JPH0340609A - Travelling object identification device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce number of read errors and to decrease the time when a travelling object cannot be identified allowing at least two questionnaire devices or over to receive a signal replied by a reply device by means of a communication continuance means and using a questionnaire device capable of communication to attain consecutive communication. CONSTITUTION:The result of detection of an entrance side sensor 6 is read and the sensor 6 detects a baggage BG of a different shape, then a variable (n) whose initial value is zero is incremented by one. Similarly, the processing that decrements the variable (n) by one is implemented. At least one baggage BG of a different shape or over being a travelling object exists in a region R and the communication is interrupted, then a questionnaire number (m) is set and a microwave signal with a prescribed frequency is outputted. Then the result of reception of questionnaire devices 1, 2 is inputted and whether or not there is any questionnaire device able to make communication is judged, and when it is judged that there is any questionnaire device able to make communication, the communication is continued by the questionnaire device (number m).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Application Field 1] The present invention relates to a device for identifying a moving object through communication between a transponder and an interrogator attached to the moving object.

[Prior Art] This type of mobile object identification device is used to sort mobile objects such as baggage and factory shipped products. A configuration is adopted in which microwaves are emitted from an interrogator and a mobile object is identified based on the response from a transponder. A unique identification code is set on the transponder attached to the mobile object, and when the transponder detects a microwave signal from the interrogator,
The microwave from the interrogator is amplitude-modulated and output using the identification code. A mobile object identification device identifies a mobile object to which a transponder is attached by detecting and identifying a modulated signal from the transponder using an interrogator.

In such a mobile object identification device, the beam width of the microwave for communication is narrowed in order to increase the identification distance and make it less susceptible to interference with other signals.

Therefore, depending on the location of the mobile object, data communication between the transponder and the interrogator may be temporarily disabled. An interrogator is installed to ensure communication.If the moving object is oddly shaped baggage, the transponder may be installed in an undefined position. It is effective to provide multiple .

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, with such a mobile object identification device, if a mobile object moves out of the communicable area of one interrogator, it takes time to identify another interrogator with which it can communicate. In the meantime, there is a problem that communication cannot be carried out (t4) This is 1. When one interrogator asks a question and no response is received from the transponder [:, the next interrogator asks a question... This is because the confirmation and processing of responses from transponders progresses, so if a situation occurs in which most of the multiple interrogators are unable to communicate, it will take a considerable amount of time to identify the interrogators that can communicate. However, if a plurality of interrogators are operated at the same time, the problem of mutual interference of microwaves used for communication may be overlooked, and it is not possible to operate a plurality of interrogators at the same time.

If communication between the interrogator and the transponder becomes impossible for a long period of time, problems such as the inability to sort moving objects or incorrect sorting occur.

The mobile object identification device of the present invention solves the above problems! -1 The purpose is to quickly identify an interrogator capable of communicating with a transponder among a plurality of interrogators, and to always ensure communication between the interrogator and the transponder.

The structure of the present invention that achieves the above objectives will be described below.

[Means for Solving the Problems] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mobile object identification device of the present invention includes a plurality of interrogators O3 that emit predetermined microwaves toward the area where the mobile object MO exists, and Each of the mobile objects MO is provided with a transponder AN, which has a different identification code for each of the mobile objects MO, and responds to the interrogator QS with a signal according to the identification code when it detects the microwave from the interrogator O3. Interrogator QS and responder AN
In a mobile object identification device that identifies a mobile object MO by communication with a mobile object MO, prior to communication between the interrogator O8 and the responder AN, one of the plurality of interrogators OS is selected and sequentially emits microwaves. interrogator selection operation means M1
and an interrogator QS capable of communication by causing at least two or more interrogators OS of the plurality of interrogators O8 to receive a signal that the transponder AN responds to in response to the radiated microwave.
It is characterized by comprising a communication continuation means M2 for causing continuous communication.

[Operation] The mobile object identification device of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration is capable of identifying a mobile object M.
Communication between a plurality of interrogators QS that emit predetermined microwaves toward the region where O exists, and a transponder AN that responds with a signal according to a unique identification code when it detects the microwave from the interrogator O8. Mobile object MO@: is identified. In carrying out such communication, the mobile object identification device of the present invention:
Prior to communication, one of the plurality of questions is selected by the interrogator selection operation means Mal2 and microwaves are sequentially emitted. The transponder AN responds in response to this microwave. In the mobile object identification device of the present invention, the communication continuation means M2 causes at least two or more interrogators O8 to receive the signal responded by the transponder AN, and causes the interrogators QS capable of communication to continue communication.

[Embodiments] In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, preferred embodiments of the mobile object identification device of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile object identification device as an embodiment of the present invention.

This mobile object identification device (top) identifies abnormally shaped baggage BG, which is a moving object passing within a predetermined area R, and includes three interrogators that emit microwaves to the presence area R of the abnormally shaped baggage BG to be identified. 1,2゜3, an entrance side sensor 6 and an exit side sensor 7 for detecting that the irregularly shaped baggage BG has entered the area 8, and a transponder attached to each of the irregularly shaped baggage BG]; Three interrogators 1. 2.
3, and a controller 20 that controls the controller 3.

Multiple interrogators were installed (above). This is because there are cases where data communication with the interrogator is impossible.Therefore, three interrogators 1, 2.
3 to post 21. 22. 23 is provided diagonally above the region R surrounding the transponder 1, so that the antenna directivity of the transponder 1 can cover all possible directions.

Interrogator 1. 2. 3[;L Has the same configuration, as shown in FIG.
, circulator 33. Antenna 35. Detector 37, amplifier 39. It consists of an input/output interface 40. Oscillator 3] (Yo) Any system may be used as long as it oscillates microwaves. For example, it may be configured with a dielectric resonator stabilized oscillator, a synthesizer oscillator using PLL control, etc. Circulator 33 (
This is a transmitting/receiving duplexer that outputs the signal from the oscillator 31 to the antenna 35 and also outputs the signal from the antenna 35 to the detector 37. In this embodiment, a clockwise microstrip line type circulator is used. Oscillator 31. Detector 37. If the antenna 35 is arranged in opposite directions, a counterclockwise type may be used, and other types of circulators such as lumped constant circulators may also be used.These oscillators 31 and Between the circulator 33 and the contact 32 of the high frequency switch 32
A is interposed. High frequency switch 1 company Any device that can turn on/off microwaves is fine, and in this embodiment, a PIN diode 32a is used. The connection between the oscillator 31 and the circulator 33 can be turned on and off by the signal.

For example, a microstrip slot antenna, a rectangular patch antenna, etc. can be used.In this embodiment, a rectangular patch type antenna is used. The receiver detects the signal received from the antenna 35 and detects the information contained in the signal, and the detected signal is amplified by the amplifier 39.Input/output interface 401; L The detected signal, etc. This is for communicating with the controller 20.

A transponder 11 (as shown in FIG. 4, an antenna receiving microwave signals from interrogators 1 to 3, for example, a rectangular patch antenna 4) and a code unique to each transponder. The code generating section 43 generates a code, and a modulator 45 modulates the received signal from the interrogators 1 to 3 using the code generated by the code generating section 43. When a microwave signal is received from the antenna 41, it is amplitude-modulated using a unique identification code, and the modulated microwave signal is sent to the antenna 41.
It radiates from.

The microwaves modulated and sent back from the transponder 11 attached to the odd-shaped baggage BG are received by the interrogators 1 to 3. The identification code used for modulation by the interrogators 1 to 3 (above, the microwave signal is separated by the above-mentioned circulator 33, and the transponder) is transmitted to the detector 37.
It is demodulated by

The demodulated signal is amplified and then output to the controller 20 via the input/output interface 40.

The controller 20 has an interrogator 1 connected thereto.
2. Interrogator 1.3 is in charge of control and data input/output. 2. Turning on/off the high frequency switch 32 of No. 3
Turn off the interrogator selection operation means ML and communication continuation means M2! - works. Controller 20 (upper
Well-known CPLI51. The interrogator interface 55 is configured as an arithmetic and logic operation circuit from the ROM 52 and the RAM 53, etc. and performs input/output of signals with the interrogators 1 to 3. Input port 562 for inputting signals from input side sensor 6 and exit side sensor 7 Timer 57 for starting interrupt processing
etc. Note that the controller 2011. Serial communication baud) (S IQ) 59 is also provided, and this S10
Optionally, via interrogator 1. 2. It also performs a process of outputting the received signal of No. 3 to a higher-level host computer (not shown).

Next (: Focuses on the processing performed within the controller 20 1
:, Recognition of irregularly shaped baggage BG will be explained.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a mobile object identification processing routine performed by the controller 20. When this routine is started, first the detection result of the entrance side sensor 6 is read (step 100), and this sensor 6 detects abnormally shaped baggage BG.
If it is detected (step 10), a process is performed in which the variable n, which is initially O, is incremented by the value 1 (step 115). Similarly, based on the detection result of the exit side sensor 7, if the passage of the abnormally shaped baggage BG is detected, the variable n is decremented by the value 1 (step 120).
．． 130. 135). As a result, if the irregularly shaped baggage BG enters this region R, the value of the variable n increases, and the irregularly shaped baggage B
If G leaves this area R, the value of the variable will decrease, and the variable n will have a value equal to the number of odd-shaped baggage BG existing in area R (1-2).

Next, we check whether the variable port has a value of 1 or more, that is, there is at least one odd-shaped baggage BG, which is a moving object, in the area R.
If so, it is determined whether communication with this odd-shaped baggage BG has been severed (step 150). If communication is interrupted (step 160), set the interrogator number m, then output a microwave signal of a predetermined frequency from the interrogator m (step 160).
step 170). That is, a signal is output from the interrogator interface 55 to operate the high frequency switch 32 of the interrogator m with the number m (=1, 2, 3), and the signal oscillated by the oscillator 31 is radiated from the antenna 35 toward the region R2. let Therefore, only one interrogator can output a microwave signal at a time.

However, at this time, the signal input function of the other interrogators is also operating, so next, input the reception results of interrogators 1 and 2 (step 180), and check if there is an interrogator with which communication is possible. A determination may be made as to whether or not communication is possible (step 190). However, it may be determined that the interrogator that has received the strongest reflected wave from the transponder 11 is able to communicate.When it is determined that there is an interrogator that can communicate, the interrogator (number m ) to continue communication (step 200), exits to rNEXTJ and ends this processing routine once.On the other hand, if there is no interrogator that can communicate (step 190), return to step 160, The above-mentioned process is repeated from setting the interrogator number m. Therefore, if there is no interrogator with which communication can be performed, interrogators 1 to 3 are used until an interrogator with which communication is possible is found.
will sequentially output microwave signals to region R12.

In addition, in the judgment at step 140, the variable n has a value of 1 or less;
In other words, when it is determined that the odd-shaped baggage BG has passed in front of the exit side sensor 7 and left the area and there is no longer a moving object within the area R, the odd-shaped baggage BG transponder 11
Step 210) to terminate communication with rNEXTJ
Exit to exit and end this processing routine.

According to the mobile object identification device of this embodiment configured as above, a plurality of interrogators can receive signals from the transponder 11 by the operation of one interrogator, and the transponder 11 can receive signals from the transponder 11.
This has the advantage of increasing the chances of reading the identification code. As a result, it is possible to reduce errors during reading and shorten the time during which abnormally shaped baggage BG cannot be identified.

Therefore, the sorting of oddly shaped baggage 8G, etc. can be done at high speed without any errors. Furthermore, according to the mobile object identification device of this embodiment, the number of interrogators that emit microwaves toward region R is limited to one at a time, so multiple interrogators simultaneously emit microwaves to prevent mutual interference. It doesn't even wake you up.

In this example, three interrogators 1, 2, and 3 were used, but if the degree of freedom in attaching the transponder is large or the directivity of the antenna is narrower, four or more interrogators may be used. In addition, as shown in Fig. 6, when the degree of freedom in the direction of attaching the transponder 11 to odd-shaped baggage BG is limited to some extent (the two interrogators 1
It is also possible to simply use a and 2a.

In this embodiment, two sensors 6 and 7 are used to determine whether or not abnormally shaped baggage BG exists within region R, but these sensors (such as phototubes) are used.

Various types of nomit switches can be used. Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which the interrogator is constantly activated without using a sensor.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments in any way. For example, the present invention may be configured such that the response from the transponder is performed using microwaves with a frequency different from that of the signal from the interrogator, It goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as a configuration in which the response from the transponder is performed using signals other than microwaves.

As detailed above, according to the mobile object identification device of the present invention]
(3) It has the excellent effect of increasing opportunities to read the identification code of the transponder, reducing reading errors, and shortening the time during which it is not possible to identify a moving object. As a result, it is possible to reduce errors and speed up the work when sorting products using the mobile object identification device. Furthermore, multiple interrogators do not emit microwaves at the same time, causing mutual interference.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the basic configuration of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a mobile object identification device as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an interrogator. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the transponder 1], FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the controller 20, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the embodiment. N: Responder MO: Mobile object 1: Interrogator selection operation means 2: Communication continuation means QS: Interrogator R: Area BG: Unusual baggage 1, 2. 3.
...Interrogator 6...Inlet side sensor 7...Outlet side sensor 11...Responder O...Controller 3
1... Oscillator 2... High frequency switch 33... Circulator 5... Antenna 37... Detector 9... Amplifier 40... Input/output interface... Antenna 43... Code generation Part 5...Modulator

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A plurality of interrogators are provided that emit predetermined microwaves toward an area where a moving body exists, each having a different identification code inside, and when the microwaves from the interrogators are detected, the interrogators are identified. A mobile object identification device, wherein each of the mobile objects is provided with a transponder that responds to the interrogator with a signal according to a code, and the mobile object is identified by communication between the interrogator and the transponder. Interrogator selection operation means for selecting one of the plurality of interrogators and sequentially emitting microwaves prior to communication with the transponder; and a signal for the transponder to respond in response to the emitted microwaves. A mobile object identification device comprising: communication continuation means for causing at least two or more interrogators among the plurality of interrogators to receive the information, and for causing the interrogators capable of communication to continuously perform communication.