JP7404835B2 - RF communication device - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to an RF communication device.

Patent Document 1 discloses an RF communication device that performs wireless communication with surrounding RF tags by transmitting and receiving radio waves. This type of RF communication device can perform a reading process to read information recorded on surrounding RF tags. In the technology of Patent Document 1, the RF communication device measures the number of RF tags read per round of radio wave transmission and reception, and outputs a frequency (i.e., sound pitch) from the audio output unit according to the measured number. output audible sounds with different numbers of outputs. This allows the user, who is the worker, to know the number of RF tags that have been read and to know the progress of the work.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-60231

With the technique of Patent Document 1, the user can understand that the number of read RF tags has changed when the frequency (that is, the pitch of the sound) of the notification sound or the number of outputs has changed. That is, the user can only relatively grasp that the number of read RF tags has changed based on changes in the pitch of the sound or the number of outputs. It is difficult for the user to absolutely grasp the number of RF tags that have been read based on the frequency of the notification sound and the number of outputs. Furthermore, it may be difficult for the user to correctly hear the notification sound due to ambient noise at the site where the RF tag is read (for example, a logistics site).

This specification provides an RF communication device that allows a user to appropriately grasp the progress of a reading process.

The RF communication device disclosed in this specification includes an RF communication unit that can perform wireless communication with an RF tag by transmitting and receiving radio waves, a light-emitting display unit that can light up in a plurality of colors, and a plurality of light-emitting display units located around the a read control unit that causes the RF communication unit to execute a reading process for transmitting radio waves to the RF tags and reading information recorded on each RF tag; The device includes a speed measurement section that measures a reading speed, which is the number of RF tags read, and a light emission control section that lights up the light emission display section in a different color depending on the measured reading speed.

According to the above configuration, a user who performs an RF tag reading operation can absolutely grasp the reading speed by looking at the display color of the light emitting display section. Further, lighting of the light emitting display section is not affected by surrounding noise. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the user can appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

The RF communication device may further include a housing. The light emitting display section may be provided in the housing so as to be exposed in a range visible to the user during execution of the reading process.

According to this configuration, while the reading process is being executed, the user can easily view the display color of the light-emitting display section by looking toward the housing. The user can appropriately grasp the reading speed while executing the reading process.

The light emission control unit causes the light emission display unit to light up in a first emission color when the reading speed is below a specific threshold value, and causes the light emission display unit to light up in a first emission color when the reading speed is higher than the specific threshold value. may be lit with a second luminescent color different from the first luminescent color. The specific threshold value may be set according to a user's instruction.

According to this configuration, the user can set a specific threshold value that serves as a reference for changing the luminescent color according to the reading speed. Therefore, the user can set a specific threshold value to an appropriate value depending on the environment in which the user performs the reading operation (for example, the total number of surrounding RF tags, etc.). By setting a specific threshold to an appropriate value, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

The light emission control unit causes the light emission display unit to light up in a first emission color when the reading speed is below a specific threshold value, and causes the light emission display unit to light up in a first emission color when the reading speed is higher than the specific threshold value. may be lit with a second luminescent color different from the first luminescent color. The first light emitting color and the second light emitting color may each be selected from among the plurality of light emitting colors that can be lit by the light emitting display section according to a user's instruction.

According to this configuration, the user can set the emitted light color for each reading speed range. Therefore, the user can set a color that is easy for the user to understand as the emitting color for each reading speed range. As a result, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

The light emission control section may cause the light emission display section to light up during a specific lighting period. The specific lighting period may be set according to a user's instruction.

According to this configuration, the user can set a specific lighting period that is a period during which the light emitting display section is lit. When the lighting period is set to be long, the lighting state tends to be continuous when a plurality of RF tags are read in succession. In this case, the user visually recognizes that the light emitting display section is lit continuously. If the light-emitting display unit is lit continuously, it becomes easier for the user to intuit that many RF tags are being read continuously, especially during a period when the number of reads is large at the beginning of the reading process. On the other hand, if the lighting period is set short, the light emitting display section will be visually perceived as being lit intermittently. If the light-emitting display unit is lit intermittently, it becomes easier for the user to intuitively sense that the RF tags are being read one by one, especially during a period when the number of reads is small at the end of the reading process. The user can set an appropriate specific lighting period according to his/her work environment and work tendency. As a result, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

The light emission control section may not turn on the light emission display section when the reading speed is zero.

According to this configuration, when the reading speed is zero (that is, the number of RF tags read per unit time is zero), the light emitting display section does not light up. The user can understand that the RF tag has not been read by looking at the light-emitting display section that does not light up. A situation in which an RF tag cannot be read tends to occur at the final stage of the reading process. Therefore, by looking at the light-emitting display section that does not light up, the user can recognize that the reading process has entered its final stage. Therefore, according to this configuration, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

The light emission control unit further lights up the light emission display unit in a different color from when the reading speed is not zero when the period during which the reading speed is zero continues for a specific non-reading period. Good too.

According to this configuration, when a period in which the reading speed is zero (that is, a period in which the number of RF tags read per unit time is zero) continues for a specific non-reading period, the light emitting display section It lights up in a specific manner that is different from when the speed is not zero. By looking at the light-emitting display section that lights up in a specific manner, the user can understand that the period in which the RF tag is not being read continues. A situation in which a period in which an RF tag is not read is likely to occur at the final stage of the reading process, and is particularly likely to occur when there are no more readable RF tags in the vicinity. Therefore, by looking at the light-emitting display section that is lit in a specific manner, the user can recognize that there is a high possibility that no readable RF tag exists around the user. In that case, the user can change the location where the reading process is performed or end the reading process. Therefore, according to this configuration, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

An overview of a communication system according to an embodiment is shown. A block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system is shown. An example of a parameter table is shown. An example of a luminescent color management table is shown. 5 shows a flowchart of light emission control processing executed by the control unit of the RF communication device. The flowchart of the non-reading notification process executed by the control unit of the RF communication device is shown.

(First example)
(System configuration; Figures 1 and 2)
A communication system 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 uses an RF (Radio Frequency) communication device 10 to transmit radio waves (or electromagnetic fields) between a large number of RF tags 100a, 100b, 100c, etc. existing in the surrounding area. This is a system for performing wireless communication (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "RF communication") using wireless communication and reading and writing data on RF tags 100a, 100b, 100c, etc. without contact. In this communication system 2, the RF communication device 10 transmits the results of RF communication with the RF tags 100a, 100b, 100c, etc. to the terminal device 50 by Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. Below, Bluetooth may be referred to as "BT".

The communication system 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an RF communication device 10, a terminal device 50, and a large number of RF tags 100a, 100b, 100c, etc. In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, only three RF tags 100a, 100b, and 100c are shown, but in reality, there are many other tags (for example, several thousand to tens of thousands ) RF tags exist. Hereinafter, when the RF tags 100a, 100b, 100c, etc. are collectively referred to without distinction, they may be simply referred to as "RF tag 100."

(Configuration of RF communication device; Figures 1 and 2)
The RF communication device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a communication device for performing wireless communication using radio waves (ie, RF communication) with a large number of RF tags 100 existing in the surrounding area. As described above, the RF communication device 10 of this embodiment is a communication device that employs a so-called radio wave method that performs RF communication by emitting and receiving radio waves. The RF communication device 10 is a portable device that can be carried by a worker.

As shown in FIG. 1, the casing 11 of the RF communication device 10 includes a main body portion 11a, a grip portion 11b, and a housing portion 11c. The main body portion 11a is a case portion that constitutes the main body portion of the RF communication device 10. The main body portion 11a includes most of the components of the RF communication device 10. The grip portion 11b is a grip-like member provided on the lower surface of the main body portion 11a. A user, who is an operator, can grip the RF communication device 10 by gripping the grip portion 11b. The accommodating part 11c is a member connected to the upper end of the main body part 11a, and is a member for accommodating the RF communication part 20 for performing RF communication. The housing portion 11c is provided so as to extend toward the lower surface of the main body portion 11a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the RF communication device 10 includes various components. Specifically, the RF communication device 10 includes a side operation button 12a, a grip operation button 12b, a light emitting display section 14, a speaker 16, a vibration section 18, an RF communication section 20, a BT interface 22, It includes a control section 24 and a memory 30. In the following, the interface will be referred to as "I/F". Among these components, the side operation button 12a, the light emitting display section 14, the speaker 16, the vibration section 18, the BT interface 22, the control section 24, and the memory 30 are provided in the main body section 11a. The gripping part operation button 12b is provided on the gripping part 11b. The RF communication section 20 is provided in the housing section 11c. Each component will be explained below.

The side operation buttons 12a are provided in an operable manner on both sides of the main body portion 11a (see FIG. 1). The user can input various instructions (for example, an instruction to read an RF tag) by pressing the side operation button 12a.

The gripping part operation button 12b is provided in the gripping part 11b at a position where the user who grips the gripping part 11b can operate it with his/her index finger (see FIG. 1). The user can also input various instructions (for example, an instruction to read an RF tag) by pressing the grip operation button 12b. That is, the RF communication device 10 of this embodiment can be used as a so-called gun-type device. Note that hereinafter, the side operation button 12a and the grip operation button 12b may be collectively referred to simply as the "operation button 12."

The light emitting display unit 14 is a light emitting unit that includes built-in LEDs that can emit light in multiple colors. The light-emitting display section 14 can emit light in colors such as blue, red, yellow, green, yellow-green, orange, purple, blue, and white, for example. In a modification, the light-emitting display section 14 may include a light-emitting body other than an LED (for example, a light bulb) as long as it can emit light in multiple colors. The light emitting display section 14 is provided at the rear end of the main body section 11a (the end opposite to the housing section 11c) in a manner that is visible from the outside (see FIG. 1). When a user who uses the RF communication device 10 (for example, performs an RF tag reading operation) grasps the grip portion 11b, the rear end portion of the main body portion 11a faces toward the user. That is, the light-emitting display section 14 is exposed and provided at a position that is visible to the user while the RF communication device 10 is in use (for example, while reading an RF tag). The user can comfortably view the light-emitting display section 14 while using the RF communication device 10 (for example, while reading an RF tag).

The speaker 16 is an audio output section that can output various sounds. For example, when the RF tag is being read, the speaker 16 can output a notification sound (e.g., buzzer sound, beep sound, click sound, etc.) to notify that the RF tag has been read, according to instructions from the control unit 24. . The speaker 16 is housed within the main body portion 11a.

The vibration unit 18 is a drive unit that includes a built-in motor (not shown), for example, and generates fine vibrations for notification. For example, when the RF tag is being read, the vibrating unit 18 can generate vibration to notify that the RF tag has been read, according to instructions from the control unit 24. The vibrating section 18 is also housed within the main body section 11a.

The RF communication unit 20 is a communication unit for performing wireless communication (RF communication) using radio waves as a medium with the RF tag 100 existing within a predetermined communication range (for example, within a radius of 5 m). The RF communication unit 20 of this embodiment is a known RF communication module, and includes a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, and an antenna (not shown). In this embodiment, the RF communication section 20 is housed in the housing section 11c (see FIG. 1). When RF communication is performed, the RF communication unit 20 outputs radio waves in an outward direction (that is, in a direction opposite to the grip portion 11b).

The BT I/F 22 is an interface for performing BT communication (Bluetooth communication) using a BT communication link with the terminal device 50.

The control unit 24 performs a light emission control process (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, according to programs stored in the memory 30 (i.e., an OS program 32, a light emission control application program 34 (hereinafter referred to as "light emission control application 34"), etc.). ), non-reading notification process (see FIG. 6), and various other processes are executed.

The memory 30 includes ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The memory 30 stores an OS program 32, a light emission control application 34, a parameter table 36, and a light emission color management table 38. The memory 30 also includes a storage area (not shown) for temporarily storing various information generated as the control unit 24 executes various processes.

The OS program 32 includes a program for the control unit 24 to execute basic processing. The OS program 32 is stored in the memory 30 when the RF communication device 10 is shipped.

The light emission control application 34 is an application program provided by the vendor of the RF communication device 10 and used to control the light emission mode of the light emission display unit 14 when the RF communication device 10 executes the RF tag reading process.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the parameter table 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the parameter table 36 includes setting information 150a to 150c used when light emission control processing (see FIG. 5) to be described later is executed. Each of the setting information 150a to 150c is information in which parameters to be set are associated with specific setting values.

Setting information 150a indicates the speed threshold Sth currently set by the user. The speed threshold value Sth is a threshold value that serves as a reference for changing the color of light emitted from the light emission display section 14 in the light emission control process. In the present embodiment, in the light emission control process, the control unit 24 determines that the reading speed V [pieces/second], which is the number of RF tags read per second in the past, is the speed threshold Sth, which is twice the speed threshold Sth. (2Sth) and three times the speed threshold Sth (3Sth), the color of the light emitted from the light emitting display section 14 is changed. In the example of FIG. 3, the speed threshold Sth is set to 200 [numbers/second].

The setting information 150b indicates the lighting period tl currently set by the user. In the present embodiment, in the light emission control process, when the RF tag is read, the control unit 24 lights up the light emission display unit 14 in a predetermined light emission color (see S20 in FIG. 5). After that, when the lighting period tl passes without the RF tag being read, the control unit 24 turns off the light emitting display unit 14 ( YES in S10 in FIG. 5, see S12). That is, the lighting period tl can be rephrased as a timeout period for turning off the light emitting display section 14 once turned on. In the example of FIG. 3, the lighting period tl is set to 0.5 seconds.

Setting information 150c indicates the non-reading period tn currently set by the user. In this embodiment, after the start of the light emission control process, if the state in which the RF tag is not read continues for a predetermined non-reading period tn or more, the control unit 24 displays the light emission display unit 14 when the RF tag is read. (See NO in S14 of FIG. 5 and YES in S32 of FIG. 6). That is, the non-reading period tn can be rephrased as a timeout period for notifying that the RF tag has not been read for a considerable period of time (that is, there are no unread RF tags around). . In the example of FIG. 3, the non-reading period tn is set to 10 [seconds].

The speed threshold value Sth, the lighting period tl, and the non-reading period tn can be set by the user before starting the reading operation. The parameter table 36 stores setting information 150a to 150c including each value of the set speed threshold Sth, lighting period tl, and non-reading period tn. The user can also change the set speed threshold Sth, lighting period tl, and non-reading period tn at any timing. In that case, the setting information 150a to 150c included in the parameter table 36 is updated.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the emission color management table 38. As shown in FIG. 4, the emission color management table 38 includes emission color information 160a to 160e regarding the emission color of the emission display section 14 for each condition in emission control processing (see FIG. 5), which will be described later. The luminescent color information 160a to 160e is information in which the conditions under which the luminescent display section 14 should be lit are associated with the luminescent color when the luminescent display section 14 is lit.

The light emitting color information 160a indicates a light emitting color set for the case where the reading speed V is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the speed threshold value Sth. In the example of FIG. 4, the emitted light color is set to blue. For example, when the speed threshold value Sth is 200 [pieces/second] and the reading speed V [pieces/second] is 1 or more and 200 or less, the control section 24 lights up the light emitting display section 14 in blue.

The light emitting color information 160b indicates a light emitting color set for the case where the reading speed V is higher than the speed threshold value Sth and equal to or less than twice the speed threshold value 2Sth. In the example of FIG. 4, the emitted light color is set to green. Therefore, when the speed threshold value Sth is 200 [pieces/second] and the reading speed V [pieces/second] is higher than 200 and equal to or less than 400, the control section 24 lights up the light emitting display section 14 in green.

The light emitting color information 160c indicates a light emitting color that is set for the case where the reading speed V is higher than the speed threshold value 2 times the value 2Sth and is equal to or less than the speed threshold value 3 times the value 3Sth. In the example of FIG. 4, the emitted light color is set to yellow. Therefore, when the speed threshold value Sth is 200 [pieces/second] and the reading speed V [pieces/second] is higher than 400 and equal to or less than 600, the control section 24 lights up the light emitting display section 14 in yellow.

The light emitting color information 160d indicates a light emitting color set for the case where the reading speed V is higher than 3Sth, which is three times the speed threshold value. In the example of FIG. 4, the emitted light color is set to red. Therefore, when the speed threshold Sth is 200 [pieces/second] and the reading speed V is higher than 600, the control unit 24 lights the light emitting display unit 14 in red.

The luminescent color information 160e indicates a luminescent color that is set for the case where a predetermined non-reading period tn has elapsed without the RF tag being read. In the example of FIG. 4, the emitted light color is set to white. Therefore, when the non-reading period tn is 10 seconds, if 10 seconds or more elapse without the RF tag being read, the control unit 24 lights up the light emitting display unit 14 in white.

The emitted light color under each of the above conditions can be set by the user before starting the reading operation. The luminescent color management table 38 stores luminescent color information 160a to 160e including the set luminescent colors. Further, the user can also change the set emitting color at any timing. In that case, the emission color information 160a to 160e in the emission color management table 38 is updated.

(Configuration of terminal device 50; FIGS. 1 and 2)
By performing BT communication with the RF communication device 10, the terminal device 50 shown in FIGS. This is a terminal device for receiving results). The terminal device 50 is, for example, a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a PDA. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 50 includes a BT I/F 52, a touch panel 54, a control unit 60, and a memory 62.

The BTI/F 52 is an interface for performing BT communication (Bluetooth communication) with the RF communication device 10.

The touch panel 54 functions as a display section for displaying various information, and also functions as an operation section for inputting various instructions into the terminal device 50.

The control unit 60 executes various processes according to programs (not shown) stored in the memory 62. The memory 62 is composed of ROM, RAM, and the like. The memory 62 stores various programs and also includes a storage area (not shown) for temporarily storing various information generated as the control unit 60 executes processing. .

(Configuration of RF tag 100; Figures 1 and 2)
The RF tags 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are all known passive type RF tags. The RF tag may also be called an RFID tag, a wireless tag, or the like. Each of the RF tags 100 includes an antenna, a control circuit, a memory, etc. (not shown). A unique ID (identification information, such as a serial number) specific to the RF tag 100 is stored in the memory of the RF tag 100. The memory of the RF tag 100 also stores the model name (which may also be called a model name) of the RF tag 100. The unique ID and model name may be collectively referred to as a "tag ID." The tag ID is already stored in the memory when the RF tag 100 is shipped. Further, tag information readable by the RF communication device 10 is stored in the memory of the RF tag 100. This tag information is written into the memory by another device after the RF tag 100 starts to be used. The tag information includes, for example, quality control information of the article to which the RF tag 100 is attached.

(Overview of reading work)
Before explaining the contents of the processing (FIGS. 5 and 6) executed by the control unit 24, we will explain how to use the communication system 2 of this embodiment to connect a large number of RF tags 100 around the RF communication device 10. An overview of the reading process for reading recorded information will be explained below.

A user who performs a reading operation holds the grip portion 11b of the RF communication device 10 and then inputs a predetermined reading start operation to the operation button 12. In that case, the control unit 24 of the RF communication device 10 starts a predetermined reading process.

In the reading process, first, the control unit 24 causes the RF communication unit 20 to output radio waves. At this time, it is preferable that the user points the accommodating section 11c in which the RF communication section 20 is accommodated in the direction in which the RF tag 100 is thought to be present. The RF tags 100 present in the surrounding area can receive radio waves output from the RF communication section 20. When each RF tag 100 receives a radio wave, it converts the received radio wave into electric power and outputs a reflected wave containing information recorded in its own memory (namely, tag ID and tag information). Upon receiving the reflected wave output by the RF tag 100, the RF communication unit 20 extracts information included in the reflected wave and supplies it to the control unit 24. Thereby, the control unit 24 acquires the information recorded on the RF tag 100 from the RF tag 100.

The control unit 24 determines whether the information acquired from the RF tag 100 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "target information") is already stored as "read information" in the temporary storage area of the memory 30. to decide. If it is determined that the same information as the target information is already stored as "read information" in the temporary storage area of the memory 30, the control unit 24 does not newly store the target information. On the other hand, if it is determined that the target information is not stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 30, the control unit 24 causes the acquired target information to be newly stored in the memory 30 as "read information". At this time, the control unit 24 stores the current time (that is, the time when the information was acquired from the RF tag 100) in the memory 30 in association with the target information. By newly storing the target information in the temporary storage area of the memory 30, reading of the RF tag 100 is completed. That is, in the present embodiment, "reading the RF tag 100" may be rephrased to mean that information acquired from the RF tag 100 is newly stored in the temporary storage area of the memory 30. The control unit 24 also measures the number of RF tags read per second in the past (that is, RF tags for which information has been newly acquired) (that is, the reading speed V). Then, the control unit 24 transmits the read tag ID and tag information to the terminal device 50 via the BT communication link. The terminal device 50 causes the touch panel 54 to display information regarding the tag ID and tag information received from the RF communication device 10.

The control unit 24 causes the RF communication unit 20 to output radio waves multiple times and execute each of the above-described processes in multiple cycles. Even if the RF tag 100 has information once read (an RF tag 100 that has already been read), upon receiving a radio wave, the RF tag 100 outputs a reflected wave containing the information recorded in the memory. As described above, the control unit 24 determines whether the acquired information is "read information". That is, the control unit 24 determines whether the RF tag 100 has been read or not, based on the acquired information. Therefore, when each of the above-mentioned processes is executed for multiple cycles, during the first few cycles, there are many unread RF tags 100 around, so a large amount of information (tag ID and tag information) is newly obtained (ie, read). As the cycles repeat, the number of unread RF tags 100 (that is, RF tags 100 for which read information is not stored in the memory 30) decreases, so the number of newly read information (tag ID and tag information) will also decrease. When there are no unread RF tags 100 around the RF communication device 10, the user determines that all RF tags 100 have been read and inputs a predetermined reading end operation to the operation button 12. do. In that case, the control unit 24 ends the reading process. The terminal device 50 causes the touch panel 54 to display information regarding the result of the reading process. When all of the above series of processes are completed, one reading operation is completed.

(Processes executed by the control unit 24 when the reading process is executed; FIGS. 5 and 6)
Next, a description will be given of the light emission control process (FIG. 5) and non-reading notification process (FIG. 6) that are executed by the control unit 24 of the RF communication device 10 in conjunction with the above reading process. The light emission control process (FIG. 5) and the non-reading notification process (FIG. 6) are both processes for controlling the light emission mode of the light emission display section 14 during the reading operation.

(Light emission control process; Figure 5)
As described above, when the user performing the reading operation inputs a predetermined reading start operation to the operation button 12, the control unit 24 starts a predetermined reading process. Then, the control unit 24 also starts the light emission control process in FIG. 5 using the start of the reading process as a trigger. That is, during execution of the reading operation, the control unit 24 executes the reading process and the light emission control process of FIG. 5 in parallel.

In S10, the control unit 24 determines whether the lighting timer currently counting has reached a preset lighting period tl (0.5 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) or more. At the start of the light emission control process, lighting of the light emission display unit 14 and counting of the lighting timer are not performed, so the control unit 24 determines NO in S10 after the start of the light emission control process, and skips S12. Proceed to S14.

In S10 from the second time onwards, if the lighting timer that is counting is less than the lighting period tl (that is, the lighting period tl has not elapsed after the light emitting display unit 14 is lit), the control unit 24 determines NO in S10 and performs S14. Proceed to. On the other hand, in S10 from the second time onwards, if the lighting timer that is counting is equal to or longer than the lighting period tl (that is, the lighting period tl has elapsed after the light emitting display unit 14 is lit), the control unit 24 determines YES in S10. Then, proceed to S12. In S12, the control unit 24 turns off the light-emitting display unit 14 that is being lit, and then proceeds to S14.

In S14, the control unit 24 determines whether reading of the RF tag 100 has been newly successful. At this point, if the RF tag 100 is newly read successfully (that is, new information is acquired from the RF tag 100) in the reading process that is being executed in parallel with the light emission control process in FIG. The control unit 24 determines YES in S14, and proceeds to S16. On the other hand, at this point, if the RF tag 100 is not read in the reading process (that is, no new information is acquired from any RF tag 100), the control unit 24 determines NO in S14. Then, proceed to S22.

In S22, the control unit 24 starts the non-reading notification process shown in FIG. After starting the non-reading notification process in S22, the control unit 24 returns to the determination in S10. The content of the non-reading notification process will be explained in detail later with reference to FIG.

In S16, the control unit 24 resets the lighting timer that is currently counting, and starts counting the lighting timer anew.

In subsequent S18, the control unit 24 measures the reading speed V, which is the number of RF tags 100 read per second in the past. Specifically, in S18, the control unit 24 measures the reading speed V by referring to the memory 30 and counting the number of read IDs associated with times in the past one second.

In subsequent S20, the control unit 24 lights up the light emitting display unit 14 with a light emitting color corresponding to the reading speed V measured in S18. Specifically, in S20, the control unit 24 first refers to the parameter table 36 (FIG. 3) and identifies the set speed threshold Sth. Next, the control unit 24 refers to the emission color management table 38 and selects the reading speed V measured in S18 among the following: 1st place or more and below Sth, higher than Sth and below 2Sth, higher than 2Sth and below 3Sth, and higher than 3Sth. Identify which conditions apply. Then, the control unit 24 lights up the light emitting display unit 14 with the light emitting color set in accordance with the specified condition.

A specific example of the process of S20 will be explained. For example, assume that the memory 30 stores the parameter table 36 of FIG. 3 and the emission color management table 38 of FIG. 4. In this case, the speed threshold Sth is set to 200 [pieces/second] (FIG. 3). When the reading speed V measured in S18 is 500 pieces/second, the reading speed V falls within the range of "higher than 2Sth (400) and equal to or less than 3Sth (600)". Therefore, in S20, the control unit 24 lights up the light emitting display unit 14 in yellow.

After completing S20, the control unit 24 returns to the determination in S10. Thereafter, the control unit 24 repeatedly executes each process of S10 to S20 and S22 until the reading process that is being executed in parallel ends.

(Non-reading notification process; Figure 6)
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the contents of the non-reading notification process started in S22 of FIG. 5 will be described. As described above, using the fact that the RF tag 100 is not newly read in the reading process as a trigger (NO in S14 in FIG. 5, S22), the control unit S24 starts the non-reading notification process in FIG. 6. When the non-reading notification process is started, the control unit 24 executes the light emission control process in FIG. 5 and the non-reading notification process in FIG. 6 in parallel.

In S30, the control unit 24 newly starts counting the non-read timer. Next, the control unit 24 starts monitoring S32 and S34.

In S32, the control unit 24 monitors that the counting non-reading timer reaches a preset non-reading period tn (10 seconds in the example of FIG. 3). Then, in S34, the control unit 24 monitors whether the RF tag 100 is newly successfully read.

If the RF tag 100 is newly read in the reading process before the counting non-reading timer reaches the non-reading period tn, the control unit 24 determines YES in S34, and at this point, the non-reading timer shown in FIG. Finish the reading process.

On the other hand, if the RF tag 100 is not newly read in the reading process and the non-reading timer that started counting in S30 reaches the non-reading period tn (that is, the non-reading period tn (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed. case), the control unit 24 determines YES in S32, and proceeds to S40.

In S40, the control unit 24 refers to the luminescent color management table 38 and lights the luminescent display unit 14 in a specific luminescent color set for when the non-reading period tn has elapsed. According to the example of FIG. 4, in S40, the control unit 24 lights up the light emitting display unit 14 in white. After completing S40, the control unit 24 ends the non-reading notification process of FIG. 6. Note that the light-emitting display section 14 that is lit with a specific light-emitting color may be automatically turned off after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, or may be turned off when the user inputs a turn-off operation.

The configuration and operation of the communication system 2 of this embodiment have been described above. As described above, in this embodiment, the control section 24 lights up the light emitting display section 14 in a light emitting color corresponding to the measured reading speed V (S20 in FIG. 5). The emitted light color at this time is predetermined by a speed range divided based on a preset speed threshold value Sth. Therefore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the user who performs the reading operation of the RF tag 100 can absolutely grasp the range of the current reading speed V by looking at the display color of the light emitting display section 14 of the RF communication device 10. can do. Further, lighting of the light emitting display section 14 is not affected by surrounding noise. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the user can appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process being executed.

Further, in this embodiment, the light-emitting display section 14 is provided at the rear end of the main body 11a (the end opposite to the housing section 11c) in a manner that is visible from the outside (see FIG. 1). When a user who uses the RF communication device 10 (for example, performs an RF tag reading operation) grasps the grip portion 11b, the rear end portion of the main body portion 11a faces toward the user. That is, the light-emitting display section 14 is exposed and provided at a position that is visible to the user while the RF communication device 10 is in use (for example, while reading an RF tag). While using the RF communication device 10 (for example, while reading an RF tag), the user can comfortably view the light-emitting display section 14 by turning toward the RF communication device 10. The user can appropriately grasp the reading speed V during execution of the reading process.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in S20 of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the control unit 24 controls the reading speed V to be higher than or equal to 1st, lower than or equal to Sth, and higher than or equal to Sth, according to the speed threshold value Sth set by the user. The light-emitting display section 14 is lit in different colors depending on which condition is applied: 2Sth or less, higher than 2Sth and 3Sth or less, or higher than 3Sth. In this embodiment, the user can set a speed threshold Sth that is a reference for changing the emitted light color according to the reading speed V. Therefore, the user can set the speed threshold Sth to an appropriate value depending on the environment in which the user performs the reading operation (such as the total number of surrounding RF tags 100). By setting the speed threshold Sth to an appropriate value, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the user can also set the color of the light emitted by the light emitting display section 14 under each condition. Therefore, the user can set a color that is easy for the user to understand as the emitting color for each range of reading speed V. The user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 24 causes the light emitting display unit 14 to light up during the set lighting period tl. The lighting period tl (0.5 seconds in the example of FIG. 3) can be set in advance by the user. If the lighting period tl is set long, the light-emitting display section 14 once lit is difficult to turn off immediately, so when a plurality of RF tags 100 are read in succession, the light-emitting display section 14 is likely to remain lit continuously. . In that case, the user visually recognizes that the light emitting display section 14 is lit continuously. If the light-emitting display unit 14 lights up continuously, the user can easily intuitively know that many RF tags 100 are being read continuously, especially during a period when the number of reads is large at the beginning of the reading process. Become. On the other hand, if the lighting period tl is set short, the light-emitting display section 14 is likely to be turned off quickly once it has been lit, so that the light-emitting display section 14 is visually recognized as being lit intermittently. If the light-emitting display unit is lit intermittently, it becomes easier for the user to intuit that the RF tags 100 are being read one by one, especially during a period when the number of reads is small at the end of the reading process. The user can set an appropriate lighting period tl according to his/her own work environment and work tendency. As a result, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

In this embodiment, the control unit 24 does not turn on the light emitting display unit 14 when the RF tag 100 is not being read (that is, when the reading speed V is zero) (NO in S14 of FIG. 5). Therefore, when the reading speed V is zero (that is, the number of RF tags 100 read in the past one second is zero), the light emitting display section 14 does not light up. The user can understand that the RF tag 100 has not been read by looking at the light-emitting display section 14 that is not lit. A situation in which the RF tag 100 cannot be read tends to occur at the final stage of the reading process. Therefore, by looking at the light-emitting display section 14 that does not light up, the user can recognize that the reading process has entered the final stage. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

In this embodiment, if the period in which the RF tag 100 is not being read (that is, the period in which the reading speed is zero) continues for the non-reading period tn (YES in S32 of FIG. 6), The light-emitting display unit 14 is lit in a specific light-emitting color different from that while the RF tag 100 is being read (S40). By looking at the light-emitting display unit 14 that lights up in a specific light-emitting color, the user can understand that the period in which the RF tag 100 is not being read continues. A situation where the period in which the RF tag 100 is not read is likely to occur at the end of the reading process, and is particularly likely to occur when there are no more readable RF tags 100 around. Therefore, the user can recognize that there is a high possibility that there is no readable RF tag 100 around by looking at the light emitting display section 14 that is lit with a specific light emitting color. In that case, the user can change the location where the reading process is performed or end the reading process. Therefore, according to this configuration, the user can more appropriately grasp the progress of the reading process.

The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be explained below. One second is an example of a "unit time." The speed threshold Sth is an example of a "specific threshold". Blue and green in the example of FIG. 4 are examples of the "first emission color" and "second emission color," respectively. The lighting period tl is an example of a "specific lighting period." The non-reading period tn is an example of a "specific non-reading period". The white color in the example of FIG. 4 is an example of the "specific aspect."

Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification 1) The arrangement position of the light emitting display section 14 is not limited to the rear end of the main body section 11a (FIG. 1), as long as it is exposed and provided in a range visible to the user from the outside. It may be provided at any of the 10 positions.

(Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the speed threshold Sth and the emitted light color corresponding to each range of the reading speed V can be set by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one of the speed threshold Sth and the emitted light color corresponding to each range of the reading speed V may be a default value that cannot be changed by the user.

(Modification 3) In the above embodiment, if the RF tag 100 is not being read (that is, if the reading speed V is zero), the light emitting display section 14 is not turned on (NO in S14 of FIG. 5). In a modified example, the control unit 24 may cause the light emitting display unit 14 to light up in a different color than when the RF tag 100 is being read when the reading speed V is zero.

(Modification 4) The control unit 24 does not have to start the non-read notification process when the RF tag 100 is not read (NO in S14 of FIG. 4). That is, the non-reading notification process in FIG. 6 may be omitted.

(Variation 5) In the above embodiment, the RF communication device 10 does not have a display unit, and the results of the reading operation are displayed on the touch panel 54 of the terminal device 50. The present invention is not limited to this, and the RF communication device 10 may include a display section. Information such as the results of the reading operation may be displayed on the display section of the RF communication device 10.

(Modification 6) As shown in FIG. 1, in the above embodiment, the RF communication device 10 is a gun-type device including a grip portion 11b and a grip operation button 12b. The present invention is not limited to this, and the RF communication device 10 may be a device other than a gun type device. For example, the RF communication device 10 may be a tablet type device, a handy terminal type device, or the like. Even in these modified examples, it is preferable that the light emitting display section 14 is provided in a visible range during execution of the reading process.

Further, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness singly or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims as filed. Furthermore, the techniques illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieve multiple objectives at the same time, and achieving one of the objectives has technical utility in itself.

2: Communication system 10: RF communication device 11: Housing 11a: Main body section 11b: Grip section 11c: Accommodation section 12a: Side operation button 12b: Grip section operation button 14: Light emitting display section 16: Speaker 18: Vibration section 20: RF communication section 22: BTI/F
24: Control unit 30: Memory 32: OS program 34: Light emission control application 36: Parameter table 38: Emission color management table 50: Terminal device 54: Touch panel 60: Control unit 62: Memory 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d: RF tag 150a, 150b, 150c: Setting information 160a, 160b, 160c, 160d: Emission color information

Claims (7)

An RF communication device,
an RF communication unit capable of performing wireless communication with the RF tag by transmitting and receiving radio waves;
A light-emitting display section that can light up in multiple colors;
a reading control unit that causes the RF communication unit to execute a reading process for transmitting radio waves to a plurality of surrounding RF tags and reading information recorded on each RF tag;
a speed measuring unit that measures a reading speed, which is the number of RF tags read per unit time, after the start of the reading process;
a light emission control unit that lights up the light emission display unit in a different color according to the measured reading speed;
An RF communication device comprising: Further equipped with a casing,
The RF communication device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting display section is provided in the housing so as to be exposed in a range visible to a user during execution of the reading process. The light emission control unit causes the light emission display unit to light up in a first emission color when the reading speed is below a specific threshold value, and causes the light emission display unit to light up in a first emission color when the reading speed is higher than the specific threshold value. lighting up with a second emission color different from the first emission color,
The RF communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specific threshold value is set according to a user's instruction. The light emission control unit causes the light emission display unit to light up in a first emission color when the reading speed is below a specific threshold value, and causes the light emission display unit to light up in a first emission color when the reading speed is higher than the specific threshold value. lighting up with a second emission color different from the first emission color,
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first luminescent color and the second luminescent color are each selected from among the plurality of luminescent colors that can be lit by the luminescent display section according to a user's instruction. The RF communication device described in section. The light emission control section includes:
lighting the light emitting display section for a specific lighting period;
The RF communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the specific lighting period is set according to a user's instruction. The RF communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light emission control section does not turn on the light emission display section when the reading speed is zero. The light emission control unit further lights up the light emission display unit in a specific manner different from when the reading speed is not zero when the period in which the reading speed is zero continues for a specific non-reading period. RF communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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