JP7568904B2 - Tag Reader - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a tag reader for reading information stored in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag.

In recent years, in addition to general RFID tags that store information specified by a user, various types of special RFID tags have appeared. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a special RFID tag that stores measurement information from a sensor.

JP 2008-217556 A

The emergence of special RFID tags has led to an increase in environments where general RFID tags and special RFID tags coexist. For example, when reading information from a special RFID tag in an environment where general RFID tags and special RFID tags coexist, a user operates a tag reader to change the settings from a setting that does not use special RFID tags to a setting that uses special RFID tags. Users may find the operation of changing the settings cumbersome.

This specification provides technology to improve user convenience in an environment where multiple types of RFID tags are mixed.

The tag reading device disclosed in this specification includes a reader capable of transmitting radio waves and receiving a response from the RFID tag to the radio waves; a memory that stores discrimination information for discriminating the first type RFID tag from among multiple types of RFID tags including a first type RFID tag and a second type RFID tag; a discrimination unit that, when the reader transmits the radio waves and receives a first response to the radio waves from a target RFID tag, discriminates whether the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag by using the first response already received and the discrimination information in the memory; and a first request transmission unit that, when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag, transmits a request to read specific information stored in the first type RFID tag via the reader to the target RFID tag that is the first type RFID tag, and, when it is determined that the target RFID tag is not the first type RFID tag, does not transmit the request to the target RFID tag.

According to this configuration, the tag reading device uses the received first response and the discrimination information in the memory to determine that the target RFID tag is a first type RFID tag, and automatically transmits a request to the target RFID tag to read specific information stored in the first type RFID tag. The user does not need to operate the tag reading device to change the setting of the tag reading device from a setting that does not transmit the request to a setting that transmits the request. User convenience can be improved in an environment where multiple types of RFID tags are mixed.

The first response that has been received includes first information stored in a first memory area of the RFID tag and second information stored in a second memory area of the RFID tag that is different from the first memory area, and the discrimination unit may use the first information in the first response and the discrimination information in the memory to determine whether the target RFID tag is the first type of RFID tag, and when it is determined that the target RFID tag is not the first type of RFID tag using the first information in the first response and the discrimination information in the memory, the discrimination unit may use the second information in the first response and the discrimination information in the memory to determine whether the target RFID tag is the first type of RFID tag.

With this configuration, the type of RFID tag is identified using information from multiple areas, improving the accuracy of the identification.

The received first response includes first identification information for identifying the target RFID tag, and the tag reading device may further include a storage control unit that stores the first identification information in the received first response in the memory when the reader receives the first response from the target RFID tag, and a second request transmission unit that receives a second response to the radio waves from a next RFID tag after the first identification information is stored in the memory, and transmits the request to read the information stored in the first type RFID tag to the next RFID tag, which is the first type RFID tag, without performing discrimination using the discrimination information in the memory, when the received second response includes second identification information that is the same as the first identification information stored in the memory.

With this configuration, it is possible to omit re-identification of the next RFID tag, whose type has already been identified. By omitting re-identification, the information stored in the next RFID tag can be read quickly.

Another tag reading device disclosed in this specification includes a reader capable of transmitting radio waves and receiving a response to the radio waves from the RFID tag, a discrimination radio wave transmitting unit that transmits discrimination radio waves via the reader to discriminate the first type RFID tag from among multiple types of RFID tags including a first type RFID tag and a second type RFID tag, a discrimination unit that uses the response result to the discrimination radio waves to discriminate whether the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag, and a first request transmitting unit that transmits a request to read specific information stored in the first type RFID tag via the reader to the target RFID tag that is the first type RFID tag when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag, and the first request transmitting unit does not transmit the request to the target RFID tag when it is determined that the target RFID tag is not the first type RFID tag.

According to this configuration, the tag reading device uses the response result to the discrimination radio wave to determine that the target RFID tag is a first type RFID tag, and automatically transmits a request to the target RFID tag to read the information stored in the first type RFID tag. The user does not need to operate the tag reading device to change the settings of the tag reading device from a setting that transmits the request to a setting that transmits the request. In an environment where multiple types of RFID tags are mixed, it is possible to improve user convenience.

The discrimination radio wave may be a command that can be interpreted by the first type of RFID tag and cannot be interpreted by the second type of RFID tag.

The first type of RFID tag can communicate using a first communication protocol, and the second type of RFID tag can communicate using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, and the discrimination radio wave can be a command according to the first communication protocol.

The tag reading device may further include an alarm unit that executes an alarm operation to a user of the tag reading device, and an alarm control unit that causes the alarm unit to execute a first alarm operation when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the first type of RFID tag, and causes the alarm unit to execute a second alarm operation different from the first alarm operation when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the second type of RFID tag.

With this configuration, in an environment where multiple types of RFID tags are mixed, the user can be informed of which type of RFID tag is being read. This improves user convenience.

The notification control unit may further cause the notification unit to execute a third notification operation to notify a user that communication to read the specific information stored in the first type of RFID tag will begin before transmitting the request to the target RFID tag, which is the first type of RFID tag, when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the first type of RFID tag.

With this configuration, the user can be notified that reading of information from a first type of RFID tag (e.g., a special RFID tag) has begun.

The power consumption of the first type of RFID tag is greater than the power consumption of the second type of RFID tag, and the tag reading device may further include a power control unit that increases the output of the reader when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the first type of RFID tag.

This configuration makes it possible to prevent failure to read information stored in a first type of RFID tag, which consumes a large amount of power, due to a lack of radio wave power.

1 shows block diagrams of a tag reader, a general RFID tag, and a specialized RFID tag. 3 shows a flowchart of a process executed in the tag reader of the first embodiment. 1 shows a flowchart of a determination process. 13 shows a flowchart of a process executed in the tag reading device according to the second and third embodiments. 13 shows a flowchart of a process executed in a tag reader according to a fourth embodiment.

(First embodiment)
The tag reader 10 according to the first embodiment is a device for reading information stored in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag (e.g., 100, 200). Note that, in order to simplify understanding, only two RFID tags 100, 200 are shown in Fig. 1, but in reality, an environment in which three or more RFID tags exist is assumed.

(RFID tag; Figure 1)
In recent years, various kinds of RFID tags have appeared. A general RFID tag 100 is an RFID tag that stores information (e.g., a product number) specified by a user. On the other hand, a special RFID tag 200 has other functions in addition to the function of storing information specified by a user. The other functions are, for example, a function of storing the measurement value of a sensor (not shown). In a modified example, the other functions are, for example, a function of displaying various information (e.g., product name, price) on a display provided on the special RFID tag.

As shown in FIG. 1, an RFID tag has three storage areas: an EPC (short for Electronic Product Code) area, a TID (short for Tag identifier) area, and a user area. The EPC area is an area for storing a GS1 identification code that complies with the GS1 standard. The TID area is an area for storing information specified by the RFID tag manufacturer (e.g., model name, serial number). The user area is an area for storing user-specified information (e.g., product number) specified by the user who uses the RFID tag.

For example, in a special RFID tag 200, the sensor measurement value is stored in a specific area of the user area that is identified by a specific address. In a modified example, the sensor measurement value may be stored in a specific area within the TID area.

When an RFID tag receives a trigger signal from tag reader 20 (described later) that triggers reading, it transmits the information stored in the EPC area, TID area, and user area as a response to the trigger signal. Here, in a special RFID tag, the response does not include the measurement value stored in the specific area. When a special RFID tag receives a request signal from tag reader 20 that is different from the trigger signal, it transmits the measurement value within the specific area as a response to the request signal. The request signal includes a specific address that identifies the specific area.

(Configuration of tag reader 10; FIG. 1)
The tag reading device 10 is a portable terminal device carried by a user. The tag reading device 10 is also a terminal device capable of reading information stored in RFID tags present in the vicinity. The tag reading device 10 includes an instruction button 12, a display unit 14, a tag reader 20, and a control unit 30.

The instruction button 12 is a button for instructing the transmission of radio waves (i.e., carrier signals). The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information.

The tag reader 20 is a reader for reading information stored in RFID tags present around the tag reading device 10. The tag reader 20 includes a transmission circuit 22, a reception circuit 24, and an antenna 26. The transmission circuit 22 is a circuit for generating a carrier signal to be radiated by the antenna 26 in response to instructions from the control unit 30.

The receiving circuit 24 is a circuit for supplying the response received from the RFID tag to the control unit 30 via the antenna 26. The response is a carrier signal radiated from each RFID tag in response to the carrier signal radiated from the antenna 26.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 40 stored in the memory 34. For example, the CPU 32 can read information stored in an RFID tag by communicating with the RFID tag via the tag reader 20. The read information is displayed on the display unit 14. The read information may also be transmitted to an external device (e.g., a server).

The memory 34 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc. In addition to the program 40, the memory 34 stores discrimination information 42 and a management table 50. The control unit 30 executes various processes (e.g., the process in FIG. 2) according to the program 40 in the memory 34.

The discrimination information 42 is information for discriminating the special RFID tag 200 from among the general RFID tag 100 and the special RFID tag 200. The discrimination information 42 is, for example, a character string that is unique to the special RFID tag 200 (for example, a special model name, a special GS1 identification code).

The management table 50 is a table that manages the results of reading multiple special RFIDs. For each of multiple special RFIDs, the management table 50 stores a serial number that identifies the RFID, the read information read from the RFID, and a success flag in association with each other. If the reading of the special RFID tag is successful, the read information includes information in the user area (e.g., user-specified information, sensor measurement value), and the success flag indicates "ON". If the reading of the special RFID tag fails, the read information includes part of the information in the user area or error information described below, and the success flag indicates "OFF". Furthermore, the read results of general RFIDs are managed by a different table. In a modified example, the read results of general RFIDs may also be managed by the same management table 50.

Each piece of information in management table 50 is deleted from management table 50 when a predetermined period of time (e.g., one hour) has passed since the information was read.

(Tag reader processing; Figure 2)
The process executed by the CPU 32 of the tag reader 10 in accordance with the program 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The process in Fig. 2 is for reading information in an RFID tag. The process in Fig. 2 is triggered by pressing the instruction button 12, and is executed repeatedly until the instruction button 12 is released.

In S10, the CPU 32 instructs the transmission circuit 22 of the tag reader 20 to transmit a trigger signal. This causes the transmission circuit 22 to start transmitting the trigger signal via the antenna 26.

In S12, the CPU 32 receives a response to the trigger signal of S10 from an RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as the "target RFID tag") present in the vicinity via the tag reader 20. Then, the CPU 32 judges whether the response includes the serial number stored in the management table 50. For example, if the target RFID tag is a special RFID tag and a response has been received from the target RFID tag in the past, the target RFID tag is judged to be a special RFID tag in the discrimination process (S20, see FIG. 3) described later, and the serial number of the target RFID tag is stored in the management table 50 (see S66 in FIG. 3). That is, discrimination of the target RFID tag has been performed in the past. If the CPU 32 judges that the response to the trigger signal includes the serial number stored in the management table 50 (YES in S12), it skips the discrimination process of S20 and proceeds to S30. It is possible to omit re-discrimination for a target RFID tag whose type has been discriminated once. By eliminating the need to check again, the information stored in the target RFID tag can be read quickly.

In S30, the CPU 32 determines whether the success flag stored in the management table 50 in association with the serial number included in the response received in S12 indicates "ON". If the CPU 32 determines that the success flag indicates "ON" (YES in S30), it determines that the target RFID tag was successfully read in the past, skips the processes of S32 to S44, and returns to the process of S10.

When the CPU 32 determines that the success flag indicates "OFF" (NO in S30), it starts special tag communication in S32. Special tag communication includes transmitting a request signal via the tag reader 20 and receiving a response to the request signal via the tag reader 20. Here, if the amount of measurement value information stored in the special RFID tag 200 is large, the request signal is repeatedly transmitted. For this reason, the processing time for special tag communication is relatively long.

In the next step S34, the CPU 32 causes the display unit 14 to display a start notification. The start notification is a message to notify the user that special tag communication has started. This allows the user to know that special tag communication has started. Furthermore, if the user moves away from the area around the target RFID tag during a long processing time, the special tag communication is interrupted and reading of the special RFID tag 200 fails. The start notification can prevent the user from moving away from the area around the target RFID tag.

In the next step S40, the CPU 32 determines whether the special tag communication started in S32 has been interrupted. If the CPU 32 determines that the special tag communication has been interrupted without receiving all of the measurement values in the special RFID tag 200 (YES in S40), it skips the processing from S42 onwards and returns to the processing of S10.

When the CPU 32 determines that all of the measurement values in the special RFID tag 200 have been received without interruption of the special tag communication (NO in S40), in S42, it causes the display unit 14 to display a first success notification. The first success notification is a message notifying the user that the measurement values in the special RFID tag 200 have been successfully read.

In the next step S44, the CPU 32 stores the success flag "ON" in the management table 50 in association with the serial number included in the response received in S12.

In the next step S46, the CPU 32 causes the display unit 14 to display the measurement value (i.e., the reading result) read by the special tag communication. When the processing of S46 ends, the CPU 32 returns to the processing of S10.

When the CPU 32 determines that the response to the trigger signal in S10 does not include any of the serial numbers stored in the management table 50 (NO in S12), the CPU 32 executes a determination process (see FIG. 3) in S20. When the process in S20 ends, the CPU 32 returns to the process in S10.

(Discrimination process; Figure 3)
In S50, the CPU 32 judges whether or not the information in the EPC area of the response to the trigger signal in S10 of Fig. 2 matches the discrimination information 42 in the memory 34. When the CPU 32 judges that the information in the EPC area matches the discrimination information 42 (e.g., a special GS1 identification code) (YES in S50), it judges that the target RFID tag is a special RFID tag 200, and proceeds to S62.

S62 and S64 are the same as S32 and S34 in FIG. 2. In the following S66, the CPU 32 stores the serial number included in the response to the trigger signal of S10 in the management table 50. At this point, the CPU 32 does not store the read information in association with the serial number in the management table 50, but stores the success flag "OFF" in association with the serial number in the management table 50.

The following steps S70 to S76 are the same as steps S40 to S46 in FIG. 2. When the processing of S76 ends, the processing of FIG. 3 ends.

If the CPU 32 determines that the information in the EPC area does not match the discrimination information 42 (NO in S50), the process proceeds to S52. In S52, the CPU 32 determines whether the information in the TID area in the response to the trigger signal in S10 of FIG. 2 matches the discrimination information 42 in the memory 34. If the CPU 32 determines that the information in the TID area matches the discrimination information 42 (e.g., a special model name) (YES in S52), the CPU 32 determines that the target RFID tag is a special RFID tag 200 and proceeds to S62. For example, a comparative example in which the judgment in S52 is not executed is assumed. Information specific to the special RFID tag 200 may be stored not only in the EPC area but also in the TID area. In the above comparative example, an RFID tag in which information specific to the special RFID tag 200 is stored in the TID area cannot be discriminated as a special RFID tag 200. By executing the judgment in S52 in addition to the judgment in S50, an RFID tag in which unique information is stored in the TID area can be properly identified as a special RFID tag 200. Since the type of RFID tag is identified using information in multiple areas, the accuracy of the identification can be improved. Note that in the modified example, the configuration of the comparative example described above may be adopted.

In addition, if the CPU 32 determines that the information in the TID area does not match the discrimination information 42 (NO in S52), it determines that the target RFID tag is a general RFID tag 100 and proceeds to S82.

In S82, the CPU 32 causes the display unit 14 to display a second success notification. The second success notification is a message notifying the user that the general RFID tag 100 has been successfully read. Here, the second success notification is different from the first success notification. By looking at either the first or second success notification, the user can know what type of RFID tag can be read in an environment where general RFID tags 100 and special RFID tags 200 are mixed. User convenience is improved.

In the next step S86, the CPU 32 causes the display unit 14 to display at least the user-specified information (i.e., the result of reading a general RFID tag 100) from the response to the trigger signal in step S10 of FIG. 2. When step S86 ends, the process in FIG. 3 ends.

(Effects of this embodiment)
The tag reader 10 uses the response to the trigger signal and the discrimination information 42 to determine that the target RFID tag is a special RFID tag 200 (YES in S50 or YES in S52 in FIG. 3), and automatically transmits a request signal to the target RFID tag to read the measurement value stored in the special RFID tag 200 (S62). The user does not need to operate the tag reader 10 to change the setting from a setting that does not transmit the request signal to a setting that transmits the request signal. In an environment where multiple types of RFID tags are mixed, it is possible to improve user convenience.

(Correspondence)
The tag reading device 10, the tag reader 20, the memory 34, and the display unit 14 are examples of a "tag reading device", a "reader", a "memory", and an "alarm unit", respectively. The discrimination information 42 is an example of "discrimination information". The special RFID tag 200 and the general RFID tag 100 are examples of a "first type RFID tag" and a "second type RFID tag", respectively. The EPC area and the TID area are examples of a "first memory area" and a "second memory area", respectively. A response to a trigger signal is an example of a "first response (and a second response)". The measured value of the sensor is an example of a "specific information". The request signal is an example of a "request". The serial number is an example of a "first identification information (and a second identification information)". The display of the first success notification in S72 of FIG. 3 and the display of the second success notification in S82 are examples of a "first notification operation" and a "second notification operation", respectively. The display of the start notification in FIG. 3 is an example of a "third notification operation".

The judgments of S50 and S52 in FIG. 3 are examples of processing realized by a "discrimination unit." The processes of S62 and S66 in FIG. 3 are examples of processing realized by a "first request transmission unit" and a "storage control unit," respectively. The process of S32 in FIG. 2 is an example of a "second request transmission unit."

Second Example
In the second embodiment, a technique for identifying a special RFID tag 200 is disclosed, using a means different from the identification information 42. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that the identification information 42 is not provided, and the content of the processing by the tag reading device 10 is different. In the second embodiment, in an environment where multiple types of RFID tags are mixed, only the special RFID tag 200 is read.

(Tag reader processing; Figure 4)
4, like the process in FIG. 2, is started with the depression of the instruction button 12 as a trigger, and is repeatedly executed until the instruction button 12 is released.

In S110, the CPU 32 instructs the transmission circuit 22 of the tag reader 20 to transmit a special tag-only signal. This causes the transmission circuit 22 to start transmitting the special tag-only signal via the antenna 26. The special tag-only signal is a command that can be interpreted by the special RFID tag 200 but cannot be interpreted by the general RFID tag 100. The special tag-only signal includes, for example, predetermined identification data (for example, a special GS1 identification code, a special model name, a special serial number, or a part of these information), and is a command that instructs a response only from the RFID tag that stores the predetermined identification data. In a modified example, the special tag-only signal may be a command that specifies a specific address that only the special RFID tag 200 has. Even if the general RFID tag 100 receives a special tag-only signal, it does not transmit a response to the signal. In contrast, when the special RFID tag 200 receives a special tag-only signal, it transmits a response to the signal. By using the response result of the special tag-only signal, the special RFID tag 200 can be identified from among multiple types of RFID tags.

In the next step S112, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a response to the special tag-specific signal of S110 is received from the target RFID tag via the tag reader 20. If the CPU 32 determines that a response has been received from the target RFID tag because the target RFID tag is a special RFID tag 200 (YES in S112), the CPU 32 proceeds to S114.

In S114, the CPU 32 determines whether the response received from the target RFID tag includes error information. Error information is, for example, information indicating that a malfunction has occurred in the sensor of the special RFID tag 200. If the CPU 32 determines that the response does not include error information (NO in S114), it proceeds to S116.

S116 and S118 are similar to S32 and S46 in FIG. 2. That is, the measurement value of the special RFID tag 200 is read and the result is displayed. When the process of S118 ends, the CPU 32 returns to the process of S110.

If the CPU 32 determines that it has not received a response from the target RFID tag because the target RFID tag is a general RFID tag 100 or because there is no RFID tag in the vicinity (NO in S112), it skips the processes from S114 onwards and returns to the process of S110. If the CPU 32 determines that the response received from the target RFID tag contains error information (YES in S114), it skips the processes from S116 onwards and returns to the process of S110.

(Effects of this embodiment)
The tag reader 10 uses the response result to the special tag-only signal to determine that the target RFID tag is a special RFID tag 200 (YES in S112), and automatically executes special tag communication (S116). As in the first embodiment, the user does not need to change the settings of the tag reader 10. In an environment where multiple types of RFID tags are mixed, user convenience can be improved.

(Correspondence)
The special tag-specific signal is an example of a “discrimination radio wave.” S110, S112, and S116 in Fig. 4 are examples of the processes realized by a “discrimination radio wave transmission unit,” a “discrimination unit,” and a “request transmission unit,” respectively.

(Third Example)
The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, except that the content of S110 in Fig. 4 is different. The special RFID tag 200 supports a first communication protocol, and the general RFID tag 100 supports a second communication protocol. For example, both the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are protocols established by the same organization, and the first communication protocol is a protocol in a newer generation (i.e., version) than the second communication protocol. In a modified example, the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol may be protocols established by different organizations.

In S110, the CPU 32 instructs the transmission circuit 22 of the tag reader 20 to transmit a special tag-only signal conforming to the first communication protocol. Since a general RFID tag 100 does not support the first communication protocol, even if it receives a special tag-only signal conforming to the first communication protocol, it does not transmit a response to the signal. In other words, a NO determination is made in S112. In contrast, when the special RFID tag 200 receives a special tag-only signal, it transmits a response to the signal. In other words, a YES determination is made in S112. By using the response result of the special tag-only signal, it is possible to distinguish the special RFID tag 200 from multiple types of RFID tags. The special tag-only signal conforming to the first communication protocol is an example of a "discrimination radio wave".

(Fourth Example)
In the fourth embodiment, the same means as in the second embodiment are used to read not only the special RFID tag 200 but also the general RFID tag 100. The fourth embodiment is similar to the second embodiment except that the processes of S215, S217, and S226 in FIG. 5 are added.

(Tag reader processing; Figure 5)
S210 to S214 are the same as S110 to S114 in Fig. 4. If the CPU 32 determines that the response received from the target RFID tag does not contain error information (NO in S214), the process proceeds to S215.

In S215, the CPU 32 increases the output of radio waves radiated by the antenna 26 of the tag reader 20. Specifically, the CPU 32 changes the setting of the tag reader 20 from a setting that emits radio waves of a first strength to a setting that emits radio waves of a second strength that is higher than the first strength. This causes a request signal of the second strength to be transmitted in the special tag communication of S216, which will be described later.

S216 is the same as S116 in FIG. 4. In the following S217, the CPU 32 changes the setting of the tag reader 20 back from the setting for emitting radio waves of the second strength to the setting for emitting radio waves of the first strength. When S217 ends, the CPU 32 proceeds to S218.

Furthermore, if the CPU 32 determines that it has not received a response to the special tag-only signal from the target RFID tag (NO in S212), it proceeds to S226. In S226, the CPU 32 determines that the target RFID tag is a general RFID tag, and transmits a trigger signal to the target RFID tag via the tag reader 20. Here, the strength of the trigger signal is a first strength. Then, the CPU 32 receives user-specified information from the target RFID tag via the tag reader 20. When S226 ends, the CPU 32 proceeds to S218.

Also, if the CPU 32 determines that the response received from the target RFID tag contains error information (YES in S114), it skips S215 to S217 and proceeds to S218.

In S218, the CPU 32 displays the reading result on the display unit 14. For example, if the target RFID tag is determined to be a special RFID tag 200 and no error information is received (YES in S212, NO in S214), the reading result is the measurement value read by special tag communication. Also, for example, if the target RFID tag is determined to be a general RFID tag 100 (NO in S212), the reading result is user-specified information. Also, for example, if error information is received (YES in S214), the reading result is error information. When S218 ends, the process returns to S210.

With this configuration, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to read not only special RFID tags 200 but also general RFID tags 100.

The power consumption of the special RFID tag 200 is usually greater than that of the general RFID tag 100. Here, the power consumption is the power consumed when the RFID tag transmits the information in the RFID tag as a carrier signal, and this power is generated by the radio waves emitted by the tag reader 20. Therefore, if the output (strength) of the radio waves emitted by the tag reader 20 is low, there is a possibility that reading of the information stored in the special RFID tag 200 will fail due to insufficient power. According to this embodiment, by increasing the output of the radio waves emitted by the tag reader 20 (S215 in FIG. 5), it is possible to prevent failure to read the information stored in the special RFID tag 200. The process of S215 in FIG. 5 is an example of a process realized by the "power control unit".

Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

(Variation 1) In the first embodiment, the processes of S82 and S86 may not be executed. That is, in the first embodiment, only the reading of the special RFID tag 200 may be executed.

(Variation 2) The "second memory area" is not limited to the TID area, and may be, for example, the EPC area or the user area. Also, the "first memory area" is not limited to the EPC area, and may be, for example, the TID area or the user area. Generally speaking, the "second memory area" may be different from the "first memory area".

(Variation 3) The judgment of S52 in FIG. 3 does not need to be performed. In this variation, the "second memory area" can be omitted.

(Variation 4) The process of S66 in FIG. 3 and the processes of S12, S30 to S46 in FIG. 2 do not need to be executed. In this variation, the "storage control unit" and the "second request transmission unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 5) The "alert action" is not limited to displaying a notification, but may be, for example, outputting a buzzer or voice indicating a notification, or turning on a light indicating a notification.

(Variation 6) At least one of the processes S72 and S82 in FIG. 3 does not need to be executed. In this variation, at least one of the "first notification action" and the "second notification action" can be omitted.

(Variation 7) The process of S64 in FIG. 3 can be omitted. In this variation, the "third notification action" can be omitted.

(Variation 8) The process of S215 in FIG. 5 may be adopted in the first embodiment. In another variation, the process of S215 in the fourth embodiment may not be executed. In this other variation, the "power control unit" may be omitted.

The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving any one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 tag reading device 12 instruction button 14 display unit 20 tag reader 22 transmission circuit 24 reception circuit 26 antenna 30 control unit 34 memory 40 program 42 discrimination information 50 management table 100 RFID tag 200 RFID tag

Claims (6)

A tag reader for reading information stored in an RFID tag, comprising:
a reader capable of transmitting radio waves and receiving a response to the radio waves from the RFID tag;
a memory that stores discrimination information for discriminating the first type RFID tag from among a plurality of types of RFID tags including a first type RFID tag and a second type RFID tag;
a discrimination unit that, when the reader transmits the radio waves and receives a first response to the radio waves from a target RFID tag, discriminates whether the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag by using the received first response and the discrimination information in the memory;
a first request transmission unit that, when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag, transmits a request to read specific information stored in the first type RFID tag to the target RFID tag, which is the first type RFID tag, via the reader, and when it is determined that the target RFID tag is not the first type RFID tag, the first request transmission unit does not transmit the request to the target RFID tag;
A tag reading device comprising: the received first response includes first information stored in a first storage area of the RFID tag and second information stored in a second storage area of the RFID tag that is different from the first storage area;
The discrimination unit is
Using the first information in the first response and the discrimination information in the memory, discriminating whether the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag;
2. The tag reading device of claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the target RFID tag is not the first type of RFID tag using the first information in the first response and the discrimination information in the memory, it determines whether the target RFID tag is the first type of RFID tag using the second information in the first response and the discrimination information in the memory. the received first response includes first identification information for identifying the target RFID tag;
The tag reader further comprises:
a storage control unit configured to store the first identification information in the received first response in the memory when the reader receives the first response from the target RFID tag;
a second request transmission unit that receives a second response to the radio wave from a next RFID tag after the first identification information is stored in the memory, and transmits the request to read the information stored in the first type RFID tag to the next RFID tag, which is the first type RFID tag, without performing discrimination using the discrimination information in the memory, when the received second response includes second identification information that is the same as the first identification information stored in the memory;
The tag reader according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: The tag reader further comprises:
a notification unit that performs a notification operation to a user of the tag reading device;
an alarm control unit that causes the alarm unit to execute a first alarm operation when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag, and that causes the alarm unit to execute a second alarm operation different from the first alarm operation when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the second type RFID tag;
The tag reader according to claim 1 , further comprising: The notification control unit further
The tag reading device of claim 4, wherein when it is determined that the target RFID tag is the first type RFID tag, the notification unit executes a third notification operation to notify a user that communication to read the specific information stored in the first type RFID tag will be started before sending the request to the target RFID tag, which is the first type RFID tag. The power consumption of the first type RFID tag is greater than the power consumption of the second type RFID tag;
The tag reader further comprises:
The tag reading device according to claim 1 , further comprising a power control unit that increases an output of the reader when the target RFID tag is determined to be the first type of RFID tag.

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