JP4398232B2 - 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 product 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 having various storage rows and delivered between the bases. For example, standard registered mail is stored in a storage box that stores the registered mail in one row, a storage box that stores registered mail having a double width in the column direction, and the like. 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 tag in the storage box stored in various storage rows, it corresponds to the storage box of the maximum storage row. It is necessary to arrange a plurality of antennas in advance, and it is also necessary to increase the number of RFID tag readers that control the antennas.

  In this way, when a plurality of antennas are arranged in accordance with the storage box of the largest storage row and the wireless tag is read, an unnecessary antenna when the storage row reads the identification number from the wireless tag in the storage box of one row. As a result, the identification number is also read by the antenna, so that useless reading is performed. 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 provides at least the number of storage columns 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 for storing the identification information is attached, and the storage column thereof. The storage column information and the circulation number information are read via the antenna from the second wireless tag having a storage unit for storing the circulation number information relating to the number of circulation items to be stored, and the read storage column information and the circulation number information are read. Based on the number of circulation items stored in one row of the storage row and the number of circulation items indicated by the circulation number information, it is determined whether the circulation items are stored in one row or in a plurality of rows. if distribution thereof is determined to be stored in a row, reads the identification information from the first wireless tag while moving the antenna in the array direction and substantially parallel direction of the first wireless tag, distribution thereof is more if it is determined that that has been housed in the column, Anne The Na against the arrangement direction of the first wireless tag, second while moving at an angle that substantially matches an angle direction forming a diagonal direction and distribution thereof a storage box to be moved by the first antenna moving means 1 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.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described 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, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for schematically explaining a network configuration of a mail 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 items 1, delivery station server 3 installed in delivery station 3a, which is a post office that delivers registered mail items 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 accepted 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, it 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 server 4 by 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 in 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, an antenna transport unit 13, and a moving unit 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 11 has a thick rectangular shape, and has a loop-shaped antenna (not shown) therein. Further, as shown in the figure, the antenna transport unit 13 is transported across a rotation roller 13a that can be rotated forward and backward using a motor (not shown), a driven roller 13b, and the rotation roller 13a and the driven roller 13b. It is comprised by the belt 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 moves in the moving direction. In the figure, when the antenna 11 is located at the rightmost position, the reference position of the antenna 11 is set, and the antenna 11 is moved from the reference position by rotating the motor of the drive source of the antenna transport unit 13 forward by a specified number of steps. The read position (shown by a broken line in the figure) is defined as the reading end position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the antenna 11 is disposed in a cradle 81 on which the mail box 8 is placed. As shown in the figure, the mail box 8 is placed on the table 81 such that the end of the mail box 8 on which the nameplate tag 7 is attached is substantially positioned on the mark 82 indicating the reference position provided on the table 81. Placed. In this embodiment, the mail box 8 placed on the table 81 includes a mail box 8a in which the regular registered mail items 1 are stored in one line as shown in FIG. 5, and a mail box 8a as shown in FIG. There are two types, a mail box 8b, in which the standard registered mail items 1 are stored in two rows.

  In addition, the wireless tag reader 9 is provided with a moving unit 14 for moving the antenna conveying unit 13 by a predetermined angle from a certain point on the rotating roller 13a side. The moving unit 14 rotates the mechanism supporting the rotating roller 13a and the driven roller 13b, on which the conveying belt 13c is stretched, by a predetermined angle around the rotating roller 13a based on an instruction from the host computer 10. Let Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the antenna 11 fixed to the transport belt 13 c of the antenna transport section 13 moves in the reference direction D <b> 1 that moves substantially in parallel with the alignment direction of the registered tags 6 housed in the mail box 8 ( (First movement means) and movement of the antenna conveyance section 13 by the movement section 14, movement in an oblique direction D <b> 2 (second movement means) that moves in an oblique direction with respect to the alignment direction of the registered tags 6. ) And can be moved in two directions. Thus, since the antenna 11 moves inside the cradle 81, even if the heavy mail box 8 is placed on the cradle 81, the movement operation is not affected. In addition, the antenna conveyance part 13 is arrange | positioned so that the antenna 11 may move to the reference direction D1 in a normal state. The predetermined angle for moving the antenna carrier 13 when the antenna 11 moves in the oblique direction D2 is substantially the same as the direction in which the antenna 11 moves in the diagonal direction of the mail box 8b having two storage rows. It is set to be. In this embodiment, the moving unit 14 moves the antenna transport unit 13 based on an instruction from the host computer 10 to realize two types of movement of the antenna 11. The transfer path (first moving means) for moving the antenna 11 substantially parallel to the direction in which the registered tags 6 are arranged, and the antenna 11 is moved by moving the antenna 11 in a diagonal direction with respect to the direction in which the registered tags 6 are arranged. A conveyance path (second moving means) may be provided, and the conveyance path for conveying the antenna 11 may be switched.

  The tag reader body 12 includes an interface unit 15 with the host computer 10, a control unit 16 composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a modulation unit 17 that modulates transmission information to the registered tag 6 and the name tag tag 7, and a modulated radio wave. The output unit 18 amplifies and radiates from the antenna 11, the amplification unit 19 that amplifies the radio wave received by the antenna 11, and the demodulation unit 20 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 information stored in the storage unit 26 is different between the registered tag 6 and the nameplate tag 7, this information will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. The storage unit 26 of the registered tag 6 is composed of, for example, a read-only ROM, 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. 9, 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. As shown in FIG. 10, storage column information relating to the number of storage columns storing the registered mail items 1 in the mail box 8 and the number of registered mail items 1 stored in the storage columns 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 15. 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.

  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 and reads the nameplate information stored in the nameplate tag 7 (ST1, information reading means). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the nameplate information, that is, the destination information, the number information, and the storage row 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 the destination information included in the nameplate information stored in the RAM 33 is correct, that is, whether the destination includes the relay station 4a (ST3). . If it is determined to be correct, the process proceeds to the next process. If it is determined that it is not correct, the display unit 35 is controlled to display an error.

  Subsequently, it is determined on the basis of the serial number information and the storage column information stored in the RAM 33 whether or not the registered mail items 1 stored in the mail box 8 mounted on the table 81 are stored in one column. (ST4, column number judgment means). That is, when the storage column information indicates one column, it is determined as one column. When the storage column information does not indicate one column, the storage column information indicates the number of registered mail items 1 indicated by the read number information. When the number of registered mail items 1 stored in the number of columns is larger than the number of registered mail items 1, it is determined that the number is not one column, and the number of registered mail items 1 indicated by the serial number information is stored in the number of columns indicated by the stored column information 1 When the number is less than or equal to the number of storages, it is determined that there is one row.

  If it is determined in step ST4 that the registered mail items 1 are stored in one line, the rotating roller 13a of the antenna transport section 13 is rotated forward to operate the transport belt 13c, and the registered mail stored in the mail box 8 is operated. The identification ID number is read while moving from the reference position substantially parallel to the direction in which the tags 6 are arranged (reference direction D1) (ST5, part of the identification information reading means). Then, it is determined whether or not the reading source position is reached by determining whether or not the motor of the drive source of the antenna transport unit 13 has been rotated forward by the specified number of steps (ST6). The identification ID number is read until it is determined as the reading end position. When it is determined as the reading end position, the rotation roller 13a is rotated in the reverse direction by rotating the motor of the driving source of the antenna transport unit 13 in the reverse direction by the specified number of steps. The conveyor belt 13c is operated to return the antenna 11 to the reference position (ST7).

  When the reading of the identification ID number is completed, the number of identification ID numbers read is calculated (ST8, identification information number calculating means). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of registered mail items 1 is equal by comparing the number indicated by the number information stored in the RAM 33 with the calculated number of identification ID numbers (ST9, circulation number determination means). ). If it is determined that they match, the identification ID number reading process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST4 that the registered mail item 1 is not stored in one row, the following processing is performed. First, the moving unit 14 is controlled to move the direction of the antenna transport unit 13 by a predetermined angle (ST10). Then, the rotation roller 13a of the antenna conveyance unit 13 is rotated forward to operate the conveyance belt 13c, and the antenna 11 is moved from the reference position in the diagonal direction D2 to the direction in which the registered tags 6 accommodated in the mail box 8 are arranged. While reading the identification ID number (ST11, another part of the identification information reading means). Then, similarly to the processing of steps ST6 to ST8 described above, a determination as to whether or not the position is the reading end position (ST12), a process of returning the antenna 11 to the reference position (ST13), and an identification ID number calculation process (ST14) are performed. Also, when it is determined in step ST9 that the number of registered mail items 1 does not match, the processing of steps ST10 to ST14 is performed (re-identification information reading means).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of registered mail items 1 is equal by comparing the number indicated by the communication number information stored in the RAM 33 with the calculated number of identification ID numbers (ST15). If it is determined that the number of registered mail items 1 matches, the identification ID number reading process is terminated. If it is determined that the numbers do not match, the process returns to step ST11 to read the identification ID number from the registered tag 6 in steps ST11 to ST15. Repeat the process. It should be noted that the number of times it is determined that the number of registered mail items 1 did not match in step ST15 may be counted, and when the number reaches the predetermined number, the display unit 35 may be controlled to display an error and terminate. If they do not match, the display unit 35 may be immediately controlled to display an error and the process may be terminated.

  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 stores the destination, number of mails, the number of storage columns in the mail box 8 and the storage column in the storage unit 26 of the name tag 7 attached to the mail box 8 storing the registered mail 1. Information on the number of registered mail items 1 that can be stored is written. 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 in the mail box 8 to register with 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 mail tag 6 attached to 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 becomes the correct destination, and when the registered mail 1 is stored in one row, the host computer 10 has a reference direction D1 that is substantially parallel to the direction in which the registered tags 6 are arranged. When the identification ID number is read while moving the antenna 11 and it is determined that the identification ID is not stored in one row, the identification ID number is read while moving the antenna 11 in a direction D2 oblique to the arrangement direction of the registered tags 6. . Even if it is determined that registered mail 1 is stored in one row, the number of registered mail 1 indicated by the number information of the nameplate information does not match the number of identification ID numbers read. First, the identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 again while moving the antenna 11 in the direction D2 in which the registered tag 6 is aligned and obliquely inclined by a predetermined angle. Then, after reading the identification ID number while moving the antenna 11 in the direction D2 in which the registered tags 6 are arranged and obliquely inclined at a predetermined angle D2, the number indicated by the serial number information included in the nameplate information and the registered tags stored in the mail box 8 The number of identification ID numbers read from 6 is compared. If they do not match, the identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 again. In this way, the identification ID number is read from the registered tag 6 and the reading is terminated when the number of the read identification ID number matches the number indicated by the serial number information.

  Subsequently, 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. Based on the read number of registered mail items 1 stored, the number of storage boxes of the mail box 8 and the number of registered mail items 1 that can be stored in the storage column number, it is determined whether or not the mail is stored in one line. When it is determined that the storage is in one row, the identification ID number is read while moving the antenna 11 in a reference direction D1 that is substantially parallel to the direction in which the registered tags 6 are arranged, and is determined to be stored in one row. In this case, the identification ID number is read while moving the antenna 11 in the direction D2 in which the registered tags 6 are arranged and obliquely inclined by a predetermined angle D2, so that the number of antennas is not increased and the table 81 is heavier. It is possible to bag box 8 to expand easily read range of the wireless tag reader 9 to move the antenna 11 be mounted, it is possible to read the identification ID number of registered tag 6 efficiently.

  Further, when the number of identification ID numbers read from the identification ID number while moving the antenna 11 in the reference direction D1 does not match the number stored in the nameplate tag 7, a predetermined value is set for the reference direction D1. By reading the identification ID number while moving the antenna 11 in the oblique angle direction D2, the identification information of the registered tag 6 that cannot be read by reading in the reference direction D1 also changes the direction of the radio wave emitted from the antenna 11. Since the registered tag 6 is emitted, the identification ID number can be read reliably. As a result, since the number of mail boxes 8b in which the registered mail items 1 are stored in two rows is actually small, it is determined that the registered mail items 1 are stored in one row and the reading in the reference direction D1 is performed. If the registered tag cannot be read even if it has been performed, the reading in the oblique direction D2 can be immediately performed.

  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, it is possible to reliably read the identification ID numbers of all the registered registered tags 6, so that the reading reliability is improved. Can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the antenna 11 reads the identification ID number of the registered tag 6, the antenna 11 moves in the reference direction D1 that is substantially parallel to the direction in which the registered tag 6 is arranged, and the direction is predetermined for the direction. Two cases are described, that is, the case of moving in the oblique angle direction D2. However, as shown in FIG. 12, when there is a mail box 8c storing the standard registered mail items 1 in three rows, as shown in FIG. 13, it further moves in a diagonal direction D3 at a predetermined angle (the antenna 11 is moved to the mail box 8c). The moving unit 14 is set so as to move from the reference position in the diagonal direction), and in the process of step ST4, the number of storage rows is determined from 1 to 3 rows, and according to the determination. The moving unit 14 may be moved.

  In addition, the movement of the antenna conveyance unit 13 by the moving unit 14 is configured to move around the rotating roller 13a side, but further, the antenna 11 is moved from the reading end position to the reference position by moving the driven roller 13b side as the center. The identification ID number may be read while being moved. With this configuration, the processing of steps ST7 and ST13 for returning the antenna 11 to the reference position can be omitted, and further, the identification ID number can be read efficiently from the registered mail tag 6 in each mail box 8.

  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.

  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 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 mail box which the storage row | line in the same embodiment is one row. The figure which shows the mail box which the storage row | line | column in the embodiment has two rows. The figure for demonstrating the two moving directions of the antenna in the 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 which shows the storage row | line information in the embodiment. The figure which shows the reading process in the embodiment. The figure which shows the mail box which the storage row | line | column in the embodiment has three rows. The figure for demonstrating the three moving directions of the antenna 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 transport unit, 14 ... moving unit, 26 ... storage unit, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 81 ... table, D1 ... reference direction, D2, D3 ... diagonal direction

Claims (2)

An antenna used for wireless communication;
At least the number of storage columns of the distribution material storage box provided in the distribution material storage box for storing the distribution material with the first wireless tag attached to the storage unit storing the identification information, and distribution stored in the storage column Information reading means for reading the storage row information and the circulation number information from the second wireless tag provided with a storage unit for storing the storage row information relating to the number of items and the circulation number information relating to the number of stored circulation items via the antenna. ,
First antenna moving means for moving the antenna in a direction substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the first wireless tags;
The antenna is moved in an oblique direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the first wireless tags in an oblique direction substantially equal to an angle formed by a direction moved by the first antenna moving means and a diagonal direction of the circulation storage box. Second antenna moving means for causing
Based on the storage column information and the circulation number information read by the information reading means, the number of circulation items stored in the storage column is compared with the number of circulation items indicated by the circulation number information. A column number judging means for judging whether it is housed in a plurality of rows ;
If it is determined by the number-of-rows determining means that the distribution items are stored in one row, the identification information is read from the first wireless tag while moving the antenna by the first antenna moving means, if the flow was at the column number determination unit determines that that is housed in a plurality of rows, reading the identification information reading identification information from the first wireless tag while moving the antenna in the second antenna moving means A wireless tag reader. Identification information number calculating means for calculating the number of identification information read by moving the antenna by the first antenna moving means;
Circulation number determination means for determining whether or not the identification information number calculated by the identification information number calculation means and the circulation number indicated by the flow number information read by the information reading means match;
A re-identification information reading unit that reads identification information from the first wireless tag while moving the antenna by the second antenna moving unit if the circulation number determining unit determines that they do not match; The wireless tag reader according to claim 1.

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