JP2003085471A - Cargo management system and cargo managing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology for performing efficient distribution management of cargo by a simple system while preventing increase of a work burden of a person in charge of a job site. SOLUTION: An IC card 100 in which cargo information such as a slip number is written is attached to the cargo 10, gate antennas 71, 72 and 81 are installed at a carry-in port 31, a carry-out port 32 of a distribution base 3a and a loading/unloading port 51 of a delivery car 5, the cargo information is automatically read by non-contact from the IC card via the gate antennas when the cargo passes the gate antennas, the read cargo information and gate identification information to identify the gate antennas are transmitted and a distribution state of the cargo is managed based on the transmitted cargo information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a freight delivery management system, and more particularly, to a delivery management system and method using an IC card that can read written information in a contactless manner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the distribution of cargo, there has been proposed a technology of attaching an electronic tag such as an IC card capable of contactless writing and reading of information to the cargo to manage the cargo and its delivery. An example of such a conventional technique is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 341414. According to the technology disclosed in this publication, the delivery information is read from the information display means affixed to the cargo by electromagnetic waves, sorting is performed based on the delivery information, and the delivery information is transmitted between the freight forwarding facilities, It manages the current location of cargo.

Another example of the prior art is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11
It is disclosed in JP-A-296581. According to the technology disclosed in this publication, a non-contact type information readable electronic tag is attached to a cargo, and when a cargo is collected, information about the collection is recorded on the electronic tag by a terminal device, and a carrier delivering the cargo is disclosed. The collection information of the in-base freight information management system provided at each of the plurality of bases is sent to the collection management system. Further, the in-base freight information management system notifies the freight information overall management system of the collection information and the information regarding the cargo passing through the base. Further, the freight information overall management system acquires the freight transportation history based on the information sent from the intra-site freight information management system, calculates the freight delivery schedule, and notifies each intra-site freight information management system.

Another example of the prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 349132. According to the technique disclosed in this publication, an IC card in which a large amount of information on an item to be delivered is written is housed in a delivery bag and delivered together with the item, so that the confidentiality of the information is maintained with respect to a carrier on the way. Meanwhile, the information is transmitted from the shipping company to the receiving company together with the goods.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
According to the techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 1414 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-296581, it is possible to efficiently manage the delivery status by using a non-contact type IC card, but it is necessary to construct a system at each delivery base or the like. There is also a need to transfer many types of information between systems. Therefore, a large-scale and complicated system is required as a whole.

Further, in order to manage the physical distribution, it is necessary to read various information recorded in the IC card at each base and the like, and there is a high possibility that the work amount of the person in charge at the site will increase. Further, the above-mentioned JP-A-11-349.
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 132, the information written in the IC card is not used for physical distribution management.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a technique capable of performing efficient delivery management of freight with a simple system while avoiding an increase in the work load on site personnel. For the purpose of providing.

[0008]

In order to achieve this object, according to the delivery management system of the first aspect of the present invention, the freight information including at least the information for identifying the freight to be delivered is written. It has an IC card attached to the cargo and a gate antenna installed at a position where the cargo passes, and when the cargo passes through this gate antenna, the cargo information is automatically sent from the IC card through the gate antenna. Based on the cargo information and gate antenna identification information received from each monitoring means and the cargo information read out without contact and the gate identification information for identifying this gate antenna, the delivery status of the cargo is confirmed. It is configured to include a management means for managing.

As described above, according to the delivery management system of the present invention, an IC card is attached to a cargo, and when the cargo passes through the gate antenna, the cargo information is automatically sent from the IC card through the gate antenna. By contactlessly reading, combining the freight information and the gate identification information, the management means collectively manages the delivery status of the freight. As a result, it is possible to perform efficient delivery management of the cargo with a simple system during the normal delivery work execution while avoiding an increase in the work load of the field personnel.

As a result, the delivery status can be managed in detail without increasing the burden of normal delivery work, and erroneous delivery can be prevented. Further, the location of the cargo can be easily grasped by combining the cargo information and the gate identification information, so that the latest delivery status of the cargo can be promptly answered in response to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo. it can.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the monitoring means comprises a carry-in gate antenna installed at a carry-in entrance of a delivery base for sorting the collected cargo by a delivery destination of the cargo, and a carry-in of the delivery base. It is configured to have a carry-out gate antenna installed at the exit.

As described above, by providing the gate antennas at the carry-in entrance and carry-out exit of the delivery base, it is possible to easily grasp the entry and exit of the cargo at the delivery base and easily confirm the whereabouts of the cargo. . The delivery port may also serve as the delivery port at the delivery site.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the management means includes a storage means for storing the cargo information received from each of the monitoring means, and the storage means is provided in the storage means for inquiring the delivery status of the cargo. If the cargo information about the cargo read out via the antenna is not stored, reply that the cargo has not been carried into the delivery point, and the storage means stores the cargo information about the cargo read out via the carry-in gate antenna. Is stored and the cargo information about the cargo read out via the carry-out gate antenna is not stored, it is answered that the cargo exists at the delivery point, and the storage means uses the carry-in gate antenna and the carry-out gate antenna. When the freight information regarding each read freight is stored, it is configured to reply that the freight has been unloaded from the delivery point.

As described above, the combination of the cargo information and the gate antenna reading the cargo information allows the monitoring means to:
It is possible to grasp the whereabouts of the cargo before and after the delivery base all at once. As a result, the latest delivery status of the cargo can be promptly answered in response to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the monitoring means has a vehicle-mounted gate antenna installed so as to substantially surround the loading / unloading port of the delivery vehicle for delivering the cargo.

The vehicle-mounted gate antenna reads the cargo information from the IC card attached to the cargo passing through the vehicle-mounted gate antenna. Therefore, the in-vehicle gate antenna can read out the cargo information each time the cargo is loaded or unloaded into the delivery vehicle. As a result, by combining the freight information and the identification information of the vehicle-mounted gate antenna, the delivery status of the freight can be easily managed, and the whereabouts of the freight can be easily confirmed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the management means comprises a storage means for storing the freight information received from the vehicle-mounted monitoring means, and the storage means is searched for the inquiry of the delivery status of the freight, When the storage means stores the cargo information read out only once for the cargo via the vehicle-mounted gate antenna, it is configured to reply that the cargo is being delivered by the delivery vehicle.

When loading a cargo on a delivery vehicle, the cargo is
Pass the vehicle-mounted gate antenna once. When the cargo is unloaded from the delivery vehicle, the cargo passes through the vehicle-mounted gate antenna again. Therefore, when the freight information is read out only once from the vehicle-mounted gate antenna, the freight remains loaded in the delivery vehicle. In this way, the location of the cargo at the delivery stage can be easily grasped by the number of times the cargo information is read. This makes it possible to promptly reply to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo about the latest delivery status of the cargo without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

According to the invention of claim 6, the management means searches the storage means in response to the inquiry of the delivery status of the cargo, and the storage means stores the cargo read via the vehicle-mounted gate antenna. When the cargo information received three or more times an odd number of times is stored, it is configured to reply that the cargo destination is absent.

The cargo loaded in the delivery vehicle is unloaded from the delivery vehicle at the time of delivery. Therefore, at the time of delivery, the cargo information is automatically read by the vehicle-mounted gate antenna twice when loading and unloading. by the way,
In the case of a courier service, etc., it may be delivered again because the recipient does not exist. In that case, the cargo once unloaded from the delivery vehicle for delivery is reloaded to the delivery vehicle. At that time, the cargo information for the third time is automatically read by the vehicle-mounted gate antenna. Therefore, when the freight information for one freight is read three times by the vehicle-mounted gate antenna, the freight destination is absent.

Further, the freight information is read out five times when the delivery destination is absent even when redelivered, and seven times when the delivery destination is returned when the delivery destination is absent even during redelivery.
Therefore, when received three or more times an odd number, it is understood that the cargo is unloaded in the delivery vehicle because the destination is absent. In this way, the location of the cargo at the delivery stage can be easily grasped by the number of times the cargo information is read. This makes it possible to promptly reply to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo about the latest delivery status of the cargo without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

According to the invention of claim 7, the delivery vehicle is provided with a collection box for collecting the IC card separated from the cargo delivered to the delivery destination, and the monitoring means has the collection gate antenna in the collection box. The management means includes storage means for storing the cargo information received from the collection monitoring means, searches the storage means for inquiry of the delivery status of the cargo, and reads out the storage means via the collection gate antenna. When the freight information regarding the delivered freight is stored, it is configured to reply that the delivery of the freight is completed.

As described above, if the collection box for the IC card separated from the delivered cargo is provided and the collection gate antenna is provided in the collection box, the IC card is collected when it is collected in the collection box. The freight information written in
It is automatically read by the recovery gate antenna. Therefore, it can be understood that the cargo corresponding to the cargo information read by the collection gate antenna has been delivered. In this way, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not the delivery is completed based on the presence or absence of the freight information read by the collection gate antenna. This makes it possible to promptly reply to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo about the latest delivery status of the cargo without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, the global positioning system (Global Positioning System) for transmitting the position information indicating the current position of the delivery vehicle to the delivery vehicle, including the delivery address of the cargo in the cargo information. : GPS), the management means receives the position information from the GPS, and when the even-numbered cargo information for the same cargo is received from the vehicle-mounted monitoring means, the delivery address and the position information included in the cargo information are displayed. The present position is collated, and if the delivery address and the present position are separated by a certain distance or more, an alarm is issued to the delivery vehicle.

The cargo is unloaded from the delivery vehicle at or near the destination. At that time, the in-vehicle gate antenna automatically reads the second cargo information for the cargo. In the case of redelivery, the even-numbered cargo information such as four times and six times is read. Therefore, when the even-numbered cargo information is read, the delivery vehicle is usually located near the destination. On the other hand, in the case of erroneous delivery, the delivery vehicle is often far from the destination. Therefore, an erroneous delivery can be easily found by obtaining the distance between the delivery address and the current position of the delivery vehicle when the even-numbered cargo information is read. As a result, erroneous delivery can be prevented without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, when the management means receives the even-numbered cargo information for the same cargo from the vehicle-mounted monitoring means, including the designated delivery time zone in the cargo information, the cargo information. The delivery specified time zone included in the above is compared with the reception time of the cargo information, and when the reception time is not included in the delivery specified time zone, an alarm is issued to the delivery vehicle.

The cargo is unloaded from the delivery vehicle when it is delivered to the destination. At that time, the in-vehicle gate antenna automatically reads the even-numbered cargo information for the cargo. Then, the cargo is usually delivered to the destination in a short time after being unloaded from the delivery vehicle. Therefore, by determining whether or not the time when the even-numbered freight information is read is within the designated delivery time zone, it is possible to easily find the overtime delivery. As a result, it is possible to prevent overtime delivery without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

According to the freight management method of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the process of writing the freight information including at least the information for identifying the freight on the IC card and attaching the IC card to the freight, A gate antenna is installed at a passing position, and when a cargo passes through this gate antenna, the cargo information is automatically read from the IC card through the gate antenna in a non-contact manner, and the read cargo information, and The method includes a process of transmitting gate identification information for identifying the gate antenna and a process of managing the delivery status of the cargo based on the cargo information transmitted from the monitoring means.

As described above, according to the delivery management method of the present invention, an IC card is attached to a cargo, and when the cargo passes through the gate antenna, the cargo information is automatically sent from the IC card through the gate antenna. By contactlessly reading, combining the freight information and the gate identification information, the management means collectively manages the delivery status of the freight. This allows
Efficient delivery management of freight can be performed with a simple system while avoiding an increase in work load on site.

As a result, the delivery status can be managed in detail without increasing the burden of normal delivery work, and erroneous delivery can be prevented. Further, the location of the cargo can be easily grasped by combining the cargo information and the gate identification information, so that the latest delivery status of the cargo can be promptly answered in response to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo. it can.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a delivery management system and a delivery management method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment First, the flow of cargo and the delivery management system of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cargo 10 requested to be delivered by the sender 1 is carried to the collection base 2 closest to the sender 1 (1). At the collection base 2, the delivery slip and the IC card 10
Create 0 and attach to cargo 10.

Here, FIG. 2 schematically shows the delivery slip 11 and the IC card 100 attached to the cargo 10. In the delivery slip 11, the delivery information entry 12 is described.
As the delivery information description item 12, similar to the conventional delivery slip, for example, a slip number, a delivery address, a name of the delivery destination, and
The telephone number of the delivery destination is listed.

Furthermore, the delivery slip 11 is provided with an IC card case 13. This IC card case 13
Then, the IC card 100 is loaded. And this IC
Similar to the delivery information entry 12, the freight information such as a slip number as information for identifying the delivered freight is electrically written in the card 100 in a contactless manner at the collection base 2. The writing to the IC card 100 may be performed at the collection base 2 or at a place other than the collection base 2.
For example, it may be carried out when the delivery of the cargo is accepted.

Cargo 10 with IC card 100 attached
Is carried into the delivery site 3 according to the address of the delivery destination of the cargo 10 (2). At the delivery point 3, the cargo is sorted and the delivery vehicles are assigned. Note that the freight information stored in the IC card 100 may be used for sorting and allocation to delivery vehicles.

Freight 10 sorted at the delivery base 3
Are delivered from the carry-out port 32 and assigned to the delivery vehicle 5
(3). Furthermore, it is conveyed by a delivery vehicle (4) and delivered to the destination 6 (5). Freight delivered 1
The IC card 100 separated from 0 is collected in the collection box 9 (6).

By the way, in the delivery base 3 of this embodiment,
Monitoring means for monitoring the delivery status of the cargo 10 is provided. The monitoring means includes a monitoring terminal 70, a carry-in gate antenna 71, and a carry-out gate antenna 72.

The carry-in gate antenna 71 is provided at the carry-in entrance 31 of the delivery site 3. Therefore, the cargo passing through the carry-in port 31 passes through the carry-in gate antenna 71. The carry-in gate antenna 71 emits a signal radio wave, and when the cargo 10 passes through the carry-in entrance 31, the cargo information is read from the IC card 100 through the carry-in gate antenna 71 without contact. That is, the cargo information can be automatically read out with the natural movement of the cargo in and out. When the cargo information is read from the carry-in gate antenna 71, it can be detected that the cargo has passed through the carry-in entrance 31.

The carry-out gate antenna 72 is provided at the carry-out port 32 of the delivery site 3. Therefore, the cargo passing through the carry-out port 32 passes through the carry-out port 32. The carry-out gate antenna 72 emits signal radio waves, and when the cargo 10 passes through the carry-out gate antenna 72, cargo information is read from the IC card 100 through the carry-out gate antenna 72 in a non-contact manner. That is, the cargo information can be automatically read out with the natural take-in / out operation. Then, when the cargo information is read from the carry-out gate antenna 72, the cargo is delivered to the exit 3
Passing 2 can be detected.

Then, the monitoring terminal 70 transmits the cargo information read via the carry-in gate antenna 71 or the carry-out gate antenna 72 to the center computer 4 together with the gate identification information for identifying these gate antennas. These pieces of information are stored in the delivery database 42 of the center computer 4.

Further, in this embodiment, monitoring means is also mounted on each delivery vehicle 5 for delivering cargo. The monitoring means mounted on the delivery vehicle 5 has a vehicle-mounted gate antenna 81 installed so as to substantially surround the loading / unloading port of the delivery vehicle. Figure 1
Then, of the monitoring means mounted on the delivery vehicle, only the vehicle-mounted gate antenna 81 is schematically shown. The vehicle-mounted gate antenna 81 may be provided so as to surround the loading / unloading port, may be provided in a U shape around the loading / unloading port, or may be provided on both sides of the loading / unloading port. You may provide so that it may pinch. By providing the vehicle-mounted gate antenna 81 in this way, when the IC card attached to the cargo passing through the loading / unloading port passes through the loading / unloading port, that is, the surface surrounded by the vehicle-mounted gate antenna, the cargo is loaded from the IC card. Information can be read out without contact.

This makes it possible to detect the loading or unloading of cargo on the delivery vehicle. As a result, combining the cargo information and the identification information of the vehicle-mounted gate antenna,
The delivery status of the cargo can be easily managed, and the whereabouts of the cargo can be easily confirmed during the normal delivery work.

Further, in this embodiment, the collection box 9 of each delivery vehicle is also provided with a monitoring means. In FIG. 1, of the monitoring means provided in the collection box 9, only the monitoring gate antenna 91 is schematically shown. As a result, the cargo information can be read out from the IC card collected in the collection box 9 in a contactless manner.

Thus, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not the delivery of the cargo is completed based on the presence or absence of the cargo information read by the collection gate antenna. As a result, it is possible to promptly reply to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo about the latest delivery status of the cargo without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

Now, referring to FIG. 3, the IC card 10
0, the monitoring means 7 and the center computer 4 will be described in more detail. First, the IC card 100 will be described. The IC card 100 is a business card-sized plastic card to which a thin film IC (outline is not shown) is attached. The thin film IC includes a communication unit 102, a ROM 103 that is a non-volatile memory, and a control unit (CPU) 101 that controls these.

The ROM 103 stores, as cargo information, a slip number, a delivery address, a delivery name, a delivery telephone number, the number of packages, and the like. The communication unit 102 also includes a resonance circuit (not shown) that electrically resonates in response to a signal radio wave transmitted from the carry-in gate antenna 71 or the carry-out gate antenna 72. Then, the minute voltage generated by the resonance circuit supplies the electric power of the entire IC card 100 and transmits the freight information stored in the ROM 103.

Next, the monitoring means 7, particularly the monitoring terminal 70, will be described. The monitoring terminal 70 includes the carry-in gate antenna 7
1 or a file section 75 for storing freight information read out via the carry-out gate antenna 72, a center communication means 74 for transmitting freight information to the center computer 4 and receiving an instruction from the center computer 4, and a file section 75. The delivery status display unit 76 for displaying the cargo information stored in the storage unit, the operation input unit 77, and C for controlling these.
It is composed of the PU 73. The center communication unit 74 and the center computer 4 may communicate with each other using a carrier of a mobile phone. Further, the center communication means 74 and the center computer 4 may communicate with each other via the nearest delivery point 3.

Since the monitoring means installed in the delivery vehicle 5 and the monitoring means provided in the collection box 9 have the same structure as the monitoring means 7 provided in the delivery base 3, these Detailed description of the monitoring means is omitted.

Next, the center computer 4 will be described. The center computer 4 manages the delivery status of the cargo based on the cargo information and the gate antenna identification information received from each monitoring means. Therefore, the center computer 4 uses the delivery database 42 that stores the cargo information.
And a delivery data update processing unit 41 that collects freight information from each monitoring terminal, adds a reception time to each freight information (with a time stamp), and updates the contents of the delivery database 42, the sender 1 and the recipient. 6 and the like, and a delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 that answers the inquiry.

Inquiries from the sender 1 and the delivery destination 6 may be made, for example, from the inquiry terminal 1a to the center computer 4 via the Internet, or from the inquiry portable terminal 1b such as a mobile phone to the i-mode (trademark). ) Or the like may be used to make an inquiry.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 5, the operation of the center computer 4 when an inquiry is received before and after the cargo passes through the delivery point will be described. In response to the inquiry about the delivery status of the cargo, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 searches the delivery database 42 (S10).
1).

Then, the delivery data inquiry processing section 43 confirms whether or not the delivery database 42 stores the freight information regarding the inquired freight, which is read out through the carry-in gate antenna 71 (S102). As a result of the confirmation, if the freight information is not stored, it means that the inquired freight has not been carried into the delivery site 3 like the A freight 10 shown in FIG. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43
Responds that the inquiry cargo has not been delivered to the delivery site 3 (S103).

On the other hand, as a result of the confirmation, if the freight information is stored, the delivery data inquiry processing section 43 continues.
It is confirmed whether or not the delivery database 42 stores the freight information regarding the inquired freight, which is read out through the unloading gate antenna 72 (S104).

As a result of the confirmation, when the cargo information from the carry-out gate antenna 72 is not stored, the inquired cargo has been carried into the delivery point 3 as shown in the B cargo 10 shown in FIG. It is in a state where it has not been carried out. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 replies that the inquiry freight exists at the delivery site 3 (S106).

On the other hand, when the freight information from the carry-out gate antenna 72 is stored, the inquired freight has already been carried out from the delivery point 3, as in the C freight 10 shown in FIG. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 replies that the inquiry freight has been carried out from the delivery site 3 (S10).
5).

As described above, the combination of the cargo information and the gate antenna that reads the cargo information enables the monitoring means to
It is possible to grasp the whereabouts of the cargo before and after the delivery base all at once. As a result, the latest delivery status of the cargo can be promptly answered in response to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo.

When the cargo information is read out, the person in charge of the site does not need to perform any special operation, and the cargo information is automatically transferred only by passing the cargo naturally through the carry-in entrance and the carry-out exit. Can be read. Therefore, the location of the cargo can be grasped without increasing the burden on the person in charge at the site.

By the way, the vehicle-mounted gate antenna 81 reads the cargo information from the IC card 100 both when the cargo 10 is loaded and when it is unloaded. Therefore, the freight information itself does not directly include information that distinguishes whether the freight information was read at the time of loading or was read at the time of unloading.

However, as shown in FIG. 4B, it is possible to determine whether the cargo has been loaded or unloaded depending on the number of times the cargo information has been read out for one cargo.

For example, when the cargo 10 is loaded into the delivery vehicle 5 for the first time, the cargo information of the cargo of the cargo is read for the first time. Therefore, when the freight information of a certain freight is read only once, it can be known that the freight is loaded in the delivery vehicle 5.

When the loaded cargo 10 is unloaded from the delivery vehicle 5 for delivery, the cargo information for the cargo is read a second time. Therefore, when the cargo information is read out only twice for a certain cargo, it is known that the cargo has been unloaded from the delivery vehicle 5.

Furthermore, when the IC card 100 separated from the delivered cargo 10 is collected in the collection box 9,
The cargo information is read from the collection gate antenna. Therefore, when the cargo information is read from the collection gate antenna, it can be known that the delivery of the cargo is completed.

By the way, in the case of home delivery or the like, the addressee may be absent. In that case, the cargo is returned to the delivery vehicle 5 until it is redelivered. At that time, the cargo information is read out for the third time for the cargo. Therefore, if the cargo information is read out only three times for a certain cargo,
It can be seen that the cargo has been returned to the delivery vehicle 5 because the destination is absent.

Similarly, when the freight information is read out even times such as four times and six times, it can be understood that the freight has been unloaded from the delivery vehicle for redelivery. Also, 5
When the freight information is read out only an odd number of times, such as seven times, seven times, it can be seen that the freight has been returned to the delivery vehicle 5 again because the delivery destination is absent even at the time of redelivery. In this way, the location of the cargo at the delivery stage can be easily grasped by the number of times the cargo information is read. Therefore, the latest delivery status of the cargo can be promptly answered to the inquiry from the sender or the destination of the cargo without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

Therefore, an example of the operation of the center computer 4 utilizing the above-mentioned relationship when an inquiry is received before and after the cargo is delivered by the delivery vehicle will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the process described below may be performed subsequent to the above-described process (S106) of replying that the product has been unloaded from the transportation base.

In response to the inquiry about the delivery status of the cargo, the delivery data inquiry processing section 43 searches the delivery database 42 (S201). Then, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43
It is confirmed whether or not the freight information regarding the inquired freight, which is read out via the vehicle-mounted gate antenna 81, is stored in the delivery database 42 (S202). As a result of confirmation,
If the freight information is not stored, it means that the inquiry freight has not been carried into the delivery vehicle 5. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 replies that the inquiry freight has not been carried into the delivery vehicle 5 (S203).

On the other hand, as a result of the confirmation, when the freight information is stored, the delivery data inquiry processing section 43 continues.
It is confirmed whether the cargo information has been received even number of times (S204). As a result of the confirmation, if the freight information has been received even number of times, the inquiry freight has been unloaded from the delivery vehicle 5. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 confirms whether or not the inquiry cargo stores the cargo information from the collection gate antenna (S20).
5). Further, as a result of the confirmation, when the cargo information from the collection gate antenna is stored, it means that the IC card separated from the delivered inquiry cargo is collected in the collection box. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 replies that the delivery of the inquiry cargo has been completed (S206).

On the other hand, as a result of the confirmation, when the cargo information from the collection gate antenna is not stored, it means that the IC card has not been collected in the collection box. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 replies that the inquiry cargo is being delivered from the delivery vehicle 5 to the destination (S210).

If the number of receptions is an odd number, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 confirms whether the number of receptions is only one (S207). As a result of the confirmation, if the number of receptions is only one, the inquired cargo remains loaded in the delivery vehicle. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 replies that the inquiry freight is being delivered by the delivery vehicle (S208).

On the other hand, as a result of the confirmation, if the number of receptions is not one, that is, if the number of receptions is an odd number of three or more, the inquiry cargo has been unloaded at the destination, but the destination is absent. It has been loaded into the delivery vehicle again. Therefore, the delivery data inquiry processing unit 43 replies that the destination of the inquiry cargo is absent (S209).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the location of the cargo can be easily grasped by the number of times the cargo information is read. This makes it possible to promptly reply to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo about the latest delivery status of the cargo without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff. As a result, it is possible to improve reliability and satisfaction from senders and recipients, and further improve work efficiency.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The cargo flow and delivery management system in the second embodiment is basically the same as the cargo flow and delivery management system in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

However, in the second embodiment, the IC card 1
In the ROM 103 of 00, in addition to the slip number described in the first embodiment, the latitude / longitude calculated from the delivery address and the designated delivery time zone are stored as the freight information. Further, in the second embodiment, each delivery vehicle is equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) that transmits position information indicating the current location of the delivery vehicle. As a result, the center computer 4 can grasp the current position of each delivery vehicle.

Then, the center computer 4 uses the GPS
Delivery management is performed as follows based on the current position of the delivery vehicle received from, the latitude / longitude of the destination included in the cargo information, and the designated delivery time zone. When the center computer 4 receives the cargo information from the vehicle-mounted gate antenna (S30
1) It is confirmed whether or not the cargo information has been received for the same cargo for the second time or the even number of times (S30).
2).

As a result of the confirmation, in the case of the person who received the even number of times, the cargo has just been unloaded from the delivery vehicle 5 for delivery. Therefore, the center computer 4
Is the latitude and longitude of the delivery address included in this cargo information,
The current position indicated by the position information is collated, and it is confirmed whether or not the delivery address and the current position are within a certain distance (S30).
3).

It should be noted that this fixed distance may be appropriately set in consideration of road conditions in the delivery area. For example, when the delivery vehicle can directly reach the destination, it is preferable to set a short distance of, for example, several meters to several tens of meters as the fixed distance. On the other hand, if it is difficult for the delivery vehicle to get directly to the location of the delivery destination, or if there is no parking space for the delivery vehicle in the neighborhood of the delivery destination, a certain distance, for example, a long distance of several hundred meters may be set. .

If the result of the confirmation is that the distance is a certain distance or more, there is a high possibility that the delivery is wrong. Therefore, the center computer 4 issues an alarm to the delivery vehicle and alerts the person in charge with an alarm sound or the like (S305). As a result, erroneous delivery can be prevented without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

If the result of the confirmation is that the distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, then the center computer 4 confirms whether or not the reception time of the cargo information is included in the designated delivery time zone (S304). As a result of the confirmation, if the reception time does not fall within the designated delivery time zone, it is highly possible that the delivery is outside the designated delivery time. Therefore, the center computer 4 issues an alarm to the delivery vehicle 5 and alerts the person in charge with an alarm sound or the like (S305). As a result, it is possible to prevent overtime delivery without increasing the work burden on the delivery staff.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is configured under specific conditions has been described, but the present invention can be variously modified. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which one delivery point is used, but the present invention is not limited to one delivery point.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the delivery base and the delivery vehicle are provided with the monitoring means has been described, but in the present invention, for example, the collection means may be provided with the monitoring means.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the carry-in port and the carry-out port are separately provided at the delivery base has been described, but in the present invention, the carry-in port and the carry-out port are the same carry-in / out port. Good. In that case, the current position of the cargo can be grasped by the number of times the cargo passes through the loading / unloading entrance. For example, when the first-time cargo information of a cargo is received by the gate antenna at the carry-in / out entrance, it can be known that the cargo has been carried into the delivery point. Further, when the second cargo information of the cargo is received, it is known that the cargo has been carried out from the delivery point.
As a result, it is possible to perform efficient delivery management of the cargo with a simple system during the normal delivery work execution while avoiding an increase in the work load of the person in charge of the site, and at the same time, from the sender or destination of the cargo. The latest delivery status of the cargo can be quickly answered to the inquiry.

[0081]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an IC card is attached to a cargo, and when the cargo passes through the gate antenna, the cargo automatically passes through the gate antenna from the IC card. The cargo information is read out without contact, and the cargo delivery status is managed by combining the cargo information and the gate identification information. As a result, it is possible to perform efficient delivery management of the cargo with a simple system during the normal delivery work execution while avoiding an increase in the work load of the field personnel.

As a result, it is possible to finely manage the delivery status without increasing the burden of normal delivery work, and prevent erroneous delivery. Further, the location of the cargo can be easily grasped by combining the cargo information and the gate identification information, so that the latest delivery status of the cargo can be promptly answered in response to the inquiry from the sender or destination of the cargo. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a flow of cargo and an outline of a delivery system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an IC card attached to a cargo together with a slip.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of a delivery system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between reception of cargo information and whereabouts of cargo.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a center computer when obtaining the whereabouts of a cargo before and after a delivery base.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a center computer when obtaining the whereabouts of a cargo at the time of delivery.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a center computer for preventing erroneous delivery and the like in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 sender 1a Inquiry terminal 1b Inquiry mobile terminal 2 collection bases 3 delivery bases 4 center computer 5 delivery vehicles 6 destination 7 monitoring means 9 collection boxes 10 freight 11 slips 12 Shipping information items 13 IC card case 31 entrance 32 carry-out exit 41 Delivery data update processing unit 42 Delivery data memory 43 Delivery data inquiry processing unit 51 Exit 70 Monitoring terminal 71 Carry-in gate antenna 72 Carry-out gate antenna 73 CPU 74 Center communication means 75 files 76 Transport information display 77 Operation input section 81 In-vehicle gate antenna 91 Recovery gate antenna 100 IC card 101 control unit 102 Communication unit 103 memory

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 12, 2001 (2001.9.1)
2)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Title of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Title of invention Cargo management system and cargo management method

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06K 17/00 G06K 17/00 L 19/00 G07F 7/02 Z 19/07 B42D 11/00 E G07F 7 / 02 G08G 1/13 // B42D 11/00 G06K 19/00 H G08G 1/13 QF term (reference) 2C005 MB07 NA08 SA22 TA22 3E044 AA20 CA06 CB01 DE01 5B035 BB09 BC00 CA23 5B058 CA17 YA20 5H180BB15A15 BB04 BB04 CC12 FF05 FF13 FF25 FF27

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. Cargo information including at least information for identifying a cargo to be delivered is written and attached to the cargo.
It has a C card and a gate antenna installed at a position where the cargo passes, and when the cargo passes through this gate antenna, it automatically reads the cargo information from the IC card through the gate antenna without contact. Monitoring means for transmitting the read cargo information and gate identification information for identifying the gate antenna, and management for managing the delivery status of the cargo based on the cargo information and the gate antenna identification information received from each monitoring means. A cargo management system comprising means. 2. The monitoring means comprises a carry-in gate antenna installed at a carry-in entrance of a delivery base for sorting the collected cargo by a delivery destination of the cargo, and a carry-out gate antenna installed at a carry-out exit of the delivery base. The cargo management system according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The management means includes a storage means for storing the cargo information received from each monitoring means, and is read into the storage means via the carry-in gate antenna in response to an inquiry about the delivery status of the cargo. If the freight information regarding the freight is not stored, a reply that the freight has not been carried into the delivery point is returned, and the freight information regarding the freight read via the carry-in gate antenna is stored in the storage means. Stored and
When the cargo information regarding the cargo read out via the carry-out gate antenna is not stored, it is answered that the cargo exists at the delivery point, and the storage means is provided with the carry-in gate antenna and the carry-out gate antenna. 3. When the freight information regarding each of the freight items read out is stored, it is answered that the freight item has been unloaded from the delivery point.
The described cargo management system. 4. The on-vehicle gate antenna installed so as to substantially surround a loading / unloading port of a delivery vehicle that delivers the cargo, according to claim 1, 2, or 3. Cargo management system. 5. The management means includes a storage means for storing the cargo information received from the vehicle-mounted monitoring means, searches the storage means in response to a delivery status inquiry of the cargo, and stores the vehicle-mounted information in the storage means. The cargo management system according to claim 4, wherein when the cargo information read out only once for the cargo via the gate antenna is stored, a reply that the cargo is being delivered by the delivery vehicle is answered. . 6. The management means searches the storage means in response to an inquiry about the delivery status of the cargo, and the storage means stores an odd number of three or more times with respect to the cargo read via the vehicle-mounted gate antenna. The freight management system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the freight information received once is stored, it is answered that the destination of the freight is absent. 7. The delivery vehicle is provided with a collection box for collecting the IC card separated from the cargo delivered to the delivery destination, the monitoring means has a collection gate antenna in the collection box, and the management means is A storage means for storing the cargo information received from the collection monitoring means, the storage means is searched in response to the inquiry about the delivery status of the cargo, and the storage means is read through the collection gate antenna. 7. The freight management system according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein when the freight information regarding the freight is stored, a reply that the delivery of the freight is completed is returned. 8. A global positioning system for transmitting the position information indicating the current position of the delivery vehicle to the delivery vehicle, including the delivery address of the cargo in the freight information, wherein the management means is the global globe. When receiving the position information from the positioning system and receiving the even-numbered cargo information for the same cargo from the vehicle-mounted monitoring means, the delivery address included in the cargo information and the current position indicated by the position information are collated, 8. The freight management system according to claim 4, wherein an alarm is issued to the delivery vehicle when the delivery address and the current position are separated by a certain distance or more. 9. The freight information includes a designated delivery time zone, and when the management means receives even-numbered freight information for the same freight from the vehicle-mounted monitoring means, the designated delivery time included in the freight information. 9. A belt is compared with a reception time of the cargo information, and when the reception time is not included in the designated delivery time zone, an alarm is issued to the delivery vehicle. Cargo management system described in Crab. 10. A process of writing cargo information including at least information for identifying a cargo on an IC card, attaching the IC card to the cargo, and installing a gate antenna at a position where the cargo passes,
When a cargo passes through this gate antenna, the cargo information is automatically read from the IC card via the gate antenna in a contactless manner, and the read cargo information and the gate identification information for identifying the gate antenna are transmitted. And a process for managing the delivery status of the cargo based on the cargo information transmitted from the monitoring means.