Abstract:
An apparatus for encoding RFID tag is disclosed, the apparatus including an RFID reader managing an encoding section for encoding tag information on a tag in a case a trigger signal is received from a PLC and an inspection section for inspecting the encoded tag information, whereby productivity can be enhanced and a high speed encoding can be realized.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Pursuant to  35  U.S.C.§ 119  (a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2012-0038468, filed on Apr. 13, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for encoding RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure that are described or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light and not as admissions of prior art. 
         [0006]    Generally, packing containers are attached with bar codes or bar code stickers to enable an easy identification of products, but the bar code system suffers from disadvantages in that information can be obtained by contact with the products. 
         [0007]    In order to overcome this disadvantage of the bar code system, products replacing the bar codes with RFID tags are continuously developed one after another. 
         [0008]    Generally, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technique is a technique for identifying a data carrier by using a radio wave without contact. With this technique, an “IC chip and an antenna-embedded” tag (RFID tag) is attached to an object or a person, a device called an RFID reader/writer, and the RFID tag makes a communication by using a radio wave, and the RFID reader/writer reads information stored in the IC chip (RFID tag IC), whereby the object or the person is identified. 
         [0009]    That is, the (RFID) tags are electronic devices that may be affixed to items whose presence is to be detected and/or monitored. To be more specific, the RFID system employs an RFID tag that is attached to a product to transmit detailed information, and an RFID transmitter/receiver capable of reading identification information stored in the RFID tag using an RF communication. The RFID tag transmits information using radio frequency communication by passing through an area positioned with the transmitter/receiver to provide a base for an effective control on logistics/distribution such as product distribution, assembly, price change, security, environmental control, safety and marketing, to name a few. 
         [0010]    Methods for encoding tag information desired by a user from an RFID tag may include individual encoding of individual tag using a fixed reader, continuous encoding and inspection of RFID tags on a conveyor by individually mounting an antenna for encoding and an antenna for inspection on the conveyor, and printing tag information by temporarily stopping an individual tag of a loaded tag roll when the individual tag reaches a predetermined position using an RFID printer. However, the conventional encoding methods suffer from disadvantages in that productivity decreases due to manual work of individual tags, a plurality of antennas is required, and encoding speed decreases due to temporary stop of the individual tags on a tag roll during encoding. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0011]    The present disclosure is disclosed to obviate the above-mentioned disadvantages, and to provide an apparatus for encoding RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags configured to perform encoding and inspection of RFID tags using a signal antenna with a predetermined tag identification range during the tags being continuously moved. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for encoding RFID tags configured to perform an encoding and inspection while a dielectric substance is attached to a bottom surface of an RFID tag. 
         [0013]    In one general aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for encoding RFID tags, the apparatus comprising:
       a tag detection sensor detecting a position of a tag arranged on a tag roll;   a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) generating a trigger signal while the tag detection sensor detects the position of the tag;   an RFID reader encoding tag information of the tag in a case the trigger signal is received from the PLC, and inspecting information encoded on the tag;   an antenna transmitting the signal received from the RFID reader and receiving the signal from the tag according to a variably-set tag identification range; and   a panel oppositely formed from the antenna and spaced apart from the antenna at a predetermined distance, and contacting one surface of the tag within the tag identification range.       
 
         [0019]    In some exemplary embodiments, the tag detection sensor may detect the position of the tag using a gap between each tag of the tag roll. 
         [0020]    In some exemplary embodiments, the tag detection sensor may detect the position of the tag using an identification mark printed between each tag of the tag roll. 
         [0021]    In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a shield unit formed at one surface of the antenna and variable in size of an opening to allow the antenna to transmit and receive the signal within the tag identification range. 
         [0022]    In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a dielectric substance formed oppositely from the panel and spaced apart from the panel as much as a thickness of the tag to contact the other surface of the tag within the tag identification range. 
         [0023]    In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a printing unit formed on a transfer path of the tag to print additional information on the tag. 
         [0024]    In some exemplary embodiments, the antenna may be a single antenna configured to perform an encoding and inspection of the tag information. 
         [0025]    In some exemplary embodiments, the RFID reader may perform the encoding by transmitting the tag information (first tag information) to the tag through the antenna at a first section. 
         [0026]    In some exemplary embodiments, the RFID reader may perform the encoding by transmitting the tag information (second tag information) to the tag through the antenna at a second section. 
         [0027]    In some exemplary embodiments, the RFID reader may determine that the RFID tag is normal, in a case the first tag information and the second tag information are same. 
         [0028]    In an advantageous effect, the apparatus for encoding an RFID tag according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can detect a position of an individual tag arranged on a tag roll during continuous movement of the tag and perform an tag information encoding and inspection using a single antenna, in a case the individual tag is positioned at a predetermined tag identification range, whereby productivity can be improved and a high speed encoding can be enabled. 
         [0029]    In another advantageous effect, the apparatus for encoding an RFID tag according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can perform an encoding and inspection of tag information under a state analogous to an environment a tag is actually used by allowing a dielectric substance having a predetermined permittivity to contact a bottom surface of the tag. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principle of the disclosure. In the drawings: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an apparatus for encoding an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating a tag roll applied to an apparatus for encoding an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of an apparatus for encoding an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    The disclosed embodiments and advantages thereof are best understood by referring to the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments, and protected by the accompanying drawings. Further, the illustrated figures are only exemplary and not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environment, architecture, or process in which different embodiments may be implemented. Accordingly, the described aspect is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope and novel idea of the present invention. 
         [0035]    Now, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an apparatus for encoding an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0037]    The apparatus for encoding an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure uses a tag roll  20  wound by a plurality of tags  10  in a roll type. Furthermore, before the tag roll  20  loaded on an unwinder  30  is rewound in a roll type on a rewinder  40  through a tag transfer path, an encoding and inspection may be performed on an individual tag by the apparatus for encoding RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus for encoding the RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a tag detection sensor  110 , a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller,  120 ), a GPIO (General Purpose Input Output,  130 ), an RFID reader  140 , an antenna  150 , a shield unit  160 , a panel  170  and a dielectric substance  180 . 
         [0039]    The tag detection sensor  110  detects each position of tags arranged on the tag roll  20  and transmits a detection signal to the PLC  120 . The tag detection sensor  110  may detect the position of individual tag using a predetermined mark formed on the tag roll  20 . 
         [0040]    Now, referring to  FIG. 2  (a), the tag detection sensor  110  may detect the position of individual tag  10  using an identification mark  50  printed between each tag  10  mounted on the tag roll  20 , or referring to  FIG. 2  ( b ), the tag detection sensor  110  may detect the position of individual tag  10  using a gap (G,  60 ) between each tag  10  mounted on the tag roll  20 . 
         [0041]    The PLC  120  has an overall control over the apparatus for encoding the RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In a case a detection signal is received from the tag detection sensor  110 , the PLC  120  transmits a trigger signal to the RFID reader  140  through the GPIO  130 . Furthermore, the PLC  120  receives information on an encoding process status and an inspection result from the RFID reader  140  while the encoding and inspection are performed on the tags  10 , and displays the information on a display device (not shown) to allow a user to review the information. 
         [0042]    The GPIO  130  serves as an interface between the PLC  120  and the RFID reader  140 . The PLC  120  and the RFID reader  140  may exchange signals through the GPIO  130 . The RFID reader  140  receives a trigger signal transmitted from the PLC  120  through the GPIO  130 . In a case the trigger signal is received, the RFID reader  140  performs the encoding and the inspection for a predetermined period of time. At this time, the predetermined period of time includes an encoding section and an inspection section, and is so set up as to allow the encoding and the inspection to be performed while the tag  10  is being transferred. 
         [0043]    The RFID reader  140  encodes the tag information by transmitting the tag information via the antenna  150  at the encoding section. The RFID reader  140  receives the tag information encoded from the tag  10  at the inspection section, and compares if the tag information transmitted from the tag  10  matches the tag information transmitted to the tag  10  at the encoding section. 
         [0044]    The RFID reader determines that the RFID tag is normal, in a case the first tag information and the second tag information are same or matched as a result of the comparison, and determines that the RFID tag is abnormal or bad, in a case the first tag information and the second tag information are same or matched as a result of the comparison. The RFID reader  140  transmits the normal or abnormal inspection result to the PLC  120  through the GPIO  130 . The PLC  120  may provide the inspection result received from the RFID reader  140  through the GPIO  130  to a user via a display unit (not shown). 
         [0045]    The predetermined period of time for performing the encoding and the inspection on the tag  10  is progressed in a case the RFID reader  140  receives the trigger signal. Whenever the tag detection sensor  110  detects each tag  10  arranged on the tag roll  20 , the PLC  120  may generate a trigger signal and the RFID reader  140  may perform the encoding and inspection processes on each tag  10  in response to the trigger signal. 
         [0046]    The antenna  150  is formed on a tag transfer path, transmits a signal provided from the RFID reader  140  within a tag identification range and receives the signal from the tag  10 . That is, the antenna  150  transmits the tag information provided from the RFID reader  140  at the encoding section to the tag  10 , receives the tag information from the tag  10  at the inspection section, and transmits the tag information to the RFID reader  140 . Furthermore, the antenna  150  may be formed in a single antenna configured to simultaneously perform the encoding of the tag information and the inspection of the tag information. 
         [0047]    The shield unit  160  is formed at one surface (i.e., a radiation surface from which a signal is emitted) of the antenna  150 , and is formed with an opening to allow the antenna to transmit or receive a signal within a tag identification range. At this time, the tag identification range is a scope in which a signal having an appropriate size and directivity can be emitted through the antenna  150  to allow the tag information to be encoded without causing any error on the individual tag  10 . 
         [0048]    The tag identification range may be differently set up depending on a pitch of the tag  10  arranged on the tag roll  20  and a moving speed of the tag roll  20 , and it is preferable that the opening be variably formed in size. The antenna  150  can receive and transmit a signal through the opening, such that the size of the opening is changed in response to changes in the tag identification range, whereby the antenna  150  can individually transmit a signal to or receive the signal from the each individual tag  10  without any interference from other tags. 
         [0049]    Meantime, the tag identification range may be set up with a time limit added thereto, and the tag identification range may be set up in such a manner that a signal is emitted through the antenna  150  within the tag identification range after the RFID reader  140  receives the trigger signal from the PLC  120  and the tag roll  20  moves at a predetermined length, for example. 
         [0050]    The panel  170  is formed on the tag transfer path in response to the tag identification range. The panel  170  is arranged oppositely formed from the antenna  150 , being spaced apart at a predetermined distance. The tag roll  20 , to be more specific, each tag  10  is transferred, being in contact with one surface of the panel  170  opposite to the antenna  150 , and goes through the encoding and inspection processes by the RFID reader  140 , in a case the tag  10  is brought into contact with the one surface of the panel  170 . 
         [0051]    The dielectric substance  180  having a predetermined permittivity is oppositely formed from the panel  170  and distanced as much as a thickness of the tag  10 , whereby the tag  10  is transferred, while being contacted between the panel  170  and the dielectric substance within the tag identification range. 
         [0052]    Hence, the encoding and inspection processes are performed by the RFID reader  140  while an upper surface and a bottom surface of the tag  10  are brought into contact with the panel  170  and the dielectric substance  180 . The permittivity of the dielectric substance  180  may be determined in consideration of permittivity of an article to be actually attached with the tag  10 , and as a result, the tag information encoding is performed under a state analogous to an actual use environment of the tag  10  attached to a predetermined article, whereby an encoding error can be reduced. 
         [0053]    A printing unit  190  is formed at an upper surface of the tag  10  moving along the tag transfer path to print on a surface of the tag  10  additional information including tag information, a text, a bar code and an image. Although  FIG. 1  has illustrated a carbon ribbon as an example of the printing unit  190 , an ink jet printer may be used in addition to the carbon ribbon. 
         [0054]    Now, an operation process of an apparatus thus configured for encoding an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of an apparatus for encoding an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in a case the tag roll  20  is loaded on the unwinder  30  of the apparatus for encoding the RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and the tag transfer is started, the tag detection sensor  110  detects the position of each tag  10  arranged on the tag roll  20  (S 310 ). The tag detection sensor  110  can detect the position of each individual tag  10  by using the identification mark  50  printed between each tag  10  arranged on the tag roll  20  or the gap (G,  60 ) between each tag  10 . In a case the tag detection sensor  110  detects the position of tags to provide a detection signal to the PLC  120 , the PLC  120  transmits the trigger signal to the RFID reader  140  (S 320 ). 
         [0057]    Successively, the tag identification range is set up (S 330 ). The tag identification range may be set up by spatial limit and time limit. The spatial limit is set up by position of the antenna  150  and the panel  170 , and position of opening formed on the shield unit  160 . That is, the tag identification range may be initially set up in response to position of the antenna  150  and the panel  170  each oppositely formed and spaced apart at a predetermined distance. Then, the initially set tag identification range may be additionally changed by adjusting the size and directivity of a signal emitted from the antenna  150  and by varying the size of the opening of the shield unit  160  formed on a radiation surface of the antenna  150 . 
         [0058]    At this time, the time limit may be set by being added to the spatial limit. By way of non-limiting example, the setting may be such that a signal for encoding is emitted from the antenna  150  after the tag roll  20  moves for a predetermined period of time or as much as a predetermined length from a point on which the trigger signal is received from the PLC  120 . The tag identification range may be set up by a pitch of the tag  10  arranged on the tag roll  20  or moving speed of the tag roll  20 . 
         [0059]    In a case the trigger signal is received from the PLC  120  at step S 320 , the RFID reader  140  performs the tag information encoding and inspection for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time includes an encoding section and an inspection section, where the predetermined period of time is progressed whenever the tag detection sensor  110  detects the position of each tag  10  arranged on the tag roll  20 . 
         [0060]    The RFID reader  140  transmits (S 340 ) first tag information through the antenna  150  at the encoding section, in a case the individual tag  10  arranged on the tag roll  20  is positioned at a tag identification range set up at the step S 330 . In a case the tag  10  is positioned within the tag identification range, the tag  10  is brought into contact with the panel  170  formed at the tag identification range, where the dielectric substance  180  having a predetermined permittivity may be formed at a bottom surface of the tag  10 . In this case, as the bottom surface of the tag  10  is brought into contact with the dielectric substance, the tag information encoding is performed under a state analogous to an actual use environment of the tag  10  attached to a predetermined article, whereby an encoding error can be reduced. 
         [0061]    In a case the encoding section is finished, the inspection section is continuously progressed. The RFID reader  140  receives (S 350 ) currently encoded second tag information from a relevant tag  10  that has transmitted the first tag information at step S 340 . The RFID reader  140  determines whether the first tag information and the second tag information are same or matched at the inspection section (S 360 ). 
         [0062]    The RFID reader determines that the RFID tag is normal (S 370 ), in a case the first tag information and the second tag information are same or matched as a result of determination at step S 360 , and determines that the RFID tag is not normal (bad) (S 380 ), in a case the first tag information and the second tag information are not same or matched as a result of determination at step S 360 . 
         [0063]    The RFID reader  140  transmits the inspection results at S 370  and S 380  to the PLC  120 , where the PLC  120  displays the inspection result on a display unit for use by a user (S 390 ). 
         [0064]    Meanwhile, the steps of S 310  to S 390  are repeatedly conducted whenever the tag detection sensor  110  detects the individual tag  10  arranged on the tag roll  20 . That is, whenever the tag detection sensor  110  detects each tag  10  moving along the tag transfer path, the PLC  120  generates a trigger signal, whereby the RFID reader  140  can perform the encoding and inspection processes on the each tag  10  in response to the trigger signal. 
         [0065]    What has been described above includes examples of one or more aspects. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various aspects are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.