JP2009251630A - Rfid management system, rfid reader device, rfid synchronization control device, rfid management device, and rfid management method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an RFID management system, and even when a large number of RFID reader devices and RFID tags are used in the same wireless communication area, interference is prevented and accurate tag information of the RFID tags is provided. Is intended to read.
An RFID management system 1 synchronizes a plurality of RFID reader devices 5 that read tag information of RFID tags 4 attached to a plurality of products 3 and each RFID reader device 5 using a predetermined radio wave channel. The RFID synchronization control device 8 outputs a synchronization signal to the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 at a predetermined time interval, and is connected to the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 and the RFID synchronization control device 8, and the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 Includes an RFID management device 9 that manages the RFID tag 4 so as not to emit radio waves.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an RFID management system, an RFID reader device, an RFID synchronization control device, an RFID management device, and an RFID management method that read an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag using a plurality of RFID reader devices.

  In recent years, in order to improve the management of logistics, products, etc., RFID management is performed by attaching an RFID tag to a product, etc., reading the tag information of the RFID tag with an RFID reader device, and acquiring the product code of the product from the tag information A system has been proposed. A plurality of RFID reader devices are arranged and used in parallel when handling a wide variety of products at a time.

The RFID management system analyzes an RFID tag, a plurality of RFID reader devices that read tag information of the RFID tag, and radio wave interference between the plurality of RFID reader devices, and based on the analysis result, the RFID tag and the RFID reader device An RFID management device that notifies the communication timing of the communication via the network is provided. This speeds up communication processing by the entire RFID reader device under the RFID management device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-28119 A

  In a conventional RFID management system, for example, when RFID tag information attached to a product flowing through a production line is read asynchronously in real time in cooperation with an RFID management device in a factory, a large number of RFID reader devices are used. When the network usage frequency is concentrated when used in the vicinity and a notification delay of communication timing occurs, there is a problem that reading is overlapped and interference occurs between a plurality of RFID reader devices.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent interference even when a large number of RFID reader devices are used in the same wireless communication area, and to accurately read the tag information of the RFID tag.

  In order to achieve this object, the RFID management system of the present invention synchronizes a plurality of RFID reader devices that read tag information of RFID tags attached to a plurality of products, and each RFID reader device using a predetermined radio wave channel. An RFID synchronization control device that outputs a synchronization signal to be taken to a plurality of RFID reader devices at a predetermined time interval, and a plurality of RFID reader devices and RFID synchronization control devices are connected to the RFID tag simultaneously. And an RFID management device that manages so as not to emit radio waves.

  With such a configuration, synchronization between a plurality of RFID reader devices can be performed by radio waves, and management can be performed so that the plurality of RFID reader devices do not access the RFID tag at the same time based on the synchronization. Thereby, even when a large number of RFID reader devices are used in the same wireless communication area, it is difficult to cause interference, and tag information of the RFID tag can be read accurately.

  Next, an RFID reader device of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a synchronization signal for synchronizing with another RFID reader device from a predetermined radio channel at predetermined intervals, and at least a predetermined radio channel via a network. RFID tag attached to a product based on information acquisition unit for acquiring allocation information including information on information and communicable period information, and period information included in the synchronization signal and communicable period information included in the allocation information And a control unit that controls to read information.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to synchronize a plurality of RFID reader devices with a synchronization signal received from a predetermined radio channel and prevent these RFID reader devices from accessing the RFID tag at the same time based on the allocation information.

  Next, the RFID synchronization control apparatus of the present invention outputs a synchronization signal for synchronizing a plurality of RFID reader apparatuses to each RFID reader apparatus at predetermined time intervals using a predetermined radio wave channel. The synchronization signal includes period information obtained by dividing the time axis by a predetermined time.

  With such a configuration, a synchronization signal can be transmitted using radio waves, and a plurality of RFID reader devices can be synchronized based on this synchronization, and the communication timing for accessing the RFID tag can be synchronized with high accuracy.

  An RFID management apparatus according to the present invention is an RFID management apparatus that manages each RFID reader apparatus that receives synchronization signals for synchronization between a plurality of RFID reader apparatuses from a predetermined radio channel at predetermined time intervals. RFID tag having assignment information including at least predetermined radio channel information and communication period information assigned to each RFID reader device and identification information of each RFID reader device, and a plurality of RFID reader devices attached to a plurality of products at the same time A management information generation unit that generates management information that is managed so as not to emit radio waves, a management information storage unit that stores management information generated by the management information generation unit, and a management information stored in the management information storage unit And a distribution unit that distributes the allocation information to each RFID reader device.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately synchronize a plurality of RFID reader devices using radio waves, and based on the synchronization, management is performed so that the plurality of RFID reader devices do not access the RFID tag at the same time using management information. be able to. Thereby, even when a large number of RFID reader devices are used in the same wireless communication area, it is difficult to cause interference, and tag information of the RFID tag can be read accurately.

  The RFID management method of the present invention is an RFID management method for managing a plurality of RFID reader devices that read tag information of RFID tags attached to a plurality of products, and synchronizing between each RFID reader device using a predetermined radio wave channel. A transmission step of transmitting a synchronization signal for taking a signal to a plurality of RFID reader devices at a predetermined time interval, and a management step of managing the plurality of RFID reader devices so as not to emit radio waves to the RFID tag at the same time It is characterized by.

  By such a method, a plurality of RFID reader devices can be accurately synchronized with radio waves, and based on the synchronization, management can be performed so that the plurality of RFID reader devices do not access the RFID tag at the same time. Thereby, even when a large number of RFID reader devices are used in the same wireless communication area, it is difficult to cause interference, and tag information of the RFID tag can be read accurately.

  As described above, the present invention includes a plurality of RFID reader devices, an RFID synchronization control device that synchronizes a plurality of RFID reader devices using a radio wave channel, and an RFID management device that manages access of each RFID reader device. As a result, it is possible to control so that accesses of a plurality of RFID reader devices do not overlap. As a result, even when a large number of RFID reader devices are used in the same wireless communication area, Tag information can be read accurately.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
First, the configuration of the RFID management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a usage pattern of an RFID management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an RFID system 2 in the RFID management system 1, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the channel of.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the RFID management system 1 includes a plurality of RFID reader devices 5 that read tag information of RFID tags 4 attached to a plurality of products 3, and each RFID reader device 5 using a predetermined radio wave channel. An RFID synchronization control device 8 that outputs a synchronization signal for synchronization to a plurality of RFID reader devices 5 at predetermined time intervals, and an RFID that manages the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 so as not to emit radio waves to the RFID tag 4 simultaneously. And a management device 9.

  With this configuration, the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 can be accurately synchronized with radio waves, and based on the synchronization, control can be performed so that the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 do not access the RFID tag 4 at the same time. . Thereby, even when a large number of RFID reader devices 5 are used in the same wireless communication area, it is difficult to cause interference and the tag information of the RFID tag 4 can be read accurately.

  Each RFID reader device 5 (R01 to R06) includes a transmission antenna 6 and a reception antenna 7. The RFID reader device 5 reads the tag information of the RFID tag 4 based on the allocation information described later and the synchronization signal.

  The RFID synchronization control device 8 outputs a synchronization signal using the radio wave channel assigned by the RFID management device 9. The synchronization signal includes a signal for adjusting the communication timing and period information obtained by dividing the time axis by a predetermined time. Details of the period information will be described later.

  The RFID management device 9 is configured by a computer, and has allocation information including radio channel information allocated to a plurality of RFID reader devices 5 and at least radio wave channel information allocated to a synchronization signal and communicable period information, and identification information of each RFID reader device 5. The management information generation unit 9a that generates management information, the management information storage unit 9b that stores the management information generated by the management information generation unit 9a, and the allocation information based on the management information stored in the management information storage unit 9b. A delivery unit 9c that delivers to the reader device 5;

  The management information storage unit 9b has a memory 9d, and stores and holds management information in the memory 9d as a management table 9e. The memory 9d is a rewritable memory, and can update the management table 9e. The memory 9d is composed of, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a rewritable flash memory. Details of the management table 9e will be described later.

  The distribution unit 9 c distributes the allocation information to each RFID reader device 5 and the RFID synchronization control device 8 via the network 10. The network 10 only needs to be able to transmit the allocation information, and may be wired or wireless.

  The RFID management system 1 is attached to the product 3 conveyed on the first conveyor line 11a, the second conveyor line 11b, and the third conveyor line 11c, which are adjacent conveyor lines 11 in a factory, for example. The RFID tag 4 is read in real time by six RFID reader devices 5 arranged in parallel. In such a case, the RFID management device 9 distributes the generated allocation information to each RFID reader device 5 connected via the network 10 so as not to emit radio waves simultaneously to the RFID tag 4. The RFID management apparatus 9 distributes a period of period information that the RFID synchronization control apparatus 8 transmits in a synchronization signal. Then, the RFID synchronization control device 8 outputs synchronization signals including period information to the six RFID reader devices 5 to synchronize the RFID reader devices 5. Each RFID reader device 5 reads the tag information of the RFID tag 4 based on the communicable period information included in the allocation information and the period information included in the synchronization signal. Details of the synchronization signal will be described later.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the RFID system 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the RFID system 2 includes an RFID tag 4 and an RFID reader device 5.

  The RFID reader device 5 includes a memory unit 51 that stores data for controlling each circuit, a control circuit (control unit) 52 including a microprocessor, and a read signal when reading tag information from the RFID tag 4. Are connected to the network 10 and at least predetermined radio channel information and communication are possible via the network 10. And an information acquisition unit 59 that acquires allocation information including various period information. The RFID reader device 5 receives a synchronization signal for synchronizing with another RFID reader device 5 from a predetermined radio wave channel at a predetermined interval and also receives a signal returned from the RFID tag 4 ( Receiving section) 55 and a demodulation circuit 56 that demodulates the data signal. The clock circuit 57 supplies a clock for operation to these circuits, and the power supply circuit 58 supplies a power for operation to each circuit.

  The control circuit 52 controls the transmission circuit 54 and the reception circuit 55 so as to read the tag information of the RFID tag 4 based on the period information included in the synchronization signal and the communicable period information included in the allocation information.

  On the other hand, the RFID tag 4 includes an antenna unit 41 that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the RFID reader device 5 and a tag IC chip 42. The tag IC chip 42 modulates data that responds to the RFID reader device 5, a rectifying diode 43, a capacitor 44 that matches impedance, a smoothing capacitor 45, a demodulation circuit 46 that demodulates received data, and the RFID reader device 5. A modulation circuit 47, a modulation element 47a, a control circuit 48 constituted by a microprocessor or the like for controlling these circuits, and a memory 49 for storing and holding tag information are provided.

  The RFID reader device 5 and the RFID tag 4 perform data communication using radio waves. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, radio waves that can be used in the RFID system 2 are divided into nine channels according to frequency, and a channel to be used is selected from these. For example, the second channel (CH2) is assigned to the first conveyor line 11a, the fourth channel (CH4) is assigned to the second conveyor line 11b, and the sixth channel (CH6) is assigned to the third conveyor line 11c. It is done.

  However, when there are a plurality of RFID reader devices 5 and RFID tags 4 in the same wireless communication area as shown in FIG. 1, problems such as interference between the RFID reader devices 5 and tag confusion occur. The outline of the problem will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of interference and tag fusion between the RFID reader devices 5 of the RFID management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  For example, when there are two RFID reader devices 5a and 5b and two RFID tags 4a and 4b in a region where two wireless communication areas 12 and 13 overlap, the RFID reader device 5a and the RFID reader device 5b are mutually connected. Even if different channels are used, when a radio wave for reading is simultaneously emitted, a signal for reading generated from another RFID reader device 5b in the vicinity together with a response signal from the RFID tag 4a to be read by the original RFID reader device 5a. It is the interference between the RFID reader devices 5 that is received. In addition, the reading signal from one RFID reader device 5a is also read by another RFID tag 4b in the vicinity other than the original RFID tag 4a to be read, and a response signal is erroneously output. It is a fusion. Either of these causes a reading error of the tag information.

  Among these, since the RFID reader device 5 includes an advanced filter, interference between the RFID reader devices 5 can be avoided to some extent if the channels used between the adjacent RFID reader devices 5 are changed.

  However, since the RFID tags 4a and 4b do not have a built-in filter, if they receive a signal of any channel, they try to respond to it. In response to the signal from 5, the tag confusion occurs. Specifically, the RFID tag 4 to be read by the RFID reader device 5a is the RFID tag 4a, and the RFID tag 4 to be read by the RFID reader device 5b using a channel different from the RFID reader device 5a is the RFID tag 4b. In this case, the RFID reader device 5a may read the tag information of the RFID tags 4a and 4b, and the RFID reader device 5b may read the tag information of the RFID tags 4a and 4b.

  Therefore, in the RFID management system 1 (FIG. 1) of the present embodiment, a plurality of radio communication areas within the same wireless communication area are used by using the RFID synchronization control device 8 and the RFID management device 9 so as not to cause such a situation. Management information for managing the RFID reader devices 5 so as not to emit radio waves at the same time is generated in advance, and reading of each RFID reader device 5 is controlled. That is, the RFID synchronization control device 8 transmits a synchronization signal and period information for communication timing of the RFID reader device 5 from the assigned radio channel. The RFID management device 9 is configured by a computer and outputs allocation information including period information that can be communicated with each RFID reader device 5 via the network 10. Each RFID reader device 5 uses the tag information of the RFID tag 4 based on the period information included in the synchronization signal received from the allocated radio channel and the communicable period information included in the allocation information acquired via the network 10. Read. Thereby, the RFID management system 1 can manage the communication period together with the communication timing of each RFID reader device 5 so that the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 do not emit radio waves simultaneously.

  Next, the operation of the RFID management system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the RFID management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the synchronization signal and the operation of the RFID reader device 5 in the RFID management system 1.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the RFID management system 1 is configured to communicate with each RFID reader device 5 during a period in which radio waves can be used, and radio waves assigned to each RFID reader device 5 to receive a synchronization signal. The channel information is set in advance and stored in the memory 9d of the RFID management apparatus 9 as a management table 9e together with an identification signal for identifying each RFID reader apparatus 5 (S1).

  That is, the RFID management device 9 creates the management information generation unit 9a as the management information with the allocation information and the identification information for each RFID reader device 5 as described above, and stores it in the memory 9d of the management information storage unit 9b as the management table 9e. Remember. The management table 9e having the allocation information and the identification information can be updated by manual input or program input to the management information generation unit 9a.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the time axis is divided into a plurality of slots every 200 msec, here, 20 slots of “0” to “19”, and each of the adjacent RFID reader devices 5 is divided. Determine the slot number to be assigned. And it describes in the management table 9e.

  For example, the slot number 15 assigned to the first RFID reader device 5 (R01) is “0” to “2”. Similarly, the slot number “3” is assigned to the second RFID reader device 5 (R02). ~ "6". Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, slot numbers are assigned so as not to overlap each other from the third RFID reader device 5 (R03) to the sixth RFID reader device 5 (R06). Thereby, the communication period can be managed together with the communication timing of each RFID reader device 5 (R01 to R06) so that the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 do not emit radio waves simultaneously.

  The number of slots to be allocated is determined according to the amount of tag information read from the RFID tag 4 by each RFID reader device 5. Each RFID reader device 5 can transmit / receive a data signal for reading to / from the RFID tag 4 only during the period of the assigned slot number. The slot number is repeated for the number divided into a plurality. That is, the same number is repeated every 20 slots. Accordingly, each RFID reader device 5 can be operated repeatedly in sequence. Each communication channel used in the first conveyor line 11a, the second conveyor line 11b, and the third conveyor line 11c is also described in the management table 9e. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a management table 9e is generated.

  The RFID management device 9 sets the RFID reader device 5 used in the first conveyor line 11a, the second conveyor line 11b, and the third conveyor line 11c, and assigns information (radio waves) for each RFID reader device 5. The available slot number that can be used and the channel number for receiving the synchronization signal are read from the management table 9e (S2). Then, the distribution unit 9c distributes the information as allocation information to each RFID reader device 5 via the network 10 (S3).

  Accordingly, each RFID reader device 5 individually receives and has allocation information including an allocation slot from which tag information of the RFID tag 4 can be read and channel information for receiving a synchronization signal (S7).

  Next, the RFID synchronization control device 8 receives information on a predetermined clock and slot number from the RFID management device 9 (S4), and transmits a synchronization signal to all RFID reader devices 5 by radio waves at a predetermined time interval. (S5). The radio wave channels used for transmission are the channel for reading the tag information of the RFID tag 4 in each RFID reader device 5 (here, the second channel (CH2), the fourth channel (CH4), the sixth channel). A channel that is not used as (CH6), for example, the ninth channel (CH9) is used. The RFID reader device 5 needs to be set in advance so that it can receive the synchronization signal through the ninth channel (CH9). After transmission, it pauses until the next transmission after 200 msec (S6). If the radio channel for the synchronization signal is fixed, the allocation information may not include the radio channel number information for receiving the synchronization signal.

  FIG. 6 shows details of the relationship between the transmission state of the synchronization signal and the operation of each RFID reader device 5. Hereinafter, the synchronization signal for communication timing including period information (slot number and the like) is referred to as a slot synchronization signal 14. The RFID synchronization control device 8 transmits the slot synchronization signal 14 every 200 msec for a period of 312.5 μsec. The slot synchronization signal 14 includes a special code synchronization signal (communication timing synchronization signal) for synchronizing the clock signal in the RFID reader device 5, a slot number signal sequentially indicating a slot number, and a CRC for error detection and correction. It consists of signals. All the RFID reader devices 5 can identify the current slot number by receiving this slot synchronization signal 14, and the entire RFID reader device 5 can operate in synchronization.

  That is, the RFID reader device 5 first receives the slot synchronization signal 14 to capture the synchronization signal at the head, and creates a clock synchronized with the signal (S8). Based on this, thereafter, the clock is counted and the slot timer starts to operate (S9). If the synchronization signal can be correctly captured, a capture completion notification is issued (S10).

  Next, the slot number signal is identified using the generated clock, and it is determined whether or not the current slot is of the slot number assigned to the own RFID reader device 5 (S11). If it is not the slot of the assigned slot number, it waits until it becomes the assigned slot (S12).

  If it is detected that the slot is assigned to the RFID reader device 5, for example, if the slot number is “3” in the case of the second RFID reader device 5, the tag information is read from the RFID tag 4. For this purpose, a read signal of a predetermined channel is sent to the RFID tag 4, the response signal from the RFID tag 4 is read and demodulated, and stored in the memory unit 51 (S13). The signal communication between the RFID reader device 5 and the RFID tag 4 is completed within the time of the assigned slot.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the RFID reader device 5 stores assignment information acquired from the RFID management device 9 via the network 10 in the memory unit 51, and stores the radio channel number assigned to the synchronization signal in the memory. The data is read from the unit 51 and set in the transmission circuit 54. Then, when the slot synchronization signal 14 is received by the receiving circuit 55 and the received slot number is within the period in which the slot number included in the allocation information stored in the memory unit 51 coincides, the control circuit 52 needs A code signal for reading is generated, the signal of the communication channel is modulated by the modulation circuit 53, and a question signal for reading is transmitted from the transmission antenna 6 via the transmission circuit.

  In the RFID tag 4, the antenna unit 41 receives this interrogation signal, and the rectifying diode 43 and the smoothing capacitor 45 detect and smooth the signal to create an operating power source. The demodulating circuit 46 demodulates the interrogation data. To do. The control circuit 48 reads necessary data from the memory 49 in accordance with the contents of the question, modulates it to a response signal by the modulation circuit 47, controls the modulation element 47a, and sends the response signal from the antenna unit 41 to the RFID reader device 5. Send.

  In the RFID reader device 5, the response signal is received by the receiving antenna 7, the response information is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 56, and stored in the memory unit 51.

  Thereafter, the RFID management device 9 accesses the RFID reader device 5 via the network, and collects tag information read from the RFID tag 4 from the memory unit 51. The RFID management system 1 performs necessary control such as product discrimination and process switching. Of course, a controlled device (not shown) may be individually connected to each RFID reader device 5 for control.

  Similarly, the other RFID reader device 5 and the RFID tag 4 access the RFID tag 4 from the RFID reader device 5 when the slot assigned from the RFID management device 9 is identified by receiving the slot synchronization signal. And read the necessary information.

  As described above, in the RFID management system 1 according to the present embodiment, each RFID reader device 5 receives the slot synchronization signal, and the RFID tag 4 only during the slot period allocated to the own RFID reader device 5. Therefore, there is no possibility of interference between the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 and tag fusion with the RFID tag 4 of the product on the adjacent conveyor line 11, and the RFID tag 4 can be accurately and efficiently used. Tag information can be read.

  In addition, since the slot synchronization signal for operating the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 in synchronization is simultaneously transmitted from the RFID synchronization control device 8 by radio waves, the plurality of RFID reader devices 5 can be synchronized in an instant. In addition, it is possible to prevent the confusion caused by the network congestion and the delay of the notification operation as in the conventional case.

  In the present embodiment, six RFID reader devices 5 are used. However, any number of possible RFID reader devices 5 may be used in consideration of the time required for updating with the RFID tag 4. Accordingly, the number of slots and the number of radio wave channels may be set. Note that even if the number of RFID reader devices 5 installed in the factory is changed, it is possible to cope with the problem by updating the management table 9e according to the number of RFID reader devices 5. Similarly, the communication channel and the synchronization signal channel can be changed simply by updating the management table 9e.

  Further, in this embodiment, slots of non-overlapping time slots are assigned to all six RFID reader devices 5, but when the number of RFID reader devices 5 is increased, the RFID reader devices 5 are not adjacent to each other. The same slot or channel may be assigned to the remote RFID reader device 5 that does not cause interference and tag confusion.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a case where many RFID reader apparatuses are used within the same radio | wireless communication area, it can be made difficult to interfere, RFID management system using an RFID tag, RFID reader apparatus, RFID It is useful as a synchronous control device, RFID management device, RFID management method, and the like.

1 is a schematic diagram of an RFID management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the RFID system in the RFID management system Illustration of radio wave channels in the RFID management system Explanatory diagram of interference and tag confusion between RFID reader devices in the RFID management system Flow chart showing operation of the RFID management system Explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of a synchronizing signal and RFID reader apparatus in the RFID management system The figure explaining the management table in the RFID management system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 RFID management system 2 RFID system 3 Product 4, 4a, 4b RFID tag 5, 5a, 5b RFID reader apparatus 6 Transmission antenna 7 Reception antenna 8 RFID synchronous control apparatus 9 RFID management apparatus 9a Management information generation part 9b Management information storage part 9c Distribution unit 9d, 49 Memory 9e Management table 10 Network 11 Conveyor line 11a First conveyor line 11b Second conveyor line 11c Third conveyor line 12, 13 Wireless communication area 14 Slot synchronization signal 15 Slot number 41 Antenna unit 42 Tag IC chip 43 Diode 44, 45 Capacitor 46, 56 Demodulation circuit 47, 53 Modulation circuit 47a Modulation element 48, 52 Control circuit (control unit)
51 Memory Unit 54 Transmitter Circuit (Transmitter)
55 Receiver circuit (receiver)
57 Clock circuit 58 Power supply circuit 59 Information acquisition unit

Claims (19)

A plurality of RFID reader devices that read tag information of RFID tags attached to a plurality of products;
An RFID synchronization control device that outputs a synchronization signal for synchronizing the RFID reader devices to each of the plurality of RFID reader devices at predetermined time intervals using a predetermined radio wave channel;
An RFID management device that is connected to the plurality of RFID reader devices and the RFID synchronization control device and manages the plurality of RFID reader devices so as not to emit radio waves to the RFID tag at the same time. RFID management system. The RFID management device
A management information generating unit that generates management information having allocation information including at least information on the predetermined radio wave channel and period information for communication allocated to the plurality of RFID reader devices and identification information of each RFID reader device;
A management information storage unit that stores the management information generated by the management information generation unit;
The RFID management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a distribution unit that distributes the allocation information to each RFID reader device based on the management information stored in the management information storage unit. The RFID management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the synchronization signal includes period information obtained by dividing a time axis by a predetermined time. The RFID management system according to claim 2, wherein the distribution unit distributes the allocation information to each RFID reader device via a network. The RFID management system according to claim 2, wherein the management information storage unit stores and holds the management information as a management table. The RFID management system according to claim 5, wherein the management table is updateable. The RFID reader device according to claim 3, wherein the RFID reader device reads tag information of the RFID tag based on period information included in the synchronization signal and communicable period information included in the allocation information. Management system. 8. The RFID according to claim 1, wherein the RFID synchronization control apparatus outputs the synchronization signal using the predetermined radio wave channel assigned by the RFID management apparatus. 9. Management system. A receiving unit that receives a synchronization signal for synchronizing with another RFID reader device from a predetermined radio channel at a predetermined interval;
An information acquisition unit for acquiring allocation information including at least information on the predetermined radio channel and period information that can be communicated via a network;
And a control unit that controls to read tag information of an RFID tag attached to a product based on period information included in the synchronization signal and communicable period information included in the allocation information. RFID reader device. An RFID synchronization control device that outputs a synchronization signal for synchronizing a plurality of RFID reader devices to each RFID reader device at a predetermined time interval using a predetermined radio wave channel, the synchronization signal having a time axis An RFID synchronous control apparatus characterized by including period information separated by a predetermined time. An RFID management apparatus that is connected to each RFID reader apparatus that receives a synchronization signal for synchronization between a plurality of RFID reader apparatuses from a predetermined radio wave channel at predetermined time intervals, and manages these RFID reader apparatuses. And
It has allocation information including at least information on the predetermined radio wave channel and communication period information to be allocated to the plurality of RFID reader devices, and identification information of each RFID reader device, and the plurality of RFID reader devices simultaneously have a plurality of products. A management information generating unit that generates management information for managing so as not to emit radio waves to the RFID tag attached to
A management information storage unit that stores the management information generated by the management information generation unit;
An RFID management apparatus comprising: a distribution unit that distributes the allocation information to each RFID reader device based on the management information stored in the management information storage unit. The RFID management apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the management information storage unit stores and holds the management information as a management table. The RFID management apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the management table is updateable. An RFID management method for managing a plurality of RFID reader devices that read tag information of RFID tags attached to a plurality of products,
A transmission step of transmitting a synchronization signal for synchronizing the RFID reader devices using a predetermined radio channel to the plurality of RFID reader devices at a predetermined time interval;
And a management step of managing the plurality of RFID reader devices so as not to emit radio waves to the RFID tag at the same time. The management step includes
A management information generating step of generating management information having allocation information including at least information of the predetermined radio wave channel and communication period information allocated to the plurality of RFID reader devices and identification information of each RFID reader device;
A storage step for storing the management information generated in the management information generation step;
The RFID management method according to claim 14, further comprising: a distribution step of distributing the allocation information to each RFID reader device based on the management information stored in the storage step. The RFID management method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the synchronization signal includes period information obtained by dividing a time axis by a predetermined time. The RFID management method according to claim 15, wherein the management information is stored and held as a management table. 18. The RFID management method according to claim 17, wherein the management table can be updated. The RFID reader according to claim 16, wherein tag information of the RFID tag is read by the RFID reader device based on period information included in the synchronization signal and communicable period information included in the allocation information. Management method.

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