JP2010130028A - Rfid tag communication device and rfid tag communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

In a system in which a plurality of RFID tag communication apparatuses, which are radio equipment for mobile object identification, are operated using a plurality of units, control is performed to suppress mutual interference of transmission signals caused by communication of the plurality of RFID tag communication apparatuses, and stable. Communication.
When an RFID tag communication device monitors a received signal even while transmitting a transmission signal, and it is observed that the level variation of the received signal is large during a transmission period in which the level variation of its own transmission signal is small, It is determined that the RFID tag communication device is transmitting. When a level fluctuation larger than a predetermined level is detected in the received signal, the transmission signal is stopped before the RFID tag communication apparatus shifts to a period in which the response of the backscatter signal is returned.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an RFID tag communication apparatus that outputs a transmission signal, receives a response signal from an RFID tag, and processes the response signal, and an RFID tag communication system.

  Conventionally, information such as an identification code is recorded on an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, the tag is attached to an article, etc., and information is transmitted and received between the RFID reader / writer using radio waves. Identification and distribution of goods etc. are managed.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional configuration when an RFID tag communication apparatus communicates with an RFID tag within a communicable distance. In FIG. 1, the RFID tag 120 receives a control signal emitted from the RFID tag communication device 110, and the RFID tag 120 performs communication by returning a response signal to the RFID tag communication device 110. When the RFID tag 120 is a passive type, a response signal is returned with the transmission signal emitted from the RFID tag communication device 110 as operating power. When the RFID tag communication device operates alone, the RFID tag communication device can stably communicate with the RFID tag to be identified at a communicable distance.

  Here, in Japan, RFID tag communication devices are classified into specific low-power radio stations and private radio stations according to the maximum output power of transmission signals, and those with large output power are classified as private radio stations. An RFID tag communication device classified as a premises radio station according to the Japanese Radio Law needs to apply for an installation location. For this reason, when the RFID tag communication device is moved and used, it is necessary to change the installation location every time the RFID tag communication device is moved.

JP 2007-172310 A

  When the RFID tag communication apparatus having the conventional configuration as shown in FIG. 1 is not classified into a specific low-power radio station, it is necessary to apply for an installation location to be used and use the RFID tag communication apparatus.

  When the RFID tag communication device is moved and used, it is necessary to notify the change application that the installation location is changed.

  When the RFID tag communication device is used outside the set location, it becomes an interference wave of a radio station installed other than the set location, and illegal radio waves are emitted. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the use location.

  Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a method is proposed in which reading is not performed assuming that the RFID tag communication device is an unauthorized RFID tag device unless the RFID tag communication device is registered in a registration server.

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 emits an interference wave that prevents an unauthorized RFID tag communication apparatus from performing communication for reading, and does not prevent the emission of an illegal radio wave. Further, when the RFID tag communication device is outside the management of the registration server, the operation of the RFID tag communication device is not controlled.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. When the RFID tag communication apparatus is used in a specific zone other than the installation place or in the installation place, the transmission control process of the transmission signal of the RFID tag communication apparatus is performed. Is to provide.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an RFID tag communication apparatus according to the present invention in order to solve the above problem.

  In the present invention, a position information sending device is placed in an installation place where an RFID tag communication device is used or a zone in which the setting place is divided, and a specific signal is sent from the position information sending device. Further, a position information detection unit 211 is provided in the internal configuration of the RFID tag communication apparatus 200 so as to receive a specific signal from the outside of the RFID tag communication apparatus 200.

  A specific signal from the outside is received via a connector 240 for wired connection or via an antenna 250 attached to a connector 241 for wireless connection.

  The position information detection unit 211 in the RFID tag communication apparatus 200 that has received a specific signal transmitted from the position information transmission apparatus extracts information from the specific signal and sends it to the position information comparison unit 210 in the RFID tag communication apparatus 200. hand over.

  The position information comparison unit 210 compares the information received from the position information detection unit 211 with the position information registered in the position information recording unit 212 in the RFID tag communication apparatus 200.

  When the position information registered in the position information recording unit 212 matches the information received from the position information detection unit 211, the processing unit 213 in the RFID tag communication apparatus 200 is notified that the position information matches.

  The processing unit 213 in the RFID tag communication apparatus 200 sets the signal transmission unit 214 in the RFID tag communication apparatus 200 in a transmission permission state when it is determined that the position information matches.

  For this reason, when the position information detection unit 211 in the RFID tag communication apparatus 200 cannot detect a specific signal, the RFID tag communication apparatus 200 cannot transmit a transmission signal.

  Further, even when the information received by the position information detection unit 211 is not in the position information recording unit 212, the RFID tag communication apparatus 200 cannot transmit a transmission signal.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information to be recorded in the position information recording unit according to the present invention.

  In the position information recording unit 300, in addition to the position information 310, the transmission control setting of the signal transmission unit when used at the installation location is linked to the position information 310 and recorded.

  After the position information detected by the position information detection unit matches the position information in the position information recording unit, after setting the transmission control setting associated with the matching position information in the position information recording unit in the signal transmission unit The transmission is permitted.

  Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, since the RFID tag communication apparatus can be used only in an environment where it is originally installed, it is possible to prevent illegal radio waves from being emitted. For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress radio wave interference between other radio station apparatuses.

  In addition, it is necessary to individually set the transmission setting used at the installation location by controlling the signal transmission unit using the transmission control information associated with the location information in the location information recording unit that records the installation location. Since there is no, convenience can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example for realizing the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the RFID tag communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The RFID tag communication system includes an RFID tag communication device 410 and one position information transmission device 430, and repeatedly reads the RFID tag 420. At this time, the RFID tag communication device is connected to the position information sending device by a signal line, and the position information sending device repeatedly sends the position information to the RFID tag communication device. The RFID tag communication device continues to receive the position information from the position information sending device, and can communicate with the RFID tag if it matches the position information stored inside.

  FIG. 5 shows a case where the RFID tag communication device and the position information transmission device communicate wirelessly. The RFID tag communication device 510 can communicate with the RFID tag 520 while the RFID tag communication device 510 continues to receive the position information signal 550 from the position information transmission device 530.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the RFID tag communication device 610 has moved out of the reach range of the position information transmission signal from the position information transmission device 630.

  At this time, since the RFID tag communication device 610 cannot receive the position information signal, the RFID tag communication device 610 stops transmitting and cannot communicate with the RFID tag 621.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the RFID tag communication device 710 has moved to a range in which a signal can be received from outside the reachable range of the location information signal from the location information sending device 730.

  At this time, the RFID tag communication device 710 is ready to receive a position information signal, and if it matches the position information stored therein, the signal transmission unit is in a transmission-permitted state, so communication with the RFID tag 721 is possible. Become.

As described above, compared to other RFID tag communication devices, it is possible to prevent the emission of illegal radio waves when the device is moved from the installation location, and to suppress radio wave interference to other radio station devices.
<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows that the RFID tag communication device 810 is installed within the reach of the position information signal emitted from the position information transmission device 830, and the RFID tag communication device 812 is emitted from the position information transmission device 831. It is a figure which shows a mode that it has installed in the reach | attainment range.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which the RFID tag communication device 810 is moved and used from within the reach of the position information signal emitted by the position information send device 831 from within the reach of the position information signal emitted by the position information send device 830. FIG. In this case, it is indicated that the RFID tag communication apparatus 812 that is already used in the range of the movement destination and the control setting of the signal transmission unit interfere with each other.

  As in FIG. 9, the RFID tag communication device 810 is moved from the reach of the position information signal emitted by the position information sending device 830 to the reach of the position information signal emitted by the position information sending device 831 in the same manner as FIG. 9. It is a figure which shows a mode that the control setting of the signal transmission part was correctly performed when using.

As described above, when an RFID tag communication device moves and uses a zone across zones where installation locations are divided, interference does not occur each time a general RFID tag communication device moves through the zone. In contrast to the fact that the setting needs to be changed as described above, since the zone used by the RFID tag communication apparatus can be recognized, the control setting of the signal transmission unit is automatically performed, and communication with the RFID tag can be normally performed.
<Summary>
The present invention can be applied to, for example, a system using a moving object identification wireless facility that moves and uses a plurality of places.

  In the present invention, when the RFID tag communication device moves beyond the reach of the position information signal emitted from the position information sending device, the RFID tag communication device cannot receive the position information signal, and transmission is permitted from this. It may have a function of suppressing transmission by determining that it has been moved to a location that does not exist.

  The position information signal sent from the position information sending device may have a function that can be received by the RFID tag communication device using a signal line.

  In addition, the position information signal transmitted from the position information transmitting apparatus may have a function that the RFID tag communication apparatus can receive using a radio signal.

  The RFID tag communication apparatus may have a function of permitting transmission by comparing and confirming whether or not the position information signal transmitted from the position information transmitting apparatus matches the position information contained therein.

  The RFID tag communication apparatus has a function of controlling transmission settings by comparing and confirming whether or not it matches the position information signal by having information on transmission control settings associated with position information held by itself. good.

It is a figure explaining the case where a RFID tag communication apparatus operate | moves alone. It is a figure explaining the internal structure of a RFID tag communication apparatus. It is a figure explaining the information currently recorded on the position information recording part in the internal structure (FIG. 2) of a RFID tag communication apparatus. It is a figure explaining that an RFID tag communication apparatus operates by receiving a position information signal sent from a position information sending apparatus by wire. It is a figure explaining operation | movement in the range in which the RFID tag communication apparatus can receive the positional information signal transmitted from a positional information transmission apparatus on radio. It is a figure explaining that transmission operation stops when an RFID tag communication apparatus uses it outside the range which can receive a position information signal sent from a position information sending device. It is a figure explaining that transmission operation | movement becomes possible when an RFID tag communication apparatus moves and uses within the range which can receive the positional infomation signal sent from a positional infomation transmission apparatus. It is a figure explaining the case where the RFID tag communication apparatus has two or more ranges which can receive the position information signal sent from a position information sending device. It is a figure explaining the case where interference will generate | occur | produce when an RFID tag communication apparatus moves the several range which can receive the positional infomation signal sent from a positional infomation transmission apparatus. It is a figure explaining the case where communication can be performed normally, when a RFID tag communication apparatus moves the some range which can receive the positional infomation signal sent from a positional infomation transmission apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... RFID tag communication apparatus, 120 ... RFID tag, 130 ... RFID tag communication apparatus transmission signal during antenna propagation, 140 ... RFID tag response signal during antenna propagation, 200 ... RFID tag communication apparatus, 210 ... position information comparison 211, position information detection unit, 212 ... position information recording unit, 213 ... processing unit, 214 ... signal transmission unit, 215 ... signal reception unit, 220 ... antenna connection connector, 230 ... antenna, 240 ... position information reception connector ( (Wired), 241 ... position information receiving connector (wireless), 250 ... position information receiving antenna, 300 ... position information recording unit, 310 ... registration position, 320 ... transmission control setting, 410 ... RFID tag communication device (1), 420 ... RFID tag (1), 430 ... position information sending device, 440 ... RFID tag communication device (1) transmission signal, 441 ... RFID tag communication device (1) reception signal, 450 ... position information signal cable 460 ... position information signal reachable range, 510 ... RFID tag communication device (1), 520 ... RFID tag (1), 521 ... RFID tag (2), 530 ... position information sending device, 540 ... RFID tag communication device ( 1) Transmission signal, 541 ... Reception signal of RFID tag communication device (1), 550 ... Position information signal during antenna propagation, 560 ... Position information signal reachable range, 810 ... RFID tag communication device (1), 811 ... RFID Tag communication device (2), 820 ... RFID tag (1), 821 ... RFID tag (2), 822 ... RFID tag (3), 830 ... position information sending device (1), 831 ... position information sending device (2) 840: Radio wave interference between the transmission signal of the RFID tag communication device (1) and the transmission signal of the RFID tag communication device (2), 841: between the response signal of the RFID tag (1) and the response signal of the RFID tag (2) Radio wave interference, 842 ... Radio wave interference between the response signal of the RFID tag (1) and the transmission signal of the RFID tag communication device (2), 850 ... from the position information transmission device (1) Position information signal during the propagation of the antenna to be launched, 851... Position information signal during the propagation of the antenna from the position information sending device (2), 860... Position arrival range of the position information signal from the position information sending device (1), 861. Position information signal reachable range from the information sending device (2).

Claims (7)

An RFID tag communication device that outputs a transmission signal, receives a response signal from an RFID tag, and processes the response signal,
A position information detection unit for acquiring a position information signal for specifying a location supplied from the position information sending device;
A position information recording unit that records position information that the RFID tag communication device is permitted to transmit;
Based on the result of the position information comparison unit that compares the position information from the position information detection unit and the position information registered in the position recording unit,
A processing unit that controls transmission of a signal transmission unit that is in a transmittable state and outputs a predetermined transmission signal only when position information that matches position information registered in the position recording unit can be acquired. RFID tag communication device. The processing unit acquires information attached to the position information registered in the position recording unit based on the position information that can be specified by the result of the position information comparison unit,
The RFID tag communication device according to claim 1, wherein the output of the signal transmission unit is controlled at a predetermined frequency based on information accompanying the position information. The processing unit acquires information attached to the position information registered in the position recording unit based on the position information that can be specified by the result of the position information comparison unit,
The RFID tag communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of the signal transmission unit is controlled by a predetermined output level based on information accompanying the position information. The processing unit acquires information attached to the position information registered in the position recording unit based on the position information that can be specified by the result of the position information comparison unit,
The RFID tag communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of the signal transmission unit is controlled at a predetermined transmission interval based on information accompanying the position information. The processing unit acquires information attached to the position information registered in the position recording unit based on the position information that can be specified by the result of the position information comparison unit,
The RFID tag communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of the signal transmission unit is controlled by a predetermined modulation method based on information accompanying the position information. The processing unit acquires information attached to the position information registered in the position recording unit based on the position information that can be specified by the result of the position information comparison unit,
The RFID tag communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of the signal transmission unit is controlled at a predetermined communication speed based on information accompanying the position information.   The processing unit compares the information from the position information detection unit and the position recording unit at least once before the signal transmission unit outputs the predetermined transmission signal, and the comparison result The RFID tag communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit continues to control the signal transmission unit based on the information.

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