JP7492341B2 - Radio tag reader and program - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless tag reader and a program.

Conventionally, there are known reading devices equipped with multiple reading functions that are used for accounting, inventory management, stocktaking, etc.

For example, in a reading device that has an optical reading function for reading code symbols and a wireless tag reading function for reading wireless tags, changing the settings of these reading functions requires starting a setting change application and entering numerical values, etc., making the setting change process not easy.

In response to this, a technique is known that changes the setting data of the optical reading unit based on the setting data obtained by reading a code symbol for changing the settings. However, this technique does not allow easy setting changes for multiple reading functions.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a wireless tag reader and program that can easily change settings for multiple reading functions.

The wireless tag reading device of the embodiment includes a first reading unit, a second reading unit, an acquisition unit that acquires first setting information indicating conditions for reading by the first reading unit or second setting information indicating conditions for reading by the second reading unit, and a setting change unit that executes, based on setting change information retaining first setting information that associates the first reading unit, a plurality of first setting information, and settings of the first reading unit corresponding to the plurality of first setting information, and second setting information that associates the second reading unit, a plurality of second setting information, and settings of the second reading unit corresponding to the plurality of second setting information, when the acquisition unit acquires the first setting information, executes a process of changing the setting of the first reading unit to a setting of the first reading unit corresponding to the first setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, and when the acquisition unit acquires the second setting information, executes a process of changing the setting of the second reading unit to a setting of the second reading unit corresponding to the second setting information acquired by the acquisition unit.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a wireless tag reading device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the wireless tag reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the wireless tag reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the wireless tag reading device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of a wireless tag reader and a program will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Overview of the wireless tag reader according to the first embodiment
First, a radio tag reading device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the radio tag reading device according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the radio tag reading device 1 is a reader/writer R to which a portable terminal D is attached. The reader/writer R is a device that communicates with an RFID tag attached to a commodity (item). The RFID tag is an example of a "radio tag".

The mobile terminal D is an information processing device for displaying and operating the wireless tag reading device 1. The mobile terminal D is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc.

First, the reader/writer R will be described. The reader/writer R comprises a main body 2, a camera unit 3, a grip unit 5, a trigger switch 6, and a mounting unit 7. The main body 2 comprises an antenna, a communication control unit, a control unit, a battery, etc. The main body 2 performs wireless communication with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag attached to a product. The main body 2 transmits and receives radio waves for wireless communication with the RFID tag. Wireless communication with the RFID tag will be described later.

The camera unit 3 captures an image of the outside of the main body unit 2 through the imaging window 4. For example, the camera unit 3 optically captures a barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. attached to a product. Hereinafter, in this specification, extracting information from a barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. captured by the camera unit 3 may be expressed as "reading a barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. by the camera unit 3."

The camera unit 3 is an example of an "optical reading unit," and bar codes and two-dimensional codes are examples of "code symbols."

The grip portion 5 is a portion that the user holds when operating the device. The grip portion 5 is located on the rear side of the main body portion 2. The trigger switch 6 is provided on the grip portion 5. When the user turns the trigger switch 6 ON while holding the grip portion 5, the reader/writer R emits radio waves from the antenna in the main body portion 2. When the user turns the trigger switch 6 OFF, the reader/writer R stops emitting radio waves from the antenna of the main body portion 2.

The mounting portion 7 holds the mobile terminal D. The mounting portion 7 is provided between the main body portion 2 and the grip portion 5. The mounting portion 7 is connected to the main body portion 2. The mounting portion 7 is connected to the grip portion 5. The mounting portion 7 has a pair of holding portions 8 (81, 82). The holding portion 8 has an upper holding portion 81 and a lower holding portion 82 that sandwich the mobile terminal D placed on the mounting portion 7. The holding portion 8 fixes and holds the mobile terminal D between the upper holding portion 81 and the lower holding portion 82 while the mobile terminal D is connected for communication.

Next, the portable terminal D will be described. The portable terminal D includes a display unit 11 and an operation unit 12. The display unit 11 includes a display screen. The operation unit 12 accepts information input by the user. For example, the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12 are configured with a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel. Furthermore, the holding unit 8 holds the portable terminal D so that the display screen of the display unit 11 faces in a direction that can be viewed directly by a user holding the grip portion 5 of the reader/writer R.

As described above, in this embodiment, the wireless tag reading device 1 is a reader/writer R to which a portable terminal D is attached, but the wireless tag reading device 1 is not limited to this. For example, the wireless tag reading device 1 may be a device in which the reader/writer R and the portable terminal D are integrated.

<Hardware Configuration of the Wireless Tag Reading Device According to the First Embodiment>
Next, a hardware configuration of the wireless tag reader 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the wireless tag reader 1 according to the first embodiment.

First, the reader/writer R will be described. The reader/writer R includes a camera unit 3, a trigger switch 6, a control unit 20, a memory unit 21, a mobile terminal I/F (Interface) 22, a communication control unit 23, an antenna 24, a battery 25, and the like. Note that the camera unit 3 and the trigger switch 6 have been described above, so their description will be omitted.

The control unit 20 of the reader/writer R will now be described. The control unit 20 is composed of, for example, a CPU 201, a ROM 202, and a RAM 203. The CPU 201 is a processor that executes programs. The ROM 202 is a program memory that stores various programs and control data. The RAM 203 is a working memory that is used to expand various data.

The CPU 201 is connected to the ROM 202, RAM 203, and storage unit 21 via a data bus. The control unit 20 performs overall control of each unit by the CPU 201 reading out a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it.

The storage unit 21 is configured with a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage unit 21 can be realized, for example, with a flash memory or the like that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 21 stores control programs or control data, etc. For example, the storage unit 21 can install control programs as appropriate.

The mobile terminal I/F 22 is a communication interface for communicating with the mobile terminal D. The mobile terminal I/F 22 transmits the tag information output by the communication control unit 23 to the mobile terminal D.

The communication control unit 23 is connected to the antenna 24. The communication control unit 23 wirelessly communicates with the RFID via the antenna 24. The communication control unit 23 transmits and receives radio waves via the antenna 24.

The communication control unit 23 reads information from the RFID tag in accordance with a predetermined standard. An example of a standard for wireless communication with an RFID tag is ISO/IEC 18000-6 Type C (EPC global Class 1 Generation 2). The communication control unit 23 and the antenna 24 are an example of a "wireless tag reading unit." The battery 25 supplies power to each part of the reader/writer R.

Next, the portable terminal D will be described. The portable terminal D includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a control unit 30, a memory unit 31, a reader/writer I/F 32, a wireless communication unit 33, a battery 34, a speaker 35, etc.

The display unit 11 has a display screen that displays various information to the user. The display unit 11 is formed, for example, of a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit 12 is an input unit that allows the user to input operation keys, which will be described later. The operation unit 12 is formed, for example, of a touch panel.

The operation unit 12 detects input to the operation keys displayed on the display unit 11 by using a touch panel. In other words, the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12 can be configured as a display device with a touch panel. Note that the operation unit 12 may also include mechanical hard keys.

The control unit 30 of the mobile terminal D will now be described. The control unit 30 is composed of, for example, a CPU 301, a ROM 302, and a RAM 303. The CPU 301 is a processor and executes programs. The ROM 302 is a program memory and stores various programs and control data. The RAM 303 is a working memory and is used to expand various data.

The CPU 301 is connected to the ROM 302, RAM 303, and storage unit 31 via a data bus. The control unit 30 performs overall control of each unit by the CPU 301 reading out a program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303 and executing it.

The storage unit 31 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage unit 31 can be realized, for example, by a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 31 stores control programs, control data, etc.

For example, the storage unit 31 can install a control program as appropriate. In this embodiment, the storage unit 31 stores first setting data 311, which is setting information for the optical reading unit, second setting data 312, which is setting information for the wireless tag reading unit, and a setting change table 313. The first setting data 311, second setting data 312, and setting change table 313 will be described later.

The reader/writer I/F 32 is connected for communication with the portable terminal I/F 22 of the reader/writer R. The control unit 30 transmits and receives various information, including remaining battery charge information, to and from the reader/writer R via the reader/writer I/F 32. The reader/writer I/F 32 receives tag information (read data) from the reader/writer R.

Here, the reader/writer I/F 32 and the mobile terminal I/F 22 may be interfaces that are capable of communicating with each other, and may be wireless communication interfaces or contact-type interfaces. The mobile terminal I/F 22 and the reader/writer I/F 32 may be interfaces that communicate with each other via, for example, NFC (Near Field Communication).

The wireless communication unit 33 is a communication interface for communicating with an external device such as a server. The battery 34 supplies power to each part of the portable terminal D. The speaker 35 notifies the status of the wireless tag reading device 1, etc. The speaker 35 has a function for sounding a buzzer, for example. The speaker 35 emits a buzzer sound to alert the user. The speaker 35 is an example of an "alert unit".

The method of notification is not limited to emitting a sound. For example, a light-emitting unit may be provided in the reader/writer R, and notification may be made by turning on and off an LED or the like, or by displaying information on the display unit 11 of the mobile terminal D.

<Functional configuration of the wireless tag reading device according to the first embodiment>
Next, the functional configuration of the wireless tag reading device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the wireless tag reading device according to the first embodiment. The wireless tag reading device 1 includes an image acquisition unit 101, a decoding unit 102, an information acquisition unit 103, a first determination unit 104, a second determination unit 105, a setting change unit 106, and a notification control unit 107 as functional components.

More specifically, the wireless tag reading device 1 has the above-mentioned functional configuration as a software configuration through cooperation between the CPU 301 and a program stored in the ROM 302. Note that some or all of the above-mentioned functional configuration may be realized by a hardware configuration such as the CPU 301 or a dedicated circuit.

The image acquisition unit 101 acquires an image captured by the camera unit 3. Specifically, when the trigger switch 6 is turned ON, the image acquisition unit 101 starts capturing image data captured by the camera unit 3. When the trigger switch 6 is turned OFF, the image acquisition unit 101 stops capturing image data.

The decoding unit 102 extracts the encoded information by decoding the information. Specifically, the decoding unit 102 detects an area representing a barcode or two-dimensional code from the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 101, and executes processing to decode the encoded data held by the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc.

The information acquisition unit 103 acquires the information read by the reading unit. In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 103 acquires the information extracted by the decoding unit 102 from a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like. If the barcode, the two-dimensional code, or the like holds setting information, the information acquisition unit 103 acquires the setting information. Note that the information acquisition unit 103 is an example of an "acquisition unit."

The first determination unit 104 determines the type of information that has been read. In this embodiment, the first determination unit 104 determines whether or not the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 holds setting information, based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 103. Here, in this embodiment, setting information refers to information associated with the settings of the reading unit.

Specifically, the setting change table 313 described below is referenced to determine whether or not information registered in the setting change table 313 matches the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 103.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the first judgment unit 104 judges that the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 is a setting change code holding setting information, it judges whether the setting change code is a first setting change code holding setting information associated with the settings of the camera unit 3, or a second setting change code holding setting information associated with the settings of the communication control unit 23.

Specifically, by referring to the setting change table 313 described later, it is determined whether the "target of setting change" included in the data associated with information matching the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 103 is the camera unit 3 or the communication control unit 23, and therefore whether the setting change code is a first setting change code that holds setting information associated with the settings of the camera unit 3, or a second setting change code that holds setting information associated with the settings of the communication control unit 23.

On the other hand, if the first judgment unit 104 judges that the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 is not a setting change code, the control unit 30 of the wireless tag reading device 1 processes the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 as a normal barcode, two-dimensional code, etc.

The second judgment unit 105 judges whether the wireless tag reading device 1 is in a state where the settings can be changed. In this embodiment, the second judgment unit 105 judges whether the settings of the communication control unit 23 are in a state where they can be changed. Specifically, if the communication control unit 23 is busy, the second judgment unit 105 judges that the settings cannot be changed. On the other hand, if the communication control unit 23 is not busy, the second judgment unit 105 judges that the settings can be changed.

The setting change unit 106 changes the settings of the reading unit to the settings of the reading unit corresponding to the setting information acquired by the information acquisition unit 103, based on setting change information that associates multiple pieces of setting information with information representing the settings of the reading unit corresponding to the multiple pieces of setting information.

In this embodiment, the first judgment unit 104 judges that the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 is a setting change code, and if the setting change code is a first setting change code, the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 stored in the memory unit 31 and changes the first setting data 311 stored in the memory unit 31 to a setting corresponding to the setting information held in the first setting change code.

In addition, if the first judgment unit 104 judges that the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 is a setting change code, and the setting change code is a second setting change code, the second judgment unit 105 judges whether or not the settings of the communication control unit 23 can be changed.

If the second judgment unit 105 judges that the setting can be changed, the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 stored in the memory unit 31, and changes the second setting data 312 stored in the memory unit 31 to a setting that corresponds to the setting information held in the second setting change code.

The notification control unit 107 controls the notification unit. For example, the notification control unit 107 controls the notification unit to notify the user when the acquisition unit acquires setting information and when the setting change has been successfully completed, or when the acquisition unit acquires setting information and when the setting change has been successfully completed.

Also, for example, when the wireless tag reading unit is in a state where the settings cannot be changed and the setting change code is read, the notification control unit 107 controls the notification unit to notify that the settings cannot be changed.

In this embodiment, when the first determination unit 104 determines that the read barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. is a setting change code, the notification control unit 107 controls the speaker 35 to emit a sound that is different from the sound that is emitted when a barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. other than a setting change code is read.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the change of the first setting data 311 or the second setting data 312 stored in the memory unit 31 by the setting change unit 106 is completed successfully, the notification control unit 107 controls the speaker 35 to emit a sound to notify the user that the setting change has been completed successfully.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the second determination unit 105 determines that the setting cannot be changed, the notification control unit 107 controls the speaker 35 to emit an error sound to notify the user that the setting cannot be changed.

Next, the information stored in the memory unit 31 of the wireless tag reading device 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the memory unit 31 stores the first setting data 311, the second setting data 312, and the setting change table 313. Note that the first setting data 311, the second setting data 312, and the setting change table 313 are not limited to being stored in the memory unit 31. For example, they may be stored in a memory unit provided in an external device such as a server.

The first setting data 311 is information that represents the settings of the optical reading unit. In this embodiment, the first setting data 311 is data on various settings for the camera unit 3 to capture an image. Specifically, it is data such as exposure time, for example.

The second setting data 312 is information that represents the settings of the wireless tag reading unit. In this embodiment, the second setting data 312 is data on various settings of the communication control unit 23. Specifically, it is data on the transmission output, for example.

The setting change table 313 is information that associates multiple pieces of setting information with information that represents the settings of the reading unit that correspond to the multiple pieces of setting information. In this embodiment, the setting change table 313 is a table that associates the setting information stored in the setting change code with setting data that includes the target of the setting change, the type of parameter to be changed, and the data of the parameter to be changed. Note that the setting change table 313 is an example of "setting change information."

As a specific example, we will explain a case where "setting information stored in first setting change code 1" and setting data "target of setting change: camera unit 3, parameter to be changed: exposure time, data of parameter to be changed: 1/125 s" are associated and registered in the setting change table 313.

In this case, when the camera unit 3 reads the "first setting change code 1", the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 and changes the exposure time data included in the first setting data 311 stored in the memory unit 31 to "1/125 s" which corresponds to the "setting information held in the first setting change code 1".

As another specific example, we will explain a case where the "setting information stored in the second setting change code 2" is associated with the setting data "target of setting change: communication control unit 23, parameter to be changed: transmission output, data of parameter to be changed: 20 mW" and registered in the setting change table 313.

In this case, when the camera unit 3 reads the "second setting change code 2", the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 and changes the transmission output data included in the second setting data 312 stored in the memory unit 31 to "20 mW", which corresponds to the "setting information held in the second setting change code 2".

The setting change code may be a barcode or a two-dimensional code, but it is preferable to use a two-dimensional code since two-dimensional codes can hold more information than barcodes.

<Processing of the wireless tag reading device of the first embodiment>
Next, a process of the wireless tag reading device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below. Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a process of the wireless tag reading device according to the first embodiment.

First, the image acquisition unit 101 detects that the trigger switch 6 has been turned ON by the user (step S101). When the image acquisition unit 101 detects that the trigger switch 6 has been turned ON, it starts capturing the image captured by the camera unit 3 (step S102).

The decoding unit 102 performs a decoding process on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 101, and the information acquisition unit 103 acquires the information extracted by the decoding unit 102 from the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. (step S103).

The first determination unit 104 determines whether the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 is a setting change code based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 103 (step S104). If the first determination unit 104 determines that the code is a setting change code (step S104: Yes), the first determination unit 104 determines whether the code is a second setting change code (step S105).

If the first judgment unit 104 judges that the code is for changing the second settings (step S105: Yes), the second judgment unit 105 checks whether the communication control unit 23 is busy and judges whether the settings can be changed (step S107).

If the second judgment unit 105 determines that the communication control unit 23 is not busy and is in a state in which the setting can be changed (step S107: Yes), the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 in the memory unit 31, changes the second setting data 312 stored in the memory unit 31 to a setting corresponding to the setting information held in the second setting change code, and terminates this process (step S108).

On the other hand, if the first judgment unit 104 judges in step S104 that the code is not a setting change code (step S104: No), the wireless tag reading device 1 processes the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 as if it were a normal barcode, two-dimensional code, etc., and ends this process (step S106).

In addition, if the first judgment unit 104 judges in step S105 that the code is not the second setting change code (step S105: No), the first judgment unit 104 judges that the code is the first setting change code, and the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 in the memory unit 31, changes the first setting data 311 stored in the memory unit 31 to a setting corresponding to the setting information held in the first setting change code, and ends this process (step S108).

In addition, if the second judgment unit 105 judges in step S107 that the communication control unit 23 is busy and is not in a state in which the settings can be changed (step S107: No), the notification control unit 107 controls the speaker 35 to sound an error sound to notify the user that the settings cannot be changed, and ends this process (step S109).

Effects of the wireless tag reading device according to the first embodiment
In conventional reading devices equipped with multiple reading functions, when changing the settings for multiple reading functions, it was necessary to launch a dedicated application and enter numerical values, etc., and the process of changing the settings for the reading functions was not easy.

In addition, there is known technology for changing the settings of an optical reading unit based on setting data obtained from a setting change barcode read by the optical reading unit. However, with this technology, for example, in a reading device equipped with an optical reading unit and a wireless tag reading unit, it is not possible to easily change the reading settings of both the optical reading unit and the wireless tag reading unit.

In contrast, the wireless tag reading device 1 according to this embodiment includes a setting change unit 106 that, when the information acquisition unit 103 acquires setting information, refers to the setting change table 313 and changes the settings of the reading unit to settings that correspond to the setting information acquired by the information acquisition unit 103.

Specifically, when the camera unit 3 reads the first setting change code, the setting change unit 106 can change the first setting data 311 stored in the memory unit 31 to a setting corresponding to the setting information held by the first setting change code.

In addition, when the camera unit 3 reads the second setting change code, the second setting data 312 stored in the memory unit 31 can be changed to a setting corresponding to the setting information held by the second setting change code.

As a result, the wireless tag reading device 1 according to this embodiment can easily perform both the setting change process for the camera unit 3 and the setting change process for the communication control unit 23 simply by having the camera unit 3 read the setting change code. In other words, the wireless tag reading device 1 according to this embodiment can easily perform the setting change process for multiple reading functions.

The wireless tag reading device 1 of this embodiment also includes a speaker 35 that functions as an alarm unit that, when the first determination unit 104 determines that the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 is a setting change code, emits a sound different from the sound emitted when a barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. other than a setting change code is read, thereby notifying the user that a setting change code has been read.

As a result, the wireless tag reading device 1 of this embodiment can reliably notify the user that a setting change process that differs from normal processing is being performed. Furthermore, the speaker 35 also emits a sound to notify the user when the setting change process has been successfully completed, so the wireless tag reading device 1 of this embodiment can also reliably notify the user that the setting change process has been successfully completed.

In addition, if the communication control unit 23 is busy and the setting change process cannot be performed even though the setting change code has been read, the speaker 35 sounds an error sound to notify the user that the setting cannot be changed. This allows the wireless tag reading device 1 of this embodiment to reliably notify the user that the setting cannot be changed. In other words, the user will not mistakenly believe that the setting change was successful when it has actually failed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a radio tag reading device 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to parts showing the same operations as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment described above, when the read barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. is a setting change code that holds setting information, the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 stored in the storage unit 31, and changes the first setting data 311 or the second setting data 312 to a setting that corresponds to the setting information held by the setting change code.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the setting information is stored in a setting change tag such as an RFID tag, rather than in a setting change code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code. The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a mode switching unit 108 as a functional component.

<Functional configuration of the wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment>
The differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail below. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment. The wireless tag reading device 1 according to this embodiment further includes a mode switching unit 108 in addition to the functional configuration of the first embodiment described above.

First, the mode switching unit 108 will be described. The mode switching unit 108 switches between a first mode in which setting change processing is not possible and a second mode in which setting change processing is possible. In this embodiment, the mode switching unit 108 switches between the first mode and the second mode by accepting a mode switching instruction input by the user via the operation unit 12.

The method of switching modes by the mode switching unit 108 is not limited to this. For example, a setting start code may be prepared, and when the setting start code is read, the mode switching unit 108 may switch modes.

Here, if the setting information is stored in a wireless tag, there is a risk that the wireless tag reader will read the setting change tag that stores the setting information, contrary to the user's intention, and setting change processing will be performed that is not intended by the user.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a mode switching unit 108 is provided that switches between a first mode in which setting change processing is not possible and a second mode in which setting change processing is possible, and the setting change unit 106 performs setting change processing only when the wireless tag reading device 1 is in the second mode, thereby preventing setting change processing from being performed unintentionally by the user.

Next, the main differences from the first embodiment other than the inclusion of the mode switching unit 108 will be described. In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 103 acquires information read from the RFID tag by the communication control unit 23. If the RFID tag holds setting information, the information acquisition unit 103 acquires the setting information. Note that the information acquisition unit 103 is an example of an "acquisition unit."

In addition, in this embodiment, the first determination unit 104 determines whether the RFID tag read by the communication control unit 23 holds setting information based on the information read from the RFID tag by the communication control unit 23.

In addition, in this embodiment, the second judgment unit 105 judges whether the communication control unit 23 is in a state in which the settings can be changed, and also judges whether the wireless tag reading device 1 is in the second mode.

In addition, in this embodiment, the setting change unit 106 changes the first setting data 311 or the second setting data 312 stored in the storage unit 31 only when the wireless tag reading device 1 is in the second mode. The flow of the setting change process will be described later.

In addition, in this embodiment, the setting change table 313 stored in the memory unit 31 is a table that associates setting information written in the setting change tag with setting data including the target of the setting change, the type of parameter to be changed, data of the parameter to be changed, etc.

<Processing of the wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment>
Next, a process of the wireless tag reading device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below. Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a process of the wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment.

First, the communication control unit 23 detects that the trigger switch 6 has been turned ON by the user (step S201). When the communication control unit 23 detects that the trigger switch 6 has been turned ON, it starts reading the RFID tag, and the information acquisition unit 103 acquires the information that the communication control unit 23 has read from the RFID tag (step S202).

The first judgment unit 104 judges whether the RFID tag read by the communication control unit 23 is a setting change tag based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 103 (step S203). If the first judgment unit 104 judges that the RFID tag is a setting change tag (step S203: Yes), the second judgment unit 105 judges whether the mode of the wireless tag reading device 1 is the second mode (step S204).

If the second judgment unit 105 judges that the mode of the wireless tag reading device 1 is the second mode (step S204: Yes), the first judgment unit 104 judges whether the setting change tag is a second setting change tag (step S207).

If the first judgment unit 104 judges that the tag is for changing the second settings (step S207: Yes), the second judgment unit 105 checks whether the communication control unit 23 is busy and judges whether the settings can be changed (step S208).

If the second judgment unit 105 determines that the communication control unit 23 is not busy and is in a state in which the settings can be changed (step S208: Yes), the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 in the memory unit 31, changes the second setting data 312 stored in the memory unit 31 to a setting corresponding to the setting information held in the second setting change tag, and terminates this process (step S209).

On the other hand, if the first judgment unit 104 judges in step S203 that the tag is not a setting change tag (step S203: No), the control unit 30 of the wireless tag reading device 1 processes the RFID tag read by the communication control unit 23 as if it were a normal RFID tag, and ends this process (step S204).

Also, in step S205, if the second judgment unit 105 judges that the mode of the wireless tag reading device 1 is not the second mode (step S204: No), the setting change unit 106 discards the information of the RFID tag read by the communication control unit 23 and ends this process without performing the setting change process (step S206).

Also, in step S207, if the first judgment unit 104 judges that it is not the second setting change tag (step S207: No), the first judgment unit 104 judges that it is the first setting change tag, and the setting change unit 106 refers to the setting change table 313 of the memory unit 31, changes the first setting data 311 stored in the memory unit 31 to a setting corresponding to the setting information held in the first setting change tag, and ends this process (step S209).

Also, in step S208, if the second judgment unit 105 judges that the communication control unit 23 is busy and is not in a state in which the settings can be changed (step S208: No), the notification control unit 107 controls the speaker 35 to sound an error sound to notify the user that the settings cannot be changed, and ends this process (step S210).

Effects of the wireless tag reading device according to the second embodiment
In addition to achieving the same effects as the first embodiment, the wireless tag reading device 1 of the second embodiment stores setting information in a wireless tag, eliminating the need to align the position of a barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. with the position of the imaging window, as is the case when setting information is stored in a barcode, two-dimensional code, etc.; instead, the setting change process can be performed simply by bringing the wireless tag reading device 1 close to the setting change tag, making it easier to perform the setting change process.

However, when the setting change process is triggered by reading a wireless tag such as an RFID tag, unlike when the setting change process is triggered by reading a barcode or two-dimensional code, the tag used to trigger the setting change may be read against the user's will. In other words, there is a risk that the setting change will be made without the user's intention.

In contrast, the wireless tag reading device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a mode switching unit 108 that switches between a first mode in which setting change processing is not possible and a second mode in which setting change processing is possible, and the setting change unit 106 performs setting change processing only when the wireless tag reading device 1 is in the second mode, thereby making it possible to prevent setting change processing such as that described above from being performed unintentionally by the user.

Third Embodiment
Next, a wireless tag reader 1 according to a third embodiment will be described. The wireless tag reader 1 according to the third embodiment has the same hardware configuration and functional configuration as the wireless tag reader 1 according to the second embodiment, and detailed description of the same operations as those of the second embodiment will be omitted.

The differences between the wireless tag reading device 1 according to the first and second embodiments and the wireless tag reading device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, it was explained that when a setting change code that holds setting information is read, the setting change unit 106 changes the setting of the reading unit to a setting that corresponds to the setting information held by the setting change code.

In addition, in the second embodiment described above, when a setting tag that holds setting information is read, the setting change unit 106 changes the setting of the reading unit to a setting that corresponds to the setting information held by the setting tag.

In contrast, in the wireless tag reading device 1 of the third embodiment, when a setting change code is read by the optical reading unit, the setting change unit 106 changes the setting of the reading unit to a setting corresponding to the setting information held by the setting change code, and when a setting change tag is read by the wireless tag reading unit, the setting change unit 106 changes the setting of the reading unit to a setting corresponding to the setting information held by the setting change tag.

To achieve the above processing, in this embodiment, when the camera unit 3 reads a barcode, two-dimensional code, etc., the first judgment unit 104 judges whether the barcode, two-dimensional code, etc. read by the camera unit 3 is a setting change code that holds setting information based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 103, and when the communication control unit 23 reads an RFID tag, the first judgment unit 104 judges whether the RFID tag read by the communication control unit 23 is a setting change tag that holds setting information based on the information read from the RFID tag by the communication control unit 23.

In addition, in this embodiment, the setting change table 313 stored in the memory unit 31 is a table that includes both information associating the setting information held in the setting change code with setting data including the target of the setting change, the type of parameter to be changed, and data on the parameters to be changed, and information associating the setting information written in the setting change tag with setting data including the target of the setting change, the type of parameter to be changed, and data on the parameters to be changed, and

Effects of the wireless tag reading device according to the third embodiment
The wireless tag reading device 1 of this embodiment not only achieves the same effects as the first and second embodiments, but also allows setting information to be stored in both the setting change code and the setting change tag, so that setting change processing can be performed by selecting whether the trigger for the setting change process is the reading of the setting change code or the reading of the setting change tag, depending on the work environment, etc.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

For example, the program executed by the wireless tag reader 1 of the above embodiment is provided by being pre-installed in a storage medium (ROM 302 or storage unit 31) provided in the wireless tag reader 1, but it is not limited to this and may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

Note that storage media are not limited to media independent of a computer or embedded system, but also include storage media that store or temporarily store downloaded programs transmitted via a LAN, the Internet, etc.

The program executed by the wireless tag reader 1 of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading it via the network. The program executed by the wireless tag reader 1 of the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Wireless tag reader 2 Main body 3 Camera 4 Imaging window 5 Grip 6 Trigger switch 7 Placement 8 Holding section 81 Upper holding section 82 Lower holding section 11 Display section 12 Operation section 20 Control section 21 Memory section 22 Portable terminal I/F
23 Communication control unit 24 Antenna 25 Battery 30 Control unit 31 Storage unit 32 Reader/writer I/F
33 Wireless communication unit 34 Battery 35 Speaker 101 Image acquisition unit 102 Decoding unit 103 Information acquisition unit 104 First determination unit 105 Second determination unit 106 Setting change unit 107 Notification control unit 108 Mode switching unit

JP 2000-222643 A

Claims (6)

A first reading unit;
A second reading unit;
an acquisition unit that acquires first setting information indicating conditions related to reading by the first reading unit or second setting information indicating conditions related to reading by the second reading unit;
a setting change unit that, when the acquisition unit acquires the first setting information, executes a process of changing the setting of the first reading unit to a setting of the first reading unit corresponding to the first setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, based on setting change information retaining first setting information that associates the first reading unit with a plurality of first setting information and settings of the first reading unit corresponding to the plurality of first setting information, and second setting information that associates the second reading unit with a plurality of second setting information and settings of the second reading unit corresponding to the plurality of second setting information, and, when the acquisition unit acquires the second setting information, executes a process of changing the setting of the second reading unit to a setting of the second reading unit corresponding to the second setting information acquired by the acquisition unit;
A wireless tag reading device comprising: The device further includes a mode switching unit that switches between a first mode in which the setting change process cannot be performed and a second mode in which the setting change process can be performed,
The wireless tag reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting change section executes the setting change process for the first reading section or the second reading section only when the wireless tag reading device is in the second mode. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first reading unit is an optical reading unit that reads a code symbol, and the second reading unit is a wireless tag reading unit that reads a wireless tag. The wireless tag reading device of claim 3, further comprising an alarm unit that notifies the acquisition of the first setting information or the second setting information when the acquisition unit acquires the first setting information or the second setting information, and that notifies the successful completion of the setting change when the setting change of the first reading unit or the second reading unit is successfully completed. The wireless tag reading device according to claim 4, wherein the notification unit notifies the user that the setting cannot be changed if the acquisition unit acquires the second setting information when the wireless tag reading unit is in a state where the setting cannot be changed. A computer of a wireless tag reading device including a first reading unit and a second reading unit,
an acquisition unit that acquires first setting information indicating conditions related to reading by the first reading unit or second setting information indicating conditions related to reading by the second reading unit;
a setting change unit that, when the acquisition unit acquires the first setting information, executes a process of changing the setting of the first reading unit to a setting of the first reading unit corresponding to the first setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, based on setting change information retaining first setting information that associates the first reading unit with a plurality of first setting information and settings of the first reading unit corresponding to the plurality of first setting information, and second setting information that associates the second reading unit with a plurality of second setting information and settings of the second reading unit corresponding to the plurality of second setting information, and, when the acquisition unit acquires the second setting information, executes a process of changing the setting of the second reading unit to a setting of the second reading unit corresponding to the second setting information acquired by the acquisition unit;
A program that functions as a

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