JP2001247210A - Article information processor and article information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article information processor to facilitate rearrangement of articles and to easily correspond to renewal of an arranging position and an article information processing method. SOLUTION: It is possible to read and confirm an original arranging position only at the working site side and to facilitate restoring rearrangement of an article Mati to its original arranging position by reading arrangement information (shelf number irk, category icatg, floor location ifl, display order iod) from an article side information tag TFMi attached to the article Mati by an article information processor IP1 at the time of rearrangement after moving the article Mati displayed on a shelf RKi from its arranging position and speedily and certainly give the read out arrangement information in display, printing or voice by a built-in information means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article information processing apparatus and an article information processing method, and more particularly to an article information processing apparatus and an article information processing method capable of easily relocating articles and easily updating the arrangement position. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, articles as commodities are displayed at an arrangement position such as a shelf, a display stand, or a wagon in an arrangement mechanism configured to allow the articles to be arranged. For example, in a rental store, using the arrangement mechanism, the displayed goods are displayed to the customer and redisplayed by lending and returning, or at the production site, resupply is performed by supplying and returning tools and the like, and in the warehouse. , Inventory management of articles arranged by the arrangement mechanism is performed. Article display by such an arrangement mechanism is widely introduced, and a print label on which data such as the arrangement position is printed is attached to each article and arranged at the corresponding arrangement position in the arrangement mechanism. Attachment of the print label is performed when the article is first introduced or rearranged. Therefore, the relocation destination of the article at the time of redisplay is the arrangement position in the arrangement mechanism unless otherwise changed.

[0003] The case where the article is a rental video cassette and the arrangement mechanism is a shelf will be described as an example. When the video cassette is first introduced, the number of the shelf on which it is displayed and the position in the shelf are printed as arrangement information. The printed label is attached and displayed. As a result, the destination of the video cassette is the position in the shelf of the shelf of the shelf number. The customer selects and removes the desired video cassette from the shelf where many video cassettes are displayed, takes it out with a rental contract at the procedure window, returns it at a later date, and returns the returned video cassette. Location information (shelf number and position in shelf) indicated by the print label affixed to
Is visually read by the organizer and displayed again at the same arrangement position as before on the displayed shelves. This re-display operation is called a master back.

[0004] Furthermore, when the arrangement position of the rental goods to be displayed is changed due to a change of the store or the like, and the returned goods are rearranged, the returned goods are not returned to the original display shelf but are placed on another display shelf. When changing the shelf steps or corners even for the same shelf, the update arrangement position for each article is centrally and centrally managed by the central master file, and instructions for the arrangement update are sent from the master file via the line to the site. It was emitted to the side. Alternatively, when relocating the returned goods, an inquiry (inquiry) was sent from the site via the online line to the master file on the central side, and the updated arrangement position information was obtained as a response.

[0005] Information such as the above update arrangement is raw information that changes each time, and is described as "active information". Conventional signs represented by print labels are used by being printed on a mount. This is a permanent record that is difficult to update as described above, and is not suitable for recording such active information in an updatable and recordable manner. Therefore, when an updated arrangement is generated, the operation of replacing the data of the arrangement position with a new printed label has been performed. This is not limited to the sales field,
At present, the same is done at production sites and warehouse sites.

[0006]

According to the configuration using the conventional print label or the like, as described above: Since the print label is attached to the product and is formed in a small size, the area on which the print is made is limited. Therefore, when the print amount of the arrangement information is large, the print label is printed in small characters. 1. In the rearrangement work, it is not easy for the organizer to visually confirm, and the misreading rate increases. There has been the above-mentioned problem that a troublesome work such as reprinting of the print label and replacement of the label when the arrangement position is updated is required. Further, in the system for centrally managing the arrangement information in the master file as described above,
It is necessary to import the location information to the site via an online line. 1. There is a problem in responsiveness due to the occurrence of line waiting. 2. Line load increases online. 3. high system cost; There were problems such as the shutdown of the entire system due to a master file down (function stoppage accident), and improvements in reliability, simplification of work, responsiveness, management costs and operation costs were expected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems in the prior art as described above. (1) There is no visual misreading at the time of rearranging articles, and the reliability is improved.
(2) There is no need to replace and replace items at the time of renewal arrangement, simplifying the work, and (3) without imposing a load on the line,
(4) Excellent responsiveness, (5) Low management and operation costs, (6)
It is an object of the present invention to provide an article information processing apparatus and an article information processing method which have high reliability without a total system stop, facilitate relocation of articles, and can easily respond to updating of arrangement positions.

[0008]

Before describing the means for solving the problems, terms used in the present invention will be briefly described. However, the following is a description for assisting the understanding of the present invention, and the following description does not limit the definition, range, and the like of each term.

"Information tag": article information which records information about an article in a reproducible and / or rewritable manner, can be attached to or integrally formed with an article, and is also a reader / writer having an information writing / reading function. It is a small-sized information carrier device or information recording / reproducing device capable of exchanging information without contact with a processing device. The information tag includes a memory unit capable of recording and reproducing information, and an information transfer unit for communicating with the article information processing apparatus. The information tag analyzes at least instruction information supplied from the article information processing apparatus, and stores the information based on the information. The recording information can be recorded / updated or the recorded information can be reproduced from the memory unit, and the response information can be supplied to the article information processing apparatus.

[Information]: Recording / holding / reproducing /
Information that can be updated, added, deleted, etc.
There is type information and second type information. The first type of information is “presence information”, and the second type of information is “state information” or “application information”. Both are formed as data relating to the article on a spatiotemporal region formed by spatiotemporal coordinates. The second type of information is active information that frequently changes.

"Presence information" (also referred to as fixed information): Presence or identification of the article (identification)
This is basic information related to the existence of the article, and is information that has little change in a spatio-temporal region formed by spatio-temporal coordinates, and is classified as a first type of information. Examples include the identification code (so-called ID), product number, dimensions, shape, weight, color tone, specifications, purchase price, scientific name, academic classification code, and the like of the article. Therefore, the presence information is a first type of information that is fixed in time or / and space. The update is possible, but the frequency is lower than the frequency of the state information described later.

"Status information": Information on attributes of an article having the above-mentioned presence information at a specific position in a space-time area formed by time coordinates and space coordinates, and the temporal / space derived based on the presence information. This is active information that frequently changes and includes information that is highly dependent. This is classified as the second type of information. Examples include the release date and location of the product, the elapsed time since release, display or display location information of the product, list price, actual selling price, discount rate, transaction records (for rental products, the number of days and number of loans), Such as past / present information. Therefore, the status information is a second type of information that constantly changes temporally and / or spatially, and is constantly updated or added.

"POP (Point of Processing)": At a sales site, a production site, or the like, any information belonging to the product or product, including application information as well as existence information of the product or product, is converted to the product or product. The concept of writing or regenerating information tags attached to the information tags and completing all or most of these processes on the site is referred to as POP (point of processing). This POP (Point of Processing) is an extension of the conventional concept of POS, and is a concept proposed by the present applicant.

"POM (Point of Management)": Not only management of all information belonging to the product or product, such as application information, but also information on the product or product at the sales site or production site. Furthermore, the concept of managing both the product itself and the product itself, that is, performing both management integrally, only on the site side or mainly on the site side, is referred to as POM (Point of Management). This POM (Point of Management) is
It extends the concept of S and is a concept proposed by the present applicant.

Hereinafter, means according to the present invention will be described. In order to solve the problem of the prior art and to achieve the object, an article information processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention provides an article information processing apparatus with an article which can be movably arranged at an arbitrary position in an arrangement mechanism for arranging articles. A reading means for reading the article information from an information tag which is attached or integrated into the article and integrated therein, and in which the article information including at least the arrangement information relating to the arrangement position of the article is stored in a built-in storage means; Means, and a notifying means for notifying the read or printed information of the article information, and, prior to execution of rearrangement after the article has been moved from the arrangement position of the arrangement mechanism, the The reading means reads at least the arrangement information from the information tag, and the notifying means informs the read arrangement information.

According to the article information processing apparatus described above, before the relocation after the article is moved from the arrangement position in the arrangement mechanism, the arrangement information is read from the information tag of the article by the reading means. The arrangement information is notified by the notifying unit to indicate the original arrangement position, and the article can be easily restored and rearranged to the original arrangement position. In addition, by being displayed, printed, or notified by voice, the original arrangement position can be easily, quickly and reliably confirmed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article information processing apparatus which is attached to an article which can be movably arranged at an arbitrary position in an arrangement mechanism for arranging the article, or which is integrated with the article to be integrated. Reading means for reading the article information from an information tag in which article information including at least specific information relating to the specification of the article and arrangement information relating to an arrangement position of the article is stored in a built-in storage means; An update information holding unit that can hold updated arrangement information in association with the specific information; and a write management unit that writes predetermined information to the information tag, and wherein the article has the arrangement mechanism. Before executing the rearrangement after being moved from the information tag, the reading means reads the article information from the information tag, and the writing management means reads the article information from the information tag by the reading means. If the updated arrangement information corresponding to the specified information is held in the update information holding unit, the updated arrangement information is written to the corresponding information tag based on the specific information. It is characterized by having comprised.

According to the article information processing apparatus, when the arrangement position at the time of rearrangement is updated from the original arrangement position after the article is moved from the original arrangement position, the updated arrangement information is updated. The specific information read from the information tag by the reading unit and the updated information held in the update information holding unit are stored in the update information holding unit in association with the specific information of the item, and before the reallocation of the article is performed. Based on the arrangement information, the write management means operates to write the updated arrangement information into the information tag. By this operation, the arrangement information of the information tag is updated, and the arrangement information is subsequently read from the information tag, so that the article can be easily rearranged to the updated arrangement position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article information processing method, wherein the article information processing method is attached to an article arranged at an arbitrary position in an arrangement mechanism capable of arranging the article, or is integrated into the article by integrating the article; A first step of reading the article information from an information tag in which article information including at least placement information relating to the location of the article is stored in a built-in storage unit; and displaying, printing, or voice-reading the article information. And the first step reads the placement information from the information tag before performing the relocation after the article has been moved from the placement position of the placement mechanism, The second step is characterized in that the read arrangement information is notified.

According to the article information processing method, before the article moved from the arrangement position in the arrangement mechanism is re-arranged, the arrangement information recorded from the information tag of the article is read. By notifying the arrangement information, the original arrangement position is indicated, so that the article can be easily restored and rearranged to the original arrangement position. In addition, by being displayed, printed, or notified by voice, the original arrangement position can be easily, quickly and reliably confirmed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article information processing method comprising: attaching information to an article arranged at an arbitrary position in an arrangement mechanism capable of arranging the article; When the article information is recorded in the storage means incorporated in the tag, including at least the specific information related to the specification of the article and the arrangement information related to the arrangement position of the article,
The first step of holding the updated arrangement information relating to the article in association with the specific information, and before executing the rearrangement performed after the article is moved from the arrangement mechanism, the information tag A second step of reading the article information, and if the updated arrangement information associated with the read specific information is held, the updated arrangement information is associated with the updated arrangement information based on the specific information. And a third step of writing to the information tag.

According to the article information processing method described above, after the article is moved from the original arrangement position, if the arrangement position at the time of rearrangement is updated from the original arrangement position, the updated arrangement information is updated. The updated arrangement information is stored in association with the specific information of the article, and then based on the specific information of the article read from the information tag and the updated arrangement information held before the article is arranged again. Written to the information tag. By this writing, the arrangement information of the information tag is updated,
Therefore, by reading the updated arrangement information from the information tag when the article is rearranged thereafter, the article can be easily rearranged to the updated arrangement position.

[0023]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is a part of a preferred example for showing the essential configuration and operation of the present invention, and therefore, various restrictions which are preferable in the technical configuration may be given. The scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description. Furthermore, in each of the following embodiments, a shelf is applied as an example of an arrangement mechanism capable of arranging articles, but the arrangement mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to a shelf, Any mechanism such as can be applied.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a mode of using a first embodiment of an article information processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG. The article information processing device IP1 according to the present embodiment has a function of reading or writing information in a non-contact manner with respect to a non-contact type information tag, and controls the operation of the information tag in accordance with the usage form of the information tag. ,
The information tag reads and notifies the arrangement information of the article from the information tag, and is used in the article rearrangement work shown in FIG. In the figure, for example, rental goods are displayed and displayed on shelves on the floor of a rental store. These rental goods are moved from the shelves by lending, and are displayed again on the shelves at the end of the lending.

A plurality of shelves RKi as an arrangement mechanism are arranged on the floor, each shelf RKi is provided with a shelf side information tag TFRi, and at least one display article Mat is provided on the shelf.
i is displayed. In addition, each displayed article Mat
An article-side information tag is attached to each of i. The shelf side information tag TFRi includes information storage means.
The information relating to the existence of i is the first type information isjr1 on the shelf side.
It is recorded as. The first type information isjr on the shelf side
Numeral 1 forms arrangement mechanism specifying information which can specify the arrangement mechanism or the position within the arrangement mechanism (shelf or position within the shelf). In the present embodiment, the shelf number (shelf number) irk, category icatg, floor location (Corner number) i
The first type information isjr1 on the shelf side consisting of fl is recorded as arrangement mechanism specifying information. Therefore, the shelf can be specified by reading the arrangement mechanism specifying information from the shelf side information tag TFRi.

On the other hand, the article-side information tag TFMi is provided with information storage means, and is information for specifying the displayed article Mati or information relating to the existence of the displayed article Mati. Information (see Figure 6)
As the second type information isjm2 on the article side, which is information relating to the existence of the displayed article Mati, and the arrangement mechanism or the position in the arrangement mechanism (shelf or in-shelf position) where the displayed article Mati is displayed. Number (shelf number) irk, category icat, which is information for specifying
g, floor location (corner number) ifl, and display rank iod are recorded. As a result, the display article M
The position of the ati is the shelf or the position in the shelf specified by the second type information. Therefore, when the rented display item Mati is returned as shown in FIG. 1, the recorded second type information isjm2 on the item side is read out using the item information processing device IP1.
This display article Mati can be rearranged to a correct arrangement position.

The article information processing apparatus IP1 is operated by a non-contact approaching operation so that the shelf-side information tag TFRi and the article-side information tag TF
It is configured to read information from Mi or write and record information. The article information processing apparatus IP1 is, for example, configured as a handy type as shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. 1, an electromagnetic field generated by the operator without contact with the shelf-side information tag TFRi or the article-side information tag TFM1. Is moved to a position where the user can respond.

To explain the actual operation, when information is exchanged between the shelf side information tag TFRi or the article side information tag TFMi and the article information processing apparatus IP1, at least the article information processing apparatus IP1 is formed in the non-contact type. It is necessary to locate the shelf-side information tag TFRi or the article-side information tag TFMi in an area that can respond to the electromagnetic field. Therefore, the shelf side information tag TFRi or the article side information tag T
The FMi and the article information processing device IP1 are relatively approached so that they are sensitive to the formed electromagnetic field.
Usually, the handy type article information processing apparatus IP1 is moved to approach the article side information tag TFMi attached to the article Mati placed at the stationary position, or the article side information tag TFMi is attached to the stationary article information processing apparatus IP1. The tag TFMi (specifically, an article Mat with an article-side information tag TFMi attached thereto)
An operation of moving and approaching i) is performed. These approaching operations are executed, for example, by an operator performing an operation of “over” one of them. Thereby, the information tag side exchanges information with the article information processing apparatus IP1 in response to the electromagnetic field. Further, the information transfer and the information processing in the information tag can be executed only during the period during which the approach-sensitive operation is continued.

As shown in FIG. 2, the article information processing device IP1 includes an antenna device ANT1 and a clock generator R1.
, A filter unit R2, a modulation unit R3, and a power amplification unit R4
A terminal voltage detection unit R5, a demodulation unit R6, a transmission / reception interface unit R7, an input / output interface unit R8,
Read-only memory unit R11, arithmetic processing unit (microprocessor unit) Cpu, working memory unit Wkm
, Input means Ipky, and display means Dply,
Operate in transmission / reception mode and application execution mode. In the transmission / reception mode, an instruction signal and / or recording data is added to the information tag, or a response from the information tag is received. Further, in the application execution mode, the reading / notification processing of the arrangement position of the article is executed using the information obtained in the transmission / reception mode.

The arithmetic processing unit Cpu operates in a stored program mode, and can read and execute a program stored in the read-only memory unit R11. Temporary data generated during reading and execution of the program by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu is provisionally stored in the working memory unit Wkm. The clock generator R1 is configured to include an oscillation circuit and a frequency divider, outputs a clock signal having a carrier frequency, divides the frequency of the clock signal, and generates an operation reference clock for various digital circuits in the device. A master clock is generated and output. The carrier clock signal is supplied to the filter circuit section R2. The master clock is the control unit R1
1, the modulation unit R3, the demodulation unit R6, the arithmetic processing unit Cpu, the working memory unit Wkm, the display unit Dply, and the like.

The filter section R2 is provided with a circuit including a low-pass filter for waveform shaping and the like, and removes high-frequency components of the carrier clock signal to output a sine wave signal of the carrier frequency as a carrier signal. This carrier signal is supplied to the modulation section R3. At the time of transmission, the modulation section R3 transmits the encoded transmission signal dt from the transmission / reception interface section R7.
, And performs, for example, ASK modulation on the carrier based on the transmission signal dt, and outputs the resulting signal as a modulated signal. The modulation signal is supplied to power amplification section R4. The modulation unit R3 is configured to receive the encoded information to be transmitted at the time of reception, and to pass the carrier through to the power amplification unit R4.

The power amplifying section R4 is configured to amplify the power of the modulated signal at a predetermined amplification factor during transmission and to amplify only the carrier at a predetermined amplification factor during reception. The power-amplified modulated signal or carrier is transmitted to the antenna ANT1.
Supplied to The antenna ANT1 is configured by a loop antenna for both transmission and reception, and forms an electromagnetic field based on a modulated signal during transmission and forms an electromagnetic field based on a carrier wave during reception. And inductive coupling via an electromagnetic field.

The terminal voltage detector R5 is connected to the antenna ANT1.
The circuit is configured to detect the fluctuation of the high frequency voltage generated in the demodulation unit R6 and supply the detected voltage to the demodulation unit R6. Note that the input impedance of the terminal voltage detection unit R5 is
It is set sufficiently higher than the impedance of T1.
The demodulation unit R6 performs demodulation based on the detection voltage, and outputs a demodulated signal d.
The circuit is configured to supply r to the transmission / reception interface unit R7. The transmission / reception interface unit R7 converts the data received when the arithmetic processing unit Cpu executes the reading of the program in the read-only memory unit R11 into a transmission signal dt and provides the transmission signal dt to the modulation unit R3 or the demodulation unit R3.
The program converts the demodulated signal dr received from 6 into data, and provides the data to the arithmetic processing unit Cpu that is executing the program in the read-only memory unit R11.

The input means Ipky is constituted by a keyboard or the like operated by the operator, and data and instruction information input by the operator in the transmission / reception mode or the application execution mode are processed by the input / output interface unit R8. The display means Dply is a liquid crystal panel (LC
D) and an input / output interface R
It functions as a notifying means for notifying by display the information including the article information given from 8. Or display means Dpl
It is composed of a printing mechanism in place of y, and is notified by printing,
Alternatively, a voice guide mechanism may be used, and the notification may be made by a voice guide.

The input / output interface unit R8 converts the data and instruction information sent from the input unit Ipky, and gives the program in the read-only memory unit R11 to the executing processing unit Cpu. Alternatively, the data sent when the program in the read-only memory unit R11 is read by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu is given to the display unit Dply.

The read-only memory unit R11 is composed of a read-only memory device (read only memory: ROM) as a part for storing a program readable and executable by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu. Or you may comprise with a non-volatile memory device etc. This read-only memory unit R
Reference numeral 11 denotes a control means 1, an encoding / decoding means 2, a memory management means 3, a shelf-side or article-side information tag read /
A master back program Ap11 is stored as an application program, in addition to the recording unit 4, the shelf side or article side information tag confirming unit 5, and the like.

The control means 1 comprises an arithmetic processing unit Cpu
Controls the operation of each means together with its timing, and also controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The encoding / decoding means 2 adds an error correction code such as a CRC code to information given from the control means 1 at the time of transmission, encodes the data with the error correction code added thereto, and supplies the data to the control means 1. I do. At the time of reception, the demodulation signal provided from the control means 1 is subjected to error correction based on an error correction code such as a CRC code, so that the response information provided from the information tag side is correctly restored.

The memory management means 3 manages recording / reproduction to / from the working memory unit Wkm. Under control of the control means 1, the shelf side or article side information tag reading / recording means 4 records information on the shelf side or article side information tag, and reads and reproduces information from the shelf side or article side information tag. The shelf-side or article-side information tag confirming means 5 sends to the control means 1 a result of confirming that the information tag is located within a communicable distance. The master back program Ap11 is a program for master back processing of articles.

Prior to the description of the operation of the article information processing apparatus IP1, the information tag will be described below. FIG.
It is explanatory drawing inside the information tag used as a shelf side information tag or an article side information tag. As shown in the figure, an information tag TF realized in a one-chip configuration has an antenna device ANT2 formed as a loop antenna on a chip serving as a base, and a semiconductor chip I is attached to the antenna device ANT2.
C and a capacitor C are connected. The capacitor C adjusts the resonance frequency. This information tag T
F is attached to the shelf RKi to become a shelf-side information tag TFRi, and is attached to the article Mati and attached to the article Mati.
Mi. As a specific example of the shelf information tag TFRi and the article information tag TFMi, a telefile (product name) is applied. The telefile is small and thin, and the shelf R
It can be easily attached to Ki or article Mati. Then, the article information processing apparatus IP1 is excited only by approaching it by a “holding” operation, and information is exchanged with the article information processing apparatus IP1. That is, the telefile is stored in the article information processing device IP1.
It is placed at a remote position where electromagnetic waves can be transmitted and received by mutual guidance in a non-contact manner, is affixed to the target shelf RKi or the housing of the article Mati, and is activated by the article information processing device IP1 to activate the shelf RKi or the article Mati. Is configured to receive, record, and play back information related to.

FIG. 5 shows the shelf side information tag TF shown in FIG.
It is a block configuration diagram of Ri. Shelf side information tag TFRi
Is a shelf RK for displaying articles as an arrangement mechanism side information tag.
i, or integrated into shelf RKi and integrated,
When the relative distance to the article information processing device IP1 that forms the electromagnetic field in the vicinity is within the limit distance responsive to the electromagnetic field, the device operates in response to the electromagnetic field and performs information exchange with the article information processing device IP1 in a non-contact manner. . The shelf-side information tag TFR is inductively coupled to the antenna device ANT1 of the article information processing device IP1 using an electromagnetic field as a medium, and transmits and receives information in a non-contact manner and receives power supply by mutual induction.
T2 and transmission / reception means Tr including demodulation means De and modulation means Cm, both connected to the antenna device ANT2, the power supply unit Pw, the clock extraction unit Ck connected to the antenna device ANT2, and the operation of the entire device. Control means Cntri for controlling, this control means Cnt
encoding / decoding means Erc connected to ri, and a non-volatile memory device Mem connected to the control means Cntr
Is provided. The non-volatile memory device Mem functions as a storage unit.

The antenna device ANT2 is used for both transmission and reception, and is composed of, for example, a loop antenna. The demodulation means De equalizes the induced current generated in the antenna device ANT2,
Further, it is detected and demodulated to obtain information, which is supplied to the control unit Cntri. The modulating means Cm changes the load impedance (not shown) based on the response information obtained by encoding the reproduced information supplied from the control means Cntri, to the antenna device AN.
Either the reflected wave is modulated by controlling the intermittent operation at T2, or the load connected directly or indirectly to the power supply unit Pw is controlled based on the response information, or the modulation is performed using the response information (for example, ASK). modulation)
Or a configuration for feeding a carrier of another frequency to the antenna device ANT2.

To explain this further, in the configuration in which the load impedance of the antenna device ANT2 is controlled based on the response information, a reflected wave of a carrier wave is emitted from the antenna device ANT2 which continues to receive the action of the electromagnetic field from the article information processing device IP1. At this time, the reflectance of the antenna device ANT2 is controlled by switching control of the load impedance based on the response information, whereby the reflected wave is modulated by the above-described response information. on the other hand,
In the configuration in which the load of the power supply is controlled based on the response information, the load applied to the power supply is switched by the load switching control based on the response information so that the modulation is performed by changing the impedance of the information tag TFRi in the inductive coupling state. Be composed. The impedance change on the information tag TFRi side is detected as a change in the terminal voltage of the antenna device ANT1 or a change in the input power amount on the side of the article information processing apparatus IP1 in the inductively coupled state.

As described above, the information exchange according to the configuration of the present embodiment is performed by the antenna device ANT of the shelf side information tag TFRi.
2 processes the induced current generated by mutual induction when receiving the electromagnetic wave emitted by the article information processing apparatus IP1, demodulates the information, and then loads the impedance of the antenna apparatus ANT2 based on the information transmitted to the article information processing apparatus IP1. Is controlled (information transmission by a reflected wave of a carrier wave) or is transmitted by controlling the load of the power supply on the shelf side information tag TFRi side based on information transmitted to the article information processing apparatus IP1 (information due to impedance fluctuation). (Transmit), modulate a carrier wave of another frequency with information transmitted to the article information processing apparatus IP1, supply power to the antenna device ANT2, and transmit it (by a transmission wave of another frequency generated by a transmission function of the shelf side information tag TFRi). Information transmission). Further, it can be realized by other principles.

The power supply section Pw receives and rectifies a high-frequency induced current generated by the antenna apparatus ANT2 through mutual induction via an electromagnetic field, and supplies the power to each section of the apparatus as a power supply. Further, a voltage stabilizing circuit for outputting a stable DC voltage can be provided. And each part of an apparatus can operate by this supply electric power. The clock extracting unit Ck includes a frequency dividing circuit, outputs a clock signal of a carrier frequency based on the carrier received by the antenna device ANT2, and divides the clock signal to become an operation reference clock for each unit in the device. Generate and output a master clock.

The nonvolatile memory device Mem can form a first type information area for recording first type information isjr1 for specifying the shelf RKi to which the shelf side information tag TFRi is attached. This area is formed by control and the first type information isjr1 (shelf number irk,
Category icatg, floor location ifl)
Is updated and reproducibly recorded, and the first type information isjr1 is reproduced from this area.

The control means Cntri encodes and demodulates the demodulated signal given from the transmitting / receiving means Tr at the time of reception.
It is sent to the decoding means Erc. Encoding / decoding means Erc
Performs decoding and error correction based on a CRC code on the information supplied from the control unit Cntri, and
ri, and the control unit Cntri extracts the instruction information therefrom. In this way, the instruction information given from the article information processing apparatus IP1 via the electromagnetic field is restored.
The encoding / decoding means Erc assigns an error correction code such as a CRC code to information supplied from the control means Cntri at the time of reply, and controls response information obtained by encoding data to which the error correction code has been added. Return to CNtri. The encoding / decoding means Erc includes a data error correction function, but may have a data encryption / decryption function. Further CRC
The present invention is not limited to this method, and other error correction circuits can be applied.

The control means Cti includes a clock extracting section Ck.
The demodulation signal supplied from the demodulation means De is sent to the encoding / decoding means Erc based on the clock supplied from the base station, and various instruction information is extracted based on the error-corrected signal. Separate and extract, analyze these instruction information, and sequentially execute a predetermined process in a predetermined procedure.
It is configured as a semiconductor logic control circuit having a sequence control function. The technology of a semiconductor sequence controller that determines conditions in accordance with such a predetermined procedure and sequentially executes, for example, the opening and closing of a plurality of gates in time series is widely applied, and the control unit Cntri uses this technology. .

The instruction information received from the article information processing apparatus IP1 changes the first type information isjr1 to the article information processing apparatus IP1.
1 is an instruction to transmit to the non-volatile memory device Mem.
First type information isjr recorded in the first type information area of
1 is read as binary information consisting of “1” and “0”,
The signal is sent to the modulation means Cm via the encoding / decoding means Erc. As described above, the control unit Cntr acts as the instruction information analysis unit and the sequence control unit,
Act as signal processing means. As a result, the process is executed based on the instruction information sent from the article information processing device IP1, and the execution result is sent to the modulation unit Cm. The modulation unit Cm receiving the execution result from the control unit Cntri executes a modulation process based on any of the above-described modulation methods. In response, the transmission / reception means Tr transmits the modulated signal to the article information processing apparatus IP via the antenna apparatus ANT2.
Assigned to 1. As described above, this assignment is performed by the information tag T
This is performed on the basis of a transmission wave by the transmission function of F, a reflected wave, or an impedance variation.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the article-side information tag shown in FIG. The article-side information tag TFMi is attached to the article Mati or integrated with the article Mati. This article Mati is displayed on the shelf RKi provided with the shelf side information tag TFRi. Unlike the shelf side information tag TFRi, the article side information tag TFMi has a first type information area for recording first type information isjm1 relating to the existence of the article Mati in the storage unit Mem, and a first type information area relating to the state of the article Mati. 2 type information is
A second type information area for recording jm2 is formed, and article information including arrangement information relating to the arrangement position of the article is recorded. Here, the control means Cntmi for controlling the operation of the article-side information tag TFMi is stored in the storage means Mem.
First type information isjr1 on the shelf side read from FRi
The information obtained by adding the display rank iod to (the shelf number irk, the category icatg, and the floor location ifl) is recorded / reproduced as the second type information isjm2 on the article side. Other functions and configurations are substantially the same as those of the shelf side information tag TFR.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the relocation processing (master back) operation of the article information processing apparatus IP1 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the article information processing apparatus IP1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control means 1 of the article information processing device IP1
When a master back instruction input from the input means Ipky is awaited (step S1) and the master back instruction input is received via the input / output interface unit R8, the master back program in which the arithmetic processing unit Cpu is built is read.
Then, the master back program is driven to start the rearrangement process (step S2).

Based on the instruction of the activated master back program, the control means 1 controls the clock generation section R1, the filter section R2, the modulation section R3, and the power amplification section R4 to transmit a carrier wave from the antenna device ANT1, and the presence of an information tag. The process enters a detection loop (step S3). Here, the article information processing apparatus IP1 changes the article information tag T by the operator.
When an approach operation is performed on the FMi, the article-side information tag TFMi is activated in response to the carrier wave, and inductive coupling with the article information processing apparatus IP1 is established. If the presence of the information tag is confirmed by the terminal voltage detection unit R5 detecting this state as a voltage change of the antenna device ANT1 (step S3),
Next, the shelf-side or article-side information tag confirming means 5 receives the response signal returned from the article-side information tag TFMi via the transmission / reception interface unit R7, and confirms that it is the article-side information tag TFMi based on the response signal (step S).
4). If it is not confirmed that the tag is the article-side information tag TFMi, the process returns to step S3 and the confirmation operation is continued.

As described above, the article information processing apparatus IP1
When information can be exchanged between the product side information tag TFMi and the product side information tag TFMi, the product side information tag TF
An instruction to read and send the arrangement information (shelf number, category, floor location) in the second type information isjm2 recorded in Mi is transmitted as a transmission signal dt via the transmission / reception interface unit R7, the modulation unit R3, and the power amplification. Part R4,
The article side information tag TFMi via the antenna device ANT1
(Step S5). Here, the encoding / decoding means 2 attaches an error correction code such as a CRC code to the instruction, encodes the data with the error correction code added thereto, and the control means 1 sends this encoded data to the transmission / reception interface unit R7. Output. The modulation unit R3 modulates the carrier with the transmission signal dt and sends the modulated signal to the power amplification unit R4.
4 amplifies the power and drives the antenna ANT1. As a result, an electromagnetic field carrying the transmission signal is formed.

Next, the arrangement information read by the article-side information tag TFMi is used as a response signal as a response signal via the antenna device ANT1, terminal voltage detection unit R5, demodulation unit R6, transmission / reception interface unit R7, encoding / decoding means 2, and shelf. Side or article side information tag reading and recording means 4 receives. At this time, if the load state of the article-side information tag TFMi changes during reception due to the inductive coupling between the antenna ANT1 and the antenna ANT2 of the article-side information tag TFMi, the antenna A
The high frequency voltage of NT1 fluctuates. The variation of the high-frequency voltage of the antenna ANT1 during the reception is detected by the terminal voltage detection unit R5.
Is detected. The terminal voltage detector R5 is connected to the antenna ANT1.
And outputs the detected voltage to the demodulation unit R6. Note that the input impedance of the terminal voltage detection unit R5 is set sufficiently higher than the impedance of the antenna ANT1. The demodulation unit R6 performs demodulation based on the detection voltage and outputs the demodulated signal dr to the transmission / reception interface unit R7.
7 converts the data into demodulated data;
Performs an error correction on the demodulated data based on an error correction code such as a CRC code, and correctly restores the arrangement information sent from the article-side information tag TFMi. In this way, the placement information is received from the article information tag TFMi (step S6).

Next, the control means 1 displays the restored arrangement information on the display means Dply via the input / output interface R8 to notify the display means (Step S).
7). As described above, in the present embodiment, after the article Mati has been moved from the shelf on which it is arranged, before the relocation is executed, the arrangement information is read out from the article-side information tag TFMi of the article Mati and notified. The operator can rearrange and re-display the articles Mati at correct positions based on the notification contents.

As described above, the article information processing method according to the present embodiment is integrated with an article Mati placed at an arbitrary position in a shelf RKi on which articles can be placed, or integrated into the article Mati. At least the article Ma is stored in the built-in storage means.
From the information tag in which the article information including the arrangement information relating to the arrangement position of ti is recorded, the article information is read as the first step using the article information processing, and the read article information is displayed or printed or voiced as the second step. To inform. Therefore, there is no need to visually check the arrangement information directly from characters, patterns, symbols, signs, and the like written on the article Mati, and it is extremely easy and in a short time with a simplified operation.
In addition, the information tag can be obtained from the information tag with a low misreading rate, and the arrangement information can be displayed, printed, or notified by voice, so that the arrangement position can be easily, quickly and reliably confirmed. As a result, the processing time can be reduced, and highly efficient operation can be performed. Further, the arrangement information of each article Mati can be confirmed and processed only on the site side. For example, the operation of importing from the central master file via a line can be eliminated, and the above-mentioned POP (point of processing) on the site side can be performed. Is achieved. Also taken out of the shelf,
The on-site management of the articles returned to the shelf again becomes easy.
That is, "information" and "things (articles)" can be managed on the site side, and the above-mentioned POM (point of management) can be realized.

In addition, the above operation does not involve data input by manual input, so that no error occurs and the operation can be simplified. Further, since no line is used, no load is imposed on the line, and since there is no line waiting, excellent responsiveness is achieved. Furthermore, since there is no use of a master file and the site can be managed collectively at the site, there is no system stoppage due to a master file failure or the like, and a highly reliable system operation becomes possible.
Further, the management cost and the operation cost can be reduced, which is advantageous in cost.

Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the article information processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a front view of the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG. In the following description, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in the above embodiment is referred to. An article information processing device IP2 according to the second embodiment includes an antenna device ANT1, a clock generation unit R1, a filter unit R2, a modulation unit R3, a power amplification unit R4, a terminal voltage detection unit R5, and a demodulation unit. R6,
A transmission / reception interface unit R7, an input / output interface unit R28, a read-only memory unit R21, an arithmetic processing unit (microprocessor unit) Cpu, a working memory unit Wkm, a temporary storage unit Drm, and an input unit Ipky.
Display means Dply, and a memory medium M as an external device.
An infrared communication unit R9 for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device such as a personal computer by infrared rays is provided, and operates in a program capture mode, a transmission / reception mode, and an application execution mode.

In the program fetch mode, an application program is fetched from an external device and temporarily stored so that it can be started. In the transmission / reception mode, an instruction signal or /
And record data, or receive a response from the information tag. Further, in the application execution mode, the fetched program is started, and the reading / notifying process of the arrangement position of the article is executed using the information obtained in the transmission / reception mode.

The arithmetic processing unit Cpu, the working memory unit Wk
m, clock generator R1, filter R2, modulator R
3. The power amplification unit R4, the antenna ANT1, the terminal voltage detection unit R5, the demodulation unit R6, the transmission / reception interface unit R7, the input unit Ipky, and the display unit Dply are substantially the same as those in the above embodiment.

The input / output interface unit R28 interfaces information exchange with a memory medium MS, which is an external device attached to the connector Cn, and information exchange with a computer, which is an external device, via an infrared communication unit R9. The memory medium MS includes a memory and is detachably mountable to the connector Cn. For example, a memory stick (trade name) is applied. As shown in FIG. 9, the memory stick is mounted on a connector Cn provided on the back side of the article information processing device IP2. The data read from these external devices is given to the arithmetic processing unit Cpu that is executing the program in the read-only memory unit R21, and the arithmetic processing is performed when the arithmetic processing unit Cpu executes the reading of the program in the read-only memory unit R21. Data sent from the device Cpu is added to these external devices.

The input / output interface R28 further includes
It converts the data and instruction information sent from the input means Ipky, and provides the program in the read-only memory unit R21 to the executing processing unit Cpu. Alternatively, the data sent from the arithmetic processing unit Cpu is added to the display unit Dply when the arithmetic processing unit Cpu reads the program in the read-only memory unit R21.

The read-only memory unit R21 is constituted by a read-only memory device (read only memory: ROM) as a part for storing a program readable and executable by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu. Or you may comprise with a non-volatile memory device etc. This read-only memory unit R
Reference numeral 21 denotes a control unit 21, an encoding / decoding unit 2, a memory management unit 3, a shelf-side or article-side information tag read /
A recording unit 4 and a confirmation unit 5 for a shelf side or article side information tag are stored. Among these, each means other than the control means 21 is substantially the same as in the above embodiment.

The control means 21 is an arithmetic processing unit Cp
u controls the operation of each means together with its timing, and controls the operation of the entire apparatus in the above-described program fetch mode, transmission / reception mode, and application execution mode. In particular, in the program fetch mode, an application program is fetched from an external device via the input / output interface unit R28 and temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit Drm. In this embodiment, the master back program Ap2 is used as the application program.
Take 1 In application execution mode,
The control unit 21 activates the master back program Ap21 temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit Drm.
The temporary storage unit Drm is composed of, for example, a DRAM (an optional write / read memory that performs a memory holding operation), and temporarily stores the master back program Ap21 fetched from an external device so that the master back program Ap21 can be read by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu. The master back program Ap21 is a program for a master back process of an article.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of information exchange between the article information processing apparatus IP2 and a personal computer PC which is an external device. As shown, the article information processing device IP2
When the control means 21 approaches the personal computer PC,
The master back program created on the personal computer PC side is fetched from the personal computer PC via the infrared communication unit R9 using the infrared Ir, and the master back program Ap21 is formed in the temporary storage unit Drm of the article information processing apparatus IP2. Alternatively, a memory medium MS (memory stick) is used as an external device, the memory medium MS is mounted on the article information processing apparatus IP2 as shown in FIG. 9, and the master back program stored in the memory medium MS is fetched. The master back program Ap21 is formed in the temporary storage unit Drm.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the relocation processing (master back) operation of the article information processing apparatus IP2 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the article information processing apparatus IP2 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 and appropriately referring to each of the drawings. Control means 21 of article information processing device IP2
Waits for a master back instruction input from the input unit Ipky (step S11), and upon receiving a master back instruction input via the input / output interface unit R28, checks whether the master back program has already been fetched and installed. (Step S12). If the master back program has not been loaded yet, the control means 21 takes in the master back program from the external device and forms it as the master back program Ap21 in the temporary storage unit Drm as described above (step S13). When the required application program is prepared in this way, it is driven in step S14. If it is already fetched and built in at step S12, the process immediately proceeds to step S14 to drive it. Steps S15 to S19 after the master back program Ap21 is activated are substantially the same as steps S3 to S7 in FIG. 7, and thus the description given in the above embodiment is referred to.

According to the configuration of the article information processing apparatus IP2,
The application program is not fixed, so the desired application program can be freely taken in,
In addition, since it can be changed freely, the degree of freedom of use of the device can be expanded, and the use efficiency of the device can be improved.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the rearrangement position of the article is the same as the original arrangement position. On the other hand, there is a case where the classification or organization is changed during the lending of the article, and the article returned from the lending is rearranged to a new updated arrangement position. Third Embodiment: FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the article information processing apparatus according to the present invention, which makes it possible to cope with such an update arrangement.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the arrangement update table used. FIG.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the aspect of update relocation of articles. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of recording the updated arrangement information in the information tag on the article side. In the following description, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description in the above embodiment is referred to.

Article information processing apparatus I according to the third embodiment
P3 is an antenna device ANT1 and a clock generator R1.
, A filter unit R2, a modulation unit R3, and a power amplification unit R4
, A terminal voltage detection unit R5, a demodulation unit R6, a transmission / reception interface unit R7, and an input / output interface unit R28.
, A read-only memory unit R31, an arithmetic processing unit (microprocessor unit) Cpu, and a working memory unit Wk
m, a temporary storage unit Drm, an input unit Ipky, a display unit Dply, a connector Cn for mounting a memory medium MS as an external device, and an infrared communication unit R9 for exchanging information with an external device such as a personal computer by infrared. With
It operates in update list capture mode, transmission / reception mode, and application execution mode.

In the update list fetch mode, the update list TAB is fetched from an external device into the temporary storage unit Drm, and is temporarily stored so that the arithmetic processing unit Cpu can refer to it. In the transmission / reception mode, an instruction signal and / or recording data is added to the information tag, or a response from the information tag is received. Further, in the application execution mode, the application program is started, and the read / notification processing of the update arrangement position of the article and the writing of the update arrangement information to the information tag are executed with reference to the acquired update list TAB.

Operation processing unit Cpu, working memory unit Wk
m, clock generator R1, filter R2, modulator R
3, power amplifying unit R4, antenna ANT1, terminal voltage detecting unit R5, demodulating unit R6, transmitting / receiving interface unit R7, input / output interface unit R28, input unit Ipky, display unit Dply, connector Cn, infrared communication unit R9 It is almost the same as in the embodiment.

The read-only memory unit R31 is constituted by a read-only memory device (read only memory: ROM) as a part for storing a program readable and executable by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu. Or you may comprise with a non-volatile memory device etc. This read-only memory unit R
31 includes a control means 31, an encoding / decoding means 2, a memory management means 3, a shelf-side or article-side information tag read /
A recording unit 4 and a confirmation unit 5 for a shelf side or article side information tag are stored. Among these, each means other than the control means 31 is substantially the same as in the above embodiment.

The control means 31 is provided with an arithmetic processing unit Cp
u controls the operation of each means together with its timing, and controls the operation of the entire apparatus in the update list capture mode, the transmission / reception mode, and the application execution mode. In particular, in the update list fetch mode, the update list TAB is fetched from the external device via the input / output interface unit R28, and is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit Drm. Further, similarly to the above embodiment, the master back program A is used as the application program.
You may take in p31. Further, in the application execution mode, the control unit 31 stores the master back program A temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit Drm.
Activate p31 and refer to the update list. The master back program Ap31 is a program for master back processing of articles.

The temporary storage unit Drm is constituted by, for example, a DRAM (a random write / read memory in which a storage operation is performed), and temporarily stores the update list TAB fetched from an external device so that the update list TAB can be referred to by the arithmetic processing unit Cpu. . The update list TAB is taken in from the external device in the same manner as in FIG. When approaching the personal computer PC, the control means 31 of the article information processing device IP3 fetches the update list TAB created on the personal computer PC side from the personal computer PC via the infrared communication unit R9 using the infrared Ir, and temporarily stores the update list TAB in the article information processing device IP3. Update list TA in section Drm
B is formed. Alternatively, a memory medium M as an external device
Using the S (Memory Stick), the memory medium MS is mounted on the article information processing apparatus IP3, the update list TAB stored in the memory medium MS is fetched, and the temporary storage unit Dr
An update list TAB is formed in m.

The update list TAB associates the updated arrangement information with the specific information for specifying the article.
It is embodied as the arrangement update table shown in FIG. 13, and is held in the temporary storage unit Drm functioning as update information holding means, and is referred to as appropriate. In the arrangement update table, the arrangement information of the old setting and the arrangement information of the new setting are described in association with each other for each product number (article number) for specifying the article. For example, the article Mati having the article number of imt is the original arrangement information. Is (irk,
It is shown that icatg, ifl, iod) should be updated to new arrangement information (jrk, jcatg, jfl, jod). FIG. 14 shows how the article Mati is arranged at the updated arrangement position according to the update list (arrangement update table) TAB.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the manner in which the updated arrangement information is recorded in the information tag on the article. The article information tag TFMi attached to the article Mati is "held" by the article information processing apparatus IP3. The use state in which the operation is performed is shown. This “shaking” operation is performed prior to the rearrangement of the article Mati. Thereby, the article side information tag T
The shelf number (shelf number) irk, category icatg, floor location ifl, and display rank iodd recorded in the second type information isjm2 on the FMi article side are respectively the shelf number (shelf number) jrk, category jcatg, and floor
The information is updated and recorded at the location jfl and the display order jod.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the update relocation processing operation of the article information processing apparatus IP3 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the article information processing apparatus IP3 will be described with reference to FIG. 16 and appropriately referring to the drawings. The control means 31 of the article information processing apparatus IP3 waits for a master back instruction input from the input means Ipky (step S51). Built-in master back program A
Drive p31 (step S52). Hereinafter, the control means 31 operates under the control of the master back program Ap31.

Next, the control means 31 checks whether or not an arrangement update table (update information) for updating the arrangement position of the article is already held in the article information processing apparatus IP3 (step S53). If the arrangement update table has not been held yet, the update information is fetched via the connector Cn to which the memory medium MS as the external device is mounted, or from the personal computer as the external device via the infrared communication unit R9,
It is created and held in the temporary storage unit Drm as an arrangement update table TAB. Next, the control means 31 reads and sends the article identification information (product number) and the arrangement information (shelf number irk, category icatg, floor location ifl, display rank iodd) to the article-of-interest information tag TFMi of interest in the same manner as described above. (Step S55). On the other hand, if the arrangement update table TAB is already held in step S53, the process immediately proceeds to step S55.

Next, the control means 31 determines the article identification information (article number) sent from the article side information tag TFMi,
Layout update table TAB stored in temporary storage unit Drm
(Step S56), and it is confirmed whether or not the arrangement position has been updated (step S57). Here, if the arrangement position is updated, as shown in FIG.
Mi updated arrangement information (shelf number jrk, category jcatg, floor location jfl, display order j
оd) is sent to instruct recording on the article-side information tag TFMi (step S58). The updated arrangement information (shelf number jrk, category jcatg, floor location jfl, display rank jod) is displayed on display means Dply.
(Step S59). Step S5
If the arrangement position is not updated in step 7, the control means 31
Is the original arrangement information (shelf number irk, category icat
g, the floor location ifl, and the display order iod) are notified by the display means Dply.

The control means 31 and the shelf-side or article-side information tag reading / recording means 4 function as reading means for reading article information from the information tag and writing management means for writing predetermined information into the information tag. Further, the above steps are executed before the execution of the rearrangement after the article Mati is moved from the shelf RKi as the arrangement mechanism. As described above, according to the article information processing apparatus IP3, when the arrangement position at the time of rearrangement is updated from the original arrangement position after the article Mati is moved from the original arrangement position, the updated arrangement information is updated. The specific information read from the article-side information tag TFMi and the updated arrangement information held in the temporary storage unit Drm before the reallocation of the article Mati is executed, in association with the specific information of the article Mati. Then, the updated arrangement information is written into the article-side information tag TFMi. Thereby, the article side information tag TFMi
Is updated, and hence the article-side information tag T
By reading the arrangement information from the FMi, the article Mati can be easily rearranged to the updated arrangement position.

The article information processing method according to the present embodiment uses the shelf RK
The storage means incorporated in the article-side information tag TFMi attached to or integrated with the article Mati arranged at an arbitrary position of i contains the specific information relating to the specification of the article Mati and the arrangement information relating to the arrangement position. A first step of storing updated arrangement information relating to the article Mati in association with specific information when article information is recorded, and a rearrangement performed after the article Mati is moved from the shelf RKi. The second step of reading the article information from the article-side information tag TFMi before the execution of the step, and if updated arrangement information corresponding to the read specific information is held, the updated arrangement information is handled based on the specific information. A third step of writing to the article-side information tag TFMi to be performed.

As described above, according to the article information processing method according to the present embodiment, the updated arrangement information of each article Mati can be confirmed only on the site side, and can be updated from the master file on the central side via a line, for example. The above-mentioned POP at the site can eliminate the operation of importing the placement information
(Point of processing) is realized. In addition, it is easy to manage on-site articles that are taken out of a certain shelf and returned to another shelf by updating the arrangement. That is, "information" and "things (articles)" can be managed on the site side, and the above-mentioned POM (point of management) can be realized.

In addition, the above operation does not involve data input by manual input, so that no error occurs and the operation can be simplified. Furthermore, since the update information is not referred to using the line, no load is imposed on the line, and there is no line waiting, so that the responsiveness is excellent. Furthermore, since the master file is not used to refer to the update information and can be managed collectively on site, there is no system outage due to a master file failure, etc., enabling highly reliable system operation, and reducing management and operation costs. .

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following advantages are realized. 1. Ease of on-site management by reading and confirming the location information held by the article itself, that is, POP, P
OM can be realized. 2. There is no visual misreading and the master back work can be simplified. 3. Even if the arrangement position is updated, there is no need to replace and replace information tags, and conventional information tags can be used. And the work is simplified. 4. Excellent responsiveness. Since there is no line use, there is no line waiting or burden on the line. 5. It is highly reliable because it can be managed collectively on site without using a line or using a master file. 6. Low operating costs.

[0084]

The article information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention reads out the placement information from the information tag and informs when the article placed at the placement position in the placement mechanism is moved and then rearranged. Since the means notifies the read arrangement information, the original arrangement position can be easily confirmed, and therefore, the article can be easily rearranged to be restored to the original arrangement position. Moreover, because it is displayed, printed or notified by voice,
The original arrangement position can be easily, quickly and reliably confirmed. As a result, the processing time can be reduced, and highly efficient operation can be performed.

In the article information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, when the position at which the article is rearranged is updated from the original arrangement position, the update information holding means updates the updated arrangement information with the article identification information. The reading means reads the specific information from the information tag before executing the rearrangement after the article is moved from the original arrangement position, and then the write management means updates the update information based on the specific information. Since the updated arrangement information held in the holding means is written in the information tag,
Thereafter, by reading the arrangement information from the information tag, the new arrangement position can be easily confirmed, and therefore, the article can be easily rearranged to the updated arrangement position.

In the article information processing method according to a third aspect of the present invention, when the article placed at the placement position in the placement mechanism is moved and then placed again, the placement information recorded from the information tag is read. Then, since the read arrangement information is notified, the original arrangement position can be easily confirmed, and therefore, the reallocation for restoring the article to the original arrangement position can be easily executed. In addition, since information is displayed, printed, or notified by voice, the original arrangement position can be confirmed easily, quickly and reliably, and the processing time can be shortened and highly efficient operation can be performed.

In the article information processing method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the relocation position is updated from the original arrangement position after the article is moved from the original arrangement position, the updated arrangement information is stored in the article information processing method. The specific information of the article is read from the information tag before the article is arranged again,
Next, since the updated arrangement information held based on the specific information of the article is written to the information tag, the new arrangement position can be easily confirmed by reading this arrangement information from the information tag when re-arranging the article. Therefore, the article can be easily rearranged to the updated arrangement position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an aspect of use of a first embodiment of an article information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the inside of an information tag used as a shelf-side information tag or an article-side information tag.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a shelf-side information tag shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the article-side information tag shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a relocation processing operation of the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a block configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the article information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

9 is a front view of the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

10 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of information transfer between the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 8 and an external device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a relocation processing operation of the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the article information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an arrangement update table.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of updating and rearranging articles.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of recording updated arrangement information in an information tag on an article side.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an update rearrangement processing operation of the article information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

IP1 ... article information processing device, ANT1 ... antenna device, R1 ... clock generation unit, R2 ... filter unit, R
3. Modulation unit, R4 ... Power amplification unit, R5 ... Terminal voltage detection unit, R6 ... Demodulation unit, R7 ... Transmission / reception interface unit, dt ... Transmission signal, dr ... Received signal, R8 ...
Input / output interface unit, Ipky ... Input means, Dp
ly display means, R11 read-only memory section, Ap
11 Master back program, 1 Control means, 2 Encoding / decoding means, 3 Memory management means, 4 Shelf-side or article-side information tag reading / recording means,
5 ... means for confirming shelf side or article side information tag, Cpu ...
Arithmetic processing unit, Wkm ... working memory unit, RKi ...
Shelf, TFRi ... Shelf-side information tag, isjr1 ... Shelf-side first type information, Mati ... Article, TFMi ... Article-side information tag, isjm2 ... Article-side second type information, ir
k ... shelf number, icatg ... category, ifl ...
Floor location, iоd ... Display order

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3F022 AA09 FF01 MM08 MM22 MM26 NN38 PP01 PP02 PP03 PP04 PP06 5B049 BB11 BB58 CC27 DD01 DD04 EE01 EE23 FF08 GG03 GG06 5E501 AA01 AC08 BA03 CA02 CA06 CB03 FA13 FA10 FA10 FA10

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An article that can be movably arranged at an arbitrary position in an arrangement mechanism for arranging an article, or is integrated into and integrated with the article, and at least the article is stored in a built-in storage means. A reading unit for reading the article information from an information tag in which article information including arrangement information relating to the arrangement position is recorded, and a notifying unit for displaying, reading or notifying the read article information, And before executing the rearrangement after the article is moved from the arrangement position of the arrangement mechanism, the reading unit reads at least the arrangement information from the information tag, and the notifying unit reads the arrangement information that has been read. Announce,
An article information processing apparatus having a configuration. 2. An article which can be movably arranged at an arbitrary position in an arrangement mechanism for arranging the article, or which is integrated with the article and is integrated with the article, and at least the article is stored in a built-in storage means. Reading means for reading the article information from an information tag in which article information including identification information relating to identification and arrangement information relating to the arrangement position of the article, and updated arrangement information relating to the article corresponding to the identification information Update information holding means that can be attached and held; and write management means for writing predetermined information to the information tag, and before execution of relocation after the article is moved from the placement mechanism. The reading means reads the article information from the information tag, and the writing management means corresponds to the specific information read from the information tag by the reading means. If the updated arrangement information is held in the update information holding means, the updated arrangement information is written to the corresponding information tag based on the specific information. apparatus. 3. A storage means attached to or integrated with an article arranged at an arbitrary position in an arrangement mechanism capable of arranging the article, and incorporated in the article, and stored at least in the arrangement position of the article. A first step of reading the article information from an information tag in which article information including related arrangement information is recorded; and a second step of displaying, printing, or notifying the read article information, and The first step reads the placement information from the information tag before the execution of relocation after the article has been moved from the placement position of the placement mechanism, and the second step reports the read placement information. An article information processing method comprising: 4. An information tag attached to an article arranged at an arbitrary position in an arrangement mechanism capable of arranging the article, or incorporated in the article and integrated into an information tag, at least the article having a built-in information tag. A first step of storing updated arrangement information relating to the article in association with the identification information, when the article information is recorded, including identification information relating to identification and arrangement information relating to an arrangement position of the article; A second step of reading the article information from the information tag before execution of the rearrangement performed after the article is moved from the placement mechanism; and a step of updating the article information associated with the read specific information. And a third step of writing the updated arrangement information to the corresponding information tag based on the specific information if the updated arrangement information is held. .