JP2001187611A - Id tag with sensor, and container, clinical thermometer, temperature control system and position control system attached with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure the physical quantity of an object in an ID tag to be communicated with an external device through the electric wave. SOLUTION: This ID tag 1 is provided with a sensor unit 3 provided with a temperature sensor 13. A CPU 12 of this sensor unit 3 writes the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 13 every predetermined time into an EEPROM 15. The temperature data written in the EEPROM 15 can be read out by an external reader writer. For example, if such an ID tag 1 with sensor is provided in a beer cask, temperature change of the beer cask over the time from delivery from a beer brewery until served to a customer in a restaurant or the like can be detected, and temperature control of the beer can be sufficiently performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ID tag with a sensor capable of communicating with the outside by radio waves, a container provided with the same,
The present invention relates to a thermometer, a temperature management system, and a position management system.

[0002]

For example, when a beverage or the like requiring refrigeration is transported in a container, stored and provided to a customer, it is determined whether or not the refrigeration temperature is maintained until the beverage is provided to the customer. Is the key to quality control. However, for example, in the case of beer, after transporting the beer packed in a keg from a beer maker to a store such as a restaurant by an insulated truck, that is, after leaving the control of the beer maker,
Temperature control of beer is left to the store, and it is difficult to grasp the actual condition of the temperature control. For this reason, even if there is a store where the temperature management is insufficient, guidance cannot be provided unless the actual state of the management can be grasped.

[0003] Such a problem is not limited to beer, but extends to various kinds of products such as other drinks, foods, and pharmaceuticals. There is a strong demand for help.

[0004] When temperature control of beer or the like is performed,
If temperature data from the manufacturing company to the store can be obtained, it is more convenient for temperature management if it is possible to know what temperature and where the temperature has become, if possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an ID tag with a sensor capable of easily measuring the temperature and the current position of an object and taking out the object, a container provided with the ID tag, and a thermometer. And a temperature management system and a position management system using an ID tag with a sensor.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, data measured by a sensor provided in an ID tag is intermittently stored in a storage means. Is attached to an object to be measured, for example, a beer barrel, the temperature of the beer barrel can be measured and recorded at regular intervals. Then, the temperature data written in the storage means is read by the reading means when the beer is sold to the customer and the barrel returns to the beer maker. The reading of the measurement data at this time
Since the measurement is performed by radio waves, it is not necessary to perform a troublesome operation such as connecting the ID tag and the reading unit with a communication cable, and the measurement data can be easily read. Also, a battery as a power supply for operation can be charged, and when transmitting measurement data from an ID tag to an external reading unit, the battery is charged by a power radio wave transmitted from the external reading unit. As a result, the life of the battery can be extended.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the power supply operation continuation time of the battery is estimated, and the estimated power supply operation continuation time can be transmitted when communicating with an external reading means. In this configuration, for the ID tag with sensor whose power supply operation continuation time has been shortened, it is possible to take measures such as replacing the ID tag with a new one. Can be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the case where data measured by the sensor is written into the storage means at regular time intervals,
The number of times of writing of the subsequent measurement data is estimated, the estimated number of times of writing is compared with the remaining storage capacity of the storage means, and a time interval for writing the measurement data by the sensor to the storage means is changed based on the comparison result. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that the storage unit runs out of free space in the middle of a period in which the sensor measures data. Therefore, even if the data measurement interval becomes long, data can be measured and recorded until the end of the period to be measured.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the position detecting means for measuring the current position is provided, it is possible to know, for example, the temperature of the beer barrel by linking it to the movement (transport) path. The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the sensor is a temperature sensor. In drinks and foods, temperature data has the highest demand as data to be obtained for quality control. Therefore, when the sensor is a temperature sensor, the versatility of the ID tag can be improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the sensor is constituted by the position detecting means, it is possible to know the transport route of the article to which the ID tag with the sensor is attached. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the current position detected by the position detecting means is stored by latitude and longitude, it is possible to easily cope with a case where the sheet is transported to a foreign country.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the ID tag with the sensor is attached to the beverage or medicine container. Therefore, for example, when the container is collected and reused, it is not necessary to replace the ID tag. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since an ID tag having a temperature sensor as a sensor is provided and configured as a thermometer, a daily change in the body temperature of a patient can be taken out at a short time interval at a hospital, for example, and monitoring of the condition of the patient can be performed. Accuracy can be increased.

In the tenth aspect of the present invention, the temperature of the fluid substance put in the container is intermittently measured and stored in the storage means, and the stored temperature data is taken out by the reader / writer. In the case of aging, for example, temperature data of whiskey over many years can be acquired and the aging temperature of whiskey can be managed and used for judging the aging of whiskey.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the body temperature is intermittently measured and stored in the storage means, and the stored data of the body temperature is taken out by the reader / writer. The accuracy of monitoring the condition of the patient can be improved by performing the temperature measurement about four times in units of one hour.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the temperature of the food is measured intermittently and stored in the storage means, and the stored temperature data is taken out by the reader / writer.
For example, when freezing tuna and the like caught in the open sea and transporting it to the market, it can be used to determine whether the storage temperature of the tuna has risen to the thawing temperature on the way.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the current position of the object to which the sensor-equipped ID tag is attached is recorded.
It is possible to know the route along which the article was delivered, and it is possible to easily manage the position of the article in physical distribution.

[0016]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
A description will be given based on FIG. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a sensor-equipped ID tag is attached to a beer barrel (object) and the temperature (physical quantity) of the beer barrel is recorded. FIG. 1 shows an electrical configuration of the sensor-equipped ID tag 1, which comprises a main control unit 2 and a sensor unit 3. The main control unit 2 includes an antenna coil 4 for transmitting and receiving a radio signal, a resonance capacitor 5, a modulation / demodulation circuit 6,
It comprises a CPU 7 as control means, a rectifying / smoothing circuit 8, a ROM 9 constituting a memory unit, an EEPROM 10 as an erasable non-volatile memory, and a communication unit 11.

The antenna coil 4 of the main control unit 2 is connected in parallel with the resonance capacitor 5 to form a resonance circuit. The antenna coil 4 is provided with a predetermined high-frequency power from a reader / writer that also serves as external writing means and reading means. When a radio signal is transmitted, it is received and supplied to the rectifying / smoothing circuit 8. The rectification / smoothing circuit 8 constitutes a power supply circuit for operation of the main control unit 2 and rectifies and smoothes a power radio wave signal transmitted from the resonance circuit, thereby providing a constant voltage DC power (operation power). And supplies it to the CPU 7 and the like.

A signal such as data transmitted from a reader / writer is transmitted by being superimposed on a power radio signal. The data signal is demodulated by a modulation / demodulation unit 6 and provided to a CPU 7. The CPU 7 has a ROM 9
It operates according to the operation program stored in
Executes processing according to the signal input from the modulation / demodulation unit 6,
The received data is written into the EEPROM 10 or
The data is read from the EPROM 10, modulated by the modem 6, and transmitted as a radio signal from the antenna coil 4.

On the other hand, the sensor section 3 includes a CPU 12 as a control means for reading and writing, a temperature sensor 13 as a sensor including a thermistor, a ROM 14 and a RAM 15 constituting a memory section, and a clock section 16 as a time measuring means. , A communication unit 17, and a rechargeable battery 18 as a power supply for operating the entire sensor unit 3.

The clock section 16 of the sensor section 3 includes an oscillator and a frequency dividing circuit, and measures time (time). CPU
10 operates in accordance with the operation program stored in the ROM 14 and writes the temperature data measured by the temperature sensor 13 into the RAM 15 as a storage unit at regular intervals, for example, based on the time measured by the clock unit 16. Has become.

The CPU 7 of the main control unit 2
It is connected to U12 via communication units 11 and 17. When receiving a temperature data acquisition command from an external reader / writer, the CPU 7 of the main control unit 2
2 to output a read command. The CPU 12 of the sensor unit 3 that has received the read command reads the temperature data written in the RAM 15 and transmits it to the main control unit 2. The CPU 7 of the main control unit 2 temporarily stores the temperature data transmitted from the sensor unit 3 in the EEPROM 10 and sequentially transmits the temperature data from the antenna coil 4 to an external reader / writer as a radio signal.

The battery 18 is connected to the output side of the rectifying / smoothing circuit 8 via a diode 19 having a polarity shown in FIG.
When the main control unit 2 operates using a power radio wave signal transmitted from an external reader / writer as a power supply, the main control unit 2 is supplied with power from the rectifying / smoothing circuit 8 and is charged.

The main control unit 2 and the sensor unit 3 configured as described above are integrally molded with plastic while being mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown) to form an ID tag 1 with a sensor. You. The sensor-equipped ID tag 1 is attached to a beer barrel (not shown) as a beverage container, and measures a temperature, which is a physical quantity of beer placed in the beer barrel.

For such an ID tag with sensor 1,
As a reader / writer constituting an external writing unit and reading unit, there is a handheld reader / writer 20. The electrical configuration of the hand-held reader / writer 20 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a hand-held reader / writer 20 has a CPU 21 as control means, a ROM storing an operation program and the like.
22, a RAM 23 that temporarily stores data and the like is mainly configured, and a transmission unit 24 and a reception unit 25 are connected to the CPU 21. The transmitting unit 24 is connected to a transmitting antenna coil 26, and the receiving unit 25 is connected to a receiving antenna coil 27. Also, CP
U21 includes a key switch 28, a display 29 for displaying the content input by the key switch 28, the content of transmission / reception to / from the ID tag with sensor 1, and the like for transmitting data to a host computer (not shown). The communication unit 30 is connected.

The CPU 21 is a hand-held reader / writer 20
When performing communication with the sensor-equipped ID tag 1, first, a carrier signal is modulated by the transmitter 24 and transmitted as a power radio wave signal from the transmission antenna coil 26, and the sensor-equipped ID is transmitted. The main control unit 2 of the tag 1 is operated. Thereafter, the data to be transmitted is modulated by the transmission unit 24 so as to be superimposed on the power radio signal, and transmitted from the transmission antenna coil 26. The radio signal transmitted from the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 is received by the receiving antenna coil 27, demodulated by the receiving unit 25, and discriminated as data. The data discriminated by the receiving unit 25 is R
The information is temporarily stored in the AM 21 and transmitted from the communication unit 30 to the host computer.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. A beer manufacturer fills a beer barrel with beer and transports it to a store such as a restaurant. In this transportation, the key switch 28 of the hand-held reader / writer 20 is operated to first input the identification information (ID information) of the beer keg, and perform an operation for writing the ID information to the ID tag with sensor 1.
Then, the CPU 21 transmits a power radio signal, and then superimposes the ID information of the beer barrel on the power radio signal and transmits the signal.

On the other hand, the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 receives the transmitted power radio signal by the antenna coil 4 and rectifies and smoothes the power radio signal by the rectifying / smoothing circuit 8 to obtain a constant voltage DC power. The data is converted and used as an operation power supply for the CPU 7 and the like. When the power for operation is supplied, the CPU 7 of the main control unit 2 of the ID tag with sensor 1 starts operating, and processes according to the content of the transmitted radio signal, in this case, stores the ID information of the beer barrel in the memory. The data is written into the EEPROM of the unit 9.

Subsequently, the time interval for recording the temperature data and the address of the RAM 15 for writing the temperature data are transmitted from the hand-held reader / writer 17 to the ID tag with sensor 1 in the same manner as described above. Then, the CPU 7 of the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 sets the time interval at which the temperature data is taken, the address at which the temperature data is written, and the like.
2 and write it to the RAM 15.

Thereafter, when a start command is transmitted from the hand-held reader / writer 20 to start recording the temperature data in the ID tag with sensor 1, the CPU 7 of the main control unit 2 sends the measurement data of the temperature sensor 13 to the CPU 12 of the sensor unit 3. Is started at regular time intervals.

The beer barrels are transported by an insulated truck or the like, and then moved to a store such as a restaurant to be sold to customers. When the filled beer is exhausted, the beer barrels are collected by the manufacturer. During this time, the CPU 12 of the sensor unit 3 of the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 reads the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 13 and writes the read temperature into the RAM 15 of the memory unit 13.
It is repeatedly executed each time the predetermined time stored in M15 is counted. Therefore, the temperature from when the beer barrel is shipped from the beer manufacturer to when it is collected by the beer manufacturer is recorded in the RAM 15 at regular intervals.

The worker of the beer maker who has collected the beer barrel operates the hand-held reader / writer 20 to read the data of the ID tag with sensor 1 attached to the beer barrel. Thereby, the CP of the handheld reader / writer 20
U21 transmits the power radio signal and transmits a temperature data acquisition command superimposed on the power radio signal.

Then, the main controller 2 of the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 obtains an operation power source from the power radio signal and operates in the same manner as described above. Then, the CPU 7 outputs a temperature data read command to the CPU 12 of the sensor section 3, and in response to this, the CPU 12 reads temperature data from the RAM 15 of the memory section 9 and transmits it to the main control section 2. Then, the CPU 7 of the main control unit 2 writes the temperature data transmitted from the sensor unit 3 into the EEPROM 10 and transmits the written temperature data from the antenna coil 4 to the hand-held reader / writer 20.

The CPU 21 of the handheld reader / writer 20
The temperature data transmitted from the ID tag with sensor 1 is received and written into the RAM 23. Then, the data written in the RAM 23 is transmitted to a host computer (not shown), and is printed out or displayed on a display.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature of the beer (beer barrel) is transported from the beer maker to a store such as a restaurant, and the beer (the beer barrel) is kept at regular intervals until the store finishes selling the product to customers. Can be recorded on the ID tag with sensor 1. The temperature data recorded in the ID tag with sensor 1 can be easily read out by communication with the hand-held reader / writer 20 by radio waves.

Therefore, by reading out the temperature data recorded in the ID tag with sensor 1, the actual situation of temperature management at the store, which has been difficult in the past, can be grasped by the beer manufacturer. If there is insufficient temperature control at the store, quality control can be thoroughly performed so that a delicious beer can be drunk.

Recording of such temperature data is not limited to beer barrels, but can be similarly performed for other foods and drinks. For example, in a convenience store, the following usage is conceivable. That is, in the convenience store, the food is transported from the manufacturing company in a tray.
This tray has the same sensor-equipped ID as in the first embodiment.
Attach tag 1 and tray (food) at regular intervals
Make sure to record the temperature.

In the convenience store, a hand-held reader / writer 20 is prepared, and temperature data is read from the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 attached to the arriving tray. Since bacteria causing food poisoning propagate in a certain temperature range, it is necessary to confirm from the read-out temperature that the food is not within the temperature range for the bacterial growth to be received. In this way, safe food can be purchased.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the power supply continuation time (remaining capacity) of the battery 18 can be known. The contents of control by the CPU 7 of the main control unit 2 for detecting the power supply duration will be described.

First, in this embodiment, in the ID tag with sensor 1, the date of manufacture of the ID tag with sensor 1 (the power supply start date of the battery 18) is written in the EEPROM 10 of the main control unit 2. The CP of the sensor unit 3
U12 writes the number of times the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 has been read and recorded (hereinafter referred to as the number of times of sensing) into the RAM 15, and indicates the time taken for charging from the rectifying / smoothing circuit 8 as R
It is configured to write to AM15.

Now, the battery 1 of the ID tag with sensor 1
The user operates the hand-held reader / writer 20 to know the power supply continuation time of No. 8. Then, the handheld reader / writer 20
Transmits a power radio signal, and then transmits a power supply continuation time inquiry command superimposed on the power radio signal. Then, the CPU 7 of the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 starts the routine shown in FIG.

When the routine shown in FIG.
Receives an inquiry command for the power supply continuation time from the handheld reader / writer 20 (step SA1), and determines whether or not the received command is an inquiry command (step SA2). If the received command is not the duration inquiry command, the CPU 7 determines "NO" in step SA2, shifts to step SA3, performs processing according to the received command, and ends.

If the received command is an inquiry command of the power supply continuable time, the CPU 7 makes "YES" in step SA2 and writes it in the RAM 15 via the CPU 12 of the sensor unit 3 in the next step SA4. After the manufacturing date is read, and subsequently, the number of times of sensing written in the RAM 15 via the CPU 12 is read in step SA5, the time during which the rectifying / smoothing circuit 8 has been charged is read in step SA6.

Thereafter, the CPU 7 calculates the elapsed time up to the present (the operation time of the CPU 12, etc.) based on the date of manufacture described above, and calculates the battery from the manufacture to the present based on the elapsed time and the number of sensings. In addition to calculating the amount of power consumption of the battery 18, the amount of power charged in the battery 18 is calculated from the charging time. Then, the CPU 17 sets the battery 1
8 calculates the current retained power amount from the initially retained power amount, the supplied power amount, and the power consumption amount, and estimates the possible remaining power supply time from the current retained power amount (step SA7). : Operable time estimation means), and transmits the estimated possible duration to the handheld reader / writer 20 (step SA8), and the process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the battery 1
8 can be known, and if the sustainable time is shorter than the time required to ship and collect the beer barrel from the beer manufacturer, the ID tag with sensor 1
Replace with a new one. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the battery 18 from going up during transportation of the beer barrel or storage at the store.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
This is because when writing the temperature data to the RAM 15 of the sensor unit 3, if the empty area in the storage area of the RAM 15 decreases,
Since it becomes impossible to write the temperature data until the beer barrel is collected, it is designed to cope with this.

The CPU 12 of the sensor section 3 repeatedly executes the routine of FIG. 4 at predetermined time intervals. When the execution of this routine is started, the CPU 12 first reads out the storage capacity of the RAM 15 (step SB1), and then reads out the number of times of sensing. After that, the CPU 12 estimates the number of times of sensing in the future. For the estimation of the number of times of sensing, the average time from shipment to collection of the beer barrel is stored in the RAM 15, the elapsed time from shipment to the present is subtracted from the average required time, and the difference time is divided by the sensing time interval. Can be estimated. Then, the CPU 12
The storage capacity used for storing the temperature data is subtracted from the storage capacity of AM15, and the difference capacity is divided by the number of sensings in the future. Then, the CPU 12 writes the sensing interval obtained as described above into the RAM 15, and thereafter reads the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 and writes it into the RAM 15 at each sensing interval.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the RAM 15
When the empty capacity of the battery decreases, the temperature data is written at the time interval corresponding to the empty capacity, so even if the time interval for taking the temperature data is long, the temperature data can be continuously recorded until the beer barrel is collected. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that the storage area of the RAM 15 becomes empty before the beer barrel is collected, and the temperature data cannot be recorded halfway.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 31 is provided as a position sensor. This GPS receiver 3
1 is a sensor-equipped I based on a transmission signal from a GPS satellite.
The current position of the D tag 1 is measured.
The PU 12 reads the measurement position of the GPS receiving device 31 at predetermined time intervals and stores it in the RAM 15 as a storage unit. The position information stored in the RAM 15 is read by the handheld reader / writer 20 in the same manner as the temperature data. The measurement position of the GPS receiver 31 is stored in the RAM 15
Is stored in the RAM at the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 13.
It is preferable to set the same as the time when the data is stored in 15.

The above-mentioned position information may indicate the current position by a place name or may indicate the current position by latitude and longitude. When expressed in latitude and longitude, it can be expressed as one point on the earth, so when the object is transported overseas or transported from overseas, it is possible to accurately grasp the transport route. it can.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a change in the position of the ID tag with sensor 1 can be known from the position information stored in the RAM 15. For this reason, when shipping beer barrels from a beer manufacturer, it is necessary to determine which store to transport to beer barrels.
It is not necessary to record in M15 or the like, and the writing operation can be simplified.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the ID tag with sensor 1 shown in the first embodiment is a thermometer 32. In FIG. 6, the main body 33 is made of plastic, and the ID tag with sensor 1 is embedded therein. Bands 34 and 35 as fixing means are attached to both sides of the main body 33.
4 and 35 are configured to be connectable.

To measure the body temperature, the main body 33 is applied to the arm and fixed to the arm with bands 34 and 35. As a result, the temperature sensor 13 of the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 can measure the body temperature via the resin portion of the main body 33, and the measured data is written to the RAM 15 at regular time intervals. For this reason, unlike the related art, the body temperature can be measured, for example, every 5 minutes, and the accuracy of monitoring the condition of the patient can be improved.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to malt whiskey (raw sake).
Is stored in wooden barrels and applied to temperature control when aged. FIG. 7 shows a wooden barrel 36 as a container filled with malt whiskey W as a fluid substance. As shown in the figure, the ID tag with sensor 1 is attached to the inner surface of the barrel 36 so as to be immersed in the malt whiskey WW inside. I with sensor of this embodiment
As the D tag 1, the same one as shown in the first embodiment is used.

The wooden barrel 36 is stored in a constant temperature room such as an underground room, and matures the malt whiskey W over several years or over ten years. From the start of storage, measurement of temperature data by the ID tag with sensor 1 is performed every predetermined time, for example, every hour. FIG. 8 shows R of the sensor unit 3.
The data stored in the AM 15 is conceptually shown, in which the measurement start date and time (including the date and time) and the ID number of the barrel 36 are recorded as management data, and the measurement temperature is the measurement date and time (year (Including date and time).

When the temperature of the malt whiskey W temporarily rises during the storage period due to rapid maturation or the like,
Since the malt whiskey W is damaged, the temperature data measured, for example, every hour is read out from the ID tag with sensor 1 periodically, for example, every week or every month, and based on the temperature data, The aging of the whiskey W is managed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the management of the aging of malt whiskey W. First, malt whiskey W
When packing in a barrel 36 and storing it in a constant temperature room, a reader / writer,
For example, the ID information of the barrel 36, a time interval for measuring the temperature data, an address for writing the temperature data, and the like are transmitted from the hand-held reader / writer 20 shown in the first embodiment to the ID tag with sensor 1. Subsequently, a start command is transmitted from the hand-held reader / writer 20 to the ID tag with sensor 1 to start temperature measurement (step SC1).

The ID tag with sensor 1 which has received the start command thereafter measures the temperature of the malt whiskey W every time the designated time elapses, and sequentially stores it in the RAM 15 (steps SC2, SC3, SC3). "NO" is repeated in step SC4). When the temperature data reading time comes, the administrator transmits a temperature data acquisition command from the handheld reader / writer 20. Then, the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 becomes “YES” in step SC, and R
The temperature management data stored in the AM 15 is read and transmitted to the hand-held reader / writer 20 (step SC
5). After that, the sensor-equipped ID tag 1
A process for erasing the temperature management data stored in the AM 15 is performed (step SC6) to prepare for the acquisition of the next temperature data. If the RAM 15 has a capacity to store temperature data for 10 years or more, there is no need to delete the temperature management data.

The temperature management data transmitted from the ID tag with sensor 1 is received by the hand-held reader / writer 20, and the reader / writer 20 stores the received temperature management data in the RAM 23.
To memorize. Then, the handheld reader / writer 20 checks whether or not the received temperature management data includes a temperature exceeding a preset upper limit temperature (step SC).
7) If the temperature is lower than the upper limit temperature, it is determined that the temperature is normal (step S).
"YES" in C8), and transmits the temperature management data to the host computer (not shown) (step SC10).

If there is a temperature exceeding the upper limit temperature in the received temperature management data, the handheld reader / writer 20 determines "NO" in step SC8, and displays that fact on the display 29, for example, or generates a sound. In the case where a means is provided, in addition to the display on the display 29, a beep sound is output to notify the user (step SC10), and the temperature management data is transmitted to a host computer (not shown) (step SC10).
10). For the barrel 36 that has exceeded the upper limit temperature, the installation position, surrounding conditions, and the like are recorded and used as data for investigating the cause of the temperature abnormality. The malt whiskey W in the barrel 36 exceeding the upper limit temperature is discarded.

The temperature management data input to the host computer is analyzed and used as data for judging the quality of aging, the degree of aging, and the like. The barrel 36 exceeding the upper limit temperature may be used for investigating the cause of the abnormal temperature by analyzing the temperature data.

The temperature control as described above is not limited to the case where the malt whiskey W is stored, but can be applied to the management of a fluid substance, for example, a liquid medicine or milk contained in a container. In this case, since the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 is attached to the inside of the container and measures the temperature of the medicine or milk, the temperature can be measured even during transportation, and the quality control can be ensured.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to temperature control of frozen tuna. FIG. 10 shows a frozen tuna T, and an ID tag 1 with a sensor similar to that shown in FIG. 1 is embedded in the tail portion thereof. This ID tag with sensor 1 is buried in the tail when catching the tuna, and thereafter the tuna is frozen.

FIG. 11 shows a temperature data acquiring device 37 provided in a market for finally turning frozen tuna T to a distribution channel to consumers. The acquisition device 37 includes a belt conveyor 38 for transporting the frozen tuna T, and a belt conveyor 38
, A fixed reader / writer 41 having an antenna unit 40 attached to the gate 39, and a disposal roller conveyor 42 disposed adjacent to the end of the belt conveyor 38. And a shipping roller conveyor 43 installed at a position opposite to the belt conveyor 38 with the waste roller conveyor 42 interposed therebetween.
It is composed of In addition, the roller conveyor 4 for disposal
2 is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 38, and the conveying direction of the shipping roller conveyor 43 is the same as that of the belt conveyor 38.

The electrical configuration of the fixed reader / writer 41 is the same as that of FIG.
The transmitting unit 26 and the receiving antenna 27 are provided in the antenna unit 40, and the other elements are provided in the control unit 44.

In the above configuration, the temperature management of the frozen tuna T will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In a fishing boat that has captured tuna, the tail of the tuna is cut open and the ID tag with sensor 1 is embedded. Then, a start command is transmitted from the hand-held reader / writer 20 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 to the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 in order to start temperature measurement in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment (step SD1).

After receiving the start command, the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 changes the temperature of the tuna T every time the designated time elapses from the freezing of the fishing boat to the transport to the fish market via the fishing port. The measurement is performed and sequentially stored in the RAM 15 (step SD2, step SD3, step S3).
D4 repeats "NO").

When the frozen tuna T arrives at the market and is placed on the belt conveyor 38 near the gate 39, the fixed reader / writer 41 transmits a temperature data acquisition command from the antenna unit 40. Then, the ID tag with sensor 1 becomes "YES" in step SD, reads out the temperature management data stored in the RAM 15, and transmits it to the fixed reader / writer 41 (step SD5). In this embodiment, the temperature management data stored in the RAM 15 of the sensor unit 3 is performed after the sensor-equipped ID 1 is collected from the frozen tuna T.

The temperature management data transmitted from the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 is received by the fixed reader / writer 41 via the antenna section 40, and the reader / writer 41 stores the received temperature management data in the RAM 23. Then, the fixed reader / writer 41 checks whether or not the received temperature management data includes a temperature exceeding a preset upper limit temperature (step SD6), and determines that the temperature is normal if the temperature is lower than the upper limit temperature. (“YES” in step SD7), and transmits the temperature management data to the host computer (not shown) (step SD9).

If there is a temperature exceeding the upper limit temperature in the received temperature management data, the fixed reader / writer 41 determines "NO" in step SD7, and displays that fact on a display (not shown), for example. Alternatively, if a sound-producing means is provided, in addition to the display on the display, a beep sound is emitted to notify the user (step SD8), and the temperature management data is transmitted to a host computer (not shown) (step SD8). SD
9). The frozen tuna T that has exceeded the upper limit temperature is conveyed to a predetermined disposal place by activating the disposal roller conveyor 42 receiving the disposal signal from the fixed reader / writer 41. With respect to the frozen tuna T having a temperature equal to or lower than the upper limit temperature, the disposal roller conveyor 42 does not start, and passes through the disposal roller conveyor 42 as it is, and the shipping roller conveyor 43.
To the shipping location. The temperature management data input to the host computer is analyzed and used as data for analyzing in which distribution process the frozen tuna T has exceeded the thawing temperature.

In the seventh embodiment, the GP shown in FIG.
If the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 having the S receiving device 31 is used, it is possible to specify a place exceeding the thawing temperature.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, but can be extended or modified as follows. The temperature sensor 13 is removed from the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 shown in FIG. 5, and the sensor-equipped ID tag 1 having only the position detecting means (GPS receiver 31) is configured as a sensor, and this is attached to an object to be conveyed. By doing so, the transport route of the object can be managed. That is, the current position acquired by the GPS receiver 31 is stored in the RAM 15 at predetermined time intervals. For this reason, when the object arrives at the final destination position, by taking out the position measurement data from the ID tag with sensor 1, it is possible to know what route from the departure place to the destination. Then, it is possible to analyze the location where a lot of time is spent and to perform position management or distribution management such as making data for early conveyance. Also in this case, the position may be represented by a place name, or may be represented by latitude and longitude. In the first embodiment, the temperature data is
The timing for writing to M15 may be determined every 24 hours, that is, at a predetermined time. The ID tag with the temperature sensor is not limited to a beer barrel, and may be provided in a container for other drinks such as juice or a container for medicines. Using the thermometer 32 of the fifth embodiment, the body temperature is measured, for example, every 5 minutes or every hour in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment, and the measured temperature is read out by the reader / writer 20 at regular intervals to manage the body temperature. May be. The ID tag with sensor 1 can record ID information. Whether or not to actually record the ID information may be determined depending on the case. The sensor is not limited to a temperature sensor, and may be a sensor that detects another physical quantity, such as a humidity sensor or an acceleration sensor. When the acceleration sensor is used, it is possible to know the impact applied to the object during transportation, and to estimate the damage of the object from this.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an ID tag with a sensor.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the handheld reader / writer.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a flow chart showing the contents of control for estimating and transmitting a possible power supply continuation time.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a flow chart showing control contents when determining an empty capacity of a RAM and a time interval for writing measurement data.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a thermometer according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a barrel showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of temperature management data.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of temperature management.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention and showing frozen tuna.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a device for acquiring temperature data from an ID tag of frozen tuna.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of temperature management;

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 1 is an ID tag with a sensor, 2 is a main control unit, 3 is a sensor unit, 7 is a CPU, 12 is a CPU (writing unit),
13 is a temperature sensor (sensor), 15 is a RAM (storage means), 16 is a clock section (time measuring means), 16 is a battery,
0 is a hand-held reader / writer (reading means), 32 is a GPS receiver (position sensor), 33 is a thermometer, 36 is a barrel (container), 39 is a belt conveyor, 40 is a gate, 41 is an antenna, and 42 is a fixed type. Reader / writer, 43 is a roller conveyor for disposal, 44 is a roller conveyor for shipping, 45 is a control unit, W is malt whiskey (fluid substance),
T is a frozen tuna.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/40 340 G06F 17/40 340C G06K 17/00 G06K 17/00 L 19/00 19/00 Q 19 / 07 N

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An ID tag attached to an object and capable of reading and writing type information of the object, comprising: a sensor; a storage unit; a timer unit; A writing control unit that writes measurement data to the storage unit; and a battery as a power supply for performing an operation of writing measurement data from the sensor to the storage unit intermittently. The measurement data can be transmitted to the external reading means by radio waves, and the battery can be charged. When the measurement data of the sensor is transmitted, the battery is charged by the power radio waves transmitted by the external reading means. An ID tag with a sensor, characterized in that the ID tag is configured to be operated. 2. An operable time estimating means for collecting data relating to the operable time of the power supply operation of the battery, and estimating the operable time of the power supply operation of the battery from the data is provided. 2. The sensor-equipped ID tag according to claim 1, wherein the power supply operation continuable time of the battery can be transmitted when communicating with the external reading means. 3. Estimating the number of times of writing of the subsequent measurement data, comparing the estimated number of times of writing with the remaining storage capacity of the storage means, and storing the measurement data by the sensor based on the comparison result. 3. The sensor-equipped ID tag according to claim 1, wherein a time interval for writing to the means is changed. 4. A position detecting means for detecting a current position in addition to the sensor, wherein the position detected by the position detecting means is intermittently stored in the storage means together with data measured by the sensor. The ID tag with a sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The ID tag with a sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor. 6. An ID tag with a sensor according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is a position detecting means for detecting a current position. 7. The measured data of a current position by the position detecting means is based on latitude and longitude.
Or the ID tag with a sensor according to 6. 8. A beverage or medicine container to which the sensor-equipped ID tag according to claim 1 is attached. 9. A thermometer provided with the ID tag with sensor according to claim 5. 10. An ID tag with a sensor according to claim 5, which is provided inside a container containing a flowable substance, and the ID.
A reader / writer for reading and writing to the tag, intermittently measuring the temperature of the fluid substance in the container by the ID tag with the sensor, and reading the temperature measurement data stored in the storage means of the ID tag to the reader. A temperature management system for a fluid material, wherein the temperature is managed by reading the fluid material with a writer. 11. The sensor-equipped ID tag according to claim 5, which is attached to a human body, and a reader / writer that reads and writes the ID tag. A body temperature management system, wherein body temperature management is performed by reading the body temperature measurement data stored in a storage unit of a tag by the reader / writer. 12. The sensor-equipped ID tag according to claim 5, which is attached to food, and a reader / writer that reads and writes the sensor-equipped ID tag, wherein the sensor ID tag intermittently measures the temperature of the food. A food temperature management system wherein the temperature measurement data stored in the storage means of the ID tag is read out by the reader / writer to perform temperature management. 13. The sensor-equipped ID tag according to claim 6, which is attached to an object to be conveyed, and a reader / writer that reads / writes the ID tag, wherein the sensor-equipped ID tag is provided by the position detecting means. A position management system, wherein the position is measured intermittently, and the measurement data stored in the storage means is read by the reader / writer to perform position management of the object.