JPH0448395A - Data carrier and data carrier system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a data carrier displaying the features of both a contact write system and a remote readout system by providing a contact write means to perform the write of data by the contact write system, and a remote readout means to perform the readout of the data by the remote readout system to perform the readout of the data by the remote readout system without stopping the data carrier. CONSTITUTION:The data carrier 1 is equipped with the contact write means 2 which writes the data by coming in contact closely with or approaching a head unit 5a, and the remote readout means 3 which reads out the data separating from a head unit 6a while travelling. Therefore, the influence of a noise can be suppressed when the data is written, and reliability for the data can be improved, and also, since the data is read out by the remote system when the carrier is travelling, constraint on positioning, etc., can be suppressed, which enables the data to be easily read out. Thereby, it is possible to obtain the data carrier in which the features of both systems of the contact write system provided in an IC memory card and the remote readout system of an ID tag can be effectively used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a data carrier and a system using this data carrier.

<Conventional technology> As a data carrier, LSI or I
There are two trends: card technology such as C cards (hereinafter simply referred to as IC cards), and identification technology such as ID tags, which have been developed as technologies for identifying individuals such as people or objects.

The former type of IC card uses a close contact or proximity method (hereinafter simply referred to as the proximity method), in which data is written and read in a fixed state with the distance from the reader/writer or interrogator head unit kept at a distance of several units or less. Generally, signals are exchanged with the head unit by electromagnetic coupling. In addition, the latter type of ID tag is generally a remote method in which the distance from the head unit is several (2) or more to several meters, and signals can be sent and received using radio waves, electromagnetic induction, etc. depending on the distance and usage conditions. Infrared rays, visible light, etc. are used,
Many devices allow you to write and read data while in transit. At present, we are beginning to see a convergence of both card technology and identification technology, but depending on the underlying technology, data can be written and read either locally or remotely.

Note that in the past, devices used in the field of identification technology such as ID tags were often referred to as data carriers, but in this specification, data carriers are used in a broader sense, including portable data carriers such as IC cards. The word career is used.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> The above-mentioned proximity method requires high positioning accuracy for the reader/writer, and is not suitable for automatic transportation or logistics management in factories, for example. In addition, in the case of remote method,
Since wireless transmission and reception is required, equipment costs tend to be high, and furthermore, since signals are easily affected by noise during signal transmission and reception, there are problems such as the need for measures to ensure data reliability.

The present invention has focused on these points, and has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems and obtaining a data carrier and its system that take advantage of the features of both types.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the data carrier of the present invention includes a data storage means that can be updated by writing data, and a data storage means that allows data to be stored in close contact with or near the head unit in a stopped state. a proximity writing means for writing;
The apparatus includes at least remote reading means for reading and transmitting data remotely from the head unit in a mobile state.

The above-mentioned proximity writing means can be of a non-contact type using electromagnetic coupling, and the remote reading means can be of a wireless type using radio waves, electromagnetic induction, light, etc.

Further, the data carrier can be in the form of a card, in which case the data storage means, the proximity writing means, and the remote reading means are integrally mounted on the card-like main body.

Furthermore, the data carrier system of the present invention includes a proximity writing means for writing data using a proximity writing method while the data carrier is stopped, and a remote reading means for reading data using a remote reading method without stopping the data carrier. , and at least.

Effects> In the data carrier of the present invention, since data is written by the proximity method in a stopped state, it is less affected by noise and data reliability is improved. Furthermore, since data is read out remotely during movement, there are fewer restrictions on positioning, etc., and data can be read out easily.

For those that write data in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic coupling,
Avoid being affected by poor contact or noise when sending and receiving signals (
It becomes. Furthermore, in a device that reads data wirelessly using radio waves or the like, there is a high degree of freedom in the positional relationship with respect to the head unit, and reading becomes easy.

Further, when the data carrier has a card-like shape, handling becomes easier.

Furthermore, the system using the data carrier of the present invention is capable of writing and reading data by taking advantage of the features of both the proximity method and the remote method, and can be easily used for various purposes.

<Example> Next, an example of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data carrier, FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data carrier system.

In the figure, 1 is a data carrier, 2 is its proximity writing means, and 3 is its remote reading means. The proximity writing means 2 is composed of a plurality of electromagnetic coupling coils 21 and an electronic circuit 22 for reading and writing data.
is equipped with an IC memory 228, which is a data storage means, and a control circuit section 22b. Note that the functions of the electronic circuit 22 may be as long as it has a storage function and a data read/write function similar to a conventional IC memory card, but if necessary, an element with advanced functions may be used in the control circuit 1122b to replace the conventional IC memory card. It may also have a function similar to that of a card. Further, the remote reading means 3 is composed of an electronic circuit 31 which is a transmitting/receiving module and a loop antenna 32, and the electronic circuit 31 is equipped with a control circuit section 31a and a memory 31b. A ROM is used in this memory 31b since there is no need to write data during use. A battery 4 is mainly used as a power source for the remote reading means 3, but this battery can be omitted depending on the circuit configuration.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data carrier 1 has a structure in which the above-mentioned components are embedded in a substrate la made of glass epoxy resin, etc., and is card-shaped and has the same size as a normal IC card. The electromagnetic coupling coil 21 is also configured so that its surface is covered with a resin film so that it is not exposed to the surface of the substrate 1a. Although each component is shown arranged in a two-dimensional manner in FIG. 2, in reality, an appropriate structure such as a two-layer structure in which the electronic circuit 22, 31 and battery 4 are arranged three-dimensionally can be adopted. It is. Also, data carrier 1
The shape and size of the card can be different from those of an IC card depending on the purpose.

The part of the proximity writing means 2 is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 1982-82.
The configuration is based on the memory board disclosed in Publication No. 81, and four electromagnetic coupling coils 21 are provided, and each coil is used for command signal reception, data reception, data transmission, and power supply. configured. Further, the remote reading means 3 has a configuration similar to a conventionally known ID tag, and is configured to operate using a battery 4 as a power source and respond to an interrogator. The transmission medium used for this response is typically radio waves with frequencies from the medium wave band to the microwave band, but it is also possible to use light rays such as infrared rays and visible light. It is also possible to use an induced electromagnetic field using a loop or a cored coil as an antenna as a transmission medium using a frequency in the upper band, and the remote reading means 3 is configured in accordance with these methods.

In FIG. 3, 5 is a proximity read/write reader/writer;
6 is a remote reading interrogator, and 7 is a computer.

The proximity read/write reader/writer 5 is equipped with a head unit 5a for the data carrier 1, and this head unit 5a is provided with an electromagnetic coupling coil (not shown) corresponding to the electromagnetic coupling coil 21 of the data carrier 1. When the data carrier 1 is set in a predetermined position, the coil 21 of the data carrier 1 and the coil of the head unit 5a are in close contact or close to each other via the resin film, and the two coils are electromagnetically coupled to exchange signals. It is configured in such a way that it is possible. Further, the remote reading interrogator 6 is equipped with a head unit 6a for the data carrier 1, and is configured to transmit and receive an interrogation signal to the data carrier 1 and a response signal from the data carrier 1 using a method using radio waves or the like as described above. It is configured as appropriate.

The above-mentioned reader/writer 5 is placed, for example, at each station in a factory production line where writing new data or changing data is required, and the interrogator 6 does not need to write or change data, but it does require identification. They are placed at each station.

The computer 7 is a relatively large computer equipped with appropriate storage devices, peripheral devices, etc., and is used to control the entire system or manage overall data.

This embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration, and the program and various data are written to the data carrier l by the reader/writer 5. The IC memory 22a normally has a storage capacity of about 2 bytes to 512 bytes, but it can be made larger if necessary, and the necessary information is reliably transmitted and received by a non-contact proximity method using electromagnetic coupling.
The data is written to the C memory 22a. The reader/writer 5 also reads out various data written in the IC memory 22a, and their functions are basically the same as those of an IC memory card.

In addition, the identification operation is performed by transmitting an interrogation signal from the interrogator 6 and a response signal from the data carrier 1 in response to the interrogation signal, and data reading can be performed by simply passing the data carrier 1 near the interrogator 6 using radio waves etc. This will be done remotely using . This function is basically the same as an ID tag or the like. In addition, it is possible to read out not only simple identification data but also other data as needed by the interrogator 6, and furthermore, a writing function can be added to the interrogator 6.

Normally, when managing production pallets in a factory, for example, the process involves identifying the pallet stand and sorting the pallets, and also reading and writing processing data, inspection data, etc. for the products on the pallets, which requires a specific capacity. Data processing that handles large amounts of data can be roughly divided into two types.

For example, barcodes can be used for identification processing, but
In the case of barcodes, it takes time to create barcodes, and they may malfunction due to dirt, peeling, or ambient light.
There are problems such as extremely small data capacity and the inability to change or add data, which tends to limit usage.In contrast, the embodiment has the function of an ID tag, so the above barcode The various problems in this method have been solved, and since there is a large degree of freedom regarding the read distance, it is possible to identify a moving pallet stand in a capacitive manner.

Regarding data processing, it was difficult to exchange large amounts of information on conventional pallet lines, but in this example, IC
Since it has the same functionality as a memory card, it is easy to exchange large amounts of information. Furthermore, since it is a non-contact proximity method using electromagnetic coupling, there is no influence of noise or poor contact at the contact points, and data can be read and written reliably, improving the reliability of the entire system. Note that since a considerable amount of data is stored in the data carrier l, the computer 7
It also becomes possible to reduce the equipment cost of the entire system.

As described above, the data carrier l of this embodiment has the features of both an IC memory card and an ID tag, and can be used to manage various aspects such as the arrival and departure of people, equipment history, materials and logistics, and highly flexible production. It can be widely used for various purposes such as system construction.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the description of the embodiments above, the data carrier of the present invention has a proximity writing means for writing data in close contact with or in close proximity to the head unit, and a proximity writing means for writing data in close contact with or near the head unit, and a writing means for writing data away from the head unit during movement. and remote reading means for reading out the information.

Therefore, the reliability of the data is improved because it is less affected by noise when writing data, and since data is read remotely while moving, there are fewer restrictions on positioning, etc., and data can be read easily. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a data carrier that has the features of both an IC memory card and an ID tag and is suitable for use in a variety of applications.

In addition, by using a non-contact type of proximity writing means using electromagnetic coupling, the influence of noise and poor contact of contacts are eliminated, and the reliability of data can be further improved.

Further, by making the remote reading means wireless using radio waves, etc., the degree of freedom in the positional relationship with respect to the head unit is increased, and the range of applications can be expanded.

Further, by making the data carrier card-shaped and integrally mounting the storage means, writing means, and reading means, it is possible to obtain a data carrier that is easy to handle and convenient for use in various applications.

Further, the data carrier system of the present invention is configured such that data is written using a proximity writing method while the data carrier is stopped, and data is read using a remote reading method while the data carrier is moved.

Therefore, the proximity read/write method of IC memory cards and the I
It becomes possible to send and receive data by taking advantage of the features of both remote reading methods of D tags, and it is possible to obtain a system that is highly reliable and easy to use for various purposes at a comparatively low cost. It is.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data carrier, FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data carrier system. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Data carrier, la... Substrate, 2... Proximity writing means, 21... Electromagnetic coupling coil, 22...
...Electronic circuit, 22a...IC memory, 22b...
Control circuit section, 3... Remote reading means, 31... Electronic circuit, 31a... Control circuit section, 31b... Memory, 32... Loop antenna, 4... Battery, 5...
. . . Proximity reading/writing reader/writer, 6 . . . Remote reading interrogator, 7 . . Computer. Patent Applicant: Sub-Agent, Patent Attorney Shino, Koatsu Gas Kogyo Co., Ltd. 1) Actually, Figure 2, Figure 1? Figure 3

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) Data storage means that can write and update data; Proximity writing means that writes data closely or close to the head unit when in a stopped state; and Read and transmit data away from the head unit when in a moving state. A data carrier characterized in that it comprises at least remote readout means for performing. (2) The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the proximity writing means is of a non-contact type using electromagnetic coupling. (3) The data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the remote reading means is of a wireless type using radio waves, electromagnetic induction, light, etc. (4) The data carrier according to claim 2, wherein the remote reading means is of a wireless type using radio waves, electromagnetic induction, light, etc. (5) Claim 1, wherein a data storage means, a proximity writing means, and a remote reading means are integrally mounted on a card-shaped main body.
, 2, 3 or 4. (6) It includes at least a proximity writing means that writes data while the data carrier is stopped using a proximity writing method, and a remote reading means that reads data without stopping the data carrier using a remote reading method. A data carrier system characterized by: