KR100771917B1 - A portable radio frequency identification reader - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable radio frequency identification reader is provided to offer a usage convenience so that a user can use the portable radio frequency identification reader. A portable radio frequency identification reader(10) includes a radio frequency tag decoder module(1), a fingerprint reader module(2), a bluetooth radio frequency receiver module(3), a digital camera module(4), a bar code scanner module(5), an input unit(6), a radio frequency transceiving circuit member(7) and a controller(8). The radio frequency tag decoder module receives a radio signal from a radio frequency tag and transmits a digital signal for identifying the radio frequency tag. The fingerprint reader module inputs a user's fingerprint and transmits a fingerprint identification signal. The Bluetooth radio frequency receiver module receives a user's radio frequency audio signal. The digital camera module converts a photographed image to a digital signal and transmits the digital signal. The bar code scanner module scans a bar code of a product and converts the scanned bar code to a digital bar code identification signal.

Description

Portable Wireless Identification Reader {A PORTABLE RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION READER}

1 is a block diagram showing a communication configuration between a mobile RFID reader and a tag and a database server according to the prior art.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a communication configuration between a mobile RFID reader and its peripheral device, a tag, and a database server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a mobile radio reader having a variety of peripheral devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view showing the configuration of the fingerprint reader module and the operation of the fingerprint recognition of the peripheral device according to the present invention,

Figure 4 (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fingerprint reader module and the acquisition method of the fingerprint image of the peripheral device according to the present invention,

FIG. 4 (b) is a fingerprint image diagram showing an example of a fingerprint image acquired by the fingerprint reader module shown in FIG. 4 (a).

Figure 4 (c) is a partial enlarged view of the fingerprint image showing the extraction of the features of the branching point and the ridge direction of the fingerprint from the acquired fingerprint image.

4 (d) is an explanatory diagram showing finally identifying a fingerprint by comparing the fingerprint image and the reference image acquired by the fingerprint reader module shown in FIG. 4 (a).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary detailed configuration of a wireless transceiver circuit of FIG. 3.

** Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings **

1: wireless tag decoder module 2: fingerprint reader module

2a: prism 2b: lens

2c: video pickup section 2d: fingerprint recognition circuit section

3: Bluetooth wireless receiver module 4: Digital camera module

5: barcode scanner module 6: input device

7: wireless transceiver circuit section 7a: WLAN modulation and demodulation circuit section

7b: antenna 7c: code division modulation and demodulation circuit section

7d: antenna 8: controller

10: mobile wireless reader

20: WLAN access point or code division multiple access (CDMA) base station

30: database server

T: Wireless Tag N: Network

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile radio frequency identification reader, and more particularly to a mobile radio identification reader equipped with various peripheral devices.

In general, a system of a mobile RFID reader is a tag (TAG) capable of transmitting its identification information as a wireless signal, and a mobile RFID reader which receives a radio signal from the tag, converts it into text data, and then transmits it. And a database server for receiving and recording text data identifying a tag from the mobile RFID reader.

An example of such a general mobile RFID reader system is shown in FIG. 1.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication configuration between a mobile RFID reader, a tag, and a database server according to the related art.

In FIG. 1, a communication configuration between a mobile RFID reader, a tag, and a database server according to the related art includes a radio tag T capable of transmitting its own identification information as a radio signal, and a radio signal of the identification information from the tag. A mobile wireless identification reader 10 capable of converting the text data into text data and transmitting the text data; and a database server 30 for recording text data having identification information of the tag, and a database server 30 and the mobile wireless identification. A network for providing a communication path between the readers 10 is composed of a network (N) consisting of an Internet network or a local area network (weakly referred to as LAN).

The communication operation between the mobile radio reader and the tag and the database server according to the prior art configured as described above is performed as follows.

That is, when the wireless tag T transmits its identification information as a radio signal, the mobile RFID reader 10 receives the radio signal, converts the identification information of the radio tag T into text data, and converts the data into text data. It transmits to the database server 30 through the connected local area network or the Internet. The database server 30 records identification information of the tag T converted into the received text data.

The portable wireless identification reader according to the related art described above can be moved, so it is portable and mobile, but has various functions such as a security function, a wireless voice recognition function, an image capturing function, a barcode scanning function, and a wireless communication function with a database. The problem is that there is a limit in providing scalability and convenience of the user.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is provided with a portable wireless recognition reader having a variety of functions and providing convenience for use by a user with various peripheral devices. The purpose is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile wireless identification reader capable of receiving and decoding wireless signals from a wireless tag and transmitting information from the wireless tag to an external database server.

A wireless tag decoder module for receiving text signals from the wireless tag and providing text data identifying the wireless tag;

A fingerprint reader module for providing a fingerprint recognition signal by inputting a user's fingerprint;

A Bluetooth radio receiver module for receiving a wireless voice signal of a user;

A digital camera module for converting and providing a photographed image into a digital signal;

A barcode scanner module for scanning a barcode of a product and converting the barcode into a digital barcode recognition signal according to the barcode;

Wireless tag identification text data from the wireless tag decoder module, fingerprint recognition signal from the fingerprint reader module, wireless audio signal from a Bluetooth headset, digital video signal from a camera module, digital barcode recognition signal from the barcode scanner module An input device for inputting and providing at least one of the following;

A wireless transmission / reception circuit section for modulating and transmitting an input signal from the input device as a radio signal and receiving a radio signal from the external database server;

Connected to the input device and the wireless transmission / reception circuit section, and if there is an input signal from the input device, controls to transmit the input signal through the wireless transmission / reception circuit section according to a pre-stored program, and receives a signal from the wireless transmission / reception circuit section. And a controller for processing the received signal according to a pre-stored program, if any.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 showing a block diagram of a main circuit configuration of a mobile RFID reader equipped with various peripheral devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile RFID reader 10 according to the present invention receives and decodes a radio signal from a radio tag (see symbol T in FIG. 2) and sends information from the radio tag to an external database server (see symbol 30 in FIG. 2). A transmittable device, comprising: a wireless tag decoder module (1) for receiving a radio signal from the radio tag and providing text data identifying the radio tag; A fingerprint reader module 2 for inputting a fingerprint of a user and providing a fingerprint recognition signal; A Bluetooth radio receiver module 3 for receiving a radio voice signal of a user; A digital camera module 4 for converting and providing a captured image into a digital signal; A barcode scanner module 5 for scanning a barcode of a product and converting the barcode into a digital barcode recognition signal according to the barcode; A wireless tag identification digital signal from the wireless tag decoder module 1, a fingerprint recognition signal from the fingerprint reader module 2, a wireless voice signal from a Bluetooth headset (see symbol H in FIG. 2), a digital camera module ( An input device 6 for inputting and providing at least one of a digital video signal from 4) and a digital barcode recognition signal from the barcode scanner module 5;

A radio transmission / reception circuit section (7) for modulating and transmitting an input signal from the input device (6) as a radio signal and receiving a radio signal from the external database server (see numeral 30 in FIG. 2); Connected to the input device 6 and the wireless transmission / reception circuit section 7, and if there is an input signal from the input device 6, the input signal is transmitted through the wireless transmission / reception circuit section 7 according to a pre-stored program. And a controller 8 for controlling to transmit and processing the received signal according to a pre-stored program if there is a received signal from the wireless transmit / receive circuit unit 7.

The radio tag decoder module 1 specifically comprises a separate, not shown antenna for receiving signals of the agreed radio frequency (from the radio tag) internationally standardized in the radio frequency identification art, and the received signal from the antenna. And a decoder circuit unit (not shown) which decodes a radio identification signal from a radio tag, converts the radio identification signal into a text signal, and outputs the text signal.

Referring to Figure 4 attached to the configuration and operation of the fingerprint reader module 2 is as follows.

4 is a view showing the configuration of the fingerprint reader module and the operation of the fingerprint recognition of the peripheral device according to the present invention, the configuration of the fingerprint reader module and peripheral image acquisition method of the peripheral device according to the present invention. Referring to the configuration of the fingerprint reader module 2 with reference to Figure 4 (a) as follows.

A prism (2a) having an exposed outer surface and including a fingerprint image of a human body in contact with the exposed outer surface while reflecting light incident obliquely from a light source; A lens 2b for condensing light including a fingerprint image from the prism 2a; An image pickup unit (2c) for converting and outputting an optical image signal including a fingerprint image from the lens (2b) into a digital signal; The feature image signal included in the controller 8 is extracted from the digital image signal provided by the image pickup unit 2c according to a pre-stored program, and the characteristic image signal in the direction of the ridge and the ridge direction of the fingerprint is extracted. And a fingerprint recognition circuit unit 2d for outputting a signal allowing access of the wireless identification reader when matching with the pre-stored reference image when compared with the pre-stored reference image.

When describing the operation of the fingerprint reader module 2 of the peripheral device according to the present invention configured as described above with some configuration description as follows.

For example, if a user, such as a cashier at a store, puts a finger on the prism 2a for access permission, i.e., for permission to use, to the mobile wireless reader 10 according to the present invention, the light from the light source is The optical image reflected by 2a and including the fingerprint of the user is collected through the lens 2b and acquired by the image pickup section 2c. Here, the image pickup unit 2c is a solid-state image pickup device (Charge Coupled Device, weakly referred to as CCD) for converting and outputting an optical image to an electrical signal, for example, and an analog signal of the electrical image signal of the fingerprint from the solid-state image pickup device. It may be composed of an analog-to-digital converter circuit unit for converting the digital signal to output.

The digital image signal for the fingerprint of the user requesting the access permission obtained by the image pickup section 2c is transmitted to the fingerprint recognition circuit section 2d. Accordingly, the fingerprint recognition circuit unit 2d receiving the digital image signal of the fingerprint of the user is located at the branching point and the ridge direction of the fingerprint, which is the characteristic of the fingerprint as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c). If the information is extracted and matched with the previously stored reference image (pattern) as shown in Fig. 4 (d), the user's access to the mobile RFID reader 10 according to the present invention is allowed and does not match. If not, no access is allowed. The comparison results are sent to the user via a voice message stored on a storage medium that is connected to the fingerprint identification circuit section 2d separately, such as "Hi 000's allow access" or "I'm sorry your access is not allowed." The result of permission can be notified. In addition, a lamp indicating whether to permit access or not simply connected to the fingerprint recognition circuit unit 2d may be turned on to notify the notification.

The Bluetooth radio receiver module 3 includes: an antenna for receiving a radio voice signal of a user, which is converted into a radio frequency signal of a radio frequency, for example, a 2.4-2.4835 GHz frequency band, and transmitted wirelessly from a wireless headset; A radio frequency circuit unit for converting the high frequency signal into a digital signal, a base band circuit unit for processing a protocol of a physical layer, a microprocessor for overall control and processing of communication, a flash memory for storing communication data, etc. And a communication circuit chip integrated into a circuit chip. The wireless headset and the communication circuit chip are well known by being applied to a mobile phone, and can be easily purchased and applied on the market.

The digital camera module 4 includes a camera composed of a lens, a shutter, and the like; The camera may include a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor to convert the optical image signal captured by the camera into an electrical digital image signal. The digital camera module is also well known by being applied to a mobile phone, and can be easily purchased and applied on the market.

The barcode scanner module 5 includes an infrared transceiver for receiving an optical signal whose intensity varies according to a barcode of a product as is well known; An optical signal input circuit unit for converting a received signal having a change in intensity according to a barcode from the infrared transceiver to a digital signal for processing by a central processing unit; It may be configured to include.

The input device 6 comprises a wireless tag identification digital signal from the wireless tag decoder module 1, a fingerprint recognition signal from the fingerprint reader module 2, and a wireless voice from a Bluetooth headset (see symbol H in FIG. 2). And an interface circuit for inputting a signal, a digital video signal from the digital camera module 4 and a digital barcode recognition signal from the barcode scanner module 5.

 The radio transmission / reception circuit section 7 modulates and transmits an input signal from the input device 6 as a radio signal, and receives a radio signal from the external database server (see numeral 30 in FIG. 2). It can be configured as.

More specifically, the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 7 is configured to communicate with the external database server 30 by a wireless LAN scheme, as shown in FIG. 5A, in a radio frequency local area network (RF LAN) and a wireless local area network. Collectively referred to as a communication network); And an antenna 7b for transmitting and receiving radio signals.

In another embodiment, the wireless transceiver circuitry 7 is configured to communicate with the external database server by code division multiple access (hereinafter, abbreviated as CDMA) communication scheme as shown in FIG. 5B. A code division multiplexing demodulation circuit section 7c for modulating and outputting the signal as a code division multiple access signal and demodulating and outputting a radio signal from the external database server (see 30 in FIG. 2); And a wireless antenna 7d for wirelessly transmitting the code division multiple access signal and receiving a wireless signal from the external database. The code division multiplexing and demodulation circuit unit 7c can purchase and install a commercially available code division multiplexing modem mounted on a cellular phone.

The controller 8 is connected to the input device 6 and the wireless transmission / reception circuit section 7 and, if there is an input signal from the input device 6, transmits the input signal in accordance with a pre-stored program. (7) to control the transmission, and if there is a received signal from the wireless transmission and reception circuit unit 7 may be composed of a microprocessor (Micro Processor) for processing the received signal according to a pre-stored program, specifically, the input signal A central processing unit (CPU), which is in charge of the processing of transmission and reception signals and processing of transmission / reception signals, a random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing data during processing of the central processing unit, and storing the program. ROM (Read Only Memory).

On the other hand, the operation of the mobile wireless reader reader equipped with a variety of peripheral devices according to the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a communication configuration between a mobile RFID reader and its peripheral device, a tag, and a database server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a wireless frequency access area (Radio Frequency Local Area Network) that can be applied when the wireless LAN scheme is adopted as a communication method between the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 7 and the external database server 30. As is well known as an Access Point, a wireless repeater that wirelessly relays communication between the Internet and a wireless terminal.

When the code division multiplexing mobile communication method is adopted as the communication method between the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 7 and the external database server 30, the code 20 may be configured as a mobile communication base station.

Determining the user's access permission by fingerprint recognition for the operation of the mobile RFID reader 10 according to the present invention, and receiving the tag information data wirelessly and transmitting the data wirelessly to the external database server 30; Scanning the barcode and wirelessly transmitting the scanned barcode information data to the external database server 30, and taking an image and wirelessly transmitting the photographed image data to the external database server 30. This will be described.

First, the operation of determining the user's access permission by fingerprint recognition is as follows. When a user wears a Bluetooth-type wireless communication headset (H) and requests permission to access by voice, such a voice signal is a radio frequency signal of, for example, about 2.4 GHz through Bluetooth-based wireless communication, and is a mobile radio identification according to the present invention. It is transmitted to the Bluetooth radio receiver module 3 of the reader 10, and the Bluetooth radio receiver module 3 converts the received voice signal into a digital signal and transmits it to the controller 8. The controller 8 compares the voice data by comparing whether the words "access" and "permitted" in advance are included in the voice data according to the pre-stored program and data among the voice data contained in the voice signal converted into a digital signal. Determines whether a command by signal is a request for permission to access.

Thereafter, when the user puts a finger on the prism 2a of the fingerprint reader module 2, the fingerprint image module is acquired and the fingerprint features are extracted and extracted and extracted as described in detail above. It is determined whether to allow the user to access the mobile RFID reader 10 according to the present invention by comparing the features with the reference image, and the result is notified to the user through, for example, a voice message or lighting of a lamp.

The operation of wirelessly receiving the tag information data and transmitting the data wirelessly to the external database server 30 will be described as follows.

For example, when a wireless identification signal having information about the product from the wireless tag T attached to the product is wirelessly received through an antenna not shown, the wireless tag decoder module 1 may receive the wireless tag from the wireless tag received from the antenna. Decodes the wireless identification signal and converts it into a text signal and outputs it. The input device 6 then provides a text signal from the wireless tag decoder module 1 to the controller 8, so that the controller 8 controls the wireless transmit / receive circuit section 7 to control the wireless transmit / receive circuit section 7. ) Modulates the text signal into a corresponding wireless signal according to a wireless LAN method or a code division multiplexing communication method, and transmits it wirelessly through an antenna 7b or 7d. Then, the wireless tag T of the wireless tag T to the external database server 30 through the Internet or the mobile communication network through the corresponding wireless LAN access point or mobile communication base station 20 according to the wireless LAN method or the code division multiplexing communication method. The information is sent.

An operation of scanning a barcode and wirelessly transmitting the scanned barcode information data to the external database server 30 will be described below.

When the user who has been granted access as described above transmits a voice signal for commanding a barcode scan and an external transmission through a Bluetooth wireless headset H as a high frequency signal of about 2.4 GHz, the Bluetooth wireless receiver module 3 performs the communication circuit. The chip is demodulated, decoded and sent to the controller 8. The controller 8 then compares whether words such as " bar code " " scan ", " transmission ", etc. are inherent in the corresponding voice signal, and determines the scan and external transmission of the barcode. If the controller 8 determines that scanning of the barcode and external transmission is required, the controller 8 enables the barcode scanner module 5. That is, when the infrared transceiver in the barcode scanner module 5 is operated, and the user places the barcode of the product in front of the infrared transceiver, the information of the barcode is provided as the intensity of the infrared light receiving signal, and accordingly in the barcode scanner module 4 The optical signal input circuit unit converts the received signal into a digital signal for processing by the central processing unit and outputs the digital signal. Accordingly, the controller 8 controls the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 7 to wirelessly transmit barcode data according to the digital signal. The transmission / reception circuit unit 7 modulates the radio signal according to the wireless LAN method or the code division multiplexing communication method and wirelessly transmits the radio signal through the antenna 7b. Then, the information of the barcode is transmitted to the external database server 30 through the Internet or a mobile communication network through a wireless LAN access point or a mobile communication base station 20, which is a repeater, according to a wireless LAN method or a code division multiplexing communication method. .

The operation of taking a picture and wirelessly transmitting the captured image data to the external database server 30 will be described below.

For example, when it is necessary to photograph the appearance or surrounding environment of the wireless tag T and transmit it to the external database server 30, the user may command a voice signal for commanding photographing and external transmission through the Bluetooth wireless headset H. Is transmitted as a high frequency signal of about 2.4 GHz, the Bluetooth wireless receiver module 3 demodulates it through the communication circuit chip, decodes it and transmits it to the controller 8. The controller 8 then compares whether words such as " photograph " " shooting " and " transmission " When the controller 8 determines that photographing and external transmission are required, the controller 8 enables the digital camera module 4. That is, according to the direction of the lens in which the user is positioned to take a picture by operating the aperture, shutter and flash in the digital camera module (4), the optical image signal through the solid-state image sensor in the digital camera module (4) The controller 8 controls the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 7 to convert the digital signal into an electrical digital signal and outputs the digital signal of the captured image according to the digital signal through the wireless transmission / reception circuit unit 7. Alternatively, the signal is modulated into a corresponding radio signal according to a code division multiplexing communication scheme and transmitted wirelessly through the antenna 7b. Then, the information of the captured image to the external database server 30 through the Internet or a mobile communication network through a wireless LAN access point or a mobile communication base station 20 that is a repeater according to a wireless LAN method or a code division multiplexing communication method. Is sent.

As described in detail above, by providing a mobile wireless reader in accordance with the present invention is provided with a mobile wireless reader having a variety of functions with a variety of peripheral devices, and also convenient to use by the user conveniently A mobile RFID reader may be provided that provides the functionality.

Claims (5)

In a mobile wireless identification reader capable of receiving and decoding wireless signals from a wireless tag and transmitting information from the wireless tag to an external database server, A wireless tag decoder module for receiving a radio signal from the radio tag and providing a digital signal identifying the radio tag; A fingerprint reader module for providing a fingerprint recognition signal by inputting a user's fingerprint; A Bluetooth radio receiver module for receiving a wireless voice signal of a user; A digital camera module for converting and providing a photographed image into a digital signal; A barcode scanner module for scanning a barcode of a product and converting the barcode into a digital barcode recognition signal according to the barcode; Wireless tag identification text data from the wireless tag decoder module, fingerprint recognition signal from the fingerprint reader module, wireless audio signal from a Bluetooth headset, digital video signal from a camera module, digital barcode recognition signal from the barcode scanner module An input device for inputting and providing at least one of the following; A wireless transmission / reception circuit section for modulating and transmitting an input signal from the input device as a radio signal and receiving a radio signal from the external database server; Connected to the input device and the wireless transmission / reception circuit section, and if there is an input signal from the input device, controls to transmit the input signal through the wireless transmission / reception circuit section according to a pre-stored program, and receives a signal from the wireless transmission / reception circuit section. And a controller for processing the received signal according to a pre-stored program if there is a mobile wireless identification reader. The method of claim 1, The wireless transceiver circuit unit modulates and outputs the input signal as a wireless local area network modulation signal and receives and demodulates the wireless signal from the external database server to output the demodulated circuit. And a wireless antenna for wirelessly transmitting the wireless local area network modulation signal and receiving a wireless signal from the external database server. The method of claim 1, The wireless transmission / reception circuit unit is configured to modulate and output the input signal as a code division multiple access signal, and to code and demodulate and output the radio signal from the external database server; And a wireless antenna for wirelessly transmitting the code division multiple access signal and receiving a wireless signal from a server to the external database. The method of claim 1, The fingerprint reader module, A prism having an exposed outer surface and including a fingerprint image of a human body in contact with the exposed outer surface while reflecting light incident obliquely from a light source; A lens for condensing light including a fingerprint image from the prism; An image pickup unit for converting and outputting an optical image signal including a fingerprint image from the lens into a digital signal; The feature image signal included in the controller is extracted from the digital image signal provided by the image pickup unit according to a pre-stored program, and the feature image signal of the ridge direction and the ridge direction of the fingerprint is compared with the previously stored reference image. And a fingerprint recognition circuit unit for outputting a signal allowing access of the wireless identification reader when matching with the previously stored reference image. The method of claim 1, The digital camera module comprises a camera comprising a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

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