JP4876726B2 - RFID tag, RFID reader / writer device, RFID system, and RFID communication method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) device, an RFID reader / writer device and system using the device, and an RFID communication method.

For RFID devices (or tags), especially in logistics applications, there are cases where labels integrated with one RFID device move around the world together with the objects to be pasted, and it is necessary to support the frequency bands in each country. is there.
For example, as an RFID capable of operating one RFID in a plurality of frequency bands, a folded dipole antenna having a dielectric sheet sandwiched between a folded dipole antenna resonating in a 900 MHz band formed by a conductive pattern on a dielectric sheet. A wireless tag that operates in two frequency bands by disposing a passive element of half wavelength resonating in the 2.4 GHz band formed by a conductive pattern on the opposite side of the antenna and performing impedance matching for the two frequency bands A technique capable of providing the above is disclosed. (Patent Document 1).
Also, in the unlikely event that the RFID device breaks, there are cases where information on the contents of the RFID is printed on a label so that it can be visually confirmed.

JP 2005-236468 A

  However, antenna design becomes very difficult as the number of frequency bands that must be addressed increases. There is also a demand for not only frequency bands but also different protocols. Also, in the unlikely event that the RFID device breaks, it takes a very long time to visually confirm the label, and if the amount of information becomes larger, there is a possibility that there will be no space for printing.

  In the present invention, by providing a plurality of RFID units corresponding to the same or different frequency bands and communication methods in one RFID device, it becomes possible to cope with different communication methods, and one RFID unit is broken by any chance. Even in this case, it is possible to read the contents of the RFID device. Furthermore, the purpose is to provide an RFID system with a simple mechanism that can be used with confidence by improving the security by correctly recognizing an RFID device only after recognizing a plurality of IDs.

  The present invention relates to an RFID tag (apparatus) having a plurality of RFID tag sections that operate by receiving power supplied from an RFID reader / writer apparatus using radio waves, wherein the RFID tag section (or RFID section) An antenna unit for performing transmission / reception, an electromotive force unit that generates operating power from radio waves received by the antenna unit, an RF unit that performs analog processing of the signal, a data storage unit that stores data, and the RFID reader RFID protocol processing unit that performs command data transmission / reception processing and internal state management with a writer device, and at least one of the RFID tag units has an RFID protocol processing unit having a different protocol from its own RFID protocol processing unit The RFID protocol processing unit is configured to be the same or different between the individual RFID tag units, and configured to be able to communicate command data between the individual RFID tag units. .

Further, the present invention includes a command data processing unit that instructs communication between RFID tags from the RFID reader / writer device as the RFID protocol processing unit of the RFID tag unit, and receives command data that instructs communication between the RFID tags In addition, it is configured to perform command data communication with other RFID tag units.
Further, in the present invention, the individual RFID tag unit refers to the data of its own data storage unit or the internal data of the protocol processing unit only from a limited specific RFID unit by wireless or wired communication between RFID units. Configured to be.
In addition, according to the present invention, when command data communication is performed between the RFID tag units, a part of the power generated by the electromotive force unit is supplied to the RFID tag unit of the communication partner.
Further, in an RFID reader / writer device capable of performing communication processing between RFID tag portions according to the present invention, an RFID portion including an antenna portion for transmitting and receiving signals by radio waves, an RF portion for performing wireless analog processing, and a plurality of RFID tag portions A reader / writer protocol processing unit of one or a plurality of different protocols for performing command data transmission / reception processing with an RFID tag capable of communication between the tag units, and the reader / writer protocol processing unit is connected to a specific RFID tag unit The RFID tag unit communication is executed, and the RFID tag unit receives and processes a result obtained by performing communication between the RFID tag unit and another RFID tag unit.

Thereby, by providing a plurality of RFID units in one RFID device, even if one RFID unit fails, the remaining RFID units can operate, and at least one RFID unit has a plurality of RFID units. By installing the RFID protocol, communication between tags becomes possible.
In addition, each RFID unit can be equipped with different protocols, so it can easily handle multiple protocols, and some or all of the components can be shared between each RFID unit, enabling further downsizing. It becomes.
In addition, by successfully recognizing a plurality of RFID units, it is possible to further enhance security by successfully recognizing an RFID device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the mechanism which improves the response | compatibility to the different frequency and communication system of an RFID apparatus, reading of ID data at the time of a failure, and security can be provided easily.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an RFID system including an RFID device (or RFID tag) equipped with a plurality of RFID units (or RFID tag units) and an RFID reader / writer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. . The RFID device 100 includes an RFID unit A 101 and an RFID unit B 102, and the RFID reader / writer device 103 includes a reader / writer device main body 104 and an antenna 105.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of the RFID device 100. In this example, two identical RFID parts are mounted in one RFID device except that the antenna length is changed and the communication distance is set differently.
The RFID device 100 includes an RFID part A101 and an RFID part B102. The RFID part A101 includes an antenna 200 that transmits and receives command data to and from the RFID reader / writer device 103, and processes such as modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception command data. RF unit 201 that performs the above, an electromotive force unit A203 that rectifies radio waves received from the antenna 200 and generates operating power, and an RFID protocol (1) process that performs protocol processing according to the received command data and retains internal state data and the like Part A204 and a data storage part A205 for storing ID data and user data.

The RFID unit B102 includes an antenna 206 that communicates with the RFID reader / writer device 103 at a shorter distance than the antenna 200, and an RF unit B208 that performs processing such as modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception command data. An electromotive force unit B207 that rectifies radio waves received from the antenna 200 and generates operating power, an RFID protocol (1) processing unit B209 that performs protocol processing according to the received command data and holds internal state data, etc., and ID data And a data storage unit B210 for storing user data.
The storage unit A205 and the storage unit 210 may be a rewritable EEPROM or a non-rewritable ROM.
Other configurations in which the RFID protocol processing units are not the same and that process different protocols are mounted, and configurations in which three or more RFID units are mounted are also conceivable.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the RFID device 100.
The RFID device 100 includes an RFID unit A101 and an RFID unit B102. The RFID unit A101 includes a power supply switch unit 300 for newly supplying power to the RFID unit B102, and the RFID unit A101 includes the RFID unit B102. In order to realize inter-tag communication by wireless communication through the antenna 200 and the antenna 206, an RFID protocol (2) processing unit 301 corresponding to the protocol of the RFIDB 102 is provided.

The RFID unit B102 includes an RFID protocol (2) processing unit 302 that performs processing of a protocol different from that of the RFID unit 101 according to the received command data and holds internal state data and the like.
In addition, the power supply switch unit 300 includes a power supply connection line 303 for supplying power generated by the electromotive force unit A 203 to the RFID unit 102.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the RFID device 100.
In order for the RFID part A101 to implement inter-tag communication by wired connection with the RFID part B102, an internal connection line 400 for inter-tag communication is newly provided. With this internal connection line, it is possible to refer to the data in the storage units and the internal data in the protocol processing unit. Of course, a plurality of signal connection lines may be connected as necessary.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the RFID device 100. A part of each component for supporting two types of protocols is shared, and a common RF unit 500 and a common electromotive force unit 501 corresponding to the two types of protocols are used to process the two types of protocols. The RFID protocol processing unit 502 includes a protocol (1) processing unit 204 and a protocol (2) processing unit 302, and a common storage unit 503 that is a common data storage unit.
For example, a number of common configuration patterns other than this example are conceivable, such as having the storage unit and the RF unit completely separate.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the reader / writer device 103.
The reader / writer device 103 includes a reader / writer main body 104, an RFID device 100, and an antenna 105 that transmits and receives command data. The RF reader / writer body 104 includes an RF unit 600 that performs processing such as modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception command data, and a reader / writer protocol that performs protocol processing according to the command data of protocol (1) and holds internal state data and the like. 1) A processing unit 601 and an external I / F unit 602 for connecting to a host device as necessary are provided.
In order to support various protocols, a plurality of reader / writer protocol processing units may be installed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a command data format transmitted from the reader / writer device 103 to the RFID device 100. Command data includes a command part 700 and a data part 701. The command portion 700 contains an instruction for the RFID portion, and a necessary value is set for each command in the data portion. The response data is stored in response data 702 and responded.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of part of command data transmitted from the reader / writer device 103. Each command data is stored in the reader / writer protocol processing unit 601.
The command data table 800 includes a command value 801, a command meaning 802, a data value 803, and a data value meaning 804. For example, the meaning of the command value “10” is ID (A) reading. This command is transmitted from the reader / writer device 103 through the antenna 105 according to the protocol (1), and when the RFID part A101 receives the command correctly, it responds with ID (A).
The meaning of the command value “11” is ID (B) reading.

This command is transmitted from the reader / writer device 103 through the antenna 105 according to the protocol (2), and when the RFID part B102 receives the command correctly, it responds with ID (B).
The meaning of the command value “12” is ID (A, B) reading. The RFID (A) and the RFID (B) ID are acquired by executing the inter-RFID part communication with the RFID (B) for the RFID (A) by the protocol (1). When the reader / writer device 103 transmits this command through the antenna 105 according to the protocol (1), and the RFID unit A101 successfully receives and processes correctly, it responds with ID (A) and ID (B).
Of course, the command length, data length, each value and meaning may be different in each RFID system.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of how the ID data is read by the reader / writer device 103 from the RFID unit A101 and the RFID unit B102 in order to recognize a plurality of IDs of the RFID device 100. In the command data transmission / reception of the reader / writer device 103, the RFID unit A101, and the RFID unit B102, first, the command data is transmitted on the radio wave from the reader / writer device 103, and the RFID unit A101 and the RFID unit B102 receiving the command data It is done by putting data on the reflected wave and responding.

First, when the reader / writer device 103 executes the carrier On900 to operate the RFID part A101 and the RFID part B102, radio waves are emitted, and the RFID part A101 and the RFID part B102 are subjected to startup / initialization processing and the like. . Next, the reader / writer device 103 executes ID (A) read command transmission 901 for reading the ID of the RFID part A101. The RFID unit A101 responds with ID (A), and ID (A) recognition 902 is performed.
An ID (B) read command transmission 903 for reading the ID of the RFID unit B102 is executed. The RFID unit B102 responds with ID (B), and ID (B) recognition 904 is performed. At this point, two IDs of the RFID device 100 are recognized.

Finally, the RFID apparatus 100 executes carrier off 905 and ends the process.
This time, I will explain with an example of only ID data, but the two ID data are related to each other, but they are different data, data that is verified by the host system, or any data. From the viewpoint of security, it is important to perform processing using data from the IRFID part.
Of course, the same ID can be stored and used as a backup when one of them fails.

FIG. 10 shows an example of how the ID data is read to the RFID part A101 and the RFID part B102 by inter-tag communication so that the reader / writer device 103 recognizes a plurality of IDs of the RFID device 100. It is.
First, when the reader / writer device 103 executes the carrier On1000 to operate the RFID part A101 and the RFID part B102, radio waves are emitted, and the RFID part A101 and the RFID part B102 are subjected to startup / initialization processing and the like. . Next, the reader / writer apparatus 103 executes ID (A, B) reading 1000 for reading the ID (A) of the RFID part A101 and the ID (B) of the RFID part B102 with respect to the RFID part A101.

First, an ID (A, B) read command is transmitted to the RFID part A101. The RFID unit A101 that has received the command transmits an ID (B) read command to the RFID unit B102 using the installed RFID protocol (2) processing unit 301. The RFID unit B102 that has received the ID (B) read command responds with ID (B). The RFID unit A101 that has received ID (B) responds with ID (B) as ID (A, B) together with the ID (A) of the RFID unit A101.
At this point, the reader / writer device 103 recognizes the ID (A, B), and finally the RFID device 100 executes the carrier Off 905 and ends the process.
Of course, the communication between the tags may be communication using the connection line 400.
This time, ID (A) and ID (B) are read, but there may be a case where data other than ID is read.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flow example of how the reader / writer 103 determines whether the RFID device 100 recognizes OK or NG.
First, when an instruction for recognition processing of the RFID device 100 reaches the reader / writer protocol (1) processing unit 601, the processing in step S1100 starts, and the process proceeds to step S1101. In step S1101, a command data ID (A, B) read is transmitted according to protocol (1), and the process proceeds to step S1102. In step S1102, a response from the RFID device 100 is awaited. If two IDs (IDs A and B) have been successfully acquired, the process proceeds to step S1103. If it has failed, the process proceeds to step S1105, where it is determined that the RFID 100 has failed to be recognized, and the process proceeds to step S1104 to end the process.
In step S1103, it is determined that the RFID 100 has been successfully recognized, and the process advances to step S1104 to end the process.
This time, the recognition is determined inside the reader / writer, but there may be cases where recognition and processing are performed in the host system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flow example of how the RFID unit A101 of the RFID device 100 performs processing when an ID (A, B) read command from the reader / writer 103 is received.
First, when an ID (A, B) read command is received from the reader / writer 103, the process of step S1200 starts, and the process proceeds to step S1201. In step S1201, command data ID (B) reading is transmitted according to protocol (2), and the process proceeds to step S1202. In step S1202, a response from the RFID part B102 is waited. If the ID of ID (B) is successfully acquired, the process proceeds to step S1203. If unsuccessful, the process proceeds to step S1205, an ID (B) read failure response is made, and the process proceeds to step S1204 to end the process.
In step S1203, ID (A) and ID (B) responses are made, and the process proceeds to step S1204 and the process ends.

  As described above, the RFID system according to the present invention is effective as an RFID system that can easily cope with different communication methods, read ID data at the time of failure, and enhance security.

It is the figure which showed the example of a structure of the RFID apparatus and reader / writer apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the internal structure of the RFID apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the internal structure of the RFID apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the internal structure of the RFID apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the internal structure of the RFID apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. is there. It is the figure which showed the example of the internal structure of the reader / writer apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the command data format concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the value and meaning of command data concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the command sequence between the reader / writer apparatus and RFID apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the command sequence between the reader / writer apparatus and RFID apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of a flow of the recognition process of the RFID apparatus by the reader / writer according to the Example of this invention by acquiring ID of a some RFID part. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow example of whether an RFID device performs intertag communication according to an instruction from a reader / writer and responds to the reader / writer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 RFID device 101 RFID part A
102 RFID part B
103 RFID reader / writer device 104 reader / writer main body 105 antenna 200 antenna 201 RF unit 203 electromotive force unit 204 RFID protocol (1) processing unit 205 storage unit 206 antenna 207 electromotive force unit 208 RF unit 209 RFID protocol (1) processing unit 210 storage Unit 300 power supply switch unit 301 RFID protocol (2) processing unit 302 RFID protocol (2) processing unit 302 power supply connection line 400 inter-tag communication internal connection line 500 common RF unit 501 common power unit 502 common RFID protocol processing unit 503 Common storage unit 600 RF unit 601 Reader / writer protocol processing unit 602 External I / F unit 700 Command value 701 Data 702 Response data 800 Command data table

Claims (7)

In an RFID tag having a plurality of RFID tag parts that operate by receiving power supply from an RFID reader / writer device using radio,
The RFID tag part is
An antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by radio waves;
An electromotive force unit that generates operating power from radio waves received by the antenna unit;
An RF unit for analog processing of the signal;
A data storage unit for storing data;
An RFID protocol processing unit that performs command data transmission / reception processing and internal state management with the RFID reader / writer device,
At least one of the individual RFID tag units further includes an RFID protocol processing unit having a protocol different from its own RFID protocol processing unit,
The RFID protocol processing unit is configured to be the same or different in each RFID tag unit, and command data communication is possible between the individual RFID tag units.   The RFID protocol processing unit of the RFID tag unit includes a command data processing unit that instructs communication between RFID tags from the RFID reader / writer device, and when receiving command data that instructs communication between RFID tags, another RFID tag The RFID tag according to claim 1, wherein command data communication is performed with a unit.   Each of the RFID tag units is referred to data of its own data storage unit or internal data of a protocol processing unit only from a limited specific RFID unit by wireless or wired communication between RFID units. The RFID tag according to claim 1.   2. The RFID tag according to claim 1, wherein, when command data communication is performed between the RFID tag units, a part of the power generated by the electromotive force unit is supplied to the RFID tag unit of a counterpart to communicate with. . In an RFID reader / writer device capable of communication processing between RFID tags,
An antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by radio waves;
An RF unit that performs wireless analog processing;
A reader / writer protocol processing unit of one or a plurality of different protocols for performing command data transmission / reception processing with an RFID tag having a plurality of RFID tag units and capable of communication between RFID tag units;
The reader / writer protocol processing unit causes a specific RFID tag unit to execute communication between RFID tag units, and the RFID tag unit receives a result obtained by performing communication between the RFID tag unit and another RFID tag unit. RFID reader / writer device characterized by processing. In an RFID system using an RFID having a plurality of RFID tag units that operate by receiving power supplied from an RFID reader / writer device using radio,
The RFID reader / writer device is
An antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves and signals;
An RF unit that performs wireless analog processing;
A reader / writer protocol processing unit of one or a plurality of different protocols for performing command data transmission / reception processing with the RFID tag,
The reader / writer protocol processing unit performs communication between RFID tag units for each RFID tag unit of the RFID and processes a response thereof.
Each RFID tag portion of the RFID tag is
An antenna for transmitting and receiving signals by radio waves;
An electromotive force unit that generates operating power from radio waves received by the antenna unit;
An RF unit that performs analog processing of transmission and reception signals;
A data storage unit for storing data;
An RFID protocol processing unit that performs command data transmission / reception processing and internal state management with the RFID reader / writer device,
The RFID reader / writer device transmits communication command data between RFID tag parts to the plurality of RFID tag parts, and the RFID tag part that has received the communication command data between RFID tag parts is connected to other RFID tag parts. RFID system that performs communication between RFID tag parts and responds to the result. RFID communication method for performing wireless communication between an RFID reader / writer device capable of performing communication processing between RFID tag portions and an RFID tag having a plurality of RFID tag portions that operate using wireless communication and capable of communicating between RFID tag portions Because
The RFID reader / writer device has a step of transmitting communication command data between RFID tag parts to the RFID tag part,
The RFID tag unit that has received the communication command data between RFID units has a step of performing communication between the RFID unit and another RFID tag unit, and responding the result to the RFID reader / writer device. .

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