JP5212006B2 - Location information management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a position information management system that manages position information of an object.

Conventionally, in order to confirm the location of a pallet that carries and carries a product during product transportation and the distribution route, an identification number is displayed on the pallet. This identification number is assigned. Is recorded in the form, or the identification number is recorded. Is read as a bar code or attached with an IC tag or the like. In addition, the same technique is applied to the products loaded on the pallet.
Patent Document 1 discloses a pallet management support system that acquires pallet identification information and pallet location information attached to a pallet by a barcode or the like from information reading means such as a barcode reader and uses these data for pallet management. Has been.
Patent Document 2 discloses a pallet management system that uses a pallet with a built-in IC tag and reads and writes the pallet information of the IC tag by a wireless terminal provided in the pallet carry-out path and the carry-in path. .
JP 2006-199427 A JP 2008-87839 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, a burden is imposed on the recording work and the reading work in the field. In addition, if the reading operation is to be automated, an enormous facility cost and a prior adjustment operation in accordance with the field environment are required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a position information management system for easily collecting the location and distribution route of an object such as a pallet at a low price.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a first invention is a position information management system including a first communication terminal device attached to an object for managing position information and a second communication terminal device. The first communication terminal device includes a start unit that starts the first communication terminal device together with the start of movement of the object, and a first time that indicates the time from the start of the first communication terminal device to data transmission. A location information management system comprising: data transmission means for transmitting time information and first identification information for identifying the first communication terminal device to the second communication terminal device.

The time information is information indicating or corresponding to a certain time, time, or time width.
According to said structure, the positional information on a target object can be collected with time information using a communication network.

  The positional information management system of the first invention further includes a third communication terminal device, and the data transmission means of the first communication terminal device sends the first time information and the first identification information to the second communication terminal. The third communication terminal device receives the data received by the data receiving means and the data receiving means after the third communication terminal device receives the data. It is desirable to have data transmission means for transmitting data to which the third time information indicating the time until data transmission is added to the second communication terminal apparatus or another third communication terminal apparatus.

  According to the above configuration, since information is exchanged between terminals, position information of an object can be collected together with time information using a large-scale communication network at a low cost.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a second invention is a position information management system including a first communication terminal device, a second communication terminal device, and a server attached to an object for managing position information. The first communication terminal device includes an activation unit that activates the first communication terminal device together with the start of the movement of the object, and a first time that indicates the time from the activation of the first communication terminal device to the transmission of data. Data transmission means for transmitting the first time information and the first identification information for identifying the first communication terminal apparatus to the second communication terminal apparatus, and the second communication terminal apparatus comprises: In the data received by the data receiving means, second time information indicating a time from when the second communication terminal apparatus receives data until data transmission and second identification information for identifying the second communication terminal apparatus are provided. The added data is A data transmitting means for transmitting to the server, the server receiving the data receiving means, a database storing the location information of the second communication terminal device in association with the second identification information, and the first time information; Corresponding to the second time information and the calculation means for calculating the movement start time of the target object based on the fourth time information indicating the absolute time when the server receives the data , the first identification information, and the second identification information A position information management system comprising: a database that stores the position information of the second communication terminal device and the movement start time of the object in association with each other.

  According to the above configuration, since the position information of the object can be managed together with the time information using the communication network, the equipment cost associated with the on-site recording and reading work and the automation of the reading work Prior adjustment work according to the site environment is not required. Therefore, it is possible to easily collect the location of the object such as a pallet and the distribution route at a low price.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a third invention is a position information management system including a first communication terminal device, a second communication terminal device, and a server attached to an object for managing position information. The first communication terminal device includes an activation unit that activates the first communication terminal device together with the start of the movement of the object, and a first time that indicates the time from the activation of the first communication terminal device to the transmission of data. Data transmission means for transmitting the first time information and the first identification information for identifying the first communication terminal apparatus to the second communication terminal apparatus, and the second communication terminal apparatus comprises: Data obtained by adding the second time information indicating the time from when the second communication terminal apparatus receives the data to the data transmission and the position information of the second communication terminal apparatus to the data received by the data receiving means To send to It includes a data transmitting unit, and the server, the movement of the object and the data receiving unit, a first time information, and the second time information, the fourth time information indicating the absolute time received by the server data A position having calculation means for calculating a start time, first identification information, position information of the second communication terminal device, and a database for storing the movement start time of the object in association with each other It is an information management system.

  According to said structure, the positional information on a target object can be managed with time information using a communication network. Further, since the position information of the second communication terminal device is directly transmitted to the server, even if the second communication terminal device is installed in a moving vehicle such as a truck and its position is not fixed, the second communication terminal device Position information can be obtained.

  The positional information management system of the second invention and the positional information management system of the third invention further include a third communication terminal device, wherein the data transmission means of the first communication terminal device includes the first time information and the first time information 1 identification information is transmitted to the second communication terminal device or the third communication terminal device, and the third communication terminal device includes a data receiving means and data received by the data receiving means. Data transmission for transmitting data to which the third time information indicating the time from when the third communication terminal apparatus receives data to when the data is transmitted to the second communication terminal apparatus or another third communication terminal apparatus Means for calculating the movement start time of the object based on the first time information, the second time information, the third time information, and the fourth time information. Is desirable.

  According to said structure, the positional information on a target object can be managed with time information using a large-scale communication network at low cost by passing information between terminals.

  The first communication terminal device, or the first communication terminal device and the third communication terminal device include a vibration sensor, a power supply device, a CPU, a memory, and wireless communication means, and the vibration sensor It is desirable to start from a stop state in which the power supply device supplies electric power and only the vibration sensor is activated by detecting vibrations.

  With the above configuration, a communication terminal device that is activated when the object starts moving can be provided to the position information management system of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the position information of the object is managed together with the time information using the communication network, so that a huge amount of equipment costs associated with the on-site recording and reading operations and the automation of the reading operations and the site environment in advance No adjustment work is required. Therefore, it is possible to provide a position information management system that easily collects the location and distribution route of an object such as a pallet at a low price.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration of the location information management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, an object managed by the position information management system 1 is a distribution pallet for loading articles.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of the location information management system 1.
The location information management system 1 includes a pallet 3 (3 ′), a first communication terminal device 5 and a third communication terminal device 5 ′, a second communication terminal device 7, a server 9, a network 11, a computer 13, and the like. Is done.
Further, as an example of the distribution route, the first distribution center 15, the truck 17, and the second distribution center 19 will be described.

  Reference numeral 3 (3 ') denotes a pallet, which is an object whose position is managed in this embodiment. Goods are loaded on the pallet 3 (3 ′) and are transported from the first distribution center 15 to the second distribution center 19 by the truck 17.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a first communication terminal device, and 5 ′ denotes a third communication terminal device, which are attached to the pallet 3 and the pallet 3 ′, respectively. Also, an ID for identifying each of the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal 5 ′ is given.
The first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 ′ are realized by the same type of device described later. The difference between the two is due to the difference in the role of the position information management system 1 according to the present embodiment when transferring data. In the present embodiment, the same communication terminal device may be regarded as the first communication terminal device 5 or may be regarded as the third communication terminal device 5 ′ due to the difference in the role of data exchange. is there.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a second communication terminal device, which is attached to each distribution path segment. Further, an ID for identifying each of the second communication terminal devices 7 is given. In the present embodiment, one unit is installed in the first distribution center 15, the truck 17, and the second distribution center 19. In addition to this, the first distribution center 15 may be divided into a plurality of sections, and one second communication terminal device 7 may be attached to each section.

A server 9 receives information transmitted by the second communication terminal device 7. It also has a database that stores various data. In addition, the computer 13 is connected via the network 11.
The computer 13 can communicate with the server 9 via the network 11.

  Next, the configuration of the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 'will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 ′).
The first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 ′) includes a CPU (central processing unit) 21, a memory 23, a wireless communication unit 25, a bus 27, a power source 29, a vibration sensor 31, and a voltage control unit 33. Composed.

The CPU 21 performs various calculations and controls to realize processing performed by a first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 ′) described later.
The memory 23 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores various data temporarily or permanently.

The wireless communication unit 25 includes an interface for performing wireless communication.
The wireless communication means includes Bluetooth (registered trademark) and wireless LAN. In this embodiment, Zigbee (registered trademark) communication is used in consideration of factors such as data transmission speed, power consumption, and communication range.

  Zigbee (registered trademark) communication is one of wireless communication means capable of transmitting and receiving data at a distance of about several tens of meters. Features include power saving and low cost. It is also possible to exchange data between communication terminal devices. Although the amount of data to be transmitted is not large, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to send and receive a large amount of data.

  The third communication terminal device 5 ′ transmits and receives data using Zigbee (registered trademark) communication in the wireless communication unit 25. However, in the case of the first communication terminal device 5, it is sufficient that the wireless communication unit 25 can perform data transmission using at least Zigbee (registered trademark) communication.

  The bus 27 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals and data signals between the devices.

  The power source 29 supplies power to the first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 '). The power source 29 is built in the first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 '). Since power consumption can be suppressed by using Zigbee (registered trademark) communication, for example, it can be realized by incorporating an AA battery.

The vibration sensor 31 detects vibration. When the vibration is detected, the power supply 29 supplies power to the first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 ′), and the first communication terminal device 5 ( The third communication terminal device 5 ′) is configured to start. The vibration sensor 31 itself operates by receiving a very small amount of power from the power supply 29 regardless of whether the first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 ′) is activated or stopped.
The voltage control unit 33 controls the power supplied from the power supply 29 to the first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 ′).

  The hardware configuration of the second communication terminal device 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the second communication terminal device 7.
The second communication terminal device 7 includes a CPU 35, a memory 37, a first wireless communication unit 39, a second wireless communication unit 40, a bus 41, a power supply 43, and a voltage control unit 45.

The CPU 35 performs various calculations and controls, and realizes processing performed by the second communication terminal device 7 described later.
The memory 37 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores various data temporarily or permanently.

The first wireless communication unit 39 has an interface for performing wireless communication. Data transmitted from the first communication terminal device 5 or the third communication terminal device 5 ′ is received by wireless communication using a predetermined wireless communication means.
In the present embodiment, Zigbee (registered trademark) communication is used as the predetermined wireless communication means.

The second wireless communication unit 40 includes an interface for performing wireless communication. Data is transmitted to the server 9 by wireless communication using predetermined wireless communication means.
PHS (registered trademark) (Personal Handy-phone System) communication is used as the predetermined wireless communication means. Since communication is performed using an existing communication network using PHS (registered trademark) communication, the network can be configured at low cost.

  The bus 41 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals and data signals between the devices.

The power supply 43 supplies power to the second communication terminal device 7. FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which the power supply 43 is outside the second communication terminal device 7. However, the second communication terminal device 7 may be configured to incorporate the power source 43. This is effective when the external power supply cannot be taken as in the case of the second communication terminal device 7 installed in the truck 17.
The voltage control unit 45 controls the power supplied from the power source 43 to the second communication terminal device 7.

The hardware configuration of the server 9 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the server 9.

  The server 9 includes a CPU 47, a memory 49, a display unit 51, a communication unit 53, a storage unit 55, an input unit 59, an output unit 61, a wireless communication unit 62, and the like, which are connected via a bus 63 and the like. ing.

The CPU 47 reads out data, programs, and the like stored in the storage unit 55 and the like to the memory 49 and performs various calculations and controls. Thereby, processing performed by the server 9 described later is realized.
The memory 49 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and temporarily or permanently stores various data and programs.

The storage unit 55 includes a hard disk and stores various data and programs. The storage unit 55 holds a database 57.
The database 57 is used to store various data used for processing performed by the server 9 described later in a readable manner.
In this embodiment, the server 9 has a built-in storage unit 55 and the storage unit 55 has a database 57. However, the configuration of the server 9, the storage unit 55, and the database 57 can take various forms. For example, a configuration in which the storage unit 55 is connected to the server 9 via a network, a configuration in which the database 57 is connected to the server 9 independently of the storage unit 55, and the like are possible.

The display unit 51 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a CRT monitor. Various data can be displayed.
The communication unit 53 includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like. Connect to the network 11 to send and receive various data.
The wireless communication unit 62 has an interface for performing wireless communication. Data transmitted by the second communication terminal device 7 is received by wireless communication using a predetermined wireless communication means. PHS (registered trademark) (Personal Handy-phone System) communication is used as the predetermined wireless communication means.

The input unit 59 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a drive device, and the like, and is a peripheral device for inputting data to the server 9. In addition, an interface for connecting the server 9 to each device and inputting data is provided.
The output unit 61 is a peripheral device for outputting data from the server 9 such as a printer or a drive device. In addition, an interface for connecting the server 9 to each device and outputting data is provided.
The bus 63 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals and data signals between the devices.

  Next, processing in the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 'of the location information management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 ′ of the location information management system 1.
Steps S <b> 501 to S <b> 509 are processing steps in the first communication terminal device 5. Steps S511 to S518 are processing steps in the third communication terminal apparatus 5 ′. I601 is a symbol indicating a connection of data passing between steps.

Initially, the pallet 3 is stored in the warehouse of the first distribution center 15 and is stationary. A first communication terminal device 5 is attached to the pallet 3.
In addition, there is another pallet 3 ′ in the warehouse of the first distribution center 15, and a third communication terminal device 5 ′ is attached to the pallet 3 ′. The other pallet 3 ′ is moving, and the third communication terminal device 5 ′ is in an activated state accordingly.

  Although the pallet 3 to which the first communication terminal device 5 is attached is initially stationary, the pallet 3 starts to move by transportation with a forklift or the like (step S501).

  Then, the vibration sensor 31 of the first communication terminal device 5 senses vibration (step S502).

  When the vibration sensor 31 senses vibration, power is supplied to the first communication terminal device 5 from the power source 29 via the voltage control unit 33, and the first communication terminal device 5 is activated (step S503).

  While the pallet 3 is moving, the first communication terminal device 5 is operating, but when the pallet 3 is stationary and the vibration sensor 31 no longer senses vibration, the power to the first communication terminal device 5 is Supply is stopped. When the pallet 3 is stored in a warehouse and stays in one place, for example, power is not used when the pallet 3 is stationary for a long period of time, thus saving power. The same applies to the third communication terminal device 5 '.

  The CPU 21 of the first communication terminal device 5 starts counting the number of CPU clocks when the first communication terminal device 5 is activated (step S504).

  In addition, the CPU 21 of the first communication terminal device 5 acquires the number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal device 5 and the ID of the first communication terminal device 5, and terminal data in which the number of transmission clocks and the ID are associated with each other. Is generated (step S505). The generated terminal data is stored in the memory 23.

Here, the number of transmission clocks indicates the time from the start of the first communication terminal device to the data transmission.
In this embodiment, a plurality of data transmission timings (number of transmission clocks) are determined in advance. For example, it is determined that data transmission is performed when the number of clocks reaches 2 × 10 ⁹ times, 4 × 10 ⁹ times, 6 × 10 ⁹ times,.
However, in addition to this, it is also possible to acquire the number of clocks immediately before transmitting terminal data and generate the terminal data using this as the number of transmission clocks. When configured in this way, it is possible to generate terminal data and transmit data when a certain condition is satisfied (for example, when a transmission destination terminal is found) without deciding data transmission timing in advance. is there.

When the count of the number of clocks reaches the number of transmission clocks (step S506), the CPU 21 of the first communication terminal device 5 transmits terminal data via the wireless communication unit 25.
However, there may or may not be a destination terminal (step S507).

  If there is a destination terminal, the branch of step S507 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, the CPU 21 transmits terminal data to the destination terminal using Zigbee (registered trademark) communication (step S508).

After transmitting the terminal data stored in the memory 23 in step S508, the CPU 21 rewrites the transmission clock number of the terminal data stored in the memory 23 to the transmission clock number of the next data transmission timing (step S508). S509).
For example, after transmitting the terminal data when the number of transmission clocks reaches 2 × 10 ⁹ times, the number of transmission clocks of the terminal data stored in the memory 23 is rewritten to 4 × 10 ⁹ times, and the next data transmission Transmit at timing (when the number of transmission clocks reaches 4 × 10 ⁹ ).

On the other hand, if there is no destination terminal, the branch of step S507 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S509 described above. That is, the terminal data is not transmitted but only the number of transmission clocks is rewritten.
The cause of the absence of the destination terminal is that the communication terminal device within the communication range of the first communication terminal device 5 is not operating, or the pallet 3 to which the first communication terminal device 5 is attached moves, It is conceivable that the communication terminal device no longer exists within the communication range of one communication terminal device 5. When these causes are eliminated, the transmission destination of the terminal data comes to exist again.

  After the terminal data transmission clock number is rewritten in step S509, the process returns to step S506. When the count of the number of clocks reaches the new number of transmission clocks rewritten in step S509 (step S506), the processes of S507 to S509 described above are performed again.

  In step S508, terminal data is transmitted. In the present embodiment, the first communication terminal device 5 performs wireless communication using Zigbee (registered trademark) communication, so that the terminal data is transmitted to the second communication terminal device. 7 may be transmitted to the third communication terminal device 5 ′ (step S510).

  When terminal data is transmitted to the 2nd communication terminal device 7, it moves to the process in the 2nd communication terminal device 7 mentioned later after that (I601).

  When the terminal data is transmitted to the third communication terminal device 5 ', the process branches to step S511. In step S511, the third communication terminal apparatus 5 'receives terminal data via the wireless communication unit 25 (step S511). The received terminal data is stored in the memory 23.

The CPU 21 of the third communication terminal device 5 ′ starts counting the number of CPU clocks when receiving terminal data (step S512).
In addition, the CPU 21 of the third communication terminal device 5 ′ acquires the number of transmission clocks from data reception to data transmission of the third communication terminal device 5 ′ (step S513).

Here, the number of transmission clocks indicates the time from when the third communication terminal apparatus 5 ′ receives data until it transmits data.
In this embodiment, a plurality of data transmission timings (number of transmission clocks) are determined in advance. For example, it is determined that data transmission is performed when the clock count reaches 2 × 10 ⁸ times, 4 × 10 ⁸ times, 6 × 10 ⁸ times,.
However, in addition to this, it is also possible to acquire the number of clocks immediately before transmitting terminal data and generate the terminal data using this as the number of transmission clocks. When configured in this way, it is possible to generate terminal data and transmit data when a certain condition is satisfied (for example, when a transmission destination terminal is found) without deciding data transmission timing in advance. is there.

  Next, the CPU 21 of the third communication terminal device 5 'adds the number of transmission clocks acquired in step S513 to the data received in step S511. In this way, terminal data is generated (step S514). The generated terminal data is stored in the memory 23.

When the count of the number of clocks reaches the number of transmission clocks (step S515), the CPU 21 of the third communication terminal device 5 ′ transmits terminal data via the wireless communication unit 25.
However, as in the case of the first communication terminal device 5, there may be a case where there is a destination terminal and a case where there is no destination terminal (step S516).

  If there is a destination terminal, the branch at step S516 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S517. In step S517, the CPU 21 of the third communication terminal device 5 'transmits terminal data to the destination terminal using Zigbee (registered trademark) communication (step S517).

After transmitting the terminal data stored in the memory 23 in step S517, the CPU 21 of the third communication terminal device 5 ′ sets the transmission clock number of the terminal data stored in the memory 23 to the next data transmission timing. The transmission clock number is rewritten (step S518).
For example, after transmitting the terminal data when the number of transmission clocks reaches 2 × 10 ⁸ times, the number of transmission clocks of the terminal data stored in the memory 23 is rewritten to 4 × 10 ⁸ times, and the next data transmission Transmit at timing (when the number of transmission clocks reaches 4 × 10 ⁸ ).

On the other hand, if there is no destination terminal, the branch at step S516 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S518 described above. That is, the terminal data is not transmitted but only the number of transmission clocks is rewritten.
The cause of no terminal data transmission destination is that the communication terminal device within the communication range of the third communication terminal device 5 ′ is not operating or the pallet 3 ′ attached with the third communication terminal device 5 ′ is moved. As a result, the communication terminal device no longer exists within the communication range. When these causes are eliminated, the transmission destination of the terminal data comes to exist again.

  After rewriting the number of transmission clocks of the terminal data in step S518, the process returns to step S515. When the count of the number of clocks reaches the new number of transmission clocks rewritten in step S518 (step S515), the processes of S516 to S518 described above are performed again.

  In step S517, terminal data is transmitted. In this embodiment, since the third communication terminal device 5 ′ performs wireless communication using Zigbee (registered trademark) communication, the terminal data is stored in the second communication terminal. There is a case where it is transmitted to the device 7 and a case where it is transmitted to another third communication terminal device 5 ′ (step S510).

  When terminal data is transmitted to the 2nd communication terminal device 7, it moves to the process in the 2nd communication terminal device 7 mentioned later after that (I601).

In the case of transmission to another third communication terminal device 5 ′, the processing from step S511 to step S518 is repeated. That is, the processing from step S511 to step S518 is performed until data transmission is performed to the second communication terminal device 7.
At this time, terminal data in which the number of transmission clocks of the third communication terminal device 5 ′ is added to the number of transmission clocks and IDs of the first communication terminal device 5 by the number passing through the third communication terminal device 5 ′. Will be generated.

  However, in Zigbee (registered trademark) communication, the data transmission destination is not randomly determined, and from the first communication terminal device 5 (source terminal), in many cases, via the third communication terminal device 5 ′. A known routing algorithm for finding the best route for passing data to the second communication terminal device 7 (target terminal) is provided. In brief, for example, a route request message is sent from a source terminal to a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication network, and a route of a message that first reaches a target terminal is set as a transmission route.

  The advantage of such a configuration is that a mesh-type network configuration is enabled by transmitting and receiving data between communication terminal devices using Zigbee (registered trademark) communication, and a large-scale that can cover a wider range. It is to realize a wireless communication network at low cost.

However, a so-called star-type network configuration in which the first communication terminal device 5 always transmits data to the second communication terminal device 7 may be employed.
In this case, since the data is always transmitted to the second communication terminal device 7 at the branch of step S510 (I601), the processing of steps S511 to S518 is not performed.

Further, depending on the movement range of the object (pallet), it is possible to always have a destination communication terminal. Specifically, the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 ′ in the range where direct communication with the second communication terminal device 7 can be performed are performed unless the second communication terminal device 7 is turned off. Since it is always operating, there is always a destination terminal.
In this case, YES is always obtained at the branch of step S507 and step S516 (there is a transmission destination terminal).

  If the transmission destination of the terminal data is the second communication terminal device 7 at the branch of step S510, the terminal data is transferred by I601. After that, the process proceeds to the second communication terminal device 7.

  Processing in the second communication terminal device 7 and the server 9 of the location information management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the second communication terminal device 7 and the server 9 of the location information management system 1.
Steps S519 to S522 are processing steps in the second communication terminal apparatus 7. Steps S523 to S527 are processing steps in the server 9. I601 is a symbol indicating a connection of data passing between steps.

The terminal data transmitted from the first communication terminal device 5 or the third communication terminal device 5 ′ is received by the second communication terminal device 7 via the first wireless communication unit 39 (step S519). ).
Then, the CPU 35 of the second communication terminal apparatus 7 acquires the time stamp at the time of data reception and the ID of the second communication terminal apparatus 7 and adds it to the data received in step S519 (step S520), and stores it in the memory 37. save.
In the present embodiment, the time stamp indicates a relative time based on the time when the second communication terminal device 7 is activated. The relative time is a relative time indicating a time difference from the reference time with a certain reference time being zero.

The CPU 35 of the second communication terminal apparatus 7 acquires a time stamp at the time of data transmission immediately before the second communication terminal apparatus 7 transmits data. The acquired time stamp is further added to the data generated in step S520 to generate terminal data (step S521). The generated data is stored in the memory 37.
Here, the time difference between the time stamp at the time of data transmission and the time stamp at the time of data reception indicates the time from the data reception time of the second communication terminal device 7 to the data transmission time.

  The CPU 35 of the second communication terminal device 7 transmits the terminal data generated in step S521 to the server 9 via the second wireless communication unit 40 (step S522). As the wireless transmission means, PHS (registered trademark) communication is used. The transmitted data is deleted from the memory 37.

  In step S522, the second communication terminal device 7 transmits the terminal data generated in steps S519 to S521 to the server 9 at predetermined intervals. The constant interval is, for example, 10 minutes or 120 minutes.

Here, for example, when the interval at which the first communication terminal device 5 or the third communication terminal device 5 ′ transmits data is narrower than the interval at which the second communication terminal device 7 transmits data, the second communication terminal device 7 During the data transmission interval, terminal data having the same transmission source (first communication terminal apparatus 5) may be generated a plurality of times in the second communication terminal apparatus 7.
In this case, the data generated at the end is set as data to be transmitted, for example, by performing data overwriting processing based on the ID of the communication terminal device (first communication terminal device 5) as the transmission source. However, this agreement may be freely set, for example, the first generated data may be held as data to be transmitted.

  The server 9 receives the terminal data transmitted from the second communication terminal device 7 via the wireless communication unit 62 (step S523).

In addition, the CPU 47 of the server 9 acquires a time stamp at the time of terminal data reception (step S524). The data received in step S523 is stored in the memory 49 in association with the time stamp acquired in step S524.
In the present embodiment, the time stamp of the server 9 is expressed in absolute time. The absolute time indicates a normally used time such as August 29, 2008, 13:50:33.

  Next, the CPU 47 of the server 9 transmits the number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal device 5 or the number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 ′ included in the received data, The movement start time of the pallet 3 is calculated from the time stamp at the time of data reception of the communication terminal device 7 and the time stamp at the time of data transmission and the time stamp of the server 9 acquired at step S524 (step S525). In the present embodiment, the movement start time is an absolute time. The obtained movement start time of the pallet 3 is stored in the memory 49 in association with the data received in step S523.

The calculation of the movement start time of the pallet 3 will be described.
First, at the time of data reception by the second communication terminal device 7, the time from the reception of data to the transmission of data by the second communication terminal device 7 is known from the time stamp indicating the relative time at the time of data transmission.
If this is subtracted from the absolute time at the time of data reception of the server 9 indicated by the time stamp of the server 9, it substantially corresponds to the absolute time at which the second communication terminal apparatus 7 received the data.
The time corresponding to the total number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal apparatus 5 or the total number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal apparatus 5 and the third communication terminal apparatus 5 ′ is the first communication terminal apparatus 5. Is approximately equal to the time from when the first communication terminal device 5 or the third communication terminal device 5 ′ transmits data to the second communication terminal device 7.
Therefore, from the absolute time at which the second communication terminal device 7 received the data, the number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal device 5 or the number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 ′. If the time corresponding to the sum of the above is subtracted, it is substantially equal to the absolute time when the first communication terminal device 5 is activated. The activation time of the first communication terminal device 5 is the movement start time of the pallet 3.
Thereby, although there is an error associated with the data communication time, the absolute time when the movement of the pallet 3 is started can be obtained.

However, the combination of the time information which can obtain | require the absolute time when the 1st communication terminal device 5 started is not restricted to this.
For example, in addition to the number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal device 5 or the number of transmission clocks of the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 ′, when the second communication terminal device 7 receives data May be a combination of the time stamp (indicating relative time with reference to the time when the second communication terminal device 7 is activated) and information on the absolute time when the second communication terminal device 7 is activated (which the server 9 has). .
At this time, the absolute time at which the second communication terminal apparatus 7 receives the data is known from the time stamp when the second communication terminal apparatus 7 receives the data and the absolute time when the second communication terminal apparatus 7 is activated. Thereafter, the start time of the first communication terminal device 5 is obtained by going back the time corresponding to the number of transmission clocks.

  In addition, it is assumed that the time stamp of the second communication terminal device 7 is expressed in absolute time, the second communication terminal device 7 acquires the time stamp at the time of data reception, and the second communication terminal device 7 is the data reception of the second communication terminal device 7 in addition to the transmission clock number of the first communication terminal device 5 or the transmission clock numbers of the first communication terminal device 5 and the third communication terminal device 5 ′. The time stamp may be transmitted to the server 9. At this time, the absolute time at which the second communication terminal apparatus 7 received the data is known from the time stamp when the second communication terminal apparatus 7 received the data. Thereafter, the start time of the first communication terminal device 5 is obtained by going back the time corresponding to the number of transmission clocks.

  Now, when the movement start time of the pallet 3 is obtained in step S525, the CPU 47 of the server 9 next searches the database 57 using the ID of the second communication terminal device 7 included in the data received in step S523 as a key, The position information of the second communication terminal device 7 is acquired (step S526).

In the database 57, position information of the second communication terminal device 7 is input and stored in advance in association with the ID of the second communication terminal device 7.
The position information indicates a place where the second communication terminal device 7 is installed, such as “first distribution center” or “second distribution center”.
The location information of the second communication terminal device 7 obtained in step S526 is stored in the memory 49 in association with the data received in step S523.

  Subsequently, the CPU 47 of the server 9 receives the movement start time of the pallet 3 acquired in step S525 and the position information of the second communication terminal device 7 acquired in step S526, in the first communication terminal device 5 received in step S523. Is stored in the database 57 in association with the ID (step S527). Thereafter, the data remaining on the memory 49 is erased.

  Now, in the above flow, the position information of the pallet 3 is acquired by searching the database 57 of the server 9 using the ID of the second communication terminal device 7 acquired in step S520 as a key to search for the second communication terminal device 7. The location information of was acquired. Here, the database 57 stores the ID of the second communication terminal device 7 and the position information in advance in association with each other.

  In the above flow, the pallet 3 was in the warehouse of the first distribution center 15. The second communication terminal device 7 was installed in the warehouse of the first distribution center 15.

  Since the position of the second communication terminal apparatus 7 is fixed in this way, the ID of the second communication terminal apparatus 7 and the position information can be associated in advance and stored in the database 57, whereby the second Thus, the position information of the second communication terminal device 7 can be obtained from the ID of the communication terminal device 7.

  On the other hand, for example, in the case of the second communication terminal device 7 installed in the truck 17, the position of the second communication terminal device 7 is not fixed because the second communication terminal device 7 moves together with the track 17. For this reason, the ID of the second communication terminal device 7 and the position information cannot be stored in the database in advance.

  In such a case, the CPU 35 of the second communication terminal device 7 acquires the position information of the second communication terminal device 7 instead of the ID of the second communication terminal device 7 in step S520, and performs the subsequent processing. Keep going.

  The PHS (registered trademark) communication function of the second wireless communication unit 40 of the second communication terminal device 7 can be used for acquiring the position information. Here, the position information is, for example, “XX area (region name)”. The position of the second communication terminal device 7 can be determined from the information of the base station used for PHS (registered trademark) communication and the strength of radio waves received from the base station, and the strength of radio waves received from a plurality of base stations. If there is a combination of, more accurate positioning is possible.

  At this time, the position information of the second communication terminal device 7 is already included in the data received by the server 9 in step S523. Therefore, the process of step S526 is omitted. It is not necessary to associate the ID of the second communication terminal device 7 with the position information in advance and store it in the database 57.

  In step S527, the movement start time of the pallet 3 acquired in step S525 is stored in the database 57 in association with the position information of the second communication terminal device 7 received in step S523 and the ID of the first communication terminal device 5. .

  Now, the ID of the first communication terminal device 5, the position information of the second communication terminal device 7, and the movement start time of the pallet 3 stored in association with the database 57 of the server 9 are transmitted from the computer 13 or the like to the network 11. Keep it accessible through.

  For example, if the client connects the computer 13 to the server 9 via the network 11, displays the palette position information management screen on the display screen of a browser or the like, and inputs the ID of the first communication terminal device 5 on the screen. The position information of the second communication terminal device 7 corresponding to the input ID of the first communication terminal device 5 and the movement start time of the pallet 3 are displayed on the position information management screen as the (approximate) position and time information of the pallet, respectively. Make sure you do.

  Thereby, the client can know the location of the pallet. Further, data is accumulated in the database 57 for a certain period of time so that the history of when and where the pallet was can be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, description has been made using an example of a pallet that transports an article as a target for acquiring position information. However, an object to which the position information management system of the present invention is applicable is not limited to a pallet. If the communication terminal device can be attached and the movement route is determined within a certain range, it can be applied as an object of the position information system of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since location information of an object is managed together with time information using a network using wireless communication, on-site recording work, reading work, and reading work This eliminates the huge equipment costs associated with automation and the need for pre-adjustment work according to the site environment. Therefore, it is possible to provide a position information management system that easily collects the location and distribution route of an object such as a pallet at a low price.

  The preferred embodiments of the position information acquisition system and the like according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

System configuration diagram of location information management system 1 Hardware configuration diagram of first communication terminal device 5 (third communication terminal device 5 ') Hardware configuration diagram of second communication terminal device 7 Hardware configuration diagram of server 9 Flowchart representing processing in first communication terminal device 5 and third communication terminal device 5 'of position information management system 1 Flowchart representing processing in second communication terminal device 7 and server 9 of position information management system 1

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ......... Location information system 3, 3 '... Palette 5 ......... First communication terminal device 5' ......... Third communication terminal device 7 ......... Second communication terminal device 9 ......... Server 11 ... Network 13 ... Computer 15 ... 1st Distribution Center 17 ... Track 19 ... 2nd Distribution Center

Claims (6)

A position information management system configured by a first communication terminal device attached to an object for managing position information and a second communication terminal device,
The first communication terminal device includes start means for starting the first communication terminal device together with the movement start of the object;
First time information indicating a time from when the first communication terminal device is activated until data is transmitted, and first identification information for identifying the first communication terminal device are used as the second communication terminal device. And a data transmission means for transmitting to the position information management system. The location information management system further includes a third communication terminal device,
The data transmission means of the first communication terminal device transmits the first time information and the first identification information to the second communication terminal device or the third communication terminal device,
The third communication terminal device is:
Data receiving means;
Data obtained by adding third time information indicating the time from when the third communication terminal apparatus receives data until data transmission is added to the data received by the data receiving means, to the second communication terminal apparatus or The position information management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a data transmission unit that transmits to the other third communication terminal device. A position information management system configured by a first communication terminal device, a second communication terminal device, and a server attached to an object for managing position information,
The first communication terminal device includes start means for starting the first communication terminal device together with the movement start of the object;
First time information indicating a time from when the first communication terminal device is activated to when data is transmitted and first identification information for identifying the first communication terminal device are stored in the second communication terminal device. Data transmission means for transmitting,
The second communication terminal device
Data receiving means;
The second time information indicating the time from when the second communication terminal apparatus receives data until the data is transmitted to the data received by the data receiving means and the second communication terminal apparatus Data transmitting means for transmitting data to which the identification information is added to the server,
The server
Data receiving means;
A database in which position information of the second communication terminal device is stored in association with the second identification information;
Calculation means for calculating the movement start time of the object based on the first time information, the second time information, and fourth time information indicating an absolute time when the server receives data ;
A database that stores the first identification information, the position information of the second communication terminal device corresponding to the second identification information, and the movement start time of the object in association with each other. Location information management system. A position information management system configured by a first communication terminal device, a second communication terminal device, and a server attached to an object for managing position information,
The first communication terminal device includes start means for starting the first communication terminal device together with the movement start of the object;
First time information indicating a time from when the first communication terminal device is activated to when data is transmitted and first identification information for identifying the first communication terminal device are stored in the second communication terminal device. Data transmission means for transmitting,
The second communication terminal device
Data receiving means;
Second time information indicating the time from when the second communication terminal apparatus receives data to when the data is transmitted and position information of the second communication terminal apparatus are added to the data received by the data receiving means. Data transmitting means for transmitting data to the server,
The server
Data receiving means;
Calculation means for calculating the movement start time of the object based on the first time information, the second time information, and fourth time information indicating an absolute time when the server receives data ;
A position information management system comprising: a database that stores the first identification information, the position information of the second communication terminal device, and the movement start time of the object in association with each other. The location information management system further includes a third communication terminal device,
The data transmission means of the first communication terminal apparatus transmits the first time information and the first identification information to the second communication terminal apparatus or the third communication terminal apparatus. ,
The third communication terminal device is:
Data receiving means;
Data obtained by adding third time information indicating the time from when the third communication terminal apparatus receives data until data transmission is added to the data received by the data receiving means, to the second communication terminal apparatus or Data transmitting means for transmitting to the other third communication terminal device,
Calculating means of said server, said first time information, and the second time information, and the third time information, by the fourth time information to calculate the movement start time of the object The position information management system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above. The first communication terminal device, or the first communication terminal device and the third communication terminal device are:
A vibration sensor, a power supply device, a CPU, a memory, and wireless communication means;
Wherein the power supply device by detecting the vibration by the vibration sensor, characterized in that the start from the stopped state to operate only the vibration sensor to supply power, position of any one of claims 1 to 5 Information management system.

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