JPH0414328A - Responder in mobile object identification system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize this responder easily discriminating the content of the memory by providing a bar code conversion means and a bar code display device on the responder. CONSTITUTION:A bar code conversion means 10 and a bar code display device 11 for the data of a memory 4 are provided on an ID plate 3 as a transponder. A computer 8 drives a display element with high contrast provided on the surface of the ID plate 3 such as the bar code display device 11 composed of an LCD to display a bar pattern. By this constitution, a portable bar code reader 12 easily reads the data. Moreover, no bar code label is required, the cost is reduced and the bar code is also able to be rewritten.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to a mobile object identification system used, for example, in fields such as factory production lines and logistics. Regarding the transponder in a system comprising a transponder attached to a mobile body and an interrogator that performs non-contact communication with the transponder to read or write data in a memory built in the transponder. .

<Prior Art> FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of such a mobile object identification system.

This mobile object identification system (rID)
r 1cat 1on) system" consists of an ID control unit 1 that controls the entire system, and a system that transmits data from the ID control unit 1 to an ID plate 3 as a transponder and transmits data from the ID plate 3. An antenna 2 as an interrogator that receives and transfers the data to the rD control unit l, and an ID that provides answer data to the data transmitted from the antenna 2 and writes the data from the antenna 2 to the built-in memory 4.
It basically consists of a 3° plate.

The antenna 2 includes a communication circuit 5 for performing non-contact communication using microwaves with the ID plate 3°, and an interface 6. The communication circuit 5 includes a transmitting/receiving antenna, an oscillator, an R modulator, and a demodulator. Equipped with utensils, etc.

The ID plate 3° serving as a transponder has a communication circuit 7 for performing non-contact communication using microwaves with the antenna 2.
, a memory 4 into which data is written or read, a microcomputer 8 for control, and a battery 9 as a driving power source.

This ID system can be used, for example, by attaching an ID plate 3° to a moving object such as a workpiece or pallet that is moved on a factory production line by a conveyance device such as a conveyor, and processing the workpiece at the top of the line (input end). ID information (serial number, model code, color tone, etc.)
There are work instructions on the production line, such as writing on the ID plate 3°, and at subsequent work stations, every time a work arrives, the necessary information at that work station is read from the ID plate 3° and the work content is changed. .

By the way, apart from such an ID system using non-contact communication, there is a barcode system using a barcode. In other words, a barcode label is attached to a moving object, and the bar pattern of this barcode label is read by a barcode reader.
It has become widely popular as a point-of-sales (S) system, and in recent years, it has also been used in the FA field to manage production information, such as inputting product information on a multi-product assembly line or setting inspection conditions on an inspection line. It is also used in

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, this barcode system has the disadvantage that the information on the barcode label once printed and attached to a moving object cannot be rewritten;
In the ID system based on the plate 3°, the data in the memory 4 of the ID plate 3° can be easily rewritten, but in order to know the contents of the data in the memory 4,
This is inconvenient because it has to be read out via a peripheral device such as a programmable controller connected to the ID control unit l.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transponder that allows the contents of the memory to be easily known.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured as follows.

That is, the present invention provides a transponder for a mobile object identification system that is attached to a mobile object and performs non-contact communication with an interrogator to read or write data in a built-in memory. The barcode converter includes a barcode converter that converts data into a barcode, and a barcode display that displays the barcode in a corresponding bar pattern.

<Operation> According to the above configuration, the transponder is provided with a barcode display that displays the data in the built-in memory as a bar pattern, so the data in the transponder's memory can be easily read using the barcode league. becomes possible.

<Examples> Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ID system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and parts corresponding to the conventional example in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals.

Similar to the conventional example, this ID system includes an ID control unit 1 that controls the entire system, and an ID control unit that transmits data from this ID control unit 1 as a responder.
An antenna 2 as an interrogator that transmits data to the ID plate 3 or receives data from the ID plate 3 and transfers it to the ID control unit 1; It basically consists of an ID plate 3 for writing two pieces of data into a built-in memory 4.

The antenna 2 includes a communication circuit 5 for performing non-contact communication using microwaves with the ID plate 3, and an interface 6. The communication circuit 5 includes a transmitting/receiving antenna, an oscillator, a modulator, a demodulator, etc. It is equipped with

The ID plate 3 as a transponder includes a communication circuit 7 for performing non-contact communication using microwaves with the antenna 2, and a memory 4 in which data is written or read.
It is equipped with a microcomputer 8 for control and a battery 9 as a driving power source.

The above configuration is similar to the conventional ID system.

In this embodiment, the ID plate 3 includes a barcode conversion means 10 for converting data in the memory 4 into a barcode;
A barcode display 11 is provided that displays the converted barcode in a corresponding bar pattern.

The barcode conversion means 10 encodes predetermined data of the data in the memory 4, such as the serial number and model code of a moving object such as a workpiece to which an ID plate is attached, into a barcode.

Based on this barcode, the microcomputer 8 drives a barcode display 11 consisting of a high-contrast display element, such as an LCD, provided on the surface of the ID plate 3, as shown in FIG. Displays a bar pattern similar to a barcode label.

Since the barcode display 11 is provided on the ID plate 3 to display part of the data in the memory 4 as a bar pattern, the data can be easily read by, for example, a hand-held barcode reader 12. becomes.

The ID system of this embodiment can also be used as a conventional barcode system, in which case barcode labels are no longer required, running costs are reduced, and barcodes can also be rewritten. become.

As with the conventional example, this ID system can be used, for example, as an ID for moving objects such as workpieces or pallets that are moved on a factory production line by a conveyor or other transport device.
Attach D plate 3, and at the line top (input end),
Information necessary to process the workpiece (serial number, model code, color tone, etc.) is written on the ID plate 3, and at subsequent work stations, each time a workpiece arrives, the necessary information at that work station is written on the ID plate 3. There are work instructions on the production line, such as reading out from the computer and switching the work contents.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, the transponder is provided with a barcode display that displays data in the built-in memory as a bar pattern. It can be easily read using a code reader.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of display by a bar code display, and FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional example. 2... Antenna (interrogator), 3... ID plate (
(transponder), 4...memory, 10...barcode conversion means, II...barcode display, 12...barcode reader.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A transponder (3) in a mobile object identification system that is attached to a mobile object and performs non-contact communication with an interrogator (2) to read or write data in a built-in memory (4). The present invention is characterized by comprising: barcode converting means (10) for converting data in the memory (4) into a barcode; and a barcode display (11) for displaying the barcode in a corresponding bar pattern. A transponder in a mobile object identification system.