JP2020102162A - Rfid reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an RFID reading device that can improve efficiency in reading tag information on RFID tags attached to the entire bodies to be stored stored in an area.SOLUTION: An RFID reading device comprises at least an imaging unit 43 being imaging means that picks up images of at least flying related marks arranged in an area; and a reader 44 being tag reading means that reads tag information on RFID tags. A controller 41 being control means causes the RFID reading device to fly and pick up images of the flying related marks for recognition with the imaging unit 43 to read the tag information on the RFID tags with the reader 44, and causes the RFID reading device to circle in the area predetermined times according to a reading related condition including a flying time zone or the number of times of circling that is set related to the reading while flying.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an RFID reading device that reads a managed object to which an RFID is attached in a holding environment.

In recent years, for example, inventory of articles held in a warehouse has been regularly inventoried, and at that time, RFID (Radio Frequency) capable of wireless communication with articles and a container in which a predetermined number of articles are loaded. (Identifier) tags are attached, and inventory management and the like are performed by reading tag information from these RFID tags with a reader. It is desired to save labor in reading such tag information and to perform reading efficiently.

Conventionally, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known as a technique for inventory management using RFID. Patent Document 1 relates to an inventory method or the like using RFID, and an RFID tag for reading an RF tag provided on a traveling carriage for moving an antenna with respect to an inventory item attached with an RFID tag to which a unique number is attached. It is described that the RFID tag is scanned by scanning the antenna connected to a reader/writer with a position measuring function that determines the position coordinates in front of the shelf.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-242242, a stockable state of the articles is collected by flying a flyable information collection unit connected to the base unit by a cable and acquiring image data of all the articles stored in a warehouse or the like. Is described.

On the other hand, a technique for monitoring a facility using a flying vehicle is known from Patent Document 3. In Patent Document 3, with respect to the monitoring device, a flying vehicle including an imaging unit is connected to the traveling vehicle via a wiring section for power supply that secures a long flight time, and a flight control section of the flying vehicle is provided. It is described that the moving body moves so as to be tracked and the facility is managed by the imaging unit.

JP, 2010-030712, A JP, 2017-218325, A JP, 2018-111340, A

By the way, at the time of checking inventory in inventory etc., in the case of using a moving body that flies as in Patent Documents 2 and 3 instead of the traveling vehicle for moving an antenna provided with an antenna that can move up and down as in Patent Document 1, Although it is necessary to fly the flying body for a long time, it is not possible to mount a heavy and large-capacity power source on the flying body, and thus the base unit fixedly arranged for charging as in Patent Document 2 It takes a certain amount of time to return the vehicle. On the other hand, when the flying body tracks the traveling body as the power source base as in Patent Document 3, the article or the like existing at the height position where the traveling body travels is traveled. There is a problem that the body interferes with the flight of the flying body and is difficult to recognize, or the flight path is complicated and the efficiency is lowered.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an RFID reading device that improves the reading efficiency of tag information of RFID tags attached to the entire contained objects accommodated in an area. To do.

In order to solve the above problems, in the invention of claim 1, a plurality of containers to which RFID tags of unique information are attached are housed in at least the area where the flight-related marks are arranged, and the containers to be housed are attached. A non-contact RFID reader for a flying object, which reads at least the flight-related mark, and tag reading means for reading tag information of the RFID tag attached to the container. And at least causing the image-capturing device to image and fly the flight-related mark while recognizing the flight-related mark so that the tag information of the RFID tag is read by the tag-reading device. It is configured to include a control unit that makes a predetermined number of turns in the area according to a condition.

According to the invention of claim 2, the reading-related condition set in the control means is at least a flight time zone.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the reading-related condition set in the control means is the number of circulations in the area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a station that is an initial position for flight is provided in the area with a power supply unit, and the control unit has a power supply monitoring unit that monitors the capacity of the power supply for the flying vehicle. Within the range of the reading-related condition, when the power supply monitoring unit falls below a predetermined threshold value, the power is returned to the station to charge the power supply for the air vehicle, and the area is repeatedly circulated a predetermined number of times.

In the invention of claim 5, when the control means transmits all the read tag information to a predetermined management device after the reading of the RFID tag is completed and receives the information of the missed-read RFID tag from the management device. Then, the RFID tag is read again.

According to the invention of claims 1 to 3, there is provided an image pickup means for picking up at least the flight-related mark arranged in the area, a tag reading means for reading the tag information of the RFID tag, and the control means is at least the image pickup means. The tag information of the RFID tag is read by the tag reading means while flying the flight-related mark while recognizing it and recognizing it, and the reading-related condition of at least the flying time zone or the number of laps set for reading by flight is met. In accordance with the configuration in which the area is circulated a predetermined number of times, it is possible to read the RFID tags attached to the entire objects housed in the area without requiring human operation and under limited conditions. The reading efficiency can be improved with.

According to the invention of claim 4, a station, which is an initial position for flight, is provided in the area with power supply means, and the power supply monitoring unit monitors the capacity of the power supply for the flight object provided by itself and the set reading is performed. Within a range of related conditions, when the power supply monitoring unit falls below a predetermined threshold value, the power is returned to the station, the power supply for the aircraft is charged, and then repeatedly circulated in the area for a predetermined number of times. It is possible to secure flight and improve reading efficiency under limited conditions.

According to the invention of claim 5, after the reading of the RFID tag is completed, the control means transmits all the read tag information to a predetermined management device, and receives the information of the missed RFID tag from the management device. In such a case, the RFID tag can be read again so that human confirmation can be performed, and human supplemental reading can be promoted even if the tag information is missed. ..

It is an explanatory view under the environment where the RFID reader concerning the present invention is used. It is a structure explanatory view of the RFID reading device concerning the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the automatic flight in the area where the RFID reader of FIG. 2 is used. It is explanatory drawing of the setting content regarding the flight of the RFID reader of FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of flight of the RFID reader of FIG. 2. 6 is an operation flowchart of the reading process of FIG. 5. 6 is another operation flowchart of the reading process of FIG. 5.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, there are a goods warehouse, a manufacturing factory, a goods shipping factory, and the like in the area where the RFID reader of the flying object is used. In addition, the objects to be stored in the area such as a product warehouse are products, manufacturing parts, repair parts and containers (boxes, containers, etc.) for storing these, and the RFID tags of unique information are the products. Etc. may be individually attached to the container, or may be attached to a container, or a product or the like individually attached with an RFID tag may be stored in a container with an RFID tag. A container in which an RFID tag is attached to a container that stores products and the like will be described as a container.

FIG. 1 shows an explanatory diagram of an environment in which the RFID reader according to the present invention is used. 1(A) to 1(C), an RFID reader (hereinafter referred to as “aircraft”) 11 for a flying object (described in FIG. 2) is arranged in a goods warehouse 12, and the goods warehouse 12 holds shelves. 13 are arranged in, for example, three rows (held shelf rows 13A to 13C). As shown in FIG. 1B, each of the holding shelves 13 has, for example, three stages, each of which is provided with reading range marks 17A to 17C (described in FIG. 4) indicating a reading range, and each of the shelves has a reading range mark 17A to 17C. The container 15 is attached with the RFID tag 16 of the unique information and is placed on each. The unique information of each RFID tag 16 includes at least the product name, model number, and the like of the container 15, as well as address information of the position where the product is stored in the product warehouse 12.

On the other hand, the commodity warehouse 12 is provided with a station 14 which is an initial position of the aircraft 11, and is provided with electric power supply means (not shown) for charging the aircraft power source in a non-contact manner, and the surface thereof is shown in FIG. The station mark 21 shown in is formed. Note that the power supply means may be wired to charge the power source for the flight vehicle. Then, as shown in FIG. 1(C), on the floor of the goods warehouse 12, for example, a traveling direction mark 18 and flight performance marks 19 and 20 as flight-related marks along a flight route for automatic flight are provided. Are provided (described in detail in FIG. 3).

Therefore, FIG. 2 shows a configuration explanatory view of the RFID reader according to the present invention. In FIG. 2(A), the aircraft 11 is in the initial position when it is landing on the station 14 on which the station mark 21 is formed, and at this time, the aircraft power source (46 in FIG. 2(B)) is turned on. It is charged from the power supply means in a contactless manner.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the flying body 11 includes a controller 41 that is a control unit, a drive mechanism unit 42, an image pickup unit 43 that is an image pickup unit, a reader 44 that is a tag reading unit, a transmission/reception unit 45, and a flying unit. A power supply 46 is provided, and the aircraft power supply 46 is provided with a charging unit 46A for charging from the power supply means of the station 14.

The drive mechanism section 42 is a mechanism including a motor for flying. The image capturing unit 43 is a camera that captures the flight-related marks, such as the station mark 21, the traveling direction mark 18, the flight marks 19, 20 and the reading range marks 17A to 17C, which are provided in the goods warehouse 12. The reader 44 reads tag information in a non-contact manner with respect to the RFID tag 16 attached to the container 15, and is generally known for RFID tags.

Upon completion of reading the RFID tag 16, the transmission/reception unit 45 causes the management device (personal computer 32, mobile terminal 33) shown in FIG. 2A to communicate with the tag via the communication relay unit 31 such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Send information. The management device (personal computer 32, mobile terminal 33) includes management tag data. The management tag data has the tag information (item name, model number, address information, etc.) of the RFID tags 16 of all the objects 15 that should be present in the product warehouse 12.

The controller 41 generally recognizes at least the traveling direction mark 18 and the flight marks 19, 20 (the station mark 21 when returning to the station 14) imaged by the image capturing unit 43 and causes the image to be captured by the image capturing unit 43. The read range marks 17A to 17C are recognized, and the tag information of the RFID tag 16 attached to the container 15 within the read range is read by the reader 44. The control unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the flight setting unit 53. An image analysis unit 54, a read information processing unit 55, a drive control unit 56, and a power supply monitoring unit 57.

The control unit 51 controls the flying body 11 in a centralized manner. The storage unit 52 is a memory that stores an area for executing a program and tag information data. The flight setting unit 53 is configured to make a flight of the flying body 11, and the setting content will be described with reference to FIG.

Further, the reading setting condition 53A is set in the flight setting unit 53. The reading-related condition 53A is a setting content of time (for example, a time zone such as 0:00 to 6:00 midnight) or the number of orbits (for example, three times) with the flight time being common. Specifically, the setting of the time is to repeat the orbit in the area and the charging to the power supply 46 for the flying body within the range of the time zone. The number of laps in the area that can be charged is calculated, and the number of laps including the charging time is calculated and set within a predetermined time range. Note that a single day or a plurality of days may be set as the start date for flying the flying body 11 and reading the RFID tag 16.

The image analysis unit 54 analyzes and recognizes the traveling direction mark 18, the flight marks 19, 20 and the station mark 21 imaged by the imaging unit 43, and flight control is performed with the content set by the flight setting unit 53. (See FIG. 4A). The image analysis unit 54 recognizes the reading range marks 17A to 17C picked up by the image pickup unit 43, and is used to specify the reading position (range) by the reader 44.

The read information processing unit 55 acquires the tag information of the RFID tag 16 read by the reader 44 and stores it in the storage unit 52. After the reading is completed, the transmission/reception unit 65 causes the management device (personal computer 32, portable terminal 33) to read the information. The RFID tag 16 is read again when the information of the missed RFID tag is received from the management device.

The drive control unit 56 controls the flight of the flying body 11 by the drive mechanism 42 according to the setting of the flight setting unit 53. Then, the power supply monitoring unit 57 monitors the capacity of the power supply 46 for the flying object, and falls below a predetermined threshold value (for example, the readable power capacity of the RFID tag 16 for one round in the product warehouse 12). The flight setting unit 53 is sometimes controlled to return to the station 14.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of automatic flight in an area where the RFID reader of FIG. 2 is used, and FIG. 4 shows an explanatory diagram of setting contents regarding flight of the RFID reader of FIG. In FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 1A, a traveling direction mark 18 and flight performance marks 19, 20 are provided in the product warehouse 12 as flight-related marks on the flight route of the flying body 11.

A check mark is displayed overlaid on the traveling direction mark 18. The traveling direction mark 18 has, for example, a triangular shape, and its vertex direction is shown as the traveling direction. From the station 14 at the initial position of the air vehicle 11, all the holding shelves 13 (holding shelves 13A in the product warehouse 12). ~ 13C) is arranged.

That is, the relationship between the traveling direction mark 18 (check mark) and the flight is set in the flight setting unit 53 of the air vehicle 11, and as shown in FIG. The traveling direction is related, and for example, “S” is read as a check mark, “1 to (number)” is a flight order, “E” is read, and “R” is repeated. Here, the check mark “R” is a base point for repeated flight, and the determination of whether or not to repeat flight is determined based on whether or not the read-out tag information of the read information processing unit 55 is present. (Described in FIGS. 6 and 7). The check marks “S” and “R” may be integrated into one form, which is effective in the case of a small area (commodity warehouse), for example.

The flight marks 19 and 20 provided in the product warehouse 12 are displayed in colors, for example. That is, in the flight setting unit 53 of the air vehicle 11, if the image recognition of the color display of the flight property mark 19 continues until the reading end “E”, it is set as forward flight, and the color display of the flight property mark 20 performs image recognition. If so, it is set as a backward flight to extract the concept of the traveling direction.

Further, reading range marks 17A to 17C (FIG. 1B) are set in the flight setting section 53 of the flying body 11 as the reading range of the RFID tag 16, and the flying height is controlled by this recognition. Is. It should be noted that symbols or symbols such as numbers may be arranged in the reading range marks 17A to 17C. For example, by arranging a number (for example, “30”) as the reading distance and by image recognition of the number, the RFID tag 16 is read by approaching the recognized number of the number (for example, 30 Cm from the shelf). It can be done.

Therefore, FIG. 5 shows an operation flowchart of the movement of the flying object that constitutes the RFID reading system of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 shows an operation flowchart of the reading process of FIG. In FIG. 5A, it is assumed that the aircraft 11 is sufficiently charged by the power supply means on the station 14 in the goods warehouse 12 from the power supply means 46 via the charging unit 46A. The flight is started when the time (time) set by the reading-related condition 53A of the flight setting unit 53 arrives.

That is, when the flying object 11 flies and image-recognizes the check mark “S” of the traveling direction mark 18, the first reading range mark 17A is image-recognized and the RFID tag 16 attached to the container 15 is recognized. Reading is started (step (S)1).

After that, the traveling direction mark 18 (check mark), the reading range marks 17A to 17C, and the flying marks 19 and 20 are imaged by the imaging unit 43, and the image analysis unit 54 recognizes the image to fly and the RFID tag 16 in the reading range. Is read, the read tag information is stored in the storage unit 52 (S2), and the operation is continued until the check mark “R” shown in FIG. 3 is image-recognized (S3). When the image of the check mark “R” is recognized, it means that the flight route within the commodity warehouse 12 has been completed, and the process of whether or not to read the RFID tag 16 is repeated (FIG. 6). Or, shift to FIG. 7).

Subsequently, in FIG. 6, when the flying object 11 recognizes the check mark “R” (S3), the read information processing unit 55 communicates all the tag information stored in the storage unit 52 from the transmission/reception unit 45. It is transmitted to the management device (personal computer 32, mobile terminal 33) via the relay unit 31 (S11). Based on the management tag data, the management device verifies whether or not the missed-read RFID tag 16 exists, and if the missed-read RFID tag 16 exists, the information of the missed-read RFID tag 16 is transmitted to the air vehicle 11. Sent to.

The flying body 11 receives the information of the RFID tag 16 that is missed from the management device within a predetermined time (S12), and it is determined whether or not the reading-related condition (time or number of turns) 53A of the flight setting unit 53 is reached. (S13), if the reading-related condition 53A has not been reached, the power supply monitoring unit 57 determines whether or not the power supply capacity of the power supply 46 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (S14). From the position of the check mark “R” shown to the starting position of “S” again, the RFID tag 16 is read by the flying body 11 repeatedly from S1 of FIG. 5 within the range of the reading-related conditions.

On the other hand, if the information of the RFID tag 16 that is not read from the management device is not received within the predetermined time, the station mark 21 is image-recognized and returned to the station 14 (S15). If there is no tag information for missed reading in S12, or if the reading-related condition (time or number of turns) 53A in S13 is reached, or if the power capacity in S14 is below the threshold, the station mark 21 Is recognized and returned to the station 14 (S15).

In the management device (personal computer 32, mobile terminal 33), all the tag information read by the flying object 11 and the tag information read by the flying object 11 can be displayed to the administrator. As a result, when the tag information includes missed tag information, it is possible to prompt personal confirmation and human supplement reading, and it is necessary to read all RFID tags 16 manually. Compared with the case of performing the above, it is sufficient to read only the RFID tag 16 that was missed, and even if there is the RFID tag 16 that was missed, it can be said that the efficiency is improved as a whole.

Next, FIG. 7 shows another operation flowchart of the reading process of FIG. In FIG. 6, the repeated reading of the missed-read RFID tag 16 is repeated for all, but in FIG. 7, the address information of the missed-read RFID tag 16 is obtained from the management tag data 16A and read. It is assumed that only the dropped RFID tag 16 is read again. From these, for example, in FIG. 7, it is effective when the housed position of the housed body 15 is known in advance, and in FIG. 6, the existence of the housed body 15 is known. Can be said to be effective when the accommodation position is unknown (random arrangement).

In FIG. 7A, when the flying object 11 recognizes the check mark “R” (S3), the read information processing unit 55 causes the transmission/reception unit 45 to execute the management device (personal computer) via the communication relay unit 31. 32, mobile terminal 33) (S21). Based on the management tag data, the management device verifies whether or not the missed-read RFID tag 16 exists, and if the missed-read RFID tag 16 exists, the information of the missed-read RFID tag 16 is transmitted to the air vehicle 11. Sent to.

The flying body 11 receives the information of the RFID tag 16 that is missed from the management device within a predetermined time (S22), and it is determined whether or not the reading-related condition (time or number of revolutions) 53A of the flight setting unit 53 has been reached. (S23), if the reading-related condition 53A has not been reached, the power supply monitoring unit 57 determines whether the power supply capacity of the power supply 46 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (S24). B) (described later).

On the other hand, if the information of the RFID tag 16 that has not been read from the management device is not received within the predetermined time, the station mark 21 is image-recognized and returned to the station 14 (S25). Further, if there is no missed tag information in S22, or if the reading-related condition (time or number of turns) 53A in S23 is reached, or if the power capacity in S24 is below the threshold, the station mark 21 Is recognized and returned to the station 14 (S25).

Therefore, in FIG. 7B, while recognizing the traveling direction mark 18 (check mark), the reading range marks 17A to 17C, and the flying marks 19 and 20 from the address information of the tag information that has been missed and received from the management device. It flies to the address position, reads the RFID tag 16 of the accommodated body 15 by the corresponding flying body 11, stores it in the storage unit 52, and transmits the read tag information to the management device (personal computer 32, mobile terminal 33). Yes (S31). Then, within the range of the reading-related condition, the tag information of the missed reading is read based on the address information.

In this way, since the tag information of the missed reading is read based on the address information within the range of the reading related condition, it is possible to further improve the reading efficiency without having to read all the RFID tags 16 again. is there.

Therefore, in the management device (personal computer 32, mobile terminal 33), all of the tag information read by the flying object 11 and the tag information read by the flying object 11 can be displayed to the administrator. As a result, when the tag information includes missed tag information, it is possible to prompt personal confirmation and human supplement reading, and it is necessary to read all RFID tags 16 manually. Compared with the case of performing the above, it is sufficient to read only the RFID tag 16 that was missed, and even if there is the RFID tag 16 that was missed, it can be said that the efficiency is improved as a whole.

As described above, it is possible to improve the reading efficiency under limited conditions without requiring human operation for reading the RFID tags 16 attached to the entire contained objects 15 housed in the product warehouse 12. Can be done. In addition, the power supply monitoring unit 57 monitors the power supply capacity of the power supply 46 for the flying body, and charges the station 14 within the range of the read-related conditions 53A that have been set. The reading efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, by collating the tag information read on the management device side with the management tag data, the missed reading of the RFID tag can be minimized.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the management device side checks whether or not the missed-read RFID tag 16 exists has been described. However, the missed-read RFID tag 16 is provided by providing the flying body 11 with the management tag data. May be specified and transmitted to the management device. By the way, in the said embodiment, although the case where the flying object 11 was made to read the RFID tag 16 in the goods warehouse 12 was shown, by making a flight route share and making a plurality of machines read the RFID tag 16, It is possible to further reduce the time.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The RFID reader of the present invention can be used in industries such as manufacture, use, and sale of a device for automatically reading an object to be stored, such as a product to which an RFID is attached, in an unmanned environment such as a warehouse.

11 RFID reader (aircraft)
12 Merchandise Warehouse 13 Holding Shelf 13A to 13C Holding Shelf Row 14 Station (Power Supply Means)
15 Contained object 16 RFID tag 17A to 17C Reading range mark 18 Travel direction mark 19,20 Flight mark 21 Station mark 31 Communication relay section 32 Personal computer (management device)
33 Mobile terminal (management device)
41 controller 42 drive mechanism section 43 image pickup section 44 reader 45 transmitting/receiving section 46 power supply for flight object 46A charging section 51 control section 52 storage section 53 flight setting section 53A reading related condition 54 image analysis section 55 read information processing section 56 drive control section 57 Power monitoring unit

Claims (5)

An RFID reader for a flying object, in which at least a plurality of objects to which the RFID tag of the unique information is attached are accommodated in the area where the flight-related marks are arranged, and the RFID tags attached to the objects are read in a non-contact manner. And
An image pickup means for picking up at least the flight related mark;
Tag reading means for reading the tag information of the RFID tag attached to the container,
At least, the image reading unit captures the flight-related mark and causes the tag to fly while being recognized so that the tag information of the RFID tag is read by the tag reading unit. In accordance with the control means to orbit the area a predetermined number of times,
An RFID reading device having. The RFID reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading-related condition set in the control means is at least a flight time zone. The RFID reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading-related condition set in the control unit is the number of rounds in the area. The RFID reader according to at least any one of claims 1 to 3,
A station, which is the initial position of flight in the area, is provided with power supply means,
The control means includes a power supply monitoring unit that monitors the capacity of the power supply for the flying vehicle provided, and returns to the station when the power supply monitoring unit falls below a predetermined threshold value within the range of the reading-related conditions regarding flight. An RFID tag reading device characterized in that after the power source for the flying object is charged, the area is repeatedly circulated a predetermined number of times. The RFID reading device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits all of the read tag information to a predetermined management device after the reading of the RFID tag is completed, and the management device. An RFID reading device, which causes the RFID tag to be read again when the information of a more overread RFID tag is received.

Images