JPH11144012A - Radio tag and method and system for production and distribution management - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and accurately manage flow of products at respective stages of a production and distribution process by fitting a radio tag, having a memory where information can be written and read from the outside without contacting, to each product. SOLUTION: The radio tag 1 is constituted by embedding a coiled antenna 3 wound with a lead wire annularly along the respective sides in a sheet type base 2 made of, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material in a stripped shape. Further, a memory chip 4 composed of an IC (integrated circuit) connected to the antenna 3 is embedded in the sheet type base 2. In this case, information is written to and read out of the embedded memory chip 4 from the outside without contacting. Further, a circular hole 5 for running a fitting cord 6 formed of, for example, fiber and resin is bored nearby one short edge in the sheet type base 2. Then a cut part 7 is formed between this circular hole 5 and one long edge.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a manufacturing and distribution management method, a manufacturing and distribution management system, and a management system for managing products that pass through each stage from manufacturing to distribution and retailing to consumers in a manufacturing and distribution process. The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a method program is recorded and a wireless tag used in the management method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in the apparel industry, when selling a new product such as clothing, a market research, planning, trial production, exhibition, etc. are carried out to specify and design mass-produced products. I do. When the production specification, quantity, and price of each product are determined, the manufacturer specifies the production specification and quantity for each product, and places an order with a manufacturer (sewing factory).

[0003] In a sewing factory, a specified number of products such as clothing are manufactured (sewing) in accordance with a specified manufacturing specification and shipped to an agency or a wholesaler. In this case, at the time of shipment, each product is given a product name such as a sales company name, business suit, slacks, etc. Material such as hair and synthetic fiber, price (fixed price),
A tag with a 13-digit bar code coded JAN code or the like is attached. Each product is boxed at regular intervals.

For example, a packaged product is once accumulated at a distribution center by a carrier, further sorted at the distribution center, divided into small lots, and finally returned to another retailer through another wholesaler or the like. It is carried into the store.

[0005] At each retail store, products (clothing) are displayed on display shelves or hung on hangers. When a product is sold to a customer, a sales registration process for the product is performed using, for example, a POS terminal. The product code including the JAN code or the like of the sales product compiled in the POS terminal is used as a reference material for determining a sales strategy and a purchased product in the corresponding retail store at a later date.

[0006]

However, in the manufacturing and distribution channel for products as described above, in each stage from manufacturing to distribution and retailing to consumers, management of each product via the corresponding stage is not performed. In each of the stages, the management in each of the upstream and downstream stages was performed completely independently.

Therefore, although the same product is handled in each stage in the manufacturing and distribution channel, the management data in each stage on the upstream side is not used at all in each stage. In order to manage inventory, it is necessary to enter and manage product information such as product codes of individual products each time. In other words, basic management such as collation of management data of each stage cannot be easily performed.

Further, in each stage, it was not possible to grasp the path through which each product reached its own stage. The previous stage can be confirmed on the product delivery note, etc., but if there are multiple distributors in the middle,
There was no way to know the distribution channel.

Therefore, even if some kind of accident occurs in the distribution channel of the product, the place where the accident occurs cannot be easily specified. In addition, even when an abnormally long time elapses from the factory shipment to the arrival at a retail store, it has not been possible to easily grasp in which distribution stage a great amount of time was spent.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and by attaching a wireless tag having a memory from which information can be written and read out from outside without contacting each product, manufacturing, distribution, and retailing. The product flow distribution system can easily and accurately manage the flow of products at each stage in the production and distribution process through to the consumer, and can easily grasp the upstream distribution history of each product at each stage. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag capable of improving the efficiency of the entire business, a manufacturing distribution management method using the wireless tag, and a manufacturing distribution management system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a management method capable of efficiently performing a manufacturing process management, an inventory management and a retail management, which are product managements specific to each stage, at each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program of an inventory management method capable of efficiently performing inventory management is recorded.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a sheet-like base, an antenna embedded in the sheet-like base, and an antenna embedded in the sheet-like base. A memory chip to which information is written and read from the outside via a hole, a circular hole through which an attachment cord is formed near the outer edge of the sheet-like base, and a notch formed from the outer edge of the sheet-like base to the circular hole The wireless tag includes:

In the wireless tag configured as described above,
Information writing and reading are performed on the memory chip embedded in the sheet-like base from outside without contact. Also,
This wireless tag is formed with a circular hole through which the attachment string passes and a cut from the outer edge to the circular hole. Therefore, even if this wireless tag is attached to a product (clothing) at the same time as another general tag with one attachment string (piston string),
Only this wireless tag can be easily removed. vice versa,
Even if another general tag is already attached to the product (clothing) with the attachment string, this wireless tag can be easily added to the same attachment string later.

This means that, for example, in a retail store at the final stage of distribution, a general tag is left as it is on a product.
Only wireless tags can be easily collected from the product. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet-like base, an antenna embedded in the sheet-like base, and a memory chip embedded in the sheet-like base and to which information is written and read from outside via the antenna. Wireless tag. Furthermore, in the memory chip, at least in the manufacturing and distribution process of the product to which the self is attached, at least a product code for identifying the relevant product, price information of the relevant product, company information for manufacturing the relevant product, and sales information of the relevant product are written. Are formed.

In the wireless tag configured as described above, when a product to which the wireless tag is attached passes through each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process, necessary information at the corresponding stage is sequentially written to each area of the memory chip. It will be embedded. Therefore, in each stage, the history of the product up to the stage can be easily grasped.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing and distribution management method.
Each product is provided with a wireless tag having a memory in which various information can be written and read out in a non-contact manner. At each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process from the manufacturing, distribution, retailing to the consumer, Each piece of information obtained by the product passing through the corresponding stage is sequentially added to the memory of the wireless tag.

Therefore, in the manufacturing and distribution management method configured as described above, as described in the wireless tag of claim 2, when the product with the wireless tag passes through each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process, The necessary information is sequentially written into each area of the memory at the stage. So, for example, if you collect this wireless tag at the final retail stage,
The history of each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process can be easily grasped.

In the manufacturing and distribution management method according to claim 4,
Each product is provided with a wireless tag having a memory in which various information can be written and read out in a non-contact manner. At each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process from the manufacturing, distribution, retailing to the consumer, Each piece of information obtained by the product passing through the corresponding stage is sequentially written into the memory of the wireless tag, and each piece of information stored in the memory is read as needed.

In the manufacturing / distribution management method configured as described above, in addition to the functions and effects of the above-described manufacturing / distribution management method, in each stage, the history of the corresponding product up to the corresponding stage can be easily grasped.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a management computer is provided at each stage from manufacturing to distribution and retailing to a consumer in the manufacturing and distribution process for each product, and each management computer goes through each stage. Applied to a production distribution management system that manages products.

According to the present invention, at each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process, information is written in and read out from a memory embedded in a wireless tag attached to a product passing through the relevant stage without contact. A plurality of communication means are provided. Further, each management computer sends each information obtained by each product passing through its own stage via a communication means corresponding to its own stage to a wireless device attached to each product passing through its own stage. Information writing means for writing to the memory of the tag, and information reading means for reading information stored in the memory of the wireless tag attached to each product passing through its own stage via communication means corresponding to the own stage. Is added.

In the manufacturing / distribution management system configured as described above, similarly to the above-described manufacturing / distribution management method, when a product to which a wireless tag is attached passes through each stage in the manufacturing / distribution process, it is required at a corresponding stage. Information is sequentially written to each area of the memory. Therefore, in each stage, the history of the product up to the stage can be easily grasped.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the production of a plurality of products is divided into a plurality of production steps, and a material or a semi-finished product is sequentially conveyed between production steps together with a production instruction.
The present invention is applied to a manufacturing process management method for performing manufacturing according to a manufacturing instruction for a received material or semi-finished product.

Then, a wireless tag having a memory in which a product code for specifying a product to be attached to each product to be manufactured is attached to the manufacturing instruction sheet. Further, each manufacturing process is provided with communication means for reading the product code from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the manufacturing instruction brought into the manufacturing process in a non-contact manner, and the product read by each communication means in each manufacturing process is provided. Manage the manufacturing process for the product based on the code.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the above-described manufacturing process management method, when the manufacturing process of a plurality of products having the same specification is controlled, a product code for specifying a corresponding product to be attached to each manufactured product. Is attached to the manufacturing instruction sheet among at least one of the plurality of the same wireless tags having the memory in which is written.

In the manufacturing process management method configured as described above, in a state where the wireless tag is attached to the manufacturing instruction,
The material or semi-finished product is moved between each manufacturing process. Since the communication means is provided in each manufacturing process, it is possible to centrally manage which product is being manufactured (processed) for each product.

[0027] Claim 8 is applied to an inventory management method for detecting the type and quantity of a product stored in each of a plurality of shelves. Each product is provided with a wireless tag having a memory that stores at least a product code of the product. Then, the communication means for reading the product code from the memory of each wireless tag in a non-contact manner is moved around the shelf and along the direction in which the shelf is arranged, and is read sequentially by the communication means in the process of moving the communication means. Perform inventory management for each product based on the product code.

In the inventory schedule management method thus configured, each product is provided with a wireless tag. Therefore,
When the communication means moves around the shelf, the communication means sequentially reads the product codes, so that inventory management for each product can be automatically performed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned inventory management method, a wireless tag having a memory storing shelf identification information for specifying the corresponding shelf is attached to each shelf, and the communication means is a wireless tag attached to each product. The product code and shelf identification information are read from the memories of the tag and the wireless tag attached to each shelf in a non-contact manner, and inventory management for each product is performed based on the product code and the shelf identification information.

In the inventory management method configured as described above, a radio tag is attached to each product, and a radio tag for specifying the corresponding shelf is attached to each shelf. Therefore, when the communication means moves in front of the shelf, the communication means sequentially reads the shelf identification information and the product code as a set, so that inventory management for each shelf for each product can be automatically performed.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a product to which a wireless tag having a memory in which at least product identification information and price information are already written is displayed at a sales floor, and the sold product is sold. The sales information is written to the memory of the wireless doug of the corresponding product by contactless communication means.

Further, a security communication means for reading the information stored in the memory of the wireless tag attached to the product passing through the entrance at the entrance of the counter in a non-contact manner is provided. Then, when the sales information is not included in the storage information of the memory read by the security communication means, an unauthorized take-out warning specifying the product identification information included in the read storage information is issued.

In the retail management method configured as described above, at least the sales floor is provided with communication means for sales registration and security communication means provided at the entrance. The sales information is written in the wireless tag of the sold product. Therefore, when a product is illegally taken out, since the sales information is not written in the memory of the wireless tag detected by the security communication means disposed at the entrance, it is determined that the product has been taken out illegally. At the same time, it is possible to identify the product that was illegally taken out.

Therefore, when illegal take-out is performed, the act of illegal take-out and which product was taken out illegally can be grasped.
Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent illegal take-out. Claim 1
In one customer management method, customer management is performed based on identification information for identifying each customer. The customer card possessed by each customer is provided with a wirelessly communicable memory storing the identification information, and the communication means for reading the identification information in a non-contact manner with respect to the memory is provided in the population of the sales floor, and the customer enters the entrance of the sales floor When passing through the vicinity, the communication means reads the identification information stored in the memory and searches for a customer history corresponding to the identification information.

In the customer management method configured as described above, each customer has a customer card in which identification information for identifying the customer is written in a memory. Then, when the customer passes through the population on the sales floor, the identification information stored in the memory of the customer card is read by the communication means, and the customer history of the corresponding customer stored in the customer file is automatically searched, for example, and the continuous production is performed. Display the result. Therefore, the clerk can grasp the past purchase results and personal information of the customer before responding to the customer.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium storing a computer readable program for detecting the type and quantity of a product stored in each of a plurality of shelves and performing inventory management.

This program provides the computer with communication means for reading a product code from a wireless tag attached to each product at least from a wireless tag having a memory storing at least the product code of the product in the vicinity of the shelf and The product is moved along the arrangement direction, and inventory management for each product is performed based on the product code read by the communication means.

By recording a program configured as described above and using a recording medium, the above-described functions can be easily added to a conventional inventory management method which does not employ the above-described functions.

Further, a recording medium according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention stores a computer readable program for detecting the type and quantity of a product stored in each of a plurality of shelves and performing inventory management.

Then, the program causes the computer to store a wireless tag having a memory storing shelf identification information for identifying at least the shelf attached to each shelf and a product code of at least the corresponding product attached to each product. The communication means for reading the shelf identification information and the product code from the wireless tag having the stored memory in a non-contact manner is moved around the shelf and along the arrangement direction, and the shelf identification information and the product code read by the communication means are transferred. Based on inventory management for each product.

By recording the program configured as described above and using a recording medium, a simple inventory management method that does not employ the above-described functions can be simply described as in the twelfth aspect. Functions can be added.

[0042]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wireless tag used in the manufacturing and distribution management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
1A is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a rear view.

The wireless tag 1 includes a coil-shaped antenna 3 in which a lead wire is wound in a ring shape along each side in a sheet-like base 2 formed in a strip shape from, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate). It is buried. further,
A memory chip 4 composed of an IC (integrated circuit) connected to the antenna 3 is embedded in the sheet base 2.

This sheet-like base 2 has a thickness of 0.4 to 0.9 mm.
Having a thickness of Therefore, since the sheet-like base 2 can be easily bent, the memory chip 4 is embedded in the end portion where a bending load is relatively hard to be applied.

In the vicinity of one short edge in the sheet-like pace 2, a circular hole 5 for passing an attachment cord 6 made of, for example, fiber or resin is formed as shown in FIG. 1D.
A cut 7 is formed between the circular hole 5 and one of the long edges. The outer diameter of the circular hole 5 is, for example, 3.
It is set to a size several times the outer diameter of the attachment cord 6, such as 5 ± 1.5 mm. The width of the cut portion 7 is, for example, 0.4 ± 0.5.
It is set to a value slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the attachment string 6 such as mm. The shape of the cut portion 7 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 1, for example, is cut diagonally, and may be any shape that is cut so as not to come off from the attachment string.

FIG. 1 shows a front surface 1a of the wireless tag 1.
As shown in (b), the rewritable sheet 8 is stuck. In some cases, the tag itself is surface-processed and printed. This rewritable sheet 8 is a rewritable printing device (not shown) in which various characters and symbols can be rewritten many times. When the wireless tag 1 is newly issued, various types of information shown in the drawing for specifying a product such as clothing to which the wireless tag 1 is attached are printed.

In this embodiment, a product number, a product name such as a suit or slacks, a size such as an SML, a color, a product price (regular price), a bar code indicating one or a plurality of JAN codes, etc. are printed. You.

The back surface 1b of the wireless tag 1
As shown in (c), nothing is described. In general, the single wireless tag 1 is rarely attached to a product such as clothing by itself. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless tag 1 is combined with general tags 9 and 9a formed of paper. And the general tag 9
Also, a circular hole 10 is formed at the same position as the circular hole 5 of the wireless tag 1. Then, they are commonly bound with the attachment string 6 and attached to a product such as clothing. Once the attachment string 6 is attached to the product, unless the attachment string 6 is cut, each tag 1.9.9 is attached.
Since a cannot be removed from the product, for example, at the last retail store,
When only the wireless tag 1 is to be collected at the time the product is sold to the customer, the notch 7 shown in FIG.
The attachment cord 6 is detached from the wireless tag 1 through the notch 7.

The general tags 9 and 9a contain information useful to the consumer, such as the characteristics of the corresponding product, advertisements, and washing instructions. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a memory chip 4 composed of an IC embedded in the sheet base 2 of the wireless tag 1. Radio waves input from the antenna 3 are received by the transmission / reception unit 11 and input to the control unit 12. Control unit 1
2 analyzes the received information and, in the case of a write command,
Each information is written to the memory 14 via the writing unit 13a. In the case of a read command, the control unit 12 reads necessary information from the memory 14 via the read unit 13b,
The radio wave is output from the antenna 3 via the antenna 1.

Prior to the above-described communication using an external radio wave, when a radio wave is received from the outside by the coiled antenna 3, a current flows through the coil to generate power. The power supply unit 11a uses the generated power to generate
15 is supplied with driving power.

The memory 14 is composed of, for example, an SRAM or the like, and does not require power for storing and holding. Therefore, the wireless tag 1 does not particularly include a battery or the like.

In the memory 14, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a total of 14 areas 15 from No. 1 to No. 14 are formed. Then, in the new wireless tag 1,
Nothing is stored in each of the areas 15 from No. 1 to No. 13, but a wireless tag number which is a serial number assigned by the manufacturer of the wireless tag 1 is stored in the fourteenth area 15. .

Each of the areas 15 from No. 1 to No. 13 is used in the manufacturing and distribution process from the production, distribution, retailing to the consumer (customer) of the product to which the wireless tag 1 shown in FIG. 7 is attached. At each stage, various types of information are sequentially written. Specifically, in each of the areas 15 from No. 1 to No. 13, 1. Product code (1), 2. Product code (2), 3. Product information, 4. Price information, 5. 5. Configuration information 7. Jurisdiction company information, 7, manufacturing company information, 9. Inventory management information, 9, distribution company information (1), 10. Distribution company information (2), Retail company information, 12, sales supplementary information, 13, and customer information are respectively written.

The wireless tag 1 is numbered 1 to 7 in the memory 14
In the state shown in FIG. 2 together with the above-described general tags 9 and 9a in a state where the above-described information is written in the respective areas 15 as shown in FIG. 16 is attached to the attachment string 6.

FIG. 6 shows a flat type antenna 17 and a management computer 18 installed at each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process of FIG. 7 as communication means for writing and reading various information to and from the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1. FIG.

After the transmitting / receiving unit 19 outputs a radio wave from the antenna 17 to shift the memory chip 4 of the wireless tag 1 to the operating state, the data processing unit 21
4 is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 19 via the data writing unit 20. The transmission / reception unit 19 transmits the input information to the wireless tag 1 via the antenna 17.

The radio wave from the wireless tag 1 is received by the transmission / reception unit 19 and transmitted to the data processing unit 21 via the data reading unit 22. The data processing unit 21 registers the received information in the data file 23 and outputs the information to the man-machine device 24 for display. Further, the data processing unit 21 may, if necessary,
Through the external communication unit 25, information is exchanged with the management computer installed in each of the other stages.

FIG. 7 shows each stage from the production of the product 16 such as clothing to distribution and retailing to the consumer, information written in each area 15 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 at each stage, It is a schematic diagram which shows each individual management using the wireless tag 1 in each stage.

In the first product planning / exhibition 26, a market research on the clothing 16 to be manufactured and sold,
Prototypes, exhibitions, etc. will be implemented to determine the general specifications, price, quantity and other policies.

In the next manufacturing plan 27, a detailed design is performed and a manufacturing instruction is created according to the determined policy.
Further, in this manufacturing plan 27, each of the areas 15 from No. 1 to No. 6 of the memory 14 of the determined number of new wireless tags 1 corresponds to each area 15 by using the management computer 18 shown in FIG. Write each information.

In the first area 15, for example, a 13-digit JAN
The product code (1) consisting of a product code, etc. is written, and in the second area 15 a more detailed supplementary product code (2) based on the product classification of the sales company that could not be represented by the product code (1) is written. Be included. In the third area 15, product information such as the size, color, product name, and material of the corresponding product 16 is written. Further, information (information on the date of planning, whether or not the product is a regular incense product, etc.) required by the company that has planned may be written. Price information such as a desired sale price is written in the fourth area 15.

In the fifth area 15, more specific material information of the product 16 such as clothing, for example, configuration information such as a specific part number of each cloth adopted from each member is written. In the sixth area 15, information on the responsible company as a sales company responsible for the entire product 16 is stored. The information written in each of the first to sixth areas 15 is referred to as basic information.

Further, in this manufacturing plan 27, the rewritable sheet 8 on the front surface 1 a of the wireless tag 1 is used for the rewritable sheet 8 on the front surface 1 a of the wireless tag 1, the product number of the corresponding product 16, the product name such as suit and slacks, A barcode indicating one or a plurality of, for example, JAN codes is printed on the size, color, product price (fixed price) of SML or the like.

The wireless doug 1 and the manufacturing instruction for the number of manufactures in which the basic information is written are transferred to the manufacturing factory 28. In the manufacturing factory 28, the number of products 16 specified is manufactured (sewing) according to the manufacturing instruction. In this case, the management computer of the manufacturing factory 28 performs the manufacturing process management 29 using the wireless tag 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing plant 28. In order to manufacture one product 16, for example, four manufacturing steps 41 from No. 1 to No. 4 are set. Then, a manufacturing instruction 40 is attached to the received material, and the material or semi-finished product is sequentially sent to each of the first to fourth manufacturing processes 41.

In this embodiment, the manufacturing plant 2
Attach only one wireless tag 1 of the number of manufactured wireless tags 1 in which the basic information passed along with the manufacturing instruction 40 to 8 has been written to the manufacturing instruction 40 to obtain a material or semi-finished product. At the same time, each manufacturing process 41 is circulated.

Each manufacturing process 41 includes the manufacturing plant 2
Each antenna 17 is provided as communication means connected to the management computer 42 provided in the apparatus 8. The process management unit 42a of the management computer 42 stores the basic information stored in each area 15 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 attached to the manufacturing instruction 40 carried in each manufacturing process 41 in which each antenna 17 is installed. Is read to detect which manufacturing process 41 the material or semi-finished product of the product is currently in, and the manufacturing process management 29 for the product 16 is performed.

When the final manufacturing process 41 is completed, product shipment 30 in FIG. 7 starts. The management computer in the product shipment 30 is also used as the management computer 42 of the manufacturing factory 28 shown in FIG.

When the final manufacturing process 41 is completed, the manufacturing company information writing section 42 b of the management computer 42 is activated, and the seventh area 15 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 for the number of manufactured via the antenna 17. Then, write its own manufacturing company name or company code as manufacturing company information. The wireless tag 1 on which the manufacturer information is written is attached to each product 16 with the attachment cord 6 together with the general tags 9 and 9a. Each product 16 to which the wireless tag 1 is attached is packed in a packing box 43 by a predetermined number. Or hung on a hanger (hanger management).

Then, the shipment management section 42c of the management computer 42 is activated, and the wireless tag 1 of each product 16 packed in the packing box 43 is received from the outside of the packing box 43 via the antenna 17 via the antenna 17. Each information of the memory 14 is read. In this case, the wireless tag number of the last fifteenth area 15 is also read. By reading this wireless tag number at the same time, even if the wireless tag 1 stores the same basic information, it is detected separately. Therefore, packing box 4
The type and quantity of the product 16 stored in the storage device 3 can be accurately grasped.

In the case of the hanger management, information of the wireless tag 1 attached to each product 16 suspended on the hanger is similarly read one by one via the antenna 17. The antenna 17 may be a plate-shaped antenna, a hand-held antenna, or the like.
The shape does not matter.

The shipping management section 42 of the management computer 42
After c records the type and quantity of the packaged product 16,
The boxed product 16 is shipped. Alternatively, the product 16 embedded in the hanger tube is shipped in a state of being hung on a hanger.

In FIG. 7, the product 16 shipped from the factory is
Is carried into the distribution center of the distribution company 31 via the carrier. In the distribution center of the distribution company 31, the receipt / shipment management 3 is performed between the distribution center 31 and the product shipment 30 of the manufacturing factory 28.
2 and the inventory management 34 is performed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the management computer 44 provided at the distribution center of the distribution company 31.
The basic information such as the product code of the product 16 stored in the packing box 43 carried in from the carrier and the number of arrivals are read by the arrival management unit 45 via the antenna 17. The arrival management unit 45 displays the product code and the number of arrivals of the read products 16 on the man-machine device 46, and displays the inventory file 4
Register to 7.

The receipt management unit 45 reads the product 16
Of the shipment product 16 transmitted from the management computer 42 of the manufacturing factory 28 via a communication line (not shown) to confirm that the product code and the number of shipments coincide with the product code and the number of shipments.

Inventory management unit 48 of management computer 44
Checks how many products 16 are in stock on each shelf of the distribution center, displays the results on the machine 46 and registers them in the stock table 49.

The shipping management unit 50 stores the company code or the distribution center number for specifying the distribution center of the distribution company 31 in the eighth area 15 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 of the product 16 to be shipped from the distribution center. Write as inventory storage information. Further, an arrival date, a shipping date, and a management method (such as hanger management or shelf management) may be written.

Further, the shipping management unit 50 transmits the product code and the shipping number of the product 16 shipped from the distribution center via the antenna 17 in the same manner as the shipping management unit 42c of the management computer 42 of the manufacturing factory 28 described above. Read
Display on the man-machine device 46 and inventory file 4
Register to 7.

The management computer 44 also incorporates a shipping sorting processing section 52 for performing picking control in a delivery sorting apparatus 51 for sorting the products 16 shipped from the distribution center for each shipping destination. I have.

FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram for implementing the inventory management 34 in this distribution center. A plurality of shelves 53 are provided along both sides of the passage of the distribution center. Each shelf 53 has a wireless tag 5 in which a shelf number is written in the memory 14 in advance as shelf identification information for identifying the corresponding shelf 53.
4 is affixed. One or a plurality of products 16 are stored in each shelf 53 in a state of being stored in the packing box 43 or in a state of being opened from the packing box 43.

Each of the shelves 53 is provided with a guide shaft
5 is provided, and a vertical guide shaft 57 is attached to the horizontal guide shaft 55 via a guide mechanism 56. The flat antenna 17 is attached to the vertical guide shaft 57 via a guide mechanism 58. Therefore, by controlling the drive of the pair of guide mechanisms 55 and 58 from the inventory management unit 48 of the management computer 44, the antenna 17 can be opposed to an arbitrary shelf 53.
Are moved at a constant speed along the direction in which the shelves 53 are arranged. The inventory management unit 48 determines that the antenna 17 is
In the process of moving in front of the device, the wireless tag 54 attached to the corresponding shelf 53 and each product 1 stored in the corresponding shelf 53
The basic information in the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 attached to the device 6 is sequentially read.

Then, based on the pair of the read shelf number and the product code, the product code and the number of the products 16 stored in the corresponding shelf 53 are calculated for each of the shelves 53, written into the inventory file 49, and The display is output to the machine device 46.

The transmission and reception of information by the antenna 17 to and from the wireless tag 54 of each shelf 53 and the wireless tag 1 of the stored product 16 are performed as shown in FIG. And a case where the operation is performed in a state where the apparatus is stopped at a position facing the corresponding shelf 53.

The product 16 shipped from the distribution center of the distribution company 31 in FIG. 7 is delivered to the distribution center of the next distribution company 33. The distribution center of the secondary distribution company 33 also performs substantially the same receipt / shipment management and inventory management 34 as the distribution center of the primary distribution company 31. Then, as shipping management, the company code is written in the ninth area 15 of the wireless tag 1 as distribution company information (1).

Further, when a tertiary distribution company intervenes, the company code of the tertiary distribution company is written into the ninth area 15 of the wireless tag 1 as distribution company information (2). In this way, the products 16 shipped from the manufacturing factory 28 are distributed to the respective distribution companies 31.
Each time through the 33 distribution centers, the company code of the distribution company or the number of the distribution center is additionally written in each of the areas 8 to 10 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1.

Therefore, when only one distribution company tooth 31 passes through the distribution center, nothing is written in the ninth and tenth areas 15. And each product 16
Retail store arrival 35 for the retail store is performed via the distribution center of each distribution company 31.33, and finally, product sale 36 is performed. The management computer provided at the retail store and also serving as the POS terminal performs the sales record management 38 and the security processing 39. Further, the management computer sends the sales registration result and the information read from the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 of the sold product 16 to the distribution management network system 59.

In the product planning / exhibition 26 of the sales company,
The total data of the sales registration results accumulated in the distribution management network system 59 is used as reference data for the next product development. Also, by reading the information on the distribution route of each product 16 stored in the distribution management network system 59,
This will be used as a reference for the distribution instruction for the next product 16.

FIG. 12 is a layout diagram of the sales floor 60 of each retail store. In the sales floor 60, a product shelf 61 for displaying the product 16 is provided.
a, hanging shelf 61b, fitting room 62, and soccer table 6
3 are provided. A management computer 64 also serving as a POS terminal operated by a clerk 66 is mounted on the soccer table 63.

[0110] The sales registration as a communication means for reading each information of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 attached to the product 16 purchased by the customer 67 on the sack table 63 and writing each information in the memory 14. An antenna 17a is placed, and a security antenna 17
b is installed. A customer card 37 is distributed to customers 67 who frequently visit the store.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a management computer 64 which is also provided at a sales floor 60 of a retail store and serves also as a POS terminal. In the management computer 64, a sales registration / registration unit 68, a customer information registration unit 69, a customer card 37
A card reader 70 for reading customer information such as a customer number stored in a storage, a sales registration file 71, a customer file 75, a security processing unit 72, and the like are incorporated.

When the management computer 64 reads information in each area 15 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 attached to the product 16 by each of the antennas 17a and 17b, the sales registration management 38 and the Crime prevention 39
Is carried out.

At S1, the information read is the soccer table 63
In the case of the information from the antenna 17a, normal sales registration processing is performed using the JAN code as the product code and the price information included in the basic information (S2). That is,
The payment is settled with the customer, and the sales information is registered in the sales registration file 71. Thereafter, the company code of the own retail store is written as retail company information in the eleventh area 15 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 (S3).

Further, when the payment is for credit (S4), the fact that the sale is for credit is written as the sales supplementary information in the twelfth area 15 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 (S5).

Further, when customer information has been input from the card reader 70 (S6), the corresponding customer information is written into the thirteenth area 15 of the memory 14 of the corresponding wireless tag 1 (S7). Then, the customer information is registered in the sales registration file 71 (S8).

When the read information is information from the antenna 17b of the entrance 65 (S9), when the read information includes retail store information as sales information (S1).
0), since the product 16 to which the wireless tag 1 is attached is a product 16 for which payment has been paid, nothing is performed.

On the other hand, if the read information does not include the retail store information, the product 16 to which the wireless tag 1 has been attached has not been paid, and the unauthorized display is performed on the display (S11). And a product code included in the read basic information or a product name corresponding to the product code is displayed (S1).
2).

Although the customer information stored in the customer card 37 has been described here as being read by the card reader 70, for example, a customer code, personal information, It is also possible to embed a wirelessly communicable IC chip or the like that stores the name, address, telephone number, age, gender, etc.

In this case, for example, as shown in FIG.
At the time when the customer 67 visits the shop, at least the customer's identification information is read from at least the IC chip of the customer card 37 held by the customer, and the customer's identification information is read through the customer information registration unit 69 shown in FIG. Using the customer code, which is information, as a key, a customer file 75 storing personal information and purchase history of the customer 67 is accessed.
The personal information and the past purchase history are searched from the customer code, and the result is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the management computer 64.

As described above, by providing the customer card 37 possessed by the customer 67 with a function that allows wireless communication during the self-pay, the purchase history of the customer 67 can be grasped in advance, and for example, the preference of the customer 67 can be determined. Thus, the clerk 66 can give appropriate advice to the customer 67 who is visiting the store.

Further, by reading customer information at each visit, the customer file 75 can also store the degree of interest in the retail store, such as the number of visits, without the customer 67 purchasing the product 16. Etc. can also be used for sales promotion activities.

Although the identification information of the customer 67 has been described here as the customer code, the identification information may be any information such as the name and telephone number of the customer that can identify the individual. In the wireless tag 1 configured as described above, the manufacturing distribution management method and the manufacturing distribution management system using the wireless tag 1,
Each area 15 up to No. 3 has a product 16 to which self is attached.
At the time of passing through the respective steps in FIG. 7 of the manufacturing and distribution process, the necessary information at the corresponding step is sequentially written using the respective management computers. Therefore, at each stage, the distribution history of the product 16 up to the stage can be easily grasped.

Therefore, each company 16 stored in each area 15 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 attached to each product 16 at the time of sale at the final retail store or the product 16 brought into the final retail store. By reading the code,
It is possible to accurately grasp the distribution route of the product 15 from the factory shipment to the final consumer.

It is to be noted that the product 16 is sold to a customer at a retail store,
After writing various kinds of information in the areas 11 to 13, the clerk 63 separates the corresponding wireless tag 1 from the general tags 9 and 9 a shown in FIG.
It is also possible to remove it from and recover it. in this case,
The product 16 is handed to the customer 67 with only the general tags 9 and 9a attached to the product 16.

Further, by writing the date of writing the corresponding company code together with the own company code on the management computer at each stage, it is possible to determine how long the relevant product 16 has been staying at which distribution center and for which period. Can be obtained, the distribution channel of the product 16 is improved, the distribution channel from the factory shipment of the product 16 to the arrival at the retail store is simplified,
The period required for distribution can be shortened, and the distribution channel can be further rationalized.

Further, the management computer at each stage reads the product code and the number of products of each product 16 passing through the corresponding stage, and reads the product code of each product 16 passing through one upstream and downstream stage of the corresponding stage. A receipt / shipment management 32 that compares the product code and the number of products is adopted. Therefore, compared with the receipt / shipment management based on the conventional slip management, the receipt / shipment management work can be reliably and efficiently performed.

In particular, since each information stored in the memory 14 is read without using the wireless tag 1, even if the product 16 to be investigated is packed in the packing box 43, The receipt / shipment management 32 can be reliably performed without opening the packing box 43.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Of the product 16 together with the manufacturing instruction 40, the manufacturing process management 2 for the product 16 can be easily performed.
9 is performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in each distribution center, by attaching the wireless tag 1 to each shelf 53 and storing the shelf number in the memory, each shelf 5 can be easily read.
3, the item and quantity of the stored product 16 can be detected, and the inventory management 34 can be easily and automatically performed.

Further, in a retail store, only by providing the antenna 17b at the entrance 65 of the sales floor 60, the management computer 64 having the POS terminal function can easily detect the unauthorized removal of the unpaid product 16 and make it illegal. The name of the product 16 taken out can also be automatically detected, and very excellent crime prevention management 39 can be performed.

Further, the basic information from No. 1 to No. 6 of the memory 14 of the wireless tag 1 includes not only normal product code, product information and price information but also more specific material information on the product 16 such as clothing. For example, configuration information such as a specific part number of each cloth adopted from each member is recorded.

Therefore, if the wireless tag 1 is handed to the customer 67 with the wireless tag 1 attached to the product 16, the customer 67 stores the wireless tag 1 in place of the warranty, and when the product 16 is damaged, the wireless tag 1 is used. If a repair request is made at the same time as the tag 1, the manufacturer can arrange the cloth or the like using the more specific information stored in the wireless tag 1 and perform the repair more accurately.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, a transparent bag (holder) 73 is attached to the front surface 1a of the wireless tag 1 instead of the rewritable sheet 8, and a product number, a product name, A card on which the price is printed may be inserted.

As shown in FIG. 15A, instead of the rewritable sheet 8, a card 74 on which a product number, a product name, and a price are printed may be directly attached to the front surface 1a of the wireless tag 1.

The positional relationship between the antenna 17 and the wireless tag 1 at which transmission and reception can be performed is as shown in FIG.
In addition to the unidirectional type emphasizing the directivity of
It is also possible to adopt the other direction type as shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited only to the above embodiment. For example, an inventory processing function that is processed by the management computer 44 of the distribution center shown in FIG. 9 (each function of receiving management, inventory management, shipping management, and shipping sorting processing).
Is written in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM in advance, and the CD-ROM is loaded into a computer equipped with a CR-ROM drive, and the computer loads the program from the CD-ROM to perform the above-described operation. Functions similar to those of the embodiment can be realized.

The recording medium is the CD-RO described above.
In addition to M, a magnetic tape, DVD-ROM, floppy disk, MO, MD, CD-R, memory card, or the like may be used.

[0117]

As described above, the wireless tag of the present invention is provided with a memory chip which can be written and read out from the outside in a non-contact manner. At the time of passing, necessary information at the corresponding stage is sequentially written in each area of the memory chip. Therefore, in each stage, the history of the product up to the stage can be easily grasped.

In the production distribution management method and the production distribution management system of the present invention, each product is provided with a wireless tag having a memory from which information can be written and read out from the outside in a non-contact manner.

Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately manage the flow of products at each stage in the manufacturing and distribution process from manufacturing to distribution and retailing to consumers, and to monitor the upstream distribution history of each product at each stage. It can be easily grasped, and the efficiency of operations of the entire product manufacturing and distribution system can be improved.

Furthermore, at each stage in the production and distribution process,
By using the above-described wireless tag, it is possible to efficiently perform manufacturing process management, inventory management, retail management, and crime prevention management, which are product management unique to each stage of each product.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wireless tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general tag in which the wireless tag is incorporated.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a memory chip incorporated in the wireless tag;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory configuration of a memory chip incorporated in the wireless tag;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a product to which the wireless tag is attached.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a management computer incorporated in each stage of the manufacturing and distribution management system according to the embodiment of the present invention and a wireless tag;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a manufacturing and distribution process of a product to which the manufacturing and distribution management system is applied;

FIG. 8 is a layout diagram of a product manufacturing factory to which the manufacturing distribution management system is applied;

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a management computer of a distribution center to which the manufacturing and distribution management system is applied.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between an antenna to which the manufacturing distribution management system is applied and a wireless tag;

FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram for performing inventory management in a distribution center to which the manufacturing and distribution management system is applied.

FIG. 12 is a layout diagram of each member of a sales floor in a retail store to which the manufacturing and distribution management system is applied.

FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a computer for managing a retail store to which the manufacturing and distribution management system is applied.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing operations of sales registration management and crime prevention management of a management computer of a retail store to which the manufacturing and distribution management system is applied.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a wireless tag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a wireless tag and an antenna in the production distribution management system;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wireless tag 2 ... Sheet base 3, 17 ... Antenna 4 ... Memory chip 5 ... Circular hole 6 ... Attachment string 7 ... Notch 8 ... Rewritable sheet 9, 9a ... General tag 14 ... Memory 15 ... Area 16 ... Product 18, 42, 44, 64: Computer for management 29: Management of manufacturing process 32: Management of shipment / shipping 34: Inventory management 37: Customer management card 38: Sales registration management 39: Security management 53: Shelf 60: Sales floor 65: Doorway 69: Customer Information registration unit 71: Sales registration file 72: Security processing unit 75: Customer file

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tsutomu Okajima 4-13-5 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba KN System Co., Ltd.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A sheet-like base, an antenna embedded in the sheet-like base, a memory chip embedded in the sheet-like base, from which information is written and read from outside via the antenna, A wireless tag, comprising: a circular hole formed in the vicinity of an outer edge of a sheet-shaped base for passing an attachment cord; and a cutout formed from the outer edge of the sheet-shaped base to the circular hole. 2. A sheet-like base, an antenna embedded in the sheet-like base, and a memory chip embedded in the sheet-like base and to which information is written and read from the outside via the antenna. Wireless tag, wherein, in the memory chip, in a manufacturing and distribution process of a product to which the self is attached, at least a product code for specifying the product, price information of the product, company information for manufacturing the product, and a product. A wireless tag, wherein a plurality of areas in which sales information is written are formed. 3. A wireless tag having a memory in which various kinds of information can be written and read out in a non-contact manner is attached to each product, so that the product is manufactured, distributed, retailed, and distributed to a consumer in a manufacturing and distribution process. In each stage, a manufacturing and distribution management method characterized by sequentially adding information obtained by a corresponding product passing through a corresponding stage to a memory of the wireless tag. 4. Each product is provided with a wireless tag having a memory in which various kinds of information can be written and read out in a non-contact manner, so that the product can be manufactured, distributed, retailed, and sold to consumers in a manufacturing and distribution process. In each step, each piece of information obtained by the corresponding product passing through the corresponding step is sequentially written to the memory of the wireless tag, and each piece of information stored in the memory is read as necessary. Manufacturing distribution management method. 5. A manufacturing system in which a management computer is provided at each stage from manufacturing to distribution and retailing to a consumer in a manufacturing and distribution process for each product, and the management computer manages the product passing through each stage. In the distribution management system, a plurality of communications for writing and reading information to and from a memory embedded in a wireless tag attached to a product passing through the corresponding step in each step in the manufacturing and distribution process. Means, each of the management computers is provided with each piece of information obtained by each product passing through its own stage via communication means corresponding to its own stage to each product passing through its own stage. Information writing means for writing to the memory of the wireless tag, and a memo of the wireless tag attached to each product passing through the own stage via the communication means corresponding to the own stage. And a data reading means for reading the information stored in the memory. 6. The production of a plurality of products is divided into a plurality of production steps, and a material or a semi-finished product is sequentially conveyed between the production steps together with a production instruction. In a manufacturing process management method for performing manufacturing according to a manufacturing instruction for a product, a wireless tag having a memory in which a product code specifying a corresponding product to be attached to each product to be manufactured is written. A communication unit attached to the manufacturing instruction sheet, for reading the product code from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the manufacturing instruction book brought into the relevant manufacturing step in a non-contact manner, provided in each manufacturing step, A manufacturing process management method for the corresponding product based on the product code read by the means. 7. When managing the manufacturing process of a plurality of products having the same specification, a plurality of identical products having a memory in which a product code specifying a corresponding product to be attached to each of the manufactured products is written. 7. The manufacturing process management method according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the wireless tags is attached to the manufacturing instruction sheet. 8. A stock management method for detecting the type and quantity of a product stored in each of a plurality of shelves, wherein each product is provided with a wireless tag having a memory storing at least a product code of the product. A communication means for reading the product code from the memory of the wireless tag in a non-contact manner is moved around the shelf and along the direction in which the shelf is arranged. In the process of moving the communication means, a product code sequentially read by the communication means An inventory management method, wherein inventory management for each product is performed based on the information. 9. A wireless tag having a memory storing shelf identification information for specifying the corresponding shelf is attached to each of the shelves, and the communication means is attached to the wireless tag attached to each of the products and each of the shelves. 9. The inventory management method according to claim 8, wherein a product code and shelf identification information are read from each memory of the wireless tag in a non-contact manner, and inventory management for each product is performed based on the product code and shelf identification information. 10. A product provided with a wireless tag having a memory in which at least product identification information and price information are already written is displayed at a sales floor, and the sold product is registered by a communication means for sales registration. A retail management method in which sales information is written to a memory of a wireless tag of a product in a non-contact manner, wherein information stored in a memory of a wireless tag attached to a product passing through the entrance at the entrance of the sales floor is contactlessly contacted. A communication device for security is provided for reading, and when the sales information is not included in the storage information of the memory read by the communication device for security, the unauthorized export of the product specifying information included in the read storage information is designated. A retail management method characterized by issuing an alert. 11. A customer management method for performing customer management based on identification information for identifying each customer, comprising: a wirelessly communicable memory storing the identification information in a customer card possessed by each customer; A communication means for reading the identification information in a non-contact manner with respect to the memory is provided in the population of the sales floor, and when the customer passes near the entrance of the sales floor, the communication means reads the identification information stored in the memory, and A customer management method characterized by searching for a customer history corresponding to identification information. 12. A recording medium recording a computer readable program for detecting the type and quantity of a product stored in each of a plurality of shelves and performing inventory management, wherein the program is provided to the computer. Moving the communication means for reading the product code in a non-contact manner from a wireless tag having a memory for storing at least a product code of the product attached to each product around the shelf and along the arrangement direction; A recording medium storing a program, wherein inventory management for each product is performed based on a product code read by a communication unit. 13. A recording medium recording a computer-readable program for detecting the type and quantity of a product stored in each of a plurality of shelves and performing inventory control, wherein the program is provided to the computer. A wireless tag having a memory for storing at least shelf identification information for identifying the shelf attached to each of the shelves, and a wireless tag having a memory for storing at least the product code of the corresponding product attached to each of the products. The communication means for reading the shelf identification information and the product code by contact is moved around the shelf and along the arrangement direction, and inventory management for each product is performed based on the shelf identification information and the product code read by the communication means. Recording medium on which a program is recorded.