JP2000306062A - Non-contact wireless id tag with light emitting element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and speedily show its own presence to the user of a reader/ writer corresponding to transmission from the reader/writer. SOLUTION: A system is constituted by connecting a head office for receiving the order of article delivery and a storehouse/distribution center for actually accumulating and picking articles through a leased line or public line. In this case, the non-contact wireless ID tag with light emitting element is provided with a light emitting element for emitting light with a current generated from an antenna at the time of radio wave reception, a switch means 46 for connecting or disconnecting a current route for supplying the current to the light emitting element and a switch control means 47 for comparing received identification information with its own identification information and turning the switch means into connected state only in the case of their matching.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a warehouse / distribution center that collects various products and delivers them to stores and wholesalers, a work (product) is searched for based on a product list (order sheet, order list, etc.) corresponding to each store. Picking is done. Note that picking refers to collecting required quantities of each product according to a product list (order sheet, order list, etc.).

Recently, a radio ID tag storing the type and quantity information is attached to a box for storing the same product, and the product in the storage box is confirmed by transmission from a reading / writing device.
Picking is also possible. Since the non-contact type wireless ID tag is inexpensive and stores various information as described above, if it is used for picking, it can be surely executed even by a person who does not have much product knowledge. There are advantages.

However, in such a picking method,
Since it is necessary to read an ID tag for each item and search for a work having a required ID (identification information), the efficiency of the work is not sufficiently reduced.

[0005] On the other hand, a system dedicated to efficient picking has been developed.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional picking assist system.

[0007] In this system, a controller 82 is connected to a product shelf 81. The product shelf 81 is provided with a display unit 84 for each product storage unit 83, and the display unit 84 is provided with a display lamp 85 indicating that the product is to be picked and a quantity display unit 86 indicating the number of products to be taken out.

In such a picking assistance system, the picking operator first inputs to the controller 82 which store the picking is for. In response to this, under the control of the controller 82, the display lamp 85 of each product storage unit 83 in which the work to be picked is stored is turned on, and the number of pickings is displayed.

[0009] The operator takes out the indicated quantity of commodities from the commodities storage section 83 in which the display lamp 85 is lit, and stores the commodities in the picking box while picking the course 87.
To move.

[0010] Finally, all the works shown on the course 87 are stored in a picking box, and the picking is completed.

[0011]

However, the picking assist system described above is an expensive system, and is not preferable from the viewpoint of cost reduction. Also,
It is necessary to perform wiring between the controller 82 and each display unit 84, and the labor in that respect is large.

Further, since the display unit 84 is fixed to the product shelf 81, when the type of the product stored in the product storage unit 83 changes, it is necessary to change the product management data of the controller 82 one by one. It is not very convenient in terms of product management.

On the other hand, in the conventional method using a non-contact wireless ID tag, since the ID tag is attached to the product storage box itself, the ID tag moves with the movement of the storage box.
It is convenient in terms of product management. ID tags also have the advantage of being inexpensive.

However, the ID tag method has a drawback that it is not easy for a picking worker to search for an ID tag to be aimed at. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly and easily find a product storage box in which a picking target is stored. Can not.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has been made to show the existence of the self to the user of the read / write device easily and promptly in response to the transmission from the read / write device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element which is enabled.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a non-contact type wireless communication device with a light-emitting element having a light-emitting element which emits light by current from an antenna generated when radio waves are received. ID tag.

Since the present invention is provided with such means, it is possible to easily and promptly show the user of the reading / writing apparatus in response to the transmission from the reading / writing apparatus.

Next, a second aspect of the present invention provides a non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element, which includes the same light emitting element as the first aspect of the present invention.

Further, switch means is provided, and the switch means is configured to connect or cut off a current path for supplying a current to the light emitting element.

The switch control means compares the received identification information with its own identification information. Only when they match, the switch means is connected and the light emitting element emits light.

Therefore, it emits light only when a radio wave addressed to itself is received, and it is possible to more surely indicate the existence of the user.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system using a non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this system, the headquarters that receives an order for the delivery of goods and the actual goods are accumulated, and the warehouse and the picking place are performed.
It is connected to a distribution center by a dedicated line, a public line, or the like.

The head office system manages a merchandise management information file 4 storing merchandise name ID1, management data 2, shipping data 3, etc., and comprises a host computer 5 for transmitting picking information and the like to a warehouse / distribution center. Have been. Further, information on the remaining quantities of various commodities and the picking status is received from the warehouse / distribution center system and reflected in the management data 2.

The warehouse / distribution center system receives the picking information from the host computer 5 and stores it, and also inputs a product list data to be picked to the reading / writing device 11 at the time of picking to the computer 6 (picking controller). Consists of In addition, the computer 6
After the picking is completed, management information such as the remaining quantity of the picked-up product is received from the read / write device 11 and the information is transmitted to the host computer 5.

After inputting information from the computer 6, the read / write device 11 is disconnected from the computer 6 and used for picking work.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a picking operation.

As shown in the figure, a plurality of product storage boxes 16 for storing the same type of product are placed on a product shelf 15, and each product storage box 16 has a non-contact type wireless ID with a light emitting element according to the present embodiment. A tag 21 is attached. Non-contact wireless I
The D tag 21 records various information such as the content and quantity of the product stored in the product storage box 16, and the information can be rewritten by the read / write device 11.

The product storage box 16 can be moved from one box to another, but since the non-contact type wireless ID tag 21 is attached to the box 16, the product information also turns around the product storage box 16. .

Next, the non-contact type wireless ID with the light emitting element
The configuration of the tag 21 and the read / write device 11 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element and a read / write device of the present embodiment.

Non-contact type wireless I with a light emitting element shown in FIG.
The D tag 21 and the read / write device 11 are a set of a basic electromagnetic coupling type wireless ID tag and a read / write device, and a light emitting element and a configuration for causing the light emitting element to emit light on the wireless ID tag side of the set. And a configuration for picking is added to the set.

First, the read / write device 11 is provided with a controller 31, an information storage unit 32, an input unit 33, an oscillation unit 34, a modulation unit 35, a demodulation unit 36, and transmission / reception units 42 and 43. The information storage unit 32 may be provided in the controller 31.

The controller 31 controls the reading and writing of the ID tag 21 by the ID setting transmitting section 37 in accordance with the input of the input section 33, receives the picking information from the computer 6 by the data transmitting and receiving section 38, and stores the corresponding products after the picking. Information such as the quantity is sent to the computer 6. In addition, input from the input unit 33 and I
Various information is displayed on a display device (not shown) in accordance with the reply information from the D tag 21.

The input section 33 includes ten keys, function keys, and the like, and enables information input to the reading / writing device 11. For example, a command is sent to the non-contact type wireless ID tag 21 with the light emitting element of the product storage box 16 in which the target product is stored.

The information storage unit 32 stores a product name ID 39, management data 40, and shipping data 41. Management data 4
0 is management data such as the remaining quantity of goods read from the ID tag 21, and the shipping data 41 includes picking information such as the store name and the quantity of required goods.

The oscillator 34 converts the ID setting information output from the controller 31 into an oscillation signal.

The modulator 35 performs D / A conversion on the oscillation signal from the oscillator 34 and modulates the oscillation signal into a transmission wave.

The transmission / reception unit 42 is an antenna, and transmits a transmission wave from the modulation unit 35 as a radio wave.

The transmitting / receiving section 43 is an antenna, and receives a return wave from the ID tag 21 and sends it to the demodulation section 36. The transmitting / receiving sections 42 and 43 and the transmitting / receiving section 45 on the ID tag side are used.
Form one circuit.

The demodulation section 36 demodulates the signal from the transmission / reception section 43, and A / D converts the demodulated signal and sends it to the controller 31.

On the other hand, in the non-contact type wireless ID tag 21 with the light emitting element, the transmitting / receiving unit 45 and the capacitor 22 for ID tag operation are connected in parallel, and one end of the capacitor 22 is connected to the rectifying unit 23 and the demodulating unit 24. Connected. on the other hand,
The other end of the capacitor 22 is connected to the modulator 25 and the light emitting element 2.
7 is connected. The rectifier 23, the demodulator 24, the modulator 25, and the light emitting element 27 are connected to a main controller 26, and the main controller 26 is connected to a designated ID memory 28 and a data memory 29.

The transmission / reception unit 45 is an antenna, receives a transmission wave from the read / write device 11 and inputs it to the rectification unit 23 and the demodulation unit 24 and sends a return signal from the modulation unit 25 to the read / write device 11. Send.

The rectifier 23 removes noise and the like from a current signal supplied as a power supply to the light emitting element 27 and
Enter 6

The demodulation section 24 demodulates the signal received from the transmission / reception section 45, A / D converts the signal, and inputs the signal to the main control section 26.

The modulating section 25 D / A converts the return signal from the main control section 26, modulates the signal into a transmission signal, and modulates the transmission signal.
5

The light emitting element 27 is composed of an LED or the like.
When a switch in the main control unit 26 is turned on and power is supplied from the main control unit 26, light is emitted.

The designated ID memory 28 stores an ID number received from the read / write device 11.

The data memory 29 stores the ID number of the product managed by the tag 21, the remaining quantity of the product, and other product information.

The main control section 26 is composed of an IC chip or the like having a CPU, and has a power supply function of supplying an analog current signal received from the rectification section 23 to the light emitting element as a power supply, and a setting ID received from the demodulation section 24. And a function of controlling the power supply function by returning digital information to the modulating unit 25 based on the information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main control unit in the ID tag of this embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the main control unit 26 is provided with a switch 46 composed of a flip-flop, an ID comparison / judgment unit 47, and a data change processing unit 48.

The ID comparison / determination unit 47 compares the ID received from the demodulation unit 24 and stored in the specified ID memory 28 with its own ID read from the data memory 29 via the data change processing unit 48. Are matched to the data change etc. processing unit 48 and the switch 46 is controlled to be in the connected state.

The switch 46 is normally in a non-connected state. When a connection command is received from the ID comparison / determination section 47, the switch 46 is in a connected state.
It is designed to flow to the side.

The data change processing section 48 includes information from the demodulation section 24 including the picking quantity and the like,
Upon receiving the ID coincidence notification from the comparison / determination unit 47, the data memory 29 is accessed. With this access, the picking quantity is subtracted from the remaining quantity of the product, and the data memory 29 is obtained.
Is updated, and the result of the update is transmitted to the read / write device 11 via the modulating unit 25.

The data change processing section 48 manages various kinds of information relating to the product in the data memory 29, updates various kinds of information in response to a request from the read / write device 11, and Read / write device 1 for information stored in memory
Send to 1.

Next, the operation of the system using the non-contact type wireless ID tag with the light emitting element according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, picking information is transmitted from the host computer 5 at the head office to the computer 6 at the warehouse / distribution center. The picking information includes delivery destination information such as a store name, an ID number of a picked product, and the number of picks for each target product.

Next, to start picking, the operator connects the read / write device 11 to the computer 6 and causes the read / write device 11 to store picking information.

Thereafter, the read / write device 11 is detached from the computer 6, and picking is started. Although the picking course itself is the same as that shown in FIG. 6, rough classification is made for each product shelf 15, and similar products (work) are on the same product shelf 15.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of the read / write device.

As shown in the figure, the name of the product to be picked together with the
1 is displayed on the display section 44.

The selected product in the display of the picking target can be changed by the up and down keys of the input unit 33. In addition, "done" marks are displayed for picked items. In FIG. 5, the shampoo X is in the selected state, and the rinse B and the toothbrush P have been picked.

The operator performs picking while watching the display on the read / write device 11. For example, when the operator reaches the product shelf 15 in which the shampoo is stored, the operator operates the up and down keys to select the shampoo X as shown in FIG. To In addition, A, B, C,. . X,. . And the like, and are stored in different product storage boxes 16, respectively.

When the enter key (Enter) of the input unit 33 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 5, the controller 3 shown in FIG.
By means of 1, the ID number and picking quantity of the shampoo X are read from the information storage unit 32. These pieces of information are modulated into transmission signals via the oscillation unit 34 and the modulation unit 35 and transmitted to the wireless ID tag 21.

The transmitted radio wave is received by a non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element attached to each product storage box 16, demodulated, A / D converted, and input to the main control unit 26. The ID number input at this time is temporarily stored in the designated ID memory 28.
Is written to.

Next, the ID comparison / determination section 47 of the main control section 26 compares the ID number of the received signal with its own ID number, and confirms whether the transmission is addressed to itself due to a mismatch between the ID numbers. Is done.

In this case, the box 16 in which the shampoo X is stored
The above confirmation is made in the ID tag 26 of the
In the tag 26, the switch 46 is set to the connected state by the ID comparison / determination unit 47.

By this switch connection, the light emitting element 27 emits light. The power source is such that radio waves oscillated by the read / write device 11 are obtained via the rectifier circuit 23 and the switch 46.

Since the wireless ID tag side does not have its own power supply, the light emitting element 27 is turned on only for a moment when an electric circuit is established in the configuration of FIG. Blinking is repeated due to strong oscillation, and it becomes visible. The situation at this time is shown in FIG.

In the case of an ID tag whose ID matches, the remaining quantity of goods in the data memory 29 may be rewritten based on the received quantity information, and the result of the change may be returned to the reading / writing device 11. The process of updating the remaining quantity may be such that the picking quantity is transmitted together with the ID when the enter key of the input section 33 is pressed, and is executed in the ID tag. When the enter key is pressed, only the ID is transmitted and only the light emission is performed, and the quantity update may be performed by pressing a separate function key or the like. Upon receiving the quantity update signal from the ID tag 21, the read / write device 11 corrects its own management data 40 and displays a “done” mark on the display unit 44.

The operator takes out the specified number of shampoos X from the blinking box 16 and terminates the picking for the product. Further, the user goes to the next product shelf 15 according to the display on the read / write device 11 and continues the picking operation.

As described above, in the non-contact type wireless ID tag with the light emitting element according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting element is attached to the wireless ID tag to emit light. Can be explored,
As a result, work effort such as picking can be reduced.

That is, visual confirmation can be made easily, and a specific work can be instantaneously identified from works of the same shape, so that the picking work becomes easy.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, in the embodiment, the wireless ID tag is attached to the product storage box 16 itself. However, if the wireless ID tag is directly attached to the shelf of the product shelf (picking shelf), digital wiring can be performed very inexpensively without wiring work. Picking system can be constructed.

Further, by attaching a sound generating device or the like instead of the light emitting element, the recognition level can be increased.

In the embodiment, the example in which the non-contact type wireless ID tag with the light emitting element is applied to picking has been described. However, the application range of the present invention is not limited to such a case, and the ID tag is visually recognized. Can be used in any need. For example, the pre-shipment confirmation after picking can be reliably performed using the non-contact type wireless ID tag 21 with the light emitting element of the present invention.

[0080]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, I
A light emitting element is attached to the D tag itself, and the light emitting element is turned on when receiving its own ID. Therefore, in response to the transmission from the reading / writing apparatus, the existence of the self can be easily and quickly read / written. A non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light-emitting element that can be shown to a user can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a system using a non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a picking operation.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram showing a configuration example of a non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element and a read / write device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a configuration example of a main control unit in the ID tag of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an external configuration of a read / write device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional picking assist system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Product name ID 2 ... Management data 3 ... Shipping data 4 ... Product management information file 5 ... Host computer 6 ... Computer 11 ... Read / write device 15 ... Product shelf 16 ... Product storage box 21 ... Non-contact wireless with light emitting element ID tag 22 ... Capacitor 23 ... Rectifier unit 24 ... Demodulation unit 25 ... Modulation unit 26 ... Main control unit 27 ... Light emitting element 28 ... Designated ID memory 29 ... Data memory 31 ... Controller 32 ... Information storage unit 33 ... Input unit 34 ... Oscillator 35 Modulator 36 Demodulator 39 Product name ID 40 Management data 41 Shipping data 42, 43 Transmitter / receiver 44 Display 45 Transmitter / receiver 46 Switch 47 ID comparison / determination unit 48 Data change Processing unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshimasa Tobitaka 1-33, Toyotsu-cho, Suita-shi, Osaka Inside Da Skin Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Horino 1-1-1, Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. In the Toshiba head office (72) Inventor Mitsuharu Hoshino 2--24-1, Harumi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo Toshiba FA System Engineering Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3F022 EE05 FF01 MM08 MM11 MM22 MM28 MM36 5B035 AA00 BB09 BC00 CA06 CA23 5B058 CA17 KA06 YA01

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light emitting element, comprising a light emitting element which emits light by current from an antenna generated at the time of radio wave reception. 2. A light emitting element which emits light by current from an antenna generated at the time of radio wave reception; a switch means for connecting or disconnecting a current path for supplying the current to the light emitting element; A non-contact type wireless ID tag with a light-emitting element, comprising: switch control means for comparing the information with the information and setting the switch means to a connected state only when the two match.