JP4347673B2 - Wireless tag reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag reading device that reads identification information stored in a wireless tag from a wireless tag attached to a distribution item by wireless communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is a distribution system in which when a distribution item such as mail or small parcel is accepted from a customer, an identification number is assigned to the distribution item, management in the distribution process is performed based on the identification number, and the distribution item is delivered. In such a distribution system, a server installed at each site that performs underwriting, relaying, and delivery in the distribution process is connected by a network, and an identification number is registered in the server when the distribution material passes, thereby distributing in the distribution process. It manages the position of things.

  Assigning an identification number of a wireless tag such as an RFID tag (radio frequency identification) to a distribution product because a large amount of labor is required for registering the identification number on the server at each site. It has been proposed to use a wireless tag reader to read an identification number from a wireless tag and perform management at each site.

As for reading information from the wireless tag, when reading identification information from the wireless tag with a wireless tag reader, the member card or the article provided with the wireless tag is placed on an article placing table with a spring, and the article placing stand. Has been described that prevents the radio tag from being read over by the radio tag entering the operating region of the article scanning antenna without fail (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-292534 A

  The distribution items to which the above-described wireless tags are attached are stored in storage boxes of various sizes and delivered between the bases. Therefore, the wireless tag reader performs wireless communication with the wireless tag in the storage box delivered via the antenna, and reads the identification number from the wireless tag. At this time, since the reading range of one antenna is determined, in order to read the identification number from the wireless tags in the storage boxes of various sizes, a plurality of antennas are arranged in advance so as to correspond to the storage box of the maximum size. In addition, it is necessary to increase the number of RFID tag readers that control the antenna.

  Thus, if a plurality of antennas are arranged in accordance with the maximum size storage box and the wireless tag is read, useless reading is performed when reading the identification number from the wireless tag in the minimum size storage box. Become. This waste of reading time is short even if the time per storage box is short, but the number of storage boxes becomes enormous in the distribution process in which a large number of distribution items are distributed. This leads to time loss.

  In addition, although it is conceivable to move the table itself on which a member card or the like provided with a wireless tag is placed like the one described in Patent Document 1, the storage box for storing the distribution item has a weight of the member card or the like. There are cases where it is too heavy to compare with, and such a case cannot be dealt with.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to easily read a wireless tag without increasing the number of antennas and even when a heavy distribution storage box is placed on a table. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless tag reader capable of efficiently reading identification information from a wireless tag.

  The present invention is a memory for storing size information relating to at least the size of a circulation storage box provided in a distribution storage box for storing a distribution article to which a first wireless tag having a storage unit for storing identification information is attached. The size information is read from the second wireless tag provided with a portion via the antenna, and the antenna is used as a reference based on the moving distance to be moved according to the size of the circulation storage box corresponding to the read size information. The first affixed to the distribution item stored in the distribution item storage box while moving the antenna in the arrangement direction of the wireless tags from the position to the second position moved by a distance corresponding to the size of the distribution item storage box. The identification information is read from the wireless tag.

  According to the present invention, the reading range of a wireless tag can be easily expanded without increasing the number of antennas, and even in a heavy distribution material storage box in which a plurality of distribution items are stored. A wireless tag reader capable of reading can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where a wireless tag such as an RFID tag is attached to a registered mail that is a distribution product will be described.

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a network configuration of a postal system through which registered mail 1 is distributed. Underwriting station server 2 installed in underwriting station 2a, which is a post office that accepts registered mail 1, and delivery station server 3 installed in delivery station 3a, which is a post office that delivers registered mail 1 to its destination, distribution process The relay station server 4 installed in the relay station 4a that relays the registered mail 1 is connected to be communicable via the network 5. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the number of relay stations 4a is one, and a registered tag 6 as a first wireless tag is attached to a plurality of registered mail items 1 received by the underwriting station 2a and the registered mail is accepted. After the mail item 1 is registered in the underwriting station server 2 at the underwriting station 2a, the mail item 1 is stored in a mail box 8 which is a distribution material storage box provided with a name tag tag 7 as a second wireless tag and delivered to the relay station 4a. After being registered in the relay station server 4 at the relay station 4a while being stored in the mail box 8 and registered in the delivery station server 3 by the delivery station staff at the delivery station 3a, the registered mail 1 The case where the delivery completion is registered in the delivery server 3 will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a main part of a wireless tag reader 9 and a wireless tag reader host computer 10 which are wireless tag readers for reading information from the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7, and a configuration common to the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7. FIG. The wireless tag reader 9 and the host computer 10 are arranged in the underwriting station 2a, the relay station 4a, and the delivery station 3a. Each host computer 10 includes the underwriting station server 2, the delivery station server 3, and the relay station server 4. Each of them is connected to be communicable through, for example, a LAN (local area network).

  The wireless tag reader 9 includes an antenna 11, a tag reader main body 12, and an antenna transport unit 13 that is an antenna moving means. As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 11 has a thick rectangular shape and has a loop-shaped antenna therein. As shown in the figure, the antenna conveyance unit 13 includes a rotation roller 13a and a driven roller 13b that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions using a motor (not shown) as a drive source, and a conveyance belt that is stretched between the rotation roller 13a and the driven roller 13b. 13c. The antenna 11 is fixed to the surface of the conveyance belt 13c, and the rotation of the conveyance belt 13c based on an instruction from the host computer 10 causes the antenna 11 to be connected to the conveyance belt 13c. It is designed to reciprocate in the direction of movement. The direction in which the antenna 11 reciprocates together with the conveyor belt 13c is such that the registered mail items 1 stored in the mail box 8 when the mail box 8 is placed on the table 81 (therefore, the registered tag 6 It moves in parallel with the (alignment direction). The reference position of the antenna 11 is when the antenna 11 is located on the leftmost side (first position). As shown in FIG. 4, the antenna 11 is arranged in a cradle 81 on which the mail box 8 is placed. When the mail box 8 is placed on the table 81, as shown in FIG. 4, the end of the mail box 8 (the nameplate tag 7 is attached to the mark 82 indicating the reference position provided on the table 81. Is placed so that the side) is substantially positioned.

  The tag reader body 12 includes an interface unit 14 with the host computer 10, a control unit 15 including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a modulation unit 16 that modulates transmission information to the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7, The output unit 17 amplifies and radiates from the antenna 11, the amplification unit 18 that amplifies the radio wave received by the antenna 11, and the demodulation unit 19 that demodulates the amplified reception radio wave.

  A configuration common to the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7 includes a tag antenna 21 formed of a loop coil and the like, and a power generation unit 22 that supplies power to each unit by rectifying and stabilizing the modulated radio wave received by the tag antenna 21. The demodulator 24 that demodulates the modulated radio wave and sends it to the controller 23, the modulator 25 that modulates the information sent from the controller 23 and sends it to the tag antenna 21, and the information demodulated by the demodulator 24 is predetermined. In this case, the information is stored in the storage unit 26 and is read out and transmitted to the modulation unit 25. The control unit 23 and the storage unit 26 are included in the LSI chip.

  Since the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7 have different information stored in the storage unit 26, this information will be described with reference to FIGS. The storage unit 26 of the registered tag 6 is constituted by a read-only ROM, for example, and stores a unique identification ID number set by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage of the registered tag 6 as shown in FIG. . The storage unit 26 of the nameplate tag 7 is composed of, for example, an electrically rewritable PROM. As shown in FIG. 6, along with a unique identification ID number set by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage of the nameplate tag 7, Destination information indicating the destination of the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 (including not only the delivery station 3a but also the relay station 4a to be relayed), and the number information indicating the number of registered mail 1 stored. In addition, size information indicating the size of the mail box 8 is stored.

  With this configuration, the wireless tag reader 9 modulates a predetermined command into a radio wave and transmits it from the antenna 11 under the control of the host computer 10 connected to the interface unit 14. On the other hand, when the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7 receive radio waves with the tag antenna 21, power is supplied to each unit from the power generation unit 22, the control unit 23 operates, and the information stored in the storage unit 26 is read. . And after the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 26 is modulated by the modulation | alteration part 25 in the form suitable for radio | wireless transmission, it transmits as a radio wave from the tag antenna 21. FIG. When the radio tag reader 9 receives this radio wave via the antenna 11, it is sent to the host computer 10.

  Next, the configuration of the host computer 10 will be described. Since the host computer 10 installed in the underwriting station 2a, the relay station 4a, and the delivery station 3a has a common configuration, the host computer 10 connected to the relay station server 4 will be described. The host computer 10 includes a CPU 31 as a control unit main body, a ROM 32 storing various information and control programs, a RAM 33 used as a work area, a keyboard and the like, an operation unit 34 for an operator to give instructions, and information necessary for the operator Is displayed, an interface unit 36 for connecting to the wireless tag reader 9, and an interface unit 37 for connecting to the relay station server 4 are provided.

  In the ROM 32, when the identification ID number is read from the registered mail tag 6 affixed to the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 according to the size of the mail box 8 according to how much the antenna 11 is moved from the reference position. Is stored (movement distance storage means). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the moving distance D1 is stored as the moving distance for the size of the mail box 8a and the moving distance D2 is stored for the size of the mail box 8b. The ROM 32 may store the number of steps of the motor, which is a driving source for rotating the transport belt 13c, corresponding to the size of the mail box 8 instead of the moving distance.

  Next, processing when the host computer 10 reads the registered mail tag 6 attached to the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 via the wireless tag reader 9 will be described with reference to FIG. When the CPU 31 receives an instruction to start reading the registered tag 6 from the operation unit 34 (or when a sensor is provided at a predetermined position near the table 81 and the mail box 8 is detected by a signal from the sensor), this processing is performed. To start.

  First, the CPU 31 controls the wireless tag reader 9 to emit radio waves of a predetermined command from the antenna 11 to read the nameplate information stored in the nameplate tag 7 (ST1, size information reading means, circulation number information reading means). . Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the nameplate information, that is, destination information, number information and size information has been read (ST2). For example, the nameplate information is read until a predetermined time, and when it is determined that the nameplate information has not been read even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the display unit 35 is controlled to display an error, and when it is determined that the nameplate information has been read The process proceeds to ST3. The read nameplate information is stored in the RAM 33.

  If it is determined in step ST2 that the nameplate information has been read, it is determined whether or not the destination information included in the nameplate information stored in the RAM 33 is correct, that is, whether or not the destination includes the relay station 4a (ST3). ). If it is determined to be correct, the process proceeds to step ST4. If it is determined not correct, the display unit 35 is controlled to display an error.

  Subsequently, the movement distance corresponding to the size of the mail box 8 placed on the table 81 is read from the ROM 32 based on the size information included in the nameplate information stored in the RAM 33 (ST4). For example, the movement distance D1 is read if the mail box 8a is placed on the table 81, and the movement distance D2 is read if the mail box 8b is placed.

  When the movement distance is read from the ROM 32 in this manner, the antenna 11 is moved from the first position, which is the reference position, to the second position, which is the position moved by the read movement distance. The identification ID number is read while being moved substantially in parallel with the arrangement direction (ST5, identification information reading means). The antenna 11 is moved by rotating the motor of the antenna conveyance unit 13 by the number of steps corresponding to the read movement distance and moving the conveyance belt 13c.

  When the antenna 11 is moved to the second position, the number of identification ID numbers read is calculated (ST6, identification information number calculating means). Then, by comparing the number indicated by the number information included in the nameplate information stored in the RAM 33 with the calculated number of identification ID numbers, it is determined whether or not the number of registered mail items 1 is the same (ST7, Judgment means).

  If it is determined in step ST7 that the number of registered mail items 1 does not match, all the read identification ID numbers are discarded (ST8). Then, it is determined whether or not the antenna 11 is located at the second position (ST9). When it is determined that the antenna 11 is located at the second position, the conveyor belt 13c is reversed by rotating the motor of the antenna conveyance unit 13 backward by the number of steps corresponding to the movement distance read from the ROM 32. The identification ID number is read while the antenna 11 is moved in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the registered tags 6 in the mail box 8 are arranged from the second position to the first position (ST10). And the process of step ST6, 7 mentioned above is performed. If it is determined in step ST9 that the antenna 11 is not at the second position, the above-described steps ST5 to ST7 are performed. At this time, when the number of registered mail items 1 determined not to match in step ST7 is counted, the error may be displayed by controlling the display unit 35 when the number reaches the predetermined number. If not, the display unit 35 may be immediately controlled to display an error.

  If it is determined in step ST7 that the number of registered mail items 1 matches, all the read identification ID numbers are transmitted to the relay server 4 (ST11). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the position of the antenna 11 is in the first position (ST12). If it is determined that the position is not in the first position, the antenna 11 is moved from the second position to the first position. (ST13), the reading process ends.

  Next, in the postal system constructed in this way, the identification ID number is transferred from the registered tag 6 attached to the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 delivered mainly from the underwriting station 2a to the relay station 4a. The operation when registering in the server 4 will be described.

  First, the operation at the underwriting station 2a will be described. When the sender brings the registered mail item 1 to the underwriting station 2a, a member of the underwriting station 2a puts the underwriting number and the bar code storing the underwriting number, a delivery certificate with a receipt stamp column and a registered tag 6 into the registered mail item 1. Issue a receipt with the pasting and acceptance number to the sender. Note that when the registered tag 6 is attached to the registered mail item 1, the position to be attached is determined in advance. For example, the registered tag 6 is attached to the lower right end of the surface of the registered mail item 1. The member of the underwriting station 2a stores in the underwriting station server 2 the underwriting number, the identification ID number of the registered tag 6 affixed to the registered mail item 1, the underwriting date, sender and recipient information, and the like. The underwriting station server 2 distributes the information to the relay station server 4 and the delivery station server 3 via the network 5. The clerk sorts the registered mail 1 for each delivery station 3 a and stores it in the mail box 8.

  At a predetermined time, a member of the underwriting station 2a writes information on the destination, the number of mails, and the size of the mail box 8 into the storage unit 26 of the nameplate tag 7 attached to the mail box 8 containing the registered mail 1. Then, the nameplate tag 7 is affixed to the mail box 8 (the nameplate tag 7 may be fixed to the mail box 8). In this way, the mail box 8 containing the registered mail 1 is delivered to the relay station 4a.

  A member of the relay station 4a registers the registered mail stored in the mail box 8 in order to register in the relay server 4 that the registered mail 1 stored in the delivered mail box 8 has been delivered to the relay station 4a. The registered tag 6 attached to the object 1 is read. First, the clerk places the delivered mail box 8 on the table 81. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the mail box 8 is placed on the mark 82 of the table 81 so that the end of the mail box 8 is substantially positioned. Then, the clerk operates the operation unit 34 of the host computer 10 to instruct the wireless tag reader 9 to start reading.

  Then, the wireless tag reader 9 first reads the nameplate information from the nameplate tag 7 attached to the mail box 8 using the antenna 11. When the host computer 10 reads the nameplate information, the host computer 10 reads the travel distance corresponding to the mail box 8 from the ROM 32 based on the size information included in the nameplate information. That is, in the mail box 8a, the identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 while moving the antenna 11 from the first position to the second position that is moved by the moving distance D1, and in the mail box 8b, the identification number is read. The identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 while moving the antenna 11 from the position 1 to the second position which is the position moved by the movement distance D2.

  Further, after reading the identification ID number, the number indicated by the number information included in the nameplate information is compared with the number of identification ID numbers read from the registered mail tag 6 stored in the mail box 8 and when the numbers do not match. Reads the identification ID number from the registered tag 6 while moving the antenna 11 from the second position to the first position again. When it is determined that the number of identification ID numbers read matches the number indicated by the serial number information, the reading is terminated, and when the antenna 11 is not present at the first position, the antenna 11 is moved to the first position. Then, the host computer 10 transmits the read identification ID number to the relay station server 4. The relay station server 4 to which the identification ID number has been transmitted transmits the identification ID number to the underwriting station server 2 and the delivery station server 3 via the network 5, and the registered mail 1 specified by this identification ID number is relayed. It is registered that it has been delivered to the station 4a. Thereafter, the mail box 8 is delivered from the relay station 4a to the delivery station 3a.

  When the mail box 8 is delivered from the relay station 4a, the member of the delivery station 3a reads the registered tag 6 attached to the registered mail 1 stored in the mail box 8 in the same manner as described in the relay station 4a. After that, arrival date information is registered in the delivery station server 3 in correspondence with the acceptance number of the registered mail item 1. The clerk then delivers the registered mail 1 and registers the delivery person and delivery completion information of each registered mail 1 in the delivery server 3. These pieces of information are transmitted from the delivery station server 3 to the underwriting station server 2 and the relay station server 4 via the network 5. In this way, the registered mail 1 received by the underwriting station 2a is managed in the distribution process until the delivery station 3a completes delivery to the destination.

  According to this embodiment, the host computer 10 and the wireless tag reader 9 use the nameplate tag 7 provided in the mail box 8 containing the registered mail 1 to which the registered tag 6 storing the identification ID number is affixed. By reading the identification ID number from the registered mail tag 6 while moving the antenna 11 by the moving distance corresponding to the size of the read mail box 8, the mail box that has become heavier on the table 81 without increasing the number of antennas. Since the reading range of the wireless tag reader 9 can be easily expanded by moving the antenna 11 even if the 8 is placed, the identification ID number of the registered tag 6 can be read efficiently.

  Further, since the identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 efficiently by appropriately changing the distance to which the antenna 11 is moved according to the size of the mail box 8, useless reading time can be saved and the registered tag 6 is read. Time can be shortened.

  Further, by comparing the number of identification ID numbers read with the number indicated by the serial number information read from the nameplate tag 7, all the identification ID numbers of the registered registered tags 6 can be read reliably, so that the reliability of reading is improved. Can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Since the second embodiment corresponds to the case where many of the mail box 8 in which the registered mail 1 is stored is a fixed-size mail box 8 of the same size, the ROM 32 stores the fixed mail box 8 in the fixed mail box 8. The same size reading mode which is a mode for reading the identification ID number from the registered tag 6 is stored. The same size reading mode is set by, for example, providing a mode switch (not shown) in the operation unit 34 and turning the switch ON / OFF.

  The reading process of the identification ID number of the registered mail tag 6 in the regular mail box 8 when the same size reading mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. Since the processes in steps ST1 to ST3, ST6 to ST8, and ST11 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted, and different processes are mainly described. When it is determined that the destination is correct (YES in ST3), the moving distance corresponding to the size of the standard mail box 8 is read from the ROM 32 (ST31), and whether the antenna 11 is at the first position, A determination is made as to whether the position is position 2 (ST32). If it is determined that the position is the first position, the identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 in the standard mail box 8 while moving the antenna 11 from the first position to the second position (ST33). If it is determined that the position is the second position, the identification ID number is read from the registered mail tag 6 in the standard mail box 8 while moving the antenna 11 from the second position to the first position (ST34).

  Next, processing when the host computer 10 cancels the same size reading mode when the same size reading mode is turned off by the mode switch described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the mode switch OFF is detected (ST41), it is subsequently determined whether or not the position of the antenna 11 is the first position (ST42). If it is determined that the position of the antenna 11 is the first position, the process ends. If it is determined that the position of the antenna 11 is not the first position, the antenna 11 is moved from the second position to the first position (ST43). ), The antenna 11 is placed at the first position which is the reference position, and the process is terminated.

  According to the second embodiment, when reading the registered tag 6 in a plurality of standard mail boxes 8, the same size reading mode is set in the host computer 10 to set the first standard mail box 8 in the first mail box 8. The registered tag 6 moves the antenna 11 from the first position to the second position, and the registered tag 6 in the next standard mailing box 8 moves the antenna 11 from the second position to the first position. Since the identification ID number can be read while the registered tag 6 in each mail box 8 is read, there is no need to move the antenna 11 to the first position which is the reference position. The ID number can be read efficiently.

  The above-described embodiment has been described in the case of registered mail in the mail system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a small package collection and delivery system that collects and delivers small packages. The arrangement of the antenna 11 is not limited to the inside of the pedestal 81. For example, an antenna moving means for moving the antenna 11 along the arrangement direction of the wireless tags is provided on the side surface of the mail box 8 or the like. Also good.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage, and is disclosed in the embodiment. Various inventions can be modified by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements.

The figure which shows schematically the network structure of the postal system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block which shows the principal part structure of the wireless tag reader and host computer in the embodiment, and the structure common to a registered tag and a nameplate tag. The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the antenna of the radio | wireless tag reader in the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the stand in the same embodiment. The figure which shows the information memorize | stored in the registered mail tag in the embodiment. The figure which shows the information memorize | stored in the nameplate tag in the embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the movement distance corresponding to the size of the mail box in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when the same size reading mode is released in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Registered mail, 6 ... Registered tag (1st radio tag), 7 ... Nameplate tag (2nd radio tag), 8 Mailing box (circulation thing storage box), 9 ... Radio tag reader, 10 ... Host computer , 11 ... Antenna, 13 ... Antenna carrier, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 81 ... Stand, D1, D2 ... Moving distance

Claims (3)

An antenna used for wireless communication;
A storage unit that stores size information related to at least the size of the distribution item storage box provided in the distribution item storage box that stores the distribution item to which the first wireless tag having the storage unit that stores the identification information is attached is provided. Size information reading means for reading the size information from the second wireless tag via the antenna;
A moving distance storage means for storing a moving distance for moving the antenna from a first position as a reference position according to the size of the circulation storage box;
An antenna moving means for moving the antenna in the arrangement direction of the wireless tags from the first position to a second position which is a distance moved by a distance corresponding to a size of the circulation storage box;
The first wireless device attached to the distribution item stored in the distribution item storage box while moving the antenna by the antenna movement unit based on the movement distance corresponding to the size information read by the size information reading unit. A wireless tag reading device comprising: identification information reading means for reading identification information from a tag. The same size reading mode for reading the identification information from the first wireless tag attached to the distribution items stored in the plurality of distribution items storage boxes of the same size,
When the same size reading mode is set, the identification information reading means moves the antenna located at the second position from the second position to the first position, while the distribution material storage box 2. The wireless tag reader according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is read from a first wireless tag attached to a distribution item stored in the storage device. The storage unit of the second wireless tag stores circulation number information relating to the number of circulation items stored in the circulation storage box,
Circulation number information reading means for reading circulation number information from the second wireless tag via the antenna;
Identification information number calculating means for calculating the number of identification information when the identification information reading means finishes reading the identification information from the first wireless tag;
A judgment means for judging whether or not the number indicated by the circulation number information read by the circulation number information reading means matches the number of identification information calculated by the identification information number calculation means;
The identification information is read from the first wireless tag affixed to the distribution item stored in the distribution item storage box again if the determination means determines that they do not match. Wireless tag reader.

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