JP2005195341A - Retrieval support system, method and program for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily retrieve a plurality of articles concentrated in a small area. <P>SOLUTION: The retrieval support terminal 200 which is carryable for a retriever receives information for specifying the retrieval object from a management server 100. The retrieval support terminal 200 transmits excitation electric wave for exciting a wireless IC tag 300 while varying the intensity of the electric wave stepwise. The retrieval support terminal 200 detects the distance from the retrieval support terminal 200 to the wireless IC tag 300 by discriminating the response electric wave to the transmitted excitation electric wave based on the reachable distance corresponding to the intensity of the electric wave. The retrieval support terminal 200 detects the direction to the retrieval object, the wireless IC tag 300 by using a pair of antennas separated to left and right apart from prescribed distance and detects the intensity of received electric wave of the response electric wave, and based on the difference of intensity of the left and right electric waves. The retrieval support terminal 200 informs the retriever at any time on information indicating the detected distance and direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a search support system, apparatus and method, and program, and more particularly to a search support system, apparatus and method, and program using a wireless IC tag.

  For example, in dispensing pharmacies, in addition to dispensing work based on prescriptions issued by doctors, etc., drug history information for each patient is managed using an information processing system, and advice and cautionary documents are issued for each patient. ing.

  In such a field, various types of information are being digitized, but there are still many paper-based documents such as prescriptions and medical records. Such a paper document is usually stored in a document holder (document storage file) for each patient and stored on a bookshelf or the like. In such a method, the person in charge retrieves the necessary documents by visually searching the book shelves based on the patient name and the like, which requires a lot of trouble for the person in charge at the site.

  On the other hand, recently, article management using a wireless IC tag has been performed. A wireless IC tag is an IC having a size of several millimeters to several centimeters square, and has a wireless transmission / reception function. Usually, ID information assigned to each IC is stored and emitted from a predetermined detection device. When radio waves are received, ID information is returned. Such a wireless IC tag is assigned to each article in advance, and the physical distribution of each article is managed by detecting the detection apparatus IC tag (for example, Patent Document 1), or each detection apparatus installed in a plurality of places. Techniques for detecting the position of an article (for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3) are known. Also known is a technique (for example, Patent Document 4) in which ID information of each article is read by a portable terminal device to check information related to the article, or inventory information is transmitted by transmitting the information to a predetermined management apparatus. ing.

It is conceivable to use such a technique using a wireless IC tag for searching a document holder or the like. However, with the conventional technology as described above, it is possible to detect the passage of a moving object or to detect the rough position of an article that is scattered to some extent, but it exists in a narrow range. It has been difficult to search for a desired article from a plurality of articles. That is, it is necessary to read the wireless IC tag of each article one by one with the mobile terminal device, and it has not been possible to quickly and accurately search for documents stored in a bookshelf or the like.
JP 2002-316720 A JP 2001-116583 A JP 2002-271229 A JP 2003-157477 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a search support system for supporting a quick and accurate search when searching for a desired article from among a plurality of articles densely present in a narrow range. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method, and a program.

In order to achieve the above object, a search support system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A search support system for supporting a search for an article provided with a wireless IC tag that transmits identification information uniquely assigned to the self,
A management device that stores the identification information of the wireless IC tag and information related to the article to which the wireless IC tag is attached in association with each other;
A detection device configured to detect a search target article by communicating with the wireless IC tag and the management device.
The detection device is:
Obtaining the identification information of the wireless IC tag given to the search target article from the management device, and transmitting the excitation radio wave that excites the wireless IC tag while gradually reducing the radio field intensity,
A response radio wave transmitted by the wireless IC tag with respect to the excitation radio wave is received by a plurality of antennas,
Based on the transmission intensity of the excitation radio wave and the reception intensity of the response radio wave, the distance to the search target article and / or the direction is notified to the searcher.
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, a search support apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
A transmission unit that transmits a predetermined radio wave to the wireless IC tag;
A receiver that receives a response radio wave from the wireless IC tag with respect to the transmission of the transmitter;
A portable search support device for supporting a search for an article to which the wireless IC tag is attached based on a radio wave received from the wireless IC tag,
A designation means for designating identification information of a wireless IC tag to be searched;
Identification means for identifying radio waves from a radio IC tag identified by the specified identification information from among radio waves from a plurality of radio IC tags received corresponding to the transmission of the transmitter,
Detection means for detecting a distance or direction between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag based on the intensity of a radio wave transmitted and received between the transmission unit and the identified wireless IC tag;
Informing means for informing the searcher of predetermined information according to the distance or direction detected by the detecting means;
It is characterized by providing.

In the above search support device,
The detection unit may detect a distance between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the transmission unit.

In the above search support device,
The receiving unit preferably includes a plurality of antennas arranged at positions where a difference in intensity of radio waves received by the receiving unit can be detected.
It is desirable that the detection unit detects a direction between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag based on response radio wave intensity received by each of the plurality of antennas.

In the above search support device,
The notification means may notify the change when the distance or direction between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag changes.

In the above search support device,
The transmission unit may increase the intensity of the radio wave to be transmitted when the distance between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag changes in a direction away from the search support device.

In the above search support device,
The transmitting unit may reduce the intensity of the radio wave to be transmitted when the distance between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag changes.

In order to achieve the above object, a search support method according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
A search support method for supporting a search for an article provided with a wireless IC tag using a computer,
Preliminarily storing the tag identification information uniquely assigned to the wireless IC tag and the article specifying information for specifying the article to which the wireless IC tag is assigned in a predetermined storage unit;
Inputting article specifying information of an article to be searched;
Obtaining tag identification information associated with the input article specifying information from the storage means as search target information;
Transmitting a predetermined radio wave to the radio IC tag by gradually reducing the radio wave intensity within a predetermined range;
Receiving a radio wave that is a response radio wave from the radio IC tag with respect to the transmitted radio radio wave and includes tag identification information of the radio IC tag using a plurality of antennas;
Detecting the response radio wave intensity including tag identification information that matches the tag identification information indicated in the search target information for each of the plurality of antennas;
Identifying the distance from the searcher to the wireless IC tag and / or the direction from the searcher to the wireless IC tag based on the intensity of the transmitted wireless radio wave and the intensity of the received response radio wave;
Informing the searcher of predetermined information based on the identified distance and / or direction;
It is characterized by providing.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is:
To the computer that controls the portable terminal device,
Inputting article specifying information of an article to be searched;
The identification information uniquely assigned to the wireless IC tag assigned to each article, and the tag identification information of the wireless IC tag associated with the inputted article identification information is acquired as search target information. Steps,
Controlling a plurality of antennas for communicating with the wireless IC tag;
Transmitting a predetermined radio wave to the radio IC tag by gradually reducing the radio wave intensity within a predetermined range;
Receiving a response radio wave to the transmitted radio wave from the wireless IC tag;
Obtaining tag identification information of a source wireless IC tag included in the received response radio wave;
Detecting the response radio wave intensity including tag identification information that matches the tag identification information indicated in the search target information for each of the plurality of antennas;
Identifying the distance from the searcher to the wireless IC tag and / or the direction from the searcher to the wireless IC tag based on the intensity of the transmitted wireless radio wave and the intensity of the received response radio wave;
Informing the operator of predetermined information based on the identified distance and / or direction;
By executing the above, the portable terminal device is caused to function as a search support device that supports the search for an article to which the wireless IC tag is attached.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and accurately search for a desired article from a plurality of articles that are densely present in a narrow range.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, in a dispensing pharmacy DS that dispenses and sells pharmaceuticals based on a prescription issued by a doctor or the like, a search system for searching a medical record or the like that records a patient's medical history etc. A case where the present invention is applied will be described as an example. Here, it is assumed that the documents to be searched are classified for each patient using a predetermined document holder DH, and a plurality of document holders DH are stored in a bookshelf BS installed in the dispensing pharmacy DS. To do.

  The configuration of the search support system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated, the search support system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a management server 100, a search support terminal 200, and a wireless IC tag 300 attached to the document holder DH.

  In the present embodiment, the management server 100 and the search support terminal 200 are connected via a predetermined cradle 200C, for example, and the search support terminal 200 and the wireless IC tag 300 are wireless using, for example, a microwave. Communicate. Hereinafter, details of each configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The management server 100 is composed of, for example, a predetermined computer device, manages information related to a patient who uses the dispensing pharmacy DS (hereinafter referred to as “user”), and cooperates with the search support terminal 200 to Support DH search. The configuration of the management server 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the management server 100. As illustrated, the management server 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 110, a system I / F (interface) 120, an input control unit 130, an output control unit 140, a program storage unit 150, and a storage unit. 160.

  The control unit 110 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a predetermined storage device (RAM (Random Access Memory)) serving as a work area, and controls each unit of the management server 100. Each process described later is executed based on a predetermined operation program stored in the program storage unit 150.

  The system I / F 120 is based on, for example, a wired transfer (communication) standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, IEEE802.3, or a wireless transfer (communication) standard such as Bluetooth, IrDA, IEEE802.11. An interface between the management server 100 and the search support terminal 200, which is configured by a predetermined communication control device and the like, and transmits and receives predetermined information to and from the search support terminal 200. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the search support terminal 200 is connected to the search support terminal 200 via a cradle 200C for charging and the like.

  For example, the input control unit 130 connects a predetermined input device 13 such as a keyboard or a pointing device, and transmits an instruction or the like input from the input device 13 to the control unit 110.

  For example, the output control unit 140 connects a predetermined output device 14 such as a display device or a printer, and outputs the processing result of the control unit 110 to the output device 14 as necessary.

The program storage unit 150 is composed of a predetermined storage device such as a hard disk device or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores various operation programs executed by the control unit 110. An operation program stored in the program storage unit 150 is used for realizing each process described later in cooperation with the OS, in addition to an arbitrary OS (Operating System: basic software) that controls the basic operation of the management server 100. It is assumed that the following operation program is stored. Processing performed by the management server 100 to be described later is realized by the control unit 110 executing these operation programs.
(1) “Database management program”: a program for controlling input / output and search of a database configured in the storage unit 160 (2) “communication program”: communication with the search support terminal 200 via the system I / F 120 Program to do

  The storage unit 160 includes, for example, a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk device, and stores various information such as processing results of the management server 100. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 160 is configured with a user information DB 161 for managing user information. An example of information recorded in the user information DB 161 is shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, in the user information DB 161, a record is created with “user ID”, which is identification information uniquely assigned to each user, as a key. Each record includes “attribute information”, “holder ID”. ”,“ Tag ID ”,“ insurance card number ”,“ medicine history information ”, and the like are prepared.
In the item “attribute information”, in addition to information indicating attributes such as the name, sex, and date of birth of the user, contact information such as an address and a telephone number is recorded.
In the item “holder ID”, identification information uniquely assigned to the document holder DH storing a document such as the user's medical record is recorded.
In the item “tag ID”, identification information uniquely assigned to the wireless IC tag 300 assigned to the document holder DH to which the holder ID is assigned is recorded.
In the item “insurance card number”, information indicating the insurance card number of the insurance card issued to the user is recorded.
In the item “medicine history information”, information indicating the use history of medicines for the user is recorded.
Information recorded in the user information DB 161 is input when the user first uses the dispensing pharmacy DS, for example. In addition, each information recorded in the user information DB 161 can be searched by executing a database management program stored in the program storage unit 150. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a search function for specifying a record in which information on the user is specified is provided based on information for specifying the user (for example, user ID, name, and insurance card number).

  Next, the search support terminal 200 will be described. The search support terminal 200 is composed of a portable information terminal device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance: personal digital assistant), and for example, a search pharmacy DS that searches a medical record of a user who has visited the dispensing pharmacy DS. Used by employees (hereinafter referred to as “searchers”). The search support terminal 200 detects the position of the wireless IC tag 300 and notifies the searcher of the wireless IC tag 300 by sensing the radio wave transmitted by the wireless IC tag 300 attached to each document holder DH. Therefore, the search support terminal 200 has a configuration capable of wireless communication with the wireless IC tag 300. The configuration of the search support terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of the search support terminal 200. As shown in the figure, the search support terminal 200 includes an antenna unit 224 and an input / output unit 240 as main components in appearance.

  The antenna unit 224 includes a predetermined antenna device for wirelessly communicating with the wireless IC tag 300, and further includes a left antenna 224L and a right antenna 224R. Here, the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R are configured by a pair of antennas whose positions are symmetrically determined in the left-right direction of the search support terminal 200. That is, the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R have the same configuration (shape, reception sensitivity, etc.) except for the arrangement location. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the left antenna 224 </ b> L is disposed at the upper left end of the search support terminal 200, and the right antenna 224 </ b> R is disposed at the upper right end of the search support terminal 200. Here, the left-right direction in the present embodiment is a direction indicated by a double-headed arrow in the upper part of the drawing. That is, when the front of the searcher and the display surface of the display 241 (details will be described later) of the search support terminal 200 are opposed to each other, the left from the searcher toward the search support terminal 200 is set to the left of the search support terminal 200. The right side is the right side of the search support terminal 200.

  Further, the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R are arranged with a predetermined distance therebetween. This is because when the radio wave transmitted from the radio IC tag 300 is received by the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R, the direction of the radio IC tag 300 is detected from the difference in intensity of the received radio waves.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the distance if there is a wireless IC tag 300 to the right front of the shelves BS _R, a distance DL and the wireless IC tag 300 from the wireless IC tag 300 to the left antenna 224L to the right antenna 224R In DR, DL is longer. Therefore, when each of the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R receives a radio wave transmitted from the wireless IC tag 300, the received radio wave intensity at the left antenna 224L is received by the right antenna 224R by a distance. It becomes weaker than the signal strength. That is, by detecting such a difference in received radio wave intensity, the direction of the target wireless IC tag 300 can be detected.

  Therefore, the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R according to the present embodiment are arranged so as to be separated to such an extent that a difference in radio wave intensity caused by such a difference in distance can be sensed. Here, the distance between the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R, the arrangement position, and the like are arbitrarily set according to the reception sensitivity of the antenna, the radio wave intensity of the wireless IC tag 300, and the like. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the antenna unit 224 is configured on the outer surface of the search support terminal 200 for ease of explanation. However, if the direction detection as described above is possible, the antenna unit 224 is The search support terminal 200 may be configured inside.

  Returning to FIG. 4, another external configuration of the search support terminal 200 will be further described.

  The input / output unit 240 is a device group for performing input to the search support terminal 200 and output from the search support terminal 200. For example, a display 241, a key 242, a pointing device 243, as illustrated in FIG. And a speaker 244 and the like.

  The display 241 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays various images and the like under the control of the control unit 210 (details will be described later). In the present embodiment, information indicating the direction and distance to the search target wireless IC tag 300 is displayed. Note that when the display 241 includes a touch panel that senses contact on the screen, the display 241 also functions as an input device.

  The key 242 and the pointing device 243 are input means for inputting an instruction or the like to the search support terminal 200 or selecting information displayed on the display 241.

  The speaker 244 outputs predetermined sound under the control of the control unit 210.

  The internal configuration of the search support terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the search support terminal 200. As illustrated, the search support terminal 200 includes a control unit 210, a tag I / F (interface) 220, a system I / F (interface) 230, an input / output unit 240, a program storage unit 250, and a storage unit. 260.

  The control unit 210 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a predetermined storage device (RAM (Random Access Memory)) serving as a work area, and controls each unit of the search support terminal 200. Each process to be described later is executed based on a predetermined operation program stored in the program storage unit 250. That is, the control unit 210 executes the predetermined operation program according to the present embodiment, thereby realizing the function shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions realized by the control unit 210. As shown in FIG.
An I / F control function 211 for controlling the tag I / F 220 and the system I / F 230 (details will be described later) to communicate with the management server 100 and the wireless IC tag 300;
A target specifying function 212 for specifying a search target in cooperation with the management server 100;
A received radio wave analysis function 213 for analyzing radio waves from the wireless IC tag 300 received by the tag I / F 220;
A distance / direction detection function 214 for detecting the distance and direction to the wireless IC tag 300 to be searched based on the analysis result of the received radio wave analysis function 213;
It has functions such as an input / output control function 215 that controls the input / output unit 240 to output information that supports the search of the wireless IC tag 300.

  The tag I / F 220 includes a predetermined wireless communication device connected to the antenna unit 224, and controls wireless communication between the search support terminal 200 and the wireless IC tag 300. The configuration of the tag I / F 220 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the tag I / F 220. As illustrated, the tag I / F 220 includes an internal I / F (interface) 221, a reader / writer 222, a switch unit 223, and an antenna unit 224 (left antenna 224L, right antenna 224R).

  The internal I / F 221 includes a predetermined connector and connects the control unit 210 and the tag I / F 220 via a predetermined bus and mediates information transmission therebetween.

  The reader / writer 222 is composed of, for example, a CPU, etc., controls wireless radio wave transmission / reception with the wireless IC tag 300 based on an instruction from the control unit 210, and based on information transmitted by the wireless IC tag 300. The information recorded on the wireless IC tag 300 is read. The reader / writer 222 implements the functions shown in FIG. 9 by causing the control unit 210 to execute the operation program stored in the program storage unit 250.

As shown in the figure, the reader / writer 222
A transmission / reception control function 222A that controls the antenna unit 224 to perform radio wave transmission to the radio IC tag 300 and radio wave reception from the radio IC tag 300;
An antenna control function 222B for individually driving and controlling the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R of the antenna unit 224;
A transmission intensity adjustment function 222C for adjusting the radio wave intensity of the radio wave transmitted to the wireless IC tag 300;
A reception intensity detection function 222D for detecting the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received from the wireless IC tag 300;
It has functions such as an information extraction function 222E that extracts information included in the radio wave received from the wireless IC tag 300.

  In the present embodiment, a so-called “passive wireless IC tag” that does not involve a power source is adopted as the wireless IC tag 300. When a passive radio IC tag receives a radio wave from a corresponding reader / writer, the passive radio IC tag generates power using an induced electromotive force of the received radio wave and transmits the radio wave using the generated power. In other words, it responds to the reader / writer by being excited by the radio wave transmitted by the reader / writer and transmitting the radio wave. Therefore, the radio wave transmitted from the reader / writer 222 (search support terminal 200) according to the present embodiment to the radio IC tag 300 is an “excitation radio wave” for exciting the radio IC tag 300. A radio wave transmitted from the wireless IC tag 300 in response to the excitation radio wave from the reader / writer 222 (search support terminal 200) is a “response radio wave” for the excitation radio wave.

  That is, the reader / writer 222 transmits an excitation radio wave to the wireless IC tag 300 and receives a response radio wave for the transmitted excitation radio wave from the wireless IC tag 300 by each function described above. In the present embodiment, when each wireless IC tag 300 transmits a response radio wave, unique identification information (tag ID) assigned to the wireless IC tag 300 is transmitted by the response radio wave.

  The switch unit 223 connects the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R, and switches the antenna to be driven by the antenna control function 222B of the reader / writer 222. By the switching operation of the switch unit 223, only the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R are driven, or both are driven simultaneously.

  As described above, the antenna unit 224 includes the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R, and transmits and receives predetermined radio waves to and from the wireless IC tag 300. Therefore, wireless radio waves are transmitted and received by a wireless communication method corresponding to the wireless communication method adopted by the wireless IC tag 300. Here, as the wireless IC tag 300 according to the present embodiment, an arbitrary one such as an existing wireless IC tag (RFID) can be adopted. Therefore, when a standardized wireless IC tag is adopted, a frequency band conforming to the standard is used, and thus the antenna of the antenna unit 224 corresponds to the frequency band. In the present embodiment, microwaves are used as the wireless communication method of the wireless IC tag 300, and therefore the antenna unit 224 is configured from an antenna device capable of transmitting and receiving with microwaves. In addition, when the antenna unit 224 transmits the excitation radio wave, it is preferable to transmit with a predetermined directivity.

  Returning to FIG. 6, another configuration of the search support terminal 200 will be further described.

  The system I / F 230 is based on, for example, a wired transfer (communication) standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, IEEE802.3, or a wireless transfer (communication) standard such as Bluetooth, IrDA, IEEE802.11. An interface between the search support terminal 200 and the management server 100, which is configured by a predetermined communication control device and the like, and transmits / receives predetermined information to / from the management server 100. In this embodiment, since the search support terminal 200 is connected to the management server 100 via the cradle 200C for charging and the like, the interface is connectable to the cradle 200C.

The program storage unit 250 is composed of a predetermined storage device such as a ROM or a flash memory, and stores various operation programs executed by the control unit 210. The operation program stored in the program storage unit 250 is used for realizing each process described later in cooperation with the OS in addition to an arbitrary OS (Operating System: basic software) that controls the basic operation of the search support terminal 200. Assume that an operation program as shown below is stored. Processing performed by the search support terminal 200 described later is realized by the control unit 210 executing these operation programs.
(1) “Communication program”: a program for communicating with the management server 100 via the system I / F 230 and acquiring information indicating a search target, etc. (2) “Transmission control program”: a radio wave for the wireless IC tag 300 Program for controlling transmission (3) “Reception control program”: Program for controlling radio wave reception from radio IC tag 300 (4) “Target detection program”: Transmission / reception of radio waves with radio IC tag 300 (5) “Output control program” for detecting the distance / direction to the wireless IC tag 300 to be searched based on the above, the distance / direction to the detected wireless IC tag 300 by controlling the input / output unit 240 Program to generate and output information indicating direction

  The storage unit 260 is configured by a storage device such as a flash memory, for example, and stores various setting information necessary for the detection operation of the wireless IC tag 300, information extracted from received radio waves, and the like. In this embodiment, a transmission intensity setting table 261 as shown in FIG. 10A is prepared in advance, and a received radio wave management table 262 as shown in FIG. 10B is created as needed. An example of information recorded in each table will be described below.

  The transmission intensity setting table 261 levels the excitation radio wave intensity transmitted from the reader / writer 222 (search support terminal 200) to the wireless IC tag 300 in stages, and each level (hereinafter referred to as “intensity level L”). ) Is recorded in association with the radio wave intensity and the reach distance. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the intensity level L has 10 levels from level L1 to level L10. Here, the level L1 indicates the minimum radio wave intensity (lowest level), the level L10 indicates the maximum radio wave intensity (highest level), and the corresponding radio wave intensity increases step by step as the intensity level value increases. Set to increase. Here, as the radio wave intensity, for example, a value of the power bundle density (hereinafter, the power bundle density of the transmission excitation radio wave is referred to as “power bundle density TW”) is set. That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, the value of the power flux density TW is associated with the value so as to increase as the value of the intensity level L increases.

  Moreover, the information which shows the reach distance corresponding to the value of each power flux density TW is matched. That is, the radio wave arrival distance corresponding to the magnitude of the radio wave intensity is recorded. Here, the maximum value of the reach distance is set based on the size of the search range in the dispensing pharmacy DS. That is, based on the area or volume (“search range”) of a region where a plurality of wireless IC tags 300 to be searched are placed and the range in which the searcher moves for the search (“movement range”), The distance that the transmission radio wave reaches all the wireless IC tags 300 from any point within the moving range is set as the maximum value. Then, the level and the radio wave intensity are set in association with each other as appropriate with reference to the set maximum reach distance.

  The received radio wave management table 262 is a table for managing response radio waves received from the wireless IC tag 300, and is generated whenever transmission / reception with the wireless IC tag 300 is performed. The received radio wave management table 262 records information and values acquired and detected from response radio waves transmitted from the wireless IC tag 300 in response to the excitation radio waves transmitted by the reader / writer 222. Here, as shown in FIG. 10B, various pieces of information are recorded for each intensity level L of the transmitted excitation radio wave. More specifically, the “tag ID” included in the received response radio wave and the value indicating the radio wave intensity of the response radio wave are recorded for each of the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R. Here, as in the case of the excitation radio wave, the power flux density is used as the radio wave intensity of the response radio wave. Then, the power bundle density of the response radio wave received by the left antenna 224L is “power bundle density WL”, and the power flux density of the response radio wave received by the right antenna 224R is “power bundle density WR”.

  As will be described later, in the present embodiment, when the reader / writer 222 transmits the excitation radio wave, the intensity level L is gradually reduced (changed) from the maximum level (L10) to the minimum level (L1). The excitation radio wave is transmitted a plurality of times. Therefore, the records constituting the received radio wave management table 262 are also created corresponding to the transmission operations in chronological order. That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, a record using the intensity level L10 as a key is first created in the received radio wave management table 262, and the record further includes a wireless IC that responds to the excitation signal of the transmission intensity. A record (referred to as “sub-record”) using the tag ID of the tag 300 as a key is created. In each sub-record, the received radio wave intensity WL and WR of the response radio wave are recorded. Then, records using the intensity levels L9 to L1 as keys (referred to as “main records”) are created step by step according to the transmission operation of the excitation radio wave.

  Next, the wireless IC tag 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The wireless IC tag 300 is a wireless IC tag (RFID) having a size of about several millimeters to several centimeters, and is a passive wireless IC tag that performs wireless communication with microwaves as described above. An application example of the wireless IC tag 300 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the wireless IC tag 300 is attached (for example, pasted) to a document holder DH stored and managed in the dispensing pharmacy DS. The document holder DH is for holding a paper document (for example, a medical record or the like) related to the user and classifying and organizing it for each user. Specifically, it is a file or storage box for storing paper documents that is generally distributed as office supplies, and the type, shape, size, etc. thereof are arbitrary. Also, each document holder DH is given unique identification information (holder ID) in advance and is written on each document holder DH.

  The configuration of the wireless IC tag 300 attached to each document holder DH will be described with reference to an enlarged view shown in the lower part of FIG. As illustrated, the wireless IC tag 300 includes an IC unit 310 and an antenna unit 320. The IC unit 310 is composed of a small IC chip and includes a predetermined storage area. Each wireless IC tag 300 is assigned unique identification information (tag ID) in advance, and information indicating the assigned tag ID is stored in the storage area of the IC unit 310 of each wireless IC tag 300. ing.

  The antenna unit 320 includes, for example, a loop antenna and the like, senses an excitation radio wave transmitted from the search support terminal 200 (reader / writer 222), and includes a response including a tag ID stored in the storage area of the IC unit 310. Send radio waves. That is, when the antenna unit 320 senses the excitation radio wave, it generates power using the induced electromotive force of the excitation radio wave, the IC unit 310 is driven by the power generated by the power generation, reads the tag ID information from the storage area, A response radio wave is transmitted from the antenna unit 320.

  Here, the radio wave intensity of the response radio wave transmitted by the wireless IC tag 300 corresponds to the transmission radio wave intensity TW set in the transmission intensity setting table 261 shown in FIG. That is, at least within the range of the reach corresponding to the maximum intensity level (level L10) set in the transmission intensity setting table 261, the search support terminal 200 receives the response radio wave transmitted by the wireless IC tag 300. It is assumed that a response radio wave is transmitted at a radio wave intensity that can be transmitted. In other words, the radio wave intensity at which the response radio wave can reach the search support terminal 200 regardless of where the search support terminal 200 is in the above-described movement range.

  Next, referring to the drawings, the operation when searching for a desired document holder DH from a plurality of document holders DH stored in the bookshelf BS in the dispensing pharmacy DS using the search support system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Will be described below. In the present embodiment, when a user (patient) visits the dispensing pharmacy DS for medical supplies, the staff of the dispensing pharmacy DS (searcher), based on the submitted prescription, insurance card, etc. An example in which (document) is retrieved from the bookshelf BS and taken out will be described below.

  In the search support system 1 according to the present embodiment, the search support terminal 200 carried by the searcher notifies the searcher at any time of information useful for searching the document holder DH (search target) desired by the searcher easily. To do. That is, the search support system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system for supporting a searcher's search action.

  In the search support system 1 according to the present embodiment, a “target specifying process” for specifying a search target is first executed. This target specifying process is realized by cooperation between the management server 100 and the search support terminal 200. Details of the target specifying process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is started when the searcher inputs a start instruction to the management server 100 when the document holder DH needs to be searched. Here, the start instruction input is an instruction input for starting execution of the database management program stored in the program storage unit 150 of the management server 100.

  That is, when the control unit 110 of the management server 100 executes the database management program, a predetermined screen for receiving information for identifying a user (hereinafter referred to as “user identification information”) is displayed on the output device 14 (display device). The searcher operates the input device 13 (keyboard or pointing device) to input user specifying information to the management server 100. Here, the user specifying information is, for example, the user's name or insurance card number.

  When the control unit 110 of the management server 100 acquires the user specifying information input from the input device 13 (step S101), the control unit 110 accesses the user information DB 161 of the storage unit 160 and records a record in which the acquired user specifying information is recorded. The specified holder ID and tag ID recorded in the specified record are acquired as information for specifying the search target (hereinafter referred to as “target specification information”) (step S102) and held in the work area or the like. .

  The control unit 110 controls the system I / F 120, transfers the acquired target identification information to the search support terminal 200 (step S103), and ends the process.

  On the other hand, in the search support terminal 200, when the system I / F 230 receives the target specifying information from the management server 100 (step S104), the control unit 210 holds the target specifying information received in the work area or the like (step S105).

  The control unit 210 uses the input / output control function 215 to create an initial screen as shown in FIG. 13 that includes the holder ID included in the acquired target identification information, and displays the initial screen on the display 241 (step S106). finish. As shown in FIG. 13, the acquired holder ID is displayed as “search target holder ID” at the top of the initial screen. Further, a message for inquiring the searcher to execute the search, a button for instructing to execute or cancel the search, and the like are displayed. The searcher instructs the search execution start (or cancellation) according to the message displayed on the initial screen.

  When “search execution” is instructed by the searcher, the control unit 210 detects the wireless IC tag 300 attached to the document holder DH in order to support the search of the search target document holder DH “tag detection processing”. ”Is executed. This tag detection process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The control unit 210 initializes the transmission intensity level L of the excitation radio wave to be transmitted by the transmission intensity adjustment function 222C of the reader / writer 222 (step S201). In this embodiment, the initial setting value of the transmission strength level L is set to the level L10 that is the maximum strength.

  When the transmission intensity level L is set, the reader / writer 222 transmits an excitation radio wave having a radio field intensity corresponding to the set transmission intensity level L (step S202). That is, based on the correspondence shown in the transmission intensity setting table 261, the excitation radio wave is transmitted at the power bundle density TW corresponding to the intensity level L10.

  Further, the control unit 210 newly creates a main record using the current transmission intensity level (ie, level L10) as a key in the received radio wave management table 262 in response to the transmission of the excitation radio wave.

  The controller 210 determines whether or not a response radio wave for the excitation radio wave transmitted in step S202 has been received (step S203).

  If no response radio wave is received (step S203: No), the process proceeds to step S212 shown in FIG. In step S212, it is determined whether or not there is an intensity level L higher than the current transmission intensity level L. That is, by referring to the received radio wave management table 262, it is determined whether or not there is a level value whose transmission intensity is higher than the currently set transmission intensity level L.

  Here, since the current level is the maximum level L10 that is the initial value in the initial setting in step S201, there is no higher level than this (step S212: No). That is, there was no response to the excitation radio wave transmitted at the maximum intensity. As described above, the intensity level of the excitation radio wave is set based on the maximum value of the radio wave arrival distance based on the size of the search range. In other words, the fact that there is no response to the excited radio wave transmitted with the radio wave intensity (level L10) that should reach all the wireless IC tags 300 from any point within the moving range indicates that the searcher (search support terminal 200) is currently responding. The position is not within the movement range described above.

  In this case, the control unit 210 creates a “range error screen” as shown in FIG. 17A and displays it on the display 241 (step S214). As shown in the figure, the range error screen shows that the response radio wave cannot be received and a message asking whether to continue the search after moving to the searchable range (radio wave arrival range). A button is displayed for selecting the item. The searcher selects the “Continue Search” button to continue the search, and selects the “End” button to end the search.

  Here, when “end” is selected (FIG. 15, step S215: No), the “tag detection process” is ended. On the other hand, if “continuation of search” is selected (step S215: Yes), the process returns to step S201 (FIG. 14), the transmission intensity is initialized again, and the excitation radio wave is transmitted (step S202).

  When the response radio wave is received (step S203: Yes), the tag ID is extracted from the received response radio wave by the information extraction function 222E of the reader / writer 222. The control unit 210 sequentially creates sub-records using the extracted tag ID as a key in the received radio wave management table 262 (step S204).

  In addition, the response radio wave is received by each of the left antenna 224L and the right antenna 224R by the antenna control function 222B of the reader / writer 222. Then, the reception intensity detection function 222D detects the radio wave intensity of the received response radio wave for each antenna, and sequentially records the sub-records created in the transmission intensity setting table 261 (step S205). That is, the power flux density WL at the left antenna 224L and the power flux density WR at the right antenna 224R are recorded for the same response radio wave.

  The control unit 210 determines whether or not the tag ID stored in the work area in step S105 (FIG. 12) is included in the tag ID recorded in the main record of the transmission intensity setting table 261 (step S206). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the tag ID of the wireless IC tag 300 assigned to the document holder DH to be searched is included in the response radio wave transmitted in response to the excitation radio wave transmitted this time.

  If the tag ID to be searched is not included (step S206: No), the process proceeds to step S216 (FIG. 16), and the control unit 210 has a level value higher than the current excitation radio wave transmission intensity level. It is determined whether or not.

  Here, when the transmission intensity level is set to the maximum level (L10) by the initialization in step S201, there is no level higher than the current level (step S216: No). In this case, the document holder DH to be searched does not exist in the current search range (that is, the bookshelf BS). More specifically, all the wireless IC tags 300 transmit response radio waves to the excited radio waves transmitted at the radio field intensity (level L10) reaching all the wireless IC tags 300 from any point within the moving range. As expected, the search target wireless IC tag 300 is not responding. That is, the wireless IC tag 300 does not exist within the search range. Therefore, the control unit 210 creates a “target error screen” as shown in FIG. 17B and displays it on the display 241 (step S218). As shown in the figure, on the target error screen, there is no search target within the search range, and a message for inquiring whether to restart or end the target specifying process, and to select “redo” or “end” Button is displayed. The searcher selects the “Redo” button when starting over from the target specification, and selects the “End” button when ending.

  If “end” is selected here (step S219: No), the “tag detection process” is ended. On the other hand, when “redo” is selected (step S219: Yes), for example, a message prompting reconnection of the search support terminal 200 to the management server 100 is displayed, and the process returns to step S101 (FIG. 12). Redo from target identification.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S206 (FIG. 14) that the received tag ID includes the tag ID to be searched (step S206: Yes), the control unit 210 transmits the currently set transmission. It is determined whether or not the intensity level L is the minimum level (L1) (step S207).

  Here, if it is the first transmission after being set to the maximum level L10 in step S201, the current transmission strength level is not L1 (step S207: No). In this case, the control unit 210 lowers the intensity level L by one level by the transmission intensity adjustment function 222C of the reader / writer 222 (step S208). That is, when the current intensity level is L10, it is set to L9 which is one step lower.

  The reader / writer 222 transmits the excitation radio wave again at the radio wave intensity (power bundle density TW) corresponding to the intensity level L set in step S208 (step S202). Then, the processes in steps S203 to S206 described above are repeated until the transmission intensity level becomes L1. That is, the transmission intensity level is gradually reduced from L10 to L1, and the excitation radio wave is transmitted with the transmission intensity corresponding to each level.

  In this process, when a response radio wave to the excitation radio wave transmitted at the intensity level set in step S208 (that is, a level lower than the maximum intensity level L10) is not received (step S203: No), step S212 shown in FIG. Proceed to Here, it is determined whether or not there is a higher level than the current intensity level. However, since the level adjustment (reduction) is performed in step S208, a higher level exists (step S212: Yes). ). In this case, the control unit 210 specifies from the received radio wave management table 262 the transmission intensity level L (that is, one level higher than the intensity level (current intensity level) set in step S208) in the previous excitation radio wave transmission. Then, it is set as the “current intensity level” (step S213). In other words, the transmission strength level L is increased by one step.

  If the search target ID is not included in the received response radio wave (step S206: No), the process proceeds to step S216 shown in FIG. 16, and transmission by the previous excitation radio wave transmission is performed by the same process as step S213. The intensity level L is set as the “current intensity level” (step S217). That is, the transmission strength level L is increased by one step.

  When the current intensity level is set in step S213 or S217, the process proceeds to step S209 in FIG. 14 to notify the searcher of distance information corresponding to the current intensity level.

  For example, when the intensity level is set to level L9 in step S208 and no response radio wave is received with respect to the excitation radio wave transmitted at level L9 (or when the search target tag ID is not detected), one level higher level L10 is set as the current strength level, the reach distance information corresponding to the level L10 is acquired from the transmission strength setting table 261, and is displayed on the display 241. Here, a “distance display screen” as shown in FIG. 18A is displayed on the display 241. As shown in the figure, the “distance display screen” displays information indicating the distance from the current position to the wireless IC tag 300 based on the distance information acquired from the transmission intensity setting table 261 along with the holder ID to be searched. The In addition, an “end” button for instructing the end of the process is displayed.

  When the distance information is notified in step S209, the control unit 210 executes a “direction detection process” (step S300) for detecting the direction with respect to the search target wireless IC tag 300. This “direction detection process” will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The control unit 210 accesses the received radio wave management table 262, identifies a sub-record using the search target tag ID held in the work area in step S105 (FIG. 12) as a key, and records the received radio wave intensity WL and Each WR is acquired (step S301). That is, when the response radio wave includes the tag ID of the wireless IC tag 300 to be searched, the radio wave intensity (WL) at the left antenna 224L and the radio wave intensity (WR) at the right antenna 224R for the response radio wave. Is obtained from the received radio wave management table 262.

  The controller 210 compares the acquired WL value with the WR value (step S302). Here, for example, the difference between the two is obtained.

  Here, when the values of WL and WR are the same or approximate (step S303: Yes), the control unit 210 determines that the direction with respect to the wireless IC tag 300 to be searched is “front” (step S304).

  Here, “front” refers to the front direction of the searcher's front when the searcher's front and the display surface of the display 241 face each other. That the values of WL and WR are the same or approximate means that the received radio wave intensity at the left antenna 224L and the received radio wave intensity at the right antenna 224R are the same or approximate. This means that the distance DL from the left antenna 224L to the wireless IC tag 300 and the distance DR from the right antenna 224R to the wireless IC tag 300 are the same or approximate (see FIG. 5). For this reason, the direction from the search support terminal 200 to the target wireless IC tag 300 can be assumed to be the front front direction of the searcher.

  When the values of WL and WR are not the same or approximate (step S303: No) and the value of WL is greater than WR (step S305: Yes), the control unit 210 determines the direction with respect to the wireless IC tag 300 to be searched. It determines with "left" (step S306). Here, “left” refers to the left side of the front direction of the searcher when the front side of the searcher and the display surface of the display 241 face each other. That the value of WL is larger than the value of WR means that the received radio wave intensity at the left antenna 224L is stronger than the radio wave intensity at the right antenna 224R. Therefore, the target wireless IC tag 300 is closer to the left antenna 224L than the right antenna 224R. That is, when the front face of the searcher and the display surface of the display 241 face each other, the wireless IC tag 300 exists in the left direction of the searcher.

  On the other hand, when the value of WR is larger than the value of WL (step S305: No), the target wireless IC tag 300 is closer to the right antenna 224R than the left antenna 224L. Therefore, the wireless IC tag 300 exists. Therefore, the control unit 210 determines that the direction with respect to the wireless IC tag 300 to be searched is “right” (step S307).

  When the direction is determined in step S304, S306, or S307, the process returns to the flow shown in FIG. 14 and proceeds to step S210. In step S210, based on the direction determined in the direction detection process (step S300), information indicating the direction is notified to the searcher. That is, the control unit 210 creates a “distance / direction display screen” as shown in FIG. 18B and displays it on the display 241. As shown in the figure, on the “distance / direction display screen”, the holder ID of the search target document holder DH and the distance information displayed in step S209 are continuously displayed, and information indicating the direction determined by the direction detection processing is displayed. Is displayed. In addition, an “end” button for instructing the end of the process is displayed.

  By the display of the distance / direction display screen, the searcher can recognize the distance and direction from the current position with respect to the document holder DH to be searched. Based on the display, the searcher further moves to approach the document holder DH to be searched. When the searcher does not instruct the end of processing by selecting the “end” button displayed on the distance display screen or the distance / direction display screen (step S211: No), the control unit 210 of the search support terminal 200 The processing from step S202 to S210 is repeated.

  That is, even in the process in which the searcher moves to approach the target, the search support terminal 200 detects the distance and direction to the target wireless IC tag 300 at any time, and the “distance display screen indicating the detected distance and direction. And “distance / direction display screen” are displayed on the display 241 at any time.

  Here, as determined in step S207, the transmission intensity level L of the excitation radio wave to be transmitted is lowered step by step until the minimum level L1 is reached (step S208), and the excitation radio wave is transmitted for each intensity level. (Step S202). Then, the presence / absence of a response radio wave (step S203) and the presence / absence of a search target tag ID (step S206) are determined for each transmission, and the intensity level L is adjusted according to the determination result (step S208 (FIG. 14)). S213 (FIG. 15), S217 (FIG. 16)), the excitation radio wave is transmitted again (step S202). That is, when the searcher is approaching the search target, the transmission intensity of the excitation radio wave is reduced stepwise (step S208). Conversely, when the searcher is away from the search target, the intensity of the excitation radio wave is increased stepwise. By increasing (step S213 or S217), the response radio wave from the wireless IC tag 300 that is the search target is always received. Accordingly, the distance and direction to the target wireless IC tag 300 can be displayed on the display 241 at any time according to the movement or direction change while carrying the search support terminal 200 by the searcher. That is, the searcher can be notified of the distance and the direction from the current position to the search target accurately at any time, not only when the searcher approaches the search target but also when the searcher moves away from the search target.

  When the excitation radio wave intensity level L is the minimum level L1 (step S207: Yes) and the direction determined in the direction detection process (step S300) is “front” (step S304), the search target is the searcher. It means that it is in the vicinity of (search support terminal 200). That is, when the distance corresponding to the intensity level L1 and the direction “front” are displayed on the distance / direction display screen, the searcher can recognize that there is a document holder DH to be searched in the immediate vicinity. In this case, based on the “holder ID” displayed on the distance / direction display screen, the document holder DH in which the holder ID is written is found from the document holder DH near the front direction. Document holder DH can be obtained.

  When the search target can be acquired or when the search is stopped midway, the searcher selects the “end” button on the distance display screen or the distance / direction display screen. When the “end” button is selected, an end instruction signal is input to the control unit 210 (step S211: Yes), and the control unit 210 ends the process.

  As described above, according to the search support system 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the excitation radio wave that excites the wireless IC tag 300 is transmitted while the intensity of the radio wave is changed (reduced and increased) step by step. By determining whether or not there is a response radio wave to the radio wave, the distance from the search support terminal 200 to the wireless IC tag 300 can be detected based on the reach distance associated with the radio wave intensity.

  Further, the received radio wave intensity of the response radio wave is detected using a pair of antennas spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the left-right direction, and the direction from the search support terminal 200 to the search target wireless IC tag 300 based on the difference between the left and right radio wave intensity Can be detected. That is, the relative positional relationship between the search support terminal 200 and the wireless IC tag 300 is detected as needed. Then, the searcher is notified by displaying information indicating the detected distance and direction on the display 241. Therefore, the searcher can move to approach the search target based on the information displayed on the display 241.

  Then, while the searcher (search support terminal 200) is moving, the excitation radio wave is transmitted while changing the transmission intensity level, and the distance and direction are detected. Therefore, appropriate information can be notified to the searcher at any time according to the movement or direction change of the searcher, and the searcher can efficiently reach the search target.

  For this reason, even when there are a large number of articles having the same or similar appearance characteristics, such as a document holder stored in a bookshelf, within a narrow range, a desired object can be quickly found.

  In the above embodiment, the searcher is notified by displaying a character string indicating the distance and direction to the search target on the display 241, but the notification method to the searcher is not limited to this and is arbitrary. For example, the notification may be made visually using an image that can intuitively recognize the distance and direction. Or you may alert | report auditorily by outputting the audio | voice which shows distance and a direction from the speaker 244. FIG.

  Further, as described above, when the intensity level L is the minimum and the direction is the front, the object is close to the searcher. Therefore, when such a condition is met, a different notification method may be used to notify the searcher that the object is nearby. For example, the searcher can easily recognize by changing the color of the display screen or blinking the display screen. Or you may alert | report by outputting a predetermined audio | voice from the speaker 244. FIG.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the distance or direction with respect to the present position of a search assistance apparatus is directly alert | reported, when not only this but a distance and a direction change by a search assistance apparatus moving, the change The presence / absence and direction of change may be notified to the searcher. In this case, for example, the searcher may be notified of the change by a buzzer or flashing light.

  In the above-described embodiment, a PDA-based portable terminal device is used as the search support terminal 200. However, any device can be used as long as the above processes can be performed. For example, the search support terminal 200 according to the present embodiment may be configured with a wristwatch or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the search support terminal 200 has a pair of left antennas 224L and right antennas 224R arranged symmetrically in the left-right direction, but the number of antennas is not limited to this and is arbitrary. For example, in addition to the left-right direction, a pair of antennas arranged symmetrically in the up-down direction (or front-rear direction) may be provided. With such a configuration, the vertical direction (or front-rear direction) with respect to the search target can be detected.

  Moreover, although the case where a portable terminal (that is, a dedicated device) including the antenna unit 224 is used as the search support device 200 has been illustrated in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. 200 may be used. In this case, the general-purpose PDA can be used as the search support terminal 200 by providing the tag I / F 220 and the antenna unit 224 described above as a modular external antenna device. The external antenna device includes an interface corresponding to a predetermined interface of the general-purpose PDA, and is detachably connected to the general-purpose PDA. And the program (what is called a driver) for the process which the search assistance terminal 200 concerning the said embodiment performs can be functioned as the said search assistance terminal 200 by installing in general purpose PDA. For example, this program may be stored in the external antenna device, and in this case, the reader / writer 222 of the external antenna device operates by executing the program in cooperation with the control unit of the general-purpose PDA. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the search target is specified by the cooperation of the management server 100 and the search support terminal 200. However, by configuring the user information DB 161 in the search support terminal 200, the search support terminal 200 is specified independently. May be performed. According to such a configuration, the search support system 1 can be realized without requiring the management server 100.

  In the above embodiment, the search target is specified by inputting the user specifying information to the management server 100, but the input method of the user specifying information is arbitrary. For example, by connecting a predetermined card reader to the management server 100 or the search support terminal 200 and reading the recording medium (for example, an examination ticket) on which the user identification information is recorded with the card reader, the user identification information is input. Also good. Alternatively, by using an OCR (Optical Character Reader), for example, user identification information (for example, a user name or a health insurance card number) described in a prescription or a health insurance card is automatically read. You may make it input into.

  In the above embodiment, a passive wireless IC tag is used as the wireless IC tag 300, but an active wireless IC tag having a power source may be used. Further, the wireless IC tag 300 may have a function of responding only to a predetermined excitation radio wave. In this case, for example, the search support terminal 200 transmits an excitation radio wave including a tag ID to be searched, and only the wireless IC tag 300 having the tag ID transmits a response radio wave. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to search for the tag ID to be searched from the response radio wave received by the search support terminal 200, and the processing speed is improved.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the document holder DH stored and managed in the dispensing pharmacy DS is searched is illustrated. However, if the wireless IC tag 300 can be attached, the search target is arbitrary, and various articles The present invention can be applied to the search.

  In addition, the management server 100 in each of the above-described embodiments can be configured with a dedicated device, for example, a general-purpose computer device such as a personal computer. In this case, the management server 100 according to the present invention can be configured by installing a program for realizing the processing described in each of the above embodiments on the computer device. The distribution method of the program in this case is arbitrary. For example, the program can be distributed by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and can be distributed via a communication medium such as the Internet by being superimposed on a carrier wave. be able to.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and quickly search for a plurality of articles that are densely present within a narrow range.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the search assistance system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the management server shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the information recorded on the database comprised by the memory | storage part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the search assistance terminal shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the antenna position of the search assistance terminal shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the search assistance terminal shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the control part shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a tag I / F illustrated in FIG. 6. . It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the reader / writer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the information recorded on the memory | storage part shown in FIG. 6, (a) shows the example of a transmission intensity setting table, (b) shows the example of a received radio wave management table. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example and structure of a radio | wireless IC tag shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "target identification process" concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the "initial screen" displayed by the "target specific process" shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "tag detection process" concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "tag detection process" concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "tag detection process" concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a screen displayed in the “tag detection process” illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, wherein (a) illustrates a display example of a “range error screen”, and (b) illustrates a “target error screen”. A display example is shown. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen displayed by the "tag detection process" shown in FIG. 14, (a) shows the example of a display of a "distance display screen", (b) is a "distance / direction display screen". A display example is shown. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "direction detection process" performed by the "tag detection process" shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Management server 100, 200 ... Search support terminal, 220 ... Tag I / F, 224 ... Antenna part, 224L ... Left antenna, 224R ... Right antenna, 300 ... Wireless IC tag

Claims (9)

A search support system for supporting a search for an article provided with a wireless IC tag that transmits identification information uniquely assigned to the self,
A management device that stores the identification information of the wireless IC tag and information related to the article to which the wireless IC tag is attached in association with each other;
A detection device configured to detect a search target article by communicating with the wireless IC tag and the management device.
The detection device is:
Obtaining the identification information of the wireless IC tag given to the search target article from the management device, and transmitting the excitation radio wave that excites the wireless IC tag while gradually reducing the radio field intensity,
A response radio wave transmitted by the wireless IC tag with respect to the excitation radio wave is received by a plurality of antennas,
Based on the transmission intensity of the excitation radio wave and the reception intensity of the response radio wave, the distance to the search target article and / or the direction is notified to the searcher.
A search support system characterized by that. A transmission unit that transmits a predetermined radio wave to the wireless IC tag;
A receiver that receives a response radio wave from the wireless IC tag with respect to the transmission of the transmitter;
A portable search support device for supporting a search for an article to which the wireless IC tag is attached based on a radio wave received from the wireless IC tag,
A designation means for designating identification information of a wireless IC tag to be searched;
Identification means for identifying radio waves from a radio IC tag identified by the specified identification information from among radio waves from a plurality of radio IC tags received corresponding to the transmission of the transmitter,
Detection means for detecting a distance or direction between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag based on the intensity of a radio wave transmitted and received between the transmission unit and the identified wireless IC tag;
Informing means for informing the searcher of predetermined information according to the distance or direction detected by the detecting means;
A search support apparatus comprising: The detection means detects a distance between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitter.
The search support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The receiving unit includes a plurality of antennas arranged at positions where a difference in intensity of radio waves received by each can be detected,
The detection means detects the direction of the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag based on the intensity of response radio waves received by each of the plurality of antennas.
The search support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the search support apparatus is a search support apparatus. The notification means notifies the change when the distance or direction between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag changes.
The search support apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the search support apparatus is configured as described above. The transmitter increases the intensity of the radio wave to be transmitted when the distance between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag changes in a direction away from the transmitter.
The search support device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein The transmission unit reduces the intensity of the radio wave to be transmitted when the distance between the search support device and the identified wireless IC tag changes in a direction approaching;
The search support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the search support apparatus is a search support apparatus. A search support method for supporting a search for an article provided with a wireless IC tag using a computer,
Preliminarily storing the tag identification information uniquely assigned to the wireless IC tag and the article specifying information for specifying the article to which the wireless IC tag is assigned in a predetermined storage unit;
Inputting article specifying information of an article to be searched;
Obtaining tag identification information associated with the input article specifying information from the storage means as search target information;
Transmitting a predetermined radio wave to the radio IC tag by gradually reducing the radio wave intensity within a predetermined range;
Receiving a radio wave that is a response radio wave from the radio IC tag with respect to the transmitted radio radio wave and includes tag identification information of the radio IC tag using a plurality of antennas;
Detecting the response radio wave intensity including tag identification information that matches the tag identification information indicated in the search target information for each of the plurality of antennas;
Identifying the distance from the searcher to the wireless IC tag and / or the direction from the searcher to the wireless IC tag based on the intensity of the transmitted wireless radio wave and the intensity of the received response radio wave;
Informing the searcher of predetermined information based on the identified distance and / or direction;
A search support method comprising: To the computer that controls the portable terminal device,
Inputting article specifying information of an article to be searched;
The identification information uniquely assigned to the wireless IC tag assigned to each article, and the tag identification information of the wireless IC tag associated with the inputted article identification information is acquired as search target information. Steps,
Controlling a plurality of antennas for communicating with the wireless IC tag;
Transmitting a predetermined radio wave to the radio IC tag by gradually reducing the radio wave intensity within a predetermined range;
Receiving a response radio wave to the transmitted radio wave from the wireless IC tag;
Obtaining tag identification information of a source wireless IC tag included in the received response radio wave;
Detecting the response radio wave intensity including tag identification information that matches the tag identification information indicated in the search target information for each of the plurality of antennas;
Identifying the distance from the searcher to the wireless IC tag and / or the direction from the searcher to the wireless IC tag based on the intensity of the transmitted wireless radio wave and the intensity of the received response radio wave;
Informing the operator of predetermined information based on the identified distance and / or direction;
By executing the above, the portable terminal device is caused to function as a search support device that supports the search for the article to which the wireless IC tag is attached.

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