JP2002024249A - Article housing and retrieval system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely retrieve even an article stored below a cabinet by a retrieval system which searches for an object article of retrieval by making a tag for retrieval luminous. SOLUTION: A repeater (controller) 2 which emits signal light 35 for retrieval to storage parts at respective stages is provided at the upper end of the cabinet 1. A signal is inputted to the repeater 2 from a personal computer for management. Reflecting tapes 34 are stuck on the front parts of shelf plates 6 of the cabinet 1. Even when an article is stored below the cabinet 1 or slightly deep inside, the signal light 35 for retrieval is reflected by a reflecting tape 34 to travel to the tag 14 for retrieval, which can surely receive the signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article storage and retrieval system (article storage and retrieval equipment) which allows a target article to be quickly retrieved from a storage device by attaching a retrieval tag to the article.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When many articles such as files are stored in a group of cabinets arranged in a row, it is very troublesome to find a target article.

Therefore, a system has been proposed in which a search tag is attached to an article and the search tag is turned on by a search signal from the outside, so that a target article can be quickly searched.

As an example, Japanese Patent No. 2593319 discloses a receiving / transmitting unit provided for each shelf of a storage shelf, and a search tag and a host computer for each article are provided via the receiving / transmitting unit of each shelf. It is described that two-way communication with is possible.

[0005]

As described in the above publication, if a receiving / transmitting unit is provided for each shelf of the storage shelf, the receiving / transmitting unit for the shelf and the receiving / transmitting unit for articles are very close. Since the transmission and reception between the device and the device can be reliably performed, and the presence / absence and storage location of the product can be detected by two-way communication, there is an advantage that the management function of the product can be improved.

However, on the other hand, since a large number of shelf receiving / transmitting devices are required for one storage shelf, the number of members is extremely large and the cost is increased. The shelf receiving / transmitting section and the host computer are connected by wire. Not only do they have to be done, which increases the cost, but also takes a lot of work for wiring work (construction). The storage shelf has a unique structure, so it is difficult to apply it to the existing cabinet system. There is a high risk of damage to the members of the shelf receiving / transmitting unit when taking in and out. Since the search tag for the target article only emits light, multiple storage shelves are arranged or the articles are stored a little deeper. If the search tag fires, it is easy to overlook even if the search tag emits light, and it is troublesome to check the storage shelves on the computer screen one by one. Since the search tag for the item you are looking for lights up at the same time, you cannot know which one you are looking for unless you take out the item one by one. Therefore, there were many problems that search efficiency was poor.

The object of the present invention is to improve these problems.

[0008]

An article storage and retrieval system according to the present invention comprises a storage device having a plurality of shelves, and a search signal transmitted diagonally downward from the front of the upper end of the storage device toward each of the shelves. A repeater (controller) to perform the search command to the repeater, and a search tag individually attached to each article placed on each shelf.

Each of the search tags is provided with a visual recognition means for emitting light or the like in response to a search signal from the repeater, and a search signal transmitted from the repeater is provided on at least a lower shelf of the storage device. Is provided with a reflective layer capable of reflecting light.

As the search signal, radio waves or ultrasonic waves can be used, but in claim 2, infrared transmission is employed. In addition, as a means for forming a reflective layer in response to infrared light, a reflective tape for reflecting infrared light is attached.

As means for forming the reflection layer, in addition to the reflection tape, a paint having a property of reflecting a search signal is applied, or the shelf is made of stainless steel so that the shelf itself has reflectivity. Is also possible.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of cabinets in each of which a plurality of shelves are arranged between left and right side plates, and a repeater attached to each cabinet. In the meantime, when a group of articles is divided into a plurality of groups and search is performed, display means capable of displaying the presence of the articles included in each group is provided, while the opening edge of each cabinet is provided with the display means. An operation panel having corresponding selection buttons (including keys and switches) is arranged.

When a selection button corresponding to the search target group is turned on while the display means indicates that the articles belonging to the search target group are stored, the search tag of the search target article is visually recognized. Is ON
It is set to be.

In a fourth aspect, the search tag has a specific structure. That is, the search tag is a circuit board, a solar cell disposed on the front surface of the circuit board, a transmitting / receiving unit for exchanging signals with the repeater, a light emitting element as a visual recognition unit, and sealing the whole of them. A sealing material such as a synthetic resin or glass is provided, and at least a portion of the sealing material that covers the transmission / reception unit is formed to have a forwardly convex shape in a side view.

[0015]

[Operation / Effect of the Invention] {Basic operation / effect} By the way, since the receiving part of the search tag is generally provided on the front surface, a search signal for the search tag of the article stored in the storage device is transmitted. If the signal is transmitted obliquely downward from the upper front of the storage device, the irradiation angle of the search signal becomes closer to a vertical line as it goes to the lower shelf, so that the search signal is less likely to enter the article search tag as it goes to the lower shelf. There is a possibility that a search error may occur.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, in addition to the search signal being directly incident on the receiving portion of the search tag from obliquely above, the search signal can also be incident from obliquely below using the reflection from the reflective layer. A search signal can be accurately received by the search tag for articles on all the shelves in the storage device.
Therefore, even if the repeater is provided only in front of the upper part of the storage device, the search performance does not deteriorate.

In the present invention, it is sufficient to provide one repeater in one storage device, and the reflection layer provided on the shelf plate can be constructed very simply by applying a reflection tape or the like. In addition to the reduction, the labor of the installation work can be significantly reduced, and as a result, the cost can be suppressed.

Further, since the repeater can be easily retrofitted, for example, by screwing it on the upper surface of the storage device, and the reflection layer of the storage shelf can be easily constructed by applying a reflection tape or the like.
Can be easily adapted to existing cabinet systems. Furthermore, since the repeater is located at a high height and the article does not hit the repeater, there is no problem of damaging the repeater and the reliability is high.

Further, when a large number of storage devices are installed, a repeater is provided for each storage device, and display means is provided on each of the relay devices. Since it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the target article has been overlooked, it is possible to reliably and quickly search for the target article.

Further, when a solar cell which generates electricity with visible light or infrared light is used as a power supply for the search tag, the amount of light received by the solar cell can be increased by reflecting the light with the reflection layer. There is also an advantage that the electromotive force of the solar cell can be promoted.

{Functions and Effects Specific to the Dependent Claims} According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the reflection layer can be formed only by attaching a commercially available reflection tape to the shelf, cost and reliability are reduced. Is even more advantageous.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, for example, when a plurality of persons simultaneously search and take out the work, each of the persons is stored in any cabinet by displaying the display means of the cabinet. Can be confirmed, and by pressing a button corresponding to the user, the user can select and find only the article he or she is looking for.

Therefore, simultaneous retrieval by a plurality of persons can be performed without any trouble, and therefore, retrieval and retrieval work can be performed efficiently. Also, even if you work alone,
There are cases where it is desired to divide the article group into a plurality of groups, and in this case, too, in this case, the search target articles are selected in advance for each group, and the search and extraction can be performed continuously for each group. Easy to use.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the outwardly convex portion formed in the sealing portion functions as a prism,
Since a search signal from above or below can be made incident on the light receiving element, search performance can be further improved.

[0025]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 11). 1. Outline of System (FIG. 1) FIG. 1 shows an external view of a storage search system (equipment). The system is composed of a group of cabinets (storage devices) 1 arranged in a row and attached to the upper surface of each cabinet 1. And a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”) 3 as an example of an instruction unit.

The cabinet 1 has a normal structure in which shelves 6 are arranged in multiple stages inside a main body 5 having left and right side plates 4, and an operation panel 7 which is vertically long is attached to the front surface of the side plates 4. The number of the personal computers 3 may be only one, or may be plural.

Signal exchange between the personal computer 3 and the repeater 2 may be performed by a cable system using a cable 8, a wireless system using a fixed transceiver 9, or a portable remote controller (not shown). A wireless method using a computer may be used.

Although various articles can be stored in the cabinet 1, this example illustrates a state in which a large number of drugs are stored, such as a hospital dispensing room, a pharmacy, a drug store, and a drug wholesaler. 1 stores a number of medicine bottles 10, medicine boxes 11, and mini shelves 13 in which drawer-type trays 12 are mounted in multiple stages. Each of these medicine bottles 10 and medicine box 1
A search tag 14 is attached to each tray 1 and each tray 12.

In the present embodiment, the repeater 2 and the search tag 1
Although a two-way communication system capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the relay device 4 is employed, one-way communication from the repeater 2 to the search tag 14 may be used if only a search function of searching for a target article is performed.

In FIG. 1, only one cabinet 1 is displayed for storing articles, but it is needless to say that many other articles are stored in other cabinets 1 as well. Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.

[0032] Structure of Repeater (FIG. 2 (A)) As shown in FIG.
And an arm 17 extending rearward. The arm 17 is fixed to the upper surface of the cabinet 1 by screws or the like. The main body case 16 is fixed to the arm 1 by screws 18 extending horizontally so that the posture in a side view can be changed.
7 is attached.

Inside the main body case 16, the search tag 1
A transmission / reception unit 19 for exchanging signals with the communication unit 4 is arranged. The transmission and reception of this embodiment adopts an infrared method,
A transparent plate 20 made of glass, acrylic, or the like is provided on the lower surface of the main body case 16.

On the front surface of the main body case 16 of the repeater 2, a plurality of (5
), And different numbers 1 to 5 can be displayed on each display 21. The display 21 of the present embodiment employs a lamp system in which numerals are previously written on a transparent or translucent display plate and a built-in lamp is turned on. A method may be adopted.

The display means includes a plurality of display devices 2.
Instead of arranging 1 separately, a liquid crystal display panel, an LED display panel, an electric light display panel, or the like that can simultaneously display a plurality of numbers and characters may be used.

[0036] Operation Panel (FIG. 2 (B)) As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the operation panel 7 extends to the upper surface of the cabinet 1 and the upper part thereof is the bracket 2.
3, the lower end is fixed to the side plate 4 of the cabinet 1 with screws 24. The operation panel 7 may be bonded to the cabinet 1 with a double-sided tape.

The operation panel 7 has five selection buttons 25 each of which is provided with a number 1 to 5 corresponding to the number on the display 21 of the repeater 2. A re-lighting button 26 for turning on the light and a return button 27 pressed to return the article to the inside of the cabinet 1 are provided. The selection button 25 has a built-in lamp such as an LED, and can be turned on simultaneously with the display 21 of the repeater 2 or individually.

The number of the display 21 of the repeater 2 and the number of the selection buttons 25 of the operation panel 7 are not limited to five, but may be any number. Also, alphabets may be written instead of numbers.

[0039] Search Tag (FIGS. 3 and 4) The structure of the search tag 14 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an attached state and a structure of the search tag 14 to the medicine bottle 10 and the medicine box 11.

That is, the search tag 14 is provided on a vertically long circuit board 29, a transmitting / receiving unit 30 provided below the front surface of the circuit board 29, and on the front surface of the circuit board 29 above the transmitting / receiving unit 30. It is composed of a solar cell 31, a light emitting diode 32 connected above a circuit circuit board 29 as an example of the visual recognition means, and a sealing material 33 covering the light emitting diode 32. The search tag 14 is made of the medicine bottle 10 with an adhesive or a double-sided tape.
And so on.

In this embodiment, since a communication system using infrared rays is employed, reception is generally performed by a light receiving diode.
Transmission is performed by light emitting diodes.

Although the sealing material 33 is made of glass or synthetic resin, it is transparent or translucent so as not to impede the light entering the solar cell 31 and the transmitting / receiving section 30 and the visibility of the light emitting diode 32. I have. In a portion of the sealing material 33 that covers the transmitting and receiving unit 30, an arc-shaped bulging portion 33 protruding forward in a side view is provided as a means for promoting reception and transmission.
a.

FIG. 4 shows a search tag 14 attached to the tray 12. This search tag 14 is different from FIG. 3 only in that it is mounted on the tray 12 in the horizontal direction, and the other structure is the same as that of FIG. As described above, also in the case of the horizontal type, the bulging portion 33a is formed in an arc shape in a side view.

In any case of the vertical type and the horizontal type, the bulging portion 33a is not limited to the arc shape but may be a triangular shape in a side view or a trapezoidal shape in a side view. It is sufficient that the sealing material 33 is provided only at the transmitting / receiving section 30. Further, the lower end of the sealing material 33 may be simply cut obliquely in order to promote the reception of the reflected signal from obliquely below.

[0045] Reflective layer of shelf (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, infrared light is strongly reflected as an example of a reflective layer on the front of each shelf 6 in the cabinet 1. The reflective tape 34 to be made is adhered by an adhesive.

The reflective tape 34 may have various structures such as a single-layer structure of a metal foil such as an aluminum foil and a laminated structure in which a metal film such as aluminum is deposited on a synthetic resin film.

In the figure, although the article such as the medicine bottle 10 partially rests on the reflective tape 34, the stability of the article is not impaired because the reflective tape 34 is thin. Of course, the reflection tape 34
May be attached only to the near side of the placement position of the article such as the medicine bottle 10 or the like, or the tape 34 may be attached to the entire surface of the shelf 6.

[0048] Transmission / Reception to / from Search Tag (FIGS. 5 to 7) FIGS. 5 to 7 show signal exchange states between the relay device 2 and the search tag 14, and FIG. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a transmission / reception state at the lower part of the cabinet 1, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged views of a main part.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the repeater 2 is in a forwardly inclined position so that transmission can be performed over the entire opening surface of the cabinet 1. The irradiation angle of the search signal light 34 is closer to a vertical line toward the lower part of the cabinet 1, so that the search signal light 35 is incident on the search tag 14 at the lower part of the cabinet 1 in a lying state. (The incident angle of the signal light with respect to the front surface of the search tag 14 becomes smaller).

For this reason, the search tag 14 receives the search signal light 35 (receives light) toward the lower end of the cabinet 1.
Tends to be difficult. In particular, as shown by a dashed line in FIG. 5, when an article such as the medicine box 11 is stored a little deeper in the lower part of the cabinet 1, the search signal light 35 is blocked by the shelf plate 6 located above it. Search may not be possible.

However, in this embodiment, since the reflection tape 34 is attached to the front of the shelf 6, the light is emitted from the repeater 2 as shown in FIGS. 5B, 6 and 7. The search signal light 35 can be reflected from the reflection tape 34 and made incident on the transmission / reception unit 30 from obliquely below. Therefore, even if the article is stored in the lower part of the cabinet 1, the article is stored in the back. The search signal light 35 can be reliably received.

When transmitting the management signal light 36 from the search tag 14 to the repeater 2, the reflection tape 34 is also used.
The transmission can be performed reliably using the reflection of the light. Therefore, between the repeater 2 and the search tag 14, the signal lights 35, 3
6 can be exchanged reliably.

Furthermore, since the bulging portion 33a is formed in the sealing material 33, the signal light can be directly radiated from obliquely above, or can be radiated from obliquely below via the reflective tape 34, and can be expanded. Due to refraction when passing through the surface of the portion 33a, the signal light is incident on the transmitting / receiving portion 30 in a nearly horizontal state.
Reception (light reception) becomes more reliable.

Also, when the management signal light 36 is transmitted from the search tag 14 to the repeater 2, the management signal light 36 radiated horizontally is refracted when it exits the bulging portion 33a. , The signal is received by the repeater 2 directly in the obliquely upward direction, or is reflected by the reflective tape 34 and received by the repeater 2 after the diagonal change in the downward direction. Is also more reliable.

When the bulging portion 33a is formed into an arcuate curved surface in a side view as in the present embodiment, there is an advantage that it can cope with a wide range of differences in the incident angle and irradiation angle of the signal light.

[0056] Reflecting Means of Repeater (FIG. 5 (A)) As shown by a dashed line in FIG. 5 (A), an eave-like (shade-like) reflector 37 made of a material that reflects infrared rays is provided on the lower surface of repeater 2. With the provision, the exchange of signals between the relay device 2 and each of the search tags 14 could be further reliably performed.

It is considered that this is because the reflector 37 functions as a parabolic antenna to prevent the search signal light 35 from diffusing and to collect the management signal light 36.

As can be understood from FIG. 5 (A), for articles stored in the upper part of the cabinet 1, signals can be exchanged between the search tag 14 and the repeater 2 without any particular problem. Therefore, it is not always necessary to apply the reflective tape 34 to all the shelves 6 of the cabinet 1, and it is sufficient to apply the reflective tape 34 only to the lower shelves 6 which may cause a problem in signal exchange.

[0059] Control Example FIGS. 8 and 9 show examples of control modes (use methods) of the system. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a work flow. Then, search and search for articles as follows:
It is taken out and returned.

<< Assumption >> Here, it is assumed that there are five personal computers 3 corresponding to the five displays 21 of the repeater 2, and A
Uses the first personal computer 3 to select five items in the order of A1 to A5, and B uses the third personal computer 3 to select B
N articles are selected in the order of 1 to Bn. Therefore, A
The group of articles 1 to A5 and the group of articles B1 to Bn form different groups.

After making these selections, command signals are transmitted from both personal computers 3 to the repeaters 2 of each cabinet 1 independently of each other. Each of the repeaters 2 receiving the command signal determines whether or not the selected article is present in the cabinet 1 managed by itself, and if the selected article is present, a display corresponding to the number of the personal computer 3 21 is turned on.

In this example, A1 and A5 among the articles selected by Mr. A (first personal computer 3) and B2 and B4 among the articles selected by Mr. B (third personal computer 3) are stored. Indicators 1 and 3 corresponding to the personal computer number are turned on. In addition, the selection buttons 25 of 1 and 3 are lit on the operation panel 7 (the selection button 25 does not necessarily need to be lit). The lighting includes blinking.

Next, when Mr. A presses the 1 selection button 25 on the operation panel 7, transmission of a search signal is instructed to the repeater 2, thereby searching for the articles A1 and A2 that Mr. A is looking for. The light emitting diode 32 in the tag 14 lights up. Therefore, Mr. A can take out the articles of A1 and A2. In this case, the following two extraction modes are conceivable in relation to the selection button 25, the display 21, and the search tag 14.

[0065] {Pickup mode 1} When the selection button 25 of the item 1 is pressed, the search tags 14 of all the selected articles are turned on,
When all the articles are removed, the display 1 turns off. The lighting time of the light-emitting diode 32 in the search tag 14 is set to, for example, about 15 seconds (because the solar battery is greatly consumed).

The search tag 14 transmits the management signal light 36 to the repeater 2 when the light emitting diode 32 is turned on, and when the article is taken out and the reception of the management signal light 36 is stopped, the relaying is performed. Machine 2 recognizes that the article has been removed from cabinet 1 and stores the fact in memory.

{Retrieval Mode 2} In this mode, the search tags 14 emit light one by one. That is, when Mr. A presses the 1 selection button 25, first, according to the selection order, A
The search tag 14 attached to one article emits light. Then, the article of A1 is taken out. Then, the repeater 2 confirms the removal of A1, and since the remaining article A5 remains, the one display 21 remains lit.

Therefore, Mr. A again selects the first selection button 25
push. Then, since the search tag 14 for the A5 item is turned on, Mr. A takes out the A5 item. Then, there is no item to be selected from the cabinet 1, so that 1
Is turned off. As a result, Mr. A knows that the target article does not remain in the cabinet 1 and moves to another cabinet 1 in which one indicator is turned on.

As described above, the retrieval tag 1 for each article
4 is turned on because the lighting time of the light emitting diode 32 in the search tag 14 is short, and if the search tags 14 of a plurality of articles are turned on at the same time, not all the articles can be taken out within the lighting time. This is because it can occur.

{Common Mode} When the retrieval tag 14 is turned off due to the removal of the article, or after the button is pressed, the retrieval tag 1 is not removed due to sudden business or the like.
4 is turned off, the search tag 14 is turned off in spite of the presence of the search target article, and the display 21
Is lit.

In such a case, the relight button 26 is pressed. Then, the search signal light 35 is again emitted from the repeater 2, and the search tag 14 of the search target article is turned on.

In the same manner as Mr. A, Mr. B can take out only the article he is looking for from each cabinet 1.

{At the time of return} When returning the taken out article, the return button 27 is pressed, and then the article is placed on an empty portion of the cabinet 1. Or, return button 27
Press and then return the item. When there are a plurality of articles, the button operation may be performed once or may be performed for each article.

The repeater 2 is a cabinet 1 managed by itself.
Is stored, and when the return button 27 is pressed, the search tags 14 for all the articles are stored.
To the presence signal wave. Then, by comparing the data of the article group based on the newly transmitted signal with the data of the most recent article group, it is grasped which article has been newly returned, and the article management data is rewritten.

Although each repeater 2 only knows the storage state in the cabinet 1 managed by itself, each personal computer 3 manages which cabinet 1 stores which article.

Since the personal computer 3 and each of the search tags 14 are bidirectionally communicated via the repeater 8, by pressing the selection button 25 to take out the articles, which articles are taken out (by whom). It is possible to easily manage with the personal computer 3 a take-out confirmation as to what is and an inventory check as to which goods are left in which cabinet 1. Further, by pressing the return button 27 and returning the goods, when (by whom) The return confirmation of whether or not the return has been made can be centrally managed by the personal computer 3.

For this reason, various data such as the use status, use destination, stock status, and use frequency of the articles stored in the many cabinets 1 can be grasped, and the articles can be managed accurately.

{Inventory Management by Camera} For example, it is preferable from the viewpoint of management and inventory to store the same kind of medicine as much as possible. Further, there are cases where it is desired to store articles such as medicines for each department such as surgery or internal medicine.

Therefore, which article was returned to which part of which cabinet, and which article was returned to which cabinet 1
It is preferable for the management of articles to be able to grasp which part of the product is stored by the personal computer 3. Therefore, FIG.
Shows an example of an article management system using a digital camera (CCD camera) 39.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the digital camera 39 is attached to the main body case 16 of the repeater 2 so that the entire opening surface of the cabinet 1 can be photographed. In the case of juxtaposition with the reflector 37, the reflector 37 is arranged so that light reception to the camera 39 is not blocked.

Although a myriad of light receiving elements are arranged in the digital camera, as shown in FIG.
Among the sections corresponding to the openings of the cabinet 1 are divided into the number of steps corresponding to the respective shelves 6, and the respective steps are divided into the left part, the central part, and the right part of the shelves 6, In this order, the area is divided into a first area, a second area,..., An n-th area. The reason that the vertical width of the area becomes smaller toward the lower stage is that the digital camera 39 shoots from obliquely above.

When the article search tag 14 is turned on based on a command from the repeater 2, the light is transmitted to the digital camera 39.
And the light is recognized in a specific area.

The light receiving signal from the digital camera 39 is stored in the memory 41. The storage area of the memory 41 is divided into the same number of areas as the light receiving surface 40 of the digital camera 39, and the two areas are paired. That is, when the first area of the digital camera 39 detects light, the first area of the memory 41 is turned on to be in a storage state, and when the second area of the digital camera 39 detects light, the second area of the memory 41 is detected. Is turned on to enter the storage state, and the position of the article is stored in the memory 41. FIG. 10C shows such a correspondence.

As a method of detecting the position of the article, (a).
At an appropriate time interval (for example, after daily employment), a management signal is sent to all the articles stored in the cabinet 1 to sequentially turn on the search tags 14, thereby updating the article storage map each time. Batch update method, (b). Once the goods storage map is created, partial correction method that corrects by taking out and returning, and (c). For example, it is possible to review and update the entire system at the end of each week or the end of each month.

In the example of FIG. 10, since complicated image processing is not required to detect which article is where, it is possible to easily manage the position of the article.

{Power Saving of Search Tag} The power used by the search tag 14 is mainly provided by the solar cell 31 which is generated by visible light. However, since the search tag 14 is small and the solar cell 31 is small, It is necessary to reduce power consumption as much as possible. An example of the power saving circuit of the search tag 14 is simply shown in FIG.

This circuit includes a solar cell 31 composed of a number of light receiving elements, a built-in secondary battery 42, a CPU, two resistors R1 and R2, and a capacitor C.

In this circuit, when the CPU is in the sleep state, the current generated by the power generation of the solar cell 31 is stored in the resistor C through the first resistor R1. When the voltage of the capacitor C exceeds the trigger voltage of the second transistor Tr2,
When the second transistor Tr2 is turned on, the output voltage becomes almost 0 volt, and this change causes the CPU to start up.

After the CPU wakes up, it activates an input signal amplifier (not shown) to check whether or not a search signal has been input. Instantly turns on one transistor Tr1
To discharge the electric charge of the capacitor C, and immediately thereafter, returns to the sleep state. Then, when the capacitor C is charged again, the same operation is repeated.

In this circuit, if the surrounding area becomes dark and the amount of light received by the solar cell 31 decreases, or if the solar cell 31 is insufficiently charged, the interval at which the CPU wakes up becomes longer or the CPU wakes up. Since the operation is stopped, the rising interval of the CPU can be automatically changed according to the power generation capacity and the state of charge of the solar cell 31.

(2) Another Embodiment (FIGS. 12 to 14) FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the search tag 14.
(A) is a side sectional view (hatching is omitted), (B) is
(A) is a bottom view as viewed in BB, and (C) is a back view of the search tag 14.

In this embodiment, the transmitter / receiver 30 and the light emitting diode 31 are provided close to the upper end of the circuit board 29 in the search tag 14 used in the vertically long state. An arc-shaped bulging portion 33a is formed in a portion covering the light emitting diode 31 and the light emitting diode 31 in a side view. In this case, the transmitting / receiving unit 30 has a front surface inclined slightly backward. On the back of the search tag 14, I
A code, such as a D code, for individually specifying the search tag 14 is entered (this is the same in other embodiments).

In this embodiment, when the bulging portion 33a is mounted on the article W with the bulging portion 33a facing upward, the synergistic effect of the presence of the bulging portion 33A and the fact that the transmitting / receiving portion 30 is tilted backward is obtained.
The search signal light 35 can be reliably received from above, and the management signal light can also be reliably transmitted to the repeater 8.

It is also possible to mount the swelling portion 33a with the swelling portion 33a facing downward. In this case, the signal light is emitted and transmitted to the transmission / reception portion 30 mainly through the reflection of the reflection tape 34. Irrespective of the search tag 14, illumination light and natural light are also applied to the solar cell 32 by reflection of the reflective tape 34, so that the amount of light entering the solar cell 32 increases and the solar cell 32 starts up. Power can be improved.

As shown by a dashed line in (A), it is also possible to form a bulging portion 33a at the lower end and provide the transmitting and receiving unit 30 at two upper and lower locations. Further, the transmission / reception unit 30 can be provided at a vertically intermediate portion of the circuit board 20.
Needless to say, the front face of the transmitting / receiving section 30 may be formed to extend vertically.

The third embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is applied to a retrieval tag 14 to be attached to an article W in a landscape orientation, where (A) is a plan sectional view and (B) is a BB of (A). It is a sectional side view (hatching is abbreviate | omitted in both split figures).

In this embodiment, a light emitting diode 31 is mounted on a portion near one end of a circuit board 29, and a transmitting / receiving section 30 is connected to one end of the circuit board 29. In this embodiment, the front surface of the sealing material 33 is formed in an arc shape in a side view over the entire length.

There is no particular limitation on the front / rear position of the transmission / reception unit 30, and the transmission / reception unit 30 may be arranged at the back as shown by the dashed line in FIG.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to form a reflective layer such as a reflective tape 34 on the entire inner surface of the storage section.

(2) Others The present invention can be embodied in various ways other than the above embodiment.
For example, the articles to be searched are not limited to drug bottles and the like, but various articles such as various parts such as chart files, books and books of hospitals can be searched.

Also, the form of the search tag can be embodied in various shapes such as a tape shape. The storage device is not limited to the cabinet type, but may be a shelf device integrated with a building. Further, in the case where the operation panel 7 is provided, it is possible to inform a person of a cabinet in which cabinet the search object is located by illuminating a button of the operation panel without providing a display unit in the repeater. .

Further, the buttons may be integrated into a side plate of a cabinet or the like. The means for visually recognizing the search tag is not limited to the light emitting method, but may be another method such as a color changing method. Furthermore, the provision of display means in the repeater, the provision of an operation panel, and the provision of a bulge in the search tag can be independent claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a system (equipment).

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a repeater, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an operation panel.

3A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a use state of a search tag, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the search tag illustrated in FIG.

4A is a perspective view showing another example of a use state of the search tag, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the search tag shown in FIG.

5A is a longitudinal sectional side view, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a control mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a usage method.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a position management method using a digital camera.

FIG. 11 is a power saving circuit diagram of a search tag.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 cabinet 2 repeater 3 personal computer 4 cabinet side plate 6 shelf 7 operation panel 10 medicine bottle 11 medicine box 12 medicine storage tray 14 search tag 19 repeater transmitter / receiver 21 display 25 selection button 33a expansion of search tag Outer part 34 Reflective tape

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Keiji Izuno 2-29-6 Hasune, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Hasune Building 3F Advantech Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3F022 FF01 FF10 MM08 MM11 MM22 MM35 5B075 ND20

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage device having a plurality of shelves, a repeater (controller) for transmitting a search signal obliquely downward from the front of the upper end of the storage device toward each of the shelves, and a search command to the repeater. And a search tag individually attached to each article placed on each shelf board. Each of the search tags is provided with visual recognition means for emitting light or the like by a search signal from the repeater. On the other hand, an article storage and retrieval system, wherein a reflection layer capable of reflecting a search signal transmitted from the repeater is provided on at least a lower shelf of the storage device. 2. The article storage search according to claim 1, wherein the search signal from the repeater is transmitted by infrared rays, while the reflection layer of the shelf is made of a reflective tape reflecting infrared light. system. 3. A plurality of cabinets each having a plurality of shelves arranged in multiple stages between left and right side plates, and a repeater attached to each cabinet, wherein each repeater has a plurality of article groups. A display means is provided for displaying the presence of the articles included in each group when searching by grouping, and a selection button ( An operation panel equipped with a key and a switch is arranged, and the selection button corresponding to the search target group is turned on in a state where the display means indicates that articles belonging to the search target group are stored. The article storage and retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for visually recognizing the retrieval tag in the retrieval target article is set to be ON. 4. The search tag includes a circuit board, a solar cell disposed on the front of the circuit board, a transmission / reception unit for exchanging signals with a repeater, a light emitting element as visual recognition means, A sealing material, such as synthetic resin or glass, which is entirely sealed, and a portion of the sealing material that covers at least the transmitting and receiving unit is formed to have a forwardly convex shape in a side view. Item 3. The article storage and retrieval system according to any one of Items 3.