated as the next move destination.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which a natural number is applied as a position identifier has been described. In addition, the position identifier may be represented by including information representing the geographical section of the reading position 9000_j. For example, the position identifier can be expressed as "nm". Both n and m are natural numbers. In this case, the position identifier "nm" is assigned to the m-th reading position 9000_j in the section "n". Further, it is assumed that the partition "n" is partitioned on the route in the order of the magnitude of the value of n. Further, it is assumed that the reading positions 9000_j with the position identifier "nm" are arranged on the route in the order of the magnitude of the value of m in the section "n". In this case, the moving direction determination unit 141 compares the position identifier “n1-m1” indicating the current location with the position identifier “n2-m2” indicating the moving destination, and is based on the magnitude relationship between the values of n1 and n2. , The moving direction may be determined. Further, when n1 and n2 are equal, the moving direction determining unit 141 may determine the moving direction based on the magnitude relationship of m1 and m2.

[Third Embodiment]
The wireless tag system according to the first and second embodiments described above includes a mobile wireless tag reader and a stationary wireless tag. In this embodiment, a wireless tag system including a stationary wireless tag reader instead of a mobile wireless tag reader and a portable wireless tag instead of a stationary wireless tag will be described.

The wireless tag system 3 as a third embodiment of the present invention is applied to a manufacturing apparatus 931 for manufacturing a linear product (which may be a planar product). FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the wireless tag system 3 and the manufacturing apparatus 931.

(Structure of manufacturing equipment)
First, the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 931 will be described. As shown in FIG. 24, the manufacturing apparatus 931 performs a process related to production on the linear article carried in from the carry-in port, and carries out the linear article from the carry-out port.

The bobbin 932a around which the linear article is wound is arranged at the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 931. From the bobbin 932a arranged at the carry-in entrance, a linear article is unwound and carried into the manufacturing apparatus 931. Further, a bobbin 932b different from the bobbin 932a at the carry-in port is arranged at the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 931. The bobbin 932b may be a bobbin having the same shape, structure, and material as the bobbin 932a, or may be a bobbin having a shape, structure, or material different from that of the bobbin 932a. The bobbin 932b arranged at the carry-out port winds up the linear article carried out from the manufacturing apparatus 931. Hereinafter, each of bobbins 932a and 932b will also be simply referred to as bobbin 932. The broken line arrow shown in FIG. 24 indicates the direction in which the linear article is carried in and out of the manufacturing apparatus 931.

A wireless tag 933a is attached to the bobbin 932a. A wireless tag 933b is attached to the bobbin 932b. Hereinafter, each of the wireless tags 933a and 933b will also be simply referred to as a wireless tag 933. The radio tag 933 stores various information about the bobbin 932 to which it is attached. For example, the radio tag 933 may provide information representing the type of bobbin 932, information identifying an individual bobbin 932, information on the winding state of the bobbin 932, other information on the bobbin 932, or any combination of these information. It may be stored. Information other than the information for identifying the individual bobbin 932 may not be stored in the wireless tag 933 and may be managed in an external database or the like. Further, the information for identifying the individual bobbin 932 may be associated with the article identification information of the semi-finished product wrapped around the bobbin 932 in an external database or the like.

(Overall configuration of wireless tag system)
Next, the configuration of the wireless tag system 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 24. In FIG. 24, the wireless tag system 3 includes a stationary wireless tag reader 30, a host device 83, and a portable wireless tag 93. The wireless tag reader 30 includes an antenna 31, an antenna angle control unit 311, a reading unit 33, a control unit 34, and a power supply unit 35. The control unit 34 includes an operation control unit 343 and a communication unit 344.

The antenna 31 and the reading unit 33 are communicably connected via a cable or the like. The control unit 34 is connected to each of the other units in a controllable manner via a cable or the like. Further, the control unit 34 is communicably connected to the host device 83 via a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination thereof.

(Configuration of portable wireless tag)
Next, a detailed configuration of the portable wireless tag 93 will be described. Further, the portable wireless tag 93 is arranged in the vicinity of the manufacturing apparatus 931 so as to be replaceable. For example, the wireless tag 93 may be attached to a manufacturing instruction applied to the manufacturing apparatus 931. The manufacturing instruction is a document that describes the manufacturing contents to be applied to the manufacturing apparatus 931. The described manufacturing content includes information specifying the bobbins 932 to be arranged at the carry-in inlet and the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 931, respectively. Here, it is assumed that different manufacturing instructions can be applied to the same manufacturing apparatus 931 in different periods. In this case, a worker who works on the manufacturing apparatus 931 during a certain period carries a manufacturing instruction to be applied to the manufacturing apparatus 931 and attaches a bobbin 932 to the carry-in inlet and the carry-out outlet according to the carried manufacturing instruction. Deploy. After that, the operator may arrange the manufacturing instruction sheet at a predetermined position such as inside or on the surface of the manufacturing apparatus 931. As a result, the wireless tag 93 attached to the manufacturing instruction sheet is arranged in the vicinity of the manufacturing apparatus 931 so as to be replaceable. However, the portable wireless tag 93 may be arranged so as to be replaceable in the vicinity of the manufacturing apparatus 931 and may not necessarily be attached to the manufacturing instruction sheet.

The portable wireless tag 93 stores a manufacturing identifier and operation control information. The manufacturing identifier is information that identifies the manufacturing content to be applied to the manufacturing apparatus 931 in a certain period.

The operation control information is information that controls the operation of each part when the wireless tag reader 30 reads information from the wireless tag 933. The portable wireless tag 93 may store a plurality of operation control information. Further, an operation control identifier is assigned to each operation control information. Since the details of the operation control information are as described in the first embodiment, the description will not be repeated.

(Configuration of host device)
Next, the details of the configuration of the host device 83 will be described. The host device 83 is composed of a computer device including a processor, a memory, and a network interface. The host device 83 has a function of receiving information read from the wireless tag 933 (hereinafter referred to as read information) from the wireless tag reader 30. Further, the host device 83 may have a function of storing the received read information in a memory, a function of displaying the received read information on a display device (not shown), and the like. These functions of the host device 83 are realized by the processor reading and executing the programs and data stored in the memory and communicating with the wireless tag reader 30 via the network interface.

(Wireless tag reader configuration)
Next, the configuration of each part of the wireless tag reader 30 will be described.

The antenna 31 is installed at a position where information can be read from the wireless tags 933 attached to the bobbins 932 arranged at the carry-in inlet and the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 931. Such a position may be, for example, above the manufacturing apparatus 931 as shown in FIG. 24, but is not limited to this. Further, the antenna 31 is configured so that the angle can be adjusted by the antenna angle control unit 311. Unlike the first embodiment, the antenna 31 and the antenna angle control unit 311 do not have to be movable and may be fixedly installed. Regarding other points, since the antenna 31 and the antenna angle control unit 311 are configured in the same manner as the antenna 11 and the antenna angle control unit 111 in the first embodiment, the description in the present embodiment will not be repeated.

The reading unit 33 reads the operation control information recorded on the wireless tag within the communicable range via the antenna 31 in a non-contact manner. Examples of the wireless tag within the range in which communication is possible via the antenna 31 include, but are not limited to, the wireless tag 93, the wireless tag 933, and the like. The reading unit 33 does not need to be movable, unlike the reading unit 13 in the first embodiment. Further, examples of the information read from the wireless tag within the range in which the reading unit 33 can communicate via the antenna 31 include, but are not limited to, a manufacturing identifier, an operation control identifier, and an article identification information.

The control unit 34 is composed of a computer device including a processor, a memory, and a network interface. The operation control unit 343 and the communication unit 344, which are functional blocks of the control unit 34, are software by having the processor read and execute the program and data stored in the memory and communicate with the host device 83 via the network interface. It is realized as a function of. However, a part or all of each functional block of the control unit 34 may be realized by dedicated hardware.

The operation control unit 343 acquires one or more operation control information read by the reading unit 33 from the portable wireless tag 93. Further, the motion control unit 343 may simply describe each part of the wireless tag reader 30's own device (hereinafter, depending on the content of the paragraph, each part) according to the read motion control information, and the specific configuration will be described later. To control). If a plurality of operation control information is read, the operation control unit 343 may sequentially control each unit of the own device according to each operation control information.

For example, it is assumed that the information read from the portable wireless tag 93 includes two operation control information. Further, it is assumed that each operation control information includes information for instructing the angle of the antenna 31, information for instructing the output power, information for instructing the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 33, and conditions for designating the information to be read. For example, the first operation control information may have a configuration suitable for reading information from the wireless tag 933a attached to the bobbin 932a arranged at the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 931. Further, for example, the second operation control information may have a configuration suitable for reading information from the wireless tag 933b attached to the bobbin 932b arranged at the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 931.

In this case, the motion control unit 343 is read from the wireless tag 933a by the reader 33 after adjusting the angle of the antenna 31, the output power, and the reception sensitivity of the reader 33 according to the first motion control information. The information is filtered according to the specified conditions to obtain the first read information. The first read information may be, for example, article identification information of a semi-finished product wrapped around the bobbin 932a, but is not limited to this. After that, the operation control unit 343 adjusts the angle of the antenna 31, the output power, and the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 33 according to the second operation control information, and then the information read from the wireless tag 933b by the reading unit 33. Is filtered according to the specified conditions to obtain the second read information. The second read information may be, for example, semi-finished product identification information wrapped around the bobbin 932b, but is not limited to this.

The motion control unit 343 may start controlling each unit based on the read motion control information when the manufacturing identifier and the motion control information are read from the portable wireless tag 93. Alternatively, the motion control unit 343 reads the manufacturing identifier and the motion control information from the portable wireless tag 93, and then inputs the information instructing the operation unit (not shown) to read the manufacturing identifier and the motion control information. Control of each part may be started based on the read operation control information.

Further, when a plurality of motion control information is read from the portable wireless tag 93, the motion control unit 343 immediately performs control based on the next motion control information after finishing the control based on the motion control information in the previous stage. You may start. Alternatively, the motion control unit 343 may start the control based on the next motion control information after waiting for a predetermined period after finishing the control based on the motion control information in the previous stage. In that case, the waiting period may be predetermined. Alternatively, information representing the waiting period may be included in the operation control information.

Further, the operation control unit 343 transmits the reading information read from the nearby wireless tag 933 by the reading unit 33 according to the operation control information and the manufacturing identifier to the host device 83. The transmission to the host device 83 is performed via the communication unit 344. For example, the operation control unit 343 may transmit the set of the read information and the manufacturing identifier to the host device 83 each time the read information is read from the wireless tag 933 existing in the vicinity. Alternatively, the operation control unit 343 may collectively transmit the read information read according to one or more operation control information read from the portable wireless tag 93 to the host device 83 together with the manufacturing identifier. .. Further, when the operation control unit 343 transmits the read information to the host device 83, the operation control identifier of the operation control information applied when the read information is obtained is associated with the read information to host the host. It may be transmitted to the device 83.

Since the communication unit 344 and the power supply unit 35 are configured in the same manner as the communication unit 144 and the power supply unit 15 in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

(Wireless tag reader control method)
Next, the control method of the wireless tag reader 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the control method S3 of the wireless tag reader 30. The control method S3 is executed by the control unit 34 and includes the following steps.

Step S301: The reading unit 33 acquires the manufacturing identifier and one or more operation control information from the portable wireless tag 93 arranged in the vicinity of the manufacturing apparatus 931.

Step S302: The operation control unit 343 controls the operation of each unit of the wireless tag reader 30 according to one of the operation control information. For example, the motion control unit 343 controls the antenna angle control unit 311 so as to adjust the angle of the antenna 31 according to the motion control information. Further, for example, the motion control unit 343 controls the antenna 31 so as to adjust the output power according to the motion control information. Further, for example, the operation control unit 343 controls the reading unit 33 so as to adjust the reception sensitivity according to the operation control information. Note that the step S302 may be executed when the information instructing the operation unit (not shown) to read is input after the step S301 is executed.

Step S303: The operation control unit 343 filters the information read by the reading unit 33 from the wireless tag 933 existing in the vicinity according to the operation control information to obtain the reading information.

Step S304: The operation control unit 343 stores a set of read information and an operation control identifier. In this step, the operation control unit 343 may transmit to the host device 83 instead of storing the set of the read information and the operation control identifier.

Step S305: The motion control unit 343 determines whether or not there is motion control information that has not yet been processed among the motion control information read in step S301. If there is operation control information that has not been processed yet (Yes in step S305), the process from step S302 is repeated. The operation control unit 343 may wait for a predetermined period before repeating the process from the step S302. If all the read operation control information has been processed (No in step S305), the next step S305 is executed.

Step S306: The motion control unit 343 transmits the manufacturing identifier and the set of the read information and the motion control identifier stored in each of the steps S304 executed so far to the host device 83. If the set of the read information and the operation control identifier is transmitted to the host device 83 each time the step S304 is executed, this step is omitted.

(Specific example of control method of wireless tag reader)
Next, a specific example of the control method S3 of the wireless tag reader 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 24 to 26.

Here, it is assumed that the information shown in FIG. 26 is stored in the portable wireless tag 93 arranged in the vicinity of the manufacturing apparatus 931. That is, 0 is stored as the manufacturing identifier in the wireless tag 93. Further, the wireless tag 93 stores the operation control information with the operation control identifier: 311 and the operation control information with the operation control identifier: 312. The operation control information of the operation control identifier: 311 includes "A" as the reading target designation information. This specifies that the article identification information including "A" as a type is read. Further, this motion control information includes "+315 degrees" as a horizontal angle and "+30 degrees" as a vertical angle. This specifies that the azimuth and elevation angles of the antenna 31 are controlled to +315 degrees (clockwise 315 degrees) and +30 degrees (upward 30 degrees), respectively, from the reference direction. Further, this operation control information includes "+25 dBm" as the output power. This is a value that specifies the output power of the antenna 31. Further, this operation control information includes "-60 dBm" as the reception sensitivity. This is a value that specifies the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 33. Further, the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 312 includes "B" as the reading target designation information. This specifies that the article identification information including "B" as a type is read. The information other than the read target designation information included in the motion control control information of the motion control identifier: 312 is the same as the information included in the motion control control information of the motion control identifier: 311 except for the horizontal angle. This is because, in FIG. 24, the radio tag 933a is to the left of the antenna 31, while the radio tag 933b is to the right of the antenna 31.

Further, the wireless tags 933 attached to the bobbins 932 arranged at the carry-in inlet and the carry-out outlet have the same format as the information shown in FIG. 6 referred to in the specific example of the first embodiment of the present invention. Information is stored. Here, the type A or B shall represent the type of bobbin 932. Further, the individual number shall represent the individual number of bobbin 932.

In this case, first, the reading unit 33 receives the operation control information to which the manufacturing identifier: 0, the operation control identifier: 311 is assigned, and the operation control information to which the operation control identifier: 312 is assigned from the portable wireless tag 93. Is read (step S301).

Next, the operation control unit 343 controls each unit of the wireless tag reader 30 according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 311. Specifically, the motion control unit 343 controls the antenna angle control unit 311 so that the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of the antenna 31 are +315 degrees and +30 degrees from the reference direction, respectively. Further, the operation control unit 343 controls the output power of the antenna 31 to + 25 dBm. Further, the operation control unit 343 controls the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 33 to −60 dBm (step S302).

Then, the operation control unit 343 acquires the information "A001" read from the wireless tag 933a attached to the bobbin 932a of the type A arranged at the carry-in port of the manufacturing apparatus 931. Then, the operation control unit 343 obtains "A001" as a result of filtering the read information by those including the type A according to the read target designation information included in the operation control identifier: 311 (step S303). .. Then, the motion control unit 343 stores the set of "motion control identifier: 311 and read information: A001" (step S304).

Next, the motion control unit 343 determines that, among the motion control information read in step S301, the motion control information to which the motion control identifier: 312 is assigned has not yet been processed (Yes in step S305).

Therefore, the operation control unit 343 controls each unit of the wireless tag reader 30 according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 312. Specifically, the motion control unit 343 controls the antenna angle control unit 311 so that the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of the antenna 31 are +45 degrees and +30 degrees from the reference direction, respectively. Since the output power of the antenna 31 and the reception sensitivity of the reading unit 33 are the same as the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 311, the operation control unit 343 describes each part related to these in this step. Control may be omitted (step S302).

Then, the operation control unit 343 acquires the information "B001" read from the wireless tag 933b attached to the bobbin 932b of the type B arranged at the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 931. Then, the operation control unit 343 obtains "B001" as a result of filtering the read information with the information including the type B according to the read target designation information included in the operation control identifier: 312 (step S303). .. Then, the motion control unit 343 stores the set of "motion control identifier: 312 and read information: B001" (step S304).

Next, the motion control unit 343 determines that none of the motion control information read in step S301 has been processed yet (No in step S305).

Therefore, the operation control unit 343 includes a set of the manufacturing identifier: 0, the “operation control identifier: 311 and the reading information: A001” obtained in each of the steps S303, and the “operation control identifier: 312 and the reading information: B001”. Is transmitted to the host device 83 (step S306).

For example, the host device 83 may present the information received from the wireless tag reader 30 to the user by displaying it on the display device or the like. Thereby, the user can confirm whether or not the correct bobbin 932 is arranged at the carry-in port and the carry-out port of the manufacturing apparatus 931 in the manufacturing content indicated by the manufacturing identifier: 0.

(Effect of this embodiment)
In this embodiment, since the operating conditions of each part of the own device can be changed, it is not necessary to install an antenna at each place where the wireless tag to be read is placed, and the cost related to the installation and space of the wireless tag reader is reduced. Can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, it is assumed that the portable wireless tag 93 is attached to the manufacturing instruction, and the control method S3 is started upon reading from the portable wireless tag 93. In other words, when the manufacturing instruction is arranged in the vicinity of the manufacturing apparatus 931, the control method S3 is started. In this case, in the present embodiment, the manufacturing device 931 is confirmed by the worker without making the worker aware of the wireless tag system 3 to confirm whether or not the correct bobbin 932 is arranged at the carry-in inlet and the carry-out port of the manufacturing device 931. It can be executed only by placing the manufacturing instruction in the vicinity of.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments described above, an example of applying the wireless tag system of one aspect of the present invention to a production system for producing a product has been described. In the present embodiment, an example in which the wireless tag system of one aspect of the present invention is used for managing the inventory of articles stored in a warehouse will be described.

The wireless tag system 7 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied to the warehouse 970. First, the configuration of the warehouse 970 will be described with reference to FIG. 27. FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless tag system 7 and the warehouse 970.

(Warehouse composition)
As shown in FIG. 27, the warehouse 970 is composed of areas 971_1 to 971_N. Here, N is a natural number of 1 or more. Although the case of N = 3 is shown in FIG. 27, the number N of the areas 971_1 to 971_N is arbitrary. The warehouse 970 may be installed indoors (for example, in a factory) or outdoors. In the following, each of the areas 971_1 to 971_N will be referred to as area 971_i. Here, i is a natural number of 1 or more and N or less.

Further, racks 971_i_1 to 971_i_n are installed in each area 971_i. Here, n is a natural number of 1 or more. Although the case of n = 3 is shown in FIG. 27, the number n of racks in each area 971_i is arbitrary. Further, in FIG. 27, an example in which the same number of racks are installed in each area 971_i is shown, but the number of racks installed in each area 971_i is not necessarily the number of racks installed in other areas 971_i. It does not have to be the same as the number. In the following, each of the racks 971_i_1 to 971_i_n will be represented by the rack 971_i_k. Here, k is a natural number of 1 or more and n or less.

Each of the articles 972_1 to 972_m is stored in any of the areas 971_i. Here, m is a natural number of 1 or more. In FIG. 27, the case where m = 12 is shown, but the number m of the articles 972_1 to 972_m is arbitrary. In the following, each of the articles 972_1 to 972_m will be referred to as an article 972_l. Here, l is a natural number of 1 or more and m or less.

In the example of FIG. 27, articles 972_1 to 972_4 are stored in the area 971_1. Specifically, article 972_1 is stored in rack 971_1_1. In addition, the article 972_2 is stored in the rack 971_1_2. Further, the article 972_3 and the article 972_4 are stored in the rack 971_1_3. Similarly, in area 972_2, each of the articles 972_5 to 972_8 is stored in any of the racks 971_2_1 to 971_2 to 3 as shown. Further, in the area 972_3, each of the articles 972_9 to 972_12 is stored in any of the racks 971_3_1 to 971_3_3 as shown in the drawing. The number of articles 972_l stored in each area 971_i and each rack 971_i_k is arbitrary and does not necessarily have to be the same as the number of articles 972_l stored in another area 971_i or other rack 971_i_k.

The radio tag 973_l is attached to the article 972_l. The radio tag 973_l is an example of a radio tag to be read in one aspect of the present invention. The radio tag 973_l stores various information about the article 972_l. For example, the wireless tag 973_l may store information indicating the type of the article 972_l. Further, the wireless tag 973_l may store information for identifying an individual of the article 972_l. In addition, the radio tag 973_l may store other information about the article 972_l. Further, the wireless tag 973_l may store any combination of these various types of information.

(Composition of reading position)
Each area 971_i is defined with a position for reading information from the wireless tag 973. Specifically, the reading position 9007_1 and the reading position 9007_2 are defined in the area 971_1. As the reading position 90007_1, it is assumed that a position suitable for reading information from the wireless tag 973_l in the rack 971_1_1 is defined. Further, it is assumed that the reading position 9007_2 is defined as a position suitable for reading information from the wireless tag 973_l in the rack 971_1_2 or 971_1_3.

Similarly, the reading position 9007_3 and the reading position 9007_4 are defined in the area 971_2. As the reading position 9007_3, it is assumed that a position suitable for reading information from the wireless tag 973_l in the rack 971_2_1 is determined. Further, it is assumed that the reading position 9007_2 is defined as a position suitable for reading information from the wireless tag 973_l in the rack 971_2 or rack 971_2_3.

Similarly, the reading position 9007_5 and the reading position 9007_6 are defined in the area 971_3. As the reading position 9007_5, it is assumed that a position suitable for reading information from the wireless tag 973_l in the rack 971_3_1 is defined. Further, it is assumed that the reading position 9007_6 is defined as a position suitable for reading information from the wireless tag 973_l in the rack 971_3_2 or the rack 971_3_3.

Further, a reading position 9007_0 is set at a movement start point for starting the movement of the wireless tag reader 70, which will be described later.

Further, rails are laid on the path 975 passing through each of the reading positions 9007_0 to 9007_6. The wireless tag reader 70 described later moves on the route 975. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the side with the reading position 9007_0 is referred to as the upstream side, and the side with the reading position 9007_6 is referred to as the downstream side on the route 975. Further, the direction from the reading position 9007_0 to 9007_6 is referred to as a downstream direction, and the direction from the reading position 9007_6 to 9007_0 is referred to as an upstream direction.

FIG. 27 shows an example in which the movement start point (that is, the reading position 9007_0) is set further upstream than the reading position 9007_1, which is the most upstream side of the other reading positions 9007_1 to 9007_6. However, the position of the movement start point on the route 975 is not limited to this. For example, the movement start point may be set between two adjacent reading positions among the other reading positions 9007_1 to 9007_6. Further, the movement start point may be set further downstream than the reading position 9007_6, which is the most downstream side of the other reading positions 9007_1 to 9007_6. Further, the movement start point may be set to the same position as any of the other reading positions 9007_1 to 9007_6. Hereinafter, each of the reading positions 9007_0 to 9007_6 will also be referred to as a reading position 9007_j. In addition, j is a natural number of 0 or more and M or less, and M is a natural number of 1 or more. In the present embodiment, an example of M = 6 is shown, but the number of reading positions 9007_j defined in the wireless tag system 7 is arbitrary. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the reading positions defined in each of the areas 901_i are two, but the number of reading positions defined in each area 901_i is not limited. Further, the reading position 9007_j is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 27. Further, a wireless tag 97_j is deferred in the vicinity of each reading position 9007_j. The details of the wireless tag 97_j will be described later.

(Overall configuration of wireless tag system)
Next, the configuration of the wireless tag system 7 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 27. As shown in FIG. 27, the wireless tag system 7 includes a wireless tag reader 70, a host device 87, and a plurality of stationary wireless tags 97_0 to 97_M. As mentioned above, M is a natural number of 1 or more. Although the case of M = 6 is shown in FIG. 27, the number of wireless tags 97_0 to 97_M (M + 1) is arbitrary. In the following, the wireless tag 97_j will be described as a representative of each of the wireless tags 97_0, 97_1, 97_2, 97_3, 97_4, 97_5, and 97_6. Here, j is a natural number of 0 or more and M or less. The wireless tag reader 70 is configured to be movable on the path 975 described above. The moving direction is either an upstream direction or a downstream direction. In FIG. 27, the alternate long and short dash arrow indicates the direction in which the wireless tag reader 70 can move.

(Deferred wireless tag configuration)
Next, the detailed configuration of the stationary wireless tag 97 will be described. Each of the plurality of stationary radio tags 97 is arranged in the vicinity of each reading position 9007_j. In the present embodiment, assuming that there is one wireless tag 97 installed in the vicinity of each reading position 9007_j, the number of wireless tags 97 installed in each area 971_i is two. Hereinafter, each stationary wireless tag 97 is also described as a stationary wireless tag 97_j (j is a natural number of 0 or more and M or less). However, the number of stationary wireless tags 97_j is not limited to M. Further, the number of stationary wireless tags 97_j does not necessarily have to be the same as the number of reading positions 9007_j.

The stationary radio tag 97_j stores the position identifier and the operation control information to which the operation control identifier is assigned. The position identifier and the operation control information are as described in the first embodiment. As a place where the wireless tag 97_j is placed, for example, the side of the flow line of the wireless tag reader 70 can be mentioned. Further, for example, the flow line of the wireless tag reader 70 can be mentioned. Further, for example, the surface of the pillars constituting the rack 971_i_k installed in the area 971_i, or the upper surface of the shelf can be mentioned. Further, for example, the ground plane on which such a rack 971_i_k is installed can be mentioned.

(Configuration of host device)
Next, the details of the configuration of the host device 87 will be described. The host device 87 is composed of a computer device including a processor, a memory, and a network interface. The host device 87 has the following functions in addition to being configured in the same manner as the host device 80 in the first embodiment. The host device 87 has a function of collectively transmitting movement order information to the wireless tag reader 70. Further, the host device 87 has a function of collectively receiving one or more read information read by patrolling each reading position 9007_j from the wireless tag reader 70. Hereinafter, one or more read information received collectively is also described as a read information list. Further, the host device 87 has a function of storing the read information list received from the wireless tag reader 70 in the memory and detecting and outputting the increase / decrease of the article 972 based on the history of the read information list. For example, the host device 87 compares the article identification information included in the read information list received last time with the article identification information included in the read information list received this time, and obtains the article identification information that has increased or decreased. It may be detected and displayed on the display device. These functions of the host device 87 are realized by the processor reading and executing the programs and data stored in the memory and communicating with the wireless tag reader 70 via the network interface.

(Wireless tag reader configuration)
Next, the configuration of each part of the wireless tag reader 70 will be described. FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless tag reader 70. The wireless tag reader 70 includes an antenna 71, an antenna angle control unit 711, a moving unit 72, a reading unit 73, a control unit 74, and a power supply unit 75. The control unit 74 includes a movement direction determination unit 741, a movement control unit 742, an operation control unit 743, and a communication unit 744. Since each of these parts is configured in the same manner as each part in the first embodiment, the description will not be repeated.

(Specific example of control method of wireless tag reader)
Next, a specific example of the control method of the wireless tag reader 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 29 to 31. Since the control method of the wireless tag reader 70 is the same as the control method S1 of the wireless tag reader 10 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, detailed description in the present embodiment is omitted here. Then, a specific example will be described.

In this specific example, it is assumed that each reading position 9007_j is sequentially assigned a natural number position identifier j from 0 to the downstream side from the upstream side to the downstream side of the route 975. Information is stored in the radio tags 97_j arranged in the vicinity of each reading position 9007_j as follows. That is, the radio tag 97_j stores the position identifier: j. Further, each of the wireless tags 97_1 to 97_6 stores one or more operation control information in addition to the position identifier. Each operation control information is suitable for reading information from the radio tag 973_l in the target rack 971_i_k at the reading position 9007_j.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the wireless tag 97_j. In FIG. 29, for example, the radio tag 97_1 stores the position identifier: 1 and the operation control information to which the operation control identifier 701 is assigned. It is assumed that the operation control information to which the operation control identifier 701 is assigned is suitable for reading the information from the wireless tag 973_l in the rack 971_1_1 at the reading position 90007_1. In FIG. 29, the details of the information included in the operation control information are not shown.

Further, for example, the wireless tag 97_2 stores the position identifier: 2, the operation control information to which the operation control identifier 702 is assigned, and the operation control information to which the operation control identifier 703 is assigned. It is assumed that the operation control information to which the operation control identifier 702 is assigned has a configuration suitable for reading information from the radio tag 973_l in the rack 971_1_2 at the reading position 9007_2. It is assumed that the operation control information to which the operation control identifier 703 is assigned has a configuration suitable for reading information from the radio tag 973_l in the rack 971_1_3 at the reading position 9007_2.

Further, in this specific example, it is assumed that the wireless tag 973_l attached to the article 972_l stores the article identification information for identifying the solid of the article 972_l. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a specific example of the article identification information stored in the wireless tag 973_l. In FIG. 30, for example, the wireless tag 973_1 stores the article identification information “A001” of the article 971_1.

Further, in this specific example, the host device 87 stores a combination list of the position identifier and the operation control identifier. FIG. 31 is an example of a combination list. In FIG. 31, the operation control identifier associated with each position identifier is the operation of the operation control information having a configuration suitable for reading the radio tag 973_l in the target rack 971_i_k at the reading position identified by the position identifier. It is a control identifier.

Further, since the host device 87 instructs the wireless tag reader 70 in the movement order, the above-mentioned movement order information is generated based on such a combination list. FIG. 32 is an example of movement order information. The movement order information shown in FIG. 32 includes the position identifiers in ascending order from 1, and finally includes the position identifier 0. That is, this movement order information represents a movement order in which the reading positions 9007_1 to 9007_6 are circulated in order, and then finally returned to the reading position 9007_0, which is the movement start point.

Further, in this specific example, the host device 87 collectively transmits the movement order information to the wireless tag reader 70 at the movement start point, and then patrolls each reading position and returns to the movement start point from the wireless tag reader 70. A set of position identifier and read information shall be received.

Further, in this specific example, the wireless tag reader 70 sequentially moves the reading position 9007_j according to the movement order information collectively received from the host device 87, and at the moving destination reading position 9007_j, the wireless tag according to the operation control information. It is assumed that the reading from 973_l is performed.

Further, in this specific example, the host device 87 only needs to be able to communicate with the wireless tag reader 70 at the reading position 9007_0, which is the movement start point, and is not necessarily capable of communicating with the wireless tag reader 70 on the other route 975. It does not have to be. In the following description, it is assumed that the wireless tag reader 70 has already received the movement order information collectively from the host device 87.

First, the moving direction determination unit 741 acquires the position identifier: 0 indicating the current location read from the radio tag 97_0 by the reading unit 73 (step S101).

Next, the movement direction determination unit 741 acquires a set of the position identifier: 1 indicating the movement destination and the operation control identifier: 701 based on the movement order information received from the host device 87 (step S102).

Next, the moving direction determination unit 741 compares the position identifier indicating the current location: 0 and the position identifier indicating the moving destination: 1, and since the position identifier indicating the moving destination is larger, the moving direction is the downstream direction. (No in step S103, step S104).

Next, the movement control unit 742 controls the movement unit 72 so as to move the wireless tag reader 70 in the downstream direction, and stops the wireless tag reader 70 at the reading position 90007_1 (in the area 971_1) identified by the movement destination identifier: 1. (Steps S105 to S107). Since the details of the control of steps S105 to S107 are as described in the first embodiment, the description will not be repeated.

Next, in the operation control unit 743, the operation control information 701 read by the reading unit 73 from the radio tag 97_1 storing the position identifier: 1 indicating the movement destination is the same as the operation control identifier: 701 acquired in the step S102. (Step S108).

Therefore, the operation control unit 743 controls each unit of the wireless tag reader 70 according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 701 (step S109). As described above, the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 701 is suitable for reading the information from the radio tag 973_l in the rack 971_1_1 in the area 971_1, as described above.

Then, the operation control unit 743 acquires the article identification information "A001" from the wireless tag 973_1 attached to the article 972_1 stored in the rack 971_1_1 (step S110).

Then, the operation control unit 743 stores the set of "position identifier: 1 and article identification information: A001" in the memory (step S111).

Next, the movement direction determination unit 741 determines whether or not there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination based on the movement order information received from the host device 87 (step S112). Here, there is a set of a position identifier: 2 indicating the next movement destination and an operation control identifier: 702.

Therefore, the control unit 74 determines that there is a next destination (YES in step S112), and executes steps S101 to S111 again in the same manner.

Specifically, the wireless tag reader 70 moves to the reading position 9007_2 in the same area 971_1 (steps S101 to 107).

Then, each part of the wireless tag reader 70 is adjusted according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 702 (steps S108 to S109). As a result, the article identification information "B001" is read from the wireless tag 973_2 attached to the article 972_2 stored in the rack 971_1_2 (step S110). Then, the operation control unit 743 adds and stores the set of "position identifier: 2 and article identification information: B001" in the memory (step S111).

Next, the movement direction determination unit 741 determines whether or not there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination based on the movement order information received from the host device 87 (step S112). Here, there is a set of a position identifier: 2 and an operation control identifier: 703 indicating the next movement destination.

Therefore, the control unit 74 determines that there is a next destination (YES in step S112), and executes steps S101 to S111 again in the same manner.

Specifically, since the current location movement identifier: 2 and the next movement identifier: 2 are the same (Yes in step S103), the wireless tag reader 70 does not move from the reading position 9007_2.

Then, each part of the wireless tag reader 70 is adjusted according to the operation control information of the operation control identifier: 703 (steps S108 to S109). As a result, the article identification information "A002" and "B002" are read from the wireless tags 973_3 and 972_4 attached to the articles 972_3 and 972_4 stored in the rack 971_1_3, respectively (step S110). Then, the operation control unit 743 additionally stores the set of "position identifier: 2 and article identification information: A002" and the set of "position identifier: 2 and article identification information: B002" in the memory.

After that, the control unit 74 re-executes steps S101 to S111 if there is a position identifier indicating the next movement destination. Then, when the wireless tag reader 70 returns to the reading position 9007_0, the control unit 74 determines that there is no position identifier indicating the next movement destination (NO in step S112). Then, the control unit 74 transmits the set of the position identifier and the read information stored in the memory in each step S111 so far to the host device 87 as a read information list. The read information list is, for example, "position identifier: 1 and article identification information: A001, position identifier: 2, article identification information: B001, position identifier: 2, article identification information: A002, position identifier: 2, and article identification information: B002, ... "is included.

Then, the host device 87 stores the read information list in the memory in association with the reception time. Further, the host device 87 acquires the read information list received last time from the memory, compares it with the read information list received this time, and detects the increased / decreased article identification information. Then, the host device 87 may display the increased / decreased article identification information on the display device.

Further, the host device 87 may acquire the read information list received last time from the memory, compare it with the read information list received this time, and detect the article identification information in which the associated position identifier has changed. The storage location of the article 972_l represented by such article identification information may have been changed. Then, the host device 87 may display the article identification information whose position identifier has changed on the display device.

In a specific example of the control method of the wireless tag reader 70, the same article identification information may be read a plurality of times. For example, the same article identification information may be read in duplicate at different reading positions 9007_j in the same area 971_i_k. Further, for example, in each reading operation based on different operation control information at the same reading position 9007_j, the same article identification information may be read in duplicate. In such a case, the operation control unit 743 may select any one of a plurality of the same article identification information read in duplicate, and discard the unselected article identification information. The process of selecting such article identification information may be performed, for example, based on the reception intensity of the antenna 71. For example, in step S111, the motion control unit 743 stores the set of the position identifier and the article identification information in association with the reception intensity by the antenna 71. Then, if the newly stored article identification information is the same as any of the article identification information stored so far, the motion control unit 743 deletes the article identification information having the smaller reception strength from the memory. You may.

Further, in a specific example of the control method of the wireless tag reader 70, the wireless tag reader 70 collectively receives the movement order information from the host device 87 before the start of the movement, and after returning to the movement start point, hosts the read information list. This has been described as being collectively transmitted to the device 87. Not limited to this, the wireless tag reader 70 may receive a set of the position identifier and the operation control information to be the movement destination from the host device 87 each time the movement destination is reached. Further, the wireless tag reader 70 may transmit a set of the position identifier and the read information to the host device 87 each time the read information is read from the wireless tag 973.

Further, in the present embodiment, the rail passing through the path 975 may be formed in a loop shape while passing through each position of the reading position 9007_j. In this case, in step S104, the wireless tag reader 70 determines the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction as the moving direction based on the position identifier indicating the moving destination and the position identifier at the current location. Specifically, the wireless tag reader 70 may compare the distance in the clockwise direction from the current location to the destination in the counterclockwise direction and determine the closer one as the moving direction. For example, the wireless tag reader 70 may determine the moving direction by comparing the distances in each direction on the assumption that the distances between the reading positions 9007_j are substantially the same. Further, the wireless tag reader 70 may determine the moving direction by comparing the distances in each direction using the distances between the reading positions 9007_j stored in advance. The method for determining the moving direction when the rail passing through the path 975 is loop-shaped is not limited to these.

Further, in a specific example of the control method of the wireless tag reader 70, the wireless tag reader 70 has been described as terminating the operation when it is determined in step S112 that there is no next destination. Not limited to this, when the wireless tag reader 70 determines in step S112 that there is no next movement destination, the processing from step S101 may be repeated in order from the beginning of the movement order information. In other words, the wireless tag reader 70 may be configured to repeat the patrol of each reading position 9007_j indicated by the movement order information. Further, in this case, the movement order information may be updated in the middle. Further, in this case, each time the wireless tag reader 70 returns to the reading position 9007_0 defined as the movement start point, the wireless tag reader 70 may perform various operations for patrol. Various operations for patrol include, for example, charging the power supply unit 75, receiving new movement order information from the host device 87, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

Further, in the present embodiment, various variations can be considered as the place where the rail passing through the route 975 is laid. For example, the rail may be laid on the ground plane of rack 971_i_k. Further, the rail may be laid above the rack 971_i_k. However, the place where the rail is laid is not limited to these.

Further, in the present embodiment, the rail does not necessarily have to be laid on the route 975. For example, when the moving unit 72 is configured by a drone, the wireless tag reader 70 can move in the space including the path 975, and no rail is required.

(Effect of this embodiment)
In this embodiment, a plurality of reading positions 9007_j are installed in a warehouse, a stationary wireless tag 97_j is arranged, and an article stored in the warehouse is used by using a wireless tag reader 70 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. You can check the stock of. In the present embodiment, the number of required wireless tag readers 70 is less than the number of reading positions 9007_j set in each area of the warehouse, but the flexibility for changing the reading position 9007_j due to a change in the warehouse configuration or the like. Can be further improved.

Further, the present embodiment is suitable when the time required for the wireless tag reader 70 to go around each reading position 9007_j in the warehouse 970 is shorter than the interval required for reading from each wireless tag 973. For example, in the case where the goods 972_l are not frequently taken in and out of the warehouse 970, the inventory check may be performed less frequently than in the case where the goods are frequently checked in and out. In other words, the present embodiment is suitable for an application of checking inventory in a case where the article 972_l is not frequently taken in and out. In such an application, in this embodiment, inventory confirmation can be performed at an appropriate frequency while reducing the number of wireless tag readers 70 as compared with the case where the wireless tag readers are placed in the vicinity of each reading position 9007_j. However, the use of this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned use.

[Additional notes]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, usage examples and modifications, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and different embodiments, usage examples and modifications can be made. The form obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which one aspect of the present invention is applied to the production of a product has been described. However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present invention can be applied to the management of arbitrary articles. Therefore, a tag reader that reads information stored in a tag attached to an arbitrary article, a tag system including such a tag reader, and a control method for controlling such a tag reader are all included in the scope of the present invention. .. A management system including such a tag system is also included in the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a tag system 4 that can be used for managing an arbitrary article. The tag system 4 is composed of a tag reader 40 and tags 94_0 to 94_2 placed in the vicinity of reading positions 9004_0 to 9004_2, and reads information stored in the tag 904 attached to an arbitrary article A. The tag 94_j placed in the vicinity of each reading position 9004_j (j is a natural number of 0 or more and 2 or less) has a position identifier corresponding to the reading position and a tag reader 40 at the reading position, as in each of the above-described embodiments. The operation control information for controlling the operation and the operation control information are stored.

As shown in FIG. 34, the tag reader 40 includes an antenna 81, an antenna angle control unit 811, a moving unit 82, a reading unit 83, a control unit 84, and a power supply unit 85. The control unit 84 includes a movement direction determination unit 841, a movement control unit 842, an operation control unit 843, and a communication unit 844. Since each of these parts is configured in the same manner as each part of the wireless tag reader 10 in the first embodiment, detailed description will not be repeated.
By having each part shown in FIG. 34, the tag reader 40 is a position identifier indicating the current location, and has a position identifier (for example, position identifier: 0) read from the tag (for example, tag 94_0) and a movement destination. The movement direction is determined based on the position identifier (for example, position identifier: 1) obtained from a host device (not shown), and the position identifier indicating the movement destination (for example, position identifier: 1) is read. Move in the determined movement direction within the possible area. Further, at the moving destination, the tag reader 40 controls the operation of each part of the own device based on the operation control information read from the tag (for example, tag 94_1).

The tag system 4 and the tag reader 40 configured as described above operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, thereby achieving the same effects as in the first embodiment. That is, while reducing the number of tag readers 40 required for reading the tags 94_0 to 94_2 placed in the vicinity of the plurality of reading positions 9004_0 to 9004_2, the number of tag readers 40 is smaller than the number of reading positions 9004_0 to 9004_2 (here, three). Also, it is possible to increase the flexibility in the case of changing the reading position 9004_0 to 9004_2. Further, in this usage example, the flexibility for changing the operating conditions of the tag reader 40 (for example, the angle of the antenna 81, the output power, the reception sensitivity, etc.) can be further increased.

Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, modifications, and appendices, an example in which a stationary wireless tag (90, 92, 94, 97) stores a position identifier and operation control information has been described. However, the stationary wireless tag in one aspect of the present invention only needs to store at least operation control information, and does not necessarily have to store the position identifier.

Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, modifications, and appendices, the wireless tag readers (10, 20, 40, 70) are the movement control unit (142, 242, 742, 842) and the motion control unit (143). Examples including 243, 743, 843) have been described. However, the wireless tag reader according to one aspect of the present invention may include at least an operation control unit, and does not necessarily have to include a movement control unit. In other words, the wireless tag reader according to one aspect of the present invention has at least a function of controlling the operation of the own device, and does not necessarily have a function of controlling the movement of the own device.

Such a wireless tag reader of one aspect of the present invention having at least a function of controlling the operation of its own device includes an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle), a robot vacuum cleaner, a drone, a game machine, a vehicle having an automatic driving function, and an exploration vehicle. It can be mounted on various autonomously controlled moving objects such as cars.

[Summary]
The tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment reads the operation control information recorded on the tag (90, 92, 93, 95, 97) in a non-contact manner (13, 23). , 33, 43, 73, 83) and the operation control unit that controls the operation of each part of the own device based on the operation control information read by the reading unit (13, 23, 33, 43, 73, 83). (143, 243, 343, 743, 843).

Further, the tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment further includes an antenna (11, 21, 31, 71, 81), and the reading unit (13, 23, 33, 43, 43, 73, 83) preferably reads the operation control information stored in the tag via the antenna (11, 21, 31, 71, 81).

Further, in the tag readers (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment, the motion control unit (143, 243, 343, 743, 843) includes the antenna (10, 20, 30, 40, 843) included in the motion control information. It is preferable to adjust the angle of the antenna (11, 21, 31, 71, 81) based on the information indicating the angle of 11, 21, 31, 71, 81).

Further, in the tag readers (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment, the motion control unit (143, 243, 343, 743, 843) includes the antenna (10, 20, 30, 40, 843) included in the motion control information. It is preferable to adjust the output power of the antenna (11, 21, 31, 71, 81) based on the information indicating the output power of 11, 21, 31, 71, 81).

Further, in the tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment, the operation control unit (143, 243, 343, 743, 843) is included in the operation control information, and the reading unit is included in the operation control information. It is preferable to adjust the reception sensitivity of the reading unit (13, 23, 33, 43, 73, 83) based on the information indicating the reception sensitivity of (13, 23, 33, 43, 73, 83). ..

Further, in the tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment, the operation control unit (143, 243, 343, 743, 843) contains information to be read, which is included in the operation control information. It is preferable to filter the information read by the reading unit (13, 23, 33, 43, 73, 83) based on the information specifying the type.

Further, in the tag readers (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment, the operation control unit (143, 243, 343, 743, 843) is the reading unit (13, 23, 33, 43). , 73, 83), it is preferable to control the operation of each part of the own device based on the operation control information specified by the operation control identifier acquired from the outside among the plurality of operation control information read.

Further, the tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment further includes an optical sensor, and the reading unit (13, 23, 33, 43, 73, 83) includes the optical sensor. It is preferable to read the operation control information displayed on the tag via the above.

Further, in the tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment, the motion control unit (143, 243, 343, 743, 843) is included in the motion control information, and the optical sensor is included in the motion control information. It is preferable to adjust the angle of the optical sensor based on the information indicating the angle of.

Further, the tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment moves at least one of the antenna (11, 21, 31, 71, 81) and the optical sensor. It is preferable to further include parts (12, 22, 72, 82).

Further, the tag system (1, 2, 3, 7) according to the above-described embodiment includes the above-mentioned tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) and a tag (90, 92,) for storing the above-mentioned operation control information. 93, 95, 97) and.

Further, the control method of the tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) according to the above-described embodiment reads the operation control information recorded on the tag (90, 92, 93, 95, 97) in a non-contact manner. A control method for controlling a tag reader (10, 20, 30, 40, 70) including a unit (13, 23, 33, 43, 73, 83), wherein the reading unit (13, 23, 33, 43, 73) is used. , 83) includes a step (S109, S209, S302) of controlling the operation of each part of the own device based on the operation control information read.

1,2,3,7 Wireless tag system 1C, 1D, 1E, 4 Tag system 10, 20, 30, 70 Wireless tag reader 10C, 10D, 10E, 40 Tag reader 11, 21, 31, 71, 81 Antenna 12, 22, 72, 82 Moving unit 13, 23, 33, 43, 73, 83 Reading unit 14, 24, 34, 74, 84 Control unit 15, 25, 35, 75, 85 Power supply unit 41 Optical sensor 53 Information code reading unit 80, 82, 83, 87 Host devices 90, 92, 93, 95, 97 Stationary wireless tags 903, 923, 933, 973 Wireless tags 94, 96 Stationary optical tags 943 Optical tags to be read 111, 211, 311 and 711, 811 Antenna angle control unit 141, 241, 741, 841 Movement direction determination unit 142, 442, 742, 842 Movement control unit 143, 243, 343, 743, 843 Operation control unit 144, 244, 344, 744, 844 Communication unit 411 Optical sensor angle control unit 900, 910 Production system 901, 911, 921, 931 Manufacturing equipment 909 Production line

Claims (9)

With the antenna
A reader that automatically reads the operation control information recorded on the wireless tag within the range that can be communicated via the antenna in a non-contact manner.
An operation control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the own device based on the operation control information read by the reading unit is provided.
The operation control information, Ri information der for controlling the operation for the wireless tag in which various information related to the goods or product are stored,
The reading unit transmits information instructing reading via the antenna to the wireless tag in which the operation control information is recorded, and receives the operation control information from the wireless tag via the antenna. Automatically reads the above operation control information in a non-contact manner.
The wireless tag that stores various information about the article or product is different from the wireless tag in which the operation control information is recorded.
The operation with respect to the wireless tag is an operation of each part of the own device when reading information from the wireless tag in which various information about the article or product is stored.
A wireless tag reader that features that. The motion control unit adjusts the angle of the antenna based on the information including the motion control information that indicates the angle of the antenna.
The wireless tag reader according to claim 1. The motion control unit adjusts the output power of the antenna based on the information including the motion control information that indicates the output power of the antenna.
The wireless tag reader according to claim 1 or 2. The operation control unit adjusts the reception sensitivity of the reading unit based on the information included in the operation control information that indicates the reception sensitivity of the reading unit.
The wireless tag reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wireless tag reader is characterized. Further provided with a moving unit for moving the antenna,
The wireless tag reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wireless tag reader is characterized. The motion control unit filters the information read by the reader based on the information that specifies the type of information to be read, which is included in the motion control information.
The wireless tag reader according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wireless tag reader is characterized. The operation control unit controls the operation of each part of the own device based on the operation control information specified by the operation control identifier acquired from the outside among the plurality of operation control information read by the reading unit.
The wireless tag reader according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the wireless tag reader is characterized. The wireless tag reader according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A wireless tag that stores the above operation control information,
A wireless tag system characterized by including. A control method for controlling a wireless tag reader including an antenna and a reading unit that automatically reads operation control information recorded on a wireless tag within a communicable range via the antenna in a non-contact manner.
Including a step of controlling the operation of each part of the own device based on the operation control information read by the reading unit.
The operation control information, Ri information der for controlling the operation for the wireless tag in which various information related to the goods or product are stored,
The reading unit transmits information instructing reading via the antenna to the wireless tag in which the operation control information is recorded, and receives the operation control information from the wireless tag via the antenna. Automatically reads the above operation control information in a non-contact manner.
The wireless tag that stores various information about the article or product is different from the wireless tag in which the operation control information is recorded.
The operation with respect to the wireless tag is an operation of each part of the own device when reading information from the wireless tag in which various information about the article or product is stored.
A method of controlling a wireless tag reader, which is characterized in that.

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