JPH04350016A - Chit issue device for electronic tag - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate chit issue work and at the same time prevent information disagreement by conducting print information input and information input to an electronic tag at a time. CONSTITUTION:A chit issue device is equipped with a computer 1, a display 3, an input device 5, an auxiliary memory device, a printer 9 and a questioner 11. The paper sheet 13 of home delivery business use chits issued by this chit issue device is a continuous chit paper sheet at which respective chits are connected to each other by means of sewing machine seams. Each chit has entry columns and has a built-in response circuit. The chit issue device computer 1 controls the auxiliary memory device, the printer 9 and the questioner 11 according to inputted chit data, and writes data into the respective chit response circuits of the chit paper sheet 13, and also prints the letters and signs (bar codes or the like) of data equivalent to data written into response circuits, at the entry columns of respective chits. Respective chits at which print information and response circuit information coincide with each other, are automatically issued only by inputting chit data.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic tag issuing device having a response circuit for transmitting identification information upon receiving an interrogation signal from an interrogator.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in delivery systems for home delivery services, attempts have been made to automate the sorting work of collected packages through computer management. An electronic luggage tag has been proposed as a device for achieving such automation (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 111821/1982). Conventional electronic tags are separate from handwritten tags and have a configuration in which a response circuit is housed in a package. The response circuit stores data such as the destination of the package in a memory, and transmits the data as a response signal upon receiving the interrogation signal from the interrogator. Data based on the identification information already written on the handwritten slip attached to the package at the time of collection is written into the memory. When packages with electronic tags attached are transported on a conveyor on a sorting line, interrogators installed at various points along the line receive data from the electronic tags and identify the package's destination without contact. This allows automatic sorting.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since the above-mentioned conventional electronic tag issuing device differs from handwritten slips in the timing of issuing the slip (when data is written into the memory) and the location of issuing the slip, it is difficult to handle a large number of items at different times. When delivering to a destination, there is a problem in that not only is the invoice work extremely complicated, but also the text information and the information on the electronic tag may be confused.

[0004] The purpose of the electronic tag issuing device of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to facilitate the bill issuing operation.

[0005]

[Means and Effects for Solving the Problems] The electronic luggage tag issuing device of the present invention is based on the identification information on a fill-in slip in which symbols such as characters and codes indicating identification information such as the destination of the parcel are written. An electronic tag issuing device is provided with a response circuit that stores data in a memory and transmits the data upon reception of an interrogation signal from an interrogator, and includes an input device for inputting the identification information, and an input device for inputting the identification information to the input device. The present invention is characterized by comprising: a printing device that prints the symbol indicating the identification information entered on the fill-in slip; and a writing device that stores data based on the identification information input into the input device in the memory.

[0006] In the electronic tag issuing device having the above configuration, when identification information such as the destination of the parcel is inputted into the input device,
The printing device prints symbols such as characters and codes indicating the input identification information on the fill-in slip. Further, the writing device writes the input identification information into the memory of the response circuit provided in the fill-in slip. That is, by simply inputting the identification information, the predetermined items of the fill-in slip are printed and written into the memory of the response circuit, and an electronic tag is issued. The time and place of issuing the fill-in slip and the response circuit are almost the same. As a result,
Even when delivering a large quantity of items to different destinations, the character information and the information in the response circuit are reliably matched, making the billing process easier.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As an embodiment of the electronic tag issuing apparatus of the present invention, a parcel delivery slip issuing apparatus will be described below. FIG. 1 shows an overall view of the ticket issuing device, and FIG. 2 shows its block diagram. As shown in the figure, the ticket issuing device includes a computer 1, a display 3
, input device 5, auxiliary storage device 7, printer 9, interrogator 1
1. The form 13 of the delivery slip issued by this slip issuing device is a continuous slip paper in which individual slips are connected. The structure of the delivery slip will be described later. Among the above-mentioned components of the ticket issuing device, the auxiliary storage device 7 is a read/write of storage media such as floppy disks and IC cards that store data such as place name data and telephone numbers. The printer 9 conveys the courier delivery form 13 along a predetermined route and prints predetermined information (address, etc.) in the entry field of the courier delivery form 13 using a printing mechanism installed in the middle of the route. Various printers are used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the interrogator 11 includes a carrier oscillation circuit 15 that generates a carrier wave, a modulator 17 that superimposes information on the carrier wave, a circulator 19 that separates the transmitted wave and the received wave, and a transmitting and receiving circuit that is an entrance and exit of electromagnetic waves. antenna 21,
A demodulator 23 that extracts information from received waves, an electromagnetic coupling coil 25 that sends data through electromagnetic coupling, a signal processing unit 27 that processes information by controlling the modulator 17, demodulator 23, and electromagnetic coupling coil 25, and an external interface. Equipped with 29. The signal processing unit 27 includes a CPU 31, a clock generator 33,
The computer is composed of a memory and the like, and in addition to information processing, communicates with the outside (computer 1 of the form issuing device) via an external interface 29.

The operation of this interrogator 11 is outlined as follows. The interrogator 11 is controlled by the computer 1 of the form issuing device, and transmits control signals and written data sent from the computer 1 via the external interface 29 to a response circuit 50 (described later) provided in the delivery slip 35. . A control signal sent from the computer 1 is sent to the modulator 17 by the CPU 31. The modulator 17 modulates the carrier wave generated by the carrier oscillation circuit 15 based on the sent control signal to generate a transmission wave. The transmitted wave on which the control signal has been superimposed is sent to the circulator 19, then to the transmitting/receiving antenna 21, and radiated into the air. Further, the CPU 31 sends the write data sent from the computer 1 to the electromagnetic coupling coil 25, and also sends it to the response circuit 50 of the parcel delivery slip 35, which will be described later.
Based on the characteristics, the CPU 31 simultaneously sends a transmission wave from the transmitting/receiving antenna 21.

[0010] In this way, the response circuit 5 of the delivery slip 35
0, the response circuit 50 returns a response signal, which is received by the transmitting/receiving antenna 21. The received wave is sent to the demodulator 23 via the circulator 19. The demodulator 23 extracts information contained in the received wave. The extracted information is processed by the signal processing unit 27 and the processing result is output to the external interface 29.

[0011] Here, the delivery slip 13 will be explained. The delivery form 13 is a continuous form in which each delivery form 35 is connected via perforations 37, as shown in FIG. The slip 35 includes a client copy 41 with an entry field 39 as shown in FIG. 5, and a delivery slip 43 to be collected at the time of delivery.
, and has a structure in which pieces of paper such as a destination slip 45 are bundled by a binding part 47. Perforations 49 are formed near the binding portion 47 to separate each piece of paper. The binding section 47 incorporates a response circuit 50.

As shown in FIG. 6, the response circuit 50 includes an IC chip 51 that performs internal information processing, and a transmitting/receiving antenna 53.
, a battery 55 as a driving power source, and an electromagnetic coupling coil 69
It consists of The IC chip 51 has a modulator 57 and a detector 59
, level comparator 61, CPU 63, clock generator 65
, and a memory 67. The level comparator 61 includes an operational amplifier, compares the voltage of the output signal of the detector 59 with a reference voltage, and connects the battery 55 to the CPU 63 and clock generator 65 if the voltage of the output signal is higher than the reference voltage. The memory 67 is backed up by a battery 55 and stores received data in addition to programs executed by the CPU 63. The data to be stored includes, in addition to data such as delivery address, a unique number for identifying each response circuit 50. The electromagnetic coupling coil 69 is a coil for receiving data by electromagnetic coupling.

An outline of the operation of this response circuit 50 is as follows. For example, when the antenna 53 receives an interrogation signal transmitted from an interrogator installed in an automatic sorting line, the detector 59 demodulates the reception signal received by the antenna 53 and extracts the interrogation signal. The question signal is level comparator 61
and the CPU 63. Level comparator 61
Then, the voltage level of the output signal of the wave detector 59 is compared with a reference voltage. When the voltage of the output signal of the wave detector 59 is higher than the reference voltage, the battery 55 is connected to the CPU 63 and the clock generator 65.
connected to. In this way, the CPU 63 and clock generator 65 are activated. After being activated, the CPU 63 executes the program stored in the memory 67 based on the clock. Then, processing according to the signal output from the detector 59 is performed.

If the received signal is a control signal requesting to write data, the write data such as the destination and the unique number outputted from the electromagnetic coupling coil 69 are stored in the memory 67. If the received signal is a control signal requesting data such as the destination, the CPU 63 reads the data stored in the memory 67 and outputs a signal corresponding to the data to the modulator 57. The modulator 57 modulates and reflects the electromagnetic wave from the interrogator and transmits it from the antenna 53 by changing the conduction/non-conduction of the diode and changing the impedance according to the signal output from the CPU 63 .

The paper 13 of the parcel delivery slip 35 having the above-mentioned structure is fed by the transport mechanism of the printer 9 inside the slip issuing device. The interrogator 11 described above is arranged on the transport path as shown in FIG. That is, the interrogator 11 is arranged so as to face the response circuit 50 of one slip 35 of the delivery slip 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the parcel delivery form 13 before and after the single form 35 facing the interrogator 11 is covered with electromagnetic shield plates 71 and 73. For this reason,
The interrogation signal almost certainly affects only the targeted response circuit 50.

The operation of the ticket issuing device described above will be explained. The CPU of the computer 1 of the ticket issuing device executes the ticket issuing processing routine shown in FIG. 9 at the time of ticket issuing. When the CPU executes the invoice processing routine, it first reads the invoice data input to the input device 5 (step S100). In addition to data such as delivery address, the slip data includes search data of a database already registered in the auxiliary storage device 7. Subsequently, information necessary for the bill issuance process is read from the auxiliary storage device 7 and set as internal information (step S110). The information to be read is, for example, a data group of a predetermined area or a predetermined field that corresponds to the input slip data. Then, a write code related to the input slip data is searched from the internal information (step S120). The write code is data necessary for computer management of packages, and includes destination codes and codes for specifying regions for automatic sorting.

Next, the write code is sent to the response circuit 5 of the slip 35.
Write processing subroutine to write to 0 (step S130)
Execute. Write processing subroutine (step S130
) and the operations of the interrogator 11 and response circuit 50 during writing will be described later. When the writing is completed, the interrogator 11 reads the data from the response circuit 50 (step S140), and displays the read data on the display 3 (step S150). The reason for displaying the read data on the display 3 is to enable confirmation of the written data. Then, the data writing process (steps S130 to S150) is repeated until the write data and read data match (step S160), and if the data match,
The printer 9 prints the slip data in the entry field 39 of the slip 35 (step S170).

The above write processing subroutine (step S1
30) is shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the CPU starts this subroutine, it first reads the unique number of the response circuit 50 using the interrogator 11 (step S180). Next, the read unique number and write code are sent as a set from the interrogator 11 (step S190). The purpose of transmitting the write code in combination with the unique number is to specify the response circuit 50 of the slip 35 into which the write data is to be written. This eliminates the possibility that the response circuit 50 of the slip 35 other than the target will erroneously write the transmitted write data.

As described above, the CPU of the computer 1 of the ticket issuing device executes the ticket issuing routine (FIG. 9), and the interrogator 1
1, printer 9, and display 3. As a result, the data is correctly written into the response circuit 50 of the predetermined slip 35 of the delivery slip form 13, and the same
In the entry field 39 of No. 5, characters and symbols (barcodes, etc.) of data corresponding to the data written into the response circuit 50 are printed. After being issued, each slip 35 is separated at a perforation 37 and attached to the corresponding package.

Next, the operation of the interrogator 11 controlled by the computer 1 of the ticket issuing device and the operation of the response circuit 50 of the slip 35 operated by the interrogator 11 are illustrated in FIGS.
2 and a block diagram of the interrogator 11 and response circuit 50 in FIG. 13.

When reading or writing data is instructed by executing the write processing subroutine (FIG. 10) of the above-mentioned ticket processing routine, the CPU 31 of the signal processing section 27 of the interrogator 11 executes the query processing routine (FIG. 11). ). Signal processing section 27
When the CPU 31 starts this routine, it first receives signals such as control signals and write data sent from the computer 1 of the ticket issuing device from the external interface 29 (
Step S200). Next, the control signal is sent to the modulator 17, and the write data is sent to the electromagnetic coupling coil 25 (step S210). Due to the characteristics of the response circuit 50, which will be described later, when sending write data to the electromagnetic coupling coil 25, as shown in FIG. 13, transmission waves are simultaneously sent from the transmitting and receiving antenna 21.

Next, data such as write results and read data returned from the response circuit 50 is received from the demodulator 23 (step S220). Then, data such as write results and read data are output to the external interface 29 (step S230). The output data is used in steps S150 and 160 of the ticket issuing routine (FIG. 9) executed by the computer 1 of the ticket issuing device.

Next, the operation of the response circuit 50 for the slip 35 which operates in response to the signal from the interrogator 11 will be explained. In the response circuit 50, as described above, when the antenna 53 receives the interrogation signal transmitted from the interrogator 11, the battery 55, which has not been connected until now, connects to the CPU 63 and the clock generator 65, and the CPU 63 starts.

When activated, the CPU 63 executes a response circuit control routine (FIG. 12) stored in the memory 67. When the CPU 63 starts the response circuit control routine,
First, a control signal is received from the detector 59 (step S
240). After this, the control signal is decoded (step S25
0), processing according to the control signal is thereafter performed.

If the control signal is data read, the interrogator 1
The unique number sent from 1 is received from the detector 59 (step S251), and only if the received unique number matches the built-in unique number (step S253), then,
Read specified data from memory 67 (step S2
60). Then, designated data is sent to the modulator 57 (step S270). When data is sent to the modulator 57, the data is transmitted from the antenna 53. The data also includes a unique number. Already described write processing subroutine (Figure 10)
The unique number sent in this way is used.

If the control signal is data writing, the interrogator 1
1 is received from the detector 59 (step S271), and only when the received unique number matches the built-in unique number (step S273), write data (write code) is sent from the electromagnetic coupling coil 69. receive(
Step S280). Then, the write data is stored in the memory 67.
(step S290). Subsequently, it is investigated whether the writing was successful or not, and the result of the investigation (pass/fail, etc.) is sent to the modulator 57 (step S300). The written data is data for computer management of parcels such as destinations. By executing the write processing subroutine (FIG. 10) described above, the response circuit 50 executes steps S280 and 2.
The process 90 is executed, and data such as the destination is written into the memory 67.

The processing from steps S240 to S300 is executed when the ticket issuing device issues a bill. On the other hand, if the control signal is writing a unique number, step S31
Perform processing for 0 or less. A control signal indicating writing of the unique number is not transmitted from the interrogator 11 of the ticket issuing device, but is transmitted from an interrogator having the same configuration as the interrogator 11 when the response circuit 50 is manufactured. This control signal is a control signal for pre-processing the slip to be issued.

That is, if the control signal is writing of a unique number, it is determined whether or not a unique number has been set (step S
310), if not set, the electromagnetic coupling coil 69
A unique number is received from (step S320). Then, write the unique number into the unique number area of the memory 67 (
Step S330). After this, it is checked whether the writing was successful and the result is sent to the modulator 57 (step S340). When it is determined in step S310 that a unique number has been set, a signal indicating "no" is sent to the modulator 57 as the write result (step S350).

[0029] Through the processing in steps S310 to S350, each response circuit 50 is given an independent unique number. Therefore, when issuing a ticket, the response circuit 50 can be specified using the unique number. According to the above-described device for creating a courier service slip 35, by simply inputting necessary data from the input device 5, data can be correctly written into the response circuit 50 of a predetermined slip 35 of the courier service slip form 13. Since data corresponding to the data written in the response circuit 50 is printed in the entry column 39 of the same slip 35 and the slip 35 is created, the effect of making the creation work of the slip 35 extremely easy is achieved.

[0030] Also, one slip 3 facing the interrogator 11
5 are covered with electromagnetic shielding materials 71 and 73 to prevent response circuits 50 other than the target from receiving the transmitted waves of the interrogator 11, and a unique number is assigned to each response circuit 50 to distinguish the response circuits 50. Since the response circuits 50 other than the target are prevented from responding to the interrogator 11 by writing data, there is an advantage that the correspondence between the contents written in the response circuit 50 and the contents printed in the entry field 39 can be ensured.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments in any way, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, since the electronic tag issued by the bill issuing device of the present invention has a configuration in which a response circuit is provided in a fill-in slip,
It can be handled in the same way as traditional fill-in slips. Therefore, it becomes easy to construct a delivery system that consistently computer-manages packages from collection to completion of delivery. Also,
In addition to issuing continuous slips, single slips may also be issued. In the invoice data reading process (step S100), the input from the input device 5 is read, and the structure of the input device 5 is, for example, to read the barcode of the corresponding delivery area shown in the delivery area list, and read the key input data and the input from the input device 5. It may also be configured to be used as slip data. In addition, since the response circuits 50 of continuous slips are close to each other, as an erroneous write prevention function that prevents data from being written to response circuits other than the target,
In the configuration of the embodiment, ■ electromagnetic coupling with a narrow communication area is used for the writing method, ■ shielding of non-target slips with shielding materials 71 and 73 so that signals do not reach them, and ■ a unique number is assigned to the response circuit 50. Although the settings are combined with three configurations (1), (2), and (3), only one of these configurations (2) to (2) may be used. For example, when configuration (2) based on electromagnetic coupling is not used, writing is also performed using an interrogation signal. In this case, the writing coils 25 and 69 are unnecessary. In addition, as a writing method other than this, a writing terminal of the response circuit 50 may be provided on the slip 35 and writing may be performed by contacting the terminal, or writing may be performed by weakening the output of the writing signal of the interrogator 11. A configuration that limits the area may also be used. In addition, when setting a unique number to each response circuit 50, in order to prevent erroneous writing, it is conceivable to make the interval between the response circuits 50 wide enough to prevent erroneous writing, or write with the terminals touching each other. . After giving the unique number in this way, the response circuit 50 is built into the slip 35.

[0032]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the electronic tag issuing device described above, predetermined items of the fill-in slip can be printed and written in the memory of the response circuit just by inputting identification information, and a response can be made to the fill-in slip. Since it is possible to issue electronic tags equipped with circuits, the textual information and electromagnetic tag information will reliably match even when delivering large quantities of goods to different destinations, making the task of issuing tags easier and highly error-prone. This has the effect of reducing

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a courier service slip originating device as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a ticket issuing device.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an interrogator.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a form of a delivery slip.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a parcel delivery slip.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a response circuit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship between the interrogator and the slip.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an electromagnetic shield of a slip.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a bill issuance processing routine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a write processing subroutine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a question processing routine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a response circuit control routine.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the state at the time of issuing a bill.

[Explanation of symbols]

1...computer,
5...input device, 9...printer,
11...Interrogator, 13...Courier delivery slip form, 35...Slip, 39...Entry field, 50
...Response circuit, 71, 73...Shield material

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] Data based on the identification information is stored in a memory on a fill-in slip in which symbols such as letters and codes indicating identification information such as the delivery address of the package are written, and the data is read by receiving an interrogation signal from an interrogator. The electronic tag issuing device is equipped with a response circuit for transmitting the identification information, the input device for inputting the identification information, and the printing device for printing the symbol indicating the identification information input into the input device on the fill-in slip. An electronic tag issuing device comprising: a device; and a writing device that stores data based on identification information input to the input device in the memory.