JP2006248778A - Refuse box having rfid reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of specifying a disposed article at a disposed time, or capable of tracing the disposed article, in various scenes such as a factory, a store, a street, an office and a home. <P>SOLUTION: This invention is a refuse box for temporarily holding waste, and has an RFID reader, and records information on the refuse box on an RFID by specifying the disposed article by reading identification information from the RFID included in the disposed article in the refuse box. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique that makes it possible to specify an article to be discarded.

  Many article information management systems using articles equipped with RFID and devices equipped with RFID readers have already been proposed, but many of them focus on the logistics process. Usually, these systems are assumed to have a strict configuration to enable SCM (Supply Chain Management) and traceability. However, in order to completely manage information related to various operations, a large introduction cost is required, and in some cases, a certain cost is also required for operation. In addition, a management system using RFID has been proposed for the management of equipment and consumables in the home, but it is not easy to strictly manage events such as purchase, use, transfer, and disposal.

  In a low-cost and practical method for introducing and operating an information management system, it is expected to provide a system that allows more rough management without presuming so strict management. One way to make it possible is to obtain information about the items to be discarded at the time of being discarded.

Problems to be invented

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to specify a discarded article at the time of disposal in various scenes such as a factory, a store, a street, an office, and a home, or traceability of a discarded article. It is to provide a device that makes it possible.

Means for solving the problem

  The present invention provides a waste bin that temporarily holds waste, includes an RFID reader, reads identification information from an RFID contained in an article discarded in the waste bin, and identifies the discarded article. The above-mentioned problem is solved by recording information related to the trash box in the RFID.

  The invention described in claim 1 is a recycle bin having means for temporarily storing waste, wherein identification information or information related to the item is received from an RFID contained in the item discarded inside the recycle bin. It comprises at least one of RFID reading means for reading, or RFID writing means for writing information related to the trash can or information related to a waste person to the RFID (see a in FIG. 1). .

  Depending on the size of the trash can, when one set of RFID reading means cannot read identification information or the like from all the RFIDs included in the discarded article, the RFID reading means or the RFID writing means (hereinafter referred to as “ A plurality of RFID readers (for example, one waste for the storage unit, and at least one of the RFID readers, etc.). It is possible to apply a configuration in which an article whose identification information has been read is regarded as being discarded). Further, as a power source for supplying power to the RFID reading unit or the like, it is assumed that a system using an AC adapter, a system using a battery, a system using a solar power generation panel, or the like is applied. In addition, when reading the identification information from the RFID contained in the waste, the RFID reads at a moment when it is discarded, when it is read immediately after it is discarded, or after reading it collectively (after being discarded). In such a case, it is assumed that the discarded waste is read together immediately before being collected, and it is expected that an optimum design is applied according to the purpose of use.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, RFID reading means for reading identification information or information related to the article from the RFID contained in the article discarded inside the trash box, and transmitting the identification information and the like to another device. Communication means (see b in FIG. 1). As the communication means, it is assumed that a communication method using radio waves, a communication method using infrared rays, a communication method using wired connection, or the like is applied.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an RFID reading means for reading identification information or information related to the article from an RFID contained in the article discarded inside the trash box, and a recording means for recording the identification information and the like. (See c in FIG. 1). It is assumed that the recording means uses a flash memory, a disk memory or the like, and has an interface that can read out information recorded in the recording means as needed. There is expected.

  The invention described in claim 4 is further characterized in that the trash box is a shredder having cutting means.

  The invention described in claim 5 is further characterized in that a key for preventing unauthorized removal of discarded articles is provided.

  The invention described in claim 6 further includes a discarder information acquisition means for acquiring information for identifying a person who discards or intends to discard an article.

The invention's effect

  The present invention makes it possible to obtain information about an article to be discarded at the time it is discarded. Thereby, in an article information management system using an article equipped with RFID and an apparatus equipped with RFID reading means, an article discarded at the time of disposal even if not so strict information management is performed. Information about the article read by the RFID reader can be deleted from the inventory list. In addition, it is possible to confirm whether or not an article to be discarded has been discarded by a method to be discarded.

  For example, in a factory, when a defective product is removed from a production line and discarded in a production process, it is possible to grasp which article is discarded and how much. This information can be used for production volume management and the like, and in some cases, can also be used for parts reordering, worker evaluation, delivery supplier evaluation, and the like.

  In addition, at home, when a package or container such as food or daily necessities is discarded, it is possible to grasp an out-of-stock item by reading the identification information from the RFID provided therein. In addition, when there is equipment that is broken or outdated and is discarded, this information can be used to support the purchase of a new product by reading the identification information from the RFID provided therein. .

  In addition, on the streets, by recording information for designating the disposal method in the RFID, it is possible to give a function to warn the discarder when an article is discarded by an unauthorized method. It becomes possible. In addition, if the waste bin is equipped with multiple storage boxes for waste separation, you can receive instructions on which waste bin should be disposed of by holding the waste before disposal, It is also possible to provide a mechanism for automatically separating and storing them in a suitable storage box.

  Further, the present invention provides a network by recording information related to the waste bin or the discarder of the article (or associating with the identification information recorded in the RFID) in the RFID provided for the article to be discarded. The same effect can be expected in the case of management in the upper server), and traceability after the disposal of the article becomes possible. In this way, it is possible to identify those who have disposed of waste in an unauthorized manner, identify waste bins with a high frequency of disposal of unauthorized waste, and aggregate waste disposal status to optimize waste bin placement. Can be used for this purpose.

  The invention described in claim 4 can cut a document to be discarded and make it impossible to refer to the document once discarded. In offices and the like, it is possible to confirm the disposal status of documents that should be discarded. Thereby, management of confidential information in a company or the like can be supported. It is also possible to prevent the cutting function from working when a document that should not be discarded is accidentally discarded. Thereby, the wrong disposal of documents can be suppressed.

  The invention described in claim 5 makes it possible to prevent unauthorized removal of articles once disposed in the trash box. For example, in a store or the like, it is possible to confirm the disposal status of articles that should be discarded. Thereby, it can suppress that an employee takes home the goods which should be discarded arbitrarily.

  The invention described in claim 6 makes it possible to pursue the responsibility of the discarder or to specify the person who illegally discarded by acquiring information identifying the discarder. In addition, it is possible to record information specifying the discarder on the RFID included in the waste, or record it in association with the identification information recorded on the RFID.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  The first embodiment is a household waste bin including an RFID reading unit that reads identification information from an RFID contained in a waste discarded inside, and a transmission unit that transmits the identification information to a home server. The home server has a function of managing stocks of household equipment, daily necessities, foods, and the like. For example, information on newly procured equipment, daily necessities, foods, etc. can be obtained when electronic payment system or point recording means are used for electronic payment system or point recording means when purchasing them. It is assumed that it is acquired by being grasped in the point management system and transmitted to the home server through the network. The home server manages information such as a list of equipment, daily necessities, foods, etc. acquired in this way, quantity, procurement date, use date (or expiration date), and the like. On the other hand, when a package or container such as daily necessities or food is discarded inside the trash box, the trash box reads identification information from an RFID provided therein and transmits it to the home server. As a result, the home server can grasp daily commodities, foods, and the like that are already discarded due to consumption, consumption, expiration date, and the like, and can delete them from the inventory list. Further, when the equipment that has been broken or outdated inside the trash box is discarded, the trash box reads the identification information from the RFID provided therein and transmits it to the home server. As a result, the home server can delete the discarded equipment and the like from the list of equipment and the like located in the home. By receiving the identification information of the discarded article transmitted from the trash box, the home server can notify, for example, out of stock or assist in purchasing a new product.

  The RFID is known as a non-contact IC tag, RFID, or non-contact IC card, which is already known among those skilled in the art and performs non-contact communication with a reader / writer by electromagnetic induction. The RFID reading means or the RFID writing means is a reader / writer provided with at least one of a means for reading information from the RFID by non-contact by electromagnetic induction and a means for writing. That is, a loop antenna with coils provided in each of the RFID and the reader / writer is opposed to each other, and power is supplied from the reader / writer to the RFID by electromagnetic induction, which is necessary for recording and reading information. It is to perform processing. In addition to the electromagnetic induction method, there are an electromagnetic coupling method, a microwave method, an optical method, and the like. Each is characterized by a frequency band to be used, a communicable distance, a communication speed, signal directivity, stability due to interference, and the like, and it is expected to use an optimum one according to the application. Currently, the mainstream is a coil mounted by pressure film printing of a conductive paste or thermal printing of a metal foil (detailed description that can be easily known by those skilled in the art is omitted here). ).

  The second embodiment includes RFID reading means for reading identification information of a document or the like before discarding from an RFID attached to a document, disk or the like (hereinafter referred to as “document or the like”) to be discarded inside, Inquiry means for transmitting identification information to a network-connected management server and receiving information regarding whether there is no problem in discarding the document, etc., cutting means for cutting the document etc. when there is no problem, This is an office shredder that includes report means for transmitting information indicating whether or not a document has been cut to the management server (see FIG. 2). When a document that should not be discarded is mistakenly discarded, for example, a voice message “This document has not expired” is output from the speaker so that the cutting function is not activated. As a result, erroneous disposal of documents and the like can be suppressed. Further, by recording the discard status of each document in the management server, it is possible to confirm whether or not the document to be originally discarded has been correctly discarded. For example, when sales information is printed for a certain meeting and it is instructed to be discarded after the meeting, a warning is issued if the document is not discarded even after the meeting is finished. It is possible to support management of confidential information in companies and the like. It is also possible to check whether the document being searched has already been discarded.

  In the third embodiment, RFID reading means for reading identification information from an RFID contained in an article to be discarded inside, recording means for recording the identification information, and prevention of unauthorized removal of the discarded article A recycle bin for a store having a key (see FIG. 3). For example, in the process of discarding fresh foods, lunch boxes, and the like that have passed the sales deadline, the employee may take the goods to be discarded without permission. If the employee distributes this to a friend, or if a friend sells it at a low price, it is estimated that the profit that should be originally obtained decreases. The recycle bin has a shape that prevents an article once inserted therein from being removed from the insertion slot, such as a post box, and the lid with a key must be opened to remove the article inserted into the recycle bin. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized removal of articles once discarded. Further, the identification information of the article to be discarded read by the RFID reading unit is recorded together with the information indicating the date and time of disposal. The identification information is recorded in the management server in association with information related to the sales deadline of the article. Later, it becomes possible for the supervisor to confirm the disposal status of the article to be discarded by reading this information. By examining it together with the information recorded by the POS system that manages the sales information of the store, whether or not the person in charge at each time zone is carrying out the disposal process as prescribed is not illegal You can check whether or not.

  In the present invention, it is assumed that the articles stored inside are mainly discarded. However, if the storage box has the same function, it is not always necessary to discard the articles. It is also possible to apply fresh foods, lunch boxes, etc., for example, in a process of delivering to a non-profit organization that provides a service for free distribution to homeless persons. This case can be dealt with by providing the NPO with a key for opening the storage box. Of course, it is also possible to record information about the provided results.

  In the fourth embodiment, the first RFID reading means for reading the information on the disposal method of the article from the RFID attached to the article to be discarded inside, and the RFID attached to the article discarded to the inside. A wastebasket for a street comprising second RFID reading means for reading information regarding the disposal method of the article at the time of disposal, and waste information acquisition means for obtaining information for identifying a person who discards the article (FIG. 4). See).

  When a person who disposes of waste in the recycle bin holds the waste to be disposed of over a designated part of the recycle bin, the recycle bin reads information on the waste disposal method from the RFID included in the waste. (The first RFID reading means functions), it can be confirmed whether there is no problem even if the waste is thrown into the trash, and this information can be output to notify the person who discards the waste. In addition, if the waste bin is equipped with multiple storage boxes for waste separation, it is possible to adopt a mechanism for instructing which waste bin should be disposed of by holding the waste before disposal. It is also possible to provide a mechanism for automatically separating garbage into a suitable storage box).

  When the waste is disposed in the waste bin, the waste bin reads information on the waste disposal method from the RFID included in the waste (second RFID reader means functions), and the waste disposal method If the article is disposed of in an unauthorized manner, a warning is given to the discarder. For example, when an empty bottle is discarded in a storage box where non-burnable garbage should be discarded, a voice message “Please discard empty bottles into empty bottle bins” is output through a speaker further provided in the garbage box.

  Further, the trash can has a waster information acquisition means for acquiring information for identifying a person who discards or intends to dispose of an article, and records whether each waster has illegally disposed. It is possible to leave. As the discarder information acquisition means, for example, the discarder possesses an RFID card (or a portable information terminal equipped with RFID) in which identification information for identifying itself is recorded, and the trash box receives the identification information from the RFID. It is assumed to be implemented by providing an RFID reader for reading, but it is possible to use various other methods utilized as technologies for identification and authentication, such as those using biometric information. . It is assumed that a malicious discarder who intentionally disposes illegally does not acquire identification information for identifying himself / herself, but if the identification information is not notified, the trash can is made available. It is also envisaged that it does not (for example, the lid does not open).

  If the ordinance stipulates punishment rules for those who dispose of goods by an unauthorized method, data indicating that the person who disposes the product has been disposed of illegally is sent to the Recycle Bin User Management Server via the network. However, the data can be used to implement penalties, such as using the data as evidence. In addition, when a system that charges for the disposal of waste is adopted, information on the content, amount, location, etc. of waste discarded by a certain discarder is managed by the waste bin user management server. It is also possible to charge according to it.

  In addition, when a waste disposed of in an unauthorized manner tries to throw away waste again in the recycle bin (when it approaches again), the recycle bin says, “You did not throw away garbage properly before. It is also possible to provide a function of rejecting illegal waste persons that outputs a voice message saying “I am very sad” and automatically closes the lid of the trash can.

Schematic diagram of a trash box provided with RFID reading means (a is a basic type, b is provided with communication means, c is provided with recording means). The schematic diagram of the shredder for offices described in Example 2. FIG. The schematic diagram of the trash box for stores described in Example 3. FIG. The schematic diagram of the trash can for streets described in Example 4. FIG.

Claims (6)

A waste bin having means for temporarily storing waste, wherein the RFID reading means reads the identification information or information related to the article from the RFID contained in the article discarded inside the waste bin, or the RFID It is characterized by comprising at least one of RFID writing means for writing information related to the trash can or information related to the discarder. A waste bin having a means for temporarily storing waste, the identification information from the RFID contained in the article discarded inside the waste bin, or information related to the article (hereinafter referred to as “identification information etc.”) RFID reading means for reading information and communication means for transmitting the identification information and the like to another device. A waste bin having a means for temporarily storing waste, the identification information from the RFID contained in the article discarded inside the waste bin, or information related to the article (hereinafter referred to as “identification information etc.”) RFID reading means for reading the information and recording means for recording the identification information and the like. The trash box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the trash box is a shredder having a cutting means. The trash box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a key for preventing unauthorized removal of discarded articles. 6. A waste bin according to claim 1, further comprising a waste person information acquisition means for acquiring information for identifying a person who discards or intends to discard an article.

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