Abstract: An ID unit storing ID data of an article is attached to the article to be recognized. A write/read control unit writes or reads predetermined data in a contactless manner into/from the ID unit through a head. A monitor unit can be attachably and detachably connected to the write/read control unit. The monitor unit has a mode setting device, a key input apparatus, and a display device. When the RUN mode is set, the control unit performs the writing/reading operations for the ID unit under control of an upper control apparatus. When the MONITOR mode is set, the control unit performs the writing/reading operations for the ID unit in response to an input command from the key input apparatus of the monitor unit. When the TEST mode is set, the writing/reading operations are continously executed and a check is made to see if each of the writing/reading operations has correctly been executed or not, and the result of the discrimination is displayed on the display device of the monitor unit.

Abstract: A recognition system including a data carrier which is attached to a moving article and which has a memory storing identification data of the article and a control system communicating with the data carrier without any contact therebetween. The control system includes a higher-level controller, a plurality of lower-level controllers connected thereto, and read/write heads connected to the lower-level controllers. The higher-level controller sequentially sends an auto read/write command to the lower-level controllers. In response thereto, when the data carrier approaches one of the lower-level controllers, the lower-level controller communicates with the data carrier so as to access the memory thereof. The lower-level controller temporarily keeps a result of the memory access (the response from the data carrier) such that on receiving a command from the higher-level controller, the lower-level controller transmits the memory access result thus temporarily kept therein to the higher-level controller.