JP5330174B2 - Tag management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tag management system having enhanced management accuracy by reducing the possibility of collision of signals even though the signals are periodically transmitted from a plurality of tags. <P>SOLUTION: The tag management system includes: the plurality of tags; a reporting device for reporting a confirmation signal to the plurality of tags; and a receiver for periodically receiving, from each of one or more tags having received the confirmation signal, an identification signal for identifying the tags. In the tag management system, the reporting device periodically reports the confirmation signal with time length T0 as one period, and each of the plurality of tags includes a timer which times each time slot comprising time length T1 satisfying T0=T1&times;m(m is an integer &ge;1), and upon receiving the confirmation signal, the reporting device resets the timer, then transmits an identification signal within one time slot to the receiver at least one time for each particular period being equal to or more than the time length T0. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a management system that manages each tag by receiving signals periodically transmitted from each of a plurality of tags.

In recent years, a system for performing presence management (location management) of users holding tags has been proposed.
In this system, a receiving device provided in an area to be managed receives a signal periodically transmitted from a tag held by each of a plurality of users, thereby managing the number of tags present in the area. To do.

  Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for periodically transmitting a signal from each of a plurality of tags. In Patent Document 1, a timer is set for each tag, and the tag is normally put in a sleep state. When the time set by the timer is reached, each tag is activated by shifting each tag in order to change the transmission timing. A technique for transmitting a signal is disclosed.

JP 2008-87876 A

  However, the timers of each tag do not necessarily match. Therefore, even if each tag is shifted and activated to transmit a signal, signal collisions as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C may occur. Each of FIGS. 12A and 12B shows a collision caused by overlapping of signals transmitted by tag # 1 and tag # 2, and FIG. 12C shows a collision caused by overlapping all.

When such a collision occurs, the signal receiving side may not be able to receive normally, and there is a possibility that sufficient management cannot be performed.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tag management system that can reduce the possibility of collision even when signals are periodically transmitted from a plurality of tags and can improve management accuracy.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention periodically provides a plurality of tags, a notification device that issues a confirmation signal, and an identification signal that identifies the tag from each of the one or more tags that have received the confirmation signal. Tag receiving system comprising: a receiving device that automatically receives, wherein the reporting device periodically issues the confirmation signal with a time length T0 as one cycle, and each of the plurality of tags has T0 = A timer for timing each time slot having a time length T1 satisfying T1 × m (m is an integer equal to or greater than 1), receiving means for receiving the confirmation signal, and receiving the confirmation signal, Reset means for resetting and transmitting the identification signal to the receiving device within one time slot timed by the timer at least once every specific period of time length T0 or more after resetting the timer And a sending unit that.

  According to this configuration, each of the plurality of tags in the tag management system resets the timer in response to reception of the confirmation signal issued from the reporting device, and thereafter, the tag is transmitted with the time slot time length counted by each tag. The identification signal to be generated does not cause a collision due to partial overlap. This is because after one tag receives the confirmation signal, the other tag receives the confirmation signal after a time that is an integral multiple of the period T0, that is, after a time that is an integral multiple of the time length T1. This is because there is no difference between the time slots counted by the one tag and the other tags. In general, the probability of occurrence of a collision in which a part of signals overlap as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) is the probability of occurrence of a collision in which signals as shown in FIG. 12 (c) overlap. Bigger than. Therefore, the management system can reduce the possibility of collision even when a plurality of signals are periodically transmitted, and can improve the management accuracy.

Here, when transmitting the confirmation signal, the notification device also issues designation information for designating one time slot to be used for transmission of the identification signal, and the transmission means transmits the confirmation signal from the notification device. The identification signal may be transmitted in one time slot designated by the designated information issued.
According to this configuration, the time slot used by each tag is specified on the alarm device side of the tag management system. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of collision by designating the time slot that should be designated by the reporting device for each tag so as not to overlap.

Here, the identification signal is transmitted by radio communication using a UHF band, and the transmission means selects one frequency from a plurality of frequency channels in the UHF band, and the selected signal is transmitted at the selected frequency. An identification signal may be transmitted.
According to this configuration, each tag of the tag management system selects one frequency from a plurality of frequency channels in the UHF band and transmits it at the selected frequency, so that the possibility of collision is further reduced.

Here, the time length T from the start to the end of the transmission of the identification signal is a value satisfying T1 ≧ T × n (n is an integer of 2 or more), and the transmission means includes the one time slot, The identification signal may be transmitted n times.
According to this configuration, each tag of the tag management system transmits an identification signal a plurality of times within one time slot, so that an error rate in communication can be reduced.

Here, the transmission means transmits the identification signal at the specific period until a predetermined time elapses after the timer is reset by the reset means, and after the predetermined time elapses. The identification signal may be transmitted within one time slot counted by the timer at least once every period longer than the specific period.
According to this configuration, each tag changes the cycle of transmitting the identification signal from the current cycle to a longer cycle when a predetermined time elapses after resetting the timer. Can be extended.

  Here, the reporting device is disposed at an entrance for entering an area group composed of a plurality of areas, a plurality of the receiving devices exist in the tag management system, and each of the plurality of receiving devices is provided for each area. Each area is provided with an electrical device that operates by consuming electric power, and the tag management system is further configured to receive a reception device provided in the area for each area. According to the number of tags indicated by the identification signal, a device control device that controls electric devices provided in the area may be provided.

According to this configuration, the tag management system controls the electrical equipment provided in the area according to the number of tags present in the area for each area, so that the owner of the tag in the area is concerned. The area can be an appropriate environment.
Here, a plurality of entrances are provided in the area group, a plurality of the reporting devices exist in the tag management system, and each reporting device is arranged for each of the plurality of entrances, and the tag management The system may further include a management device that performs control so that the notification timings of the confirmation signals issued by the plurality of notification devices are the same.

  According to this configuration, the alarm device is provided for each of the plurality of entrances, and these alarm devices are controlled so that the timings for transmitting the confirmation signals are the same. Therefore, even if each tag receives the confirmation signal from any reporting device, at the time of transmission of the identification signal, there is no overlap with the identification signal transmitted by other tags. Thereby, even if there are a plurality of entrances, the management system can reduce the possibility of a collision even if a plurality of signals are periodically transmitted, and can improve the management accuracy.

Here, in the tag management system, there are a plurality of the area groups, a plurality of the reporting devices are present in the tag management system, and each reporting device is arranged for each area group, and the tag The management system may further include a management device that controls the notification timings of the confirmation signals issued by the plurality of reporting devices to be the same.
According to this configuration, the tag management system includes a reporting device for each of a plurality of area groups, and these reporting devices are controlled to have the same timing for transmitting a confirmation signal. Therefore, even if each tag receives the confirmation signal from any reporting device, at the time of transmission of the identification signal, the tag does not partially overlap with the identification signal transmitted by other tags. Thereby, the management system can improve the management accuracy in each area group even when there are a plurality of area groups.

1 is a diagram showing an outline of a presence management system 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of tag reader 10a, 10b. It is a figure which shows the timing when LF starting signal is issued. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the tag 20a. It is a figure which shows the timing of transmission of the identification signal which tags 20a and 20b transmit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the presence reader 30a. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the management control apparatus 40a. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of operation of the presence management system 1. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the change process of a transmission permission flag. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an identification signal transmission process. It is a figure which shows the timing of transmission when the transmission cycle of an identification signal is changed. (A) And (b) shows the partial collision of a signal, (c) is a figure which shows the whole collision of a signal.

Hereinafter, a presence management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1. Embodiment 1
1.1 Overview As shown in FIG. 1, a presence management system 1 according to an embodiment includes tag readers (hereinafter also referred to as “TR”) 10a and 10b, tags 20a to 20g, presence readers (hereinafter referred to as “TR”). Also referred to as “PR”) 30a-30d, management control devices 40a-40d, gate control device (hereinafter also referred to as “GU”) 50, lighting devices 60a-60d, and air-conditioning devices 70a-70d. It is configured.

The presence management system 1 manages the location status of users, for example, how many users are in each area in the areas A to D in the floor 2 to be managed, and the lighting devices 60a to 60d according to the status. The illuminance, the temperature of the air conditioners 70a to 70d, and the wind force are controlled.
The TR 10a is used for authentication processing as to whether or not to allow the user to unlock the door 80 when the user enters the management target floor 2. The TR 10b is used for authentication processing for the user when the user leaves the management target floor 2.

In addition, the TRs 10a and 10b issue an LF activation signal by using one frequency of an LF (Low Frequency) band (135 kHz band) at regular intervals (T0) in order to perform an authentication process.
The tags 20a to 20g are used for authentication processing when entering the management target floor 2 and when leaving the management target floor 2. Further, the tags 20a to 20b use one frequency of the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band (400 MHz band) once every specific period until the user enters the management target floor 2 and then exits. An identification signal including identification information for identifying the tag is transmitted. Here, the identification information is specifically an identifier uniquely given to each of the tags 20a to 20g.

The PRs 30a to 30d are arranged in the areas A to D as shown in FIG. The PRs 30a to 30d receive the identification signal transmitted from one or more tags existing in the arranged area with the arranged area as a communicable range.
The management control devices 40a to 40d are arranged in the areas A to D as shown in FIG. 1, and each management control device has the number of one or more tags existing in the arranged area, that is, exists. In accordance with the number of users to perform, the lighting device and the air conditioning device arranged in the area are controlled.

The GU 50 controls the unlocking and locking of the electronic lock of the door 80 according to the result of the authentication processing of the TR 10a and TR 10b.
Details of each device will be described below.
1.2 Tag reader 10a
As shown in FIG. 2, the tag reader 10a includes an I / F (InterFace) unit 110, a notification unit 130, an LF band transmission / reception unit 140, a low power reception unit (UHF band reception unit) 150, and an HF (High). (Frequency) band transmission / reception unit 160, storage unit 170, and control unit 180.

(1) I / F unit 110
The I / F unit 110 has a function of executing communication with the GU 50 according to a predetermined communication standard (for example, RS-485 standard). Specifically, the I / F unit 110 has a function of transmitting a signal transmitted from the GU 50 to the control unit 180 and a function of transmitting information on an authentication result transmitted from the control unit 180 to the GU 50.

(2) Notification unit 130
The notification unit 130 has a function of notifying a user of a status such as an error occurrence in the tag reader 10a using a LED or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provided on the decorative panel of the tag reader 10a, and information related to authentication. .
(3) LF band transceiver 140
The LF band transmission / reception unit 140 performs communication with the tags 20a to 20g, modulates the LF activation signal transmitted from the control unit 180, and transmits the modulated signal through the LF antenna 141 in the LF band. And a function of receiving an identification signal including tag identification information transmitted in a band and transmitting it to the control unit 180. The LF band transceiver 140 also has a function of modulating the response LF activation signal indicating that the signals transmitted from the tags 20a to 20g have been received, and transmitting the modulated LF activation signal via the LF antenna 141 in the LF band. .

  The LF activation signal includes at least the request for identification information of the tags 20a to 20g before the communication with the tags 20a to 20g is performed. In addition, after receiving the identification signal through communication with the tags 20a to 20g, the LF activation signal includes an instruction for permitting transmission of an identification signal for presence management in addition to the content that the identification information has been received. Hereinafter, it is referred to as “first command”).

(4) Low power receiver 150
The low-power receiving unit 150 has a function of receiving signals from the tags 20 a to 20 g via the UHF antenna 151 in the UHF band, demodulating the received signals, and transmitting them to the control unit 180.
(5) HF band transceiver 160
The HF band transmission / reception unit 160 performs communication with a non-contact IC card (not shown), modulates a signal for requesting identification information of the non-contact IC card transmitted from the control unit 180, and performs HF band transmission. It has a function of transmitting via the HF antenna 161 in (13.56 MHz band) and a function of receiving a signal transmitted in the HF band and transmitting it to the control unit 180.

(6) Storage unit 170
The storage unit 170 includes an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), a memory, and the like, and has a function of storing various data and programs necessary for the operation of the tag reader 10a. In addition, the storage unit 170 stores authentication information 171 that is referred to at the time of authentication.
Here, the authentication information 171 includes an identifier for identifying the tags 20a to 20g and the non-contact IC card held by the user permitted to enter and leave the management target floor 2.

(7) Control unit 180
The control unit 180 has a function of controlling each unit of the tag reader 10a by executing a program stored in the storage unit 170.
The control unit 180 has a function of performing authentication using the authentication information 171 when the identification information of the non-contact IC card read by the HF band transmission / reception unit 160 is transmitted from the HF band transmission / reception unit 160.

The control unit 180 also has the following functions.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 180 issues an LF activation signal once every predetermined period T0 (= n × T1 (n is an integer of 1 or more)) for a time length of T1. The operation of the LF band transceiver 140 is controlled. In this embodiment, n = 5. Here, the time length T1 is the time length from the start to the end of the identification signal transmitted from the tags 20a to 20g in the UHF band.

Further, the control unit 180 receives an identification signal transmitted from the tag in the LF band in one time period T1 of the period T0 in which the LF activation signal is not issued, and is included in the received identification signal. Authentication processing using the identifier and authentication information 171 to be performed is performed. Thereafter, the control unit 180 has a function of transmitting the authentication result to the GU 50 via the I / F unit 110.
1.3 Tag reader 10b
Here, although the tag reader 10b will be described, the components are the same as those of the tag reader 10a as shown in FIG. The difference from the tag reader 10a is the content of the LF activation signal issued by the tag reader 10b.

Hereinafter, the different points will be described.
The LF band transmission / reception unit 140 of the tag reader 10b issues an LF activation signal including at least a request for identification information of the tags 20a to 20g, similar to the tag reader 10a, before communication with the tags 20a to 20g is performed. To do.
After receiving the identification signal through communication with the tags 20a to 20g, the LF band transmission / reception unit 140 of the tag reader 10b prohibits the transmission of the identification signal for presence management in addition to the content indicating that the identification information has been received. LF activation signal including at least an instruction to perform (hereinafter referred to as “second command”) is issued.

1.4 Tags 20a-20g
Since the components of the tags 20a to 20g are the same, only the tag 20a will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the tag 20a includes an LF band transmission / reception unit 210, a low power transmission unit (UHF band transmission unit) 220, a memory 230, a button 240, a timer unit 250, a battery 260, and a control unit 270. Yes.

(1) LF band transceiver 210
The LF band transmission / reception unit 210 receives the LF activation signal from the tag readers 10 a and 10 b via the LF antenna 211, demodulates the received LF activation signal, and transmits the received LF activation signal to the control unit 270. It has a function of modulating the transmitted identification signal and transmitting it through the LF antenna 211.

(2) Small power transmission unit 220
The low power transmission unit 220 has a function of modulating the identification signal transmitted from the control unit 270 and transmitting the modulated identification signal via the UHF antenna 221.
(3) Memory 230
The memory 230 stores identification information 231.

(4) Button 240
The button 240 is a button that accepts an operation from the user, and has a function of transmitting a message to that effect to the control unit 270 when a user press is accepted.
(5) Timer unit 250
The timer unit 250 has a function of measuring time.

Specifically, the timer unit 250 includes a crystal oscillator, a first counter that counts time from a value 0 to a time length T1, and a time length T2 from the value 0 (= m × T0 = m × n × T1). And a second counter that counts the time until. Note that m is an integer equal to or greater than 1, and in this embodiment, m = 3.
When the first counter counts from the initial value 0 to the time length T1 by the clock oscillated by the crystal oscillator, the first counter returns to the initial value 0 and performs counting again.

When the initial value is counted from 0 to the time length T2 by the clock oscillated by the crystal oscillator, the second counter returns to the initial value 0 and performs counting again.
(6) Battery 260
The battery 260 has a function of supplying power for transmitting the identification signal in the UHF band to the low power transmission unit 220 and the control unit 270.

(7) Control unit 270
The control unit 270 has a function of controlling each unit of the tag 20a. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control unit 270 includes an LF band transmission / reception control unit 271, a timer reset unit 272, a flag storage unit 273, and a UHF band transmission control unit 274.
(7-1) Flag storage unit 273
The flag storage unit 273 stores a transmission permission flag indicating whether or not the identification signal can be transmitted in the UHF band. Specifically, the transmission permission flag has a value of 0 or 1, with a value of 0 indicating that transmission is prohibited and a value of 1 indicating that transmission is permitted.

(7-2) LF band transmission / reception control unit 271
The LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 performs control related to communication in the LF band.
The LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 reads the identification information 231 from the memory 230 in response to the LF activation signal transmitted from the LF band transmission / reception unit 210 and including the request for the identification signal, and the identification to be transmitted in the LF band. It has a function to transmit to the LF band transceiver 210 as a signal.

When the LF activation signal including the content indicating that the identification information has been received from the tag 20a and the first command is transmitted from the LF band transmission / reception unit 210, the LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 sets the value of the transmission permission flag to 1. Set to.
When the LF activation signal including the content indicating that the identification information is received from the tag 20a and the second command is transmitted from the LF band transmission / reception unit 210, the LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 sets the value of the transmission permission flag to 0. To do.

When the setting of the value of the transmission permission flag is completed, the LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 notifies the timer reset unit 272 to that effect.
(7-3) Timer reset unit 272
The timer reset unit 272 resets each of the first and second counters during the authentication process.

When the timer reset unit 272 receives from the LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 notification of completion of setting of the value for the transmission permission flag, the timer reset unit 272 resets each of the first and second counters, that is, returns to the initial value.
(7-4) UHF band transmission control unit 274
The UHF band transmission control unit 274 performs control related to communication in the UHF band.

The UHF band transmission control unit 274 selects one time slot from the five time slots having the time length T1 within the time length T0. Specifically, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 stores the number of time slots in advance (here, value 5), and randomly selects one of the stored values.
The UHF band transmission control unit 274 uses the first and second counters to select one time slot selected in one time length T0 among the three time lengths divided by the time length T0 within the time length T2. When the time zone is reached, if the transmission permission flag is 1, the identification signal is transmitted to the low power transmission unit 220. Specifically, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 has a control counter whose initial value is 1 in advance. The UHF band transmission control unit 274 counts up the value of the control counter by one each time the time length T1 is counted by the first counter of the timer unit 250, that is, every time the initial value returns to 0. Then, when the value becomes equal to the randomly selected one value, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 determines that the time slot of the selected one time slot has been reached. In addition, when the first and second counters by the timer reset unit 272 are reset, and when the second counter is reset every time the time length T2 is counted, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 Reset the counter to the initial value.

Further, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 causes the low-power transmission unit 220 to transmit an identification signal generated by pressing the button 240 only when request signals from the tag readers 10a and 10b are received.
(8) Specific example of transmission of identification signal Here, the transmission timing of the identification signal in the UHF band will be described using a specific example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the timing of transmitting an identification signal in the UHF band from each of the tags 20a and 20b.
The tag reader 10a transmits an LF activation signal t10 including the content indicating that the identification information from the tag 20a has been received and the first command. When the tag 20a receives the signal, the tag 20a resets the first and second counters of the timer unit 250 of the tag 20a. In the figure, the resetting of the timer means resetting of the first and second counters.

  Then, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 of the tag 20a selects one time slot (here, it is assumed that the selected time slot is the third). Thereafter, when the time measured by the first counter of the tag 20a reaches the time slot of the selected third time slot in the period T2, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 of the tag 20a transmits an identification signal in the UHF band. It controls the low power transmission unit 220 of the tag 20a. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the identification signal is transmitted in the third time slot in the first time length T0 in the period T2 (see t20 and t21).

  When the tag 20b receives the LF activation signal t11 including the content indicating that the identification information from the tag 20b has been received and the first command, the tag 20b resets each of the first and second counters of the timer unit 250 of the tag 20b. To do. Then, one time slot is selected (here, it is assumed that the selected time slot is the fourth). Thereafter, when the time counted by the first counter of the tag 20b reaches the time slot of the selected fourth time slot in the period T2, an identification signal is transmitted in the UHF band. Here, the identification signal is transmitted in the fourth time slot in the first time length T0 of T2 (see t30 and t31).

1.5 Presence readers 30a-30d
Since the constituent elements of the presence readers 30a to 30d are the same, the presence reader 30a will be described here.
As shown in FIG. 6, the presence reader 30 a includes an I / F unit 310, a notification unit 330, a low power reception unit (UHF band reception unit) 340, and a control unit 350.

(1) I / F unit 310
The I / F unit 310 has a function of executing communication with the management control device 40a according to a predetermined communication standard (for example, RS-485 standard). Specifically, the I / F unit 310 transmits the signal transmitted from the management control device 40a to the control unit 350 and the identification information transmitted from the control unit 350 to the management control device 40a. It has a function.

(2) Notification unit 330
The notification unit 330 has a function of notifying the user of information regarding the occurrence of an error or the like in the presence reader 30a and information related to authentication, using an LED or LCD provided on the decorative panel of the presence reader 30a.
(3) Small power receiver 340
The low power receiving unit 340 receives the identification signal transmitted from one or more tags in the area A where the presence reader 30a is installed via the UHF antenna 341 in the UHF band, and demodulates the received identification signal. And has a function of transmitting to the control unit 350.

(4) Control unit 350
The control unit 350 has a function of controlling each unit of the presence reader 30a.
When receiving the identification signal from the low power receiving unit 340, the control unit 350 transmits the identification information included in the identification signal to the management control device 40a via the I / F unit 310.
1.6 Management control devices 40a to 40d
Since the management control devices 40a to 40d are the same components, the management control device 40a will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 7, the management control device 40a includes a history information storage unit 410, a received number information storage unit 420, a first I / F unit 430, and a second I / F unit 440.
(1) History information storage unit 410
The history information storage unit 410 stores history information related to reception of identification information transmitted from the presence reader 30a.

Here, the history information includes identification information transmitted for each of one or more tags existing in the area A and the date and time when the management control device 40a received the identification information.
(2) Received number information storage unit 420
The received number information storage unit 420 stores the number of tags present in the area A that is the management target of the presence reader 30a.

(3) First I / F unit 430
The first I / F unit 430 has a function of executing communication with the presence reader 30a in accordance with a predetermined communication standard (for example, RS-485 standard). Specifically, the first I / F unit 430 has a function of transmitting identification information transmitted from the presence reader 30a to the control unit 450 and a function of transmitting information transmitted from the control unit 450 to the presence reader 30a. Have

(4) Second I / F unit 440
The second I / F unit 440 has a function of executing communication with the lighting device 60a and the air conditioning device 70a in accordance with a predetermined communication standard (for example, RS-485 standard). Specifically, the second I / F unit 440 has a function of transmitting signals related to the control of these devices transmitted from the control unit 450 to the lighting device 60a and the air conditioning device 70a.

(5) Control unit 450
The control unit 450 has a function of controlling each unit of the management control device 40a.
The control unit 450 has a clocking function for clocking the date and time, and receives the identification information from the presence reader 30a, and acquires the date and time by the clocking function. The control unit 450 writes history information including the received identification information and the acquired date and time in the history information storage unit 410.

The control unit 450 periodically checks the number of tags existing in the area A, that is, the number of users (for example, every 5 minutes), and controls the lighting device 60a and the air conditioning device 70a according to the result. .
Specifically, based on the history information stored in history information storage unit 410, control unit 450 acquires the number of identification information received at least once in the past 5 minutes from the present. The control unit 450 transmits a control signal to the lighting device 60a and the air conditioning device 70a so that the illuminance of the lighting device 60a is changed and the temperature and wind force of the air conditioning are changed according to the acquired number. For example, when the acquired number is 0, a control signal instructing to turn off the power of the lighting device 60a is transmitted to the lighting device 60a, and that the power of the air conditioning device 70a is turned off to the air conditioning device 70a. A control signal to be instructed is transmitted. If the acquired number is 10 or more, a control signal is transmitted to the illumination device 60a to make the illuminance brighter than the current setting, and the temperature and wind power are set to the air conditioning device 70a from the current setting. Transmits a control signal for lowering the temperature and increasing the wind force.

1.7 Operation (1) Outline of Operation Here, the outline of the operation of the presence management system 1 using the tag readers 10a and 10b, the tag 20a, and the presence reader 30a will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The tag reader 10a issues an LF activation signal including requesting identification information once within the period T0 (step S5). Hereinafter, an LF activation signal including a request for identification information is referred to as an LF activation signal (request).
When the tag 20a receives the LF activation signal (request), the tag 20a transmits an identification signal in the LF band to the tag reader 10a (step S10).

  When the tag reader 10a issues the LF activation signal after receiving the identification signal from the tag 20a, the tag reader 10a issues the information including the content indicating that the identification information has been received and the first command (step S15). Hereinafter, it is referred to as an LF activation signal (response) including the content that the identification information has been received. Further, when the tag reader 10a receives the identification signal, the tag reader 10a also performs an authentication process.

  When the tag 20a receives the LF activation signal (response) including the first command, the tag 20a resets each of the first and second counters of the timer unit 250 and selects a time slot for transmitting an identification signal in the UHF band. Then, an identification signal is transmitted in the UHF band in the selected time slot once in period T2 (steps S20 and S25). At this time, the presence reader 30a receives the identification signal transmitted from the tag 20a in the UHF band. The presence reader 30a transmits the identification information included in the received identification signal to the management control device 40a. The management control device 40a stores and stores history information including the identification signal transmitted from the presence reader 30a. The lighting device 60a and the air conditioning device 70a are controlled periodically using the existing history information.

The tag reader 10b issues an LF activation signal (request) once within the period T0 (step S30).
When the tag 20a receives the LF activation signal (request), the tag 20a transmits an identification signal in the LF band to the tag reader 10a (step S35).
When the tag reader 10b issues the LF activation signal (response) after receiving the identification signal from the tag 20a, the tag reader 10b issues the notification including the second command (step S40). When the tag 20a receives the LF activation signal (response) including the second command, the tag 20a suppresses transmission of the identification signal in the UHF band.

(2) Operation at the time of receiving the LF activation signal (response) The operation when the tags 20a to 20g receive the LF activation signal (response) (transmission permission flag changing process) is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.
Since the tags 20a to 20g perform the same operation, the operation of the tag 20a will be described here.

The LF band transceiver 210 of the tag 20a receives the LF activation signal (response) from the tag readers 10a and 10b (step S100).
The LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 determines whether or not the first command is included in the received LF activation signal (response) (step S105).
When it is determined that the first command is included (“Yes” in step S105), the LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 sets the value of the transmission permission flag stored in the flag storage unit 273 to 1 (step S110). . When it is determined that the first command is not included, that is, the second command is included (“No” in step S105), the LF band transmission / reception control unit 271 sets the value of the transmission permission flag to 0 (step S115). .

The timer reset unit 272 resets the values of the first and second counters of the timer unit 250 (step S120).
(3) Identification Signal Transmission Processing in UHF Band In the following, tag 20a to 20g will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 regarding identification signal transmission processing in the UHF band.

Since the tags 20a to 20g perform the same operation, the operation of the tag 20a will be described here.
The UHF band transmission control unit 274 of the tag 20a selects one time slot used for transmitting the identification signal (step S200).
The UHF band transmission control unit 274 determines whether or not the time count of the first counter has reached the selected time slot (step S205).

  When it is determined that the time measured by the first counter has reached the selected time slot (“Yes” in step S205), the UHF band transmission control unit 274 determines the value of the transmission permission flag stored in the flag storage unit 273. Is determined to be 1 (step S210). When determining that the value is 1 (“Yes” in step S210), the UHF band transmission control unit 274 causes the low-power transmission unit 220 to transmit an identification signal (step S215).

When it is determined that the time count of the first counter has not reached the selected time slot (“No” in Step S205), the value is not 1, that is, the value is determined to be 0 (“No” in Step S210). No ") and after transmitting the identification signal in step S215, the process returns to step S205.
1.8 Modifications In the above embodiment, the method of implementing the present invention has been described, but it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. Hereinafter, various modified examples included in the present invention other than the above-described embodiment will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, the time slot selection method may be a random selection method.
Alternatively, a predetermined time slot may be selected. Specifically, a number is sequentially associated in advance with each time slot divided by the time length T1 in the time length T0, and each tag stores in advance one of the associated numbers. This makes it possible to select a time slot used for transmitting the identification signal.

(2) In the above embodiment, the time slot is selected by the tag itself, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The tag reader 10a may designate a time slot used for transmitting an identification signal in the UHF band.
Specifically, the tag reader 10a sequentially assigns numbers (1 to n) to n time slots, and sequentially assigns time slots 1 to n to each tag in the order in which authentication is performed.

Alternatively, a number of time slots to be skipped may be assigned by a fixed number. Alternatively, the number may be selected so that the newly assigned time slot is the most distant time slot from the time slot assigned immediately before.
(3) In the above embodiment, the frequency of the UHF band when transmitting the identification signal to the presence readers 30a to 30d may be the same for all the tags, or may be different from each other. Also good.

Alternatively, the frequency at which the tag reader 10a uses the identification signal in the UHF band for transmission may be specified.
Alternatively, when each tag transmits an identification signal to the presence readers 30a to 30d, it selects one frequency from a plurality of frequency channels in the UHF band and transmits the identification signal at the selected one frequency. Good.

(4) In the above embodiment, the time length T1 of the time slot is the time length from the start to the end of transmission of the identification signal, and the identification signal is transmitted once in the UHF band in one time slot. It is not limited.
When the time length from the start to the end of the transmission of the identification signal is T1 ′, the time length T1 of the time slot is set to the time length T1 ′ or more, that is, T1 ≧ q × T1 ′ (q is an integer of 1 or more) The identification signal may be transmitted q times in the UHF band in one time slot.

(5) In the above embodiment, after the identification signal (response) including the first command is received, the identification signal is always transmitted in the UHF band every period T2, but the present invention is not limited to this.
After a predetermined time (for example, r × T2 (r is an integer equal to or greater than 2)) has elapsed after the first and second counters of the timer unit 250 are reset, the period is changed, for example, the period T3 The identification signal may be transmitted in the UHF band every (> T2).

FIG. 11 shows the timing at which the tag 20a in this case transmits an identification signal in the UHF band. Here, the cycle T3 = 5 × T0 = 5/3 × T2> T2.
The tag reader 10a transmits an LF activation signal t100 including the content indicating that the identification information from the tag 20a has been received and the first command. When the tag 20a receives the signal, the tag 20a resets the first and second counters of the tag 20a. Then, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 of the tag 20a selects one time slot (here, it is assumed that the selected time slot is the third). Thereafter, when the time measured by the first counter of the tag 20a reaches the time slot of the selected third time slot in the period T2, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 of the tag 20a transmits an identification signal in the UHF band. It controls the low power transmission unit 220 of the tag 20a. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the identification signal is transmitted in the third time slot in the first time length T0 in the period T2 (see t200, t201, and t202).

  After receiving the LF activation signal t100 including the first command, that is, after resetting the first and second counters, the tag 20a transmits an identification signal when a predetermined time (r × T2) elapses. The period is changed from T2 to T3, and the transmission of the identification signal is continued (see t210 and t211). At this time, for example, the clocking period of the second counter is changed from the time length T2 to the time length T3.

In FIG. 11, the tag 20a uses the same time slot for the period T3 and the time slot used for the period T2. However, when the period is switched, the tag 20a may select the time slot to be used again. Good.
(6) In the above embodiment, one entrance to the management target floor 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

There may be a plurality of entrances to the management target floor 2.
In this case, it can be realized by providing a tag reader 10a for entering and a tag reader 10b for leaving at each doorway, and a control device for synchronizing each tag reader.
The control device controls each tag reader to be synchronized by polling each tag reader. Alternatively, each tag reader is controlled to be synchronized by transmitting a synchronization signal to each tag reader.

Thereby, even if a user enters a room from any doorway, each tag is synchronized.
(7) In the above embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the management target floor 2 is one, but the present invention is not limited to this. There may be a plurality of management target floors 2.
In this case, it can be realized by providing a tag reader 10a for entering and a tag reader 10b for leaving at each entrance / exit of each floor and providing a control device for synchronizing each tag reader. Since the synchronization method has been described above, a description thereof is omitted here.

In the above case, each time the LF activation signal (response) is received from each tag reader 10a, the tags 20a to 20g are configured to reset the first and second counters of the timer unit 250, respectively.
However, when there is a tag reader 10a for each floor, the tags 20a to 20g reset the first and second counters each time the tag readers are synchronized and the LF activation signal (response) is received. There is no need to configure.

  Only when the LF activation signal (response) from a specific tag reader is received, the tags 20a to 20g may reset the first and second counters of the timer unit 250. For example, the specific tag reader is a tag reader provided at the entrance / exit of the floor (for example, the first floor in the case of a building) where the user always enters the room first. In this case, the LF activation signal (response) issued by the specific tag reader includes information indicating that the specific tag reader is a specific tag reader.

Thereby, since the tags 20a to 20g always synchronize by resetting the first and second counters, it is not necessary to synchronize at the time of authentication for entering the other floor. Further, there is no need to provide a control device for synchronizing the tag readers.
(8) Although the transmission of the identification signal in the UHF band is suppressed based on the value of the transmission permission flag in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

Suppression of the transmission of the identification signal in the UHF band may be suppressed by an operation using the button 240, or may be suppressed when a certain time (for example, 8 hours) elapses after the transmission process is activated.
(9) In the above embodiment, the time slot is selected when the identification signal transmission process is activated, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The time slot may be selected every time the LF activation signal (response) including the first command is received, that is, whenever the value 1 is set in the transmission permission flag.
Alternatively, a time slot may be selected every cycle T2 in which the identification signal is transmitted in the UHF band.
(10) In the above embodiment, the identification signal transmitted to the presence readers 30a to 30d uses the UHF band in one time slot (selected time slot) within the time length T0 that appears first among the time length T2. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

The timing at which the identification signal is transmitted in the UHF band may be performed in any time length T0 among the plurality of time lengths T0 divided in the time length T2.
In this case, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 has a first control counter and a second control counter instead of having one control counter. The first control counter has an initial value of 1, and increments the value by 1 each time the time length T1 is counted by the first counter of the timer unit 250, that is, every time the initial value returns to 0. . When the number of time slots, that is, the value n is reached, the first control counter is reset to the initial value 1 by the UHF band transmission control unit 274. The second control counter has an initial value of 1, and is incremented by 1 when the first control counter is reset. The first control counter is reset to the initial value 1 by the UHF band transmission control unit 274 when it reaches the number of time lengths T0 within the time length T2, that is, the value m (here, m = 3).

  The UHF band transmission control unit 274 randomly selects one value from the number of time slots stored in advance (here, value 5) (hereinafter referred to as a first selection value). Furthermore, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 also stores in advance the number of time lengths T0 (value 3 in this case) within the time length T2, and randomly selects one value from the number (hereinafter referred to as the first value). It is called the selected value of 2.)

When the value of the second control counter is the same as the second selection value and the value of the first control counter is the same as the first selection value, the UHF band transmission control unit 274 The band transmission control unit 274 determines that the time slot of the selected one time slot has been reached.
Thereby, the timing at which the identification signal is transmitted in the UHF band is performed within one of the time lengths T0 among the plurality of time lengths T0 divided in the time length T2.

(11) In the above embodiment, the tags 20a to 20g transmit the identification signal in the UHF band once in the time length T2, but the present invention is not limited to this.
When m is an integer of 2 or more, the tags 20a to 20g use p (p is an integer of 2 to m) time lengths T0 among m time lengths T0 divided in the time length T2. Thus, the identification signal may be transmitted p times in the UHF band.

In this case, it can be realized by the UHF band transmission control unit 274 selecting one or more of the above-described second selection values from the number of time lengths T0 (value 3 in this case) within the time length T2.
(12) In the above embodiment, the first counter counts up from the initial value 0 to the time length T1, but is not limited to this.
The first counter may be a time counting method in which the initial value is T1, and the count down from T1 to 0 is possible.

Similarly, for the second counter, a time counting method may be used in which the initial value is m × n and the countdown from T2 to value 1 is performed.
(13) In the above embodiment, communication is performed in one direction (direction from the tag to the presence reader) between the tag and the presence reader. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
Bidirectional communication may be performed between the tag and the presence reader. For example, when a presence reader receives an identification signal from a tag, the presence reader transmits a response signal including identification information included in the received identification signal. By receiving a response signal including its own identification information, the tag recognizes that it is communicating with the presence reader, that is, is in the management target area. If the tag does not receive a response signal including its own identification information for a certain period of time (for example, 5 minutes), it is determined that the tag is not in the management target area, and the identification information is periodically transmitted in the UHF band. To prevent specific transmission.

(14) In the above embodiment, the presence reader and the management control device are separate, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The presence management system 1 may be realized as a presence reader, a management control device, and a single device.
(15) In the above embodiment, the period T2 is m times the time length T0 (m is an integer of 1 or more), but is not limited thereto.

The period T2 is an integral multiple of the time length T1 and may be equal to or longer than the time length T0 (= n × T1). Here, n is an integer of 1 or more, and here, n = 5 as in the embodiment.
For example, when the time length T2 = n ′ × T1 (n ′ is an integer greater than n) and the second counter reaches the value n ′ and the first counter returns to the initial value 0, the second counter This can be realized by returning the counter value to the initial value 1.

(16) In the above embodiment, the tags 20a to 20g have selected the time slot within one time length T0 among the plurality of time lengths T0 divided at the period T2, but the present invention is not limited to this.
In the case of the cycle T2 ≧ s × T0 (s × n × T1), one time slot may be selected from the s × n time slots T1 existing in T2.

(17) In the above embodiment, the tags 20a to 20g are used for authentication when entering and leaving the management target floor 2, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The tags 20a to 20g may be used only for presence management, and only a contactless IC card may be used for authentication.
In this case, the LF band transmission / reception unit 140 of the tag reader 10a periodically issues only the LF activation signal including the first command, and the LF band transmission / reception unit 140 of the tag reader 10b periodically transmits only the LF activation signal including the second command. To report.

(18) In the above embodiment, the management control devices 40a to 40d are the lighting devices 60a to 60d and the air conditioning devices 70a to 70d as control targets, but are not limited thereto.
In addition to these, the control target may be an electric device that operates by consuming electric power, such as an electric curtain.
(19) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the transmission time of the LF activation signal (the time from the start to the end of transmission of the LF signal) is the time length T1, that is, the identification signal transmitted in the UHF band. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

The period T0 for transmitting the LF activation signal only needs to be an integral multiple of the time length T1, and there is no need to have a dependency between the transmission time of the LF activation signal and the time length T1.
(20) The method described in the above embodiment may be realized by an apparatus or an integrated circuit. In addition, a program describing the procedure of the above method is stored in a memory, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like reads the program from the memory and executes the read program, thereby realizing the above method. You may do it.

(21) A program describing the procedure of the method described in the above embodiment may be stored in a recording medium and distributed.
(22) In the above embodiment, the management control devices 40a to 40d control the lighting devices 60a to 60d and the air conditioning devices 70a to 70d based on the number of tags present in the area, but the present invention is not limited to this. .

  The management control devices 40a to 40d may control the lighting devices 60a to 60d and the air conditioning devices 70a to 70d based on the received tag identification information. For example, when the management control device 40a receives a specific identifier A with identification information, the management control device 40a may control to increase the illuminance of the corresponding lighting device 60a. Further, when the management control device 40a receives a specific identifier B with identification information, the management control device 40a may control the temperature of the corresponding air conditioner 70a to be lower than the currently set temperature.

Thereby, it is possible to control the lighting device and the air conditioning device for each individual holding the tag.
(23) The above embodiment and the above modifications may be combined.
(24) The tag management system in the present invention corresponds to the presence management system 1 in the above embodiment.

Further, the reporting device corresponds to the tag reader 10a in the above embodiment, and the receiving device corresponds to the presence readers 30a to 30d in the above embodiment.
The confirmation signal corresponds to the LF activation signal in the above-described embodiment, particularly the LF activation signal including the first command.

1 Presence management system 2 Floors to be managed 10a, 10b Tag reader (TR)
20a-20g Tag 30a-30d Presence Reader (PR)
40a to 40d Management control device 50 Gate control device (GU)
60a to 60d Lighting equipment 70a to 70d Air conditioning equipment 110 I / F unit 130 Notification unit 140 LF band transmission / reception unit 141 LF antenna 150 Low power reception unit 151 UHF antenna 160 HF band transmission / reception unit 161 HF antenna 170 Storage unit 171 Authentication information 180 Control Unit 210 LF band transmission / reception unit 211 LF antenna 220 low power transmission unit 221 UHF antenna 230 memory 231 identification information 240 button 250 timer 260 battery 270 control unit 271 LF band transmission / reception control unit 272 timer reset unit 273 flag storage unit 274 UHF band transmission control Unit 310 I / F unit 330 notification unit 340 low power reception unit 341 UHF antenna 350 control unit 410 history information storage unit 420 received number information storage unit 430 first I / F unit 440 second I / F unit 45 Control unit

Claims (7)

Tag management system comprising a plurality of tags, a notification device that issues a confirmation signal, and a reception device that periodically receives an identification signal for identifying the tag from each of one or more tags that have received the confirmation signal Because
The notification device periodically issues the confirmation signal with a time length T0 as one cycle,
Each of the plurality of tags is
A timer for measuring each time slot having a time length T1 satisfying T0 = T1 × m (m is an integer of 1 or more);
Receiving means for receiving the confirmation signal;
When the confirmation signal is received, reset means for resetting the timer;
Transmission means for transmitting the identification signal to the receiving device in one time slot timed by the timer at least once every specific period of time length T0 or more after resetting the timer;
The transmission means includes
After the timer is reset by the reset means, the identification signal is transmitted at the specific period until a predetermined time elapses, and after the predetermined time elapses, A tag management system , wherein the identification signal is transmitted in one time slot counted by the timer at least once every long period . When the notification device transmits the confirmation signal, it also issues designation information for designating one time slot to be used for transmission of the identification signal,
2. The tag management system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the identification signal in one time slot designated by the designation information issued from the reporting device. The identification signal is transmitted by wireless communication using the UHF band,
The transmission means includes
The tag management system according to claim 1, wherein one frequency is selected from a plurality of frequency channels in the UHF band, and the identification signal is transmitted at the selected one frequency. The time length T from the start to the end of transmission of the identification signal is a value satisfying T1 ≧ T × n (n is an integer of 2 or more),
The tag management system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the identification signal n times within the one time slot. The alarm device is disposed at an entrance for entering an area group consisting of a plurality of areas,
There are a plurality of the receiving devices in the tag management system, each of the plurality of receiving devices is arranged for each area,
Each area is equipped with electrical equipment that operates by consuming power,
The tag management system further includes:
A device control device that controls an electrical device provided in the area according to the number of tags indicated by an identification signal received by the reception device provided in the area is provided for each area. Item 2. The tag management system according to Item 1. Entrances are provided at a plurality of locations in the area group,
A plurality of the reporting devices exist in the tag management system, and each reporting device is arranged for each of the plurality of entrances,
The tag management system further includes:
The tag management system according to claim 5 , further comprising: a management device that controls the notification timings of the confirmation signals issued by the plurality of reporting devices to be the same. In the tag management system, there are a plurality of the area groups,
A plurality of the reporting devices exist in the tag management system, and each reporting device is arranged for each area group,
The tag management system further includes:
The tag management system according to claim 5 , further comprising: a management device that controls the notification timings of the confirmation signals issued by the plurality of reporting devices to be the same.

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