JP2003099720A - RF-ID inspection system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) The present invention relates to an inspection system for inspecting the quality of manufactured RF-IDs, which can be surely inspected according to the type of RF-ID, and can cope with an increase in future types. The purpose is to do. Communication is performed using an RF-ID including at least an antenna and an IC module as an inspection target, and at least held by a holder 31A mounted on a drive mechanism in an RF-ID inspection system for inspecting the quality of the inspection target. The board 42 corresponding to the type of the inspection target is configured to include the identification terminal 42B of the connection terminal 42A that outputs a signal specifying the type of the system-side antenna 41 corresponding to the type of the inspection target to the processing system side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an RF-manufactured product.
The present invention relates to an inspection system for inspecting the quality of an ID.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, RF-ID (Radio Fre
A technique relating to a non-contact type identification medium (a non-contact type IC card or the like) called a "Quality Identification" is rapidly advancing, and its use is also wide-ranging. There are various types of such RF-IDs depending on the use and the processing content, and it is desirable to easily perform an inspection according to the type when performing an inspection after manufacturing with a reader / writer corresponding to each type. It is rare.

Conventionally, the RF-ID is roughly classified into an electromagnetic coupling type and an electrostatic coupling type, and basically, a type in which an antenna is formed on a film base and an IC module is mounted is generally common. Is coming. In this case, the antenna is formed in a coil shape in the case of the electromagnetic coupling type, and is formed in a plane (so-called solid shape) in the case of the electrostatic coupling type. Then, the operation of each single IC module is checked and the communication distance is measured for each antenna to inspect the quality of the product. Communication distance measurement is
Whether or not the communication distance determined according to the performance is secured between the reader / writer is determined.

On the other hand, the RF-ID has different sizes and antenna shapes depending on the combination type, and even if the RF-ID is of the same type, the chip (microprocessor) of the IC module to be mounted depends on the transmission protocol.
Etc., and the transmission method and processing program in the reader / writer must be changed depending on the chip. In this case, the operator inputs the type of RF-ID, and the reader / writer according to this input performs the inspection process.

[0005]

By the way, in the system for inspecting the manufactured RF-ID, the RF to be inspected is
Depending on the type of ID, the corresponding reader / writer including the antenna is replaced on a large scale each time and the type is input by the operator. However, there is a problem that if the operator who specifies the type of the replaced reader / writer has an input error, the RF-ID cannot be accurately inspected. Further, even if the type of RF-ID increases in the future, it is necessary to perform input for identifying the type according to the increase, and there is a problem that the frequency of input errors due to the type increase may increase.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an RF-ID inspection system capable of surely inspecting according to the type of RF-ID and capable of coping with future increase in types. With the goal.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention of claim 1, communication is performed with an RF-ID having at least an antenna and an IC module as an inspection target, and the quality of the inspection target is inspected. An RF-ID inspection system, comprising: a conveyance unit that conveys the inspection target to an inspection position; and a system-side antenna that is prepared for each type of the inspection target and that communicates with the inspection target. A board having a specifying means for outputting a signal for specifying the type of, and mounting at least the board,
A drive mechanism for positioning the system-side antenna with respect to the inspection target, and an inspection process according to a signal specifying the type of the inspection target by the specifying unit of the board,
A processing system which is inductively coupled to the inspection target via the system-side antenna, transmits predetermined data, and determines pass / fail of the inspection target based on a response from the inspection target side. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, "transmission / reception means constituting a part of the processing system for communicating with the inspection target for each type of the inspection target on the board on which the system side antenna is mounted. And a second substrate having at least the first substrate on which the system-side antenna is mounted, and at least the transmission / reception unit and the specifying unit that outputs the type-specific-handling signal of the inspection target. It is configured to be “separated from the board” and “holds the board prepared for each type of the inspection target or a case accommodating the substrate in an exchangeable manner according to the type of the inspection target. And a "holding means mounted on the mechanism". "RF-ID in the vicinity of the inspection target"
A shield member that is interposed between the inspection target and the system-side antenna to avoid communication with the inspection target, and that has an opening portion that makes the system-side antenna face the inspection target. " Is.

As described above, the RF-ID having at least the antenna and the IC module is used as an inspection target for communication, and communication is performed to inspect the quality of the inspection target. The substrate corresponding to the type includes a specifying unit for specifying the type of the inspection target to the processing system. That is,
The processing system automatically recognizes the type of the RF-ID to be inspected by the board specifying means, thereby eliminating the need for the operator to specify the type,
RF-I can be surely inspected according to the type of F-ID.
It is possible to easily cope with the future increase in types of D.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, the RF-ID according to the present invention
Is a medium capable of transmitting and receiving data such as identification information without contact such as a contactless type IC card as well as a contactless type label or tag.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded configuration diagram of the basic configuration of the RF-ID inspection system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, an RF-ID inspection system 11 is roughly divided into a conveyor belt 12, a shield member 13, and a drive mechanism 14 that constitute one of conveyor means for sequentially conveying an inspection object to an inspection position. A processing system for performing the inspection processing is not shown here (shown in FIG. 7).

An RF-ID 21 as an electromagnetically coupled IC card, for example, is supplied to the conveyor belt 12 by a supply means (not shown), and the RF-ID 21 at the inspection position becomes the inspection object 21X. This RF-ID21 (21X)
Is a coil antenna 21A and an IC on a predetermined base.
As the module 21B is formed, the IC
A barcode 21C that uniquely identifies the card is formed by printing. The RF-ID 21 is manufactured as a personal authentication card, a credit card, an electronic money card, or the like by a generally known manufacturing process.

The shield member 13 is formed of a conductive material such as metal or conductive resin into a plate shape or a net shape, and is provided between a system-side antenna (to be described later) and the inspection target 21X (here, the inspection target 21X). Below).
In addition, the shield member 13 is formed with an opening 13A that makes the system-side antenna face the target inspection target 21X, and its peripheral portion is formed with the opening 13A at a distance from the target inspection 21X. It is made larger than the surface so that the radio wave transmission by the edge is not affected by the nearby RF-ID 21.

Although not shown, the shield member 13 has a drive mechanism 14 on which a system-side antenna is mounted.
It is integrally driven (on a holder described later) in the vertical direction (Z direction), in the width direction of the conveyor belt 12 (Y direction), and in the conveyor direction of the conveyor belt 12 (X direction). here,
The term "integral" means that the shield member 13 is driven while being fixed to a holder described later, or that the shield member 13 is driven separately and synchronously.

In general, the RF-ID 21 has a predetermined resonance frequency, and receives by being resonated in response to a radio wave from the system side antenna 41. Therefore,
The shield member 13 is the RF-I around the inspection target 21X.
By exhibiting the shield function with respect to D21, these RF-IDs change the electrical characteristics (inductance L, capacitance C) and the resonance frequency.
No longer responds to radio waves from the system antenna 41,
Communication becomes impossible. Therefore, only the inspection target 21X reacts to the radio wave from the system-side antenna 41, so that the target inspection 21X can be reliably specified.

The drive mechanism 14 is used for the inspection target 2
It is disposed below 1X and below the shield member 13, and is equipped with a system-side antenna to move X in the transport direction of the transport belt 12, and Y drive to move in the width direction of the transport belt 12. Drive and Z drive for moving in the vertical direction are performed.

A holder 31, which is a holding means, is mounted on the drive mechanism 14, and the holder 31, which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, accommodates a board on which the system-side antenna 41 is mounted or a board. It holds the case in a replaceable manner. The board or case on which the system-side antenna 41 is mounted is prepared corresponding to each type of the RF-ID 21 that is the inspection target 21X, as shown in FIGS. As described above, the type of the RF-ID 21 means the size and type of the coil antenna 21A (electromagnetic type,
(Electrostatic type) and IC modules 21B are produced by different IC modules (chips) due to differences in transmission protocol and the like when data is processed by the IC module 21B.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of the inspection position above the conveyor belt 12, the position detecting means 15 for detecting that the inspection object 21X is conveyed to the inspection position, the bar code 2 described above.
A BCR (bar code reader) 16 that reads 1C and a marker 17 that marks the inspection result on the inspection target 21X after the inspection are arranged at appropriate positions.

Although the case where the shield member 13 and the drive mechanism 14 are arranged below the inspection object 21X has been shown, the shield member 13 and the drive mechanism 14 are located above the conveyor belt 12 to communicate with the inspection object 21X from above. You may do it.
In this case, the position detecting means 15, the BCR 16, the marker 17
Are appropriately arranged at positions avoiding the shield member 13 and the drive mechanism 14.

Therefore, FIG. 2 shows an explanatory perspective view of the holder and the antenna unit used in the inspection system of FIG. In FIG. 2A, at least the upper surface and one side surface of the holder 31A mounted on the drive mechanism 14 are open, and the inner wall surface of the opposing side surface has a coil shape to be electromagnetically coupled to the inspection target 21X. System side antenna 4
As means for setting the distance 1 to a predetermined level, for example, the engagement grooves 32 (32A, 32B ... 32N) are formed at equal intervals.

On the other hand, the system side antenna 4 is provided on the substrate 42.
1 is mounted and the substrate 42 is housed in a transparent (not necessarily transparent) case 43. This case 4
3, engaging side projections 43A and 43B, which are engaged with the engaging groove 32, are formed on opposite sides. Then, a cable 45 extends from the case 43 through the connector 44 from the system-side antenna 41 of the board 42. The cable 45 is connected to a processing system described later. In addition, the case 43 as described above is the inspection target 2
It is prepared for each type of 1X (size of coil antenna 21A, difference of IC module 21B, etc.) for each type of corresponding system-side antenna 41.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the desired case 43 is slid in any of the engagement grooves 32 of the holder 31A by engaging the engagement protrusions 43A and 43B. This allows the holder 31 to have a desired case 43
The case 43 (system-side antenna 41) can be replaced by the engagement groove 32. In this case, the engagement groove 32 is formed so that the case 43 is held and the distance between the inspection target 21X and the case 43 (system-side antenna 41) is determined when the case 43 is positioned below the inspection target 21X. ing. That is, the communication distance between the inspection target 21X and the system-side antenna 41 is set depending on the position of the engagement groove 32 that holds the holder 31A.

Here, FIG. 2C shows the connector 44.
Shows the connection terminal portion of the substrate 42 to which is connected,
A predetermined number of connection pieces are formed on the connection terminal 42A, and the system-side antenna 41 is connected to at least two of the connection pieces. Further, of the predetermined number of connection pieces, for example, four connection pieces are used as the identification terminals 42B,
2B is provided as a specifying unit that outputs a signal for specifying the type of the inspection target. For example, a COM terminal, a terminal 1 to a terminal 3 are appropriately short-circuited with respect to the COM terminal (GND) to output a signal of the level status of the terminal 1 to the terminal 3, thereby changing the type of the board 42 to the connection destination of the cable 44. The processing system automatically recognizes it.

For example, the substrate 42 according to the type of inspection object
In the case of the type A, by connecting the COM terminal and the terminal 1 via a resistor as appropriate, the processing system side inputs signals of the terminal 1 being in the ON state and the terminals 2 and 3 being in the OFF state. 42 is automatically recognized as type A,
In response to this, the inspection processing mode (reader
(Including the type of writer) and switch or replace the processing system. Further, when the substrate 42 is of type B, the COM terminal and the terminal 2 are appropriately connected via a resistor to input a signal in which the terminal 2 is on and the terminals 1 and 3 are off on the processing system side. By doing so, the substrate 42 is automatically recognized as type B.

Of the connection pieces of the connection terminal 42A for automatically recognizing the type of the board 42 according to the type of the inspection object, if terminals 1 to 3 are used for the signal of board type recognition, eight kinds of boards are used. However, the connection piece can be appropriately used as a board type recognition terminal according to the number of board types (for example, if four terminals are 16 terminals).
Can generate different types of signals). Further, as a case of generating the board type recognition signal, for example, a DIP switch or the like connected to the corresponding connection piece may be used.

As described above, the processing system can automatically recognize the type of the substrate 42, and hence the type of the RF-ID to be inspected, by the identification terminal 42B of the substrate 42, and the operator can make an input for specifying the type. By making it unnecessary, it is possible to avoid the previous type-specific input error, and
The inspection can be surely performed according to the type of ID. Further, it becomes possible to easily cope with the future increase in types of RF-ID.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an explanatory perspective view of another form of holder and antenna unit used in the inspection system of FIG. In the holder 31B shown in FIG. 3, the formed engagement groove 32 (32A, 32B ...
A predetermined number of pieces are formed to engage the two, and the board 42 (system-side antenna 41) held in the same manner as described above and the inspection target 21X are formed at predetermined intervals. On the other hand, the board 42 is mounted with the system-side antenna 41 in the same manner as described above, and the cable 4 is inserted through the connector 44 from the connection terminal 42A shown in FIG.
5 is extended. As described above, in which the substrate 42 alone is exchangeably held in the holder 31B without using the case 43, it is prepared for each type of the inspection target 21X in the same manner as described above, and any one of the engagement grooves 32 of the holder 31B is prepared. The desired substrate 42 is held by the holder 31B by engaging and sliding the desired substrate 42 to the holder 31B.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of a holder and an antenna unit in an antenna of another form used in the inspection system of FIG. FIG. 4A shows a case 4
For example, two planar electrodes 41A and 41B are electrostatically coupled to the inspection target 21X on the substrate 42 housed in the substrate 3.
Is installed as a system-side antenna.
The cable 45 is extended from the connection terminal 42A shown in (C) with the connector 44 interposed. By engaging the engaging protrusions (43A, 43B) of the case 43 with a desired engaging groove 32 in the holder 31A, they are held exchangeably.

When the case 43 in which the electrodes 41A and 41B are mounted as the system side antenna is used,
Naturally, the inspection target 21X is an electrostatic coupling type RF-ID as shown in FIG. 6 described later, and the electrostatic coupling type RF-ID.
The case 43 is prepared for each substrate 42 on which the electrodes 41A and 41B corresponding to each type of ID are mounted. Then, as in the case of FIG. 2, the desired case 43 is inserted into any one of the engagement grooves 32 of the holder 31A by the engagement protrusion (43
(A, 43B) are engaged and slid to hold the desired case 43 in the holder 31A at a desired distance with respect to the inspection target 21X.

Further, FIG. 4B shows the electrodes 41A and 41B.
The board 42 on which is mounted as a system-side antenna is shown in FIG.
The cable 45 is extended from the connection terminal 42A shown in (C) with the connector 44 interposed.
The holder 31B has an engagement groove 32 formed in the same manner as in FIG.
However, a predetermined number of substrates 42 are formed and held to engage the substrate 42 (the system-side antenna 4
1) and the inspection object 21X are formed at predetermined intervals. Thus, without using the case 43, the substrate 4
In the same manner as described above, only the two substrates are exchangeably held by the holder 31B, and are prepared for each type of the electrostatic coupling type inspection target 21X, and the desired substrate 42 is provided in any one of the engagement grooves 32 of the holder 31B. The holder 31B holds the desired substrate 42 at a desired distance with respect to the inspection target 21X by engaging and sliding.

In the above example, the electrostatic-coupling type RF-ID to be inspected has two electrodes, and the electrodes 41A and 41B facing each other on the inspection system side have two electrodes. -If the electrodes provided in the ID have a total of four electrodes, two electrodes for transmission and two electrodes for reception, then the opposite electrodes are used accordingly, two for transmission and one for reception. There will be a total of four electrodes.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the holders 31A,
By holding the board 42 or the case 43 on which the system side antennas 41, 41A, 41B are mounted in the 31B in an exchangeable manner, the inspection corresponding to the type of the inspection target 21X can be facilitated, and RF-ID in the future. It is possible to easily cope with the increase in types.

Here, FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing another inspection object of the electromagnetic coupling type in the inspection object of FIG. In FIG. 5 (A), the RF-ID 21 shown in FIG. 1 is an object to be inspected when it is manufactured as an IC card. However, in this figure, the state before the IC card is used, that is, the coil on the sheet 51 is used. The antenna 21A is formed and I
The RF-IDs 21 mounted with the C modules 21B are continuously formed in a row at a predetermined interval to form a roll. The interval is appropriately determined, but by interposing the shield member 13 as described above, the opening 13A
It is possible to set a short interval according to.

Although there are various methods for producing the above-mentioned roll,
For example, a copper foil is adhered onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with an epoxy adhesive, and each antenna 21A wound in a coil shape is formed by etching, and the IC module 21B is reflow-soldered to each antenna 21A. It is connected, and then is brought into a roll state (may be a sheet state) and is conveyed in the longitudinal direction above or below the drive mechanism 14 by a conveying means (not shown).

Further, in FIG. 5B, the coil antenna 21A is formed on the sheet 52, and the RF-ID 21 having the IC module 21B mounted thereon is continuously formed in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows at predetermined intervals. It is a sheet or roll. Similarly to the above, the gap can be made short according to the opening 13A of the shield member 13 to be interposed. The RF-ID 21 formed on the sheet 52 as described above can be manufactured by the method described in FIG. 5A, and then is placed in a sheet state or a rolled state and is not shown above or below the drive mechanism 14. It is conveyed in the longitudinal direction by the conveying means.

Next, FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view showing an electrostatic coupling type inspection object in the inspection object of FIG. Figure 6
(A) shows a case where the RF-ID 21, which is an electrostatically coupled IC card, is supplied onto the conveyor belt 12 by a supply means (not shown). The electrode antenna 61A, 61B and the IC module 62 are formed, and a bar code 63 that uniquely identifies the RF-ID 21 is appropriately formed by printing. Such an RF-ID 21 is also manufactured as a personal authentication card, a credit card, an electronic money card, or the like by a commonly known manufacturing process.

FIG. 6B shows a state before the RF-ID 21 is formed, that is, the RF-ID 21 in which the electrodes 61A and 61B are formed as the planar antennas on the sheet 53 and the IC module 62 is mounted is shown in FIG. It is formed into a roll by being formed continuously at predetermined intervals in rows. The spacing is appropriately determined, but as described above, the shield member 1
By interposing 3 therebetween, it is possible to make the interval short depending on the opening 13A.

In the roll-shaped manufacturing method, for example, a copper foil is adhered onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with an epoxy adhesive to form flat electrodes 61A and 61B by etching, and the respective electrodes 61A are formed. , 61B
The IC modules 62 are connected to each other by reflow soldering, and then are brought into a roll state (may be a sheet state) and are conveyed in the longitudinal direction above or below the drive mechanism 14 by a conveying means (not shown). is there.

In FIG. 6C, the electrodes 61A and 61B are formed on the sheet 54, and the RF-ID 21 having the IC module 62 mounted thereon is continuously formed in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows at predetermined intervals. It is a sheet or roll. Similarly to the above, the interval can be a short interval depending on the opening 13A of the shield member 13 to be interposed. RF-ID 2 formed on such a sheet 54
1 can be manufactured by the method described with reference to FIG. 6 (B), and then is brought into a sheet state or a roll state and is conveyed in the longitudinal direction above or below the drive mechanism 14 by a conveying means (not shown). .

Next, FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an RF-ID inspection system according to the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a block diagram of the inspection processing unit of FIG. Here, the inspection target 21X is an electromagnetic coupling type RF- which is shown in FIGS.
The case where the ID 21 is targeted is shown, and the case where the system-side antenna 41 (case 43 or substrate 42) shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used is shown.

Referring to FIG. 7, an RF-ID inspection system 11 according to the present invention includes Rs conveyed by a conveyor belt 12.
The inspection target 21X in the F-ID 21 includes a drive mechanism 14, a processing system 72, a position detection unit 15 arranged above the conveyor belt 12, a BCR 16, and a marker 17.

The inspection target 21X is the IC module 2 including the processing unit 81, the memory 82 and the demodulation unit 83.
1B and a coil antenna 21A. The coil antenna 21A is wound in a coil shape on a plane as described above, receives a signal from the inspection system 11, or receives the inspection system 11 from the inspection target 21X.
It plays a role of transmitting data to the (system-side antenna 41).

In the IC module 21B, the memory 82 is for storing various information as a card or the like. The demodulation unit 83 includes the coil antenna 21A.
The control signal and data are demodulated from the radio wave received in step 1, and the code is converted appropriately. Then, the processing unit 81 causes the memory 82 to store the received control signal and data and transmits the data stored in the memory 82 according to the program.

Further, the conveyor belt 12 is driven by the conveyor drive unit 73 as the conveyor means. The drive mechanism 14
Is an X, Y, Z drive mechanism driven by an antenna drive unit 74, and is equipped with a system-side antenna 41 which is held at a predetermined position of a holder 31 and communicates with the inspection target 21X. As described above, the antenna drive unit 74 moves the system-side antenna 41 up and down in the direction of the inspection target 21X in Z movement, and moves the system side antenna 41 at the center (center of the coil antenna 21A) in the width direction of the inspection target 21X in Y movement. Then, the X-movement is synchronized with the transportation when the inspection target 21X is inspected in the transportation moving state. That is, the antenna driving section 74 is provided with the shield member 13 described above.
Also, the system-side antenna 41 is moved, but when the shield member 13 is driven separately from the system-side antenna 14, the shield member 13 is moved in the vertical direction (Z direction) in synchronization with the system-side antenna 14. Let

The processing system 72 is the inspection target 21X.
Which includes a function as a reader / writer for determining whether the device is good or bad, includes a control unit 91, an inspection processing unit 92, and a data memory 93, and includes a power amplification unit 94, a modulation unit 95, a transmission unit 96, a detection unit 97, The data conversion unit 98, the transport drive control unit 99, the antenna drive control unit 100, the interface (IF) unit 101, and the display unit 102 are provided.

The control unit 91 controls the processing system 72.
Is integratedly controlled, and is constructed by a program of application software corresponding to this. Among them, the board type identification signal input to the IF section 101 from the connection terminal 42A of the board 42 via the connector 44 is automatically recognized and the modulation section 95, the transmission section 96 and the detection section 97 are selected according to the type of the inspection target. Settings. For example, the mode of modulation / demodulation is switched between FSK (frequency shift keying) or PSK (phase shift keying), and the carrier frequency is set to 13.5, for example.
6MHz, 847KHz, 424KHz, 212KH
z, 125 KHz, etc.

The inspection processing unit 92 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
In some cases, inspection processing and determination for X are performed. The data memory 93 stores various data and also functions as a temporary storage area (a buffer, which may be provided in the inspection processing unit 92) for inspection determination as appropriate. The various data include, for example, information (for example, identification information) to be stored in the memory 82 for each inspection target 21X, various set values for inspection, and the like.

The data conversion unit 98 uses the inspection target 21X.
When the information is transmitted to, the information is converted into, for example, "1" or "0", and the transmission data from the inspection target 21X is converted into, for example, "1" or "0". The modulation unit 95 is converted by the data conversion unit 98 based on the transmission output from the transmission unit 96 (for example, the RF-ID 21X to be inspected is 13.56 MHz as an electromagnetically coupled type) according to the setting of the control unit 91. The information is modulated into, for example, an FSK (frequency shift keying) modulated wave. The power amplifier 94
Is for amplifying the power of the modulated wave modulated by the modulator 95, and the amplified modulated wave is transmitted from the system side antenna 41. Then, the detection unit 97 detects and demodulates the transmission radio wave from the inspection target 21X received by the system side antenna 41 according to the setting from the control unit 91.

On the other hand, the transport drive control section 99 generates a control signal for driving the above-mentioned transport drive section 73 which is used to sequentially inspect the inspection object 21X, based on a command from the control section 91 to generate an IF signal. It is sent to the transport driving unit 73 via the unit 101. In addition, the antenna drive control unit 1
00 moves the shield member 13 and the system-side antenna 41 vertically with respect to the inspection target 21X to bring the shield member 13 close to the antenna 21A of the inspection target 21X, and the inspection target 21X and the upper portion of the holder 31A (31B). The control unit 9 outputs a signal for controlling so that
It is generated based on the command No. 1 and is sent to the antenna driving unit 74 via the IF unit 101.

Here, in FIG. 8, the inspection processing unit 92
Are processing means 111, reception data acquisition means 112, transmission data acquisition means 113, and
The determination means 114 is provided. The processing means 111 controls the entire processing of the inspection processing unit 92. The received data acquisition means 112 acquires when the data transmitted from the inspection target 21X is received, and stores it in the data memory 93 as appropriate (the received data acquisition means 11).
If 2 has a buffer, it may be temporarily stored in the buffer).

The transmission data acquisition means 113 reads out and acquires from the data memory 93 the identification information and the like to be written in the memory 82 by communication with the inspection object 21X. Then, the determining means 114 first determines whether the response is good or not from the inspection target 21X, and determines the transmission data transmitted to the inspection target 21X (transmission data read from the data memory 93) and the inspection target 21X. Is compared with the received data transmitted in response, and if they match, it is determined as a non-defective product, and if they do not match, it is determined as a defective product, and the transmitted data is actually written in the memory 82 of the inspection target 21X. Whether or not it is regarded as the quality of the communication state by comparing the data.

Therefore, FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the inspection process in FIGS. 7 and 8. At the time of inspection, the holders 31A and 31B have inspection targets (electromagnetic coupling type RF of FIG.
Case 4 corresponding to the type of 21X)
3 or the substrate 42 is held in the engagement groove 32 according to a predetermined communication distance. In FIG. 9, the control unit 91 first recognizes the terminal connection state of the board type identification terminal 42B in the connection terminal 42A of the board 42 that is input via the connector 44 and the cable 45, and recognizes the board type (antenna type, inspection target). (Type of RF-ID of the above), an inspection routine corresponding to the specified type is set, and the modulation unit 95, the transmission unit 96, and the detection unit 97 are set according to the type of the inspection target (step (S)). 1). Therefore, the RF-ID 21 (inspection target 21) is sequentially supplied onto the conveyor belt 12.
Based on a command from the control unit 91, the transport drive control unit 99 outputs the drive amount for transporting (X) to the inspection position to the transport drive unit 73 via the IF unit 101 (S2).

When the position detecting means 15 detects whether the conveyed RF-ID 21 has reached the conveying position (S3), the control unit 91 causes the BCR 16 to read the bar code 21C formed on the inspection object 21X, and It is connected to the inspection object 21X and temporarily stored in the data memory 93 or the like (S
4). Then, in the antenna drive control unit 100, the drive amount (Y) for positioning the shield member 13 and the system-side antenna 41 at the lower center with respect to the inspection target 21X at the inspection position according to a command from the control unit 91 is set by the antenna drive unit 74. The drive amount (Z) that is the Y-direction drive amount and that is the basic distance of the system-side antenna 41 to the inspection target 21X (antenna 21A) is output as the Z-direction drive amount (S5). As described above, when the inspection target 21X is inspected in the transport movement state, the drive amount (X) for moving the X in synchronization with the transport is output as the X-direction drive amount.

Therefore, the transmission data (identification information) for the inspection target is acquired from the data memory 93 and transmitted to the inspection target 21X (S6). When there is a response (transmission of reply data) from the inspection object 21X (S7), it is determined that the IC module 21B of the inspection object has not operated and failed, and the reply data by the response is received. Then, the determination means 114 matches the transmission data and the reception data as described above (S8). In the matching result (S9), if they match, it is determined as a good product (S9).
10) If they do not match, it is determined that the product is defective (S1).
1). If there is no response in S7, IC
As a defect of the module 21B, the inspection target 21X is determined to be a defective product (S11).

Here, if the inspection target 21X is a defective product, the inspection target 21X is marked with S.
The control unit 91 instructs the marker 17 to mark the inspection object 21X which is determined to be defective in 11 (S
12). Then, these judgment results are stored in the data memory 93.
(S13).

Subsequently, when the next inspection target 21X is detected, S3 to S13 are repeated for the inspection target 21X and the determination result is stored in the data memory 93 (S).
14). Then, the next inspection object 21X is not detected, and all the inspection objects 21X are inspected.
When it is stored in No. 3, the inspection result is appropriately displayed on the display unit 102 (S15). In addition, the display of the inspection result is performed for each inspection object 21X or a predetermined number of inspection objects 21X.
You may perform it for every inspection result of X.

When the inspection object 21X is the electrostatic coupling type RF-ID 21 as shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 42 on which the electrodes 41A and 41B shown in FIG. 4 are mounted or the substrate 42 is housed. The case 43 holds the holders 32A and 31B in the desired engagement grooves 32. In this case, in the processing system 72, the control unit 91 recognizes the type by the signal of the connection state of the identification terminal 42B of the substrate 42, and the modulation unit 95 outputs the predetermined frequency from the transmission unit 96 according to the setting. (For example, 847 KHz, 424 KHz, 212 KH
z, 125 KHz, etc.), the information converted by the data conversion unit 98 is modulated into a PSK (Phase Deviation Modulation) modulated wave, for example. Other configurations are basically the same as in FIG. 7. The inspection process is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this way, the substrate 42 or the case 43 is exchanged according to the type of the RF-ID 21 to be inspected, and the type of the RF-ID 21 to be inspected is recognized in the state of the identification terminal 42B of the substrate 42. By letting
The inspection corresponding to the type of the inspection object 21X can be surely performed by the inspection processing as shown in FIGS.
It is possible to easily cope with the future increase in types of ID21.

Next, FIG. 10 shows an explanatory view of another structural example of the substrate on which the antenna of FIGS. 2 to 4 is mounted. In this case, the same components as those in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals. Figure 1
0 (A), it is assumed that the system side antenna 41 (41A, 41B) shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is mounted on the substrate 121, for example, on the back surface (may be the same surface as the system side antenna) by a transmitting / receiving means. A certain transmission / reception system 122
Is implemented. Then, a cable 45 is extended from the connection terminal 42A of the board 121 shown in FIG. 2C via the connector 44. The board 121 is housed alone or is housed in the case 43. The holders 32A and 31B are held in the desired engagement grooves 32 in a replaceable manner.

The transmission / reception system 122 mounted on the board 121 has a power amplification unit 9 as shown in FIG.
4A, 94B, a modulator 95, a transmitter 96, and a detector 97. The functions of the respective parts are the same as those in FIG. 7, but the processing is set according to the type of the antenna 41 (41A, 41B). ing. Also, the processing system 72A
Is a control unit 91, an inspection processing unit 92, a data memory 93,
The data conversion unit 98, the transport drive control unit 99, the antenna drive control unit 100, the IF unit 101, and the display unit 102 are provided. The function of each part of the above-mentioned constituent parts is the same as that of FIG. 7 and FIG. The signal system connected to the IF unit 101 is
The position detection means 15, the BCR 16, the marker 17, the conveyance drive unit 73, and the antenna drive unit 74 in FIG. 7 are the same, and the inspection process is the same as in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (B), the substrate 1
The cable 45 on the 21st side is connected to the connector 131 of the processing system 72A.
Is the inspection target 2 for the modulator 95 and the power amplifier 94B.
The data is exchanged with the data conversion unit 98 on the side of the processing system 72A when communicating with the 1X, and the board (system-side antenna) 121 of the substrate 121 according to the type of the inspection object 21X is interposed as described above. The output of the signal specifying the type to the processing system 72A (control unit 91) is interposed.

As described above, the substrate 121 is the inspection target 21.
The fact that it is prepared for each type of RF-ID 21 of X is the same as above. That is, the transmission / reception system 122 is connected to the substrate 1
By mounting the reader / writer according to the type of the inspection target, the reader / writer according to the type of the RF-ID 21 can be easily exchanged.

Therefore, FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the inspection process in FIG. Holder 31 for inspection
In A and 31B, the inspection target (electromagnetic coupling type RF-I of FIG.
The case 43 or the substrate 121 corresponding to the type of 21X) is held in the engagement groove 32 corresponding to a predetermined communication distance. In FIG. 11, first, the control unit 91 includes the connector 44, the cable 45, and the connector 13.
The terminal type is identified by recognizing the terminal connection state of the board type identification terminal 42B in the connection terminal 42A of the board 121 that is input via 1 to specify the board type (antenna type, RF-ID type to be inspected). The inspection routine is set (S21). Therefore, the conveyance drive control unit 99 conveys the drive amount for conveying the RF-ID 21 (inspection target 21X), which is sequentially supplied onto the conveyance belt 12, to the inspection position based on the instruction from the control unit 91 via the IF unit 101. It is output to the drive unit 73 (S22).

When the position detecting means 15 detects whether the conveyed RF-ID 21 has reached the conveying position (S23), the control section 91 causes the BCR 16 to read the bar code 21C formed on the inspection object 21X, and It is connected to the inspection object 21X and temporarily stored in the data memory 93 or the like (S
24). Then, in the antenna drive control unit 100, the antenna drive unit 74 sets a drive amount (Y) for positioning the shield member 13 and the system-side antenna 41 at the lower center of the inspection target 21X at the inspection position according to a command from the control unit 91.
Of the system side antenna 41
The drive amount (Z) that is the basic distance with respect to the inspection target 21X (antenna 21A) is output as the Z-direction drive amount (S25). As described above, when the inspection target 21X is inspected in the transport movement state, the drive amount (X) for moving the X in synchronization with the transport is output as the X-direction drive amount.

Therefore, the transmission data (identification information) to be inspected is acquired from the data memory 93, and the data conversion unit 98 is acquired.
Corresponding data is converted by and the board 1 is connected through the connector 131.
The transmission data is transmitted to the transmission / reception system 122 of No. 21 to cause the transmission / reception system 122 to transmit the transmission data to the inspection target 21X (S26). When there is a response (transmission of reply data) from the inspection target 21X and the reply data received by the board 121 is input via the connectors 44 and 131 (S27), the IC module 21B of the inspection target operates. Then, it is determined that the response data is not broken, and the response data by the response is converted into predetermined data by the data conversion unit 98, and then the determining unit 114 matches the transmission data and the response data as described above ( S2
8).

In the matching result (S29), if they match, it is determined to be a good product (S30), and if they do not match, it is determined to be a defective product (S31). If there is no response in S27, it is determined that the IC module 21B is defective and the inspection target 21X is defective (S3).
1). Here, if the inspection target 21X is a defective product and the inspection target 21X is to be marked, the control unit 91 instructs the marker 17 that the inspection target 21X determined to be defective in S31 should be marked ( S3
2). Then, these determination results are stored in the data memory 93 (S33).

Subsequently, when the next inspection object 21X is detected, S23 to S33 are repeated for the inspection object 21X and the determination result is stored in the data memory 93 (S34). Then, the next inspection target 21X is not detected,
All of the inspection targets 21X are inspected, and when the quality is stored in the data memory 63, the inspection result is appropriately displayed on the display unit 10.
2 is displayed (S35). Note that the inspection result may be displayed for each inspection target 21X or for each inspection result of a predetermined number of inspection targets 21X, as in the above.

When the inspection object 21X is the electrostatic coupling type RF-ID 21 as shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 42 on which the electrodes 41A and 41B shown in FIG. The mounted board 121 or the case 43 accommodating the board 121 is held in the desired engagement groove 32 of the holders 32A and 31B. In this case, in the processing system 72, the control unit 91 recognizes the type by the signal of the connection state of the identification terminal 42B of the substrate 42 and sets the corresponding inspection routine.
It is similar to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this way, the system side antenna 41 (4
By mounting the transmission / reception system 122 that constitutes a part of the processing system on the substrate 121 on which 1A and 41B) are mounted, the transmission / reception system (reader / writer) 122 corresponding to the type of the inspection target 21X can be simultaneously supported. It is possible.

In FIG. 10, the system side antenna 41 (41A, 41B) and the transmission / reception system 122 are mounted on the substrate 121, but the system side antenna 41 (41A, 41B) and the transmission / reception system 122 are shown.
Are separate boards (first board and second board), and an identification terminal (42) for outputting a signal for specifying the type of the inspection target to the board (second board) on which the transmission / reception system 122 is mounted.
B) can also be mounted. That is, by separating these, the system side antenna 41 (41
A, 41B) are common, and the transmission / reception system 122 corresponding to the inspection target can be exchanged, and the identification terminal can automatically recognize the transmission / reception system 122 according to the type of the inspection target. Therefore, it is possible to surely perform the inspection, and it is possible to easily cope with an increase in types of RF-IDs in the future.

[0071]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the RF-ID inspection for inspecting whether the inspection object is good or bad is communicated by using the RF-ID having at least the antenna and the IC module as the inspection object. The board corresponding to the type of the inspection target mounted on the drive mechanism in the system is provided with the specifying unit for specifying the type of the inspection target to the processing system, so that the processing system automatically determines the type of the board. By recognizing the type of the RF-ID to be inspected, it is possible to reliably perform the inspection according to the type of the RF-ID, and it is possible to easily cope with the future increase in the types of the RF-ID. It is possible.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transmitting / receiving means forming a part of the processing system is mounted on the substrate on which the system side antenna is mounted, so that the reader / writer corresponding to the type of the inspection target can be handled at the same time. Will be made
The inspection can be surely performed according to the type of RF-ID, and the increase in types of RF-ID in the future can be easily dealt with.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first board on which the system-side antenna is mounted and the second board on which at least the transmitting / receiving means of the processing system and the specifying means for outputting the type-specific-handling signal of the inspection object are mounted. By separating,
The system-side antenna is common, and the transmitting / receiving means according to the inspection object can be exchanged, and the transmitting / receiving means according to the type of the inspection object can be automatically recognized by the specifying means. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with an increase in types of RF-IDs in the future.

According to the invention of claim 4, the holding means is mounted on the drive mechanism, and the holding means holds the board on which the antenna for each type of the inspection object is mounted in an exchangeable manner, thereby making it possible to change the type of the RF-ID. In addition to being able to reliably carry out the inspection according to the type, it is possible to facilitate the inspection corresponding to the type of the inspection target, and to easily cope with the future increase in the types of RF-ID. is there.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by interposing the shield member between the inspection target and the system-side antenna, communication with the RF-ID near the inspection target can be avoided, and the inspection target can be avoided. Can be specified and a reliable inspection can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded configuration diagram of a basic configuration in an RF-ID inspection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view of a holder and an antenna unit used in the inspection system of FIG.

3 is an explanatory perspective view of another form of holder and antenna unit used in the inspection system of FIG. 1. FIG.

4 is an explanatory perspective view of a holder and an antenna unit in an antenna of another form used in the inspection system of FIG.

5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing another type of electromagnetically coupled inspection target in the inspection target of FIG. 1. FIG.

6 is a schematic explanatory view showing an electrostatic coupling type inspection target in the inspection target of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block configuration diagram of an RF-ID inspection system according to the present invention.

8 is a block configuration diagram of an inspection processing unit in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is a flowchart of the inspection process in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration example of the substrate on which the antenna of FIGS. 2 to 4 is mounted.

11 is a flowchart of the inspection process in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 inspection system 13 Shield member 14 Drive mechanism 21 (21X) IC card (inspection target) 31 holder 41 System side antenna 41A, 41B electrodes 42,121 substrate 42A connection terminal 42B identification terminal 43 cases 44,131 connector 72,72A processing system

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme Coat (reference) H04B 17/00 G06K 19/00 H (72) Inventor Shunsuke Oya 1-6, Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Toppan・ Forms Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2C005 MA21 NA06 5B035 BB09 BC08 CA23 5B058 CA15 KA24 KA28 5K042 CA02 CA13 CA17 CA23 JA10

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An RF-ID inspection system that communicates with an RF-ID having at least an antenna and an IC module as an inspection target and inspects whether the inspection target is good or bad, and conveys the inspection target to an inspection position. A transporting means, a board provided for each type of the inspection target, having a system-side antenna that communicates with the inspection target is mounted, and a specifying unit for outputting a signal for specifying the type of the inspection target; A drive mechanism that mounts the board, positions the system-side antenna with respect to the inspection target, and performs an inspection process according to a signal that identifies the type of the inspection object by the identification unit of the board. It is inductively coupled to the inspection target via the device and transmits predetermined data, and based on the response from the inspection target side, the inspection pair concerned is transmitted. An RF-ID inspection system, comprising: a processing system for determining the quality of an elephant. 2. The RF-ID inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the board on which the system-side antenna is mounted comprises:
An RF-ID inspection system comprising at least a transmission / reception unit that constitutes a part of the processing system for communicating with the inspection target for each type of the inspection target. 3. The RF-ID inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a first substrate on which the system-side antenna is mounted, at least the transmitting / receiving means, and the type of the inspection target. RF, characterized in that it is separated into a second substrate on which a specifying means for outputting a signal is mounted.
-ID inspection system. 4. The RF-ID inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the substrate prepared for each type of the inspection target or a case accommodating the substrate is subjected to the inspection. An RF-ID inspection system, which is held so as to be exchangeable according to the type of an object, and is provided with a holding means mounted on the drive mechanism. 5. The RF-ID inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inspection target and the RF-ID in the vicinity of the inspection target are avoided in order to avoid communication with the RF-ID in the vicinity of the inspection target. An RF-ID inspection system, comprising a shield member, which is interposed between the system-side antenna and has an opening formed so that the system-side antenna faces the inspection target.