JP2001331772A - Non-contact information transfer device, information processing system, information processing device, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a flat non-contact type information transmitting / receiving apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system which have increased strength and different operations in front and back directions. SOLUTION: A non-contact type information transfer device TF includes a circuit board Cb having an antenna device Ant2 and an integrated circuit chip IC.
And the antenna device A with one surface facing the circuit board Cb.
a magnetic sheet Sm made of a high magnetic permeability material having a shape covering one surface of nt2, and one surface facing the other surface of the magnetic material sheet Sm, and the antenna device Ant2 is interposed via the magnetic material sheet Sm.
And a metal base member Bm, which is a conductive material having a shape covering one side of the non-contact type information transfer device TF. The presence or absence of the device TF is detected, or information is exchanged with the non-contact type information exchange device TF according to the orientation of the suspended non-contact type information exchange device TF.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-contact type information exchange device, an information processing system, an information processing device, and an information processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A function for receiving electric power in a non-contact manner by responding to an electromagnetic field applied from an external device or for exchanging information with an external device via the electromagnetic field is provided. There is a non-contact type information exchange device as a device provided.
Among them, there is known a configuration in which a nonvolatile memory is provided therein as information storage means, and identification data and other significant information can be recorded in the nonvolatile memory in a reproducible manner. Further, those having a small, thin, and portable structure are referred to as non-contact data carrier devices, and these are collectively referred to as RFID (Radio Frequency) devices.
IDentification). RF
Conventionally, a non-contact type IC card of a wallet (wallet) size (or referred to as a wireless IC card) or the like has been realized or developed.

On the other hand, non-contact information tags (or non-contact IC tags) have been attracting attention recently. In particular, the "telefile (product name)" is provided with a nonvolatile memory having a storage capacity of 1 kilobyte or more to expand the amount and types of information to be transmitted / received and / or stored.
The non-contact type information tag supplied as a RFID is an RFID having a configuration in which a thin semiconductor chip and an antenna having a non-contact power receiving function, a signal transmitting / receiving function, and a data storage function are provided on a thin and small base. The base can be easily attached to the product or product. By utilizing this function, a product label or a product tag which operates without contact with a battery and has a function of storing information and which can be easily attached to a product has been realized. The RFID as described above is paired with a read / write device having an antenna and operates in a non-contact manner.
The read / write device functions as an information processing device, and the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention is to supply power to the RFID side in a non-contact manner through an electromagnetic field formed by emitting an electromagnetic wave from an antenna, and to apply the RFID to the emitted electromagnetic wave. The presence of the RFID is confirmed by detecting a change that occurs in the antenna (read / write device side) when the RFID responds. In addition, information is written to the RFID by receiving and emitting electromagnetic waves, or
D is configured to read stored information from a nonvolatile memory.

[0004] Such an RFID is placed in non-contact with a read / write device, and a load provided in response to an electromagnetic field formed by the read / write device absorbs electromagnetic energy to thereby provide an antenna or power supply for the read / write device. The read / write device is caused to detect the presence of the RFID by causing a state change in the supply unit, or by emitting a reflected wave of the electromagnetic field which is responsive and causing the read / write device to receive the reflected wave. Is provided to the read / write device. Alternatively, the RFID is built-in by securing power by an induced electromotive force generated in response to an applied electromagnetic field and supplying the power to each unit, and transmitting and receiving signals by fluctuations of the electromagnetic field generated by controlling the state of the load. It is configured to record received data in the nonvolatile memory or transmit data reproduced from the nonvolatile memory to the read / write device.

For example, ASK (Amp
(Lite Shift Keying) An RFID that receives a modulated electromagnetic wave from a read / write device rectifies an electromotive current generated by electromagnetic induction to form a power source, and applies a load to the power source or emits a reflected wave. By transmitting the information to the read / write device, the load state is changed in accordance with each value ("1" or "0") of the binary data to be sent. Discloses a system for detecting the presence of RFID and receiving data by detecting a change in antenna terminal voltage. According to this, the read / write device radiates an electromagnetic wave from the antenna when a predetermined transmission power is applied, and detects the presence of the RFID within the communication range based on detection of a change in the antenna voltage caused when the RFID is inductively coupled. It is configured to execute information transfer after confirming whether or not to perform.

[0006]

The conventional R as described above.
The FID is generally formed in a flat plate shape, an antenna responsive to an electromagnetic field is formed in a square loop on a surface of a base made of, for example, a polyimide plastic thin plate, and a semiconductor chip is attached to the surface of the base. Further, a structure is provided in which a plastic plate, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plate is laminated as a reinforcing material or a surface protection material. In some cases, cardboard is used as a reinforcing material. By the way, the RFID having the configuration to which the reinforcing material of the above-mentioned material is applied does not always have the adaptability to many use conditions and use environments in terms of strength and durability. That is, the present invention is applicable to a case where the product is semi-fixed to the surface of a solid product (or a solid container storing the product) or a once-through (one-time use) that is not repeatedly used. In a use form in which a plurality of small articles and an RFID are mixedly loaded in a container, or when the RFID is used repeatedly, a more robust structure is required. However, if the thickness of the plastic reinforcing material is adjusted for the purpose of securing rigidity, the thickness is significantly increased, and the advantages of portability and miniaturization are impaired.

[0007] On the other hand, a metal plate is small and thin, and the most suitable material for securing rigidity is metal. However, since the metal is a conductor, when laminated near the antenna, the electromagnetic field responsiveness of the antenna deteriorates. There is a problem that a negative effect occurs. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining the effect of a conductor on a nearby antenna, and conforms to the conventional general description. Explaining with reference to the figure, when a conductor Bm such as a metal plate is disposed below the antenna device Ant2 and an electromagnetic field is applied from above the antenna device Ant2, the propagation of the electromagnetic field in space is Maxw
An electric field E and a magnetic field H are generated alternately according to the equation of ell. When the magnetic field H causes the temporal fluctuation dB / dt of the magnetic flux density B, an electric field E is generated by the law of electromagnetic induction dB / dt = -rotE (rot is an operator: the same applies hereinafter), and this electric field E is generated in space. , The displacement current dD / dt is formed as a temporal variation of the electric flux density D. This then causes a magnetic field H to be formed by the displacement current law dD / dt = rotH, which in turn causes a temporal variation dB / dt of the magnetic flux density B, and so on by the electric field E and the magnetic field H in space. Are sequentially propagated.

[0008] A conductive antenna device An present in the middle
When the electric field E10 arrives at t2, the electromotive force i is generated based on rotH = i by responding to the magnetic field H formed here, and becomes the reception current of the antenna device Ant2. On the other hand, the electromagnetic field that has passed or transmitted through the antenna device Ant2 propagates through the space or insulator (which acts as a dielectric) interposed between the antenna B1 and the conductor Bm located below as described above. When the electric field E reaches the surface of the conductor Bm, an induced current i10 is generated by the formed magnetic field H, and this current causes a magnetic field to be formed on the surface of the conductor Bm. The electric field formed by this magnetic field is the electric field E
It has the same waveform as the sign opposite to 10 and proceeds in the opposite direction to the electric field E10 (issued by Shokabo: Physics Selection Book 3 "Electromagnetics")
Professor Hidetoshi Takahashi, Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo. p331-3
32). Then, the electric field arrives at the antenna device Ant2 as the electric field E10 ′ having the opposite sign, but this is the antenna device Ant2.
Is observed as a reflected wave of the electric field E10. The energy level of the electrons in the conductor Bm is easily changed from free electrons to conduction electrons due to the overlap of the valence band and the conduction band, and a current is generated. Due to energy loss (copper loss), the absolute value (intensity) of the electric field E10 'is attenuated more than the absolute value (intensity) of the electric field E10. Assuming that the degree of this attenuation is ε (0 <ε <1), E10 ′ = − ε · E10, and thus ε is the electric field E10 due to the conductor Bm.
Can be regarded as the reflectance.

As described above, the electric field E10 and the electric field E1 of the opposite sign from the conductor Bm are applied to the antenna device Ant2.
0 ′ is incident, and the resultant wave E is represented by E = (1−ε) · E10. However, when the conductor Bm is a good conductor such as an iron material, the attenuation is small, and ε becomes a value close to 1. . Therefore, the above coefficient (1−ε) becomes a value close to 0, and the antenna device Ant2
Of the electric field received by the conductor Bm is significantly reduced as compared with the case where the conductor Bm is not present in the vicinity. As a result, it is described that the magnetic flux density is reduced, the induced electromotive current generated in the antenna device Ant2 is reduced, and the electromagnetic field sensitivity of the antenna device Ant2 is significantly deteriorated. Further, no electric field is formed inside the conductor Bm, so that no electric field and magnetic field are formed on the other surface of the conductor Bm (on the lower end surface in the figure). This is conventionally described as the effect of shielding the electromagnetic field by the conductor.

As described above, in the conventional RFID configuration, the electromagnetic field sensitivity is reduced, so that it is not suitable to stack a conductor represented by a metal plate near the antenna. Therefore, there has been a need for an RFID that can incorporate a metal plate having excellent rigidity as a mechanical component and that can prevent a decrease in electromagnetic field sensitivity.

Further, in the conventional RFID configuration, the front and back surfaces covering the antenna in the flat RFID are formed of an insulating or dielectric material such as a synthetic resin, so that an electromagnetic field can be applied from both sides. Therefore, the operation which does not depend on the orientation of the RFID (front / back) can be performed. However, it is impossible to differentiate the state according to the orientation of the RFID. And therefore conventional RF
There is a problem that the ID cannot be applied to a usage form using information switching by forward / reverse rotation of the direction. For this reason, the RFI having a configuration capable of differentiating the orientation of the front and back surfaces
D was sought.

By the way, the conventional worker management system employed in business establishments has a method of clocking in and out of each worker at a centralized entrance / exit time, and a display of the attending and leaving state of each worker at each workplace thereafter. It has both functions. At the centralized entrance / exit gate, for example, the time stamped at the centralized entry / exit gate may be stamped on the attendance record at work, or a magnetic card such as an employee card may be read by a reader, or the time may be printed on a time card by a time card stamping machine. Processing is performed by manually inputting the time etc. manually to the personal computer connected to the computer, and then the name tag display device installed at each workplace suspends each name tag, making it easy to go to work An operation of displaying is performed so as to be understood. Here, the nameplate display device is composed of a nameplate that is a flat double-sided signboard, and a management board that can suspend a plurality of nametags in a freely reversible manner. The colors are classified into different colors (white and black, red and white, etc.) corresponding to each other, and the name of the worker is written on both sides. Therefore, each worker operates to turn the name tag face down when going to work and return the name tag face up when leaving the office, such as when returning home. In this way, by turning / reversing the name tag of each person, his / her own work status is displayed.

However, in the system described above, each worker is forced to perform both the operation of clocking at the centralized entrance gate and the operation of the name tag at each workplace, which takes time in addition to the complexity of the operation. That was not efficient. In addition, at the centralized entrance gate, the use is concentrated on the time card stamping machine especially when going to work, resulting in congestion,
There is always a delay in clocking due to waiting time, and it is necessary to go to the site when the gate where the card reader and time card stamping machine are installed is at a remote position, which is not only inconvenient but also time use It was not a good idea from the efficiency of this. Further, after the clocking, each worker must further perform an operation of rotating / reversing the name tag of the attending / leaving board at each workplace, which is inconvenient as described above and is not advisable from the viewpoint of the efficiency of time use. For this reason, there has been a demand for a system that can simplify the operation and that simultaneously executes both the time management of the clock-in and clock-out and the display of the clock-in / clock-out status.

Under the circumstances described above, improvement and rationalization of information processing methods and information processing systems, including non-contact type information exchange devices, have been expected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has been made in accordance with a non-contact type information transmitting / receiving apparatus capable of improving rigidity and maintaining sensitivity, or a front-back direction. Provided is a non-contact type information exchange device capable of differentiating information, or a streamlined information processing system, an information processing device, and an information processing method that are easy to operate, reduce work load, and can improve processing efficiency. Aim.

[0016]

The means according to the present invention will be described below. In order to solve the problem of the related art and to achieve the object, a non-contact type information exchange device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a resonance unit including an antenna device capable of sensing an electromagnetic field in a non-contact manner, A ferromagnetic layer having a load connected to the resonance unit, and having one surface facing the antenna device and covering at least one surface of the antenna device, and the other of the ferromagnetic layer And a conductor layer having a shape facing one surface and covering at least one surface of the antenna device via the ferromagnetic material layer.

According to the above non-contact type information exchange device, strength and rigidity are improved by the conductor layer, and the electromagnetic field is blocked by the conductor layer when the conductor layer is directed to the electromagnetic wave generation source side. Antenna device is insensitive to electromagnetic fields,
When the antenna device side is directed to the electromagnetic wave generation source side, the antenna device becomes responsive to the electromagnetic field, and the sensitivity of the ferromagnetic layer does not lower the sensitivity, so that the energy is efficiently absorbed from the resonance part to the load. Is performed, the presence of the non-contact type information exchange device is detected. As a result, different operations can be obtained on the front and back of the non-contact type information exchange device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-contact type information transmitting / receiving apparatus, comprising: a resonating unit having an antenna device responsive to an electromagnetic field; An information processing unit that transmits and receives information to and from an external device, and an information storage unit that is connected to the information processing unit and records information in a reproducible manner, and has one surface facing the antenna device, and A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape covering one surface of the antenna device, and a conductor having a shape having one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer and covering at least one surface of the antenna device via the ferromagnetic material layer And the layers are stacked.

According to the above-mentioned non-contact type information exchange device, the strength and rigidity are improved by the conductor layer, and the electromagnetic field is blocked by the conductor layer when the conductor layer is directed to the electromagnetic wave source. Antenna device is insensitive to electromagnetic fields,
When the antenna device is directed toward the electromagnetic wave generation source, the antenna device becomes responsive to the electromagnetic field, and the sensitivity does not decrease due to the action of the ferromagnetic material layer. By performing the transmission, detection of the presence of the non-contact type information transfer device, information transfer, and information processing are performed. As a result, different operations can be obtained on the front and back of the non-contact type information exchange device. Further, by storing identification information and the like as predetermined information in the information storage unit in advance, it is possible to easily supply the identification information to the outside or to freely store arbitrary information in the information storage unit. , Can be easily read.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system comprising a plurality of arrangement areas on a bulletin board, wherein each of the arrangement areas is associated with at least one predetermined attribute information. And a first antenna device for forming an electromagnetic field, and selectively driving any one of the plurality of first antenna devices to supply power, and changing the supplied power or the first antenna during the driving. A display means capable of detecting a change in the voltage of the device as a state change, being close to or in contact with any of the front and back directions on each of the disposition areas, and being connected to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device. A resonating unit including a responsive second antenna device, and a load unit connected to the resonating unit, and one surface facing the second antenna device, and A ferromagnetic layer having a shape covering a surface, and a conductor layer having one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic layer and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic layer. And are laminated and have both front and back sides,
Non-contact type information transfer means, wherein each of the arrangement areas is configured so that the non-contact type information transfer means can be arranged in any direction of the front and back, and the posting means is arranged in each arrangement area based on the state change. The non-contact type information transfer means detects an arrangement state including at least the front and back directions, and associates the arrangement state with the attribute information.

According to the above information processing system, when the non-contact type information exchange means approaches or comes into contact with any one of the arrangement areas of the posting means in a front or back direction, The posting means confirms the arrangement state including the front and back directions of the type information transfer means and associates the arrangement state with the attribute information.

An information processing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of arrangement areas on a bulletin board, wherein each of the arrangement areas has a first antenna device for forming an electromagnetic field, and A bulletin means, which is capable of sequentially supplying and driving power to each of the plurality of first antenna devices and capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices via each of the first antenna devices; A resonating unit including a second antenna device that can be arranged so as to be close to or in contact with the direction and is responsive to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device; and the second antenna connected to the resonating unit. An information processing unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from the posting means via an electromagnetic field when the device is responsive, and an information storage unit connected to the information processing unit and capable of recording predetermined information, and the second antenna One side facing the device A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the second antenna device, and one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer, and at least one surface of the second antenna device interposed through the ferromagnetic material layer A non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit, which is provided with a conductive layer having a shape covering the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit. Is composed of
The posting means transmits and receives information when the non-contact type information transmitting and receiving means arranged in each of the arrangement areas is arranged toward a front or back side capable of communicating, and is recorded at least in the information storage unit. And reading the predetermined information or recording arbitrary information in the information storage unit.

According to the above-mentioned information processing system, when the non-contact type information exchange means is placed in any one of the arrangement areas of the display means so as to be close to or in contact with the front or back, By reading predetermined information from the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the possible side, the non-contact type information exchange means is specified, and whether the orientation of the non-contact type information exchange means is upside down Is confirmed. Therefore, by associating the attribute information with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, the attribute information is determined based on the confirmation of the front and back sides, and when the information is directed to the communicable side. Is associated with the determined attribute information and the read predetermined information. Alternatively, arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system comprising: a display surface having a plurality of arrangement regions; a first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field common to each of the arrangement regions;
A posting means comprising: an information transmitting / receiving section that supplies power to the first antenna device and that can transmit and receive information including at least identification information to and from another device; and a flat plate having both front and back surfaces, A resonance unit including a second antenna device responsive to the electromagnetic field formed by the antenna device, an information storage unit in which at least identification information is reproducibly recorded, and a resonance unit connected to the resonance unit and transmitted from the posting unit. An information processing unit that compares the identification reference information with the identification information recorded in the information storage unit, and sends predetermined information to the posting unit when the information matches with the identification information. A ferromagnetic layer having a shape facing one surface and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device, and a surface facing one surface to the other surface of the ferromagnetic layer, and at least the Second A non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means in which a conductive layer having a shape covering one side of the antenna device is laminated, and each of the arrangement regions is arranged such that the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is close to or in contact with the front and back sides. The posting means sends the identification reference information of the non-contact information exchange means that desires communication from the first antenna device, and the corresponding non-contact information exchange means. By receiving the predetermined information sent from the above, the presence of the non-contact type information transfer means and the orientation of the arranged front and back are confirmed, or further, any information is transmitted to the corresponding non-contact type information transfer The information is recorded in the information storage unit.

According to the information processing system described above, when the posting means sends the identification / contrast information of the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means desired to communicate from the first antenna device, the identification information matching the identification / contrast information is transmitted. If the recorded non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is located in any of the arrangement areas, and if the arranged front and back directions are directions in which communication is possible, predetermined information is sent as a response only from the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means. However, no response is returned from other non-matching non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means even if they are arranged in a communicable direction. Thereby, the posting means confirms that the desired non-contact type information exchange means is located in the arrangement area and is arranged in a direction in which communication is possible. Therefore, by associating the attribute information with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, the front and back orientation is confirmed based on the presence or absence of the response, the attribute information is determined based on this, and the response If there is, the attribute information determined as described above is associated with the predetermined information sent as described above.
Alternatively, arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

An information processing system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information processing system according to any one of the third, fourth and fifth aspects, wherein the posting means includes a time keeping means, and is associated with the detection or the predetermined time. At least one of the reading of the information, the confirmation, and the recording is executed at a time indicated by the clock unit. Therefore, each process is executed at a predetermined time or a desired time, and the execution time can be counted.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising:
A first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field is provided in each of the arrangement regions, and each of the arrangement regions is provided with the electromagnetic wave formed by the first antenna device. A resonating unit including a second antenna device responsive to a field, and a load unit connected to the resonating unit, wherein one surface faces the second antenna device and at least the second antenna A ferromagnetic layer having a shape covering one surface of the device; and a conductive layer having one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic layer and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic layer. A body layer, and a non-contact type information exchange device having both front and back surfaces, wherein the non-contact type information exchange device is configured so as to be close to or contactable in any of the front and back directions, and each of the arrangement regions is at least one predetermined. Attribute information, An information transmitting / receiving means for selectively driving any one of the plurality of first antenna devices to supply power and detecting a change in the supplied power or a change in the voltage of the first antenna device as a state change during the driving; Comprising, based on the state change, the arrangement state including at least the front and back orientation of the non-contact type information exchange device in each arrangement area, and configured to associate the arrangement state with the attribute information Features.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, when the non-contact type information exchange device approaches or comes into contact with any one of the arrangement areas of the display device in the front or back direction, Check the arrangement state including the front and back orientation of the information transfer device,
The arrangement state is associated with the attribute information.

[0029] The information processing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention comprises:
A first antenna device including a display surface having a plurality of arrangement regions, a first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field in each of the arrangement regions, and each of the arrangement regions including both front and back surfaces; A resonance unit including a second antenna device responsive to the electromagnetic field formed by an information processing unit connected to the resonance unit and exchanging information with the posting means via an electromagnetic field when the antenna device is responsive, An information storage unit connected to the information processing unit for recording predetermined information in a reproducible manner, and having one surface facing the second antenna device and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device. And a conductive layer having a shape facing one surface to the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic material layer. Contactless information The receiving device is arranged so as to be close to or in contact with any of the front and rear directions, and can be arranged freely. By sequentially driving the first antenna device provided in each of the arrangement regions, the non- When the contact-type information exchange means is directed to either the front or back side capable of communicating, information is exchanged, and at least the predetermined information recorded in the information storage unit is read, or arbitrary information is stored in the information storage unit. It is characterized in that recording is performed.

According to the above information processing apparatus, when the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is arranged in any of the arrangement areas so as to be close to or in contact with the front or back, By reading the predetermined information from the given non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means, the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is specified, and it is confirmed whether the direction of the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is front or back. You. Therefore, by associating the attribute information with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, the attribute information is determined based on the confirmation of the front and back sides, and when the information is directed to the communicable side. Is associated with the attribute information determined as described above and the predetermined information read as described above. Alternatively, arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus comprises:
A display surface having a plurality of arrangement areas, a first antenna apparatus capable of forming an electromagnetic field common to the arrangement areas, and power supply to the first antenna apparatus, and at least identification information of other apparatuses A second antenna capable of responding to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device, wherein each of the arrangement areas has a flat plate shape having both front and back surfaces. A resonance unit including a device, an information storage unit that reproducibly records at least the identification information, and the identification reference information sent from the posting unit and the information recorded in the information storage unit, connected to the resonance unit. An information processing section for comparing the identification information and sending predetermined information to the posting means when the identification information matches, and
A ferromagnetic layer having one surface facing the antenna device and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device, and one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic layer, with the ferromagnetic layer interposed therebetween. A non-contact type information exchange means, wherein a conductor layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the second antenna device is laminated.
The information transfer unit sends the identification reference information of the non-contact type information transfer unit that desires communication from the first antenna device. By receiving the predetermined information sent from the corresponding non-contact type information transfer means,
The configuration is such that the presence of the non-contact type information transfer unit and the orientation of the arranged front and back are confirmed, or further, arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage unit of the corresponding non-contact type information transfer unit. It is characterized by.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, when the first antenna device sends the identification reference information of the non-contact type information exchange means that desires communication, the identification information matching the identification reference information is recorded. If the contact-type information transmitting / receiving means is located in any of the arrangement areas, and if the arranged front and back directions are directions in which communication is possible, predetermined information is sent as a response only from this non-contact-type information transmitting / receiving means, while the other information is transmitted. No response is returned from the non-contact type information exchange means that does not match, even if the information is arranged in a communicable direction. As a result, it is confirmed that the desired non-contact type information exchange means is located in the arrangement area and is arranged in a communicable direction. Therefore, by associating the attribute information with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, the front and back orientation is confirmed based on the presence or absence of the response, the attribute information is determined based on this, and the response If there is, the attribute information determined as described above is associated with the predetermined information sent as described above. Alternatively, arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

An information processing apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the seventh, eighth and ninth aspects, further comprising a time measuring means for associating with the detection or reading the predetermined information. Alternatively, at least one of the confirmation and the recording is performed at a time indicated by the clock unit. Therefore, each process is executed at a predetermined time or a desired time, and the execution time can be counted.

An information processing method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes: a resonance unit including a second antenna device responsive to an electromagnetic field; and a load unit connected to the resonance unit.
A ferromagnetic layer having one surface facing the second antenna device and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device, and one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic layer; A non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means having a flat surface having both front and back surfaces, in which a conductive layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via a magnetic material layer is laminated; Each of the arrangement areas includes a first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field, and is associated with at least one piece of predetermined attribute information. Is also configured to be close to or abutable in the direction of the first antenna device, and is driven by selectively supplying power to one of the plurality of first antenna devices, and changing the supplied power or driving the first antenna device during the driving. State voltage change A first step of detecting an arrangement state including at least the front and back directions of the non-contact type information exchange means in each of the arrangement areas based on the state change, using a posting means that can be detected as an image; A second step of associating a state with the attribute information.

According to the above-mentioned information processing method, when the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means approaches or comes into contact with any one of the arrangement areas of the posting means in a front or back direction, The arrangement state including the direction of the front and back of the type information exchange means is confirmed, and the arrangement state is associated with the attribute information.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method, comprising: a resonating unit having a flat plate-like shape having both front and back surfaces and having a second antenna device responsive to an electromagnetic field; An information processing unit that exchanges information with another device via an electromagnetic field when the antenna device is responsive, and an information storage unit that is connected to the information processing unit and that records predetermined information in a reproducible manner, and A ferromagnetic layer having one surface facing the second antenna device and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device; and a ferromagnetic layer having one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic layer. A conductive layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via a non-contact type information transmitting and receiving means, and a posting surface having a plurality of arrangement areas, and each of the arrangement areas is First antennas each forming an electromagnetic field A plurality of first antenna devices, each of which is arranged so that the non-contact type information transmitting and receiving means can be arranged close to or in contact with the front and back sides, and can be arranged in order. Using the posting means, which is capable of exchanging information with each of the non-contact type information exchange means via each of the first antenna apparatuses, sequentially driving each of the first antenna apparatuses, and If the disposed non-contact type information transfer means is directed to either the front or back side where communication is possible, the method may include a first step of reading at least the predetermined information recorded in the information storage unit, or In addition to the steps, a second step of recording arbitrary information in the information storage unit is further provided.

According to the information processing method described above, when the non-contact type information exchange means is arranged in any of the arrangement areas of the posting means in a front-facing or back-facing proximity or contact, By sequentially driving the first antenna devices provided in the arrangement area and reading the predetermined information if the non-contact type information exchange means is directed to the communicable side, the identification of the non-contact type information exchange means can be performed. At the same time, it is confirmed whether the direction of the non-contact type information exchange means is front or back. Therefore, by associating the attribute information with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, the attribute information is determined based on the confirmation of the front and back sides, and when the information is directed to the communicable side. Is associated with the attribute information determined as described above and the predetermined information read as described above. Alternatively, arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

An information processing method according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is directed to an information processing method, comprising: a resonating unit having a flat plate shape having both front and back surfaces and having a second antenna device responsive to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device; At least the information storage unit in which the identification information is reproducibly recorded and the identification control information connected to the resonance unit and sent from the posting means are compared with the identification information recorded in the information storage unit. An information processing unit that sends predetermined information to the posting means at times, and a ferromagnetic layer having a shape facing one surface of the second antenna device and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device. Non-contact type information in which one surface is directed to the other surface of the ferromagnetic layer, and a conductive layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the second antenna device is laminated via the ferromagnetic layer. Giving and receiving means, A bulletin board surface having a plurality of arrangement areas, each of which is capable of disposing the non-contact type information exchange means close to or in contact with the front and back sides, and which can form an electromagnetic field common to the arrangement areas. A first antenna device,
A power supply unit for supplying power to the first antenna device, and an information exchange unit capable of exchanging information including at least transmission of identification / contrast information with the non-contact type information exchange unit;
By using the identification and reference information of the non-contact type information exchange means that desires communication from the first antenna device,
A first step of receiving the predetermined information sent from the corresponding non-contact type information exchange means, and a second step of confirming the presence of the non-contact type information exchange means and the orientation of the placed front and back. Or a third step of, in addition to the first and second steps, recording any information in the information storage unit of the corresponding non-contact type information exchange means.

According to the above information processing method, when the posting means sends the identification and reference information of the non-contact type information exchange means which desires communication from the first antenna device, the identification information matching the identification and reference information is transmitted. If the recorded non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is located in any of the arrangement areas, and if the arranged front and back directions are directions in which communication is possible, predetermined information is returned only from the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means in the first step. On the other hand, no response is returned from the other non-matching non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means even if the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is arranged in the communicable direction. And in the second step it is confirmed that they are arranged in a direction in which communication is possible. Therefore, by associating the attribute information with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, the front and back orientation is confirmed based on the presence or absence of the response, the attribute information is determined based on this, and the response If there is, the attribute information determined as described above is associated with the predetermined information sent as described above. Alternatively, in the third step, arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage section of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

An information processing method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing method according to any one of the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth aspects, wherein the information is associated with the detection or the reception of the predetermined information.
Alternatively, at least one of the confirmation and the recording is executed at a predetermined time or a desired time. Therefore, each process is executed at a predetermined time or a desired time, and the execution time can be counted.

[0041]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is a part of a preferred example for showing the essential configuration and operation of the present invention, and therefore, various restrictions which are preferable in the technical configuration may be given. The scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of one embodiment of a non-contact type information exchange device according to the present invention. The non-contact type information transfer device TF includes a surface plate Sb, a spacer Sps also having a function as a reinforcing plate, a circuit board Cb, and a magnetic sheet S.
m and a metal substrate Bm are integrally laminated in this order to form a flat plate. The surface plate Sb and the spacer Sps are made of plastic such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). On the surface of the circuit board Cb, a loop-shaped antenna device Ant2 responsive to an electromagnetic field and a semiconductor integrated circuit chip IC
And a capacitor C are provided and are electrically connected by a circuit pattern. The antenna device Ant2 and the capacitor C constitute a tuning circuit responsive to an externally applied electromagnetic field of a specific frequency (for example, 13.56 MHz). , Acting as a resonance part. The antenna device Ant2 and the circuit pattern can be formed by wire printing or by printing a pattern of conductive ink.

The semiconductor integrated circuit chip IC is connected to the resonance unit, and functions as an information processing unit capable of exchanging information with an external device via an electromagnetic field when the antenna device Ant2 responds.
Power is secured by the induced electromotive current generated in the tuning circuit, and information transfer and information processing are performed. Therefore, the semiconductor integrated circuit chip IC is connected to the resonance unit, and the resonance unit becomes a load unit that consumes electromagnetic energy when responding to an electromagnetic field. Further, the semiconductor integrated circuit chip IC may be provided with a memory to have an information recording / reproducing function.
Here, the memory functions as an information storage unit, and can be constituted by, for example, a read-only memory in which identification data ID is fixedly recorded. Alternatively, in addition to storing predetermined data such as identification data ID and the like, a non-volatile memory capable of storing arbitrary data can be used. As an example,
It is composed of a nonvolatile memory having a storage capacity of 1 KB. Although the semiconductor integrated circuit chip IC protrudes from the circuit board Cb due to its bulkiness, the spacer Sp laminated on the circuit board Cb
A hole HL is provided in a portion corresponding to s so that the protruding portion of the semiconductor integrated circuit chip IC is fitted therein.

The magnetic sheet Sm as a ferromagnetic layer is made of a high magnetic permeability material typified by ferrite or sendust having a magnetic permeability of about 10 to 40, and has a shape covering at least one surface of the antenna device Ant2. Circuit board C
b. The metal base Bm as a conductive layer is made of a conductive material such as iron and aluminum,
At least the antenna device An via the magnetic sheet Sm
The magnetic sheet Sm is laminated with one surface facing the other surface of the magnetic material sheet Sm in a shape covering one surface of t2. An adhesive layer may be provided at least between the surface plate Sb and the spacer Sps, between the spacer Sps and the circuit board Cb, between the circuit board Cb and the magnetic sheet Sm, or between the magnetic sheet Sm and the metal base Bm. Or a paramagnetic layer may be inserted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of a non-contact type information exchange device according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, in a configuration in which a ferromagnetic magnetic sheet Sm is provided below the antenna device Ant2 and a conductive metal base Bm is further provided below the antenna device Ant2,
When an electromagnetic field is applied from the upper side of 2, the propagation of the electromagnetic field in the space follows the Maxwell's equation as described above, and the electric field E and the magnetic field H are generated alternately and sequentially propagated in the space. Antenna device A composed of a conductor present on the way
When the electric field E reaches nt2, the magnetic field H formed here
As described above, the electromotive current i is generated as described above, and becomes the reception current of the antenna device Ant2. On the other hand, the electromagnetic field that has passed or transmitted through the antenna device Ant2 propagates through the space or insulator interposed between the magnetic sheet Sm and the magnetic sheet Sm located below, and is transmitted to the surface of the magnetic sheet Sm. When the electric field E1 is formed, a magnetic field H is formed in the magnetic sheet Sm according to the displacement current rule represented by dD / dt = rotH.

With respect to the applied magnetic field H and the magnetic flux density B induced by the applied magnetic field H, the relation of μ = B / H is established for the ferromagnetic material constituting the magnetic material sheet, where μ is the magnetic permeability. When the magnetic field H is applied, a magnetic flux density B of only μH is generated. The ferromagnetic material is made up of minute magnetic domains, in which domain walls exist as barriers. The magnetic domain to which the magnetic field H is applied is magnetized by a small magnet having a magnetic flux density B and a magnetization hysteresis curve that is μ times that of the magnetic domain H. That is, the hysteresis loss (iron loss) is proportional to the integral of the product of the magnetic field H and the minute magnetization dM. As a result, every time the magnetization goes around the hysteresis curve, heat proportional to the work w is generated in the magnetic domain (Asakura Publishing Co., Ltd .: “Electromagnetics”, Associate Professor, Kenichi Ono, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo, pp. 90-91). , The energy amount of the electromagnetic field at the position is attenuated.

The magnetic flux density B of the magnetic domain magnetized as described above
The time change dB / dt of the electric field E forms an electric field E according to the relational expression relating to electromagnetic induction dB / dt = −rotE as described above, and the electric field E is the time of the electric flux density D and the electric flux density D as described above. The magnetic field H is formed within the magnetic domain in accordance with the relational expression dD / dt = rotH, as described above, in accordance with the relational expression dD / dt = rotH as described above. And a hysteresis loss is generated by magnetizing the magnetic domain. In the magnetic material sheet Sm, each magnetic domain is sequentially magnetized as described above, and the electromagnetic field gradually attenuated by the work w in each magnetic domain is placed on the lower end surface of the magnetic material sheet Sm and on the upper end surface at the time of incidence. Also forms an attenuated magnetic field H. As described above, the electromagnetic field incident on the magnetic material sheet Sm is attenuated and transmitted, and the degree of attenuation is described as a.

The electromagnetic field attenuated while passing through the magnetic sheet Sm as described above propagates in the space or insulator interposed between the magnetic field Sm and the metal base Bm located below as described above. Reaches the surface of the metal substrate Bm. Assuming that the electric field is E2, E2 = a · E1 (0 <a <1).

The displacement current dD / dt generated by the electric field E2 as described above is the magnetic field H formed by the law relating to the displacement current.
As a result, an induced current i2 is generated on the surface of the metal substrate Bm, and the current is generated by a Biot-Savart related to a magnetic field formed around the metal substrate Bm.
A magnetic field is formed according to the law of As described above, the electric field formed by this magnetic field has the same waveform as the electric field E2 but with the opposite sign, and travels in the opposite direction to the electric field E2. The magnetic sheet Sm on the upper side as the electric field E2 'having the opposite sign
This is due to the electric field E in the magnetic material sheet Sm.
It is observed as 2 reflected waves. When the energy levels of the valence band and the conduction band in the metal substrate Bm overlap with each other, a current due to conduction electrons is easily generated. Electric field E
The absolute value (intensity) of 2 ′ is attenuated more than the absolute value (intensity) of the electric field E2. Assuming that the degree of this attenuation is ε (0 <ε <1), ε can be regarded as the reflectance of the electric field E2 by the metal substrate Bm, and is expressed as E2 ′ = − ε · E2.

Similarly to the above, the electromagnetic field entering from the lower end face of the magnetic sheet Sm is attenuated by magnetizing the magnetic domain while traveling in the magnetic sheet Sm, and the electric field is transmitted at the upper end face transmitted through the magnetic sheet Sm. E3 is formed to reach the antenna device Ant2.
Then, E3 = a · E2 ′ (0 <a <1) is obtained. When the above equations are substituted, the symbol ** is squared, and E3 = −ε · (a ** 2) · E1 is obtained. , E3 enter the antenna device Ant2 as reflected waves.

On the other hand, a reflected wave is also generated on the upper end surface of the magnetic sheet Sm. As described above, assuming that the electric field at the upper end surface of the magnetic material sheet Sm is E1, and the current formed along the surface is i1, a magnetic field is formed by the Biot-Savart's law, and the current i1 is an alternating current. The magnetic flux density B of the applied magnetic field changes periodically,
/ Dt, and an electric field E1 ′ by the expression dB / dt = −rotE according to the Maxwell electromagnetic induction is generated in the opposite direction with the same waveform and opposite sign as the electric field E1, and this is a reflected wave from the upper end surface of the magnetic sheet Sm. And enters the antenna device Ant2. However, since the specific resistance of the magnetic sheet Sm is significantly higher than the specific resistance of the conductor, and the generated surface current i1 is weak, the electric field E1 'is also weak. The effect of the reflected wave from the end face is negligible.

As described above, the incident wave to the antenna device Ant2 is generated by the electric field E1 incident from above and the metal substrate B
The electric field E3 and the magnetic sheet S
The electric field E1 'is incident as a reflected wave from m, and the composite wave E is represented by E = E1 + E3 + E1'. Among these, the electric field E1 'is weak and can be ignored as described above. E = E1 + E3 = {1−ε · (a ** 2)} · E1 As an example, the reflectance ε of the metal substrate Bm is 99.9.
% And the attenuation a of the magnetic material sheet Sm is 10%, ε · (a ** 2) = 0.00999, and E = 0.99001 · E1, which is 99% of the applied electric field E1. % Or more is synthetic wave E
Is secured as.

That is, the intensity of the reflected wave is suppressed by the action of the magnetic sheet Sm, and the attenuation of the electric field intensity received by the antenna device Ant2 is suppressed even when the metal base Bm is present in the vicinity.
Sufficient electromagnetic field sensitivity (that is, sensitivity) of the antenna device Ant2 can be secured and maintained. The present invention is based on this principle.

As described above, according to the non-contact type information transfer device TF according to the present invention, the metal substrate Bm made of a conductive layer is laminated on the antenna device Ant2 with the magnetic sheet Sm made of a ferromagnetic layer interposed therebetween. By improving the stiffness of the device itself while maintaining sensitivity, the device can have a long service life, and can be used in harsh applications such as the management of parts, tools, and work-in-progress items in factories and warehouses. Can also be applied, and the range of application can be expanded.

Further, the non-contact type information transfer device TF having the above-described configuration is connected to the conductor Bm with the antenna device Ant2 side as a back.
When the electromagnetic field is made incident from the side of the antenna device Ant2, the shielding effect is activated as described above, and the electromagnetic field is blocked.
And the information is not transmitted or received by the contactless information transfer device TF. On the other hand, when an electromagnetic field is incident from the antenna device Ant2 side with the conductor Bm side as described above, the sensitivity does not decrease due to the action of the ferromagnetic material layer. Also, it is possible to exchange information by communication. Therefore, it is possible to construct a system that performs different operations by reversing the front and back of the non-contact type information transfer device TF, and the field of application can be further expanded.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a main part of an employee management system which is an embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the employee management system WMS according to the present embodiment includes an RF name tag RFNB prepared for each employee and a display surface on which the RF name tag RFNB can be suspended. Etc. and the current name information can be timed and the RF name tag RFN
B, and a read / write device RW for transmitting and receiving information, and a main file MFL connected to the read / write device RW.
And a host machine HST having the same. The management of the leaving / leaving of the worker is performed by the operation of the RF name tag RFNB, the read / write device RW, and the host machine HST.

On the plate surface of the frame board Flm, a plurality of substantially rectangular arrangement areas are arranged. One arrangement area is 1
The RF name tag RFNB is configured to be brought close to or in contact with the RF name tag RFNB, and the RF name tag RFNB is suspended so that the RF name tag RFNB can be turned upside down. Furthermore, predetermined attribute information can be associated in advance with each arrangement area. An example of the attribute information is assignment information of a worker. In this case, a certain arrangement area is allocated exclusively to the worker of interest.
Further, the antenna device Ant1 is provided on the frame board Flm.
Is provided. The antenna devices Ant1 are distributed for each arrangement region, and the antenna devices Ant1 of the number N of the arrangement regions are provided.
i (referred to as a first antenna device; i = 1, 2,...,
N), or an integrated configuration provided as one integrated antenna laid over the entire arrangement area, and the details of each will be described in embodiments described later. By forming an electromagnetic field, the antenna device Ant1 detects the RF name tag RFNB placed near or in contact with it in a non-contact manner, and / or communicates by exchanging information in a non-contact manner.

In the present invention, "non-contact" means a state in which the two are not electrically connected directly. Non-contact.

The antenna device Ant1 is connected to and driven by the read / write device RW, and the host machine HST connected to the read / write device RW operates the read / write device RW.
Receives the information read from the RF name tag RFNB. The host machine HST may further have a function of transmitting information and storing the information in a memory (storage means) in the RF name tag RFNB via the read / write device RW. The host machine HST manages recording and reproduction of the information in the main file MFL provided on the built-in magnetic disk device, and is capable of transmitting and receiving the information via the network NW. Host machine HST
Records (employee 1, attendance, time) (employee 3, leave, time) in the main file MFL as information examples sent from the read / write device RW. A sub-file for each worker is created in the main file MFL, and attendance / departure information is recorded together with time information, and the worker management information is organized and stored by these. As a result, the host machine H
An external device, such as a personal computer, connected to the ST via the network can access the worker management information in the main file MFL to obtain desired management information from any location at any time.

In the above, the read / write device RW and the host machine HST can be combined to constitute an extended function read / write device RW.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of an RF name tag RFNB which is an application of one embodiment of the non-contact type information exchange device of the present invention. The RF name tag RFNB functions as a display component that can be rotated / reversed, and is prepared by the number of workers.
The RF name tag RFNB includes a surface plate Sb, a spacer Sps, a circuit board Cb, a magnetic sheet Sm, and a metal base Bm which are integrally laminated in this order, similarly to the non-contact type information transfer device TF shown in FIG. It is configured as a flat plate. Here, metal substrate B
The upper and lower ends of m are provided with protrusion-like insertion portions Fx as shown in FIG. 4, and are inserted and locked in the locking grooves Dx shown in FIG. As a result, the RF name tag RFNB is set in the “front” state or the “back” state, and
lm and can be easily turned forward or inverted. The circuit board Cb is composed of the magnetic sheet Sm and the metal base B.
When facing the frame board Flm with m as the back, the "front direction" is used. When the metal base Bm is reversed and the metal substrate Bm faces the frame board Flm with the magnetic sheet Sm and the circuit board Cb as the back. "Face down".

The surface of the surface plate Sb is colored red, for example, and the name of the worker is written with a writing tool such as a Magic (registered trademark) pen. The back surface of the metal substrate Bm is colored white, for example, with a magic pen. The name and the like of the worker are written with a writing instrument, and are easily visible. And RF name tag R
A state in which the FNB is suspended in white indicates that the worker goes to work, and a state in which the FNB is suspended in red indicates that the worker leaves.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the suspended state of the RF name tag shown in FIG. In a state where the RF name tag RFNB is close to or in contact with any of the arrangement areas of the frame board Flm, the second antenna device Ant of the RF name tag RFNB is provided.
In a state where “2” faces the first antenna device Ant1 side of the arrangement area, “in front”, inductive coupling is established between both antennas, and detection or / and communication can be performed. On the other hand, RF
In the “back-facing” state in which the name tag RFNB is inverted, the metal base body Bm made of a conductor faces the first antenna device Ant1 side of the arrangement area, and the inductive coupling between the first antenna device Ant1 and the second antenna device Ant2 is established. Not established, and detection or / and communication are disabled. Therefore, by establishing or not establishing the inductive coupling, that is, by setting in advance the attendance as described above as attribute information corresponding to the “front” or “back” of the RF name tag RFNB, the inductive coupling during operation is performed. Is established, the corresponding attribute information is confirmed in a non-contact manner. In addition, it can be confirmed visually by the displayed colors. Therefore, when the user desires to select certain attribute information, it is only necessary to operate the RF name tag RFNB to rotate forward or reverse in accordance with the attribute information on the arrangement area. The user can confirm that the information has been selected without contact.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the RF name tag RFNB. The main part of the RF name tag RFNB constitutes the non-contact information transfer device TF shown in FIG. RF name tag R
The FNB is inductively coupled to the antenna device Ant1 driven by the read / write device RW using an electromagnetic field as a medium,
An antenna device Ant2 that receives power supply in a non-contact manner by mutual guidance and also functions as a resonance unit that transmits and receives information (command and data), and the antenna device Ant
2 includes a power supply unit Pw, a clock extraction unit Ck, a demodulation unit De, and a modulation unit Cm, all connected to the control unit Cn, and further controls the whole operation of the RF name tag RFNB.
t, an encoding / decoding unit Erc connected to the control unit Cnt. The control unit Cnt, the demodulation unit De, the modulation unit Cm, and the encoding / decoding unit Erc function as an information processing unit. Here, it may be configured to further include a storage unit Mem connected to the control unit Cnt. The storage unit Mem functions as an information storage unit, and is configured by a nonvolatile memory device. At least one of the power supply unit Pw, the clock extraction unit Ck, the demodulation unit De, the modulation unit Cm, the encoding / decoding unit Erc, and the storage unit Mem acts as a load during inductive coupling.

The antenna device Ant2 is composed of a loop antenna for both transmission and reception. The demodulation means De equalizes the induced current generated in the antenna device Ant2, further detects and demodulates the information, and supplies the information to the control means Cnt. The modulating means Cm modulates the reflected wave by controlling the antenna apparatus Ant2 to interrupt a predetermined load impedance (not shown) based on the response information obtained by encoding the information supplied from the control means Cnt. Alternatively, control is performed to interrupt a predetermined load circuit connected directly or indirectly to the power supply unit Pw based on the response information, or a carrier of another frequency modulated (for example, ASK modulation) by the response information is supplied to the antenna device Ant2. Configuration.

To explain this further, in a configuration in which the load impedance of the antenna device Ant2 is controlled based on the response information, a reflected wave of a carrier wave is emitted from the antenna device Ant2 which continues to receive the action of the electromagnetic field from the read / write device RW. At this time, the reflectance of the antenna device Ant2 is controlled by switching and controlling the load impedance based on the response information, whereby the reflected wave is modulated by the above-described response information. On the other hand, in a configuration in which the power supply load is controlled based on the response information,
RF name tag R in an inductively coupled state by switching the load applied to the power supply by load switching control based on response information
It is configured to perform modulation by changing the impedance on the FNB side. The impedance fluctuation on the RF name tag RFNB side is caused by the read / write device R in the inductive coupling state.
On the W side, it is detected as a change in the terminal voltage of the antenna device Ant1 or a change in the input power amount.

The information exchange according to the above configuration is performed by using the RF name tag R
FNB antenna device Ant2 is read / write device RW
In response to the electromagnetic field formed by the driven antenna device Ant1, the induced current generated by mutual induction is processed to demodulate the information, and then the load impedance of the antenna device Ant2 based on the information transmitted to the read / write device RW Whether to transmit (information transmission by a reflected wave of a carrier wave) or to control and transmit the load of the power supply on the RF name tag RFNB side based on information transmitted to the read / write device RW (information transmission due to impedance fluctuation); Modulation of a carrier wave of another frequency by information transmitted to the read / write device RW, power supply to the antenna device Ant2, and transmission (information transmission by a transmission wave of another frequency generated by the transmission function of the RF name tag RFNB); It is realized by either. Further, it can be realized by other principles.

The power supply unit Pw receives and rectifies a high-frequency induced current generated by the antenna device Ant2 through mutual induction via an electromagnetic field, and supplies the rectified current to each unit of the device as a power supply. Further, a voltage stabilizing circuit for outputting a stable DC voltage can be provided. And each part of an apparatus can operate by this supply electric power.

The clock extracting section Ck has a frequency dividing circuit, outputs a clock signal of a carrier frequency based on the carrier wave received by the antenna device Ant2, divides this clock signal, and sets the operation reference of each section in the device. Generate and output a master clock to be a clock.

As described above, the RF name tag RFNB can be realized by either a configuration without the storage unit Mem or a configuration with the storage unit Mem. Storage means Mem
In the configuration not including the power supply unit Pw, each unit including the power supply unit Pw acts as a load at the time of inductive coupling, and as described above, the read / write device changes due to a state change occurring on the read / write device RW side due to the occurrence of the load. RF name tag RF on RW
NB is detected. Alternatively, the read / write device RW detects the RF name tag RFNB by a reflected wave generated at the time of inductive coupling.

On the other hand, in the configuration provided with the storage means Mem composed of a nonvolatile memory device, for example, the name of the worker or the ID code is specified as the specific information of the RF name tag RFNB.
Storage means M as first type information isj1 which is fixed information
em and stored. Also, as the second type information isj2 that can be added, deleted, or updated, the attendance record Ipa of the worker can be stored and retained as the attendance record. As a result, the main file MFL of the host machine HST can be backed up. This attendance record may be sent to the storage means Mem of the RF name tag RFNB and stored therein every time the read / write device RW is detected, or may be transcribed from the main file MFL at any communicable time.

As described above, the first type information isj1 and the second type information isj2 for recording the second type information isj2 are respectively stored in the storage unit Mem.
The type information area and the second type information area can be formed, and these areas are formed under the control of the control means Cnt, and the first type information isj1 is fixedly recorded, or the second type information isj2 is additionally recorded, deleted, and updated. The information is recorded in a reproducible manner, and the first type information isj1 and the second type information isj2 are reproduced from these areas.

The control means Cnt receives the signal demodulated from the demodulation means De at the time of reception, and sends it to the encoding / decoding means Erc. The encoding / decoding means Erc decodes the information supplied from the control means Cnt into, for example, CR
After performing correction based on the C code and returning it to the control means Cnt,
The control means Cnt extracts the instruction information (command) from this. In this way, the instruction information given from the read / write device RW via the electromagnetic field is restored. The encoding / decoding means Erc adds an error correction code such as a CRC code to information supplied from the control means Cnt at the time of reply, organizes the information into response information, and returns the response information to the control means Cnt. The encoding / decoding means Erc includes a data error correction function, but may have a data encryption / decryption function. Further, the present invention is not limited to the CRC method, and another principle of error correction can be applied.

The control unit Cnt sends the demodulated signal supplied from the demodulation unit De to the encoding / decoding unit Erc based on the clock supplied from the clock extraction unit Ck.
A sequence control function for extracting and analyzing various kinds of instruction information (commands) based on the error-corrected signal, separating and extracting information for recording, and sequentially executing the specified processing in a predetermined procedure. As a semiconductor logic control circuit. The technique of a semiconductor sequence controller that determines conditions in accordance with such a predetermined procedure and sequentially executes, for example, the opening and closing of a plurality of gates in chronological order is widely applied, and the control means Cnt utilizes this technique. . Further, the control means Cnt can be configured by applying a microcomputer.

As described above, the control means Cnt functions as the instruction information analyzing means and the sequence control means, and also functions as the signal processing means. As a result, the processing is executed based on the instruction information sent from the read / write device RW, and the execution result is sent to the modulation unit Cm. The modulation unit Cm receiving the execution result from the control unit Cnt executes a modulation process based on any of the above-described modulation methods, and applies a modulation signal to the read / write device RW via the antenna device Ant2. As described above, this assignment is performed by impedance variation on the RF name tag RFNB side, by a reflected wave, or by a transmission wave by a transmission function of the RF name tag RFNB.

Next, the non-contact information transfer device TF according to the present invention, which is the original of the RF name tag RFNB, will be described with reference to the non-contact information transfer device TF by the information processing device according to the present invention, which is the original of the read / write device RW. The principle of detection of the presence of the data or the principle of detection and recording of the contents of the memory means Mem in the non-contact type information exchange device TF will be described. The loop-shaped antenna device Ant1 on the information processing device side is used as the first antenna, and the loop-shaped antenna device Ant on the non-contact type information transfer device side is used as the first antenna.
If the second antenna is a second antenna, the first and second antennas face each other, and when the second antenna responds to the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the first antenna, this corresponds to a change in the current flowing through the first antenna. The magnetic field created by the current changes. This causes a change in the magnetic flux passing through the second antenna,
The mutual induction generates an electromotive force in the second antenna. The electromotive force V2 generated in the second antenna is proportional to the change in the current I1 of the first antenna, and is represented by V2 = M (dI1 / dt) under the tuning condition where M is a mutual inductance, and flows through the second antenna. The current I2 depends on the characteristics of the connected circuit. On the other hand, in the second antenna of the non-contact type information exchange device, the above-mentioned built-in means and circuits act as a load, and a resistance and a reactance (inductive reactance ωL or capacitive reactance 1 / ωC) are used as load impedance. Can be connected, and the intermittent connection of the load impedance to the second antenna can be controlled by the contents (“1” or “0”) of the memory means provided in the non-contact type information exchange device.

A. First detection principle: As described above, the information processing apparatus is the primary side, and the non-contact type information exchange apparatus inductively coupled to the information processing apparatus is the secondary side, and the total impedance of the secondary side is When Z, it can be treated as the inductively coupled four-terminal network shown in FIG. Here, the impedance Zie measured on the primary side
Is calculated as follows. ω is the angular frequency, the inductance of the antenna device Ant1 of the information processing device is L1,
The electromotive force is V1, the current is I1, the inductance of the antenna device Ant2 of the non-contact type information exchange device is L2, the electromotive force is V2, the current is I2, and the mutual inductance between the antenna device Ant1 and the antenna device Ant2 is M. Under the conditions, the induced electromotive force V1 is V1 = jω * L1 * I1 + jω * M * I2, and the induced electromotive force V2 is V2 = jω * M * I1 + jω * L2 * I2. Here, since the direction of the current I2 is reversed, V2 = −Z * I2.

As described above, the impedance Zie on the information processing apparatus side is represented by jω * (L1−M ** 2 / L2) as the first term and jω as the second term, using the symbol “**” as the square. * (M ** 2) * Z / L2 * (Z + jω * L2). Here, u2 = L2 / jω * (M ** 2) and u3 = (L2 ** 2) / Z * (M ** 2) are transformed into 1 / (u2 + u3). ). Therefore, if the first term is u1, the impedance Zie on the information processing device side is expressed as Zie = u1 + 1 / (u2 + u3). As a result, an equivalent circuit of the inductive coupling four-terminal network shown in FIG. 7 can be shown as in FIG. When a non-contact type information transfer device is present and tuned, inductive coupling is established and the above acts as a load. Therefore, the information processing device side detects the presence and absence of the non-contact type information transfer device due to a decrease in antenna terminal voltage. You can check.

Thus, in the information processing apparatus, the non-contact type information exchange device arranged in each arrangement area is arranged in a communicable direction (for example, a front direction) or a non-communicable direction (for example, a back side). Orientation) is detected.

On the other hand, the impedance Z on the side of the non-contact type information exchange device is set to an infinite impedance according to the contents of the storage means Mem (one of “1” and “0”, for example, “1”). When the circuit is controlled to perform the operation, the term u3 = (L2 ** 2) / Z * (M ** 2) becomes infinitesimal, and the state of “1” in the storage unit Mem is changed by the information processing apparatus. It is observed as impedance Zie1 = jω * L1. On the other hand, when the impedance Z on the non-contact type information exchange device side is set to zero impedance according to the content of the storage unit Mem (either “1” or “0”, for example, “0”), The term of / (u2 + u3) becomes infinitesimal, and the state of “0” in the storage means Mem is observed on the information processing apparatus side as impedance Zie0 = jω * (L1−M ** 2 / L2). This is expressed as Zie0 = jω * L1 * (1-k ** 2) using the coupling constant kk ** 2 = M ** 2 / L1 * L2 of the antenna devices Ant1 and Ant2. As described above, the state of “1” or “0” in the storage unit Mem on the non-contact type information exchange device side depends on the above-described different impedance values Zie1 and Zi on the information processing device side.
By being observed as e0, the state of “1” or “0” of the storage unit Mem can be detected.

Further, by changing the impedance Z of the non-contact type information exchange device to any different value between zero and infinity, different impedance values Zie corresponding to each can be observed. As described above, the impedance Zie on the primary side (information processing device side) changes according to the load Z on the secondary side (non-contact type information exchange device side) due to the mutual induction. Is detected, the state of the non-contact type information exchange device can be detected.

B. Second detection principle: Next, by supplying power to the above-described inductively coupled four-terminal network only from the primary side, the entire inductively coupled four-terminal network is loaded when the power supply circuit of the information processing apparatus is tuned. Further, the supplied power fluctuates according to the change in the impedance Zie of the load. Therefore, by detecting the fluctuation of the supplied power in the information processing device, it is possible to detect the presence of the non-contact information transfer device, and to detect the contents of the storage unit Mem of the non-contact information transfer device.

C. Third detection principle: An electromagnetic wave is incident from the antenna Ant1 on the information processing device side to the antenna Ant2 on the non-contact type information transfer device side, tuned, and an induced current is induced on the non-contact type information transfer device side by electromagnetic induction. When it occurs, it again emits an electromagnetic wave from the antenna Ant2, which is observed on the information processing apparatus side as backscattering or reflection (hereinafter, referred to as reflection) of the electromagnetic wave by the antenna Ant2. The detection of this reflected wave confirms the presence of the non-contact type information exchange device. In addition, this reflectivity depends on the antenna impedance of the non-contact type information exchange device,
Further, since the antenna impedance depends on the state of the circuit, the information processing apparatus can know the state of the circuit of the non-contact type information transfer apparatus from the observed reflected wave. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the antenna impedance of the non-contact type information exchange device is changed in accordance with the content of the storage unit Mem, the information processing device can use the contents of the memory unit of the non-contact type information exchange device by the observed reflected wave. Can be detected.

The second or third detection principle will be further described. There are cases where the resonance frequency of the antenna Ant2 changes and shifts due to a change in the state of the non-contact type information exchange device, and cases where the resonance frequency does not change. . The current in the resonant circuit is a function of the impedance Z, which is a resistance R, an inductance L, a capacitance C
Is a function of For example, the equivalent circuit of the antenna resonance circuit is
The impedance Z when approximated by a series connection of the resistance R, the inductance L, and the capacitance C is represented by the square of the resistance R, the inductive reactance ωL, and the capacitive reactance 1.
The root of the sum of the square of the difference of / ωC. The Q value of this resonance circuit is determined by the peak value and the half value width at the resonance point (resonance frequency ω0) of the characteristic curve of the square of the absolute value of the induced current, so that the Q value depends on the resistance R, the inductance L, and the capacitance C. Dependent. The square of the absolute value of the induced current is
It is obtained as the product of conjugate complex numbers in complex numbers.
On the other hand, the resonance frequency ω0 of this equivalent circuit is the reciprocal of the root of the product of the inductance L and the capacitance C, and thus depends on the inductance L and the capacitance C and the resistance R
Does not depend on At the time of resonance, the impedance Z becomes a pure resistance, has a minimum value, and the resonance current has a maximum value.

Based on the above characteristics, the antenna device An
The resistance R of the resonance circuit on the t2 side is determined by the content of the memory means (“1”).
Or "0").
The resonance frequency ω0 does not move, and the peak value and the half value width (therefore, Q value) of the current at the resonance point change. This change is caused by the antenna device Ant which applies energy to the antenna device Ant2 via electromagnetic waves under inductive coupling as described above.
This can be detected as a change in the transmission power on one side. Therefore, the detection result (“1” or “0”) of the storage unit Mem can be detected based on the detection result.

On the other hand, when the load having the inductance L and the capacitance C is intermittently connected to the antenna device Ant2 in accordance with, for example, the contents of the memory means (“1” or “0”), the antenna device Ant2 side The change in the inductive reactance ωL or the capacitive reactance 1 / ωC in the impedance of the resonance circuit causes the resonance frequency ω0
Shifts to ω0 ′. Therefore, in this case, in the antenna device Ant2 of the non-contact type information exchange device side,
The re-radiated power increases due to the increase in the standing wave ratio of the current due to the electromagnetic wave of frequency ω0 emitted from the information processing device, while the power supplied from the antenna device Ant2 to the load decreases, and as a result, the antenna device Ant2
Functions as a reflection device of the electromagnetic wave of frequency ω0 emitted from the information processing device, and emits a reflected wave. The information processing device can detect the content of the storage unit Mem of the non-contact information transfer device by detecting the reflected wave.
Alternatively, the information processing apparatus changes the frequency ω0 of the electromagnetic wave to be emitted to ω0 when the resonance frequency shifts in accordance with the contents of the storage unit Mem on the non-contact type information exchange apparatus side as described above.
By shifting to 0 'and detecting absorption on the side of the non-contact type information transfer device, the contents of the storage means Mem of the non-contact type information transfer device can be detected.

D. Fourth detection principle: Each of the above-mentioned principles supplies power from a primary-side information processing device to a non-contact type information exchange device and performs information processing by mutual guidance so that the information processing device is treated as an inductively coupled four-terminal network. The presence of the non-contact type information exchange device is detected by the state where the non-contact type information exchange device is inductively coupled to the device, and the content of the storage means Mem in the non-contact type information exchange device is detected. The information transfer device does not transmit information by emitting electromagnetic waves by itself. On the contrary,
The non-contact type information transfer device emits electromagnetic waves carrying information by itself and allows the information processing device to receive it, thereby making the information processing device aware of the existence of the non-contact type information transfer device and transmitting information to the information processing device can do.

In this case, the non-contact type information exchange device has an independent electromagnetic wave emitting function, and uses the power supplied from the information processing device or prepares a separate power source and transmits the information to the information processing device independently. Emit electromagnetic waves. The information processing apparatus receives the electromagnetic wave, confirms the presence thereof, and extracts the information.
m can be obtained.

The information processing system according to the present invention has a configuration in which at least any one of the above principles is applied to detection or / and information transmission / reception by non-contact between the information processing apparatus and the non-contact type information exchange apparatus. can do.

In order to adjust the tuning frequency in the non-contact type information exchange device, a capacitor C may be connected in parallel or in series with the antenna device Ant2 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a read / write device which is a main component of the worker management system shown in FIG. 3, and corresponds to the distributed antenna configuration described above. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a worker management system having a distributed antenna configuration. As shown in FIG.
One antenna device Ant1j is provided for each arrangement region on the frame board Flm, and a total of N (N> 1) antenna devices Ant11 to Ant1N are connected to the read / write device RW. Each antenna device Ant1j is driven by the read / write device RW, and is inductively coupled to the antenna device Ant2j of each RF name tag RFNB suspended in a direction in which communication is possible in the arrangement area.

As shown in FIG. 9, the read / write device RW has N antenna devices Ant11 to An connected thereto.
An electromagnetic wave is radiated to each non-contact type RF name tag RFNB through t1N, and the presence of the RF name tag RFNB activated in response to the electromagnetic field formed by the electromagnetic wave is detected.
It has a function of reading or writing information from the F name tag RFNB in a non-contact manner, and a function of exchanging information with a host machine HST as an external device.

The read / write device RW is connected to a plurality of antenna devices Ant11 to Ant1N and switches sequentially, and a read-only memory unit Rp which stores each means for controlling the entire operation as a program.
11, a clock generator R1, a filter R2, a modulator R3, a power amplifier R4, a demodulator R6, an arithmetic processing unit (microprocessor unit) Cpu, a magnetic disk drive Hdd, and a timer Tm. A transmission / reception interface unit R7, an input / output interface unit R8,
The communication unit R9 is provided, and operates in a transmission mode, a reception mode, and a worker information management mode. RF name tag R in transmission mode
A carrier wave is given to the FNB, or an instruction signal (command) and / or recording data is given on the carrier wave.
The presence of B is detected or a response (response) from the RF name tag RFNB is received. Further, in the worker information management mode, information on the attendance of the worker is managed using information obtained in the transmission mode and the reception mode, and other processes are executed.

The arithmetic processing unit Cpu is a computer that operates according to the stored program method, and each program stored in the read-only memory unit R11 is stored in the arithmetic processing unit Cpu.
It is prepared as a program that can be read and executed by pu. The read-only memory unit R11 is configured by a read-only memory device (read only memory: ROM) or a nonvolatile memory device (EEPROM, flash memory, etc.). Although not shown, the arithmetic processing unit C
a working memory unit for temporarily storing temporary data generated in the process of reading and executing each program by pu by DRAM
(A read / write memory where a memory holding operation is performed).

The clock generator R1 includes an oscillation circuit and a frequency divider, outputs a clock signal of a carrier frequency, divides the frequency of the clock signal, and generates an operation reference clock for various digital circuits in the device. A master clock is generated and output. The carrier clock signal is supplied to the filter section R2. Master clock is arithmetic processing unit C
pu, the magnetic disk drive Hdd, the timer Tm, the read-only memory unit R11, the modulation unit R3, the demodulation unit R6, and the like.

The filter section R2 includes a low-pass filter for waveform shaping and removes high-frequency components of the carrier clock signal to output a sine wave signal of the carrier frequency as the carrier signal. This carrier signal is supplied to the modulation section R3. The modulation unit R3 has a transmission mode of RF name tag RFNB.
Is detected, the carrier is passed to the power amplifying unit R4. On the other hand, if the transmission mode is RF name tag RFN
In the case of command / data transmission to B, a transmission signal dt in which the command / data is encoded is supplied from the transmission / reception interface unit R7, and the carrier is subjected to, for example, ASK modulation based on the transmission signal dt. , As a modulated signal to the power amplifier R4. Further, in the reception mode, the modulation unit R3 is configured not to receive the supply of the coded information to be transmitted, and to supply the power to the power amplification unit R4 without passing through the carrier. The power amplification unit R4 power-amplifies the signal supplied from the modulation unit R3 at a predetermined amplification rate, and outputs the output via the antenna switching unit Mpx to each antenna device Ant.
1j.

The demodulation unit R6 receives the high-frequency voltage generated in the antenna device Ant1j via the antenna switching unit Mpx, detects the voltage fluctuation, and detects the fluctuation in the voltage.
7, or sends the demodulated demodulated signal dr to the control unit 1 via the transmission / reception interface unit R7. Or demodulation unit R6
However, at least a part of the above-described operation may be performed by detecting a state change occurring in the power amplifying unit R4.

The transmission / reception interface unit R7 converts the data transmitted when the program in the read-only memory unit R11 is read by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu into a transmission signal dt and gives the transmission signal dt to the modulation unit R3, or the demodulation unit R6 The received voltage fluctuation detection signal or demodulated signal dr is converted into data, and the program in the read-only memory unit R11 is provided to the executing arithmetic processing unit Cpu. The input / output interface unit R8 is connected to the host machine HS via the communication unit R9.
The information exchange with T is interfaced, and the program in the read-only memory unit R11 is supplied to the executing arithmetic processing unit Cpu.

The magnetic disk drive Hdd associates each of a plurality of arrangement areas on the frame board Flm or each of the antenna devices Ant1j provided in each arrangement area with attribute information (for example, an employee name or ID). Correspondence table T
ab and an employee file Fle for temporarily recording flags and parameters being processed and fixed data are recorded. The determined data is transferred to the host machine HST at a predetermined timing. Depending on the configuration, the correspondence between the predetermined information and the attribute information stored in the storage means Mem in the RF name tag RFNB is also recorded in the correspondence table Tab.

In the read-only memory unit R11, the control means 1, the worker information management means 2, the encoding / decoding means 3, the RF name tag reading / recording means 4, and the RF name tag confirmation means 5 are read by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu. -Stored as an executable program. The control means 1, when executed by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu, controls the operation of each means together with its timing, exchanges data, and sends an instruction signal swg for switching each antenna apparatus Ant1j to the antenna switching unit Mpx to control.

The worker information management means 2 is provided with an arithmetic processing unit Cp
u, the current time information is received from the timer Tm, the antenna device Ant1j to be excited is determined with reference to the correspondence table Tab, and the antenna device Ant1j is switched to the antenna switching unit Mpx via the control means 1, RF
A start signal or an instruction signal for the name tag RFNB is transmitted, status and final data are provisionally recorded in the worker file Fle based on the detection result and response obtained via the control means 1, and this final data is sent to the host machine HST. And so on.

The encoding / decoding means 3 comprises an arithmetic processing unit Cp
As a result of reading and execution by u, at the time of transmission, data obtained by adding an error correction code such as a CRC code to information provided from the control means 1 is encoded and returned to the control means 2. At the time of reception, the demodulated signal provided from the control means 1 is subjected to error correction based on an error correction code such as a CRC code, so that the RF name tag RFNB
It is programmed to correctly restore the response information given by the side.

The RF name tag reading / recording means 4 is operated under the control of the control means 1 by being read and executed by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu, to read and reproduce information from the RF name tag RFNB, or to transmit the information to the RF name tag RFNB. Or it is programmed to record any information. RF
The name tag confirmation means 5 operates under the control of the control means 1 by being read and executed by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu, and receives the RF name tag R based on the information given from the demodulation unit R6 via the transmission / reception interface R7 and the control means 1.
The program is programmed to return to the control means 1 the result of the FNB detection confirmation or the confirmation that the RF name tag RFNB exists and is in the direction in which communication is possible.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the attendance control operation based on the detection of the RF name tag in the worker management system having the distributed antenna configuration. Hereinafter, the RF name tag R shown in FIG.
The operation will be described with reference to the block diagram of the FNB and the block diagram of the read / write device RW shown in FIG. Also, as described above, the RF name tag RFN applied in this embodiment
B indicates the antenna device Ant2j (the antenna device A in FIG. 6).
(corresponding to nt2) is connected to a circuit acting as a load at the time of resonance. Therefore, the storage means Mem and the like shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted.

The worker information management means 2 of the read / write device RW operates under the control of the control means 1 to set the worker in the worker information management mode, and then refers to the correspondence table Tab to check the worker. When the dedicated arrangement area is confirmed, the mode shifts to the transmission mode, and the antenna device Ant1j in this arrangement area is excited and driven (step S).
1). Here, the control unit 1 sends an instruction signal swg for switching the antenna device Ant1j to the antenna switching unit Mpx according to the instruction of the worker information management unit 2, and the antenna switching unit Mpx switches to the specified antenna device Ant1j. Next, the control means 1 excites the antenna device Ant1j via the modulation section R3 and the power amplification section R4,
An electromagnetic field is emitted from the antenna device Ant1j.
Here, the worker information management means 2 returns to the worker information management mode, reads the current time from the timer Tm (step S2), and then proceeds to step S3 for checking whether or not the RF name tag RFNB has been detected.

The RF name tag R suspended from the placement area
If the front and back of the FNB is "back" indicating work leaving,
Since the electromagnetic field is cut off by the metal base Bm of the RF name tag RFNB, inductive coupling is not established between the antenna device Ant1j on the read / write device RW side and the antenna device Ant2j on the RF name tag RFNB side, and therefore, the antenna device Ant1j Since the terminal voltage does not change, the RF name tag confirming means 5 confirms non-detection based on a signal from the demodulation unit R6 which has detected this non-change in the reception mode, and notifies the worker information managing means 2 of the result. .

The worker information management means 2 in the worker information management mode determines that the worker has left based on the notification and sets a flag in the sub-file allocated to the worker in the worker file Fle ( Step S7), and the exit time is recorded (step S8). More specifically, when the worker information management unit 2 receives the notification of non-detection, the worker information management unit 2 confirms that the worker is not working at that time and checks the state of the flag in the corresponding area of the worker file Fle. I do. If the flag has already been set, the exit has already been registered before that, and the process for the worker concerned is completed here. On the other hand, if the flag is not set, the worker information management means 2 executes the above-described steps S7 to S8, assuming that a new work has occurred at this time, and ends the processing for this worker and proceeds to step S6. . In step S6, the worker information management means 2 sets the next worker, and returns to step S1.

On the other hand, the RF suspended in the arrangement area
If the front and back sides of the name tag RFNB indicate “work”, the antenna device Ant2j of the RF name tag RFNB resonates in response to the electromagnetic field formed by the antenna device Ant1j of the read / write device RW, and inductive coupling is established. However, since the power supply unit Pw or the like acts as a load here, the antenna device An of the read / write device RW supplying the electromagnetic wave is used.
The terminal voltage at t1j decreases. When this is detected by the demodulation unit R6 of the read / write device RW and sent to the RF name tag confirmation means 5, the RF name tag confirmation means 5 confirms the detection of the RF name tag RFNB in step S3, and sends the result to the worker information management means 2. Notice.

The worker information management means 2 determines that the worker has gone to work and removes the flag of the sub-file allocated to the worker in the worker file Fle (step S).
4) Further, the time of work is recorded (step S5). This process will be described in more detail.
Upon receiving the notification of the F name tag RFNB detection, it is determined that the worker is not leaving at that time, and the worker file Fl
The state of the flag in the corresponding area of e is confirmed, and if the flag has already been lowered, it is determined that the attendance has already been registered before that, and the processing for the worker concerned can be completed here. On the other hand, if the flag has not been lowered, the worker information management means 2 executes steps S4 to S5 described above assuming that a new work has occurred at this point in time, ends the processing relating to this worker, and proceeds to step S6. . In step S6, the worker information management means 2 sets the next worker, returns to step S1, and repeats the above for the next worker. This flag is set when the worker leaves the office, and is continued until the attendance is registered. In addition, the worker is dropped down when he / she registers with his / her attendance, and thereafter, is continued until the withdrawal registration is made. Therefore, by managing the state of the flag, the attendance of the worker can be managed, and by referring to the state of the flag, the attendance of the worker can be easily confirmed.

As described above, the worker management system WMS
Always operates, and at any time, the forward / reverse rotation of the RF name tag RFNB
Even if a reversing operation is performed, it is accurately recorded, and reliable management of time and attendance information is enabled. In addition, since the worker management system WMS is constantly operating in a loop, if the worker misplaces the RF name tag RFNB, the information is immediately updated.

The attendance information of each worker recorded in the worker file Fle as described above is converted into fixed data by the worker information management means 2 via the input / output interface unit R8 and the communication unit R9 to the host machine HST. And registered in the main file MFL. In addition, the registered attendance information is transmitted from an external PC etc. to the network N.
Accessible via W.

The worker management system of the operation shown in FIG. 11 is configured to detect the RF name tag as a load.
Therefore, an RF name tag which does not require storage means can be applied. On the other hand, FIG. 12 shows a distributed antenna as shown in FIG. 10 to which an RF name tag having an information recording function is applied. 6 is a flowchart of the attendance management operation of the worker management system according to the embodiment. The operation will be described below with reference to the block diagram of the RF name tag RFNB shown in FIG. 6 and the block diagram of the read / write device RW shown in FIG. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is referred to. FIG. 1
In the worker management system of the operation shown in FIG. 1, attribute information is set in advance in each placement area of the frame board Flm, and each placement area is dedicated to the corresponding worker, so that the RF name tag RFNB of a certain worker is Although the arrangement area to be suspended is predetermined, the present embodiment is configured so that the RF name tag RFNB of an arbitrary worker can be suspended in an arbitrary arrangement area. Therefore, information is obtained by sequentially driving the antenna devices Ant1j in all the arrangement areas in a sweeping manner.
Each RF name tag RFNB has a built-in storage means Mem.
The predetermined information that can specify the F name tag RFNB or the worker is recorded as the first type information isj1.

Under the control of the control means (not shown, but corresponding to the control means 1), the worker information management means (not shown, but corresponding to the worker information management means 2), Is set (step S21), and this is excited (step S21).
2), RF name tag RFNB suspended in the placement area
Then, an instruction is transmitted to send predetermined information (first type information isj1) recorded in the built-in storage means Mem (step S23). Here, the worker information management means reads the current time from the timer Tm (step S2).
4). At this time, the control unit sends an instruction signal swg for switching the antenna device Ant1j to the antenna switching unit Mpx according to the instruction of the worker information management unit, and the antenna switching unit Mpx sends the signal to the specified antenna device Ant1j (in the first case, the antenna device Ant11). Switch. Next, the control means organizes transmission data dt for instructing the transmission of the first type information isj1 to the RF name tag RFNB, and transmits the data to the antenna device Ant via the modulator R3 and the power amplifier R4.
1j is excited, and an electromagnetic field is radiated from the antenna device Ant1j.

The above operation will be described in more detail.
An instruction to reproduce the first type information isj1 recorded in the RF name tag RFNB under the control of the control means by the F name tag reading / recording means 4 is transmitted as RF transmission data dt.
It is sent to the name tag RFNB. Here, the encoding / decoding means 3 adds an error correction code such as a CRC code to the instruction,
The data to which the error correction code is added is encoded, and the control unit outputs this to the modulation unit R3 as transmission data dt. The modulation unit R3 modulates the carrier with the transmission data dt and sends it as a transmission signal to the power amplification unit R4. The power amplification unit R4 amplifies the power and drives the antenna Ant1j. As a result, an electromagnetic field carrying a transmission signal is formed, and if an RF name tag RFNB is suspended in a direction in which communication is possible in this arrangement area, the RF name tag RFNB receives and responds to this.

If the RF name tag RFNB is suspended in a direction in which communication cannot be performed, no response is generated.
Based on the output from the demodulation unit R6 detecting this,
When the name tag confirmation means 5 confirms this and notifies the worker information management means, the worker information management means returns to the next antenna device A.
nt1j is set (step S26), and step S22 is set.
Return to

When the RF name tag RFNB is suspended in a direction in which communication is possible, the antenna device Ant2j in the RF name tag RFNB is connected to the antenna Ant1 of the read / write device RW.
j, the demodulation means De demodulates the instruction, and the control means Cnt interprets the instruction, reads out predetermined information (first type information isj1) recorded in the storage means Mem,
The data is transmitted via the modulating means Cm by changing the load state. Note that the principle and operation of the transmission and the details of each unit and each unit in the RF name tag RFNB in each operation are the same as those described above (the description of FIG. 6). The description is omitted.

If there is a response in step S25, R
The F name tag reading / recording means 4 reads predetermined information from the response. This will be described in more detail. The transmitted first type information isj1 is used as a response signal and the antenna device A
nt1j, demodulation unit R6, and encoding / decoding means 3
The F name tag reading / recording means 4 receives it. At this time, the antenna device Ant1j and the antenna device An on the RF name tag RFNB side are used.
During the reception mode, the RF name tag RF
When there is a change in the load state on the NB side, the antenna device Ant1
The high frequency voltage of j fluctuates. Assuming that the demodulation unit R6 that has detected a change in the high-frequency voltage of the antenna device Ant1j in the reception mode performs demodulation based on the detected voltage to obtain a demodulated signal dr, the encoding / decoding means 3 outputs
Error correction based on an error correction code such as an RC code is performed, and the predetermined information that is the first type information isj1 is correctly restored as response information transmitted from the RF name tag RFNB.

Next, the worker information management means refers to the corresponding information of the predetermined information vs. the worker in the correspondence table Tab as required, and identifies the worker from the predetermined information, and the worker goes to work. Employee File Fle
The flag set in the sub-file allocated to the worker is lowered (step S27). Next, the attendance time is recorded in the sub file (step S28), whereby the attendance process of the worker is completed. The details of the operation in the case where the flag has already been lowered and the attendance registration has been completed are substantially the same as in the above embodiment, and the description given in the above embodiment is referred to. The above processing is executed for each antenna device Ant1j in each of the other arrangement areas. Here, the worker information management means determines in step S29 that all the antenna devices Ant1j
It is checked whether or not the processing has been executed for each 1j. If the processing has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S26, the next antenna device Ant1j is set, and the above processing is repeated.

In this manner, all the antenna devices Ant
At the time when the processing is completed for 1j, the RF in which the communication has been established
All the employees corresponding to the name tag RFNB are considered to have gone to work, and all other employees are considered to be out of work. Therefore, in step S30, another worker sets a flag in the sub-file as having left, and records the exit time in the sub-file. The details of the operation in the case where the flag is already set and the leave registration is completed are substantially the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and the description in the above-described embodiment is referred to. As described above, the leaving processing of each worker is performed.

The contents of each worker file updated as described above are transcribed and registered in the main file MFL of the host machine HST at an appropriate time as attendance record information.
The time and attendance information registered in this way can be accessed from an external personal computer or the like via the network NW.
In this embodiment, in addition to the transfer to the main file MFL, the attendance record Ipa for each worker can be recorded in the storage means Mem of the RF name tag RFNB as the second type information isj2. At step S30, record I of attendance at the RF name tag RFNB
If there is an instruction to record pa, the worker information management means executes this to record the second type information isj2 (step S).
31). When the series of processes is completed in this way, the process returns to step S21, and as the next phase, the following processes starting with the setting of the first antenna device Ant11 are repeated. If there is no recording instruction in step S30, the process returns to step S21 and shifts to the next phase. Note that the storage of the second type information isj2 in the RF name tag RFNB may be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the worker turns the RF name tag RFNB on the frame board Flm forward / forward.
It is only necessary to perform the reversal operation, and the RF name tag RFNB of any worker can be hung in an arbitrary arrangement area. Can be done. In addition, it always operates, and R
Even if the operation of the F name tag RFNB is performed at an arbitrary time, it is accurately recorded, and reliable management of the attendance information is enabled. In addition, since the worker management system of the present embodiment is always in operation by repeating the phases, if the worker replaces the operation of the RF name tag RFNB by mistake, the information is immediately updated, thereby improving the reliability. Can be improved.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a worker management system having an integrated antenna configuration as another embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention. The operation will be described below with reference to the block diagram of the RF name tag RFNB shown in FIG. 6 and the block diagram of the read / write device RW shown in FIG.
The same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is referred to.

The worker management system shown in FIG. 10 has a distributed antenna configuration in which the antenna devices Ant1j are provided in the respective placement areas of the frame board Flm. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. And a frame board Flm, a read / write device RW, and an RF name tag RFNB.
A single integrated antenna device Ant1 is provided over all of the above arrangement areas, and the read / write device RW excites the antenna device Ant1 to form an electromagnetic field. This electromagnetic field has the same frequency that all the RF name tags RFNB can sense, and thus a plurality of RF
All RF tags that can be communicated among the name tags RFNB
Each antenna device Ant2j of the name tag RFNB and the antenna device Ant1 are inductively coupled at a time to transmit and receive information. In the configuration of this embodiment, the RF of any worker
The name tag RFNB can be hung in an arbitrary arrangement area.

Information transfer between each RF name tag RFNB placed in the arrangement area and the read / write device RW is managed by the read / write device RW. A selection command containing control information is transmitted all at once.

On the other hand, each RF name tag RFNB is stored in the storage means Me.
m, the predetermined information (identification information) capable of identifying the RF name tag RFNB or the worker is recorded as the first type information isj1, and the information processing section analyzes the selection command sent from the read / write device RW. Then, the loaded identification reference information is compared with the recorded predetermined information (identification information), and if the self is selected at the time of matching, the recorded predetermined information is transmitted to the read / write device RW. Be composed.

As described above, all the Rs receiving the identification control information
The matching with the predetermined information recorded in the F name tag RFNB is performed. Since only one matching RF name tag RFNB is included, only the RF name tag RFNB reads the predetermined information recorded by the read / write device. Transmit to RW. No response is returned from the other RF name tag RFNB that does not match, even if the RF name tag RFNB is placed in the communicable orientation. The read / write device RW receives the predetermined information transmitted as a response and specifies the RF name tag RFNB. Thereby, it is possible to confirm that the RF name tag RFNB is suspended in a direction in which communication is possible, and at the same time, it is possible to obtain predetermined information recorded on the RF name tag RFNB.

Accordingly, the read / write device RW calls each of the RF name tags RFNB one after another, thereby individually communicating with the desired RF name tag RFNB using one antenna device Ant1 to obtain information. Can be exchanged. In addition, RF name tag RFNB
By associating attribute information (for example, attendance and leaving work) with each of the front and back orientation states, if the front and back orientation is confirmed based on the presence or absence of a response, the attribute information can be determined based on this. If there is a response, the attribute information determined as described above can be associated with the predetermined information sent as described above.

Further, in this embodiment, the storage means Mem of the RF name tag RFNB directed to the communicable side.
Can record any information. As an example of information to be recorded,
There is attendance record data of the worker.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the attendance management operation of the worker management system. The worker information management means (not shown, but corresponds to the worker information management means 2 in FIG. 9; hereinafter, the same applies to other constituent parts) sets the worker and refers to the worker by referring to the correspondence table. For example, when the control ID is read as the identification control information of the person (step S81),
Excite the antenna device Ant1 (step S8)
2). Next, when an instruction command carrying identification reference information (control ID) is transmitted to all suspended RF name tags RFNB (step S83), only the RF name tag RFNB suspended in a communicable direction is the antenna device. It responds to the electromagnetic field formed by Ant1. This instruction command indicates that the RF name tag RFNB that has received the identification reference information (control ID)
By collating with the predetermined information (ID) as the identification information recorded in the storage unit Mem, if the reference ID matches the ID, it is instructed to respond that it is selected.

Next, the worker information management means is a timer Tm.
The current time is read from (step S84).
The process proceeds to step S85 for checking whether there is a response from the F name tag RFNB.

RF name tag RFN suspended in the arrangement area
Among B, the “back-facing” one in which the front and back indicate that the work is left, the electromagnetic field is cut off by the metal base Bm of the RF name tag RFNB, so that the antenna device Ant1 on the read / write device RW side and the RF name tag RFNB. No inductive coupling is established with the antenna device Ant2j on the side of
There is no response from the F name tag RFNB. Based on this, the worker information management means sets a flag on the sub-file allocated to the worker in the worker file Fle based on the fact that the worker has left (step S93), and further confirms the exit time. (Step S94).
To explain this process in more detail, the worker information management means confirms that there is no response by confirming that there is no response, and then checks the state of the flag in the corresponding area of the worker file Fle. If the flag has already been set, the exit has already been registered before that, and the process for the worker concerned is completed here. On the other hand, if the flag is not set, it is determined that a new work has occurred at this time, and the worker information management means proceeds to steps S93 to S94.
Is executed, and the processing for this worker is completed, and step S
Go to 92. In step S92, the worker information management unit sets the next worker, and returns to step S81.

On the other hand, if there is a response from the selected RF name tag RFNB out of the “face-up” RF name tags RFNB suspended from the front and back indicating the attendance at the placement area (step S8)
5) The worker information management means sends the prescribed information (ID)
Is read (step S86), and it is confirmed whether the predetermined information (ID) matches the identification reference information (control ID) for the purpose of inspection including the operation check of the RF name tag RFNB (step S87). If there is a mismatch, the RF name tag RFN
An error is reported as B or a failure in the transmission system (step S88). After looping until the corresponding process is performed in step S89, the process returns to step S81.

[0133] If they match in step S87, it can be confirmed that the RF name tag RFNB and the transmission system are operating normally. Next, the worker information management means determines that the worker has gone to work and removes the flag of the sub-file allocated to the worker in the worker file Fle (step S9).
0), and record the work time as determined information (step S91). To explain this process in more detail, upon receiving a response from the RF name tag RFNB, the worker information management means determines that the worker is not out of work at that time,
The status of the flag in the corresponding area of the worker file Fle is checked, and if the flag has already been lowered, it is determined that the attendance has already been registered before that, and the processing for the worker can be completed here. On the other hand, if the flag is not down,
Assuming that a new work has occurred at this time, the worker information management means executes the above steps S90 to S91, completes the processing for this worker, and proceeds to step S92. In step S92, the worker information management unit sets the next worker, returns to step S81, and repeats the above for the next worker.

When the processing has been completed for all the workers concerned, the processing returns to the first worker again and the same processing is continued as the next phase. As described above, the worker management system according to the present embodiment always operates, and even if the forward / reverse operation of the RF name tag is performed at any time, it is accurately recorded, and the reliable attendance and attendance information is managed. enable. In addition, since the worker management system is constantly operating in a loop, if the worker misplaces the RF name tag and replaces it, the information is immediately updated.

Although not shown in FIG. 14, similarly to the above embodiment, it is possible to transfer the determined attendance record data to the host machine and transfer it to the main file. For details, the description in the above embodiment is cited.
In addition, the confirmed attendance record data is stored in the RF name tag RFNB.
May be recorded as the second type information isj2 in the storage means Mem. For the details, the description in the above embodiment is referred to.

According to the above-described embodiment, the worker can place the RF name tag RFNB at any desired position in any order and without specifying the position. No mistakes are made. Therefore, excellent utilization efficiency and high reliability can be realized together.

As described above, according to each embodiment of the present invention, the following advantages are realized. Advantages of non-contact type information exchange device: Reinforcement with a metal base and interposition of a magnetic sheet made of ferromagnetic material with high magnetic permeability suppresses attenuation of electromagnetic field intensity due to reflected waves and maintains high sensitivity As a result, the rigidity and strength can be improved, so that the present invention can be applied even under repeated use and under use conditions in which a mechanical impact is applied. Also, the sensitivity of the electromagnetic field is significantly different between the front side and the back side, and when the metal base is located in front of the antenna, the communication is effectively cut off. It can be easily turned off and the field of application can be further expanded.

Advantages of the worker management system: Attendance time is automatically registered in the read / write device or the host machine simply by reversing the suspended RF name tag, eliminating the hassle of work and necessitating time stamping on time card equipment and attendance records. And congestion due to queues and concentration of people can be eliminated by shortening the operation required time, and the convenience can be remarkably improved. 2. By pre-recording the personal name and the employee number of the name tag in a storage means built in the RF name tag, even if the layout of the name tag is updated due to an increase or decrease in the number of personnel, it can be dealt with by changing the arrangement of the name tag. 3. Also, by automatically or collectively storing the time and attendance record data automatically registered in the read / write device or the host machine in the memory in the RF name tag in the arrangement area, for example, all of the monthly work data is retained in the RF name tag. And can act as a backup of all worker work files or individual worker work files that are prepared as primary files. As a result, even if a problem occurs on the main file side for some reason, the data can be easily restored by referring to the data stored in the memory in the RF name tag. 4. Further, since the read / write device always repeats the detection of the RF name tag, even when the user misplaces the RF name tag and re-installs it, this is immediately detected and the correction is automatically performed. Therefore, the file can be updated without occurrence of a time lag, so that high reliability of the system can be maintained. 5. Further, in general, the configuration that operates in a non-contact manner as compared with the conventional configuration is excellent in environmental resistance and durability, and can eliminate the occurrence of erroneous operation and repeated operation.

Although the above embodiment is directed to the attendance management of workers, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes the management of parts, tools, and work-in-progress in a production department. It is possible to apply the same configuration as the above embodiments as an information processing system such as product entry / exit management in a warehouse or arrangement management of transport vehicles.

[0140]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-contact type information transmitting / receiving apparatus, wherein a load is connected to a resonance section, and a ferromagnetic layer having a shape covering one surface of the antenna device and a ferromagnetic layer interposed therebetween. Since the antenna device is formed by laminating a conductor layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the antenna device, strength and rigidity can be improved by the conductor layer, and repeated use is facilitated. Furthermore, when the conductor layer is directed toward the electromagnetic wave generation source, the conductor layer blocks the electromagnetic field, so that the antenna device is not sensitive to the electromagnetic field. It becomes possible to respond to an electromagnetic field, and there is no decrease in sensitivity due to the action of the ferromagnetic layer. Therefore, the amount of energy supplied from the resonance section to the load changes in either direction, and the presence of the non-contact information transfer device can be detected. As a result, different operations can be obtained in either direction of the front and back of the non-contact type information exchange device, and the state can be differentiated according to either direction of the front and back, and the information can be switched by forward / reverse rotation of the direction. It can be applied to the usage form used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-contact type information exchange device, wherein the information processing unit connected to the resonance unit exchanges information with the outside, the information storage unit records information, and covers one side of the antenna device. Since the ferromagnetic layer is formed by laminating a ferromagnetic layer having a shape and a conductive layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the antenna device via the ferromagnetic layer, strength and rigidity can be improved by the conductive layer, and repeated use is possible. make it easier. Furthermore, when the conductor layer is directed toward the electromagnetic wave generation source, the conductor layer blocks the electromagnetic field, so that the antenna device is not sensitive to the electromagnetic field. It becomes possible to respond to an electromagnetic field, and there is no decrease in sensitivity due to the action of the ferromagnetic layer. Therefore, the amount of energy supplied from the resonance section to the load changes in either direction, and the presence of the non-contact information transfer device can be detected. As a result, different operations can be obtained in either direction of the front and back of the non-contact type information exchange device, and the state can be differentiated according to either direction of the front and back, and the information can be switched by forward / reverse rotation of the direction. It can be applied to the usage form used. Further, by providing the information storage unit, identification information and the like can be fixedly stored in advance as predetermined information and supplied to the outside, or arbitrary information can be freely stored in the information storage unit, and reading thereof is easy. Becomes possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system, the first antenna device is arranged in each of the arrangement areas of the posting means.
In addition, when the non-contact type information exchange means is arranged in either of the front and back directions in each arrangement area, the front and back of the non-contact type information exchange means in each arrangement area is changed based on a state change due to the operation of the load. Since the arrangement state including the orientation is detected and the arrangement state is associated with the attribute information, different information is previously stored in the non-contact type information exchange means for each of the “front-facing” state and the “back-facing” state. By arranging the non-contact type information exchange means in a desired arrangement area in a desired orientation at the time of assignment and use, the information on the orientation and the attribute information can be associated with each other.

An information processing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention drives the first antenna device arranged in each arrangement area of the posting means, and the non-contact type information exchange means arranged in each arrangement area is either front or back. If it is directed to the communicable side, the predetermined information recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means is read, or any information is recorded in the information storage unit. It is possible to confirm whether the orientation of the type information transmitting / receiving means is front or back, and at the same time, it is possible to specify the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means by reading predetermined information. Accordingly, the attribute information is associated in advance with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means, and when the non-contact type information exchange means is arranged in any of the front and back orientation states, the posting means determines the attribute information and reads the predetermined information read. Can be associated with.
Alternatively, any information can be recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

In the information processing system according to claim 5 of the present invention, when the posting means sends the identification / contrast information of the non-contact type information exchange means which desires communication, from the first antenna device, If there is a non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means that records identification information matching the identification / reference information, and if the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is arranged in a communicable direction, the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means receives the identification / contrast information and transmits predetermined information. Since the configuration is such that the information is sent to the posting means as a response, by receiving the predetermined information, it can be confirmed that the desired non-contact type information exchange means exists and is arranged in a direction in which communication is possible. Therefore, the attribute information is previously associated with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means, and when the information is arranged in any one of the front and back orientation states, the posting means can confirm the front and back orientation by the presence or absence of a response. Based on this, the attribute information can be determined, and if there is a response, the determined attribute information can be associated with the sent predetermined information. Or if there is a response,
Arbitrary information can be recorded in the information storage section of this non-contact type information transfer means.

An information processing system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information processing system according to any one of the third, fourth and fifth aspects, wherein the information processing system comprises a time measuring means, and is associated with the detection or reads the predetermined information. , Or the confirmation, or the recording, is performed at the time indicated by the clocking means, so that each processing can be performed at a predetermined time or a desired time, and the execution time is clocked. it can.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention
The first antenna device is arranged in each arrangement area, and attribute information is associated with each other. When the non-contact type information exchange means is arranged in either of the front and back directions in each arrangement area, the load of the non-contact type information exchange means is reduced. Based on the state change due to the operation, the arrangement state including the front and back directions of the non-contact type information exchange means in each arrangement area is detected, and the arrangement state is associated with the attribute information. By assigning different information in advance to each of the "front-facing" state and the "back-facing" state, and arranging the non-contact type information transfer means in a desired arranging area in a desired arranging area during use, the arrangement including the front-back orientation The state can be confirmed, and the information on the orientation and the attribute information can be associated with each other.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention
The first antenna device arranged in each arrangement area is driven, and if the non-contact type information exchange means arranged in each arrangement area is directed to one of the front and back sides capable of communicating, the non-contact type information exchange means Read the predetermined information recorded in the information storage unit,
Alternatively, since it is configured to record arbitrary information in the information storage unit, it is possible to confirm whether the direction of the non-contact type information exchange means is front or back, and at the same time, read the predetermined information to set the non-contact type information exchange means. Can be identified. Therefore, after the attribute information is associated with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, when arranged in one of the front and back orientation states, the determination of the attribute information is associated with the read predetermined information. be able to. Alternatively, any information can be recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 of the present invention
There is a non-contact type information exchange unit that records identification information matching this identification and comparison information in any of the arrangement areas when the identification and reference information of the non-contact type information exchange unit that desires communication is transmitted from the first antenna device. In addition, if it is arranged in a communicable direction, the predetermined information sent from the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is received as a response. Therefore, the desired non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means exists by receiving the predetermined information. And it can be confirmed that they are arranged in a direction in which communication is possible. Therefore, after associating the attribute information with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, when placed in one of the front and back orientation states, it is possible to confirm the front and back orientation by the presence or absence of a response. Based on the determined attribute information, and when there is a response, the determined attribute information can be associated with the sent predetermined information. Alternatively, when there is a response, arbitrary information can be recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information transfer means.

An information processing apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the seventh, eighth and ninth aspects, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a time measuring means, and is associated with detection or reading of predetermined information, or Since at least one of the processes of confirmation and recording is executed at the time indicated by the timer, each process can be executed at a predetermined time or a desired time, and the execution time can be clocked.

An information processing method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention provides the information processing method, wherein the first antenna device is arranged in each arrangement area of the posting means.
In addition, when the non-contact type information exchange means is arranged in either of the front and back directions in each arrangement area, the front and back of the non-contact type information exchange means in each arrangement area is changed based on a state change due to the operation of the load. Since the arrangement state including the orientation is detected in the first step and the arrangement state is associated with the attribute information in the second step, the "front-facing" state and the "back-facing" state are provided to the non-contact type information exchange means. By allocating different information to each of the states in advance and arranging the non-contact type information exchange means in a desired arrangement area in a desired orientation at the time of use, the information on the orientation and the attribute information can be associated with each other.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing method, the first antenna device disposed in each arrangement area of the display means is driven, and the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means arranged in each arrangement area is either front or back. If it is directed to the communicable side, the predetermined information recorded in the information storage section of the non-contact type information exchange means is read in the first step, or arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage section in the second step. Therefore, it is possible to confirm whether the direction of the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is front or back, and at the same time, it is possible to specify the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means by reading predetermined information. Therefore, after the attribute information is associated with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means in advance, when arranged in one of the front and back orientation states, the determination of the attribute information is associated with the read predetermined information. be able to.
Alternatively, any information can be recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information exchange means directed to the communicable side.

In the information processing method according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the posting means sends the identification / contrast information of the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means desiring communication from the first antenna device, the information is stored in any of the arrangement areas. If there is a non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means that records identification information matching the identification / reference information, and if the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means is arranged in a communicable direction, the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means receives the identification / contrast information and transmits predetermined information. Since the information is sent to the posting means as a response, by receiving the predetermined information, it can be confirmed that the desired non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means exists and is arranged in a communicable direction. Therefore, the attribute information is previously associated with each of the front and back orientation states of the non-contact type information exchange means, and when the information is arranged in any one of the front and back orientation states, the posting means can confirm the front and back orientation by the presence or absence of a response. Based on this, the attribute information can be determined, and if there is a response, the determined attribute information can be associated with the sent predetermined information. Alternatively, when there is a response, arbitrary information can be recorded in the information storage unit of the non-contact type information transfer means.

An information processing method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing method according to any one of the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth aspects, wherein any one of detection and association, reception of predetermined information, confirmation, or recording is performed. Since such a process is performed at a predetermined time or a desired time, the time can be determined,
In addition, since the execution time can be counted, information processing relating to the time can be performed.

Further, the non-contact type information exchange device, the information processing system, the information processing device, and the information processing method according to the above-described claims of the present invention provide, in addition to the above effects, a non-contact type The desired attribute information can be obtained by simply rotating or inverting the type information exchange device, or making the non-contact type information exchange device approach or abut on the arrangement area corresponding to the attribute information to perform normal rotation or inversion. Can be selected, the operation is simplified, the operation can be performed in a very short time, and the non-contact execution has the common effect of extending the life of the device or system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of one embodiment of a non-contact information exchange device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a non-contact information transfer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a worker management system which is an embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the RF name tag shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a suspended state of the RF name tag shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the RF name tag shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram using an inductive coupling four-terminal network.

FIG. 8 is an equivalent circuit of the inductively coupled four-terminal network shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a read / write device as a main component of the worker management system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a worker management system having a distributed antenna configuration.

FIG. 11 shows a worker management system having a distributed antenna configuration.
It is a flowchart of the attendance management operation based on detection of an RF name tag.

FIG. 12 shows a worker management system having a distributed antenna configuration.
It is a flowchart of the attendance management operation by the structure to which the RF name tag provided with the information recording function is applied.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a worker management system having an integrated antenna configuration.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an attendance management operation of the worker management system shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an effect of a conductor on a nearby antenna.

[Explanation of symbols]

TF: Non-contact type information exchange device, Cb: Circuit board, An
t2: antenna device, IC: integrated circuit chip, C:
… Capacitance, Spc… Spacer, HL… Hole, Sm…
Magnetic sheet, Bm: Metal substrate, Sb: Surface plate

Claims (14)

[Claims] An antenna device comprising: a resonating unit including an antenna device responsive to an electromagnetic field; and a load unit connected to the resonating unit, and one surface facing the antenna device, wherein at least the antenna device A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape covering one surface of the ferromagnetic material layer, and a conductor layer having a shape having one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer and covering at least one surface of the antenna device via the ferromagnetic material layer. , A non-contact type information exchange device. 2. A resonating unit having an antenna device responsive to an electromagnetic field, an information processing unit connected to the resonating unit and exchanging information with an external device via an electromagnetic field when the antenna device is responsive, An information storage unit connected to the processing unit, for recording information in a reproducible manner, and having one side facing the antenna device, and a ferromagnetic layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the antenna device; A conductive layer having a shape facing one surface of the ferromagnetic material layer and covering at least one surface of the antenna device via the ferromagnetic material layer. Type information transfer device. 3. A first antenna device comprising a plurality of arrangement areas on a bulletin board, wherein each of the arrangement areas is associated with at least one piece of predetermined attribute information and forms an electromagnetic field. Each of the plurality of first antenna devices is selectively driven and supplied with power, and a change in the supplied power or a change in the voltage of the first antenna device can be detected as a state change during the driving. A resonance means comprising: a display means; and a second antenna device capable of approaching or abutting on each of the disposition regions in both front and back directions, and being sensitive to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device. And a load unit connected to the resonance unit, and a ferromagnetic layer having a shape facing one surface of the second antenna device and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device. Said A conductive layer having one surface facing the other surface of the magnetic layer and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic layer; Each of the arrangement areas is configured to be capable of disposing the non-contact type information exchange means in any of front and back directions, and the posting means is configured to perform the non-contact information exchange in each arrangement area based on the state change. An information processing system, wherein an arrangement state of contact-type information exchange means including at least the front and back directions is detected, and the arrangement state is associated with the attribute information. 4. A plurality of arrangement areas are provided on a bulletin board, each of the arrangement areas has a first antenna device for forming an electromagnetic field, and power is sequentially applied to each of the plurality of first antenna apparatuses. A bulletin means, which can be supplied and driven to transmit and receive information to and from another device via each of the first antenna devices, and can be freely arranged on each of the disposition areas by approaching or abutting on both front and rear directions. A resonance unit including a second antenna device responsive to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device; and the bulletin board connected to the resonance unit via the electromagnetic field when the second antenna device is responsive. Means, an information processing unit for transmitting and receiving information, and an information storage unit connected to the information processing unit and capable of recording predetermined information, and having one surface facing the second antenna device, and Two antenna unit pieces A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape that covers one surface of the second antenna device with the one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer, and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic material layer; And a non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit, which is provided with both front and back surfaces, wherein each of the arrangement areas is configured such that the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit can be disposed in any direction of the front and back, and the posting unit is The non-contact type information exchange means arranged in each of the arrangement areas exchanges information when the non-contact type information exchange means is arranged toward any of the front and back communicable sides, and at least the predetermined information recorded in the information storage unit. Or an arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage unit. 5. A bulletin board having a plurality of arrangement areas, a first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field common to each of the arrangement areas, A posting means comprising: an information transmitting / receiving section capable of transmitting / receiving information including at least the transmission of the identification / contrast information; and a flat plate having both front and back surfaces, the second means being capable of responding to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device. A resonance unit having an antenna device, an information storage unit that at least reproducibly records identification information, and an identification storage unit that is connected to the resonance unit and sent from the posting unit and recorded in the information storage unit. An information processing unit for comparing the identification information and sending predetermined information to the posting means when a match is found, and having one surface facing the second antenna device, at least the second antenna device A ferromagnetic layer having a shape covering one surface; a conductor layer having one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic layer and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic layer And a non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit in which the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit is stacked. Means for transmitting, from the first antenna device, the identification / contrast information of the non-contact information transmitting / receiving means that desires communication, and receiving the predetermined information transmitted from the corresponding non-contact information transmitting / receiving means; With the configuration, the presence of the non-contact type information exchange means and the orientation of the arranged front and back are confirmed, or further, arbitrary information is recorded in the information storage unit of the corresponding non-contact type information exchange means. Characterized by Broadcast processing system. 6. The posting means includes a timing means, and performs at least one of the detection and the association, the reading of the predetermined information, the confirmation, or the recording at a time indicated by the timing means. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the information processing system is executed. 7. A posting surface having a plurality of arrangement regions, a first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field is provided in each of the arrangement regions, and each of the arrangement regions is provided with the first antenna device. And a load unit connected to the resonance unit, the resonance unit including a second antenna device capable of responding to the electromagnetic field, and one surface facing the second antenna device; A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the second antenna device; and one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer, and at least one surface of the second antenna device being interposed through the ferromagnetic material layer. A non-contact type information exchange device having both front and back surfaces, and a conductive layer having a shape covering the above, is configured to be close to or contactable in any direction of the front and back surfaces, and each of the arrangement regions is, At least one predetermined
The plurality of first antenna devices are selected and supplied with power for driving, and the state of the change in the supplied power or the change in the voltage of the first antenna device during the driving is determined. An information transmitting / receiving means that can be detected as a change, detecting an arrangement state including at least front and back orientations of the non-contact type information exchange device in each arrangement area based on the state change, and setting the arrangement state and the attribute information. An information processing apparatus characterized in that the information processing apparatus is configured to associate 8. A display surface having a plurality of arrangement regions, a first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field is provided in each of the arrangement regions, and each of the arrangement regions has both front and back surfaces. A resonating unit including a second antenna device responsive to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device, and connected to the resonating unit to exchange information with the posting means via the electromagnetic field when the antenna device is responsive. An information processing unit; an information storage unit connected to the information processing unit and configured to record predetermined information in a reproducible manner; and having one surface facing the second antenna device, at least the second antenna device A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape covering one surface of the ferromagnetic material layer; and a conductor having a shape facing one surface to the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic material layer. Layers and The non-contact type information transmitting and receiving device is configured so as to be freely arranged by approaching or abutting in both directions, and the first antenna device provided in each of the arrangement regions is driven in order, so that each of the arrangement regions is arranged. When the non-contact type information exchange means disposed in the front and back is directed to one of the front and back communicable sides, information is exchanged, and at least the predetermined information recorded in the information storage unit is read, or arbitrary information is read. An information processing apparatus characterized by recording information in the information storage unit. 9. A display surface having a plurality of arrangement regions, a first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field common to the arrangement regions, and a power supply to the first antenna device to connect to another device. An information transmitting / receiving section capable of transmitting and receiving information including at least identification identification information, wherein each of the arrangement areas is a flat plate having both front and back surfaces, and is responsive to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device. A resonating unit having a possible second antenna device; an information storage unit for reproducibly recording at least identification information; an identification storage unit connected to the resonating unit and sent from the posting means; and the information storage unit And an information processing unit that sends predetermined information to the posting means when the identification information matches with the identification information recorded in the second antenna device. A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape covering one surface of the antenna device; and a ferromagnetic material layer having one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic material layer. A non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means, on which a conductor layer is laminated, is arranged so as to be close to or in contact with any of the front and back directions and can be arranged freely. By transmitting the identification / contrast information of the transmitting / receiving unit from the first antenna device and receiving the predetermined information transmitted from the corresponding non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit, the presence of the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit is determined. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that it is configured to confirm the orientation of the arranged front and back, or to further record arbitrary information in the information storage unit of the corresponding non-contact type information exchange means. 10. A time measuring means, which is associated with the detection, or the predetermined information is read, or the confirmation is performed.
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the processes of the recording is executed at a time indicated by the clocking unit. 11. A resonating unit including a second antenna device responsive to an electromagnetic field, and a load unit connected to the resonating unit, and one surface is directed to the second antenna device. A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the second antenna device, and one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer, and at least the second antenna device having the ferromagnetic material layer interposed therebetween. A conductive layer having a shape covering one surface, a non-contact type information transmitting and receiving means having a flat surface having both front and back surfaces, and a posting surface having a plurality of arrangement areas; A first antenna device capable of forming a field, and corresponding to at least one piece of predetermined attribute information, and wherein the non-contact type information exchange means is configured to be close to or contactable in any direction of the front and back, The plurality of first antenna devices And a notice means capable of detecting the change in the supplied power or the change in the voltage of the first antenna device as a state change during the driving and supplying the selected one of the electric powers and driving. A first step of detecting an arrangement state including at least the front and back directions of the non-contact type information transfer means in each arrangement area based on the first step, and a second step of associating the arrangement state with the attribute information. An information processing method characterized by the following. 12. A resonating unit having a second antenna device responsive to an electromagnetic field, which is a flat plate having both front and rear surfaces, and a resonating unit connected to the resonating unit, which is connected to the resonating unit via the electromagnetic field when the second antenna device responds. An information processing unit that transmits and receives information to and from the device; and an information storage unit that is connected to the information processing unit and records the predetermined information in a reproducible manner, and has one surface facing the second antenna device, A ferromagnetic material layer having a shape covering at least one surface of the second antenna device; and one surface facing the other surface of the ferromagnetic material layer, and at least one surface of the second antenna device being interposed through the ferromagnetic material layer. A non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means in which a conductive layer having a shape covering the first and second layers is laminated; and a posting surface having a plurality of arrangement areas, wherein each of the arrangement areas forms an electromagnetic field. And the non-contact information The information transmitting / receiving means is configured to be freely disposed so as to be close to or in contact with any of the front and rear directions, and is driven by sequentially supplying power to each of the plurality of first antenna devices, via each of the first antenna devices. Using each of the non-contact type information transmitting and receiving means and a posting means capable of transmitting and receiving information, driving each of the first antenna devices in order, the non-contact type information transmitting and receiving means arranged in each of the arrangement areas. Is directed to the front or back side where communication is possible, at least a first step of reading the predetermined information recorded in the information storage unit is provided. Alternatively, in addition to the first step, any information is further added. A second step of recording in the information storage unit. 13. A resonating part having a second antenna device responsive to the electromagnetic field formed by the first antenna device and having a flat plate shape having both front and rear surfaces, and an information storage device in which at least identification information is reproducibly recorded. And information that is connected to the resonance unit, compares the identification reference information sent from the posting means with the identification information recorded in the information storage unit, and sends predetermined information to the posting means when a match occurs. A ferromagnetic layer having one side facing the second antenna device and covering at least one surface of the second antenna device; and A non-contact type information transmitting / receiving means having one side facing, and a conductive layer having a shape covering at least one side of the second antenna device via the ferromagnetic layer, laminated on each other; Delivery means A posting surface having a plurality of arrangement regions, which can be arranged so as to be close to or in contact with any direction of the back, a first antenna device capable of forming an electromagnetic field common to each of the arrangement regions, A power supply to the antenna device, an information exchange unit capable of information exchange including transmission of at least identification control information with the non-contact type information exchange unit,
Using the first antenna device to send the identification / contrast information of the non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit that desires communication, and receiving the predetermined information transmitted from the corresponding non-contact type information transmitting / receiving unit. 1 step, and a second step of confirming the presence of the non-contact type information exchange means and the orientation of the arranged front and back, or, in addition to the first and second steps, further including arbitrary information. A third step of recording the information in the information storage section of the corresponding non-contact type information exchange means. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the detection and the association, the reception of the predetermined information, the confirmation, and the recording is performed at a predetermined time or a desired time. Item 14. The information processing method according to any one of Items 11, 12, and 13.