JPH1135115A - Terminal device for cargo collection and distribution, and cargo slip and cargo radio tag used with the terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the work of assorting cargos by destinations to reduce the number of workers and the time. SOLUTION: The terminal device 11 for cargo collection and distribution is structured to have a bar code reader 3 for reading the slip numbers of slips 27 stuck on cargos 25, arrival code preparing means 5, 13, 17 for preparing the arrival codes of the cargos 25, a memory part 15 for storing the obtained slip numbers and the arrival codes, a radio tag writing means 19 for writing the slip numbers and the arrival codes on radio tags 29 attached to the cargos 25. Thus, the slip numbers and the arrival codes can be recorded on the radio tags 29 at the time of cargo collection and distribution, and automatic assortment can be performed at the collection and distribution terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device operated by a collector when collecting and delivering packages by a home delivery service or the like, and a package slip used together with the terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Luggage collection such as home delivery is performed as follows. The collector has a terminal device as shown in FIG. The terminal device 1 includes a bar code reader (slip number reading unit) 3, numeric keypad 5, function key 7,
A display unit 9 and the like are further provided, and although not shown, a processing unit and a storage unit for input data are incorporated therein.

[0003] When the collector / deliverer entrusts the luggage from the client, a slip is attached to the luggage (the slip may be attached by the collector / delivery person). In this slip, the sender of the package, the zip code, address, name, telephone number, etc. of the delivery destination are described, and the slip number is displayed as a bar code. Next, the collector / distributor operates the terminal device 1 to read the slip number with the barcode reader 3 and stores it in the storage unit. The slip number becomes the ID number of the package and is used for subsequent management of the package.

[0004] After a large number of packages are collected by repeating the above-described operation, the process returns to the collection and delivery terminal. At the pick-up and drop-off terminal, unload your luggage from the car, and put a slip code (usually a 4-digit number) corresponding to the destination address on the slip attached to the luggage
(The arrival code may be entered on the spot when the courier leaves the package.) Thereafter, the luggage is placed on a belt conveyor and flown, and the worker visually checks the arrival code written on the slip, and sorts each luggage by arrival code (destination). Sorted luggage,
They are sent out on a different destination car.

[0005] On the other hand, in the collection and delivery terminal, the work of inputting the data (slip number and the like) stored in the terminal device 1 and the data described in the copy slip to the computer is performed.
Thereby, management data of each package is created.

[0006]

Conventionally, after a package arrives at a pickup / delivery terminal, a worker sorts the package according to the destination while checking the store arrival code written on the package slip. Therefore, there is a problem that the sorting operation requires a lot of manpower and time. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a luggage collection / delivery terminal device capable of greatly simplifying a sorting operation at a collection / delivery terminal, and a luggage slip and a luggage wireless tag used with the terminal device. It is in.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a luggage collection / delivery terminal device for reading a voucher number of a voucher attached to a luggage, and a store code for the luggage. A store code creating unit, a storage unit for storing the form number and store code obtained by the form number reading unit and store code creation unit, and a wireless unit having the form number and store code attached to the package. Wireless tag writing means for writing to a tag.

The term "wireless tag" as used herein refers to a combination of an IC chip and an antenna, which is capable of writing and reading data to and from the IC chip without a battery by being supplied with radio waves. Yes (commonly known as RF tags).

A luggage collection and delivery system using the terminal device of the present invention is as follows. In other words, the collector / delivery person deposits the luggage from the client, attaches a slip to the luggage,
Attach the wireless tag. Then, the slip number is read by the terminal device, and the destination area information of the package is input to the terminal device to create a store arrival code of the package. The obtained slip number and store arrival code are stored in the storage unit. Next, the slip number and arrival code of the package are written into the wireless tag by the writing means of the terminal device.

[0011] When the luggage is collected in this manner, the luggage arriving at the collection / delivery terminal already has a wireless tag on which the slip number and the arrival code are recorded. It can be sent to the sorting device as it is for sorting. In this system, a reading device for reading the data of the wireless tag is installed in the sorting device. In addition, since the reading of the data of the wireless tag can be performed irrespective of the direction of the package (the direction of the wireless tag), there is no need to align the direction of the package when sending the package to the sorting device, and the operation is simple.

[0012] The arrival code creation means in the terminal device of the present invention includes an input section for destination area information described on the slip,
Processing for reading a store code corresponding to the destination area information from the store code table storing the correspondence between the destination area information and the store code, and for storing the store code in the store section when the destination area information is input It is preferable that it is constituted by a part.

As the destination area information, it is preferable to use the area code, postal code or city / county name of the destination telephone number described in the slip. If such a store arrival code creating means is incorporated in the terminal device, the collector can create the store arrival code simply by inputting the destination area information from the slip attached to the baggage. It saves you the trouble of searching.

Further, the store arrival code creating means may be constituted by a store arrival code input unit and a processing unit for storing the inputted store arrival code in the storage unit. If the store code creating means is configured as described above, the collection and delivery person can directly input the store code from the input unit. This is more convenient if the courier remembers the arrival code at the destination address.

It is preferable that the terminal device of the present invention is further provided with a store code label issuing means. Depending on the size of the collection and delivery terminal, it may not be possible to install an automatic sorting device with a wireless tag reading device. Should be attached to the luggage.

Preferably, the terminal device of the present invention further includes a communication unit for transmitting data stored in the storage unit to a host computer of the collection and delivery terminal. In this manner, data such as a slip number and a store arrival code stored in the storage unit of the terminal device can be input to the host computer of the collection and delivery terminal at any time. It is possible to grasp the amount of different luggage, and it is possible to efficiently arrange a car for each destination.

In the luggage collection and delivery system using the terminal device of the present invention, it is necessary to attach a slip and a wireless tag to the luggage at the time of collection. A wireless tag is composed of an IC chip and an antenna, and at present is considerably more expensive than a slip, so it is uneconomical to dispose it.

Accordingly, the present invention further provides a luggage slip suitable for a luggage collection and delivery system using the terminal device as described above, and the configuration is such that a wireless tag can be detached from the slip attached to the luggage. It is characterized by being attached. When this slip for luggage is used, the wireless tag can be attached to the luggage only by sticking the slip to the luggage, and the trouble of attaching the wireless tag can be saved. In addition, when the package arrives at the delivery / delivery terminal of the delivery destination or when the package is handed to the destination, the wireless tag can be removed from the slip and collected. This makes it possible to repeatedly use an expensive wireless tag, which is economical.

More specifically, the baggage slip according to the present invention has a configuration in which a wireless tag is put in a bag and the bag is removably attached to the slip. A configuration in which the RFID tag is stored, a configuration in which the wireless tag is attached to the voucher with an adhesive sheet, and a configuration in which the receiving voucher is detachably combined with the voucher attached to the luggage, Configuration, in which the form attached to the package is detachably combined with the form to be collected at the delivery destination collection and delivery terminal, and the form to be collected at the destination collection and delivery terminal is attached with a wireless tag. preferable.

The present invention also provides a luggage wireless tag suitable for a luggage collection and delivery system using the terminal device as described above. The structure is such that the wireless tag is put in a bag, and one side of the bag is provided. It is characterized in that an adhesive is applied. If this wireless tag for luggage is used, the wireless tag can be attached to the luggage simply by attaching a bag with an adhesive to the luggage or the slip. Further, when the package arrives at the delivery / delivery terminal of the delivery destination or when the package is handed to the destination, the wireless tag can be collected by peeling the bag from the package or the slip. This makes it possible to repeatedly use an expensive wireless tag, which is economical.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a luggage collection and delivery terminal device according to the present invention. The terminal device 11 includes a barcode reader 3, a numeric keypad 5, a function key 7, a display unit 9, a processing unit 13, and a storage unit 15, as well as a conventional one. And a communication code 23.

The arrival code table 17 is a collection / delivery terminal (arrival) for receiving destination area information and the destination area.
Is a part in which the correspondence with the code is stored in advance. As the destination area information, a slip 27 attached to the package 25
Any of the following items, the telephone number of the addressee, the postal code of the addressee, and the name of the city, county, or ward level of the addressee can be used. It is preferable to use or from the point that it can be input by numeral from the numeric keypad and is simple.

The wireless tag writing unit 19 is a unit for writing the slip number and the store arrival code given by the processing unit 13 into the wireless tag 29 attached to the baggage 25. It consists of an antenna that sends and receives signals while sending power wirelessly, and a transceiver.

The arrival code label issuing unit 21 includes a processing unit 1
This is a part for printing the arrival code instructed from 3 on a label and issuing the arrival code label 31. An adhesive is applied to the back surface of the sheet for the label 31 in advance.

The communication section 23 is a section for transmitting data stored in the storage section 15 to a host computer of the collection and delivery terminal in accordance with a command from the processing section 13. The communication unit 23 may have a transmission function by itself, or may be a unit that connects a communication device such as a PHS to indirectly transmit and receive data.

Next, the operation of the terminal device 11 will be described.
Upon receiving the package from the client, the collector attaches a slip 27 to the package 25 and attaches a wireless tag 29. Thereafter, the slip number (bar code) displayed on the slip 27 is read by the bar code reader 3 of the terminal device 11. The read slip number is stored in the storage unit 15 by the processing unit 13.

Next, the collector inputs destination area information.
In this example, assuming that the destination area information is the telephone number of the telephone number, the correspondence table between the telephone number of the telephone number and the arrival code is stored in the arrival code table 17. Input from the ten keys 3 to the telephone number. Then, the processing unit 13 reads out the store arrival code corresponding to the telephone number of the input telephone number from the store arrival code table 17 and stores it in the storage unit 15.

As described above, the storage unit 15 stores the slip number of the package 25 and the arrival code in association with each other. Of course, other data can be stored in association with the slip number. Note that the store arrival code can be directly input from the ten keys 5. When the store arrival code is input from the numeric keypad 5, the processing unit 13 causes the storage unit 15 to store it. This is more convenient if the courier remembers the arrival code at the delivery address.

When the slip number and the store code are stored in this way, the collection and delivery person holds the wireless tag writing section 19 of the terminal device 11 over the wireless tag 29 to give a write command, and gives the slip number and the store code. Is written into the wireless tag 29 (other data may be written together). With this, the slip number and the arrival code of the package 25 are written in the wireless tag 29.
Can be easily read by the wireless tag reader.

When a store code label 31 is required separately from the wireless tag 29, the collector gives the terminal device 11 an instruction to issue a store code label. Then, the processing unit 13
, The arrival code label issuing unit 21 issues a label 31 on which the arrival code of the package 25 is printed. The collector attaches the label 31 to the package 25.

The basic operation of the terminal device 11 is as described above. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of this operation.

The collector collects the luggage by repeating the above operations. As a result, the storage unit 15 stores the slip number and arrival code of each package. At some point, when the collector inputs an instruction to transmit data in the storage unit 15 (or when the transmission unit 23 receives an instruction to transmit collection data from the collection and delivery terminal), the processing unit 13 is stored in the storage unit 15. The data is sent to the collection and delivery terminal through the communication unit 23 and input to the host computer. As a result, the collection and delivery terminal can grasp the amount of luggage for each destination at any time, and can efficiently arrange cars for each destination.

Next, when the vehicle that has collected the luggage returns to the collection and delivery terminal, the luggage already has a wireless tag on which the slip number and the arrival code have been written. The tag reading device can automatically read the slip number and the store arrival code to perform automatic sorting. At this time, since the RFID tag reader can read the recorded data of the RFID tag regardless of the position and the orientation of the RFID tag, it is not necessary to consider the direction of the package, and the delivery of the package to the sorting device is extremely difficult. Easy. Therefore, the time and labor required from the return of the car to the pickup and delivery terminal until the sorting of the luggage is completed can be greatly reduced.

By the way, in the luggage collection and delivery system using the terminal device of the present invention, it is necessary to attach a slip and a radio tag to the luggage at the time of collection, but it is troublesome to attach them separately. In addition, since wireless tags are more expensive than slips, it is uneconomical to dispose them. Therefore, the present invention provides a luggage slip suitable for a luggage collection and delivery system using the above terminal device. A specific example of the baggage slip according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, reference numeral 27 denotes a slip attached to a package, reference numeral 33 denotes an adhesive applied to the back surface of the slip 27, and reference numeral 29 denotes a wireless tag.

In the baggage slip shown in FIG. 4, a bag 35 containing a wireless tag 29 is attached to the surface of the slip 27 with an adhesive 37. If the baggage slip is configured as described above, the collector / distributor can attach the wireless tag 29 to the baggage together with the tag 27, just as in the past, by attaching the slip 27 to the baggage. When the baggage arrives at the arrival / delivery terminal of the store code, the wireless tag 29 can be collected by removing the bag 35 from the slip 27 there. The collected wireless tag is sent to a slip printing factory or the like, and is attached to a new slip as shown in FIG. 4 for reuse.

The slip for luggage shown in FIG. 5 has a sheet 39 attached to the back of the slip 27 so as to accommodate the wireless tag 29. In this case, the wireless tag 2
It is preferable to print a mark indicating the position of No. 9.
Even with such a configuration, the same effect as in the luggage slip shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained. In the case of this baggage slip, the portion of the slip 27 where the wireless tag 29 is stored is broken, and the wireless tag 29 is collected. If the above-described mark is printed, it is convenient to collect the wireless tag 29.

The luggage slip shown in FIG. 6 is such that a wireless tag 27 is arranged on the surface of the slip 27, and a sheet 41 with an adhesive 37 is attached thereon. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as the luggage slip shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained.

In the baggage slip shown in FIG. 7, the slip 27 to be attached to the baggage is in the form of a bag.
(A slip collected by the courier when delivery is completed) is detachably (pulled out) incorporated therein, and a wireless tag 29 is attached to the received slip. With such a configuration, the wireless tag 29 can be collected together with the reception slip 43, so that the collection of the wireless tag 29 can be performed more reliably and easily.

In the baggage slip shown in FIG. 8, the slip 27 to be attached to the baggage is in the form of a bag, and the received slip 43 is contained therein.
And a slip 45 to be collected at the delivery destination collection and delivery terminal is detachably (pulled out), and the wireless tag 29 is attached to the slip 45 to be collected at the delivery destination collection and delivery terminal.
Is attached. With such a configuration, the wireless tag 29 can be collected together with the collection slip 45 when the package is attached to the delivery / collection terminal, so that the collection of the wireless tag 29 can be performed more reliably and easily. it can.

The present invention also provides a luggage wireless tag suitable for a luggage collection and delivery system using the terminal device as described above. A specific example is shown in FIG. This luggage wireless tag,
The wireless tag 29 is put in a bag 35 made of plastic or the like, and an adhesive 37 is applied to one surface of the bag 35. When this luggage wireless tag is used, the adhesive 3
The wireless tag 29 can be attached to the luggage only by attaching the bag 35 with 7 to the luggage or the slip. Also, when the package arrives at the delivery / delivery terminal of the delivery destination or when the package is handed to the destination, the wireless tag 29 can be collected by peeling the bag 35 from the package or the slip.

[0041]

As described above, when the terminal device of the present invention is used, the slip number and the arrival code can be easily written on the wireless tag attached to the luggage at the time of collection, so that the terminal returns to the collection and delivery terminal. After sorting, it is possible to automatically sort the luggage, and the number of personnel and time required for sorting can be significantly reduced.

If a communication unit is provided in the terminal device, the collection information can be input to a host computer of the collection and delivery terminal. Therefore, the collection and delivery terminal grasps the amount of luggage for each destination before the collection and delivery vehicle returns. This makes it possible to efficiently dispatch long-haul trucks.

Also, if the luggage slip according to the present invention is used, the RFID tag can be attached to the luggage simply by sticking the slip on the luggage, so that the trouble of a collector and distributor can be reduced. It is economical because it can be used. Also, substantially the same effect can be obtained by using the luggage wireless tag according to the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the external appearance of the terminal device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation of the terminal device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a luggage slip according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of a luggage slip according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of a luggage slip according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of a luggage slip according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of a luggage slip according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a luggage wireless tag according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the appearance of a conventional terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3: slip number reading unit (bar code reader) 5: numeric keypad 7: function key 9: display unit 11: terminal device 13: processing unit 15: storage unit 17: store code table 19: wireless tag writing unit 21: store Code label issuing unit 23: Communication unit 25: Baggage 27: Slip attached to baggage 29: Wireless tag 31: Arrival code label

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A slip number reading means for reading a slip number of a slip affixed to a package, a store code generating means for generating a store code of the package, and a slip number reading means and a store code generating means. A luggage pickup and delivery system comprising: a storage unit for storing the obtained voucher number and store arrival code; and wireless tag writing means for writing the voucher number and store arrival code to a wireless tag attached to the package. Terminal device. 2. A receiving code generating means receives an input section of destination area information described in a slip, a receiving code table storing correspondence between destination area information and a receiving code, and receiving area information. 2. The luggage collection and delivery terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: a processing unit that reads out a store arrival code corresponding to the destination area information from the store arrival code table and stores it in a storage unit. 3. The luggage according to claim 2, wherein the store code generating means further comprises a store code input unit and a processing unit for storing the input store code in the storage unit. Terminal for collection and delivery. 4. The store code generating means according to claim 1, wherein said store code input means includes a store code input unit, and a processing unit for storing the input store code in a storage unit. Terminal device for luggage collection and delivery. 5. The luggage collection / delivery terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a arrival code label issuing means. 6. The luggage collection and delivery terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for transmitting data stored in the storage unit to a host computer of the collection and delivery terminal. . 7. A slip for luggage, wherein a wireless tag is detachably attached to a slip attached to the luggage. 8. A luggage wireless tag, wherein the wireless tag is put in a bag, and one side of the bag is coated with an adhesive.