JP2000113077A - Article management system, radio tag and article management rack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably execute article management without requiring many workers by storing a section identification(ID) information and information on articles stored in each section in a section memory, storing an article ID information and article information in an article memory and reading out the information from the section memory and the article memory to execute article management. SOLUTION: When a bar code information inputted from a panel computer and allowed to be printed on a label to be stuck to a radio tag 3 is requested, a server 6 reads out the bar code information stored in a rack data base and sends the read information to a printer 16 to issue a label. A worker sticks the label to the radio tag 3 stored in a room of the article management rack 1. A radio tag reader/writer 12 reads out information stored in a memory of the radio rack through a radio tag antenna 4 and sends the read information to the server 6. Tag ID corresponding to bar code information is written in a rack data base in a data base 7 for the server 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article management system suitable for use in the field of physical distribution and the like, a wireless tag used in the system, and an article management shelf.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional article management system used in the field of physical distribution and the like manages articles by, for example, a bar code, but the association with the management section is exclusively performed manually. Therefore, it is possible to check the number of products and the number of stocks in a certain management section by using a book or a computer, but it is necessary for a person to check whether the stocks are actually available.

[0003] In addition, at the time of storage, confirm the storage,
People needed to fill in books and make entries on a computer. Further, at the time of entry or exit, a worker enters the management section while going back and forth while visually checking the desired article.

[0004]

Accordingly, there is a problem that it is not possible to accurately check the actual stock, and there is a problem that much of the management and processing must be performed manually.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional article management system as described above,
The purpose is to properly manage the goods stored in each section,
It is another object of the present invention to provide an article management system that requires less human labor. Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless tag and an article management shelf suitable for use in the article management system. Another object of the present invention is to provide an article management system capable of efficiently performing a process for storing an article in each section.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article management system comprising: a plurality of sections for storing articles; a plurality of sections provided for each of the plurality of sections; Partition memory for storing information of
An article memory provided in each article accommodated in the section and storing article identification information and information on the article, and a read / write of information for the section memory and an article memory provided in each of the plurality of sections. In-compartment information read / write means for reading information, and management means for managing the articles by reading the information of the section memory and the information of the article memory by the read / write means. And Thereby, the section is provided with a section memory in which the section identification information and the information of the articles stored in the section are stored, and the article has an article memory in which the article identification information and the information of the article are stored. Is provided,
By reading the information of the partition memory and the information of the article memory, the article is managed.

In the article management system according to a second aspect of the present invention, each section is provided with section display means for displaying information, and the section identification information written in the article memory provided in the article. And display control means for displaying information indicating appropriateness / inappropriateness in the display means for the partition based on a comparison between the partition identification information written in the partition memory of the partition in which the article is stored and the partition identification information. It is characterized by being. Thereby, when storing goods in the compartment,
Information indicating appropriate or inappropriate is displayed.

In the article management system according to a third aspect of the present invention, the management means updates the information in the section memory to the in-section information read / write means based on the information written in the article memory in the section. It is characterized by instructing.
As a result, the information about the articles stored in the compartment is
This is reflected in the information of the partition memory provided in the partition.

In the article management system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the management means includes a database, and the management means stores information in the database based on information for each section obtained by the in-section information read / write means. Is updated. As a result, the information in the system database is matched with the information on the section and the articles in the section.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article management system in which identification information is written and information on an article to be transported is readable and writable, and information is read from the memory for the transport apparatus. Transport information read / write means, transport display means for displaying information related to the transported article, the transport information read / write means, communication means for transmitting and receiving information between the transport display means and management means, Input means for inputting information to be sent to the management means; and an article transport device for transporting articles to the section. Thereby, the device for transporting the article to the section is provided with a memory for the transport device, read and write information on the article to be transported to this memory,
Storage and retrieval can be performed appropriately.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article management system, comprising: a position detecting means for detecting a position of the article conveying device in a section; a guiding display means for performing a guiding display regarding the movement of the article conveying device; A guidance display control means for controlling guidance display of the guidance display means based on a detection result from the position detection means. Thereby, the guidance display regarding the movement of the article transport device is performed.

In the article management system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the partitioning memory, the article memory, and the transporting apparatus memory are molded as a card into a card-like tag. A number and a barcode for identifying a section, an article, or a transport device are provided. This allows a person to check the contents of the tag from outside.

A wireless tag according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a wireless tag formed in a card shape, comprising a memory in which information that can be read and written wirelessly is written, and a resin for molding the memory. An electromagnetic shielding film is provided on one surface of the card, and the electromagnetic shielding film is covered with a resin. As a result, the radio waves are shielded by the electromagnetic film, and the information in the memory can be read and written more appropriately.

An article management shelf according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is an article management shelf comprising a plurality of chambers formed in a box shape so as to form a section on which articles are placed. Is characterized in that an electromagnetic shielding film is provided, a reducing substance for reducing the shielding effect of the electromagnetic shielding film is provided on the back surface, and an antenna is provided indoors. Thereby, the reach of the electromagnetic wave by the antenna is appropriately restricted, which is suitable for managing articles for each section.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an article management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless tag and an article management shelf used for the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure,
The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows an article management system. The article management system includes an article management shelf 1. The article management shelf 1 is provided with a plurality of rooms (sections) 2-11 to 2-33, and articles are stored in each of the rooms 2-11 to 2-33.

Each of the rooms 2-11 to 2-33 has a wireless tag 3
-11 to 33 are provided. This wireless tag 3
As shown in FIG. 2, (3-1-1 to 33-33) are flat card-like, and have a bar code 31 corresponding to the number N for identifying the room on the surface. Inside the wireless tag 3, there is an L having a memory capable of reading and writing information.
LSI 32 by electromagnetic induction from an antenna
An antenna lead 33-1 that enables reading of information from a memory in the memory and enables writing of information to the memory;
33-2 are provided, and these are molded with resin. An electromagnetic shielding film 34 is adhered to the back surface of the wireless tag 3, and the electromagnetic shielding film 34 is sealed with a resin 35.

On the ceilings of the rooms 2-11 to 2-33, antenna devices 4-11 to 4-33 for reading and writing wireless tags are provided.
Is provided. Further, in each of the rooms 2-11 to 2-33, a status indicator (section display means) 5-11 to 5-33 is provided.
Is provided. FIG. 3 shows a room 2 (2-11 to 2-3)
The detailed configuration of 3) is shown. An electromagnetic shielding film 21 is provided on the front surface of the chamber 2, and the electromagnetic shielding film 2 is provided on the back surface thereof.
For example, a plastic 22 which is a reducing substance for reducing the shielding effect of 1 is applied, or a sheet of the plastic 22 is provided by laying.

Antenna device 4 (4-11 to 4-33)
When the room 2 is large and large, as shown in FIG.
It has a motor 41. The shaft 42 of the motor 41 is bent in a substantially "L" shape, and the antenna 40 is connected to the tip of the shaft with a predetermined inclination. A ring 43 for sliding the bent portion of the shaft 42 is suspended from the ceiling by an arm 44. In this configuration, when the motor 41 rotates, the bent portion of the shaft 42 slides in the ring 43, and the antenna 40 orbits so as to cover substantially the entire inside of the chamber 2.

The article management system shown in FIG. 1 includes a server 6 (management means) for managing the system, and the server 6 has a database 7. The server 6 includes a CPU, a main memory, an input device, a display device, a printer, an external storage device for the database 7, a communication control device, and the like. A network 8 is connected to the server 6 via a communication device 13. Network 8
Is connected to the rack management device 9 via the communication device 14-2. The network 8 includes a communication device 14-.
1 is connected to the shelf management device 11. The shelf array management device 9 is configured by a computer such as a workstation. The shelf management device 11 includes one article management shelf 1
Is provided in correspondence with. Therefore, in a system in which a plurality of article management shelves 1 are provided, a plurality of shelf management devices 11 are connected to the network 8 via the communication devices, and are controlled by the shelf row management device 9 and the server 6.

The shelf management device 11 is connected to wireless tag RW (read / write) devices 12-1 to 12-3.
The status indicators 5-11 to 5-33 are connected. The wireless tag RW device 12-1 has antenna devices 4-11, 4
-21 and 4-31 are connected, and the wireless tag RW device 12-
2, antenna devices 4-12, 4-22, and 4-32 are connected, and the wireless tag RW device 12-3 is connected to antenna devices 4-13, 4-23, and 4-33.

A moving object detection sensor 1 is connected to a network 10 connected to the row management device 9 via a communication device 14.
7 is connected to the status notification device 18, and the communication device 15 connected to the network 8 includes a movable data collection device 19.
Is connected. Communication devices 13, 14, 14-1, 1
4-2, 15 and each device are connected by a wired line or a wireless line. The moving object detection sensor 17 detects entry and exit of the movable data collection device 19,
The status notification device 18 is configured by a lamp or the like that indicates whether the movable data collection device 19 is approaching. The movable data collection device 19 is connected to a printer 16 for outputting a label printed with a number N or a barcode 31 provided on the surface of the wireless tag 3 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the movable data collection device 19. The movable data collection device 19 is also an article transport device that transports articles, and is referred to as a carrier on which a pallet or the like is loaded, a picking cart, a forklift, or the like. The movable data collection device 19 includes:
Panel computer 20, barcode reader 23, wireless tag RW device 24, management device 25, wireless tag antenna 2
6 are provided, which are powered by a battery 27. The management device 25 has a wired or wireless communication function.

As shown in FIG. 6, a database 7 provided in the server 6 includes an order database, a delivery database, a pallet database, a shelf database,
A product database is provided. The order database is configured so as to be classified for each order number, and for each order number, information such as a product name and a shelf position corresponding to the barcode information is stored for the ordered product. The shelf database stores the tag ID stored in the wireless tag provided in the room corresponding to the barcode information of each room of each article management shelf and the tag ID of the product stored in the shelf database. Is configured. The product database is configured to store barcode information, product names, and the like corresponding to the tag IDs of the products stored in the product management shelves. The issue database is configured to store information such as a product name, a shelf position, a tag ID, etc., corresponding to barcode information, with respect to a product to be ejected, for each issue number. I have. In the pallet database, the tag ID provided on the pallet (a transport plate or a transport container for temporarily loading the product) corresponding to the barcode information and the tag I of each product stored in the pallet are stored.
D is stored.

In the order database, delivery database, pallet database, and shelf database, initially, only the barcode is stored. No information is initially stored in the product database. When a wireless tag is provided in each room of the article management shelf 1, initial processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is performed. Initially, only the tag ID shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the memory of the LSI of the wireless tag. The tag ID is unique identification information for each wireless tag, and is configured so that it cannot be changed (rewritten).

When a wireless tag is provided in each room of the article management shelf 1, for example, an input is made from the panel computer 20 of the movable data collection device 19 and the tag is attached to the wireless tag provided in each room of the article management shelf 1. Request bar code information to be printed on the label to be attached. Then, the server 6 reads the barcode information initially stored in the shelf database in FIG. 6 and sends it to the printer 16 via the network 8, the communication device 15, and the movable data collection device 19. The printer 16 prints a barcode or the like based on this information and issues a label (S1). The worker attaches the issued label to a wireless tag provided in the first room of the article management shelf 1 (S2). At this time, the movable data collection device 1
The bar code information is also sent to the wireless tag RW device 24 of No. 9 and written into the memory of the wireless tag via the wireless tag antenna 26 (S3). As a result, the memory of the wireless tag provided in the first room of the article management shelf 1 includes
As shown in FIG. 8A, the tag ID and the barcode information are stored.

Further, the wireless tag RW device 24 of the movable data collection device 19 reads information stored in the memory of the wireless tag provided in the first room of the article management shelf 1 via the wireless tag antenna 26, By sending this information to the server 6 by tracing the path along which the barcode information was sent, a tag ID is written in the shelf database in the database 7 of the server 6 corresponding to the barcode information, and the center ( The data on the server 6) and the data on the terminal (movable data collection device 19) are matched (S4).
Hereinafter, in the same manner, the processing for the wireless tags provided in all the rooms of the article management shelf 1 is performed.

Next, when a wireless tag is provided for each pallet, an initial process according to a flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is performed. As a result, the barcode information corresponding to the tag ID is written in the memory of the wireless tag provided in each pallet, as shown in FIG. 8A. The tag ID is written corresponding to the code information, and the server 6
And the data on the movable data collection device 19 side are matched.

Further, in a system in which a plurality of article management shelves 1 are provided as shown in FIG. 13, a wireless communication is provided on the floor to guide a carrier or the like loaded with a pallet between the article management shelves. A tag is provided. Also in this case, the initial processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is performed. Since the server 6 sends the barcode information and the position information indicating which of the article management shelves is present, FIG.
As shown in (c), barcode information and position information are stored in association with the tag ID.
In the database 7, tag IDs are stored for the barcode information and the position information.

When the preparation is completed as described above, the acceptance inspection of the ordered product is performed. The processing in this case will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the following figures, the screen node indicates the panel computer 20, and the wireless tag RW node indicates the wireless tag RW device 24 and the wireless tag antenna 26. When the worker uses the panel computer 20
Enter the bar code (BC) of the order number using
11) Send a request for the corresponding order data (S1)
2). The server 6 receiving the request searches the order database for order data corresponding to the bar code of the order number (S13), and returns the searched order data (S1).
4).

The panel computer 20, which has received the order data, displays the order data (S15). The order data is also sent to the printer 16, and the printer 16 prints a barcode or the like corresponding to each product based on this information, and issues a label as described in FIG. 7 (S1). The label is attached to the corresponding wireless tag, and the writing process to the memory of the wireless tag described with reference to FIG. 7 is performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the tag I
In addition to D and barcode information, a product name, the number of pieces put in the package, a production date, a storage date, a shelf position to be stored, and the like are written. Next, the worker reads barcode information or the like from the memory of the wireless tag provided on the pallet using the wireless tag antenna 26 (S16). The panel computer 20 receiving this displays the information on the pallet based on the above information (S17).

Next, the worker sends a request for information corresponding to the pallet to be displayed using the panel computer 20 (S18). The server 6 that has received the information searches the pallet database for data corresponding to the transmitted bar code or the like of the pallet (S19), and returns the searched pallet data (S20). The panel computer 20 displays the returned information (S21). Here, the worker designates a product (article) to be inspected and stored (accepted) from the displayed ordering data (S22), takes out the product together with the corresponding wireless tag, puts it on a pallet, and places the wireless tag (storage). Tag) to the product (S2
3).

Next, the worker reads barcode information and the like from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the product using the wireless tag antenna 26 (S24), and transmits this to the panel computer 20 (S25). The panel computer 20 displays the received information (S26), confirms the information, and inputs the confirmation (S27). In response to this, the panel computer 20 transmits the information of the displayed product as warehousing data (S28).

The server 6 confirms receipt of the article (S2
9) The article storage position is determined, and the stock information is updated (S30). That is, since the data as shown in FIG. 8B is sent, the data is transcribed to the product database of the database 7 to update the stock information. On the other hand, the panel computer 20 updates the information of the products loaded on the pallet (S31).
This information is transmitted to the wireless tag provided on the product using the wireless tag antenna 26, and is written into the memory of the wireless tag (S32). Therefore, the identification information of the mounted pallet is written in the memory of the wireless tag provided in the product.

Further, the panel computer 20 makes a display for prompting the operator whether the pallet is full of commodities (S33), and when there is an input indicating that the pallet is not full, the process from step S22 is performed. On the other hand, if there is an input indicating that the pallet is full of products, the pallet loading information is transmitted from the panel computer 20 to the server 6 (S3).
4). Thereby, the data is written in the pallet database of the database 7, and the pallet information is updated (S35). Further, the pallet loading information (eg, tag IDs of the products loaded on the pallet) held by the panel computer 20 is written into the memory of the wireless tag provided on the pallet, and the information of the wireless tag is updated. (S36). Then, the processing after step S16 is performed on the pallet on which the product is to be loaded.

By the above processing, as shown in FIG. 10, the product is mounted on the pallet (S37), and the identification information such as the barcode and the tag ID of the product and the pallet is notified to the server (S38). Become. Next, information on storage shelves for accommodating commodities in the article management shelf 1 is received by the server 6 (S39), thereby performing a storage operation. This FIG.
Will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the operator selects a pallet on which goods to be stored are mounted (S41). On the other hand, when the shelf management device 11 starts up, the shelf array management device 9 uses the wireless tag RW devices 12-1 to 12-3 to confirm and hold the status of the shelf array via the shelf management device 11. (S42). The worker reads bar code information and the like from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the pallet using the wireless tag antenna 26 (S
43), which is transmitted to the panel computer 20 (S)
44). The panel computer 20 sends a request for pallet information to the server 6 using the barcode information and the like of the pallet.
(S45).

In response, the server 6 searches for the corresponding palette information (S46), and returns the searched palette information (S47). At this time, the tag ID of the product stored corresponding to the barcode of the pallet database
Then, information of the storage position (shelf position) stored in the product database corresponding to the tag ID of the product is returned.
The panel computer 20 receiving this information displays the position information for storing the goods loaded on the pallet (S4).
8). The panel computer 20 retrieves the information of the load from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the pallet using the wireless tag antenna 26, and detects the consistency with the information returned from the server 6 (S49). ).

From the panel computer 20, the worker transmits information on the position of the product to be stored next from the position of each product displayed on the shelf management device 9 and requests confirmation (S50). At this time, the shelf row management device 9 has confirmed the work status of the shelf row (S51), and returns the shelf management information corresponding to the position information sent from the panel computer 20 (S52). The panel computer 20 detects based on the returned shelf management information whether or not shelving work of the product is possible (S53). Here, when it is detected that the shelving operation is not possible, the process returns to step S50, and information about whether the shelving operation is possible for the next product is obtained.

On the other hand, when it is detected in step S53 that the shelving operation is possible, the panel computer 20 displays information on the commodities to be stored and the storage position (S54). Upon seeing this, the worker moves to the target row of shelves where the merchandise should be stored, and then removes the merchandise from the shelf (S5).
5), the number of the wireless tag attached to the product is checked (S56), and information is taken out of the memory of the wireless tag using the wireless tag antenna 26, and the panel computer 2 is used.
0 (S57). The panel computer 20
Based on the received information, it is detected whether or not a product designated for shelving has been taken out. If there is an error, a message such as "unsuitable product taken out" is displayed, and the message flashes (S58). When the shelving is properly carried out, information on the stored goods is transmitted to the server 6 (S5).
9). In response to this, the server 6 updates the loading information of the corresponding pallet in the pallet database in the database 7 (erases the stored product tag ID) (S7).
60), the storage information relating to the room of the corresponding shelf in the shelf database is updated (S61). Therefore, the tag ID and the like of the product deleted in the pallet database are written in correspondence with the identification information of the room of the corresponding article management shelf 1 in the shelf database.

In step S55, the commodity taken off the pallet is stored by the worker in the corresponding room of the article management shelf 1 (S62). The worker confirms appropriate shelving based on the wireless tag number attached to the product (S63). The shelf management device is a wireless tag RW device 1
By operating the antennas 4-11 to 4-33 by 2-1 to 12-3, information is read from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the stored product from the corresponding room, and the shelf position information is stored in the room. If not, the erroneous operation lamp of the status display 5 is turned on (S64) to notify that the shelving is inappropriate. If shelving is appropriate, the shelf management device operates the antennas 4-11 to 4-33 by the wireless tag RW devices 12-1 to 12-3 to store the memory of the wireless tag attached to the room. The information is updated (S65).

In the article management system shown in FIG. 1, there is only one article management shelf 1 due to the limitation of the figure. However, as shown in FIG. 13, usually, a plurality of article management shelves 1-1 to 1-3 are provided. Is provided. Wireless tags 51-1 to 51-4 for detecting which passage of the article management shelves 1-1 to 1-3 are attached or buried on the floor. Wireless tags 51-1 to 5-5
1-4 have the same configuration as the wireless tag shown in FIG.
Moving object detection sensors 17-1 to 17-6 are attached to the entrance side walls of the passages of the article management shelves 1-1 to 1-3.
On the roof of each of the article management shelves 1-1 to 1-3, there are provided status notification devices 18-1 to 18-4, each of which includes a light that rotates and rotates.

FIG. 11 shows a carrier or the like loaded with a pallet in the configuration shown in FIG. 13 (same as the movable data collection device 19. The carrier or the like loaded with this pallet is hereinafter simply referred to as a “carrier”). Is the goods management shelf 1
The flowchart of the processing of the display during operation performed by the shelf array management device 9 when entering the passage between -1 to 1-3 is shown. Here, the passage provided with the moving object detection sensor 17-1 will be described, but the same processing is performed for other passages. The shelf array management device 9 detects the entry of the carrier into the passage based on the signal from the moving object detection sensor 17-1 (S66), and when there is the entry, increments the value of the register i by "1" (S67). . And
The value of the incremented register i is determined (S68), and "1"
If so, the status notification device 18-1 is turned on to display that the work is being performed (S69).

After the lighting is performed, the shelf row management device 9
The exit of the carrier to the passage is detected based on the signal from the moving object detection sensor 17-1 (S71), and if there is no exit, the process returns to step S66 to continue the process. Here, when the carrier enters again, the value of the register i becomes “2” or more, the process proceeds from step S68 to step S70, and the condition notifying device 18-1 is rotated while being turned on, and a warning of double entry is displayed. (S70). If the carrier exits upon noticing the warning of double entry, it can be detected that the carrier has exited from the passage by the signal from the moving object detection sensor 17-1, and the flow branches to YES in step S71 to change the value of the register i to "1". "(S72).

Then, it is determined whether the value of the decreased register i is "0" (S73). If not, the value of the decreased register i is determined (S75).
If the value has returned to "1", the status notification device 18-1 is turned on to indicate that work is in progress (S69). If the value of the register i is "2" or more, the status notification device 18-1 is turned on and rotated. Then, the warning of double entry is continued (S70). Also,
When all carriers have left, the process branches to YES in step S73, and turns off the status notification device 18-1 to indicate that there is no working carrier (S74). Based on the contents of the register i, the row management device 9 returns the row management information in step S52 of FIG. 12 and notifies whether or not shelving is possible.

The movable data collection device 19 moves along the path between the article management shelves 1-1 to 1-3 by receiving an instruction from the shelf row management device 9 performing the above-described processing. The processing in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since the panel computer 20 displays the next position to be moved on the screen, the operator confirms it (S7).
6).

The panel computer 20 obtains work information of the shelf row at the displayed position from the shelf row management device 9 (S77). At this time, the shelf array management device 9 has confirmed the work status of the shelf array (S77A), and returns the work information in the shelf array at the position sent from the panel computer 20 (S78). This information is information based on the register i described in FIG. The panel computer 20 receives the returned work information of the shelf row (S7).
9) Based on this, it is detected whether or not movement to the corresponding shelf is possible (S80). If the movement is not possible, the flow returns to step S76 to check the movement to another passage.

If it is detected in step S80 that movement is possible, it is detected based on the position information obtained from the wireless tags 51-1 to 51-4 whether or not the tag is in the target row (S81). If it is not within the target shelf row, it is notified to the shelf row management apparatus 9 that it is to be moved outside (S82), and the movement is performed (S83).

The row management device 9 includes a moving object detection sensor 17.
The exit of the carrier to the path is confirmed by the signals from -1 to 17-6 (S84), and the status notification devices 18-1 to 18-1.
The device corresponding to 8-4 is turned off (S85), the in-work display of the row is canceled, and the panel computer 20 is notified that it has moved out of the row (S86). The panel computer 20 that has received this sets “out of shelf row” as the position of its own apparatus (S87), and notifies the corresponding shelf row management apparatus 9 that it will move to the target shelf (S88). In response to this, the corresponding row management device 9 sets the moving object detection sensor 1
7-1 to 17-6 are activated (S89), and the status notification device 1 is activated.
A possible entry is indicated by blinking in the corresponding device of 2-1 to 18-4 (S90).

On the other hand, in the carrier, the worker inputs and displays the information of the position recognition tag (any of the wireless tags 51-1 to 51-4) to be moved, and moves to the target row of shelves. (S91). Then, when passing through the position recognition tag to be moved, it notifies the corresponding shelf array management device 9 that it has moved to the target shelf array (S92). This notification, for example,
As shown in FIG. 14, information acquisition from the wireless tag on the floor is attempted by the wireless tag antenna 26 (S10).
1) It can be executed by reading information from the memory of the wireless tag on the floor and transmitting it (S102).

Upon receiving the notification that the object has been moved to the target rack, the corresponding rack array management device 9 sets the moving object detection sensors 17-1 to 17-1.
Waiting for the activation of 17-6 (S93), receiving the signal from any of the moving object detection sensors 17-1 to 17-6, it detects that the carrier has entered the row of shelves,
The panel computer 20 informs that the movement inside the shelf row has been detected.
Is notified (S94). Receiving this, the panel computer 20 changes “outside the shelf row” to “inside the shelf row”
(S95), and notifies the target row number (room number) to the row management device 9 (S96). The shelf row management device 9 turns on the corresponding status notification device to indicate that work is being performed, and sends an instruction to display a storage shelf (room) to the shelf management device 11 corresponding to the target shelf number (S97). The shelf management device 11 causes the corresponding status display 5 to display a message indicating that the storage shelf (room) is used, and the wireless tag RW devices 12-1 to 12-3 control the antennas 4-11 to 4-33. The information is read from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the room by operating (S98).

FIG. 14 shows an operation of searching for a destination room related to a storage destination using the wireless tag antenna 26 of the movable data collection device 19. When the vehicle arrives at the article management shelf after passing through the floor tag, the information is read by applying the wireless tag antenna 26 to the wireless tag provided in the room (S103).
The panel computer 20 compares the read information with the information of the destination room related to the storage destination stored in the own device, and detects whether the room is the relevant room (S104). If the room is the corresponding room, the panel computer 20 displays a message indicating that the room is the destination room related to the storage destination (S105). When the worker puts the product in the room (S106), the panel computer 2
No. 0 extracts information from the wireless tag attached to the product with the wireless tag antenna 26 and detects whether or not the wireless tag antenna 26 has been housed in the correct room (S107), and displays an error message in the case of an error (S108). Then, the panel computer 20 detects whether there is a product to be stored using the wireless tag antenna 26 (S109), detects movement based on the presence or absence of information from the floor tag (S110), and when not moving, the wireless The information is read out by applying the tag antenna 26 to the wireless tag provided in the room (S103). If it has moved, the processing from step S102 is performed.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of the automatic inventory processing performed by the system of this embodiment. In the server 6, the operator starts the automatic inventory processing, and specifies the processing range by, for example, the identification information of the row of shelves (S111). In response, the server 6 transmits a start request to the corresponding rack management device 9 (S11).
2). Upon receiving the activation request, the shelf array management device 9 sends an instruction to the corresponding shelf management device 11 to read the information of the storage tag (wireless tag) attached to each room of each shelf (S11).
3). The server 6 further transmits an activation request to another necessary row management device 9 (S115). The processing corresponding to this is as described in steps S113 and S114.

The server 6 sends an instruction to send the read storage information to the shelf management device 11 (S116), and the shelf management device 11 causes each wireless tag RW device to read and acquire the information (S117). ), And transfer this to the storage unit (room unit) (S118). The server 6 receives and confirms the information and stores it (S119), searches the stock information in the database 7 (S120), and confirms the consistency between the transferred information and the information in the database 7 (S121).

More specifically, the product tag ID is obtained from the shelf row database, the contents of the product database are searched, and the information of each product is obtained, and the obtained information is compared with the transferred information. . Then, information of the product that does not match the stock information is created (S122), and it is detected whether or not all inventory processing has been completed (S123). If not, the processing from step S116 is continued. When all the inventory processing has been completed, end processing such as printing out the information of the product that does not match the stock information is performed (S124), and an end message of the inventory processing is sent to the corresponding row management device 9. It is transmitted (S125). In response to this, the shelf array management device 9 transmits an end message of the inventory processing to the corresponding shelf management device 11 (S126). The information of the wireless tag of each room, which has been read, is written in the shelf management device 11 (S127). Then, the shelf row management device 9 and the shelf management device 11 shift to a sleep mode in which operation is started in response to a start instruction.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the system according to the present embodiment until the product is taken out of the article management shelf and placed on the pallet at the time of shipment.
When the shelf management device 11 starts up, the wireless tag RW device 12
Using -1 to 12-3, the shelf row management device 9 confirms and holds the status of the shelf row via the shelf management device 11 (S12).
8). The operator uses the panel computer 20 to input the bar code (BC) of the shipping number (S129), and sends a request for the corresponding shipping data (S130). The server 6 receiving this searches the shipping database for shipping data corresponding to the bar code of the shipping number (S13).
1) Return the retrieved shipping data (S132). The panel computer 20, which has received the shipment data, displays the data (S133).

The panel computer 20 asks whether a palette change (including a new selection) is necessary by displaying a message or the like (S134). If necessary, the worker performs a response operation to that effect and selects a pallet (S1).
35). The worker reads out bar code information and the like from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the pallet using the wireless tag antenna 26, and transmits this to the panel computer 20 (S136). The panel computer 20 sends a request for pallet information to the server 6 using the barcode information and the like of the pallet (S137).

In response, the server 6 searches for the corresponding palette information (S138), and returns the searched palette information (S139). The panel computer 20 receiving this information executes the initialization of the loading information relating to the products loaded on the pallet (S140). From the panel computer 20, the worker transmits information on the next product to be delivered from each product related to the delivery displayed on the shelf array management device 9 and requests confirmation (S141).

In the above, the shelf array management device 9 confirms the work status of the shelf array (S142), and returns the shelf array management information corresponding to the product information sent from the panel computer 20 (S143). The panel computer 20 detects whether or not shipping of the corresponding product is possible based on the returned shelf row management information (S144). Here, when it is detected that the shipping operation is impossible, the process returns to step S141, and further, information on whether the shipping operation is possible for the next product is obtained.

On the other hand, when it is detected in step S144 that the shipping operation is possible, the panel computer 20 displays information on the product to be shipped and the storage position (S145). Upon seeing this, the worker removes the product from the shelf and places it on the pallet (S146). The shelf management device operates the antennas 4-11 to 4-33 by the wireless tag RW devices 12-1 to 12-3 to read information from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the product in the corresponding room and attach the information to the room. The information is read from the memory of the wireless tag that has been removed, and the tag ID of the removed product is checked (S1).
47) When a product other than the planned product is taken out, the erroneous operation lamp of the status display 5 is turned on (S14).
8) Inform that shipment is inappropriate. If the removal of the product is appropriate, the shelf management device
The antennas 4-11 to 4-
33 is operated to update the information in the memory of the wireless tag attached to the room.

The pallet loading information of the panel computer 20 is written by the wireless tag antenna 26 into the memory of the wireless tag provided on the pallet, for example, the tag ID of the product loaded on the pallet, and the information of the wireless tag is updated. (S149). The panel computer 20 displays information on the products loaded on the pallet, and transfers the information to the server 6 (S150).

The server 6 confirms the shipment of the article, and executes an updating process such as deleting the product from the stock information (S151). Further, the server 6 updates the information of the pallet database and the shelf database of the database 7 (S152). On the other hand, the panel computer 20 asks whether the pallet is full of commodities by displaying a message or the like (S153). When the pallet is full, the processing from step S134 is performed, and when the pallet has a space where products can be loaded, the processing from step S141 is performed.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of a shipping process performed by the system of the present embodiment, which is a process up to loading the goods placed on the pallet onto the truck. First, the worker selects a pallet on which goods are loaded (S154), and reads barcode information and the like from the memory of the wireless tag attached to the pallet and the memory of the loaded goods using the wireless tag antenna 26 (S154). S15
5) Send these to the panel computer 20 (S
156). The panel computer 20 displays the pallet and barcode information of the product, and sends a request for pallet information to the server 6 (S157).

In response, the server 6 searches for the corresponding palette information (S158), and returns the searched palette information (S159). The panel computer 20 receiving this information compares the barcode information of the pallet and the product with the information sent from the server 6 and displays an abnormal display when the information does not match (S160). Then, a detailed inspection or the like is performed. If there is no abnormality, the worker loads the goods on the pallet to the truck (S161).

The panel computer 20 inputs a shipment confirmation of the goods loaded on the pallet (S162),
The memory of the wireless tag attached to the pallet is initialized using the wireless tag antenna 26 (S163).
When the panel computer 20 notifies the server 6 of the shipment confirmation of the goods loaded on the pallet, the shipment processing is performed on the information of the goods loaded on the pallet (S16).
4) The pallet information in the beta base 7 is initialized (S165).

As described above, in the present embodiment, a radio tag is provided in each product, each room of the article management shelf 1, and each pallet, and information for management is written, read, and changed in a memory therein. Therefore, the management position and the like of the product are always appropriately managed, and there is no need for a lot of manpower.

Further, guidance to the movable data collection device 19 can be appropriately performed using a sensor, a wireless tag, or a display device.

Further, the inventory can be performed remotely by the server 6, and in this respect, no manual operation is required. And when an abnormality is discovered by inventory,
It is possible to specify the position and the product and perform appropriate confirmation and inspection.

In the above embodiment, the tag ID of the wireless tag and the bar code information are described as separate information. However, the tag ID of the wireless tag is linked to the bar code in the database, and the product is identified by the tag ID of the wireless tag. May be unified. This way,
There is an advantage that management can be performed with one piece of information and management can be simplified.

In the above-described embodiment, the management using the room of the article management shelf 1 has been described. For example, a system in which a product is placed on the floor with a radio wave reachable by an antenna as a section and a wireless tag is used. Can also be configured.

Further, a sensor for detecting the entry of a person or an object is provided, and when the entry of a person or an object is sensed, or when there is no request from the server 6 side, each device of the system is put into a sleep mode to be on standby. Power consumption can be reduced, and a security system against product theft can be constructed. Further, in the present embodiment, the system in which the server 6 performs centralized management is shown. However, for example, a plurality of rack management devices may be provided, and the management may be performed in a distributed manner instead of the server 6. Alternatively, a distributed processing system in which each shelf management device performs management in a distributed manner instead of the server 6 may be used. In such a configuration,
When necessary, the server 6 and the shelf array management device perform processing such as collecting information from lower-level devices as needed.

[0071]

As described above, in the article management system according to the first aspect, the section is provided with the section memory for storing the section identification information and the information of the articles stored in the section. An article memory in which article identification information and information on the article are stored is provided, and information in the section memory and information in the article memory are read, and the article is managed. There is an effect that management that appropriately grasps information of the article in question is performed.

As described above, in the article management system according to the second aspect, each section is provided with section display means for displaying information, and the sections written in the article memory provided in the article are provided. Based on a comparison between the identification information and the section identification information written in the section memory of the section in which the article is stored, information indicating appropriate / unsuitable is displayed on the section display means. When an article is stored, information indicating appropriateness or inappropriateness is displayed, and the storage operation can be performed appropriately.

As described above, in the article management system according to the third aspect, updating of the information in the section memory is instructed based on the information written in the article memory in the section. The information on the article thus set is reflected in the information of the section memory provided in the section, and it is possible to appropriately manage the article by the computer using the memory.

As described above, in the article management system according to the fourth aspect, a database is provided, and the information in the database is updated based on the information for each section obtained by reading / writing the memory. Since the information in the database matches the information on the section and the articles in the section, it is possible to appropriately manage the articles using the database.

As described above, in the article management system according to the fifth aspect, the apparatus for transporting articles to the section is provided with a memory for a transport apparatus, and reads and writes information relating to the articles to be transported to this memory. Storage and retrieval can be performed appropriately.

As described above, in the article management system according to the sixth aspect, the position of the article transport device in the section is detected, and the guidance display for performing the guidance display regarding the movement of the article transport device is performed based on the detection result. Control,
Guidance display relating to the movement of the article transport device is performed, and the article can be transported appropriately.

As described above, in the article management system according to the seventh aspect, the partitioning memory, the article memory, and the memory for the transporting device are molded into a card-like tag by being molded with resin, and are provided on the surface of the tag. Is provided with a number and a barcode for identifying a section, an article, or a transport device, so that the contents of the tag can be checked by a person from the outside, which is convenient.

As described above, the wireless tag according to the eighth aspect includes a memory in which information that can be read and written wirelessly is written, and a resin for molding the memory, and is formed by a wireless tag formed in a card shape. There is an electromagnetic shielding film on one side of the card, and since this electromagnetic shielding film is covered with resin, radio waves can be shielded by the electromagnetic film and information in the memory can be read and written more appropriately. Become.

As described above, the article management shelf according to the ninth aspect is an article management shelf including a plurality of chambers formed in a box shape so as to form a section on which articles are placed. An electromagnetic shielding film is provided on the front surface, a reducing substance that reduces the shielding effect of the electromagnetic shielding film is provided on the back surface, and an antenna is provided in the room, so that the reach of electromagnetic waves by the antenna is appropriate. It is suitable when managing articles for each section.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an article management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a wireless tag according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an article management shelf according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an antenna device provided on an article management shelf according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a movable data collection device used in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a database provided in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a label issuing process for attaching to a wireless tag in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing contents of a wireless tag in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of receiving an ordered product in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main part process at the time of receiving an ordered product in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing guidance processing of the movable data collection device in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a shelving process for ordered products in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram for guiding a movable data collection device of the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining shelf storage of goods by the movable data collection device of the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of moving to the target shelf in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a stocktaking process in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a shipping product removal process in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a retrieval process in the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 article management shelf 2 room 3 wireless tag 4 antenna device 5 status display 6 server 7 database 8, 10 network 9 shelf management device 11 shelf management device 12-1 to 12-3 wireless tag RW device 13, 14, 14 -1, 14-2, 15 Communication device 16 Printer 17 Moving object detection sensor 18 Status notification device 19 Movable data collection device

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kunihiro Ishida 7-1, Nisshincho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Toshiba Information Systems Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masao Igarashi 2464-48 Washizu, Kosai-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture (72) Inventor Takashi Otsuka 3-3-9, Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo F-term in Toshiba Chemical Corporation (reference) 3F022 FF01 MM03 MM08 MM11 MM22 MM35 PP04 QQ11 5B049 BB31 CC27 DD02 DD04 EE05 EE23 FF03 FF04 FF08 GG03 GG04 GG07

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of sections for accommodating articles, a section memory provided in each of the plurality of sections, for storing section identification information and information on the articles contained in the sections, and accommodated in the sections. An article memory provided in each article and storing article identification information and information on the article; and a plurality of sections each provided to read and write information to the section memory and read information from the article memory. An article management system comprising: an in-section information read / write means; and a management means for reading information of the section memory and information of the article memory by the read / write means and managing the articles. 2. A section display means for displaying information in each section, the section identification information written in an article memory provided in the article, and the section of the section in which the article is stored. A display control means for displaying information indicating appropriateness / inappropriateness on the display means for the partition based on a comparison with the partition identification information written in the storage memory. Goods management system. 3. The section information instructing section information read / write means to update the information in the section memory based on the information written in the article memory in the section. 3. The article management system according to 2. 4. The management means includes a database, and the management means updates the information in the database based on the information for each section obtained by the intra-section information read / write means. An article management system according to item 1. 5. A transport device memory in which identification information is written and information on an article to be transported can be read and written; transport information read / write means for reading information from and into the transport device memory; Transport display means for displaying information; the transport information read / write means; communication means for transmitting and receiving information between the transport display means and the management means; and an input for inputting information to be sent to the management means. The article management system according to claim 1, further comprising: an article transport device that transports the article to the section. 6. A position detecting means for detecting a position of the article transporting device in a section, a guidance displaying means for performing guidance display relating to a movement of the article transporting device, and the guidance based on a detection result from the position detecting means. The article management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a guidance display control unit that controls guidance display of the display unit. 7. The partition memory, the article memory, and the transport device memory are molded into a card as a card-like tag, and the tag has a surface for identifying a partition, an article, or a transport device. The article management system according to claim 6, wherein a bar code is attached. 8. A wireless tag formed in a card shape, comprising a memory in which information that can be read and written wirelessly is written, and a resin for molding the memory, wherein an electromagnetic shielding film is formed on one surface of the card. Wherein the electromagnetic shielding film is covered with a resin. 9. An article management shelf comprising a plurality of chambers formed in a box shape so as to constitute a section on which articles are placed, wherein an electromagnetic shielding film is provided on a surface of the interior of the room, and a back surface of the electromagnetic shielding film is provided. The article management shelf is provided with a reducing substance for reducing a shielding effect of the electromagnetic shielding film, and an antenna is provided in the room.