JP4580184B2 - Attribute information update device and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for saving data input of information managed in association with wireless tags attached to various articles, and in particular, attribute information corresponding to a predetermined wireless tag corresponds to another wireless tag. The present invention relates to a technique for reading / transferring from attribute information.

In recent years, wireless tags (also referred to as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)) are pasted on products for the purpose of improving distribution efficiency and providing more product information to consumers, and products are delivered from producers to consumers. A distribution management system that grasps and manages the distribution process in detail up to now is widely spread (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). In these systems, in the distribution process, various information such as the name of the distributor and the packing date / time are delivered to the consumer while being added to the information of the wireless tag by the distributor, retailer, and the like. In addition, even after the sale of a product, there is a case in which the name of the article manager, information on the purchase date and time, etc. are recorded and managed by the purchased individual or company.
Klaus Finkenzeller, “RFIF Handbook”, published by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, ISBN: 4526047015, February 2001

However, in the case of a physical distribution management system using a conventional wireless tag, various information (in the present invention, “attribute information”) that is added or changed to the wireless tag in the distribution process (for example, the lifetime from production to disposal of an article). ").” Is a problem that requires a lot of labor to record.
In general, information recorded in a wireless tag is stored in a storage area of the wireless tag itself or in a database of a center system associated with the wireless tag identifier (referred to as “wireless tag information” in the present invention). ing. However, in any case, the data itself to be set needs to be manually input from the terminal by the operator. For example, when setting the employee number of the employee who shipped the product as one of the product attributes, the operator must manually input the employee code into the terminal device according to the procedure displayed on the display. In this example, it is necessary to perform the same processing with a new employee code every time the operator is changed, which is inconvenient.

In addition, when setting attribute information in a wireless tag manually, incorrect attribute information may be set intentionally or accidentally. For example, in the case of the above-described example, there is a possibility that the process may be continued while the employee code of the previous operator is registered due to intentional or mistakes even though the operator is changed.
As a method for reducing these problems, there is a method of using a wireless tag for obtaining data to be written to the wireless tag. For example, in the case of the above-described example, there is a method in which a wireless tag in which an employee code such as an employee ID is embedded is automatically read by a reading device, and the read data is written (transferred) to the wireless tag device as attribute information.

However, in the case of this method, it is necessary to incorporate application-specific logic in the system, and there is a problem that the development cost of software for that purpose is high.
For example, in the case of the above example, information for recognizing that the type of the read wireless tag is the tag of the employee card (hereinafter referred to as “tag identification information”) Must be set in advance in both of the reading systems, and the processing logic must be built into the system. Furthermore, when information is transferred from other types of tags, unique tag identification information and logic corresponding to the types must be incorporated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an attribute information updating apparatus capable of easily, accurately and universally adding and changing attribute information in a physical distribution management system using a wireless tag. The purpose is to provide.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an attribute information update device for updating attribute information (information including a set of attribute identifiers of data and attribute values thereof and associated with a radio tag) stored in attribute information storage means The attribute information storage means for extracting the first attribute information associated with the first wireless tag and the second attribute information associated with the second wireless tag from the attribute information storage means; Attributes that classify the attribute information 1 and the second attribute information into read attribute information that is attribute information in which attribute values cannot be written and write attribute information that is attribute information in which attribute values can be written Information classification means, read attribute information whose write attribute information and attribute identifier match are extracted, the matched attribute identifier, and the attribute value (hereinafter referred to as “new attribute value”) of the extracted read attribute information, Attribute setting information including The attribute setting information generating means to be generated, and the attribute information writing in which the new attribute value of the attribute setting information is the attribute value of the writing attribute information stored in the attribute information storage means that matches the attribute setting information and the attribute identifier And an attribute information updating device.

Here, in the attribute information classification means, the first attribute information and the second attribute information are classified into the read attribute information and the write attribute information. Is based on a general judgment. Therefore, a unique logic corresponding to the type of wireless tag on the attribute information provider side is not required.
Further, the attribute setting information generation means extracts the read attribute information whose writing attribute information and attribute identifier match, and generates attribute setting information including the matching attribute identifier and new attribute value. Is also based on a general determination of whether or not the attribute identifiers of the attribute information match. Therefore, this processing logic may be general-purpose regardless of the type of the wireless tag that transfers attribute information.

  Then, in the attribute information writing means, the new attribute value of the attribute setting information is set as the attribute value of the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage means whose attribute setting information matches the attribute identifier. Thereby, the attribute information of the wireless tag device can be updated without performing complicated processing such as an operator inputting the attribute information into the terminal.

  As described above, in the present invention, the attribute information of the wireless tag can be automatically updated without using a unique logic corresponding to the type of the wireless tag on the attribute information providing side. Adding / changing attribute information in a physical distribution management system using a wireless tag can be performed easily, accurately and universally.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining the entire system of the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system according to this embodiment includes a first wireless tag 20, a second wireless tag 30, and an attribute information update device 10. Here, the first wireless tag 20 includes an attribute information storage unit 21 that is a writable internal memory (such as a RAM (Random Access Memory)) and a communication unit 22, and the second wireless tag 30 includes , An attribute information storage unit 31 which is a writable internal memory, and a communication unit 32. The attribute information updating apparatus 10 includes a wireless tag communication unit 11, an attribute information reading unit 12, a memory 13, an attribute information classification unit 14, an attribute setting information generation unit 15, and an attribute information writing unit 16.

  Here, the first wireless tag 20, the second wireless tag 30, and the wireless tag communication means 11 in this embodiment can be constructed by using wireless tag technology that is widely used in the world. For example, the radio signal modulation method described in the RFID handbook written by Klaus Finkenzeller, the technology to detect the collision and obtain the RFID tag information from all the RFID tags when many RFID tags are held simultaneously Can be used. Moreover, the attribute information update device 10 of this embodiment can be constructed by causing a known computer to which a wireless tag read / write device is connected to execute a predetermined program.

In the case of this embodiment, the wireless tags 20 and 30 themselves hold the attribute information in the respective attribute information recording means 21 and 31. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the data structure of the attribute information held in the attribute information recording means 21 and 31.
The attribute information in this embodiment is information associated with a wireless tag, including a set of data attribute identifiers and attribute values. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the attribute information storage unit 21 of the first wireless tag 20 includes “wireless tag ID (R)”, “product code (A)”, “manufacturer (W)”, “ A first attribute comprising an attribute identifier such as “retailer (O)” and “request date (O)” and attribute values such as “0001”, “<blank”, “Sato”, “Yamada”, and “2003-04-23” Information 21a to 21e is stored. Here, “RFID ID (R)” is “0001”, “Product Code (A)” is “<blank>”, “Manufacturer (W)” is “Sato”, “Retailer (O ) ”Is associated with“ Yamada ”, and“ Request Date (O) ”is associated with“ 2003-04-23 ”, and attribute information 21a to 21e including pairs of attribute identifiers and attribute values is formed. is doing. The attribute value “0001” of the attribute information 21 a indicates the first wireless tag 20, and the subsequent attribute information 21 b to 21 e is associated with the first wireless tag 20.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the attribute information storage unit 31 of the second wireless tag 30 includes “wireless tag ID (R)”, “product code (O)”, “manufacturer (O)”. ”,“ Retailer (O) ”,“ Request Date (O) ”and other attribute identifiers, and“ 0002 ”“ 0201 ”“ Saito ”“ <blank> ”“ <blank> ” Information 31a-31e is stored. Here, “RFID ID (R)” is “0002”, “Product Code (O)” is “0201”, “Manufacturer (O)” is “Saito”, and “Retailer (O)”. Is associated with "<blank>" and "request date (O)" is associated with "<blank>", and constitutes attribute information 31a to 31e including pairs of attribute identifiers and attribute values. Yes. The attribute value “0002” of the attribute information 31 a indicates the second wireless tag 30, and the subsequent attribute information 31 b to 31 e is associated with the second wireless tag 30.

  In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, the attribute identifier and the attribute value are described as characters. However, in practice, it is more efficient and desirable to use the attribute identifier and attribute value encoded as binary data. Further, it is desirable to assign according to an encoding rule such that the same attribute identifier or attribute value is not given to attributes or attribute values having different meanings. Further, the upper 2 bits are used for each attribute identifier, and the write disable mode (R: Read-only), the once write enable mode (O: Write-once), and the multiple write enable mode (W: Rewriteable) or additional writing mode (A: Append) write mode (characters ((R), (O), (W), (A)) in parentheses of the attribute identifier in FIG. These write modes are represented.) Further, the attribute value “<blank”> means that no attribute value is set.

<Processing>
Next, attribute information transfer (copy) processing in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the entire processing in this embodiment. The attribute information update device 10 in this embodiment updates the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage means 21 and 31. Hereinafter, this process will be described with reference to this flowchart.
First, the attribute information update device 10 initializes the memory 13 (step S1). That is, the read attribute information list (RL) in the memory 13 = []; the write attribute information list (WL) = []; the attribute setting information list (XL) = []; The meaning of these lists will be described later.

When the first wireless tag 20 and the second wireless tag 30 are arranged in an area where the wireless tag communication means 11 can be observed, the wireless tag communication means 11 connects the first wireless tag 20 and the second wireless tag. The tag 30 is accessed, and the first attribute information associated with the first wireless tag 20 and the second wireless tag 30 are associated from the attribute information storage means 21 and 31 through the communication means 22 and 32. The second attribute information is extracted.
Here, the expressions “first” and “second” are used, but this does not mean that there are only two “wireless tags” or “attribute information”, but there are two or more. From the “wireless tag” and “attribute information” to be described, the processing of the two “wireless tags” and “attribute information” is merely taken for explanation. That is, this process is a process of reading attribute information PL _k (k = 2... M: m ≧ n) of n wireless tags (j = 2... N) from the wireless tags (step S2). ). In actual use, attribute information may be transferred between two or more wireless tags.

  In this process, when the RFID tag communication means 11 can extract attribute information from only one RFID tag, the RFID tag communication means 11 repeats this reading process at intervals of several hundred ms to several seconds. Thereby, attribute information is extracted from at least two or more wireless tags. The extracted attribute information is sent to the attribute information reading unit 12, and the attribute information reading unit 12 uses the N (N ≧ 2) pieces of attribute information as the first attribute information 21a to 21e as illustrated in FIG. And a list of the second attribute information 31 a to 31 e is generated and stored in the memory 13.

Next, the attribute information classification means 14 sequentially extracts the first attribute information 21a to 21e and the second attribute information 31a to 31e from the memory 13, and these are attribute information for which attribute values cannot be written. It is classified into read attribute information and write attribute information that is attribute information to which attribute values can be written. That is, the attribute information PL _k (k = 2... M) of n wireless tags (j = 2... N) is separated into a read attribute information list (RL) and a write attribute information list (WL). (Step S3).
In the case of this example, the attribute information classifying unit 14 first checks a set of <attribute identifier, attribute value> for all extracted attribute information. Then, the attribute information classification means 14 includes (a) a read attribute information list (RL) including attribute information in which the write mode is R or O and attribute values have already been set, and (b) Write attribute information list (WL) in which the write mode is W or A, or O and no attribute value is set (<blank>, for example, encoded with 0 (zero)) ). Details of this processing will be described below.

[Details of Step S3]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining details of the process in step S3 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. The details of the process of step S3 will be described below according to this flowchart.
First, in the attribute information classification means 14, <attribute value corresponding to the attribute identifier “radio tag ID”, other attribute identifiers, “others” from the attribute information PL _k (k = 2... M) of the memory 13. three sets of attribute values corresponding to the attribute identifier "> and a set extraction, which is substituted into P _i (step S11). Next, the attribute information separating means 14, write mode "Other attribute identifier" triplet which is assigned to the P _i is,
(A) Whether it is a write-inhibited mode (R: Read-only)
(B) It is determined whether or not the one-time writable mode (O: Write-once) is set and the attribute value corresponding to this “other attribute identifier” is already set (step S12). .

In this determination, the write mode is the write disable mode (R: Read-only) or the write once mode (O: Write-once). If the corresponding attribute value was already set, the attribute information classification means 14 stores the triplet which is assigned to the P _i, as an element of the read attribute information list (RL), in the memory 13 (step S13 ), if not so, it stores the triplet which is assigned to the P _i, into the memory 13 as an element of the writing attribute information list (WL) (step S14).

Next, the attribute information classification means 14, the attribute information PL _k of the memory 13, <Other attribute identifiers, the corresponding attribute value "Other attribute identifier"> constituting the P _i remove a set of (deletion or (Transfer to another storage area), and the set of attribute information after removal is set as a new PL _k (step S15).
Then, the attribute information classification unit 14 determines whether or not the attribute information PL _k is empty (whether or not an attribute value other than <attribute identifier “wireless tag ID” and corresponding attribute value> is an empty set). Judging. If it is determined that the attribute information PL _k is not empty, the process returns to step S11. If it is determined that the attribute information PL _k is empty, the process of step S3 is terminated (step S16).

FIG. 6A shows an example of the read attribute information list (RL) 13a generated in this way, and FIG. 6B shows an example of the write attribute information list (WL) 13b.
As illustrated in this figure, the read attribute information list (RL) 13a and the write attribute information list (WL) 13b include an attribute value corresponding to the attribute identifier “wireless tag ID”, other identifiers, This is a list of triples of attribute values> corresponding to “attribute identifier”. For example, the reading attribute information list (RL) 13a of this example includes a triplet <0001, retailer (O), Yamada> (reading attribute information 13aa), <0001, request date (O), 2003-04-23. > (Read attribute information 13ab), <0002, product code (O), 0201> (read attribute information 13ac) and <0002, manufacturer (O), Saito> (read attribute information 13ad). In addition, the write attribute information list (WL) 13b of this example includes a triplet <0001, product code (A), <blank >> (write attribute information 13ba), <0001, manufacturer (O), Sato. > (Write attribute information 13bb), <0002, retailer (O), <blank >> (write attribute information 13bc) and <0002, request date (O), <blank >> (write attribute information 13bd) (Detailed explanation of step S3 ends).

  Next, the attribute setting information generating means 15 generates an attribute setting information list (XL) from the read attribute information list (RL) 13a and the write attribute information list (WL) 13b stored in the memory 13 (step S4). ). That is, first, the attribute setting information generating unit 15 refers to the read attribute information list (RL) 13a and the write attribute information list (WL) 13b stored in the memory 13, and uses the write attribute information list (WL) 13b. The read attribute information whose attribute identifier matches the write attribute information to be configured is extracted from the read attribute information list (RL) 13a. Then, the attribute setting information generation unit 15 generates attribute setting information including the matched attribute identifier and the extracted attribute value of the read attribute information (hereinafter referred to as “new attribute value”). Further, the attribute setting information generation unit 15 generates the attribute setting information in association with the first attribute information or the second attribute information corresponding to the write attribute information.

Details of this processing will be described below.
[Details of Step S4]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining details of the process in step S4 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.
First, the attribute setting information generation means 15 reads <attribute value corresponding to <attribute identifier “wireless tag ID”, other attribute identifier, “other” from the write attribute information list (WL) 13 b stored in the memory 13. three attribute values> corresponding to the attribute identifier "set (the writing attribute information) selected pair and assigns it to W _i (step S21).

Next, the attribute setting information generating unit 15 searches all the read attribute information list (RL) 13a, "other attribute identifier" constituting three pairs which are assigned to the W _i are read attribute information list ( RL) 13a is determined (step S22). For example, if three sets are assigned to W _i was writing attribute information 13ba corresponds to the "other attribute identifier" of "product code", present in the read attribute information list (RL) 13a Judge whether to do.
Here, if it is determined that it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S25 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that it exists, the attribute setting information generation unit 15 generates a “new attribute value” as follows (step S23).

(A) If the writing mode of W _i constitute an assignment to three sets in the "other attributes identifier" is a "write-once mode (A)":
All reading attribute information having the same attribute identifier as “other attribute identifier” is extracted from the reading attribute information list (RL) 13a, and the extracted reading attribute information is configured <corresponding to “other attribute identifier”. Let attribute value> be "new attribute value".
(B) if W _i constituting the imputed triples write mode "other attribute identifier" is "one-time writable that a (O) to the attribute value is not set" Or, in the case of “multiple times writable mode (W)”:
All reading attribute information having the same attribute identifier as “other attribute identifier” is extracted from the reading attribute information list (RL) 13a, and the extracted reading attribute information is configured <corresponding to “other attribute identifier”. Check whether all the attribute values> match. If all of them match, the <attribute value corresponding to “other attribute identifier”> is set to “new attribute value”. On the other hand, if all of these do not match, an error is output as to whether or not to do anything.

Next, the attribute setting information generating unit 15 constitutes a triplet which is assigned to W _i and <attribute value corresponding to the attribute identifier "RFID tag ID"> and <Other attribute identifier>, generated at step S23 The set of <new attribute value>, <attribute value corresponding to attribute identifier "wireless tag ID", other attribute identifier, new attribute value> is used as attribute setting information. The attribute setting information generation unit 15 stores the attribute setting information in the memory 13 as an element of the attribute setting information list (XL) (step S24). This attribute setting information is associated with the first attribute information or the second attribute information corresponding to the write attribute information (W _i ) by <attribute value corresponding to the attribute identifier “wireless tag ID”>. Will be.

Thereafter (after step S22 or S24), the attribute setting information generating unit 15, from the write attribute information list (WL) 13b, removing a writing attribute information _{W i} (Delete or posted to another storage area), and The write attribute information list after removal is set as a new WL (step S25).
Next, the attribute setting information generation unit 15 determines whether or not this new WL is empty (empty set). If it is determined that the attribute information PL _k is not empty, the process returns to step S21. If it is determined that the attribute information PL _k is empty, the process of step S4 is terminated (step S26).

FIG. 6C shows an example of the attribute setting information list (XL) 13c generated as described above.
As shown in this figure, the attribute setting information list (XL) 13c of this example includes a triple <0001, product code (A), 0201> (attribute setting information 13ca), <0001, manufacturer (W), Saito> (attribute setting information 13cb), <0002, retailer (O), Yamada> (attribute setting information 13cc) and <0002, request date (O), 2003-04-23> (attribute setting information 13cd) It is a list (end of detailed description of step S4).

The attribute setting information list (XL) 13c generated as described above is sent to the attribute information writing means 16. The attribute information writing means 16 sends the new attribute values of the attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd of the sent attribute setting information list (XL) 13c (in the example of FIG. 6C, “0201”, “Saito”, “Yamada”, “2003”). -04-23 ") is stored in the attribute information storage means 21, 31 (attribute information 21b in the example of FIG. 5), the attribute identifier of which matches the attribute setting information 13ca-13cd. 21c, 31d, 31e). That is, the attribute information writing means 16 uses the attribute setting information list (XL), and attribute information PL _k (k = 2... M) corresponding to n wireless tags (j = 2... N). ) Is updated (step S5). In this update, the new attribute value of each attribute setting information in the attribute setting information list (XL) is used as the attribute value of the first attribute information or the second attribute information corresponding to the attribute setting information.

Specifically, for example, the attribute information writing unit 16 is in the order sent from the attribute setting information generating unit 15 (for example, in order from the top of the attribute setting information list (XL) 13c (FIG. 6C)), The attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd in the attribute setting information list (XL) 13c (FIG. 6C) is sent to the wireless tag communication means 11.
The wireless tag communication unit 11 refers to <attribute value corresponding to the attribute identifier “wireless tag ID”> (for example, “0001” in the case of the attribute setting information 13ca) included in the transmitted attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd. The attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd is transmitted to the first wireless tag 20 or the second wireless tag 30 (for example, the first wireless tag 20 indicated by "0001" in the case of the attribute setting information 13ca). To do. This is for updating the first attribute information stored in the first wireless tag 20 or the second attribute information stored in the wireless tag 30 corresponding to the attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd. .

  The first wireless tag 20 or the second wireless tag 30 receives the transmitted attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd at the communication means 22 and 32, and <other attribute identifiers> of the received attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd. (For example, in the case of the attribute setting information 13ca, “product code”) The attribute information having the attribute identifier (for example, in the case of the attribute setting information 13ca, the first attribute information 21b (FIG. 5A)) ) Of the attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd (for example, “0201” in the case of the attribute setting information 13ca).

FIG. 7 shows the attribute information 21a, 21d to 21g (FIG. 7 (a)) in the attribute information storage means 21 and the attribute information storage means 31 at the time when all the above-described new attribute value writing processes are completed. Are attribute information 31a to 21c, 31f, 31g (FIG. 7B).
As shown in these figures, the attribute value “0201” of the second attribute information 31b illustrated in FIG. 5 is transferred to the attribute value in the first attribute information 21b by the above processing (FIG. 7: first attribute Attribute information 21f), the attribute value “Saito” of the second attribute information 31c illustrated in FIG. 5 is transferred to the attribute value of the first attribute information 21c (FIG. 7: first attribute information 21g), and FIG. The attribute value “Yamada” of the exemplified first attribute information 21d is transferred to the attribute value of the second attribute information 31d (FIG. 7: second attribute information 31f), and the first attribute information 21e exemplified in FIG. Attribute value “2003-04-23” is transferred to the attribute value of the second attribute information 31e (FIG. 7: second attribute information 31g), and the attribute information is updated.

<Specific operation example of this embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a specific operation example of the system of the present embodiment.
In the example of FIG. 8, the retailer attaches an empty box 60 on which the wireless tag 60 a in which the retailer attribute information is recorded and wireless tags 71 a and 71 b in which the attribute information on the product manufacturer is recorded. The received products 71 and 72 are received, the products 71 and 72 are stored in the box 60, and attribute information of the wireless tags 60a, 71a, and 71b is added / changed by the attribute information update device 10 of this embodiment. is there. In this example, the wireless tags 60a, 71a, 71b record attribute information such as a wireless tag ID, a product code, a manufacturer, a retailer, and a request date. The attribute information of the radio tag 60a on the box 60 side is filled with the attribute value of the retailer and the request date, but the product code and the attribute value of the manufacturer are blank or past values (multiple times). It remains buried (in writable mode). On the other hand, in the attribute information of the wireless tags 71a and 72 on the product 71 and 72 side, the product code and the attribute value of the manufacturer are buried, but the retailer and the request date are blank.

In such an operation example, by executing the processing of this embodiment, the product code and the attribute value of the manufacturer are embedded in the attribute information of the radio tag 60a on the box 60 side, and the product 71 and 72 side wireless The attribute values of the retailer and the request date are embedded in the attribute information of the tags 71a and 72.
<Features of this embodiment>
By the above processing, the transfer of attribute information between the wireless tags can be automated, so that the labor required for recording the attribute information on the wireless tag can be saved. Further, the processing according to the present embodiment can be performed by general-purpose processing such as what mode of attribute identifier is possible and whether or not the attribute identifier of the attribute information matches. Therefore, it is not necessary to develop a separate device for each application, and the development cost of such a device can be reduced.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the wireless tag information storage means 21 and 31 are provided in the first wireless tag 20 and the second wireless tag 30 themselves, the attribute update device 10 includes the first wireless tag 20 and the first wireless tag 20. The attribute information can be updated only by performing communication processing with only the second wireless tag 30. Therefore, the process is simple. That is, as will be described later, when attribute information is held on a server device on a network associated with a wireless tag, a process such as sending an attribute information acquisition request to the server device is required. No special processing is required.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, in this embodiment, the attribute information storage means 21 and 31 are provided in both the first wireless tag 20 and the second wireless tag 30, but the attribute information storage means is provided only in some of the wireless tags. It is good.
In addition, as described above, in this embodiment, an example in which attribute information is transferred between the two wireless tags 20 and 30 has been described. However, in actual use, attribute information is transferred between a larger number of wireless tags. It is good also as performing. In this case, by simultaneously holding one or more wireless tags providing one or more attribute information and one or more wireless tags having one or more write target attributes over the wireless tag information update device 10. , Post attribute information.

  Further, in the present embodiment, each attribute identifier has a write disable mode (R: Read-only), a once writable mode (O: Write-once), a multiple write enable mode (W: Rewriteable), or Although any one of the four write modes (A: Append) is provided, it is not always necessary to allow these four types of write modes for each attribute identifier. For example, it is possible to determine whether write permission is specified or write prohibition is specified based on whether or not the attribute value is already filled without giving write mode information to the attribute identifier. Good.

In this embodiment, the attribute information writing unit 16 wirelessly transmits the attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd in the attribute setting information list (XL) 13c (FIG. 6C) in the order sent from the attribute setting information generating unit 15. The tag communication means 11 is sent. However, when the attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd sent from the attribute setting information generating unit 15 is temporarily stored in the memory area of the attribute information writing unit 16 and all the attribute setting information 13ca to 13cd is received, these are set. May be sent to the wireless tag communication means 11 and the attribute information of the first wireless tag 20 and the second wireless tag 30 may be updated.
Needless to say, other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the various processes described above are not only executed in time series according to the description, but may be executed in parallel or individually according to the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processes or as necessary.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. A device that reads data from a wireless tag and a device that updates attribute information corresponding to the wireless tag are separated, and these devices are connected to be able to communicate through a network. This is an example. Further, the attribute information recording means is not provided in the wireless tag itself but is held in a database placed on a server device accessible via a network. Below, it demonstrates centering around difference with 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description about the matter which is common in 1st Embodiment.

<Configuration>
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram for explaining the entire system of the present embodiment. In this figure, the functional configurations common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.
As illustrated in this figure, the system according to the present embodiment includes an attribute information update device 110 that updates attribute information, a wireless tag reading / reading device 120 connected to the attribute information update device 110 via a network 130, a first wireless tag 120, and a second wireless tag. It consists of a tag 130.
In this example, the attribute information update device 110 is a server device that can be accessed via a network, for example. As shown in FIG. 9, the attribute information update device 110 includes a memory 13, an attribute information classification unit 14, an attribute setting information generation unit 15, an attribute information writing unit 116, an attribute information storage unit 117, and a communication unit 118. ing.

The wireless tag reading device 120 includes a wireless tag communication unit 121 and a communication unit 122.
Further, the first wireless tag 120 includes a wireless tag information storage unit 121 (corresponding to a “first wireless tag information storage unit”) and a communication unit 122 that store the first wireless tag information, The wireless tag 130 includes wireless tag information storage means 131 (corresponding to “second wireless tag information storage means”) and communication means 132 for storing second wireless tag information. Here, the “wireless tag information” is an identifier that uniquely identifies each wireless tag.

  Here, unlike the first embodiment, the attribute information storage unit 117 included in the attribute information update device 110 is located outside the first wireless tag 120 and the second wireless tag 130, and has the first attribute information. Are stored in association with the first RFID tag information (the RFID tag information corresponding to the first RFID tag), and the second attribute information is stored in the second RFID tag information (corresponding to the second RFID tag). A hard disk or the like stored in association with the wireless tag information. The association between each wireless tag and attribute information is performed by the above-described wireless tag information. That is, the attribute information corresponding to each wireless tag can be extracted by searching the attribute information storage means 117 using the wireless tag information.

<Processing>
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining attribute information update processing according to this embodiment.
Hereinafter, the attribute information update processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to this drawing.
First, the first RFID tag 120 and the second RFID tag 130 are accessed by the RFID tag communication unit 121 of the RFID tag reading apparatus 120, and the first tag stored in the RFID tag information storage unit 121 through the communication units 122 and 132 is stored. The first RFID tag information and the second RFID tag information stored in the RFID tag information storage means 131 are read.

The wireless tag communication unit 121 sends the read first wireless tag information and second wireless tag information to the communication unit 122. The communication unit 122 sends these pieces of information to the attribute information update unit 110 through the network 130.
The attribute information update unit 110 receives the first RFID tag information and the second RFID tag information through the communication unit 118 and sends them to the attribute information reading unit 112. The attribute information reading unit 112 extracts the first attribute information and the second attribute information corresponding to the first RFID tag information and the second RFID tag information from the attribute information storage unit, and stores them in the memory 13. To do. Then, as in the first embodiment, the processing in the attribute information classification unit 14 and the attribute setting information generation unit 15 is performed, and the generated attribute setting information is sent to the attribute information writing unit 116. Then, the attribute information writing unit 116 updates the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 117 based on the attribute setting information, as in the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, information to be stored in the first wireless tag 120 and the second wireless tag 130 is only wireless tag information with a small data amount. Therefore, a two-dimensional barcode card or the like may be used instead of the wireless tag. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This embodiment is also a modification of the first embodiment, and is an example in which an apparatus that updates attribute information corresponding to a wireless tag and a server apparatus that stores attribute information are communicably connected via a network. . Also in this example, the attribute information is not held in the wireless tag itself, but is held in a database placed on a server device accessible via a network.
Below, it demonstrates centering on difference with 1st, 2nd embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description about the matter which is common in 1st, 2nd embodiment.

<Configuration>
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram for explaining the entire system of the present embodiment. In this figure, the functional configurations common to the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first and second embodiments.
As illustrated in this figure, the system of the present embodiment includes an attribute information update device 210 that updates attribute information, an attribute information server device 220 connected to the attribute information update device 210 via a network 230, a first wireless tag 120, and a second wireless tag. The tag 130 is configured.
The attribute information update device 210 of this embodiment is a client device. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the attribute information update device 210 includes a wireless tag communication unit 211, an attribute information reading unit 212, a memory 13, an attribute information separating unit 14, an attribute setting information generating unit 15, and an attribute information writing unit 216. Have.

Here, the attribute information reading unit 212 includes a wireless tag information transmitting unit 212a that transmits the first wireless tag information and the second wireless tag information acquired from the wireless tag communication unit 211 to the attribute information server device 220, and attribute information. Attribute information receiving means 212b for receiving first attribute information and second attribute information from the server device 220 is provided. The attribute information writing unit 216 includes attribute setting information transmitting unit 216 a that transmits attribute setting information to the attribute information server device 220.
The attribute information server device 220 also includes an attribute information storage unit 221, a radio tag information receiving unit 222 that receives the first radio tag information and the second radio tag information, and the first attribute information and the second attribute information. An attribute information transmission unit 223 that transmits to the attribute information update unit 210 and an attribute setting information reception unit 224 that receives the attribute setting information.
Such a system stores, for example, attribute information in an existing product information database arranged on a server device as proposed by MIT's Auto ID Center, and provides the client with a function of rewriting the attribute. This is a particularly desirable configuration when necessary.

<Processing>
FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining attribute information update processing in this embodiment.
Hereinafter, the attribute information update processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to this drawing.
First, the wireless tag communication unit 211 of the attribute information update unit 210 accesses the first wireless tag 120 and the second wireless tag 130, and stores the first wireless tag information stored in the wireless tag information storage unit 121 through the communication units 122 and 132. The first RFID tag information and the second RFID tag information stored in the RFID tag information storage means 131 are read.

The wireless tag communication unit 221 sends the read first wireless tag information and second wireless tag information to the wireless tag information transmission unit 212a of the attribute information reading unit 212. The wireless tag information transmitting unit 212 a transmits these pieces of information to the attribute information server device 220 through the network 230.
The attribute information server device 220 receives the first RFID tag information and the second RFID tag information at the RFID tag information receiving means 222, searches the attribute information storage means 221 using these as keys, and responds to each of them. First attribute information and second attribute information to be extracted are extracted. The extracted first attribute information and second attribute information are sent to the attribute information update device 210 via the network 230 by the attribute information transmission means 223.

The attribute information update device 210 receives the first attribute information and the second attribute information in the attribute information receiving unit 212 b and stores them in the memory 13. Then, as in the first embodiment, the processing in the attribute information classification unit 14 and the attribute setting information generation unit 15 is performed, and the generated attribute setting information is sent to the attribute information writing unit 216.
As in the first embodiment, the attribute information writing unit 216 updates the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 221 based on this attribute setting information. However, since the attribute information storage unit 221 is installed in the external attribute information server device 220, the attribute information writing unit 216 uses the attribute setting information transmitting unit 216a to transmit the attribute setting information to the attribute information via the network 230. It transmits to the server apparatus 220. This attribute setting information is received by the attribute setting information receiving unit 224 of the attribute information server device 220, and is stored in the attribute information storage unit 221 based on this attribute setting information as in the first embodiment. The attribute information is updated. That is, the attribute information writing unit 216 takes out the attribute setting information generated by the attribute setting information generating unit 15 one by one, and updates the data in the format accepted by the attribute information server device 220 by the attribute setting information transmitting unit 216. It is converted into a request and transmitted to the server device. Then, the attribute information server device 220 updates the attribute value of the corresponding entry in the attribute information storage unit 221 using the wireless tag ID and the attribute identifier included in the data update request as keys.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the various processes described above are not only executed in time series according to the description, but may be executed in parallel or individually according to the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processes or as necessary.
Further, when the configuration in each of the above-described embodiments is realized by a computer, the processing contents of the functions that each device should have are described by a program. The processing functions are realized on the computer by executing the program on the computer.

  The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be any medium such as a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Specifically, for example, the magnetic recording device may be a hard disk device or a flexible Discs, magnetic tapes, etc. are used as optical disks, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), DVD-RAM (Random Access Memory), CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWritable), etc. MO (Magneto-Optical disc) or the like as a magneto-optical recording medium, and EEP-ROM (Electronically Erasable an) as a semiconductor memory. d Programmable-Read Only Memory) or the like can be used.

The program is distributed by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM in which the program is recorded. Furthermore, the program may be distributed by storing the program in a storage device of the server computer and transferring the program from the server computer to another computer via a network.
A computer that executes such a program first stores, for example, a program recorded on a portable recording medium or a program transferred from a server computer in its own storage device. When executing the process, the computer reads a program stored in its own recording medium and executes a process according to the read program. As another execution form of the program, the computer may directly read the program from a portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program, and the program is transferred from the server computer to the computer. Each time, the processing according to the received program may be executed sequentially. A configuration in which the above-described processing is executed by a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) type service that realizes a processing function only by an execution instruction and result acquisition without transferring a program from the server computer to the computer. It is good. Note that the program in this embodiment includes information that is used for processing by an electronic computer and that conforms to the program (data that is not a direct command to the computer but has a property that defines the processing of the computer).

  In this embodiment, the present apparatus is configured by executing a predetermined program on a computer. However, at least a part of these processing contents may be realized by hardware.

The block diagram for demonstrating the whole system of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the whole process in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the detail of the process of step S3 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the detail of the process of step S4 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. The conceptual diagram which illustrated the data structure of the attribute information hold | maintained at an attribute information recording means. (A) is an example of the read attribute information list (RL) generated in this way, and (b) is an example of the write attribute information list (WL). An example of the attribute information in the attribute information storage means and the attribute information in the attribute information storage means at the time when all the new attribute value writing processes are completed. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the specific operation example of the system of 1st Embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the whole system of 2nd Embodiment. The sequence diagram for demonstrating the update process of the attribute information in 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the whole system of 3rd Embodiment. The sequence diagram for demonstrating the update process of the attribute information in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 110, 210 Attribute information updating means 20, 120 First wireless tag 30, 130 Second wireless tag

Claims (5)

In an attribute information updating device for updating attribute information (information including a set of attribute identifiers of data and attribute values thereof and associated with a radio tag) stored in an attribute information storage unit,
Attribute information reading means for extracting first attribute information associated with the first wireless tag and second attribute information associated with the second wireless tag from the attribute information storage means;
The first attribute information and the second attribute information are classified into read attribute information that is attribute information in which attribute values cannot be written and write attribute information that is attribute information in which attribute values can be written. Attribute information classification means,
Wherein extracting the read attribute information writing attribute information and attribute identifiers match, the attribute set comprising a corresponding matching attribute identifier and extracting out the attribute value of the read attribute information (referred. Hereinafter "new attribute value") the information, in association with the first attribute information or the second attribute information classified in writing the attribute information, the attribute setting information generating means for generating,
New attribute values of the attribute setting information, and the attribute information writing means for writing the attribute value before Symbol first attribute information or the second attribute information that corresponds to the attribute setting information,
An attribute information update device comprising:
The attribute information update device according to claim 1 ,
The attribute information storage means includes
An internal memory of at least one of the first wireless tag and the second wireless tag;
An attribute information updating apparatus characterized by the above. The attribute information update device according to claim 1 ,
The first wireless tag is:
A first RFID tag information storage means for storing the first RFID tag information;
The second wireless tag is:
A second RFID tag information storage means for storing the second RFID tag information;
The attribute information storage means includes
Located outside the first wireless tag and the second wireless tag, the first attribute information is stored in association with the first wireless tag information, and the second attribute information is stored in the first wireless tag. Means for storing in association with the RFID tag information of No. 2,
The attribute information reading means includes
The first attribute information and the second attribute information corresponding to the first RFID tag information and the second RFID tag information read from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag are set as the attribute. Means for extracting from the information storage means;
An attribute information updating apparatus characterized by the above. The attribute information update device according to claim 3 ,
The attribute information storage means includes
Storage means provided in the attribute information server device connected to the attribute information update device through a network;
The attribute information reading means includes
RFID tag information transmitting means for transmitting the first RFID tag information and the second RFID tag information read from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag to the attribute information server device;
Attribute information receiving means for receiving the first attribute information and the second attribute information corresponding to the first RFID tag information and the second RFID tag information;
Comprising
The attribute information writing means
Comprising attribute setting information transmitting means for transmitting the attribute setting information to the attribute information server device;
An attribute information updating apparatus characterized by the above. Program for causing a computer to function as the attribute information updating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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