Control system and control program

Abstract

To provide a control system for switching a virtual switch, using a RF tag, capable of operating the virtual switch as an alternate type switch regardless of a type of the RF tag or presence / absence of a holder.SOLUTION: A control system comprises: a reading part for reading ID information from a RF tag; a collation part for performing collation to the ID information read by the reading part; and a switching part for switching an off state and an on state of the virtual switch. The switching part can execute alternate operation processing. In the alternate operation processing, the switching part switches the state of the virtual switch from the off state to the on state when collation to the ID information on the collation part succeeds, and maintains the on state of the virtual switch even when reading of the ID information on the reading part stops, then, if the same ID information is read again on the reading part, returns the state of the virtual switch to the off state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the switching of a virtual switch.

Background Art

[0002] Mechanical switches such as push buttons include momentary switches and alternate switches. Here, a momentary switch is a switch that turns on by a pressing operation and returns to the off state when the pressing operation is released. On the other hand, an alternate switch is a switch that turns on by a pressing operation and maintains the on state even when the pressing operation is released, and then returns to the off state when the pressing operation is performed again. Such an alternate switch is applied to a switch that needs to maintain the on state for a long time, such as a main power switch.

[0003] In addition, among the above-described mechanical switches, there is a key switch that can switch between the on state and the off state only when a key is inserted. According to the key switch, operation authority is given only to a specific user who has the key.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, in various technical fields, a technique (RFID technique) for reading ID (Identifier) information from an RF (Radio Frequency) tag and performing collation on the read ID information has been used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0006] In view of such recent circumstances, the present inventor has considered constructing a virtual switch in the control system by software instead of a mechanical switch, and using the above RFID technology to realize a momentary type switch or an alternate type switch in the virtual switch, and is proceeding with the development. Further, the present inventor considers that the operation authority for the virtual switch should be given only to a specific user having an RF tag by using the RFID technology.

[0007] Here, in the case of a momentary type switch, it can be easily realized as follows by using the RFID technology. That is, when there is a reading of ID information from the RF tag by the RF tag reader (i.e., the RF tag is held over the RF tag reader), and the collation with the ID information of the RF tag is successful, the virtual switch is switched from the off state to the on state, and then, when the reading of ID information from the RF tag by the RF tag reader stops, the virtual switch is returned to the off state, whereby a momentary type switch can be realized.

[0008] Furthermore, as an application thereof, for example, when the RF tag is of the fob type, an alternate type switch can be realized by providing a holder that can hold the RF tag in a state of being held over the RF tag reader. That is, during the period when the RF tag is inserted into the holder, even if the user releases the RF tag, the RF tag can continue to be held over the RF tag reader, so that the virtual switch can be maintained in the on state.

[0009] However, in the case where the RF tag cannot be inserted into the holder (when using an RF tag of a type that cannot be inserted into the holder such as a card type) or when there is no holder, etc., when trying to maintain the virtual switch in the on state, as a measure for continuously holding the RF tag over the RF tag reader, it is necessary to take measures such as attaching the RF tag to the reading surface of the RF tag reader with an adhesive tape, which imposes a strong burden on the user.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a virtual switch to operate as an alternate type of switch regardless of the type of RF tag or the presence or absence of a holder in a control system that performs switching of the virtual switch using an RF tag.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The control system according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads ID information from an RF tag, a collation unit that collates the ID information read by the reading unit, and a switching unit that switches between an off state and an on state of a virtual switch. And the switching unit is capable of executing alternate operation processing. In the alternate operation processing, when the collation of the ID information in the collation unit is successful, the switching unit switches the virtual switch from the off state to the on state and maintains the virtual switch in the on state even when the reading of the ID information by the reading unit stops. Then, when the same ID information is read again by the reading unit, the virtual switch is returned to the off state.

[0012] According to the above control system, regardless of the type of RF tag or the presence or absence of a holder, when an RF tag is held over the reading unit, the virtual switch is switched from the off state to the on state and is maintained in the on state until the same RF tag is held over the reading unit again. Therefore, the virtual switch can be operated as an alternate type of switch regardless of the type of RF tag or the presence or absence of a holder.

[0013] In the above control system, the switching unit may be capable of selectively executing alternate operation processing and momentary operation processing. In the momentary operation processing, when the verification of the ID information by the verification unit is successful, the switching unit switches a virtual switch from the off state to the on state, and then, when the reading of the ID information by the reading unit stops, the switching unit returns the virtual switch to the off state. According to this configuration, when the momentary operation processing is selected, the virtual switch switches from the off state to the on state only for a temporary period during which the RF tag is held over the reading unit. Therefore, the virtual switch can be operated as a momentary type switch.

[0014] The above control system may further include a first reception unit that receives a user's selection as to which of the alternate operation processing and the momentary operation processing is to be executed by the switching unit. According to this configuration, the user can operate the virtual switch as an alternate type switch or operate the virtual switch as a momentary type switch according to the application.

[0015] In the above control system, during the period in which the switching unit maintains the virtual switch in the on state in the alternate operation processing, even when the reading unit reads ID information from another RF tag, the switching unit may continue to maintain the virtual switch in the on state. According to this configuration, during the period in which the virtual switch is maintained in the on state as a result of the reading of the ID information from the RF tag and the verification of the ID information, even when another RF tag other than the RF tag is held over the reading unit, the virtual switch will not return to the off state.

[0016] In the above control system, the switching unit may be set with a holding time for maintaining the on state after switching a virtual switch to the on state in the alternate operation process. Then, after the switching unit switches the virtual switch to the on state in the alternate operation process, if the reading unit reads the same ID information again before the expiration of the holding time, the virtual switch is returned to the off state, and also, even if the holding time has elapsed without the reading unit reading the same ID information, the virtual switch may be returned to the off state. According to this configuration, even if the user forgets to hold the same RF tag in front of the reading unit again after the RF tag that has successfully passed the verification is removed from in front of the reading unit, when a certain time (holding time) has elapsed, the virtual switch returns to the off state and new operations can be accepted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operations of other users on the target device from being restricted uselessly.

[0017] The above control system may further include a second reception unit that receives the setting of the holding time by the user. According to this configuration, the user can change the holding time according to the application.

[0018] The control program according to the present invention is a program that causes a processing device to execute an alternate operation process. In the alternate operation process, when the verification of the ID information read from the RF tag by the reading unit is successful, the processing device switches a virtual switch from the off state to the on state, and also maintains the virtual switch in the on state even when the reading of the ID information by the reading unit stops, and then, when the same ID information is read again by the reading unit, the virtual switch is returned to the off state.

Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, in a control system that switches a virtual switch using an RF tag, it becomes possible to operate the virtual switch as an alternate type switch regardless of the type of the RF tag or the presence or absence of a holder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

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[0021] [1] Configuration of the Control System FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a control system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the control system of the present embodiment includes an RF tag reader 1, a management device 2, and an information processing device 3, which are connected via a network 50. And the control system of the present embodiment causes the RF tag reader 1 to function as a virtual switch constructed by software. Hereinafter, the case where the RF tag reader 1 functions as a virtual switch by executing a program by itself will be specifically described. Note that not only when the RF tag reader 1 executes a program by itself, but also when the management device 2 operates as a host device for the RF tag reader 1, the RF tag reader 1 may function as a virtual switch by being controlled by the management device 2 (for example, by operating according to a command transmitted from the management device 2) (see the fourth modification example in [3-4] described later).

[0022] [1-1] RF tag reader FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RF tag reader 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the RF tag reader 1 includes a reading unit 11 and a communication unit 12.

[0023] <Reading unit> The reading unit 11 is detachable from the communication unit 12 and has a reading surface 110 for reading ID information from the RF tag 100 by transmitting and receiving radio waves. Here, there are fob-type and card-type RF tags 100. In this embodiment, a holder 112 capable of holding the fob-type RF tag 100 in a state of being held against the reading surface 110 is provided on the reading surface 110. Note that the reading unit 11 may not have the holder 112 on the reading surface 110, and those with and without the holder 112 may be selectively attached to the communication unit 12 according to the application.

[0024] In addition, the reading unit 11 has a light emitting unit 113 that notifies the user of the collation result of the read ID information and the like by the color and blinking of light. The light emitting unit 113 is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this embodiment, a plurality (for example, four) of light emitting units 113 are provided around the reading unit 11, and they include white LEDs, red LEDs, and green LEDs. Note that the configuration of the light emitting unit 113 is not limited to this, and may be appropriately changed according to the number and content of types of information to be notified to the user.

[0025] <Communication unit> The communication unit 12 includes a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, and a communication interface 124 used for connecting to the network 50. Here, the communication unit 12 may be compatible with the communication protocol Modbus TCP, which is one of the open protocols. In this case, the communication unit 12 can communicate (send and receive data) with the management device 2 described later using Modbus TCP. Note that the communication unit 12 may be compatible not only with Modbus TCP but also with open protocols such as EtherNet / IP and CC-Link IE Field Basic.

[0026] The control unit 121 is a part composed of a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs collation (collation process) on the ID information read by the reading unit 11. Specifically, the control unit 121 intermittently emits radio waves from the reading unit 11, and when the reading unit 11 receives ID information from the RF tag 100 in response to the radio waves, the control unit 121 performs collation on the ID information. The storage unit 122 stores in advance the ID information that can be permitted in the collation (hereinafter referred to as "registered ID information"). When the ID information read by the reading unit 11 matches any of the registered ID information in the storage unit 122, the control unit 121 transmits the collation result to the management device 2. Details of the collation process will be described later.

[0027] In addition, the control unit 121 causes the RF tag reader 1 to function as a virtual switch constructed by software. Here, this virtual switch is switched between the off state and the on state based on the collation result of the ID information by the RF tag reader 1, and the control of the switching (switching process) is performed by the control unit 121.

[0028] In the switching process, the control unit 121 selects and executes either a process of operating the virtual switch as an alternate type switch (alternate operation process) or a process of operating the virtual switch as a momentary type switch (momentary operation process). In the present embodiment, among these two operation processes, the one received by the reception unit 31 (see FIG. 1) of the information processing apparatus 3 described later is executed by the RF tag reader 1. Note that the details of the switching process will be described later.

[0029] In the present embodiment, the collation process and the switching process are executed by a collation unit 121A and a switching unit 121B constructed within the control unit 121 (see FIG. 2). Here, these processing units are configured by software by causing the control unit 121 to execute a program. Such a program may be stored in a portable storage device (for example, a flash memory or the like) in a readable state, or may be stored so as to be downloadable to another server or the like, and the downloaded program may be stored in the storage unit 122 of the communication unit 12. Note that the control unit 121 may control other operations of the RF tag reader 1 (such as the light emission operation of the light emission unit 113) in addition to the collation process and the switching process.

[0030] [1-2] Management device The management device 2 is a control device such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), and communicates with the RF tag reader 1 and the information processing apparatus 3. Here, when the RF tag reader 1 supports an open protocol such as Modbus TCP, the same communication protocol as the open protocol used by the RF tag reader 1 is also used for the management device 2 so that communication based on the open protocol can be performed between the RF tag reader 1 and the management device 2. Then, the management device 2 controls the target device based on the information acquired by communicating with the RF tag reader 1 and the information processing apparatus 3. As an example, the management device 2 switches the permission / forbiddance of an operation (such as setting change) for the target device by software. As another example, the management device 2 switches two states (such as on / off of power) that the target device can take by software.

[0031] [1-3] Information processing apparatus The information processing apparatus 3 is a processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC), and accepts a user's selection as to which of the alternate operation process and the momentary operation process is to be executed by the RF tag reader 1 (switching unit 121B), and transmits the information on the accepted operation process to the RF tag reader 1 (reception process).

[0032] Specifically, the information processing apparatus 3 displays on the display unit 30 a screen (selection screen Ms) for selecting these two operation processes, and accepts the operation process selected by the user on the selection screen Ms as the operation process to be executed by the RF tag reader 1.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the selection screen Ms. In the example of FIG. 3, a check box Bc for selecting whether to switch the momentary operation process to the alternate operation process is displayed as the default operation process to be executed by the RF tag reader 1. Note that the selection screen Ms is not limited to this example, and may be appropriately changed to a screen displayed by another method, such as a screen that can be selected by a pull-down menu, as long as either one of the alternate operation process and the momentary operation process can be selected.

[0034] According to such a selection of the operation process, the user can operate the RF tag reader 1 as an alternate type switch or operate the RF tag reader 1 as a momentary type switch according to the application.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the above-described reception process is executed by a reception unit 31 constructed within the information processing apparatus 3 (see FIG. 1). Here, the reception unit 31 is a processing unit configured by software by causing the information processing apparatus 3 to execute a program. Such a program may be stored in a portable storage device (e.g., a flash memory or the like) in a readable state, or may be stored so as to be downloadable to another server or the like, and the downloaded program may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 3.

[0036] [2] Control Processing Executed by the Control System Here, as the control processing executed by the control system, the control processing (the above-described collation processing and switching processing) executed by the RF tag reader 1 (control unit 121) will be specifically described by dividing it into the case where the momentary operation processing is selected and received on the selection screen Ms (momentary operation mode) and the case where the alternate operation processing is selected and received on the selection screen Ms (alternate operation mode).

[0037] [2-1] Momentary Operation Mode FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the collation processing in the momentary operation mode. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the switching processing in the momentary operation mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram visualizing the contents of these control processes.

[0038] <Collation Processing> In the collation processing (see FIGS. 4 and 6), the collation unit 121A first transmits the first radio wave from the reading unit 11 (step S101). Also, in step S101, in order to specify the transmission time of the radio wave, the time at that time (current time T) is substituted into the variable T1.

[0039] If the RF tag 100 was held over the reading surface 110 at the timing when the radio wave was transmitted in step S101, the RF tag 100 responds to the radio wave and returns its own ID information, and the reading unit 11 receives the ID information from the RF tag 100. Therefore, the collation unit 121A determines whether the reading unit 11 has received the ID information from the RF tag 100 after the execution of step S101 (step S102).

[0040] Then, until the collation unit 121A can determine "Received (Yes)" in step S102, it transmits a radio wave from the reading unit 11 every time a predetermined time Tc1 (for example, 0.3 seconds) elapses. Specifically, when the collation unit 121A determines "Not received (No)" in step S102, it determines whether the difference between the current time T and the variable T1 (that is, the elapsed time since the radio wave was transmitted in step S101 (T - T1)) has reached the predetermined time Tc1 (step S111). If it can be determined that "Reached (Yes)", it returns to step S101 and transmits the next radio wave.

[0041] When the collation unit 121A determines "Received (Yes)" in step S102, it collates the received ID information (step S103). Specifically, the collation unit 121A determines whether the received ID information matches any of the registered ID information in the storage unit 122. If it determines "Matched (Yes)", the collation is successful, and conversely, if it determines "Not matched (No)", the collation fails. In addition, in FIG. 6, the case where the reading unit 11 receives the ID information in the second radio wave transmission (that is, when the RF tag 100 is held during the second radio wave transmission) is shown.

[0042] If the verification unit 121A succeeds in the verification in step S103, it determines whether communication with the management device 2 is possible (step S104). Then, if the verification unit 121A determines in step S104 that "communication is possible (Yes)", it generates a holding signal Sf (step S105). Here, the holding signal Sf is a signal for causing the switching unit 121B to hold the ID information that succeeded in the verification in step S103, and is also a signal for causing the switching unit 121B to transmit an on signal Son (a signal notifying that the ID information has been held) to the management device 2 in a communicable state.

[0043] After executing step S105, the verification unit 121A returns to step S101 and transmits the next radio wave. At this time, the verification unit 121A transmits the next radio wave from the reading unit 11 after a lapse of a predetermined time Tc2 (for example, 1 second) considering the time required for the communication, so that the timing of the transmission is after the communication (information transmission to the management device 2) with the management device 2 in step S203 (see FIG. 5) described later is completed. Specifically, the verification unit 121A determines whether the difference between the current time T and the variable T1 (that is, the elapsed time (T - T1) since the radio wave was transmitted in step S101) has reached the predetermined time Tc2 (step S106), and if it can be determined that "the predetermined time Tc2 has been reached (Yes)", it returns to step S101 and transmits the next radio wave.

[0044] On the other hand, if the verification unit 121A fails in the verification in step S103, it causes the light emitting unit 113 to perform a predetermined light emission operation to notify the user that the verification has failed (step S112A), and then returns to step S101 via step S111 to transmit the next radio wave from the reading unit 11 after a lapse of a predetermined time Tc1 (for example, 0.3 second). Also, if the verification unit 121A determines in step S104 that "communication is not possible (No)", it causes the light emitting unit 113 to perform a predetermined light emission operation to notify the user that communication is not possible (step S112B), and then returns to step S101 via step S111 to transmit the next radio wave from the reading unit 11 after a lapse of a predetermined time Tc1 (for example, 0.3 second).

[0045] <Switching process> In the switching process (see FIGS. 5 and 6), the switching unit 121B first determines whether the verification unit 121A has generated the holding signal Sf (step S201), and repeatedly executes step S201 until it can be determined here that "generated (Yes)".

[0046] Then, when it can be determined in step S201 that "generated (Yes)", the switching unit 121B holds the ID information that the verification unit 121A has successfully verified in step S103 (step S202). Specifically, the switching unit 121B substitutes the ID information that the verification unit 121A has successfully verified into the variable Fd. Also, in step S202, in order to specify the time when the holding of the ID information starts, the time at that time (current time T) is substituted into the variable t1.

[0047] Thereafter, the switching unit 121B transmits, by communication with the management device 2, the ID information that the verification unit 121A has successfully verified, the on signal Son, the information on the operation mode being executed (here, the momentary operation mode), and the time for holding the ID information (predetermined time tp1. For example, 1 second) to the management device 2 (step S203). Here, the on signal Son is a signal for notifying the management device 2 that the ID information has been held. Note that as the on signal Son, one generated separately from the holding signal Sf by the switching unit 121B may be used, or the holding signal Sf may be used as it is.

[0048] After the execution of step S203, the switching unit 121B continues to hold the ID information until a predetermined time tp1 elapses since the start of holding the ID information in step S202. Specifically, the switching unit 121B determines whether the difference between the current time T and the variable t1 (i.e., the elapsed time (T - t1) since holding the ID information in step S202) has reached the predetermined time tp1 (step S204), and continues to hold the ID information until it can be determined that "the predetermined time tp1 has been reached (Yes)". Then, when the switching unit 121B can determine that "the predetermined time tp1 has been reached (Yes)" in step S204, it ends the holding of the ID information by discarding the held ID information (step S205). Specifically, the switching unit 121B erases the ID information stored in the variable Fd. After that, the switching unit 121B returns to step S201 and repeatedly executes the processing from that step S201.

[0049] When the management device 2 receives the information by the switching unit 121B transmitting the information in step S203 above, the management device 2 performs control corresponding to the holding state of the ID information by the switching unit 121B as control corresponding to the momentary operation mode. As an example, the management device 2 temporarily permits an operation (such as setting change) on the target device (for example, for a predetermined time tp1). As another example, the management device 2 temporarily switches (for example, for a predetermined time tp1) one of two states (such as on / off of the power supply) that the target device can take to the other.

[0050] According to such control processing (verification processing and switching processing) in the momentary operation mode, when the RF tag reader 1 has the RF tag 100 held over the reading surface 110 and succeeds in verifying the ID information read from the RF tag 100, it holds the ID information, and then discards the ID information when a predetermined time Tc2 has elapsed.

[0051] Therefore, by setting the state in which the ID information is held (held state) as the on state and the state in which the ID information is discarded (discarded state) as the off state, the RF tag reader 1 functions as a virtual switch whose state switches between them. In the momentary operation mode, it will switch from the off state to the on state only for a temporary period when the RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110. That is, when the verification of the ID information is successful, the virtual switch switches from the off state to the on state. Then, when the reading of the ID information by the reading unit 11 stops, accordingly, the virtual switch automatically returns to the off state. Therefore, in the momentary operation mode, the virtual switch (i.e., the RF tag reader 1) can be operated as a momentary type switch. Also, according to such control processing, the operation authority for the virtual switch can be given only to a specific user who holds the permitted RF tag 100.

[0052] Furthermore, in the momentary operation mode, when the ID information is being held (i.e., when the virtual switch is in the on state), if the reading unit 11 reads the ID information of the same RF tag 100 again, the ID information is held again, and as a result, the time during which the virtual switch is in the on state is extended. Therefore, when the RF tag 100 is of the fob type, by inserting the RF tag 100 into the holder 112, it is possible to keep the RF tag 100 held over the reading surface 110 and maintain the virtual switch in the on state. Thus, even in the momentary operation mode, an alternate type switch can be realized as its application.

[0053] However, when the RF tag 100 cannot be inserted into the holder 112 (when using an RF tag 100 of a type that cannot be inserted into the holder 112 such as the card type) or when there is no holder 112, etc., if an attempt is made to maintain the virtual switch in the on state, as a measure to keep the RF tag 100 held over the reading surface 110, it becomes necessary to take measures such as attaching the RF tag 100 to the reading surface 110 with adhesive tape, which places a strong burden on the user.

[0054] Therefore, in the control system of this embodiment, in order to enable a virtual switch to operate as an alternate type of switch regardless of the type of the RF tag 100 or the presence or absence of the holder 112, it is possible to execute control processing (collation processing and switching processing) in the alternate operation mode described below.

[0055] [2-2] Control Processing in Alternate Operation Mode FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the collation processing in the alternate operation mode. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the switching processing in the alternate operation mode. FIG. 9 is a diagram visualizing the contents of these control processes.

[0056] <Collation Processing> In the alternate operation mode (see FIGS. 7 and 9), after the collation unit 121A executes the same processing as steps S101 to S105 executed in the momentary operation mode, the collation unit 121A further executes processing different from the momentary operation mode. Note that the subsequent processing of step S105 will be described later.

[0057] <Switching Processing> In the alternate operation mode (see FIGS. 8 and 9), first, the switching unit 121B determines whether the collation unit 121A has generated the hold signal Sf, similar to the momentary operation mode (step S401), and repeatedly executes step S401 until it can be determined here that "generated (Yes)". Then, when it can be determined in step S401 that "generated (Yes)", the switching unit 121B holds the ID information that the collation unit 121A has successfully collated in step S103 (step S402). Specifically, the switching unit 121B substitutes the ID information that the collation unit 121A has successfully collated into the variable Fd.

[0058] Thereafter, the switching unit 121B transmits, by communicating with the management device 2, the ID information that the collation unit 121A has successfully collated, the on signal Son, and the information on the operation mode being executed (here, the alternate operation mode) to the management device 2 (step S403).

[0059] Then, in the alternate operation mode of the present embodiment, the switching unit 121B continues to hold the ID information until the reading unit 11 reads the ID information of the same RF tag 100 again. Further, when the management device 2 receives the information by the switching unit 121B transmitting the information in step S403, the management device 2 performs control corresponding to the holding state of the ID information by the switching unit 121B as control corresponding to the alternate operation mode. As an example, the management device 2 permits an operation (such as setting change) on the target device and maintains that state. As another example, the management device 2 switches the target device between two possible states (such as power on / off) from one to the other and maintains that state. Note that the subsequent processing of step S403 will be described later.

[0060] <Verification process (continued)> After the execution of step S105, the verification unit 121A determines whether the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the verification in step S103 is maintained in a state of being held over the reading surface 110 or has been removed from in front of the reading surface 110. Specifically, it is as follows. Note that in FIG. 9, a case is shown where the RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110 at the time of the second radio wave transmission, authentication of the ID information of the RF tag 100 is successful, and then the RF tag 100 is removed from in front of the reading surface 110 before the third radio wave transmission.

[0061] The verification unit 121A first executes the same processing as transmitting the next radio wave via step S106 in the momentary operation mode (steps S301 and S302). Also, in step S302, in order to specify the transmission time of the radio wave, the time at that time (current time T) is substituted into the variable T1. Then, after the execution of step S302, the verification unit 121A executes steps S303 to S305.

[0062] In step S303, the collation unit 121A executes the same process as in step S102 (determining whether ID information has been received from the RF tag 100). Then, when the collation unit 121A determines "received (Yes)" in step S303, it proceeds to step S304 and executes the same process as in step S103 (collating the received ID information).

[0063] Here, when it is determined "not received (No)" in step S303, based on that determination, it can be judged that the RF tag 100 is not held over the reading surface 110. That is, it can be judged that the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 has been removed from in front of the reading surface 110.

[0064] Also, when the collation in step S304 "fails", based on that result, it can be judged that some RF tag 100 with unpermitted ID information is held over the reading surface 110. That is, because another RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110, it can be judged that the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 has been removed from in front of the reading surface 110. Incidentally, when the collation in step S304 fails, in step S321, the same process as in step S112A (notification to the user) is executed.

[0065] On the other hand, when it is determined "received (Yes)" in step S303 and the collation in step S304 "succeeds", based on those results, it can be judged that some RF tag 100 with ID information that can be permitted by the collation is held over the reading surface 110. And the RF tag 100 at that time is either the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 or another permitted RF tag 100.

[0066] Therefore, in order to determine which RF tag 100 it is, the matching unit 121A determines whether the ID information that "succeeded" in the matching in step S304 matches the ID information held by the switching unit 121B (the currently held ID information) (step S305). Specifically, the matching unit 121A determines whether the ID information that succeeded in the matching in step S304 matches the ID information stored in the variable Fd.

[0067] And when it is determined in step S304 that "they do not match (No)", based on this determination, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that "succeeded" in the matching in step S304 is a permitted one, but is a different one from the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the matching in step S103. That is, it can be determined that another RF tag 100 is being held over the reading surface 110, and for this reason, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the matching in step S103 has been removed from in front of the reading surface 110. Then, when the matching unit 121A determines in step S304 that "they do not match (No)", without accepting the operation using the RF tag 100 at that time, by causing the light emitting unit 113 to execute a predetermined light emitting operation, the user is notified that it cannot be accepted (that is, it is already in a state of holding another ID information) (step S322).

[0068] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S304 that "they match (Yes)", based on this determination, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that "succeeded" in the matching in step S304 is the same as the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the matching in step S103. That is, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the matching in step S103 is being held over the reading surface 110.

[0069] Therefore, when the matching unit 121A determines "match (Yes)" in step S304, it returns to step S302 via step S323, transmits the next radio wave from the reading unit 11 after the elapse of a predetermined time Tc1 (for example, 0.3 seconds), and executes the process from step S303 again. Then, the matching unit 121A repeatedly executes the processes of steps S302 to S305 until the RF tag 100 that has succeeded in the matching in step S103 is removed from in front of the reading surface 110.

[0070] When the RF tag 100 that has succeeded in the matching in step S103 is removed from in front of the reading surface 110 (that is, when it is determined "not received (No)" in step S303, the matching in step S304 "fails", or it is determined "not match (No)" in step S305), the matching unit 121A then determines whether the RF tag 100 that has succeeded in the matching in step S103 is again held over the reading surface 110. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0071] The matching unit 121A first executes the same process as transmitting the next radio wave via step S323 (steps S306 and S307). Also, in step S307, in order to specify the transmission time of the radio wave, the time at that time (current time T) is substituted into the variable T1. Then, after executing step S307, the matching unit 121A executes steps S308 to S310.

[0072] In step S308, the matching unit 121A executes the same process as step S303 (determining whether ID information has been received from the RF tag 100). Then, when the matching unit 121A determines "received (Yes)" in step S308, it proceeds to step S309 and executes the same process as step S304 (matching for the received ID information). Also, when the matching in step S309 is "successful", the matching unit 121A proceeds to step S310 and executes the same process as step S305 (determining whether it matches the ID information being held).

[0073] And when it is determined as "match (Yes)" in step S310, based on this determination, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that "succeeded" in the collation in step S309 is the same as the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103. That is, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 was held up against the reading surface 110 again. Note that FIG. 9 shows a case where the same RF tag 100 was held up during the 10th radio wave transmission and the authentication of the ID information of the RF tag 100 was successful.

[0074] Therefore, when the collation unit 121A determines as "match (Yes)" in step S310, it generates a discard signal Sg (step S311). Here, the discard signal Sg is a signal for causing the switching unit 121B to discard the held ID information, and is also a signal for causing the switching unit 121B to transmit an off signal Soff (a signal notifying that the ID information has been discarded) to the management device 2. Thereafter, the collation unit 121A returns to step S101 and repeatedly executes the processing from step S101.

[0075] On the other hand, when it is determined as "not received (No)" in step S308, based on this determination, it can be determined that no RF tag 100 is held up against the reading surface 110. That is, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 has not yet been held up against the reading surface 110.

[0076] Also, when the collation in step S309 "fails", based on this result, it can be determined that some RF tag 100 with unauthorized ID information is held up against the reading surface 110. That is, because another RF tag 100 is held up against the reading surface 110, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 has not yet been held up against the reading surface 110. Note that when the collation in step S309 fails, the same processing (notification to the user) as in step S321 is executed in step S324.

[0077] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S310 that "they do not match (No)", based on this determination, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that "succeeded" in the collation in step S309 is permitted, but is a different one from the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103. That is, it can be determined that another RF tag 100 is being held over the reading surface 110. Therefore, it can be determined that the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 has not yet been held over the reading surface 110. And when it is determined in step S310 that "they do not match (No)", similar to step S322, the operation using the RF tag 100 at that time is not accepted (refer to other RF tags in FIG. 9), and the user is notified that it cannot be accepted (that is, it is already in a state of holding other ID information) (step S325).

[0078] In this way, when the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 has not yet been held over the reading surface 110 (that is, when it is determined in step S308 that "not received (No)", the collation in step S309 "fails", or when it is determined in step S310 that "they do not match (No)"), the collation unit 121A returns to step S307 via step S306, transmits the next radio wave from the reading unit 11 after the elapse of a predetermined time Tc1 (for example, 0.3 seconds), and executes the process from step S308 again. And the collation unit 121A repeatedly executes the processes of steps S306 to S310 until the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 is held over the reading surface 110 again.

[0079] Therefore, even when another RF tag 100 different from the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 is held over the reading surface 110, the discard signal Sg is not generated. Therefore, in the switching unit 121B, the ID information of the RF tag 100 that succeeded in the collation in step S103 is continuously held without being discarded (refer to FIG. 9).

[0080] <Switching process (continued)> After the execution of step S403, the switching unit 121B determines whether the collation unit 121A has generated a discard signal Sg (step S404), and repeats the execution of step S404 until it can be determined here that "generated (Yes)". According to the determination in step S404, with the determination of "generated (Yes)", it can be determined that the reading unit 11 has read the same ID information again (that is, the same RF tag 100 has been waved again), and with the determination of "not generated (No)", it can be determined that the reading unit 11 has not read the same ID information again (that is, the same RF tag 100 has not been waved again).

[0081] And when the switching unit 121B can determine "generated (Yes)" in step S404, it ends the retention of the ID information by discarding the retained ID information (step S405). Specifically, the switching unit 121B erases the ID information stored in the variable Fd.

[0082] After the execution of step S405, the collation unit 121A transmits the discarded ID and the off signal Soff to the management device 2 through communication with the management device 2 (step S406). Here, the off signal Soff is a signal for notifying the management device 2 that the ID information has been discarded. Note that as the off signal Soff, one generated separately from the discard signal Sg by the switching unit 121B may be used, or the discard signal Sg may be used as it is. Thereafter, the switching unit 121B returns to step S401 and repeats the processing from step S401.

[0083] When the switching unit 121B transmits information in step S406 and the management device 2 receives the information, the management device 2 releases the state maintained for the target device. As an example, when the management device 2 maintains a state that permits an operation (such as a setting change) for the target device, it releases that state and prohibits the operation. As another example, when the management device 2 maintains a state in which two states that the target device can assume (such as on / off of the power) are switched from one to the other, it releases that state and returns to the original state. Thereby, in the management device 2, control corresponding to the holding state of the ID information by the switching unit 121B (here, control corresponding to the alternate operation mode) is executed.

[0084] According to such control processing (collation processing and switching processing) in the alternate operation mode, when the RF tag reader 1 holds the ID information read from the RF tag 100 when the RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110 and the collation with the ID information is successful, and then continues to hold the ID information until the RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110 again. Then, when the RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110 again, the RF tag reader 1 discards the held ID information.

[0085] Therefore, by setting the state in which the ID information is held (holding state) to the on state and the state in which the ID information is discarded (discarded state) to the off state, the RF tag reader 1 functions as a virtual switch whose state switches between them. In the alternate operation mode, when the RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110, it switches from the off state to the on state and remains in the on state until the same RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110 again. That is, when the verification of the ID information is successful, the virtual switch switches from the off state to the on state, and even when the reading of the ID information by the reading unit 11 stops, the virtual switch remains in the on state. Then, when the same ID information is read again by the reading unit 11, the virtual switch returns to the off state. And according to such control processing, the operation authority for the virtual switch can be given only to a specific user who possesses the authorized RF tag 100.

[0086] Also, such switching of the virtual switch is realized regardless of the type of the RF tag 100 or the presence or absence of the holder 112. Therefore, according to the control system of the present embodiment, the virtual switch (that is, the RF tag reader 1) can be operated as an alternate type switch regardless of the type of the RF tag 100 or the presence or absence of the holder 112.

[0087] Furthermore, in the alternate operation mode, during the period in which the ID information read from the RF tag 100 is held, even when another RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110, the original ID information remains held (see FIG. 9). Therefore, even when another RF tag 100 is held over, the original ID information is not discarded and the virtual switch does not return to the off state. That is, in the alternate operation mode, during the period in which the virtual switch is maintained in the on state, even when the reading unit 11 reads the ID information from another RF tag 100, the virtual switch remains in the on state.

[0088] [3] Modification Example [3-1] First Modification Example In the control system of the above-described embodiment, when the control process in the alternate operation mode is being executed, after the RF tag 100 that has succeeded in the collation in step S103 (FIG. 7) is removed from in front of the reading surface 110, if the user forgets to hold the same RF tag 100 in front of the reading surface 110 again, the processes of steps S306 to S310 (FIG. 7) will be repeatedly executed. For this reason, in the RF tag reader 1 that functions as a virtual switch, the ID information of the RF tag 100 remains held (that is, the virtual switch remains in the ON state). Also, in that situation, in another RF tag 100, the held ID information cannot be discarded (that is, the virtual switch cannot be returned to the OFF state), so operations of other users on the target device and the like will be restricted uselessly.

[0089] Therefore, the above-described control system may be changed to a configuration in which, after holding the ID information of the RF tag 100 in step S402 (FIG. 8), when a certain time (maintenance time Tm described later) has elapsed without the same RF tag 100 being held in front of the reading surface 110 again, the ID information is forcibly discarded. This will be specifically described below.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the switching process in the alternate operation mode executed by the control system according to the first modification example. In the control system of this modification example, a maintenance time Tm is set in the switching unit 121B. Here, the maintenance time Tm is the time for maintaining the holding of the ID information of the RF tag 100 after holding the ID information of the RF tag 100 in step S402. In other words, the maintenance time Tm is the time for maintaining the ON state after switching the virtual switch (that is, the RF tag reader 1) to the ON state in the alternate operation process.

[0091] Here, the setting of the maintenance time Tm is received by the information processing device 3. Specifically, the information processing device 3 displays a screen (setting screen Mt) for setting the maintenance time Tm on the display unit 30, and receives the time set by the user on the setting screen Mt as the maintenance time Tm.

[0092] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the setting screen Mt. In the example of FIG. 11, on the selection screen Ms, in addition to the check box Bc, an input box Bi for inputting the holding time Tm is displayed. This input box Bi becomes enabled for time input when the check box Bc is checked (i.e., when the alternate operation process is selected). And in FIG. 11, the screen in which the check box Bc is checked and the input to the input box Bi becomes enabled is shown as the setting screen Mt. Note that the setting screen Mt is not limited to this, and may be switched from the selection screen Ms and displayed when the alternate operation process is selected on the selection screen Ms, or may be pop-up displayed on the selection screen Ms.

[0093] And when the alternate operation process is selected on the selection screen Ms and the holding time Tm is set on the setting screen Mt in the information processing apparatus 3, in addition to the selection of the operation process, the setting of the holding time Tm is also accepted, and the accepted operation process and the holding time Tm are transmitted to the RF tag reader 1 (reception process). And this reception process is also executed by the reception unit 31 constructed in the information processing apparatus 3 (see FIG. 1).

[0094] In the switching process in the alternate operation mode in this modification example (see FIG. 10), in step S402, in addition to holding the ID information that the collation unit 121A successfully collated in step S103, the switching unit 121B substitutes the time at that time (the current time T) into the variable t2 in order to specify the time when the holding of the ID information started.

[0095] And after the switching unit 121B executes the information transmission to the management apparatus 2 in step S403, if the same ID information is not read again by the reading unit 11 until the holding time Tm elapses after the ID information is held in step S402, the ID information is forcibly discarded.

[0096] Specifically, when it is determined in step S404 (judgment as to whether the collation unit 121A has generated the discard signal Sg) that "not generated (No)", the switching unit 121B determines whether the difference between the current time T and the variable t2 (i.e., the elapsed time (T - t2) since the ID information was held in step S402) has reached the maintenance time Tm (step S411). When the switching unit 121B determines in step S411 that "not reached the maintenance time Tm (No)", it returns to step S404. Then, steps S404 and S411 are repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S404 that "generated (Yes)", or until it is determined in step S411 that "reached the maintenance time Tm (Yes)".

[0097] When the switching unit 121B determines in step S404 that "generated (Yes)", it discards the held ID information (step S405). Specifically, the switching unit 121B erases the ID information stored in the variable Fd. As a result, when the reading unit 11 reads the same ID information again (i.e., when the same RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110 again), the ID information is discarded, and as a result, the virtual switch (i.e., the RF tag reader 1) returns to the off state. Thereafter, the collation unit 121A transmits information to the management device 2 (transmits an off signal Soff, etc.) (step S406).

[0098] On the other hand, when the switching unit 121B determines in step S411 that "reached the maintenance time Tm (Yes)", even if it cannot be determined in step S404 that "generated (Yes)", it forcibly discards the held ID information (step S412). As a result, when a certain time (maintenance time Tm) has elapsed without the reading unit 11 reading the same ID information again after the ID information of the RF tag 100 is held (i.e., without the same RF tag 100 being held over the reading surface 110 again), the ID information is forcibly discarded, and as a result, the virtual switch (i.e., the RF tag reader 1) returns to the off state.

[0099] After the execution of step S412, the switching unit 121B generates an end signal Sh (step S413), and then transmits information to the management device 2 (such as transmitting the off signal Soff) (step S406). Here, the end signal Sh is a signal for returning the collation process to step S101. Therefore, when the end signal Sh is generated in step S413, the collation unit 121A ends the repetition of steps S306 to S310 (FIG. 7) in the collation process and returns to step S101.

[0100] As described above, in the alternate operation mode of this modified example, after the virtual switch is switched to the on state, if the reading unit 11 reads the same ID information again before the maintenance time Tm elapses, the virtual switch returns to the off state. Also, even when the maintenance time Tm elapses without the reading unit 11 reading the same ID information, the virtual switch returns to the off state.

[0101] According to the control process in such an alternate operation mode, even if the user forgets to hold the same RF tag 100 in front of the reading surface 110 again after the RF tag 100 that has successfully passed the collation is removed from in front of the reading surface 110, when a certain time (maintenance time Tm) has elapsed, the virtual switch returns to the off state and a new operation can be accepted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operations of other users on the target device from being restricted uselessly.

[0102] Also, in this modified example, since the maintenance time Tm can be appropriately set on the setting screen Mt, the user can change the maintenance time Tm according to the application.

[0103] [3-2] Second Modified Example FIG. 12 is a diagram visualizing the content of control processing in the momentary operation mode executed by the control system according to the second modification. As shown in FIG. 12, in the above-described control system, the momentary operation process is not limited to being executed only in the single-shot mode that temporarily turns on a virtual switch (i.e., the RF tag reader 1). When the RF tag 100 is held over the reading surface 110 for a relatively long time, and the same ID information is read by the reading unit 11 during the holding period of the ID information of the RF tag 100, it may be changed to switch from the single-shot mode to the continuous mode. Here, the continuous mode is a mode in which the holding of the ID information held in the single-shot mode is extended, and the ID information is continuously held for a predetermined time longer than the single-shot mode. And in the continuous mode, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the ID information is discarded (i.e., the on state is maintained for a predetermined time, and it automatically turns off when the predetermined time has elapsed).

[0104] [3-3]Third Modification In the above-described control system, the selection of the operation process (alternate operation process and momentary operation process) is not limited to reception on the selection screen Ms (reception unit 31), and may be performed based on the type of the RF tag 100 held by the user and its ID information, etc.

[0105] [3-4]Fourth Modification In the above-described control system, at least one of the collation unit 121A and the switching unit 121B may be constructed in the management device 2. In this case, for various processes executed by the management device 2, the management device 2 operates as a host device for the RF tag reader 1. Thus, the RF tag reader 1, according to the control by the management device 2 (for example, the control unit 121 controls the reading unit 11 according to a command transmitted from the management device 2), performs the necessary operations at that time (for example, radio wave transmission and ID information reading necessary for the collation process). In this way, the RF tag reader 1 may function as a virtual switch not only when it executes a program by itself, but also when a part or all of its operations are controlled by the management device 2.

[0106] [3-5] Fifth Modification Example In the control system described above, the information processing device 3 can also be used as a processing device for registering or deleting ID information used in the collation by the RF tag reader 1 (that is, adding registered ID information to the storage unit 122 or deleting registered ID information from the storage unit 122). Generally, as such an information processing device 3, a notebook PC installed with software for registering or deleting ID information is used. And when registration or deletion of ID information is required, each time, the user brings the notebook PC to the site, connects it to the RF tag reader 1, and through the screen of the notebook PC, adds registered ID information to the storage unit 122 or deletes registered ID information from the storage unit 122.

[0107] However, in a control system that uses a notebook PC to register or delete ID information, when registration or deletion of ID information is required, each time, the user is forced to bear the burden of having to bring the notebook PC to the site.

[0108] Therefore, the control system described above may be appropriately modified to the following configuration. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a control system according to the fifth modification example. As shown in FIG. 13, a programmable display 32 may be used as the information processing device 3 instead of the notebook PC. And the programmable display 32 may be permanently installed at the site together with the RF tag reader 1. Here, the programmable display 32 may be provided with a function for registering or deleting ID information on the touch panel of the target device (such as a machine tool) installed at the site, or may be permanently installed at the site separately from such a touch panel.

[0109] In the configuration of such a control system, when the RF tag reader 1 supports an open protocol such as Modbus TCP, the programmable display 32 is also used with the same communication protocol as the open protocol used by the RF tag reader 1 so that communication via the open protocol between the RF tag reader 1 and the programmable display 32 becomes possible.

[0110] FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the programmable display 32. As shown in FIG. 14, on the programmable display 32 (display unit 30), a screen (registration / deletion screen Mu) for registering or deleting ID information is displayed. In this modification example, the registration / deletion screen Mu is a screen including software-implemented buttons and display fields. Specifically, it includes a registration button, a deletion button, a change button, a cancel button, an update button, an ID information display field, a registration status display field, an authority information display field, an ID information display field, and a name display field.

[0111] Here, the ID information display field is a field in which the ID information transmitted from the RF tag reader 1 is displayed. The registration status display field is a field in which the registration status of the ID information displayed in the ID information display field is displayed. When it is in the registered state (including the provisional registration state), the display of "completed" lights up, and when it is in the unregistered state (including the deleted or provisionally deleted state), the display of "uncompleted" lights up. The authority information display field is a field in which information about the authority permitted for the ID information displayed in the ID information display field is displayed. As a specific example, the authority includes the authority to operate the target device, the authority to maintain the target device, the authority to change the settings of the target device, the authority to enter the room where the target device is installed, and the like. Also, the authority information is something like a number associated with each authority and is composed of a smaller number of bits than the ID information. The name display field is a field in which the name associated with the ID information displayed in the ID information display field is displayed, and for the name, a name such as a surname or a job title is used as something that is easy for the user to recognize.

[0112] The programmable display 32 (reception unit 31) receives the registration or deletion operation performed by the user using the buttons and display fields in the above-described registration / deletion screen Mu, and transmits the received operation content to the RF tag reader 1 (reception process). Then, the RF tag reader 1 executes the processing (registration process or deletion process) necessary for the registration or deletion of the ID information according to the received operation content.

[0113] Hereinafter, an example of the registration or deletion operation procedure performed using the registration / deletion screen Mu and the processing in the programmable display 32 and the RF tag reader 1 executed according to the operation at that time will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0114] <Registration of ID information> Figs. 15(A) to 15(C) are diagrams showing in order the changes in the registration / deletion screen Mu caused by the operation when registering ID information. Also, Figs. 16A to 16C are flowcharts showing the processing (reception process and registration process) in the programmable display 32 and the RF tag reader 1 (mainly the control unit 121) executed according to the operation when registering ID information.

[0115] When registering ID information, the user first presses the registration button on the registration / deletion screen Mu to turn it on (see Fig. 15(A)). At this time, the programmable display 32 determines whether the registration button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S501 in Fig. 16A). If it can be determined that "pressed (Yes)" in step S501, a registration process command Sr1 for causing the RF tag reader 1 to execute the processing necessary for the registration of ID information is transmitted (step S502 in Fig. 16A). In Fig. 15(A), the on state of the registration button is indicated by hatching. Hereinafter, in the drawings, the on state of other buttons will also be indicated by hatching in the same manner.

[0116] The RF tag reader 1 determines whether it has received the registration processing command Sr1 (step S601 in FIG. 16A). If it is determined in step S601 that the command has been received ("Yes"), the RF tag reader 1 then executes the processing necessary for registering the ID information. Specifically, the RF tag reader 1 enables the reading of ID information by the reading unit 11 (step S602 in FIG. 16A), and then determines whether there has been a reading of ID information by the reading unit 11 (step S603 in FIG. 16A). In this state, the user causes the RF tag reader 1 to read the ID information to be registered. Specifically, the user holds the RF tag 100 in which the ID information to be registered is recorded over the reading unit 11 of the RF tag reader 1, thereby causing the RF tag reader 1 to read the ID information. Then, if the RF tag reader 1 determines in step S603 that there has been a reading ("Yes"), the RF tag reader 1 refers to the ID information (registered ID information) in the storage unit 122 to determine whether the read ID information is unregistered or already registered (step S604 in FIG. 16A).

[0117] If the RF tag reader 1 determines in step S604 that the ID information is "unregistered", based on this determination, it can be determined that it is permissible to register the read ID information (i.e., add it to the storage unit 122) because it does not duplicate the existing information in the storage unit 122. In this case, the RF tag reader 1 temporarily sets the read ID information to a provisional registration state (step S605 in FIG. 16A). Specifically, the RF tag reader 1 stores the read ID information in the RAM, and in this state, waits while repeatedly executing steps S606A and 606B (see FIG. 16B) until either the final registration command signal Sr4 (see step S508 in FIG. 16B) for performing the final registration (addition to the storage unit 122) or the cancel signal Sr5 (see step S507C in FIG. 16B) for canceling the registration is transmitted from the programmable display 32. Also, in step S605, the RF tag reader 1 transmits the temporarily registered ID information and the provisional registration signal Sr2 for notifying that the ID information has been temporarily registered to the programmable display 32.

[0118] After transmitting the registration process command Sr1 in step S502, the programmable display 32 determines whether or not it has received the provisional registration signal Sr2 from the RF tag reader 1 (step S503 in FIG. 16A). Then, if the programmable display 32 determines "received (Yes)" in step S503, on the registration / deletion screen Mu, it lights up the display of "completed" in the registration status display column based on the received provisional registration signal Sr2, and displays the ID information received together with the provisional registration signal Sr2 in the ID information display column (step S504 in FIG. 16B; see FIG. 15(B)). Further, since the provisionally registered ID information does not have associated authority information and name at this point, the programmable display 32 displays predetermined default values in the authority information display column and the name display column of the registration / deletion screen Mu (see FIG. 15(B)).

[0119] On such a registration / deletion screen Mu, the user can, if necessary, press the change button to turn it on and then rewrite the values in the authority information display column and the name display column (see FIG. 15(C)). At this time, the programmable display 32 determines whether or not the change button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S505 in FIG. 16B), and if it can be determined "pressed (Yes)" in step S505, enables the input to the authority information display column and the name display column (step S506 in FIG. 16B). In this state, the user can rewrite the values in the authority information display column and the name display column as necessary.

[0120] Thereafter, the user can finalize the content finally displayed on the registration / deletion screen Mu by pressing the update button on the registration / deletion screen Mu. Alternatively, the user can also cancel the registration (addition) of the ID information displayed on the registration / deletion screen Mu by pressing the cancel button. At this time, the programmable display 32 determines whether the update button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S507A in FIG. 16B). If it can be determined that "pressed (Yes)" in step S507A, a registration command signal Sr4 for executing this registration is transmitted to the RF tag reader 1 together with the authority information and name finally displayed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S508 in FIG. 16B). On the other hand, if the programmable display 32 determines "not pressed (No)" in step S507A, it further determines whether the cancel button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S507B in FIG. 16B). If it can be determined that "pressed (Yes)" in step S507B, a cancel signal Sr5 for canceling the registration process is transmitted to the RF tag reader 1 (step S507C in FIG. 16B).

[0121] After setting the ID information in the provisional registration state in step S605 (after transmitting the provisional registration signal Sr2), the RF tag reader 1 determines whether the registration command signal Sr4 has been received (step S606A in FIG. 16B). If it can be determined that "received (Yes)" in step S606A, the ID information set in the provisional registration state, the authority information and name received together with the registration command signal Sr4 are associated with each other and added to the storage unit 122 (step S607A in FIG. 16B). On the other hand, if the RF tag reader 1 determines "not received (No)" in step S606A, it further determines whether the cancel signal Sr5 has been received (step S606B in FIG. 16B). If it can be determined that "received (Yes)" in step S606B, the previous processing is reset and the process returns to step S601 (step S607B in FIG. 16B).

[0122] FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing a list of registered ID information (i.e., ID information stored in the storage unit 122). In FIG. 17, for each registered ID information, a corresponding name (surname and job title) and authority information (number representing the authority) are associated. By managing the registered ID information in a state where the name and authority information are associated in this way, the RF tag reader 1 can perform the following management and control.

[0123] When the RF tag reader 1 reads ID information from the RF tag 100 when the RF tag 100 is held over the reading unit 11, by using the name associated with the read ID information in combination with the time when the ID information was read, etc., the system can be managed (management of user entry and exit, operation history (traceability), etc.).

[0124] Also, when the RF tag reader 1 transmits the verification result for the ID information read by the reading unit 11 to the management device 2 (in the above embodiment, when transmitting the on signal Son to the management device 2 when the verification is "successful"), together with the verification result, the authority information associated with the ID information can also be transmitted to the management device 2. And when the management device 2 receives the authority information together with the verification result, it can perform control on the target device, etc. within the scope of the authority associated with the authority information. By managing the authority associated with each ID information using authority information composed of a smaller number of bits than the ID information, it becomes possible to simplify the processing required for control.

[0125] In step S604 of FIG. 16A, when the RF tag reader 1 determines that the read ID information is "already registered", the RF tag reader 1 can determine that, based on this determination, the read ID information duplicates the existing information in the storage unit 122 if it is newly registered. Therefore, the RF tag reader 1 does not permit new registration (i.e., addition to the storage unit 122) for the ID information, and sets the ID information in a state (modifiable state) where only the associated authority information and name can be changed (step S611 in FIG. 16A). Specifically, when the RF tag reader 1 determines in step S603 that the information is "already registered", it reads out the authority information and name associated with the read ID information from the storage unit 122, and stores the read information together with the ID information in the RAM. In that state, the RF tag reader 1 waits while repeatedly executing steps S612A and 612B (see FIG. 16C) until either a change command signal Sr6 (see step S516 in FIG. 16C) for rewriting the information or a cancel signal Sr5 (see step S515C in FIG. 16C) for canceling the registration is transmitted from the programmable display 32. Also, in step S611, the RF tag reader 1 transmits the read ID information, a registered signal Sr3 for notifying that the ID information is already registered, and the authority information and name already associated with the ID information to the programmable display 32.

[0126] After the programmable display 32 transmits the registration process command Sr1 in step S502, if it determines in step S503 that the provisional registration signal Sr2 "has not been received (No)", it further determines whether or not it has received the registered signal Sr3 from the RF tag reader 1 (step S511 in FIG. 16A). Then, if the programmable display 32 can determine in step S511 that it "has received (Yes)", on the registration / deletion screen Mu, it lights up the display of "completed" in the registration status display column based on the received registered signal Sr3, and displays the ID information received together with the registered signal Sr3 in the ID information display column (step S512 in FIG. 16C). Further, the programmable display 32 displays the authority information and the name value received together with the registered signal Sr3 in the authority information display column and the name display column of the registration / deletion screen Mu, respectively.

[0127] On such a registration / deletion screen Mu, the user can, if necessary, press the change button to turn it on and then rewrite the values in the authority information display column and the name display column. At this time, the programmable display 32 determines whether or not the change button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S513 in FIG. 16C), and if it can determine in step S513 that it "has been pressed (Yes)", it enables the input to the authority information display column and the name display column (step S514 in FIG. 16C). In this state, the user can rewrite the values in the authority information display column and the name display column as necessary.

[0128] After that, the user can finalize the content finally displayed on the registration / deletion screen Mu by pressing the update button on the registration / deletion screen Mu. Alternatively, the user can also cancel the change (rewrite) of the authority information display column and the name display column by pressing the cancel button. At this time, the programmable display 32 determines whether the update button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S515A in FIG. 16C). If it can be determined as "pressed (Yes)" in step S515A, a change command signal Sr6 for executing the change to the authority information and name finally displayed on the registration / deletion screen Mu is transmitted to the RF tag reader 1 (step S516 in FIG. 16C). On the other hand, if the programmable display 32 determines as "not pressed (No)" in step S515A, it further determines whether the cancel button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S515B in FIG. 16C). If it can be determined as "pressed (Yes)" in step S515B, a cancel signal Sr5 for stopping the registration process is transmitted to the RF tag reader 1 (step S515C in FIG. 16B).

[0129] After enabling the change of the authority information and name associated with the ID information in step S611, the RF tag reader 1 determines whether the change command signal Sr6 has been received (step S612A in FIG. 16C). If it can be determined as "received (Yes)" in step S612A, the authority information and name associated with the above ID information in the storage unit 122 are rewritten to the values of the authority information and name received together with the change command signal Sr6 (step S613A in FIG. 16C). On the other hand, if the RF tag reader 1 determines as "not received (No)" in step S612A, it further determines whether the cancel signal Sr5 has been received (step S612B in FIG. 16C). If it can be determined as "received (Yes)" in step S612B, the previous processing is reset and the process returns to step S601 (step S613B in FIG. 16C).

[0130] <Deletion of ID information> FIG. 18(A) and FIG. 18(B) are diagrams showing the changes in the registration / deletion screen Mu caused by the operation when deleting ID information, in order. Further, FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B are flowcharts showing the processing (reception processing and deletion processing) in the programmable display 32 and the RF tag reader 1 (mainly the control unit 121) executed in response to the operation when deleting ID information.

[0131] When deleting ID information, the user first presses the delete button on the registration / deletion screen Mu to turn it on (see FIG. 18(A)). At this time, the programmable display 32 determines whether the delete button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S521 in FIG. 19A). If it can be determined in step S521 that "pressed (Yes)", a deletion processing command St1 for causing the RF tag reader 1 to execute the processing necessary for deleting the ID information is transmitted (step S522 in FIG. 19A).

[0132] The RF tag reader 1 determines whether the deletion processing command St1 has been received (step S621 in FIG. 19A). If it can be determined in step S621 that "received (Yes)", thereafter, the processing necessary for deleting the ID information is executed. Specifically, the RF tag reader 1 enables the reading of the ID information by the reading unit 11 (step S622 in FIG. 19A), and then determines whether there has been a reading of the ID information by the reading unit 11 (step S623 in FIG. 19A). In this state, the user causes the RF tag reader 1 to read the ID information to be deleted. Specifically, the user holds the RF tag 100 in which the ID information to be deleted is recorded over the reading unit 11 of the RF tag reader 1 to cause the RF tag reader 1 to read the ID information. Then, if it can be determined in step S623 that "there has been a reading (Yes)", the RF tag reader 1 determines whether the read ID information is unregistered or already registered by referring to the ID information (registered ID information) in the storage unit 122 (step S624 in FIG. 19A).

[0133] When the RF tag reader 1 determines in step S624 that it is "already registered", it can thus determine that the ID information that the user is attempting to delete exists in the storage unit 122. In this case, the RF tag reader 1 temporarily sets the read ID information to a state of temporary deletion (step S625 in FIG. 19A). Specifically, the RF tag reader 1 reads out the authority information and name associated with the read ID information from the storage unit 122, and saves the read information together with the ID information as deletion targets in the RAM. In that state, the RF tag reader 1 waits while repeatedly executing steps S626A and 626B (see FIG. 19B) until either a permanent deletion command signal St4 (see step S526 in FIG. 19B) for performing the permanent deletion (deletion from the storage unit 122) or a cancel signal St5 (see step S525C in FIG. 19B) for canceling the deletion is transmitted from the programmable display 32. Also, in step S625, the RF tag reader 1 transmits the read ID information, a temporary deletion signal St2 for notifying that the ID information has been temporarily deleted, and the authority information and name already associated with the ID information to the programmable display 32.

[0134] After transmitting the deletion processing command St1 in step S522, the programmable display 32 determines whether it has received the temporary deletion signal St2 from the RF tag reader 1 (step S523 in FIG. 19A). And when the programmable display 32 can determine in step S523 that it has "received (Yes)", on the registration / deletion screen Mu, it lights up the display of "not" in the registration status display column based on the received temporary deletion signal St2, and displays the ID information received together with the temporary deletion signal St2 in the ID information display column (step S524 in FIG. 19B; see FIG. 18(B)). Further, the programmable display 32 displays the values of the authority information and name received together with the temporary deletion signal St2 in the authority information display column and the name display column of the registration / deletion screen Mu, respectively (see FIG. 18(B)).

[0135] In such a registration / deletion screen Mu, the user can confirm the deletion of the ID information displayed on the registration / deletion screen Mu by pressing the update button. Alternatively, the user can also cancel the deletion of the ID information displayed on the registration / deletion screen Mu by pressing the cancel button. At this time, the programmable display 32 determines whether the update button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S525A in FIG. 19B). If it can be determined in step S525A that "it has been pressed (Yes)", a main deletion command signal St4 for executing this deletion is transmitted to the RF tag reader 1 (step S526 in FIG. 19B). On the other hand, if the programmable display 32 determines in step S525A that "it has not been pressed (No)", it further determines whether the cancel button has been pressed on the registration / deletion screen Mu (step S525B in FIG. 19B). If it can be determined in step S525B that "it has been pressed (Yes)", a cancel signal St5 for canceling the deletion process is transmitted to the RF tag reader 1 (step S525C in FIG. 19B).

[0136] After setting the ID information to the temporary deletion state in step S625 (after transmitting the temporary deletion signal St2), the RF tag reader 1 determines whether the main deletion command signal St4 has been received (step S626A in FIG. 19B). If it can be determined in step S626A that "it has been received (Yes)", the ID information set in the temporary deletion state, the associated authority information, and the name are deleted from the storage unit 122 (step S627A in FIG. 19B). On the other hand, if the RF tag reader 1 determines in step S626A that "it has not been received (No)", it further determines whether the cancel signal St5 has been received (step S626B in FIG. 19B). If it can be determined in step S626B that "it has been received (Yes)", the previous processing is reset and the process returns to step S621 (step S627B in FIG. 19B).

[0137] Here, in step S627A, the ID information to be deleted may be completely erased from the storage unit 122, or may be set to invalid while being stored in the storage unit 122 without being erased.

[0138] In step S624 of FIG. 19A, when the RF tag reader 1 determines that the read ID information is "unregistered", the RF tag reader 1 can determine, based on this determination, that there is no target (ID information) to be deleted in the storage unit 122. In this case, the RF tag reader 1 transmits an error signal St3 to the programmable display 32 in order to inform the user of this (step S631 in FIG. 19A).

[0139] After transmitting the deletion processing command St1 in step S522, when the programmable display 32 determines in step S523 that the temporary deletion signal St2 has not been "received (No)", the programmable display 32 further determines whether it has received the error signal St3 from the RF tag reader 1 (step S531 in FIG. 19A). Then, when the programmable display 32 can determine in step S531 that it has "received (Yes)", on the registration / deletion screen Mu, it notifies the user of the occurrence of an error that cannot be deleted by means such as lamp lighting or character display (step S532 in FIG. 19A).

[0140] According to such a programmable display 32, it becomes possible to register or delete ID information without bringing a notebook PC to the site, thus reducing the burden on the user. Also, according to the processing executed by the above-described RF tag reader 1 and programmable display 32, it is possible to facilitate the registration or deletion of ID information at the site.

[0141] Furthermore, the operation procedures for registering or deleting the above-described ID information and the processes executed according to the operations at that time are merely examples, and may be appropriately changed, for example, so that the operations and processes become simpler. Also, in the control system according to this modification example, the processing in the programmable display 32 for enabling the registration or deletion of ID information may be executed by the management device 2 (such as a PLC) instead of the programmable display 32.

[0142] Furthermore, the programmable display 32 may be appropriately changed to one that enables selection of the alternate operation process and the momentary operation process described in the above embodiment.

[0143] [3-6] Sixth Modification Example The above-described control system (see FIGS. 1 and 13) may be changed to a configuration without the management device 2. In this case, instead of the management device 2, the information processing device 3 or the programmable display 32 can be operated as a host device for the RF tag reader 1. According to such a control system, it becomes possible to simplify its configuration and control.

[0144] The descriptions of the above embodiments and modification examples should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above embodiments or modification examples. That is, from the descriptions of the above embodiments and modification examples, as the minimum necessary components of the control system according to the present invention, the reading unit 11, the collation unit 121A, and the switching unit 121B can be extracted, and also the case where the switching unit 121B performs only the alternate operation process can be extracted. Furthermore, it is intended that the scope of the present invention includes all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0145] Also, in the descriptions of the above embodiments and modification examples, not only the invention described in the claims but also the configurations of each device included in the control system (including various processing units), the control processes executed by each device, and parts thereof are included as the invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0146] 1 RF tag reader 2 Management device 3 Information processing device T Current time 11 Reading unit 12 Communication unit 30 Display unit 31 Reception unit 32 Programmable display 50 Network Bc Check box Bi Input box Ms Selection screen Mt Setting screen Mu Registration / deletion screen Sf Hold signal Sg Discard signal Sh End signal Tm Maintenance time 100 RF tag 110 Reading surface 112 Holder 113 Light emitting unit 121 Control unit 121A Verification unit 121B Switching unit 122 Memory unit 124 Communication interface Sr1 Registration processing command Sr2 Provisional registration signal Sr3 Registered signal Sr4 Final registration command signal Sr5 Cancellation signal Sr6 Change command signal St1 Deletion processing command St2 Provisional deletion signal St3 Error signal St4 Final deletion command signal St5 Cancellation signal Tc1, Tc2, tp1 Predetermined time Son On signal Soff Off signal

Claims

1. A reading unit that reads ID (Identifier) information from an RF (Radio Frequency) tag, A verification unit that verifies the ID information read by the reading unit, A switching unit that switches between an off state and an on state of a virtual switch. When the verification of the ID information by the verification unit is successful, the switch is switched from the off state to the on state. Even when the reading of the ID information by the reading unit stops, the switch is maintained in the on state. Then, when the same ID information is read again by the reading unit, an alternate operation process of returning the switch to the off state can be executed. A switching unit, A control system comprising the above.

2. The switching unit, The alternate operation process, When the verification of the ID information by the verification unit is successful, the switch is switched from the off state to the on state. Then, when the reading of the ID information by the reading unit stops, a momentary operation process of returning the switch to the off state, The control system according to claim 1, which can selectively execute the above.

3. The control system according to claim 2, further comprising a first reception unit that receives a selection by a user as to which of the alternate operation process and the momentary operation process is to be executed by the switching unit.

4. During the period when the switch is maintained in the on state in the alternate operation process, the switching unit continues to maintain the switch in the on state even when the reading unit reads ID information from another RF tag. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A holding time for maintaining the on state after the switch is switched to the on state in the alternate operation process is set in the switching unit. After the switch is switched to the on state in the alternate operation process, if the same ID information is read again by the reading unit before the holding time elapses, the switching unit returns the switch to the off state. Also, even when the holding time elapses without the same ID information being read by the reading unit, the switching unit returns the switch to the off state. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The control system according to claim 5, further comprising a second reception unit that receives a setting of the holding time by a user.

7. When the verification of the ID (Identifier) information read from the RF (Radio Frequency) tag by the reading unit is successful, a virtual switch is switched from the off state to the on state, and even when the reading of the ID information by the reading unit stops, the switch is maintained in the on state. Then, when the same ID information is read again by the reading unit, an alternate operation process of returning the switch to the off state is executed by the processing device. A control program.

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