JP4787246B2 - Loading status determination system and loading status determination method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a loading status determination system that determines the loading status of a load, a loading status determination method, and an information transmission device that transmits information to be stored in an RFID tag, and in particular, a metal load or a load containing moisture is loaded. The present invention relates to a loading status determination system, a loading status determination method, and an information transmission device that can reliably determine the loading status of a load.

  In recent years, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags have been commercialized, and RFID tags have begun to spread gradually in the field of physical distribution.

  The RFID tag is also called an IC tag, and stores various data and performs radio wave communication with a reader / writer that reads and writes data to and from the RFID tag.

  A system has been devised in which such an RFID tag is attached to a product and the product stored in a warehouse or the like is managed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, an ID for identifying each product, the current position of the product, a movement history, and the like are stored in the RFID tag, and the storage position of each product is managed.

JP 2001-225915 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, when the product or the packing material for packing the product uses a material that affects radio wave communication including metal and moisture, the product in the lower stage is loaded when the product is stacked in many layers. There is a problem that the reader / writer cannot read the data of the RFID tag attached to the card and cannot grasp the loading status.

  This is because radio waves transmitted and received between the RFID tag attached to the lower product and the reader / writer are reflected or absorbed by the metal or moisture in the product or packaging material loaded on the upper product. It is.

  For example, when you want to check the number of products loaded on a pallet used to transport products, you can read information by communicating with RFID tags attached to each product. What is necessary is just to count the number of RFID tags.

  However, if the information cannot be read from all RFID tags due to the influence of metal or moisture contained in the product or packaging material, there is a problem that the number of products cannot be confirmed reliably.

  Therefore, even if the product or packing material is made of metal or has a lot of moisture, the development of technology that can reliably determine the loading status such as the number of products loaded has been raised as an important issue.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and even when a metal load or a load containing moisture is loaded, a loading status determination system capable of reliably determining the loading status of the load, It is an object of the present invention to provide a loading status determination method and an information transmission device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a loading status determination system for determining the loading status of a load, which is information displayed on a predetermined surface of the load or attached to the predetermined surface. Information reading means for reading information stored in the RFID tag from a position facing the predetermined surface, and at least information related to loading of a load other than the load on the position where the information reading means reads the information It is characterized by comprising storage means, and loading status determination means for determining the loading status of the load based on the information read by the information reading means and the information stored by the storage means.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above-mentioned invention, the information reading means may include information indicating the position of the load displayed on the predetermined surface of the load or the position of the load stored in the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface. The storage means stores information related to the number of loads other than the load on the position side where the information reading means reads the information, and the loading status determination means is read by the information reading means The number of loads is determined based on the information and the information stored by the storage means.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein information relating to the position of the load is transmitted to the RFID tag from a position facing the predetermined surface of each load to the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface of each load. An information writing means for writing the information is further provided, wherein the information reading means reads the information written by the information writing means.

  In the present invention, the information writing means is provided in a loading device for loading the load.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the loading status determination unit reads information displayed on a predetermined surface of the load by the information reading unit or information stored in an RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface. Is performed a plurality of times, the loading status of the load is determined based on a change in the success or failure of reading the information.

  The present invention is also a loading status determination method for determining a loading status of a load, which reads information displayed on a predetermined surface of the load or information stored in an RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface. Information reading step that the section reads from a position facing the predetermined surface, information read by the information reading step, and storage in advance related to loading of a load other than the load on the position side where the information reading unit reads information And a loading status determination step of determining a loading status of the load based on the information obtained.

  Further, in the present invention according to the above-mentioned invention, the information reading step includes information indicating the position of the load displayed on the predetermined surface of the load or the position of the load stored in the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface. The loading status determination step is based on the information read in the information reading step and the information stored in advance related to the loading of the load other than the load on the position where the information reading unit reads the information. And determining the loading status of the load.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein information relating to the position of the load is transmitted to the RFID tag from a position facing the predetermined surface of each load to the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface of each load. It further includes an information writing step for writing the information, wherein the information reading step reads the information written by the information writing step.

  In the present invention, the information writing step is performed by a loading device that loads a load when the load is loaded.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the loading status determination step reads information displayed on a predetermined surface of the load by the information reading step or information stored in an RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface. Is performed a plurality of times, the loading status of the load is determined based on a change in the success or failure of reading the information.

  In addition, the present invention is an information transmission device that transmits information to be stored in an RFID tag, and information stored in an RFID tag attached to a predetermined surface of a load is opposed to the predetermined surface by an information reading unit. When the loading status of the load is determined based on the information read in advance from the position and information stored in advance related to the loading of the load other than the load on the position side where the information reading unit reads the information. Information transmitting means for transmitting information relating to the position to the RFID tag is provided.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the information transmitting means is attached to a load carrying section for loading a load having an RFID tag attached to a predetermined surface, and the position of the load from a position facing the predetermined surface. The information concerning is transmitted to the RFID tag.

  According to the present invention, the information displayed on the predetermined surface of the load or the information stored in the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface is read from the position facing the predetermined surface, and the information is read. Since information related to loading of loads other than cargo is stored at least, and the loading status of the load is determined based on the read information and the stored information, a metal load or a load containing moisture is loaded. Even if it is done, there is an effect that the loading status of the load can be reliably determined.

  Further, according to the present invention, the position for reading information by reading the information indicating the position of the load displayed on the predetermined surface of the load or the information indicating the position of the load stored in the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface Since the information related to the number of loads other than the load on the side is stored and the number of loads is determined based on the read information and the stored information, metal loads and loads containing moisture Even when the load is loaded, there is an effect that the number of loads can be reliably determined.

  Further, according to the present invention, the information related to the position of the load is transmitted from the position facing the predetermined surface of each load to the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface of each load, so that the information is transmitted to the RFID tag. Since the written and written information is read, information related to the position of the load can be efficiently written to the RFID tag attached to a predetermined surface of the load.

  Further, according to the present invention, information related to the position of the load is transmitted to the RFID tag attached to a predetermined surface of each load from a position facing the predetermined surface of each load, thereby writing the information to the RFID tag. Since the means is provided in the loading device for loading the load, it is possible to efficiently write the information related to the position of the load on the RFID tag attached to a predetermined surface of the load when loading the load. There is an effect.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the information displayed on the predetermined surface of the load or the information stored in the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface is read a plurality of times, the change in the success or failure of the information reading is performed. Therefore, even when a metal load or a load containing moisture is loaded, it is possible to reliably determine the load status of the load.

  According to the present invention, the information stored in the RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface of the load is read from the position facing the predetermined surface by the information reading unit, and the information and the information reading unit read the information. When the loading status of a load is determined based on information stored in advance related to loading of a load other than the load on the reading position side, information on the position of the load is transmitted to the RFID tag. Even when a metal load or a load containing moisture is loaded, it is possible to reliably determine the loading status of the load.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the RFID tag is attached to a load loading unit that loads a load attached to a predetermined surface, and information related to the position of the load is transmitted to the RFID tag from a position facing the predetermined surface. Therefore, there is an effect that information relating to the position of the load can be efficiently written in the RFID tag attached to a predetermined surface of the load.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the loading state determination process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the loading status determination system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the stage information writing process performed by the palletizer 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a robot palletizer that writes stage information to each RFID tag 51 one by one. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the difference in the number of products 52 loaded on the pallet 50 per stage. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the number data 45 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure of the loading status determination process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the loading state determination process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the loading status determination system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement location data 85 shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the container data 86 shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure of a loading status determination process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a loading status determination process when containers are sequentially arranged in the side surface direction.

Explanation of symbols

10, 22, 30, 61, 63, 70, 100 Reader / writer 11, 52, 62 Product 12, 51, 61, 71, 72a, 72b, 92, 93, 102, 104 RFID tag 13, 50, 60 Pallet 20 Palletizer 21 Stacking processing unit 23 Control unit 40, 80 Management server 41, 81 Data read / write processing unit 42, 82 Input unit 43, 83 Display unit 44, 84 Storage unit 45 Number data 46, 87 Stacking status determination unit 53 Shutter 60 Robot Palletizer 62 Belt conveyor 70, 91 Arrangement location 73a, 73b, 90, 103 Container 85 Arrangement location data 86 Container data 101 Arrangement location

  Embodiments of a loading status determination system, a loading status determination method, and an information transmission device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  First, the concept of the loading status determination process according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the loading state determination process according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in this loading status determination process, the reader / writer 10 with a built-in antenna uses the information stored in the RFID tag 12 attached to the upper surface of each product 11 to read the information on the upper surface of each product 11. Read from above. Here, each product 11 is a metal product or a product containing moisture.

  When such a product 11 is loaded on a pallet 13 used for transporting a plurality of products 11 as shown in FIG. Since communication radio waves transmitted and received between the writer 10 and the RFID tag 12 of the lower product 11 are reflected or absorbed, there is a possibility that communication cannot be performed between the RFID tag 12 of the lower product 11. is there.

  Therefore, in this loading status determination process, information on the level where the product 11 is located is stored in the RFID tag 12 attached to the product 11 located on each level. Further, information on the number of products 11 loaded on each stage is stored in a management server (not shown) to which the reader / writer 10 is connected.

  When the product 11 is loaded on the pallet 13, the product 11 is loaded on the same level until the number is reached, and when the number is reached, the product 11 is loaded on the upper level. To do. Further, when the product 11 is lowered from the pallet 13, it is assumed that the product 11 in the upper stage is lowered in order.

  Then, the management server determines the number of the uppermost products 11 based on information read from the RFID tag 12 attached to the uppermost product 11 by the reader / writer 10. Further, the management server calculates the number of products 11 in the lower stage from the number of products 11 in each stage stored in advance.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the number of stages of the topmost product 11 loaded is the third stage, and the reader / writer 10 first obtains information on the third stage from each RFID tag 12 located at the third stage. read. Then, the management server determines the number (5) of products 11 in the third row by checking the number of times the information of the third row is read.

  In addition, the management server determines the number of products 11 loaded in the first and second tiers (8 × 2) from information on the number of products 11 loaded in the first and second tiers (8). The number of products 11 loaded on the pallet 13 is determined by adding the number of products 11 in the third stage to this number (16 + 5 = 21).

  As a result, the number of products 11 loaded on the pallet 13 can be easily calculated. Even if the metal product 11 or the product 11 containing moisture is loaded, the RFID tag 12 attached to the lower product 11 is mounted. Even when the reader / writer 10 cannot communicate with the device 11, the number of products 11 can be reliably determined.

  In this example, the management server stores information on the number of products 11 loaded in each stage. However, the information is stored in the RFID tag 12 attached to the product 11 and is stored as a reader / writer. 10 may be read and used.

  Here, the information on the level where the product 11 is located is stored in the RFID tag 12, but a two-dimensional code in which the level information is embedded is displayed on the upper surface of the product 11 instead of the RFID tag 12. In this way, it is also possible to read the stage information from above the upper surface displaying the two-dimensional code with a barcode reader having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera and perform the loading status determination process.

  Next, a functional configuration of the loading status determination system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the loading status determination system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the loading status determination system includes a palletizer 20, a reader / writer 30, and a management server 40.

  The palletizer 20 is a device for loading a product 52 with an RFID tag 51 attached to a pallet 50. The palletizer 20 includes a stacking processing unit 21, a reader / writer 22, and a control unit 23.

  The loading processing unit 21 performs a process of loading the products 52 having the RFID tag 51 attached to the pallet 50 in a batch manner and aligning the products 52 for each stage. However, the loading processing unit 21 loads the product 52 so that the surface to which the RFID tag 51 is attached becomes the upper surface.

  The reader / writer 22 is a reader / writer with a built-in antenna, performs radio wave communication with the RFID tag 51 attached to the product 52, stores data in the RFID tag 51, and is stored in the RFID tag 51. Read data.

  In particular, the reader / writer 22 attaches information on what level of loading to each product 52 on the same level when the loading processing unit 21 loads the product 52 on the pallet 50 in batches. Simultaneous writing is performed on the RFID tag 51.

  The control unit 23 is a control unit that controls the palletizer 20 as a whole, and controls data exchange between the functional units.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the stage information writing process performed by the palletizer 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the reader / writer 22 is attached at a position above the surface to which the RFID tag 51 is attached when the product 52 is loaded so that the surface to which the RFID tag 51 is attached becomes the upper surface. It is done.

  When the reader / writer 22 writes the step information to the RFID tag 51 at once, a metal shutter 53 is sandwiched between the uppermost product 52 and the lower product 52 so that the reader / writer 22 The communication radio wave transmitted from 22 reaches the RFID tag 51 of the lower product 52 and prevents the RFID tag 51 from storing erroneous information. The palletizer 20 repeats such processing every time each stage is loaded.

  In FIG. 3, the reader / writer 22 has written the stage information to each RFID tag 51 at a time. However, the stage information may be written to each RFID tag 51 one by one.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a robot palletizer that writes stage information to each RFID tag 51 one by one. As shown in FIG. 4, the robot palletizer 60 loads products 52 each having an RFID tag 51 attached to the pallet 50 one by one.

  At that time, the robot palletizer 60 writes the information on the number of stages to each RFID tag 51 using the reader / writer 61 with a built-in antenna attached to the arm portion that holds the load.

  Specifically, the robot palletizer 60 stores information on the number of products 52 to be loaded per stage, and counts the number of loaded products 52 while loading the product 52 at the current level. The number of stages is written in each RFID tag 51 via the reader / writer 61 based on the determination result.

  Here, the robot palletizer 60 writes the information of the number of stages to each RFID tag 51. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the reader / writer 63 with a built-in antenna is mounted on a belt conveyor 62 or the like that transports the product 52. May be installed, and information on the number of stages may be written in each RFID tag 51.

  In this case, information on the number of products 52 loaded per stage is stored in a management device (not shown) connected to the reader / writer 63, and the products 52 that have passed through the installed gates are stored. The number of products 52 currently loaded is counted while counting the number, and the reader / writer 63 writes the information of the number of steps to each RFID tag 51 based on the determination result. And

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the reader / writer 30 is a reader / writer with a built-in antenna, and performs radio wave communication with the RFID tag 61 attached to the product 62 loaded on the pallet 60. Data is stored in the tag 61, or data stored in the RFID tag 61 is read.

  Similar to the reader / writer 22 shown in FIG. 3, the reader / writer 30 is attached at a position above the surface to which the RFID tag 61 is attached, and performs radio wave communication with the RFID tag 61.

  When the product 62 is a metal product or a product 62 that contains moisture, the reader / writer 30 provides information on the stage of the RFID tag 61 attached to the upper product 62 that does not block the propagation of communication radio waves. Will be read.

  The management server 40 is a device that determines the loading status of the products 62. The management server 40 includes a data read / write processing unit 41, an input unit 42, a display unit 43, a storage unit 44, a loading status determination unit 46, and a control unit 47.

  The data read / write processing unit 41 controls the reader / writer 30 to read information from the RFID tag 61 attached to each product 62 or write information to the RFID tag 61.

  The input unit 42 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 43 is a display device such as a display device.

  The storage unit 44 is a storage device such as a hard disk device. The storage unit 44 stores number data 45. The number data 45 is data that stores information such as the number of products 52 loaded on the pallet 50 per stage.

  Here, the number of products 52 loaded on the pallet 50 is different for each type of product 52. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the difference in the number of products 52 loaded on the pallet 50 per stage.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the product 52 is a box product, the number of the products 52 loaded on the pallet 50 is eight, and the product is arranged in four tiers on one pallet 50. If 52 are loaded, the total number of products 52 is 32.

  In addition, when the product 52 is a dough can product, the number of products 52 loaded on the pallet 50 per stage is 16, and the product 52 is loaded on the pallet 50 in two stages. Then, the total number of products 52 is 16.

  The number data 45 stores information on the number of products 52 per stage loaded on the pallet 50 for each type of product 52.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the number data 45 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, this number data 45 stores data of product ID, number of loading stages, and number of products per stage.

  The product ID is identification information that identifies the type of each product 52. The number of loading stages is the number of stages of products 52 stacked on the pallet 50. The number of products per stage is information on the number of products 52 per stage of products 52 loaded on the pallet 50.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the loading status determination unit 46 performs processing for determining the loading status of the product 62. Specifically, the loading status determination unit 46 determines the product 62 located at the top level from the information on the level where the product 61 is read by the reader / writer 30 according to the method described with reference to FIG. Determine the number.

  In addition, the loading status determination unit 46 reads information on the number of products 52 per stage of the products 52 loaded on the pallet 50 from the number data 45. Then, the loading status determination unit 46 calculates the number of products 62 below the top level by multiplying the number of products 62 below the top level by the number of products 62 per level.

  Furthermore, the loading status determination unit 46 determines the total number of products 62 on the pallet 60 by adding the number of products 62 below the top level and the number of products 62 on the top level.

  The control unit 47 is a control unit that controls the management server 40 as a whole, and controls data exchange between the functional units.

  Next, a processing procedure of the loading status determination process according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure of the loading status determination process according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the data read / write processing unit 41 of the management server 40 controls the reader / writer 30 installed above the RFID tag 61 attached to the upper surface of each product 62, so that the RFID tag The information of the stage where each product 62 is located is read from 61 (step S101).

  Then, the loading state determination unit 46 reads the information on the number of products 62 per stage stored as the number data 45 from the storage unit 44 (step S102).

  Subsequently, the loading status determination unit 46 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 based on the number of products 62 in the uppermost stage determined from the number of times the information on the uppermost stage is read and the number of products 62 per stage. In this way, the total number of products 62 on the pallet 60 is calculated (step S103).

  Thereafter, the loading status determination unit 46 outputs the calculated total number of products 62 on the pallet 60 to the display unit 43 (step S104), and ends this loading status determination processing.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the reader / writer 30 is attached to the barcode information displayed on the upper surface of the product 62 loaded on the uppermost stage or the upper surface of the product 62 loaded on the uppermost stage. The information for identifying the step where the product 62 is stored stored in the RFID tag 61 is read from above the upper surface, and the storage unit 44 of the management server 40 stores information on the number of products 62 in the steps other than the uppermost step in the number data 45, and the loading status determination unit 46 determines the loading status of the product 62 based on the read information and the stored information, so that the metal product 62 and the product 62 containing moisture are loaded. Even in such a case, the loading status of the product 62 can be reliably determined.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the reader / writer 30 has information for identifying the level displayed on the upper surface of the product 62 loaded on the uppermost level, or an RFID tag attached to the upper surface of the product 62 loaded on the uppermost level. Is read from above the upper surface, the storage unit 44 stores information relating to the number of products 62 in each stage other than the uppermost stage as the number data 45, and the loading status determination unit 46 Since the number of products 62 to be loaded is determined based on the read information and the stored information, the number of products 62 to be loaded is determined even when a metal product 62 or a product 62 containing moisture is loaded. It can be determined with certainty.

  In the first embodiment, the reader / writer 22 of the palletizer 20 transmits information related to the stage where the product 52 is located on the RFID tag attached to the upper surface of each product 52 from above the upper surface of each product 52. Thus, the information is written to the RFID tag, and the reader / writer 30 reads the written information. Therefore, the information related to the stage where the product 52 is located is efficiently written to the RFID tag attached to the upper surface of the product 52. be able to.

  Further, in the first embodiment, a reader that writes information on an RFID tag by transmitting information related to the stage where the product 52 is located to the RFID tag attached to the upper surface of each product 52 from above the upper surface of each product 52. Since the writer 22 is provided in the palletizer 20 that loads the product 52 on the RFID tag, information relating to the stage where the product 52 is positioned on the RFID tag attached to the upper surface of the product 52 when the product 52 is loaded. Can be written efficiently.

  By the way, in the first embodiment, information on the level where the product is located is stored in the RFID tag, and the number of products loaded on the pallet is determined from the information on the level and the number of products per level. However, if the container to be loaded is made of metal, the data of the RFID tag attached to the upper surface of the lower container cannot be read from the reader / writer installed above, and the upper surface of the newly loaded container It is also possible to detect that the container is loaded by using the fact that the information of the RFID tag attached to can be read.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, a loading state determination process for detecting that a container is loaded using the above phenomenon will be described. First, the concept of the loading status determination process according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the loading state determination process according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this loading status determination process, RFID tags 71 are installed at the respective arrangement locations 70 where metal containers are arranged. Each RFID tag 71 stores ID information for identifying each RFID tag 71.

  When the container 73a with the RFID tag 72a attached to the upper surface is loaded at the place where the container is arranged, the reader / writer cannot read the data of the RFID tag 71 installed at the container arrangement place 70. Instead, the data of the RFID tag 72a attached to the container 73a can be read.

  In such a case, the management server connected to the reader / writer determines that the container 73a is installed at the container placement location 70. The management server stores a correspondence table between the ID information of the RFID tag 71 and the arrangement location 70 where the container is arranged, and the container is arranged based on the ID information read from the RFID tag 71. The arranged location 70 can be specified.

  When another container 73b is loaded on the container 73a, the reader / writer cannot read the data of the RFID tag 72a attached to the container 73a, and instead the RFID attached to the container 73b. The data of the tag 72b can be read.

  In such a case, the management server determines that another container 73b is loaded on the container 73a. Then, the management server stores the loading history of the loaded containers 73a and 73b, thereby easily determining the position and number of the loaded containers 73a and 73b, the total number of loaded containers 73a and 73b, and the like. Will be able to.

  Here, the ID information is stored in the RFID tags 92 and 93. However, instead of the RFID tags 92 and 93, a two-dimensional code or the like in which the ID information is embedded is displayed on the upper surface of the container 90. Alternatively, the ID information is read by a bar code reader having a CCD camera from above the upper surface on which the two-dimensional code is displayed, and the loading state determination process may be performed.

  Next, a functional configuration of the loading status determination system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the loading status determination system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the loading status determination system includes a reader / writer 70 and a management server 80.

  The reader / writer 70 is a reader / writer with a built-in antenna. The RFID tag 92 installed at the placement location 91 of the container 90 or the RFID tag attached to the upper surface of the container 90 loaded at the placement location 91. Radio communication is performed between the RFID tags 92 and 93 and data is stored in the RFID tags 92 and 93, and data stored in the RFID tags 92 and 93 is read.

  As in the case described with reference to FIG. 1, the reader / writer 70 is attached at a position above the surface to which the RFID tags 92 and 93 are attached, and performs radio wave communication with the RFID tags 92 and 93.

  When the container 90 is a metal container, the reader / writer 70 identifies the ID information of the RFID tag 93 attached to the uppermost container 90 that does not block the propagation of communication radio waves among the loaded containers 90. Will be read.

  When the container 90 is not loaded at the arrangement location 91 of the container 90, the reader / writer 70 reads the ID information of the RFID tag 92 installed at the arrangement location 91.

  Here, even when the container 90 is newly loaded, the number of RFID tags 92 and 93 to be read does not change (12 in the example shown in FIG. 9). Further, since the loading status of the container 90 can be grasped only by reading the RFID tags 92 and 93 from above the container 90, the number of reader / writers 70 can be reduced.

  The management server 80 is a device that determines the loading status of the container 90. The management server 80 includes a data read / write processing unit 81, an input unit 82, a display unit 83, a storage unit 84, a loading status determination unit 87, and a control unit 88.

  The data read / write processing unit 81 controls the reader / writer 70 to read information from the RFID tag 92 installed at each placement location 91 of the container 90 or the RFID tag 93 attached to each container 90, or Then, processing for writing information to the RFID tags 92 and 93 is performed.

  The input unit 82 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 83 is a display device such as a display device.

  The storage unit 84 is a storage device such as a hard disk device. The storage unit 84 stores arrangement location data 85 and container data 86. The arrangement location data 85 is data for specifying the arrangement location 91 where the container 90 is arranged.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement location data 85 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement location data 85 stores information on the RFID tag ID and the installation position.

  The RFID tag ID is ID information for identifying each RFID tag 92 installed at each placement location 91 of the container 90, and is information stored in each RFID tag 92. The installation position is information on an arrangement location 91 (A row and B column) where the RFID tag 92 corresponding to each RFID tag ID is installed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 9, the container data 86 stores information on the position of the container 90 loaded in each placement location 91. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the container data 86 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the container data 86 stores information on the RFID tag ID and the loading position. The RFID tag ID is ID information for identifying the RFID tag 93 attached to each container 90.

  The loading position is information on the loading position (A row B column C stage) of the container 90 to which the RFID tag 93 identified by the RFID tag ID is attached. The information on the loading position is determined by the method described with reference to FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 9, the loading status determination unit 87 performs processing for determining the loading status of the container 90. Specifically, the loading status determination unit 87 performs information such as the RFID tags 92 and 93 read by the reader / writer 70 and the arrangement location stored in the storage unit 84 according to the method described with reference to FIG. From the data 85 and the container data 86, the loading position where the container is loaded is determined.

  Furthermore, the loading status determination unit 87 calculates the total number of containers 90 loaded in each placement location 91 by counting the number of containers 90 when the loading position of each container 90 is determined.

  The control unit 88 is a control unit that controls the management server 80 as a whole, and controls data exchange between the functional units.

  Next, a processing procedure of the loading status determination process according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure of a loading status determination process according to the second embodiment. Here, every time one container 90 is loaded, the following loading status determination process is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, first, the data read / write processing unit 81 of the management server 80 includes readers installed above the RFID tags 92 and 93 attached to the respective placement locations 91 of the containers 90 or the upper surfaces of the containers 90. The writer 70 is controlled to read the ID information of the RFID tags 92 and 93 from the RFID tags 92 and 93 (step S201).

  Then, although the data read / write processing unit 81 can read the ID information of the RFID tags 92 and 93 last time, there is ID information that cannot be read this time, and the ID that has been newly read this time. It is checked whether there is information (step S202).

  If there is ID information that can not be read this time and there is ID information that has been newly read (step S202, Yes), the loading status determination unit 87 determines that the RFID tags 92 and 93 corresponding to the ID information that can no longer be read exist. It is determined that a new container 90 is loaded on the placement location 91 or the container 90 attached (step S203).

  Then, the loading status determination unit 87 stores information on the loading position of the newly loaded container 90 in the container data 86 (step S204).

  Thereafter, the loading status determination unit 87 calculates the number of loaded containers 90 loaded in each placement location 91 by counting the information of the containers 90 stored in the container data 86 (step S205), and is newly loaded. The loading position of the container 90 and the information of the calculated loading number are output to the display unit 83 (step S206), and this loading state determination process is terminated.

  In step S202, when there is no ID information that can no longer be read and there is no newly read ID information (No in step S202), the process proceeds to step S205, and the subsequent processing is continued.

  Here, the case where the container 90 is loaded has been described, but when the loaded container 90 is lowered, the placement location 91 and the reading status of the RFID tags 92 and 93 installed in the container 90 are also described. It can be determined whether the container 90 has been lowered.

  In this case, the position information of the loaded container 90 is stored in advance in the management server 80 or the like. Then, the loading status determination unit 87 cannot read the information of the RFID tag 93 attached to the uppermost container 90 from which the previous information could be read, and is installed in the container 90 or the arrangement location 91 in the lower stage. When the information of the RFID tags 92 and 93 can be read, it is determined that the container 90 is lowered.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the data read / write processing unit 81 of the management server 80 displays the barcode information displayed on the upper surface of the container 90 loaded on the uppermost row or the container 90 loaded on the uppermost row. When the information stored in the RFID tag 92 attached to the upper surface of the RFID tag 92 is read a plurality of times, the loading status determination unit 87 determines whether the container 90 Since the loading status is determined, the loading status of the container 90 can be reliably determined even when the metal container 90 is loaded.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims other than the embodiments described above. Is also good.

  For example, in this embodiment, the reader / writer reads information stored in the RFID tag attached to the upper surface of the product or container from above, but the present invention is not limited to this. When products and containers are sequentially arranged in the side direction, the loading status can be determined by reading the information stored in the RFID tag attached to the side of the product or container from the side. Good.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a loading status determination process when containers are sequentially arranged in the side surface direction. In this loading status determination process, the containers 103 with the RFID tags 104 attached to the side surfaces are sequentially arranged in the side surface direction. Further, the RFID tag 102 is installed not only on the side surface of the container 103 but also at the arrangement position 101 of the container 103.

  A reader / writer 100 with a built-in antenna communicates with the RFID tags 102 and 104 from the side facing the RFID tags 102 and 104 to read information stored in the RFID tags 102 and 104.

  As a method for determining the loading status, the method described with reference to FIG. 1 or the method described with reference to FIG. 8 can be used. However, the case of FIG. 13 is different in that the upper direction in FIGS. 1 and 8 is the side surface direction.

  In this embodiment, information is read / written from / to the RFID tag using a reader / writer installed at a predetermined location. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the portable reader / writer Information may be read from and written to the RFID tag using a writer.

  In addition, among the processes described in this embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method.

  In addition, the processing procedure, control procedure, specific name, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above-described document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

  Further, each component of each illustrated apparatus is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured.

  Further, all or any part of each processing function performed in each device may be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic.

  Note that the loading status determination method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation.

  This program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. The program can also be executed by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD and being read from the recording medium by the computer.

  As described above, the loading status determination system, the loading status determination method, and the information transmission device according to the present invention reliably determine the loading status of a load even when a metal load or a load containing moisture is loaded. It is useful for a loading status determination system that requires

Claims (5)

A loading status determination system for determining a loading status of a load,
Information reading means for reading information indicating the position of the cargo stored in the RFID tag attached to the information or the predetermined surface indicate the position of the load displayed on the predetermined surface of the cargo from the position facing the predetermined surface When,
Storage means for storing at least information relating to the number of loads other than the load on the position where the information reading means reads information;
A loading status determination unit that determines the number of loads loaded based on the information read by the information reading unit and the information stored by the storage unit;
A loading status determination system characterized by comprising: An information writing means for writing information on the RFID tag by transmitting information related to the position of the load to the RFID tag attached to a predetermined surface of each load from a position facing the predetermined surface of each load. wherein the information reading means, the loading status determination system according to claim 1, characterized in that reading the information written by said information writing means. The loading status determination system according to claim 2 , wherein the information writing unit is provided in a loading device that loads the load. A loading status determination system for determining a loading status of a load,
Arrangement location ID information which is ID information displayed on a predetermined arrangement surface of an arrangement location where a load is arranged, or ID information of the RFID tag stored in an RFID tag attached to the predetermined arrangement surface Placement ID information, or load ID information that is ID information displayed on a predetermined surface of the load placed at the placement location, or an RFID attached to a predetermined surface of the load placed at the placement location Information reading means for reading cargo ID information, which is ID information of the RFID tag stored in the tag, from the predetermined arrangement surface or a position corresponding to the predetermined surface;
An arrangement location storage unit that stores installation location information indicating the location of the arrangement location in association with the arrangement location ID information;
A load storage unit that stores the load ID information and loading position information indicating a position where the load is loaded each time the load ID information is read by the information reading unit;
When the placement location ID information or the load ID information is read by the information reading means, the placement location ID information or the load that has been read this time for each placement location information stored in the placement location storage unit By comparing the ID information with the arrangement location ID information or the load ID information read in the past by the information reading means, the load position information stored in the load storage unit is updated, and the number of loads of the load is determined. A loading status judging means for judging,
A loading status determination system characterized by comprising: A loading status determination method for determining a loading status of a load,
From the position information reading unit information is facing the predetermined surface indicating the position of the stored cargo information or RFID tag attached to the predetermined surface indicate the position of the displayed load a predetermined plane of the cargo An information reading process for reading;
A loading status for determining the number of loads loaded based on the information read by the information reading step and information stored in advance concerning the number of loads loaded other than the load on the position where the information reading unit reads the information A determination process;
A loading situation determination method characterized by including

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