JP2000272723A - Commodity managing system using noncontact identifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for accurately and easily managing documents and commodities for rent. SOLUTION: This system is equipped with RFID(radio frequency identification) tags 1 mounted on commodities for storing specific identification codes in the commodities, a register 2 for writing the identification codes in the RFID tags, a reader 3 for receiving signals from the RFID tags and a central information processor 4 for receiving the signals from the reader. The central information processor has a CPU 4A, a storage 4a for storing the identification codes sent from the reader and the contents of the commodities corresponding to the identification codes as commodity information and a display 4b for displaying the information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article management system using a non-contact identification device, and an object thereof is to provide a system capable of accurately and easily managing documents and articles for rent. It is. In this specification, an RFID tag is a radio frequency identification (Radio) used in a data carrier system (mobile unit identification device).
Frequency Identificatio
n) Refers to a tag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a company, a government office, a school, etc., many documents are prepared every day, and these prepared documents are divided according to content, year, or department, and bound by a binder or the like. The documents are stored in a locker or a bookshelf in a locked state, and a person who needs the documents finds the necessary documents by looking at the spine of the binder arranged on the locker or the bookshelf. In addition, the company has many important documents that should not be leaked to the outside, and such important documents are usually stored in locked archives or at desks of authorized managers. In many cases, those who want to see the documents borrowed the keys to remove the documents from the archives, or requested and borrowed from an authorized person to browse. On the other hand, rental companies such as cleaning tools, clothing, and baby goods need to manage the items to be rented, but in the past, employees could manually enter the identification code attached to the item on the management computer, Alternatively, the bar code attached to the article is read by a reader and input to a computer.

[0003]

However, the conventional article management method as described above has the following problems. In other words, documents bound in binders, etc. are often in a conspicuous place if they are relatively recent, but in the case of old documents that have been created many years ago, In many cases, the binder is stored in a library or the like in a boxed state.In such a case, the binder must be pulled out from the back of the locker or inside the box to check the contents. Because of this, finding the necessary documents was a major struggle. Furthermore, the person who took out the documents did not return the documents to the box or locker where the documents were originally stored,
Frequently, the documents are returned to another location different from the original location, and in such a case, it became more difficult to find the documents. In addition, when the number of documents increases, it is not possible to grasp at a glance which documents are missing, and there is a case where it is delayed to notice the loss. In addition, employees who take out important documents copy the contents without permission with a copy machine, return the original to the original place as it is, and take out only the copy outside, so that anyone who notices the confidentiality of the company In some cases, it was leaked to the outside. In addition, when managing rental items, since the rental information is manually input, it is very troublesome, and sometimes the user forgets to input or mistakenly inputs the information. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system that can accurately and easily manage documents and articles for rent.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
R attached to an article and storing an identification code unique to the article
An RFID tag, a registration device that writes the identification code into the RFID tag, a reader that receives a signal from the RFID tag, and a central information processing device that receives a signal from the reader. The device has a CPU
And a storage unit for storing the identification code transmitted from the reader and the contents of the article corresponding to the identification code as article information, and a display unit for displaying the information. The present invention relates to an article management system using a non-contact identification device. The invention according to claim 2 relates to an article management system using the non-contact identification device according to claim 1, wherein the article is a binder for binding a document. The invention according to claim 3 relates to an article management system using the non-contact identification device according to claim 1, wherein the article is a rental article to be lent to another person. The invention according to claim 4 is the non-contact identification device according to claim 1, wherein the article is a binder for binding a book or a document, and the reader is attached to a doorway of a library or a bookshelf. It relates to the article management system used. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the article is a document, the reader is attached to a copier, and the RFI attached to the document by the reader.
2. An article management system using a non-contact identification device according to claim 1, wherein a copying operation of a copy machine is not activated when a D tag is detected.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an article management system (hereinafter referred to as an article management system) using a non-contact identification device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an article management system according to the present invention. An article management system according to the present invention includes an RF which is attached to an article and stores an identification code unique to the article.
An ID tag (1), a register (2) that writes information to the RFID tag (1), a reader (3) that receives a signal from the RFID tag (1), and a reader (3) that receives a signal from the reader (3). A central information processing device (4) for receiving input information.

As the RFID tag (1), a known RF tag having an internal antenna and an IC chip housed in a case is used.
An ID tag is used. The shape of the RFID tag to be used is not particularly limited, and various shapes such as a disk type, a card type, and a cylindrical type may be appropriately selected and used. Are preferably used. The IC chip inside the RFID tag (1)
A memory for D, a control circuit necessary for communication, and the like are stored, and an identification code unique to each article is written in the ID memory as article identification information by the registration device (2).

The central information processing unit (4) includes a CPU (4)
A), a storage unit (4a) for storing information transmitted from the reader (3), and a display unit (4) for displaying this information.
b), input / output interface (4c), and RAM
(4d) and a ROM (4e). still,
As the central information processing device (4), for example, a commercially available personal computer is used.

The reader (3) emits radio waves (electromagnetic waves), and when the RFID tag (1) approaches a predetermined distance to an article to which the RFID tag (1) is attached, the RFI attached to the article.
The radio wave transmitted from the reader (3) is received by the coil of the internal antenna of the D tag (1), whereby the R
A reader (3) that has been switched from a transmission state to a receivable state by receiving response energy to the FID tag (1).
Receives a signal from the RFID tag (1).

The articles of the present invention include binders for binding documents, books, video tapes, cassette tapes,
It may be a CD (compact disc) or the like that always exists under the owner, or may be a lending item that is lent to another person in exchange for a fee. Preferable examples of the lending articles include cleaning tools such as mop and broom, office supplies such as desks and chairs, tents, mats, futons, exercise equipment, baby goods, clothes, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the article is a binder for binding a document. In the illustrated example, the RFID tag (1) is attached to the spine of the binder (5) to which the document (S) is bound. The attachment position of the RFID tag (1) is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be attached to the back side of the spine, the front cover, the back cover, or the like. In this case, an identification code individually set by each binder (5) is stored in the RFID tag (1), and information (contents of a bound document or the like) corresponding to the identification code is stored in the central information processing device. It is stored in the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4d) of (4).

In this case, the reader (3) is of a portable wireless type as shown in FIG.
To carry out the reading operation by hand. FIG.
Among them, (3a) is a display unit composed of a display for displaying the read contents, (3b) is an input unit composed of numeric keys, and (3c) is an antenna for transmitting the read information to the central processing unit (4). It is.

According to this configuration, for example, even when a plurality of binders (5) are stored in the box (6) as shown in FIG. 3, the reader (3) is moved to the binder (5). When a certain distance is approached, the identification code stored in the RFID tag (1) attached to the binder (5) is read and transmitted to the central information processing device (4), and transmitted to the central information processing device (4). The corresponding information (contents of a bound document, etc.) from the read identification code is read from the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4d) and displayed on the display unit (4b). Therefore,
Even if you do not open the box (6), you can check what kind of documents are stored in the box, and if the person who took out the documents earlier returned it to a place different from the original place Even so, you can easily find the documents.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the article is a book.
In the illustrated example, the RFID tag (1) is attached to the front cover of the book (9). In this case, an identification code individually set for each book (9) is stored in the RFID tag (1), and information (such as the title of the book) corresponding to the identification code is stored in the central information processing device (4). Storage unit (4a)
Alternatively, it is stored in the RAM (4d).

In this case, the reader (3) is installed at a gate (10b) provided opposite to an entrance (10a) of a library (10) for storing books, for example, as shown in FIG. Incidentally, (T) in the figure is a bookshelf. in this case,
When the book (9) is taken out of the library (10), the presence of the book is detected by passing the book (9) through the gate (10b), and the identification code stored in the RFID tag (1) is read. The information (eg, book type) corresponding to the identification code transmitted to the central information processing device (4) and read by the central information processing device (4) is stored in the storage unit (4a).
Alternatively, it is read from the RAM (4d) and displayed on the display unit (4b).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a configuration in which the reader (3) is attached to the bookcase (13) can also be suitably adopted. In the illustrated example, a reader (3) is attached to the front end of the inner surface of each shelf of the bookshelf (13), and in this case, the RFID tag (1) is a book (13) stored in the bookshelf (13), for example. It is attached to the cover of 9). According to this example, when the book (9) is taken out from the bookshelf (13), R
The FID tag (1) is detected by the reader (3), the identification code stored in the RFID tag (1) is read, transmitted to the central information processing device (4), and transmitted to the central information processing device (4). The information (such as the type of book) corresponding to the identification code read in the storage unit (4a) or RAM
It is read from (4d) and displayed on the display unit (4b). The specific attachment positions of the reader (3) and the RFID tag (1) are not limited to the illustrated examples.
It is sufficient that the RFID tag (1) attached to the book (9) when the book (9) is taken out from the bookcase (13) can be read by the reader (3).

According to the above configuration, it is possible to always accurately grasp which book is taken out of the library or the bookshelf, and even if the book is taken out without permission, it can be detected quickly. That is, there is no possibility that the book is not noticed for a long time. In addition, since books in books and shelves and books not in bookshelves can be grasped accurately and quickly, it is not necessary to spend much time searching for books. Note that, in these embodiments, the same operation and effect can be obtained when documents bound to the binder (5) described above are stored in the bookcase (10) or the bookshelf (13) instead of books. .

FIG. 8 shows an example in which the article is an important document. The RFID tag (1) is attached to the surface of the document (11). In this case, the RFID tag (1) is as thin as possible, and may be printed on the surface of the document in some cases. Each document (1) is attached to the RFID tag (1).
The identification code individually set in 1) is stored, and information (contents of documents, etc.) corresponding to the identification code is stored.
Is the storage unit (4a) or RAM of the central information processing device (4)
(4d).

In this case, the reader (3) is attached to the copying machine (12), and when the document (11) is to be copied, the reader (3) detects the RFID tag (1). It is configured to be able to. The reader (3) only needs to be attached to a position where the RFID tag (1) attached to the document (11) can be detected when copying the document (11). There is no particular limitation. For example, the document (1) is attached to a position below a glass platen or the back side of an upper cover.
The RFID tag (1) may be detected when (1) is placed face down on a document table.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram in the case where the reader (3) is attached to the copying machine (12). The configuration of the copy machine (12) itself is based on the input interface (12).
b) a switch S for detecting the presence or absence of paper in the paper cassette;
2. Various detection switches such as a switch S3 for detecting a paper jam and a print switch S4 are connected.
The CPU (12
a) a motor, a heater, various lamps, and the like are operated from an output interface (12c) via the output interface (12c). The reader (3) operates in conjunction with the power switch S1 and the reader (3). ) Is different from the known one in that the power switch S1 is turned off when the detection signal of the RFID tag (1) is transmitted.

According to this configuration, when an important document is to be copied by the copier (12), the RFID tag (1) is connected to the reader (3) when the document (11) is placed on the document table. As a result, the switch S1 is operated and the power of the copier is turned off, so that important documents can be prevented from being copied. Instead of the above-described configuration in which the power of the copier is turned off, a configuration in which copying is prevented by another method may be employed. For example, when the RFID tag (1) provided on the document (11) is detected by the reader (3), the operation of the light source, the photosensitive drum, or the conveyance belt for feeding paper is stopped, It may be configured to make copying impossible.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the article is a lending mop to be lent to another person, and the RFID tag (1) is attached to the handle of the mop (7). In this example, the attachment position of the RFID tag (1) is not limited to the illustrated example. In this case, an identification code individually set by each mop (7) is stored in the RFID tag (1), and information (mop type, number, etc.) corresponding to this identification code is stored in the central information processing device ( 4) is stored in the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4d).

In this case, the reader (3) is installed at a gate (8b) provided opposite to an entrance (8a) of a warehouse (8) for storing a mop, as shown in FIG. 11, for example. In this case, when the mop is rented out, the presence of the mop is detected by passing through the gate (8b) when entering and exiting the warehouse (8).

According to this configuration, every time the mop is lent, the presence of the mop is detected by the RFID tag (1), the identification code stored in the RFID tag (1) is read, and the central information processing device (4) is read. ) And the corresponding information (mop type, number, etc.) from the identification code read by the central information processing device (4) is stored in the storage unit (4a).
Alternatively, it is read from the RAM (4d) and displayed on the display unit (4b). Therefore, for example, beforehand,
By storing a program that counts as one use each time it is detected, it is possible to grasp the number of rents by counting the number of times a mop is detected, and also check the amount of mop inventory Can also be grasped.

Further, in the article management system according to the present invention, since the RFID tag (1) within a certain range can be read by the reader (3), the RFID tag (1) is attached to a large number of articles within the range. The RFID tag (1) can be read all at once by the reader (3). Therefore, for example, in the case where documents with RFID tags attached are stored in the library, by turning the reader to a certain area, all the RFID tags attached to the documents existing in the area are read, The content is displayed on the display unit (4b), and it is possible to instantly grasp whether all the necessary documents are available.

Also, an R code in which an identification code individually set for each product is stored in a product in a supermarket.
It is also possible to attach an FID tag and store information (such as the type and price of a product) corresponding to the identification code in the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4d) of the central information processing device (4). According to this configuration, for example, the clerk instantly reads the RFID tags attached to the products put in the shopping basket by the customer with the reader (3) provided at the cash register, and reads the RFID tags of the read RFID tags. The information is read from the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4d), and C
PU (4A) calculates the total price of the product and displays it on the display (4
b) can be displayed.

Hereinafter, an example of the basic operation of the article management system according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, the basic operation when the article is always present at the owner's place (such as a company office or private house), such as a binder for binding documents, a book, a video tape, a cassette tape, or a CD (compact disc). Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, before storing the article in a predetermined place, R
The registration device (2) is used to store the individual identification code of the article in the FID tag (1), and information (such as the type of the article) corresponding to the identification code is stored in the central information processing device (4).
In the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4d). Next, the RFID tag (1) is attached to an article and stored in a predetermined place.

When searching for an article, the reader (3) is brought close to a box or the like in which the article is stored to a certain distance. Then, the identification code stored in the RFID tag (1) attached to the article is read by the reader (3), and the information is transmitted to the central information processing device (4). In the central information processing device (4), the corresponding information (such as the type of article) is read from the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4d) from the read identification code and displayed on the display unit (4b). The person who is looking can check the contents of the article by looking at this display.

Next, when the article is a cleaning tool such as a mop or a broom, an office article such as a desk or a chair, a tent, a mat, a futon, an exercise tool, a baby article, clothing, etc., which are lent to another person in exchange for a fee. An example of the basic operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a registration device (2) is attached to the RFID tag (1).
Is used to store the individual identification code of the article, and the information (such as the type of the article) corresponding to the identification code is stored in the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4) of the central information processing device (4).
Store in d). Next, the RFID tag (1) is attached to an article and stored in a warehouse or the like.

When the article is rented out, when the article passes through the doorway of the warehouse (where the reader is attached), the identification code stored in the RFID tag (1) attached to the article is read by the reader (3). ), And the information is transmitted to the central information processing device (4). Then, when the goods are returned, the goods again pass through the doorway of the warehouse. At that time, the RFI attached to the goods is
The identification code stored in the D tag (1) is read by the reader (3), and the information is transmitted to the central information processing device (4).

In the central information processing unit (4), the corresponding information (such as the type of article) is read from the storage unit (4a) or the RAM (4d) from the read identification code, and is read by the CPU (4A). Thus, two detections of the article are counted as one use, and the counted number and the information of the article are both displayed on the display section (4b). Therefore, the manager can grasp the number of lending of the articles, and can also grasp the stock amount of the mop.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an RFID tag which is attached to an article and stores an identification code unique to the article, a registration device which writes the identification code in the RFID tag, A reader that receives a signal from the RFID tag; and a central information processing device that receives a signal from the reader.
PU, a storage unit that stores the identification code transmitted from the reader and the content of the article corresponding to the identification code as article information, and a display unit that displays the information. Is an article management system using a non-contact identification device that performs an article management by reading an RFID tag attached to a document or a rental article with a reader, so that the article can be accurately and easily managed. To play.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the article management system using the non-contact identification device according to the first aspect, wherein the article is a binder for binding a document. It is possible to confirm what kind of document is stored without taking out the document stored in the document.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the article management system using the non-contact identification device according to the first aspect, wherein the article is a rental article to be lent to another person. At least, the number of rented articles and the stock amount can be accurately grasped.

The invention according to claim 4 is the non-contact apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article is a binder for binding a book or a document, and the reader is attached to an entrance of a library or a bookshelf. Since it is an article management system using an identification device, it is possible to always accurately grasp which book was taken out of the library and when, and even if a book was taken out without permission, it could be detected quickly. That is, there is no possibility that the book is not noticed for a long time. In addition, since books that are currently in the library and books that are not present can be accurately and quickly grasped, a lot of time is not spent searching for books.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the article is a document, the reader is attached to a copier, and the reader detects the RFID tag attached to the document. 2. An article management system using the non-contact identification device according to claim 1, wherein an important document is copied by a copy machine without permission and is sent to the outside. Can be prevented from being taken out

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an article management system using a non-contact identification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an RFID tag is attached to a binder.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a binder to which an RFID tag is attached is stored in a box.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing an example of a reader.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an RFID tag is attached to a book.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where a reader is installed in a library;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where a reader is attached to a bookcase.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an RFID tag is attached to a document.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram in the case where a reader is attached to the copier.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which an RFID tag is attached to a mop.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an installation location of a reader.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of the article management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of the article management system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 RFID tag 2 Registration machine 3 Reader 4 Central information processing device 4A CPU 4a Storage part 4b Display part 4d RAM (storage part) 5 Binder 7 Mop (rental article) 9 Books 10 Library 11 Documents 12 Copy machine 13 Bookshelf

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C017 VA42 3F022 AA11 AA13 MM08 MM22 MM28 MM35 PP04 QQ01

Claims (5)

[Claims] An RFID tag attached to an article and storing an identification code unique to the article, a registration device for writing the identification code on the RFID tag, a reader for receiving a signal from the RFID tag, and the reading device A central information processing device for receiving a signal from the device, the central information processing device having a CPU, an identification code transmitted from the reader and the contents of the article corresponding to the identification code as article information. An article management system using a non-contact identification device, comprising: a storage unit for storing; and a display unit for displaying the information. 2. The article management system according to claim 1, wherein the article is a binder for binding a document. 3. An article management system using a non-contact identification device according to claim 1, wherein said article is a rental article to be lent to another person. 4. The article using the non-contact identification device according to claim 1, wherein the article is a binder for binding a book or a document, and the reader is attached to an entrance of a library or a bookshelf. Management system. 5. The article is a document, and the reader is attached to a copier, and when the reader detects an RFID tag attached to the document, the copying operation of the copier does not operate. The article management system using the non-contact identification device according to claim 1, wherein the article management system is configured as follows.