Title: Noncontact reader/writer, information communication system using the same, and management system using the same
Abstract: A noncontact reader/writer is disclosed which performs, at a high speed, a processing of communication, such as read or write, with a plurality of noncontact information carriers such as noncontact IC cards. A transmitting unit transmits signals, such as commands, to the respective kinds of noncontact information carriers. A memory stores information about at least one of the kinds of noncontact information carriers with which the noncontact reader/writer communicated. A control unit decides, based on the stored information, the priority of the kinds of noncontact information carries in the communication processing and performs a communication processing. The stored information includes the kinds of noncontact information carriers or the number of occurences of communication with the respective kinds of noncontact information carriers.
Patent Number: 6,899,270 Issued on 05/31/2005 to Obayashi, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Obayashi; Keiichiro (Osaka, JP);
Kitajima; Yasuhiko (Osaka, JP);
Fujii; Nobuhiko (Hyogo, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Osaka, JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
221988 |
| Filed:
|
November 15, 2001 |
| PCT Filed:
|
November 15, 2001
|
| PCT NO:
|
PCT/JP01/09983
|
| 371 Date:
|
December 18, 2002
|
| 102(e) Date:
|
December 18, 2002
|
| PCT PUB.NO.:
|
WO02/41158 |
| PCT PUB. Date:
|
May 23, 2002 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Nov 20, 2000[JP] | 2000-352207 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
235/451; 235/375; 235/380; 235/381; 235/382; 235/492; 711/100; 711/101 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G06K 007/08 |
| Field of Search: |
235/492,380,451,381,375,382
711/100,102,104
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5252812 | Oct., 1993 | Nakamura.
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| 5488558 | Jan., 1996 | Ohki.
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| 5583850 | Dec., 1996 | Snodgrass et al.
| |
| 5698837 | Dec., 1997 | Furuta.
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| 6118789 | Sep., 2000 | Wood, Jr.
| |
| 6352202 | Mar., 2002 | Takiguchi et al.
| |
| 6354500 | Mar., 2002 | Gercekci et al.
| |
| 6527177 | Mar., 2003 | Ishifuji et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0 887 774 | Dec., 1998 | EP.
| |
| 55-160399 | Dec., 1980 | JP.
| |
| 58-137347 | Aug., 1983 | JP.
| |
| 63-131745 | Jun., 1988 | JP.
| |
| 7-177161 | Jul., 1995 | JP.
| |
| 11-15927 | Jan., 1999 | JP.
| |
| 11-85855 | Mar., 1999 | JP.
| |
| 2000/-182003 | Jun., 2000 | JP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Lee; Michael G.
Assistant Examiner: Kim; Ahshik
Attorney, Agent or Firm: RatnerPrestia
Parent Case Text
This Application is a U.S. National Phase Application of PCT International Application PCT/JP01/09983.
Claims
1. A noncontact reader/writer for plural kinds of noncontact information carriers comprising:
a transmitter for sending a signal to each of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
a receiver for receiving a signal from said each of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
a memory for storing information on a kind of at least one of the plural kinds
of the noncontact information carriers with which the noncontact reader/writer
has communicated; and
a controller for determining, based upon the information, a priority order in
a communication processing on a kind of noncontact information carrier, among the
plural kinds of noncontact information carriers, and for carrying out the communication
processing, and
a priority memory for storing a priority table for showing a priority order on
the kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers with which the
noncontact reader/writer communicates,
wherein said memory includes a pointer memory to store a pointer value showing
a specific priority order in the priority table, as the information; and
according to each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
with which the noncontact reader/writer has communicated, the controller determines
the pointer value, and in next communication, the controller carries out communication
processing, by determining the priority order in the communication processing based
on the priority order shown by the pointer value.
2. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 1, wherein the priority memory is formed
of a nonvolatile memory.
3. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 2, wherein the noncontact reader/writer
is powered by a battery.
4. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 1, further comprising:
a communication enable/inhibit setting unit capable for setting, to enable or
to inhibit a communication with respect to each kind of the noncontact information
carriers.
5. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 4, wherein the noncontact reader/writer
is powered by a battery.
6. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 1, wherein
the memory includes a communication times memory for storing a number of communication
times with respect to each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
with which the noncontact reader/writer has communicated, as the information; and
the controller, according to a content of the communication times memory, determines
a communication priority order and carries out communication processing.
7. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 6, further comprising:
a communication priority storing memory for storing a priority order for communicating
with each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers.
8. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 7, wherein the priority memory is formed
of a nonvolatile memory.
9. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 7, further comprising:
a clearing unit for clearing data in the communication times memory.
10. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 7, further comprising:
a communication enable/inhibit setting unit capable of setting whether to enable
or to inhibit communication with each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information
carriers.
11. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 7, wherein the noncontact reader/writer
is powered by a battery.
12. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 6, wherein the priority memory is formed
of a nonvolatile memory.
13. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 12, wherein the nonvolatile memory
stores an error check code.
14. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 13, further comprising:
a noticing unit for noticing an abnormality in the nonvolatile memory found by
the error check code to an outside of said noncontact reader/writer.
15. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 6, further comprising:
a clearing unit for clearing data in the communication times memory.
16. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 6, further comprising:
a communication enable/inhibit setting unit capable of setting whether to enable
or to inhibit communication with each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information
carriers.
17. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 6, wherein the noncontact reader/writer
is powered by a battery.
18. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 1, wherein the noncontact reader/writer
is powered by a battery.
19. A information communication system comprising:
a noncontact reader/writer for a plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
comprising:
a transmitter for sending a signal to each of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
a receiver for receiving a signal from said each of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
a memory for storing information on a kind of at least one of the plural kinds
the noncontact information carriers with which the noncontact reader/writer has
communicated; and
a controller for determining, based upon the information, a priority order in
a communication processing on a kind of noncontact information carrier, among the
plural kinds of noncontact information carriers, and for carrying out the communication
processing;
a communication terminal for sending information of the noncontact IC information
carriers read by said noncontact reader/writer;
a group of servers for communicating with the communication terminal, wherein
the information read by the noncontact reader/writer is, according to the information
read, sent to a specific server among the group of severs;
wherein said noncontact reader/writer further comprising:
a priority memory for staring a priority table for showing a priority order in
the kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers with which the
noncontact reader/writer communicates,
wherein said memory includes a pointer memory to store a pointer value showing
a specific priority order in the priority table, as the information; and
according to each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
with which the noncontact reader/writer has communicated, the controller determines
the pointer value, and in next communication, the controller carries out communication
processing, by determining the priority order in the communication processing based
in the priority order shown by the pointer value.
20. The information communication system of claim 19, wherein
the memory includes a communication times memory for storing a number of communication
times with respect to each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
with which the noncontact reader/writer has communicated, as the information; and
the controller, according to a content of the communication times memory, determines
a communication priority order and carries out communication processing.
21. The information communication system of claim 20, wherein the noncontact
reader/writer includes the communication terminal.
22. The information communication system of claim 21, wherein the information
read in the noncontact reader/writer is, according to a kind of the noncontact
information carriers included in the information read, sent to a specific server
among the group of servers.
23. The information communication system of claim 20, wherein the information
read in the noncontact reader/writer is, according to a kind of the noncontact
information carriers included in the information read, sent to a specific server
among the group of servers.
24. The information communication system of claim 19, wherein the information
read in the noncontact reader/writer is, according to a kind of the noncontact
information carriers included in the information read, sent to a specific server
among the group of servers.
25. The information communication system of claim 19, wherein the noncontact
reader/writer includes the communication terminal.
26. The information communication system of claim 25, wherein the information
read in the noncontact reader/writer is, according to a kind of the noncontact
information carriers included in the information read, sent to a specific server
among the group of servers.
27. The information communication system of claim 19, wherein the information
read in the noncontact reader/writer is, according to a kind of the noncontact
information carriers included in the information read, sent to a specific server
among the group of servers.
28. The information communication system of claim 19, wherein the information
read in the noncontact reader/writer is, according to a kind of the noncontact
information carriers included in the information read, sent to a specific server
among the group of servers.
29. A management system comprising:
a noncontact reader/writer for plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
comprising:
a transmitter for sending a signal to each of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
a receiver for receiving a signal from each of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
a memory for storing information on a kind of at least one of the plural kinds
of the noncontact information carriers with which the noncontact reader/writer
has communicated;
a controller for determining, based upon the information, a priority order in
a communication processing on a kind of noncontact information carrier, among the
plural kinds of noncontact information carriers, and for carrying out the communication
processing;
a conveying-way on which an article having at least one of the plural kinds of
noncontact information carriers travel,
wherein the article is sorted based on a kind of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
wherein the noncontact reader/writer further comprising:
a priority memory for storing a priority table for showing a priority order on
the kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers with which the
noncontact reader/writer communicates,
wherein said memory includes a pointer memory to store a pointer value showing
a specific priority order in the priority table, as the information; and
according to each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
with which the noncontact reader/writer has communicated, the controller determines
the pointer value, and in next communication, the controller carries out communication
processing, by determining the priority order in the communication processing based
on the priority order shown by the pointer value.
30. The management system or claim 29, wherein
the memory includes a communication times memory for storing a number of communication
times with respect to each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
with which the noncontact reader/writer has communicated as the information, and
the controller, according to a content of the communication times memory, determines
a communication priority order and carries out communication processing.
31. The management system of one of claim 30, wherein the management system stocks
or places the article sorted.
32. The management system of claim 29, wherein the management system stocks or
places the article sorted.
33. The management system of one of claim 29, wherein the management system stocks
or places the article sorted.
34. A noncontact reader/writer for plural kinds of noncontact information carriers comprising:
a transmitter for sending a signal to each of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
a receiver for receiving a signal from said each of the plural kinds of noncontact
information carriers;
a memory for storing a priority table for showing a priority order on the kind
of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers with which the noncontact
reader/writer communicates, and for storing a pointer value showing a specific
priority order in the priority table; and
a controller for determining the pointer value according to each kind of the
plural kinds of noncontact information carriers with which the noncontact reader/writer
has communicated, and in next communication, the controller carrying out communication
processing, by determining the priority order in the communication processing based
on the priority order shown by the pointer value.
35. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 34, further comprising:
a communication enable/inhibit setting unit capable for setting, to enable or
to inhibit a communication with respect to each kind of the noncontact information
carriers.
36. The noncontact reader/writer of claim 34, wherein the noncontact reader/writer
is powered by a battery.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a noncontact reader/writer for reading and writing
a noncontact information carrier, particularly to a reader/writer for a noncontact
integrated circuit (IC) information carrier.
BACKGROUND ART
The noncontact IC information carrier maintains higher security and abrasion-resistance
than a magnetic information carrier. Therefore, the noncontact IC information carrier
is used, for example, as a commuter pass in a wicket of a station or as a point
information carrier in a gas station, instead of a magnetic information carrier
such as a magnetic stripe card.
However, there are varieties of noncontact IC information carriers including
at least several kinds which are standardized in International Standardization
Organization (ISO). In places that various kinds of noncontact IC information carriers
are supposed to be used, a noncontact-IC-information-carrier reader/writer (hereinafter
called reader/writer) capable of information communication processing such as reading
and writing, with plural kinds of noncontact IC information carriers is recommended
to be used.
Herein, type A represents ISO 14443 type A compliant information carrier,
type B represents ISO 14443 type B compliant information carrier and type C represents
ISO 15693 compliant information carrier. Each of them complies with different communication protocol.
FIG. 23 shows conventional reader/writer 101. Transmitter 102
sends a command signal to information carrier. Receiver 103 receives a response
signal from information carrier.
Informing unit 107 informs controller 108 that a noncontact
IC information carrier enters into a communication range of reader/writer 101.
Then, controller 108, responsive to the information from informing unit
107, allows transmitter 102 to send a command to the noncontact IC
information carrier.
Controller 108 allows power supply 109 to energize every
unit constituting reader/writer 101, when receiving the response through
receiver 103. Informing unit 107 is realized with a motion sensor
capable of detecting a movement of the noncontact IC information carrier.
The motion sensor, as informing unit 107, detects the noncontact IC information
carrier entering in the communication range of reader/writer 101, and informs
it controller 108. Controller 108 starts communication processing,
upon receiving the information from informing unit 107.
As shown in FIG. 24, controller 108 first communicates with an object in
the communication range as a type A noncontact IC information carrier (S301).
When failed in the communication with a type A noncontact IC information carrier,
next, controller 108 communicates with the object as a type B noncontact
IC information carrier (S302). Similarly, when failed in reading responses
as a type B noncontact IC information carrier, then controller 108 communicates
with the object as a type C noncontact IC information carrier (S303).
In the above-mentioned prior art, even if a noncontact IC information carrier
being in the communication range of reader/writer 101 is a type C noncontact
IC information carrier, first reader/writer starts communication with an information
carrier in the communication range as a type A noncontact IC information carrier.
Next, the reader/writer communicates with the noncontact IC information carrier
as a type B information carrier. After that, the reader/writer communicates with
the noncontact IC information carrier as a type C noncontact IC information carrier.
Accordingly, in some cases, it takes long time for the reader/writer to complete
the communication after receiving an instruction to start the communication.
In addition, in the case of battery powered noncontact IC information carrier
reader/writer, the long communication time shortens a total operation time of the battery.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims at providing a device to shorten communication time
of a noncontact reader/writer with a noncontact information carrier.
A noncontact reader/writer of the present invention can communicate with each
of
plural kinds of noncontact information carriers. A transmitter sends signals such
as a command to each of plural kinds of noncontact information carriers. Receiver
receives signals such as a response from each of plural kinds of noncontact information
carriers. A memory stores information on a kind of at least one of plural kinds
of noncontact information carriers with which the noncontact reader/writer has communicated.
In communication processing, based upon the information, a controller determines
a priority order on the kinds of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
and carries out the communication processing.
Moreover, the noncontact reader/writer disclosed in the present invention
includes a priority memory which stores a priority table to indicate a priority
order on the kinds of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers. Herein,
the afore-mentioned priority memory stores a pointer value which represents a specific
priority order in the priority table. Then, the controller determines the pointer
value according to each kind of the plural kinds of noncontact information carriers
with which the noncontact reader/writer has communicated. Moreover, in the next
occasion of communication, the controller carries out communication responsive
to the priority order indicated by the pointer value.
Moreover, in a noncontact reader/writer in another exemplary embodiment,
the above-mentioned memory stores, as a communication times memory, a number of
communication times with the noncontact reader/writer in each kind of plural kinds
of noncontact information carriers. When communication processing, the controller
carries out communication, while determining the priority order based on the contents
of the communication times memory.
As described above, the noncontact reader/writer in the present invention carries
out speedy communication processing by communications with the noncontact information
carrier based on the priority order on the kind of noncontact information carrier.
In addition, in a communication system in the present invention, an above-mentioned
noncontact reader/writer communicates with a plurality of servers.
Moreover, in a management system in the present invention, an above-mentioned
noncontact reader/writer works for sorting articles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of a noncontact-IC-information-carrier
reader/writer (hereinafter called reader/writer) in the first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a communication priority table of a reader/writer
used in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a communication enable/inhibit setting unit
of a reader/writer in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer used in
the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of communication processing of a IC-information-carrier
reader/writer in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of a reader/writer
in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a configuration of a communication times memory
of a reader/writer in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of communication processing of a noncontact IC-information-carrier
reader/writer in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of communication processing of a reader/writer in the
second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21A ad FIG. 21B are block diagrams of information communication systems
in the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a management system in the fourth exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a block diagram for showing an example of the structure of conventional reader/writers.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart of communication processing of a conventional reader/writer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is explained by the following exemplary embodiments. A
noncontact reader/writer (hereinafter called reader/writer) for reading and writing
a noncontact information carrier such as a noncontact integrated circuit (IC) information
carrier is mainly described. Moreover, these embodiments are applicable to noncontact
information carriers such as a noncontact IC card and a noncontact IC information
carrier, and a reader/writer thereof. Herein, the noncontact IC information carrier
is not limited to card-shaped only.
First Exemplary Embodiment
A noncontact IC information carrier reader/writer in the first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention is described with reference to FIG.
1 through FIG.
10.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of a noncontact
reader/writer for noncontact-IC-information-carrier in the first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a communication
priority table of a reader/writer. FIG. 3 is a front view of a dual-in-line-package
switch (DIP switch) employed as a communication enable/inhibit setting unit. FIG.
4 through 10 illustrate flowcharts of data processing when communications are made.
FIG. 1 shows noncontact reader/writer
1 used in the first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. Transmitter
2 sends signals such as a command
to an information carrier such as a noncontact IC card or a noncontact-IC-information-carrier.
Receiver
3 receives a signal such as a response from the information carrier.
Communication enable/inhibit setting unit
4 sets enabling or inhibiting
a communication between the noncontact reader/writer and each kind of noncontact
information carrier.
Pointer memory
6 stores pointer values referring relevant lines in
the communication priority table stored in communication priority memory
5.
Informing unit
7 informs controller
8 of a noncontact IC
information carrier entering into an communication range of a noncontact reader/writer
1.
Controller
8, then receiving the notification from informing unit
7, determines a kind of noncontact IC information carrier to communicate
with for next time, by using communication enable/inhibit setting unit
4,
communication priority table
5 and pointer memory
6. Moreover, controller
8 allows transmitter
2 to send a command to the information carrier.
When receiving the response through receiver
3, controller
8 allows
power supply
9 to energize each unit constituting the reader/writer.
In the exemplary embodiment, a motion sensor works as informing unit
7
to detect a movement of the noncontact-IC-information-carrier. Lithium ion secondary
battery works as power supply
9.
As shown in FIG. 2, the communication priority table includes communication priority
pattern
21 and pointers
22 to show each pattern. For example, when
pointer value is three, the communication priority means an order of types B, C
and A. In the exemplary embodiment, suppose that the reader/writer can communicate
with three kinds of noncontact-IC-information-carriers, i.e. type A, B and C. Herein,
type A represents ISO 14443 type A compliant information carrier, type B represents
ISO 14443 type B compliant information carrier and type C represents ISO 15693
compliant information carrier.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the exemplary embodiment, communication enable/inhibit
setting unit
4 employs a dual-in-line-package (DIP) switch.
In an example shown in FIG. 3, as for switches
31,
32 and
33,
a topside switch position corresponds to a communication enable state, and a bottom
side switch position corresponds to a communication inhibit state. Consequently,
the reader/writer enables communication with a type A noncontact-IC-information-carrier,
inhibits communication with type B, and enables communication with type C. FIGS.
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9 and
10 are flowcharts
of data processing of controller
8, in the communication.
Suppose that a noncontact reader/writer communicates with a type C noncontact
IC information carrier. First, a motion sensor as informing unit
7, informs
controller
8 that unit
7 detects a noncontact IC information carrier
is in a communication range of reader/writer
1. Controller
8, at
the beginning of communication processing, determines the priority order of communication
by reading a pointer value stored in pointer memory
6 (S
101).
Next, suppose that the pointer value stored in pointer memory
6 is 0.
Then, processing goes to "A", and according to the flow shown in FIG. 4, communication
processing is carried out and the stored data in the pointer memory is rewritten.
Suppose that communication enable/inhibit setting unit
4, a DIP switch,
is set as follows:
for a noncontact-IC-information-carrier type A, the setting is in a communicate
enable state,
for a noncontact-IC-information-carrier type B, the setting is in a communication
inhibit state, and
for a noncontact-IC-information-carrier type C, the setting is in a communicate
enable state.
Herein, controller
8 reads a setting of communication enable/inhibit
setting unit
4. The setting is for enabling communication with type A (S
111).
Then, assuming the noncontact-IC-information-carrier as type A, controller
8 allows transmitter
2 to send a command relevant to type A (S
112).
Controller
8, however, fails in communication since the noncontact
IC information carrier being in the communication range of the reader/writer is
type C (
113).
Next, controller
8 reads a setting of communication enable/inhibit setting
unit
4. Controller
8 does not communicate, since the setting is for
inhibiting communication with type B (S
114).
Next, controller
8 reads a setting of unit
4. The setting is
for enabling communication with type C (S
115). Then, assuming the noncontact-IC-information-carrier
as type C, controller
8 allows transmitter
2 to send the command
relevant to type C (S
116). Receiver
3 can receive the response from
the information carrier since the noncontact IC information carrier in the communication
range of reader/writer is a type C noncontact IC information carrier (S
117).
After that, controller
8 stores a pointer value to determine a priority
order for next communication, after finishing required communication processing,
i.e., reading-in information from the information carriers, in this exemplary embodiment.
In the present exemplary embodiment, pointer memory
6 stores a pointer
value
4, so that type C noncontact-IC-data-carrier just finished communication
is at the first priority followed by type A and type B in order (S
118).
Due to this processing, when the type C noncontact-IC-information-carrier enters
into an communication range of reader/writer
1 in the next communication,
the reader/ writer can perform a high speed read-in processing, since the type
C noncontact-IC-information-carrier is assigned as the first priority order.
Herein, as an example of how a noncontact IC information carrier is used,
suppose that a company publishes a type B noncontact-IC-information-carrier with
awards for payment. In such a case, the type B noncontact IC information carrier
will be used more frequently than other types capable of payment. Type B noncontact
IC information carrier, therefore, is assigned the first priority (pointer value=2).
Accordingly the reader/writer of the present exemplary embodiment can perform processing
in a shorter time with noncontact IC information carrier. That is, a speedy processing
is implemented.
As described above, when the pointer value of communication priority table
5
is 0, reader/writer
1 carries out communication processing based on the
flow shown in FIG.
5.
When the pointer value of communication priority table
5 is 1, processing
goes to "B" in FIG. 4, i.e. to the flow shown in FIG.
6. Noncontact reader/writer
1 carries out communication processing based on the flow shown in FIG.
6
and rewrites data in the pointer memory.
When the pointer value of communication priority table
5 is 2, data processing
goes to "C" in FIG. 4, i.e. to the flow shown in FIG.
7.
When the pointer value is 3, data processing goes to "D" in FIG. 4, i.e. to
the flow shown in FIG.
8.
When the pointer value is 4, data processing goes to "E" in FIG. 4, i.e. to
the flow shown in FIG.
9.
Moreover, when the pointer value is not any one of 0 through 4, data processing
goes to "F" in FIG. 4, i.e. to the flow shown in FIG.
10.
As described above, after finishing the last communication, the noncontact reader/writer
in the present exemplary embodiment determines the priority order for next communication,
based upon data on the current priority order in the communication processing and
on the kind of noncontact-IC-data-carrier with which the reader/writer has communicated.
Accordingly, in next time, the noncontact reader/writer can carry out speedily
the communication processing with a noncontact IC information carrier.
In addition to the above, the reader/writer includes the communication enable/inhibit
setting unit to provide enable or inhibit settings for each kind of noncontact
information carrier. The reader/writer, therefore, can inhibit communication with
unnecessary kind of noncontact information carrier. This further enables a speedy
communication processing.
Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, pointer memory
6
employs an Electrical Erasable Programming ROM (EEPROM), as a non-volatile memory.
The unit can hold communication priority order kept unchanged for a next communication,
even if power supply
9 stops. After recovery of power supply
9, therefore,
the reader/writer performs a speedy communication with the same kind of noncontact
information carrier as the previous communication.
In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, power supply
9 employs
Lithium ion secondary battery. A shortened communication time reduces power consumption
of battery used for power supply
9, thereby resulting a longer battery life.
As a result, a longer continuous operating time is realized.
Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, communication enable/inhibit
setting unit
4 employs a DIP switch. Communication from other units or a
predetermined noncontact IC information carrier for settings may be used to set
enabling or inhibiting communication.
Additionally, in the present exemplary embodiment, pointer memory
6
employs EEPROM. Other non-volatile memories such as Ferroelectric Random Access
Memory (FeRAM) may also be used for the purpose.
Second Exempary Embodiment
The reader/writer in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is explained with reference to FIG.
11 through FIG.
20.
FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a functional configuration of a reader/
writer. FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a configuration of a communication
times memory of a reader/writer. FIG.
13 through FIG. 20 illustrate flowcharts
of communication processing of reader/writers.
The reader/writer in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention
can also communicate with three kinds of noncontact-IC-information-carriers, i.e.
types A, B and C. Herein, type A represents ISO 14443 type A compliant information
carrier, type B represents ISO 14443 type B compliant information carrier and type
C represents ISO 15693 compliant information carrier.
FIG. 11 shows reader/writer
11 in the second exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. Transmitter
2 sends a command to the information
carrier. Receiver
3 receives a response from the information carrier. Communication
enable/inhibit setting unit
4 makes communication enable or inhibit settings
to communicate with each kind of noncontact IC information carriers.
Communication priority storing memory
12 stores a priority order
within types A, B and C noncontact IC information carriers with which reader/writer
11 communicates.
Communication times memory
13 stores a number of communication
times of reader/writer
11 with respect to each kind of noncontact IC information
carrier. Clearing unit
14 clears stored data in communication, times memory
13. Informing unit
7 informs controller
8 of a noncontact-IC
information-carrier entering into a communication range of reader/writer
11.
Controller
8, upon receiving the information from informing unit
7, determines a kind of noncontact-IC-information-carrier with which reader/writer
11 communicates in next time, by using communication enable/inhibit setting
unit
4 and communication priority storing memory
12. Additionally,
controller
8 allows transmitter
2 to send a command to the information-carrier
and receives a response through receiver
3. Noticing unit
15 informs
abnormality to the outside.
Power supply
9 energizes each unit constituting reader/writer
11.
In this exemplary embodiment, a motion sensor is used for informing unit
7
and a Lithium ion secondary battery is used for power supply
9.
In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, like the first exemplary embodiment,
communication enable/inhibit setting unit
4 employs a DIP switch as shown
in FIG.
3.
FIG. 12 shows a secured area in address
41 of communication times memory
13.
Area
42 stores a number of communication times with type A noncontact-IC-information-carrier.
Area
43 stores a number of communication times with type B noncontact-IC-information-carrier.
Area
44 stores a number of communication times with type C noncontact-IC-information-carrier.
In this exemplary embodiment, each of areas
42,
43 and
44
secures an area of 4 bytes. In each communication, the number of communication
times is increased by one for each kind of noncontact-IC-information-carriers.
The each number is saved in area
42,
43 and
44 in binary value.
Supposing that communication is made every one second, this 4 bytes area has enough
capacity to count the communication times over 130 years. Check code
45
is provided to check whether data stored in communication times memory
13
are correct. In this exemplary embodiment, the exclusive OR (EOR) of each bytes,
i.e. addresses +00 through +11 are used.
In the present exemplary embodiment, communication times memory
13 employs
an Electrical Erasable Programming ROM (EEPROM), which is a nonvolatile memory.
Contents of the communication times memory can be kept unchanged, if power from
power supply
9 stops.
Moreover, in this second exemplary embodiment, controller
8 of reader/writer
11, just after the start, reads out the contents of communication times
memory
13 to detect validity of check code
45 for determining whether
the information carrier is valid. If the check code is invalid, reader/writer
11
informs an abnormality to the outside by noticing unit
15, after judging
that there are a certain abnormalities in communication times memory
13.
In this second exemplary embodiment, the noticing unit employs a red Light Emitting
Diode (LED) with a driving circuit. The red LED blinks at the time of abnormalities.
FIGS. 13,
14,
15,
16,
17,
18,
19,
20 show flows of data processing of controller
8 in the communication.
The settings of DIP switch as communication enable/inhibit setting unit
4,
are as follows:
for a type A noncontact IC information carrier, the setting is in a communication
enable state,
for type B noncontact IC information carrier, the setting is in a communication
inhibit state, and
for type C noncontact IC information carrier, the setting is in a communication
enable state.
Suppose that numbers of communication times stored in communication times
memory
13 for each kind of noncontact IC information carrier are ten (10)
times for type A, three (3) times for type B and one (1) time for type C, respectively.
In addition, if the priority order stored in communication priority storing memory
12 is in the order of type A, B and C, processing goes to "A" in FIG. 13,
i.e. "A" in FIG.
14. And data processing is carried out according to the
flow shown in FIG. 14,
Similarly, the following data processing is carried out according to the
priority order stored in communication priority storing memory
12.
In case of the priority order of A, C and B, processing goes to "B" in FIG. 13,
i.e. "B" in FIG.
15. Data processing is carried out according to the flow
shown in FIG.
15.
In case of the priority order of B, A and C, processing goes to "C" in FIG.
13,
i.e. "C" in FIG.
16. Data processing is carried out according to the flow
shown in FIG.
16.
In case of the priority order of B, C and A, processing goes to "D" in FIG. 13,
i.e. "D" in FIG.
17. Data processing is carried out according to the flow
shown in FIG.
17.
In case of the priority order of C, B and A, processing goes to "E" in FIG. 13,
i.e. "E" in FIG.
18. Data processing is carried out according to the flow
shown in FIG.
18.
In case of the priority order of C, A and B, processing goes to "F" in FIG. 13,
i.e. "F" in FIG.
19. Data processing is carried out according to the flow
shown in FIG.
19.
First, informing unit
7, a motion sensor, detects a noncontact-IC-information-carrier,
when it enters in a communication range of reader/writer
11. Next, informing
unit
7 informs controller
8 of a noncontact-IC-information-carrier
being in a communication range of reader/writer
11. Controller
8,
reading the priority orders stored in communication priority storing memory
12
at the beginning of the communication, and determines the priority order for the
communication (S
201).
If the priority order stored in communication priority storing memory
12
is in the order of type A, B and C, processing goes to the flow shown in FIG. 14,
as mentioned above.
The processing is explained with reference to FIG.
14 and FIG. 20 on the
case that reader/writer
11 communicates with a type C noncontact-IC-information-carrier
in the above condition.
Controller
8 reads a setting of communication enable/inhibit setting
unit
4. The setting is for enabling communication with type A (S
211).
Accordingly, assuming the noncontact-IC-information-carrier as type A, controller
8 allows transmitter
2 to send a command for type A (S
212).
Controller
8, however, fails in communication, since the noncontact IC information
carrier being in the communication range of reader/ writer is type C (S
213).
Next, controller
8 reads the setting of communication enable/inhibit
setting unit
4. Controller
8 does not make communication, since the
setting for inhibiting communication with type B (S
214).
Next, controller
8 reads the setting of enable/inhibit setting unit
4. The setting is for enabling communication with type C (S
215).
Accordingly, assuming the noncontact-IC-information-carrier as type C, controller
8 allows transmitter
2 to send a command for type C (S
216).
Receiver
3 can receive a response from the information carrier, since the
noncontact IC information carrier communicating with reader/writer
11 is
type C (S
217).
Subsequently, required processing is performed. In the present exemplary
embodiment, after finishing to read information from the information carrier, a
number of communication times is increased by one for type C noncontact IC information
carrier. The number is saved in communication times memory
13 with a newly
recalculated check code
45 (S
218).
Numbers of reading times with respect to each kind of noncontact IC information
carriers are compared. Then, the priority order is determined in order of the number
of reading times, for next communication. The priority order is stored in communication
priority storing memory
12.
In the present exemplary embodiment, a number of communication times changes
to
ten (10) for type A, three (3) for type B and two (2) for type C respectively,
after the communication with type C noncontact IC information carrier.
Therefore, a priority order arranging type A as the first, followed by
B and C is stored in communication priority storing memory
12 (S
219).
Generally, the same kind of noncontact IC information carriers tends to
communicate with the reader/writer with respect to each place. Therefore, the reader/writer
in the present exemplary embodiment makes the noncontact IC information carriers
used usually with the first priorit
The reader/writer communicates with other kind noncontact IC information carriers
than usual kind in an exceptional case. The priority for usual kind of noncontact
IC information carrier is kept as the first priority, if the reader/writer has
communicated with the kind of noncontact IC information carrier several times previously.
Therefore, the reader/writer can perform a speedy information processing for the
usual kind of noncontact IC information carrier afterwards, even if an exceptional
case occurred.
In addition, reader/writer
11 of this exemplary embodiment stores a priority
order for next communication in communication priority storing memory
12.
Therefore, the number of communication times with respect to each kind of noncontact
IC information carriers stored in the communication times memory are not necessarily
compared each other to determine the priority order, when next communication is
made. A speedy communication processing can be thus performed.
Additionally, reader/writer
11 of this exemplary embodiment
includes clearing unit
14 to clear data in communication times memory
13
from the outside. For example, when a reader/writer is moved to a different place
and the reader/writer usually communicates with a different kind of noncontact
IC information carrier than previously communicating with, a new number of communication
times is stored in communication times memory
13. Therefore, communication
processing can be performed speedily as before moved.
The data in communication times memory
13 is erased by reading in a predetermined
noncontact IC information carrier designed for setting. Then the reader/writer
newly counts a number of communication times, for example, when used or installed
in different places. Therefore, the reader/writer can perform communication processing
speedily at a place after moved, even if, as usual processing, the reader/writer
communicates with a different kind of noncontact IC information carrier than before moved.
In the present exemplary embodiment, communication times memory
13 employs
an EEPROM, a nonvolatile memory. The reader/writer can keep the priority order
for next communication unchanged, even if power supply
9 stops.
After recovery of power supply, therefore, the reader/writer can perform a
speedy communication with the same kind of noncontact information carrier as the
previous communication time.
Moreover, communication times memory
13 stores check code
45,
which performs sending a notice to the outside though noticing unit
15,
in case of some abnormalities in communication times memory
13. The reader/writer
11 can be thus prevented from wrong operation due to erroneous information.
Herein, some abnormalities means, for example, a case when reading times for type
A shows 10000 times, though no communication is made with type A.
Though notice unit
15 in the present exemplary embodiment employs a
red LED, LEDs having different colors or any units that alarms the outside such
as buzzer are available for the purpose.
In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, power supply
9 employs
Lithium ion secondary battery. A shortened communication time reduces power consumption
of battery used for power supply
9, thereby resulting a longer continuous
operating time.
Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, communication enable/inhibit
unit
4 employs a DIP switch. Communications from other units or a predetermined
noncontact IC information carrier for settings may be used to set enabling or inhibiting communication.
Accordingly, reader/writer
11 can be prevented from communicating
with unnecessary noncontact IC information carriers and thus can perform a speedy
communication processing.
In the present exemplary embodiment, communication times memory
13 employs
EEPROM. Other nonvolatile memories such as Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FeRAM)
can also be used for the purpose.
Third Exemplary Embodiment
The information communication system in this exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is explained with reference to FIG.
21A and FIG.
21B.
In FIG. 21A, reader/writer
70 communicates with servers
74a,
74b and
74c through communication terminal
72
and network
76. Herein, reader/writer
70 has, for example, the same
function and structure as described in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, network
76 includes at least one of wired networks and wire-less
networks. Communication terminal
72 communicates with network
76.
In the information communication system, reader/writer
70 reads information
from a noncontact IC information carrier. Communication terminal
72 sends
the information, according to contents of the information, to a proper server to
receive the information among a plurality of servers
74. The information
may be sent, according to the kind of noncontact IC information carrier, to the
most appropriate server among a plurality of servers
74.
On the other hand, the server, responsive to the information received, may send
back other information, for example, charge information incurred in the server
to reader/writer
70 through network
76.
Reader/writer
70, then, may write the information received from
servers
74 to noncontact IC information carrier.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 21B, reader/writer
71 may include transmitter/receiver
78. In this case, transmitter/receiver
78 communicates with servers
74 instead of communication terminal
72.
As aforementioned exemplary embodiments, in this exemplary embodiment, the reader/writer
can determine the priority order for next communication based on the priority order
and the kind of noncontact information carrier with which the reader/writer communicated previously.
In addition, a reader/writer sends information, according to the information
which
the reader/writer reads, to the most appropriate server. Moreover, the reader/writer
can write the information received from the servers to the noncontact information carrier.
Fourth Exemplary Embodiment
The management system in the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
is explained with reference to FIG.
22.
FIG. 22 shows, for example, an unloading work in a warehouse of a general distribution
center in which packages of a plurality of express package services are collected
and delivered. Packages
51, collected from express agencies of each express
package services, are once collected here, then sorted and delivered to each destination.
First, parcels
51 unloaded from trucks are put on article conveying-way
52. Noncontact IC information carrier
53 of each express pa
