JP2002087533A - Physical distribution management system and data carrier for physical distribution management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly cope with a defective article and erroneous delivery, to optimally control up to the most downstream enterprise from the most upstream enterprise, to contribute to reduce a distribution cost, and to improve reliability of transmitting information. SOLUTION: A data carrier 1 having a rewrite area capable of repeating recording and erasing operation of a nonvolatile memory and visually observable information is prepared. The upstream enterprise 8 records information required for shipment by a QR code, and attaches the data carrier 1 stored as electronic data to a container 12. A delivery enterprise 10 delivers a commodity on the basis of a result of reading delivery information recorded on the data carrier by a code reader 25. The downstream enterprise 9 confirms the received commodity by reading the delivery information recorded on the data carrier 1 by a code reader 21 and a reader-writer 23, and records received information on the data carrier as the QR code and the electronic data, and attaches the data carrier to the container to be sent back to the upstream enterprise.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a physical distribution management system for managing the distribution status of goods shipped from an upstream business to a downstream business, and more particularly, to physical distribution information relating to goods to be shipped. The present invention relates to a physical distribution management system in which an information recording tag is attached to the shipped article for transmission, and a data carrier for the physical distribution management system.

[0002]

At the logistics site,
Every day, there are many kinds of products in large quantities,
This involves a large number of manufacturers, distributors, delivery companies, etc., and the mechanism is very complicated. For this reason, in practice, points to be improved in a variety of fields, such as inbound and outbound management, transmission of distribution information on shipped products and receipt information on received (arrival) products, and grasping of inventory information and best-selling information, etc. In order to support such field work, various technologies have been considered.

However, at present, products are not always distributed as ordered by downstream businesses, and so-called shortage due to non-delivery or delay of delivery of some products occurs in response to the orders. Also, so-called erroneous delivery often occurs due to a mistake in shipping by the upstream company or a mistake in the delivery stage of the delivery company. When such a situation occurs, for example, a retailer who is the most downstream business operator may run out of merchandise at the store due to shortage or misdelivery, and when such a shortage occurs, the business Not only incur temporary losses due to loss of retail, but also incur long-term losses, such as loss of consumer confidence in the retail store. It is necessary to build a system that can handle such a problem or a system that can quickly cope with a shortage or an incorrect delivery.

[0004] In recent years, price competition between retail stores has become even more intense, and it has been demanded to reduce distribution costs in order to cope with such price competition. However, the above-mentioned shortage or misdelivery is a kind of abnormal condition in the logistics process, and as a result, as described above, direct damage occurs at the retail store and it does not fit. For example, the production volume and inventory of products will be out of order, and extra work (such as reviewing production plans and inventory adjustments) will be required to correct the out of order. Had become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to be able to quickly cope with an abnormal state such as a missing item or an incorrect delivery that occurs in a distribution process of an article, and to provide a method for controlling the most upstream side. It is possible to manage from the operator to the most downstream operator as one distribution system in an optimal state, which can contribute to reduction of distribution cost, and is transmitted between the upstream operator and the downstream operator An object of the present invention is to provide a physical distribution management system that can improve the reliability of information. Also,
A second object of the present invention is to provide a data carrier capable of realizing an improvement in operation reliability without deterioration in maintenance when used in the above-described distribution management system.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an upstream business entity ships an article based on ordering information from a downstream business entity, the upstream business entity is responsible for the shipped product. Logistics information is recorded in a two-dimensional coded state in the rewrite area, and the data carrier that electronically stores the physical distribution information in the storage element is attached as an information recording tag, so that information can be transmitted to downstream businesses. I do.

[0007] The downstream business operator receiving the article with the data carrier attached thereto receives the logistics information recorded in the rewrite area of the data carrier in a two-dimensional code and the logistics information electronically stored in the storage element of the data carrier. Is read from the code reader or the interrogator for the RFID tag to check whether there is an error in the type or quantity of the received articles. After this confirmation, the downstream business operator records the reception information in a two-dimensional coded state in the rewrite area of the data carrier, and stores at least the reception information on the reception of the article in the storage element of the data carrier, The data carrier is forwarded to the upstream carrier to transmit information to the upstream carrier.

[0008] Then, in the upstream business which has received the data carrier circulated from the downstream business, the reception information recorded in the rewrite area of the data carrier and the distribution information stored in the storage element of the data carrier. Is read by a code reader or an RFID tag interrogator to check the delivery status of the article, and to erase the information recorded in the rewrite area and the information stored in the storage element. hand,
The data carrier sent forward is reused as an information recording tag attached when shipping a new article.

In this case, the transmission of the physical distribution information and the receipt information between the upstream business and the downstream business is recorded in the rewrite area of the data carrier attached to the shipping article and exchanged between the two businesses. It can be reliably performed through the two-dimensional code and the electronic information stored in the storage element of the data carrier, and the amount of information that can be transmitted through the two-dimensional code and the electronic information can be sufficiently increased. Therefore, it is possible to optimally manage a single distribution system from the most upstream business to the most downstream business. In addition, even if there is an abnormal condition such as a missing or incorrectly delivered item, the receipt information recorded in a two-dimensional code on the data carrier forwarded from the downstream operator to the upstream operator and the data carrier Since the abnormal condition can be promptly dealt with on the basis of the electronically stored receipt information, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the downstream company suffers damage due to missing or incorrectly delivered goods. At the same time, the upstream business can easily perform the work for eliminating the abnormal state, and as a result, can contribute to the reduction of the distribution cost. Further, the data carrier is a rewrite area capable of repeating a recording and erasing operation of a two-dimensional code which is information that can be automatically recognized a predetermined number of times or more,
In addition, since it has a configuration including an electronic storage element having a semi-permanent life and its running cost is reduced, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in distribution cost from this aspect as well. In addition, the data carrier is configured to hold the same information in two recording systems (a two-dimensional code and electronic data that can be visually recognized) that can automatically recognize the same information.
This makes it possible to improve the reliability of information transmitted between upstream and downstream operators, for example, by using one information as a backup for the other information, and to improve the reliability of the entire system. It will be useful.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the data carrier is moved while being mounted on the return distribution container which is distributed from the upstream business operator to the downstream business operator. Data carriers can be reliably exchanged between downstream operators without fail, and the reliability of information transmission is improved.

[0011] In this case, as in the system according to the third aspect, in the physical distribution information, rewrite history data, which is incremented every time an information recording or erasing operation is performed in the rewrite area of the data carrier, is performed in the upstream carrier. If the configuration is such that the rewriting history data is recorded or stored in at least one of the rewrite area and the storage element of the data carrier, the data is forwarded from the downstream operator to the upstream operator. Based on the rewrite history data in the distribution information remaining on the data carrier, the life of the data carrier can be reliably managed, and the reliability of information transmission through the data carrier is improved.

Also, as in the system according to claim 4,
In the downstream business operator, the rewriting history data, which is incremented each time the information recording operation is performed on the rewriting area of the data carrier, is included in the received information, and the rewriting history data is stored in the rewriting area of the data carrier. Also, in the case of recording or storing in at least one of the storage elements, based on the rewriting history data in the reception information recorded or stored in the data carrier forwarded from the downstream operator to the upstream operator. As a result, the life management of the data carrier can be reliably performed, and the reliability of information transmission through the data carrier increases.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when a delivery business intervenes between an upstream business and a downstream business, the delivery business is carried out when the upstream business ships goods. To notify the delivery information on the shipping goods to the seller via communication means.
A code reader or an RFID tag interrogator for at least one of the logistics information recorded in the rewrite area of the data carrier and the logistics information stored in the storage element of the data carrier attached to the article shipped from the upstream business entity As a result, the distribution information is collated with the delivery information notified in advance, and the delivery process of the article is performed. As a result, even in the case where a delivery business intervenes between the upstream business and the downstream business, transmission of information between the businesses is performed by a two-dimensional code recorded in the rewrite area of the data carrier, or It can be performed reliably through electronic information stored in the storage element of the data carrier, and manages from the most upstream business to the most downstream business as an optimal distribution system as one distribution system. Will be possible.

According to the system described in claim 6, the downstream business operator checks the logistics information recorded or stored in the data carrier with the order information to the upstream business,
If there is an inconsistency in the collation result, the reception information is recorded in a two-dimensional coded state in the rewrite area of the data carrier, and an inconsistency indicating the inconsistency is found in the storage element of the data carrier. Since the reception information including the matching information is stored and the data carrier is forwarded to the upstream business operator to transmit the information, the upstream business operator determines the type of the abnormal state that has occurred in the logistics process as the above-mentioned information. This makes it easier to grasp based on the matching information, so that the abnormal state can be dealt with more quickly.

According to the system described in claim 7, the upstream business operator can determine whether the inconsistency information is recorded in the reception information recorded or stored on the data carrier forwarded from the downstream business operator. Since the inconsistency information can be reflected in a subsequent article supply plan (production plan, merchandise inventory plan, shipping plan, etc.), it is possible to prevent an excessive supply or an insufficient supply of articles beforehand, and to achieve a stable distribution system. Can be built.

According to the system described in claim 8, the downstream business operator records the received information in a two-dimensional code state in the rewrite area of the data carrier when the received article has an abnormality. In the storage element of the data carrier, the reception information including the abnormality information indicating the content of the abnormality is stored, and the information is transmitted by forwarding the data carrier to the upstream business. When an abnormality such as breakage or damage is found in the shipped article, the details of the abnormality can be easily grasped based on the abnormality information, and the abnormality of the shipped article itself can be promptly dealt with.

According to the system of the ninth aspect, when the downstream carrier returns the article related to the inconsistency information or the abnormal information when forwarding the data carrier to the upstream carrier, Since the receiving information is recorded in a two-dimensionally coded state in the rewrite area of the data carrier, and the receiving information including the return information is stored in the storage element of the data carrier, the upstream carrier has Can properly cope with the situation of returning the shipped goods.

According to the system of the tenth aspect, when the return business information is recorded in the receipt information recorded or stored in the data carrier forwarded from the downstream business operator, Since the returned information can be reflected in the subsequent product supply plan (production plan, product inventory plan, shipping plan, etc.), it is possible to prevent an excessive supply or a shortage of supplies, and to build a stable distribution system. become able to. In the data carrier according to the eleventh aspect, the rewrite area in which the two-dimensional code is recorded has a configuration in which the recording and erasing operations of the visible information can be repeated a predetermined number of times or more. Will be usable. Further, a transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting a response radio wave including storage information of the storage element in response to an interrogation radio wave from an external RFID tag interrogator is configured to operate by receiving power supply from the interrogation radio wave. Since there,
When used in the physical distribution management system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, there is no need to incorporate a battery. As a result, the maintainability can be improved, and the possibility of a power shortage due to battery exhaustion can be eliminated, thereby improving the operation reliability.

In the data carrier according to the twelfth aspect, the rewrite area in which the two-dimensional code is recorded has a configuration in which the recording and erasing operations of the visible information can be repeated a predetermined number of times or more. It can be used more than once. In addition, the power supply of the transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting a response radio wave including the storage information of the storage element in response to the interrogation radio wave from the external RFID tag interrogator is supplied from a solar cell provided in the data carrier. Therefore, when used in the physical distribution management system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, there is no need to incorporate a battery (chemical battery) that needs to be replaced or charged. As a result, it is possible to improve the maintainability and the operation reliability.

The data carrier according to the thirteenth aspect has a notch at a position deviated from the center line for determining its own direction. For example, when storing the data carrier in a state aligned with the stacker, The storing operation can be performed reliably and easily.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the front surface and the back surface of the data carrier 1 used as an information recording tag in this embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the data carrier 1 in which information different from that of FIG. The surface appearance of the condition is shown. This data carrier 1 has a reversible thermosensitive recording material (for example, Thermolylite (trade name, manufactured by Mitsubishi Paper Mills, Inc.)) using a leuco dye on the surface of a plastic outer case 1a of an RFID tag formed almost in a credit card size. )). In this embodiment, by attaching the heat-sensitive sheet to the entire surface of the data carrier 1, the entire surface of the data carrier 1 can be rewritten so that the recording (printing) and erasing operations of visible information can be performed. Used as area 2. The operation of recording and erasing information on the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1 can be repeated several hundred times. The outer case 1 of the data carrier 1
A notch 1b is formed at a position off the center of the side (a position off the center line of the outer shell case 1a) on one side of the side of the data carrier. The left and right directions can be determined.

In the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1,
For example, the following recording areas 2a to 2g are set. A sender display area 2a for recording the sender information such as the name, address, telephone number, etc. of the upstream business operator that is the sender of the goods (articles according to the present invention) in characters, etc., and the downstream as the delivery destination of the goods. A delivery destination display area 2b for recording delivery destination information such as a name, an address, and a telephone number of the side business operator in characters and the like, indicating a delivery business operator's name of the product, a delivery number, an order number, a total number of packages, and a shipping date and time. Delivery information display area 2 for recording delivery information (corresponding to distribution information in the present invention) in characters and the like
c, a delivery information recording area 2d for recording the delivery information (including other information related to the delivered product, if necessary) with a QR code which is a two-dimensional code, a customer code, and a supply indicating a supplier of the product. Party code,
Tracking code, shipping information indicating the packing quantity, weight, and volume per container (corresponding to distribution information in the present invention: FIG. 3)
(See (a)), or the quantity of goods received at the delivery destination (downstream company), the quantity not delivered (quantity missing), the quantity returned,
A shipping / receipt information display area 2e for recording any one of the receiving information (see FIG. 4) indicating the receiving date and time in characters or the like, and the shipping information (actually, other information (eg, product name ), Or the above-mentioned receipt information (if necessary, other information pertaining to the received product (reason for return of the product (wrong delivery, breakage, etc.)). And a license number recording area 2g for recording the identification number of the data carrier 1 with a barcode.

On the other hand, the RFI constituting the data carrier 1
As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the D tag is an I / O for storing the above-mentioned source information, destination information, delivery information, shipping information, receipt information, and the like as electronic data in the outer shell case 1a.
It houses a C chip 3 and a transmitting / receiving antenna 4, and its electrical configuration is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, an antenna 4 is provided to receive an interrogation radio wave from an external RFID tag interrogator and transmit a response radio wave to the interrogation radio wave. The RFID interrogator, for example,
The carrier frequency is set to several hundred kHz to several MHz by an electromagnetic induction type, and has a reader function of extracting information from response radio waves from the data carrier 1 side. The configuration has a writer function having a function of writing information to the IC chip 3.

In the IC chip 3, for example, an EEPROM
A data rewritable nonvolatile memory 5 (corresponding to a storage element in the present invention), a transmitting / receiving unit 6 for transmitting and receiving the interrogation radio wave and the response radio wave, and an interrogation radio wave received by the antenna 4 are converted into electric power. A power supply circuit 7 for supplying power to the IC chip 3 is incorporated. In this case, the transmitting / receiving unit 6 includes a receiving circuit 6 for demodulating the received interrogation radio wave.
a, a control circuit 6b for accessing the memory 5 in response to the demodulated signal, and a transmission circuit 6c for modulating information read from the memory 5 by the control circuit 6b and transmitting the modulated information from the antenna 4 as a response radio wave. ing. In FIG.
Components necessary for realizing the physical distribution management system are shown by combinations of functional blocks. However, FIG. 1 shows the simplest form of the system in order to simplify the description of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the process involving “moving an object” such as the data carrier 1, the container 12, and the product is indicated by a thick arrow.

In FIG. 1, in the physical distribution management system of this embodiment, a vehicle of a delivery company 10 is arranged between an upstream company 8 (for example, a product manufacturing factory) and a downstream company 9 (for example, a sales agent or a retail store). A return box type container 12 (corresponding to a return logistics container) delivered by 11 is used. Although not specifically illustrated, the container 12 includes:
A form holder for detachably attaching the data carrier 1 is attached to a side surface thereof, and the data carrier 1 is attached to the form holder of the container 12 in a state where the upstream carrier 8 and the downstream carrier are attached. It is configured to be moved between nine positions. Further, as the container 12, it is desirable to use a so-called folding type oricon.

The upstream company 8 reads a two-dimensional code (a QR code in this embodiment) recorded on the data carrier 1 and the production management device 13 and the shipment management device 14 each constituted by a computer system. Reading device 15 for data decoding, data carrier 1
An erasing device 16 for erasing the recorded contents of the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier, a recording device 17 for recording (printing) arbitrary information in the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1, and reading information on the RFID tag configuration of the data carrier 1. And a reader / writer 18 (corresponding to an RFID tag interrogator) having a writing function.

In this case, the production management device 13 and the shipment management device 14 are configured to exchange data with each other. In addition, the shipping management device 14 includes the code reading device 1.
5 and the reader / writer 18 have the function of organizing the information read, the function of controlling the erasing operation by the erasing device 16, and the information to be recorded in the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1 (in the case of the present embodiment, the delivery information and shipping information). It has a function of encoding a QR code, a function of controlling a recording operation through the recording device 17, and a function of writing arbitrary information to the memory 5 of the data carrier 1 through the reader / writer 18. The erasing device 16 and the recording device 17 can be unitized as one erasing / recording device. Further, the production management device 13 and the shipping management device 14 can be configured by one computer system.

The downstream business 9 has a sales management device 19 and a receipt management device 20 each composed of a computer system, and a code reading device 2 for reading and decoding the QR code recorded on the data carrier 1.
1. An erasing / recording device 22 for erasing the recorded content of the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1 and recording (printing) arbitrary information in the rewrite area 2, reading information on the RFID tag configuration of the data carrier 1. And a reader / writer 23 (corresponding to an RFID tag interrogator) having a writing function.

In this case, the sales management device 19 and the receipt management device 20 are configured to exchange data with each other. In addition, the arrival management device 20 includes the code reading device 2.
1 and a reader / writer 23, a function of organizing information read by the reader / writer 23, a function of encoding information to be recorded on the data carrier 1 (in the case of the present embodiment, the reception information) into a QR code, and a recording operation through the erasing / recording device 22. Control function,
In addition, it has a function of writing arbitrary information to the memory 5 of the data carrier 1 through the reader / writer 23. Note that the sales management device 19 and the arrival management device 20 can be configured by one computer system.

The delivery company 10 is provided with a delivery management device 24 constituted by a computer system and a code reading device 25 for reading and decoding a QR code recorded on the data carrier 1. in this case,
The code reading device 25 is a handy terminal type carried by a delivery person (driver or passenger of the vehicle 11), and delivers information read from the data carrier 1 through, for example, a public telephone line or MCA radio. The configuration is such that the information is transmitted to the management device 24 or the read information is stored in a built-in memory, and the information is input by connecting to the delivery management device 24 when returning to the installation location of the delivery management device 24. ing. In addition, data carrier 1
A reader having an information reading function regarding the RFID tag configuration may be provided integrally with the code reader 25, and the read information may be transmitted to the delivery management device 24.

In the above-mentioned physical distribution management system, the downstream business operator 9 transmits order information to the upstream business operator 8 through the sales management device 19 and the communication line J (public telephone line, dedicated communication line, Internet, etc.). The upstream business 8 transmits the delivery information to the delivery business 10 through the production management device 13 and the communication line J.

The flowchart of FIG. 2 shows an example of a procedure until delivery of a product corresponding to the order information is completed when there is one order information, which will be described below. In the following description, the processing contents of the upstream business 8 are shown by steps A1, A2,..., And the processing contents of the downstream business 9 are shown by steps B1 and B2.
The processing contents of the delivery business 10 are indicated by steps C1, C2,. Also, in FIG. 2, a process involving “movement of an object” such as the data carrier 1, the container 12, and a product is indicated by a thick arrow.

The downstream company 9 transmits order information on the required product from the sales management device 19 to the upstream company 8 via the communication line J (step B).
1) At the same time, the order information is stored in the sales management device 19.
To the receipt management device 20 (step B2). In this case, the received order management device 20 stores the transmitted order information in the built-in memory.

In the upstream business operator 8 receiving the order information, the production management device 13 creates a product production plan (article supply plan in the present invention) in accordance with the order information, that is, the order information. (Step A1). Next, the order information and the completed product information are transmitted to the shipping management device 14 (step A2).
The shipping management device 14 creates a shipping plan based on the received order information and product information, and sends the delivery information based on the shipping plan to the delivery company via the communication line J (step A3). Further, in the shipping management device 14, the recording device 17 records the source information, the destination information, the shipping information, and the delivery information on the product to be shipped in the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1, and records the data carrier. The data carrier 1 is stored in the memory 5 of the device 1 by the reader / writer 16, and the data carrier 1 is attached to the container 12 for the shipping product, so that a so-called delivery waiting state is set (step A4).

In this case, in the memory 5 of the data carrier 1, all of the above-mentioned sender information, delivery destination information, shipping information, and delivery information, or a necessary minimum of the information according to the storage capacity of the memory 5 is stored. Information is stored. In the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1, the above-mentioned source information, destination information, shipping information, and delivery information are recorded in characters and the like.
It is encoded and recorded as a QR code in a state containing other necessary information (see FIG. 3A). Further, in the shipping information stored and recorded as described above, “recording number” data that is incremented by “1” each time information recording or erasing operation is performed on the same data carrier 1 by the QR code is included. This is inserted as rewrite history data. However, this rewriting history data may be inserted into the delivery information.

In the delivery company 10 receiving the delivery information from the upstream company 8, the delivery management device 24 creates a delivery plan based on the delivery information, and arranges necessary personnel and vehicles ( Step C1). At the same time, the delivery information is downloaded to the handy terminal type code reader 25 (step C2).
Next, the delivery person in charge of the delivery company 10 reads the delivery information recorded in the data carrier 1 attached to the product (container 12) received from the upstream company 8 with the QR code by the code reading device 25. At the same time, the delivery information is read and the delivery information downloaded from the delivery management device 24 is checked to confirm that there is no difference from the delivery plan, and then the product is delivered (step C3). If the code reading device 25 is provided with a reader for reading information from the memory 5 of the data carrier 1, the read information is backed up by the code reading device 25. Available for use.

In the downstream business 9, the delivery business 1
0 receives the delivered product (container 12), the order information stored in the receipt management device 20,
The data carrier 1 attached to the product is checked against shipping information read by, for example, the code reading device 21, and based on the information, it is checked whether the type and quantity of the received product are correct. A delivery inspection is performed (step B3). The shipping information read from the memory 5 of the data carrier 1 by the reader / writer 23 is used for comparison with the delivery information read by the code reading device 25 or for backup.

At the time of the above delivery inspection, if there is an inconsistency in the collation result between the order information and the shipping information, that is, if there is a difference between the number of products indicated by the order information and the number of products actually received, Is detected as undelivered (out of stock) or mis-delivered, and the detection result is stored in the internal memory as inconsistency information. If the received product has an abnormality such as breakage or damage, it is detected as a defective product, and the detection result is stored in the internal memory as abnormality information.

Next, the downstream business operator includes, for the data carrier 1 attached to the product, the received quantity, undelivered quantity, returned quantity (corresponding to returned information in the present invention), and the date and time of receipt. The receipt information is recorded in the rewriting area 2 of the data carrier 1 by the erasing / recording device 22, and is stored in the memory 5 by the reader / writer 23, and is stored in the container 12 for returning the data carrier 1 to the upstream company 8. Attached (step B4). If there is a product to be returned, the product is stored in the container 12. In the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1,
Receiving information including the received quantity, undelivered quantity, returned quantity, and date and time of receipt is recorded in characters and the like, and the received information including inconsistency information and abnormal information is recorded in a QR code-encoded state. (See FIG. 4). However, the information on the undelivered quantity and the returned quantity may naturally be zero, and the received information may not include the inconsistency information and the abnormal information. Prior to the recording of the reception information in the rewrite area 2, the shipment information recorded in the rewrite area 2 is erased by the erasing / recording device 22, and the shipment information stored in the memory 5 is written by the reader / writer. The data is erased according to the operation (overwriting operation). Further, in this case, in the memory 5 of the data carrier 1, all of the reception information including the inconsistency information and the abnormality information, or a minimum necessary amount of the information corresponding to the storage capacity of the memory 5 is included. The information is stored.

Thereafter, the downstream company 9 transmits the receipt information (other information can be included as necessary) from the receipt management device 20 to the sales management device 19 (step B5). The sales management device 19 creates the next product ordering plan by reflecting the received receipt information (step B6).

The delivery company 10 which has received the container 12 to be returned from the downstream company 9 to the upstream company 8 reads the reception information recorded in the attached data carrier 1 of the container 12 with a QR code using a code reading device. 25, the container 12 is read and stored, and the container 12 is delivered to the upstream company (step C4). This step C
4, the information read from the data carrier 1 is input to the delivery management device 24 of the delivery company 10 by data communication through a public telephone line or MCA radio, or When the user returns to the installation location, the receipt information stored in the code reader 25 is directly input. The delivery management device 24 to which the receipt information has been input in this way creates the next product delivery plan reflecting the receipt information including the inconsistency information indicating that the product has been incorrectly delivered (step C).
5).

The upstream operator 8 having received the container 12 reads the reception information recorded in the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1 attached to the container 12 by using the code reading device 15, The reception information stored in the memory 5 of the data carrier 1 is read by the reader / writer 18 and is input to the shipping management device 14 (step A5). In this case, the rewriting history data included in the shipping information of the data carrier 1 is also read at the same time, and when the “recording count” data indicating the rewriting history data has reached a predetermined upper limit, the data carrier 1 Is discarded, and for the other data carriers 1, the information recorded in the rewrite area 2 is erased by the erasing device 16 and reused (step A6). Note that this disposal instruction can be issued, for example, by displaying or warning by the code reading device 15 immediately after the rewriting history data is read by the code reading device 15. good.

In the shipping management device 14, based on the input receipt information, the downstream business operator 9 checks the delivery status of the received product, performs a completion process for the product, and processes the received information. The information is transmitted to the production management device 14 (step A7). The production management device 14 includes information on the undelivered product in the received receipt information (inconsistency information indicating that the product has not been delivered or has been incorrectly distributed, and abnormal information indicating that the product has a defective product). If there is, a next production plan reflecting information on undelivered products and defective products is created (step A8).

In short, according to the above-described embodiment, when the upstream company 8 ships a product based on the order information from the downstream company 9, the shipping information and the delivery information related to the product are sent. Such information is recorded as a QR code by the recording device 17 and the data carrier 1 in which the information is stored as electronic data by the reader / writer 18 is attached to the product transport container 12 so that the information to the downstream company 9 can be provided. It communicates. The downstream business operator 9 receiving the container 12 and the product to which the data carrier 1 is attached reads the shipping information recorded on the data carrier 1 by the QR code using the code reading device 15, and reads the data carrier 1 The reader / writer 23 reads the shipping information electronically stored in the storage device and performs a delivery inspection to confirm whether or not there is an error in the type and quantity of the received product. Further, the downstream-side operator 9 sends the data carrier 1 QR information on the receipt of the goods to the data carrier 1.
While being coded and recorded by the erasing / recording device 22,
The received information is stored as electronic data by the reader / writer 23, and the data carrier 1 is attached to the container 12 to be returned to the upstream business operator 8, thereby transmitting information to the upstream business operator 8. . Then, the upstream business operator 8 reads the receipt information stored and recorded on the data carrier 1 forwarded from the downstream business operator 9 by the code reading device 15 and the reader / writer 18 to confirm the delivery status of the product. At the same time, the information recorded by the QR code in the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1 is erased by the erasing device 16 and reused as the data carrier 1 attached when shipping a new product (memory 5). Is deleted when new information is overwritten when the data carrier 1 is reused.)

The upstream business 8 and the downstream business 9
When the upstream business entity 8 ships the product, the delivery business entity 10 interposed therebetween is notified of the delivery information on the shipping product via the communication line J, and
, The delivery information recorded by the QR code on the attached data carrier 1 of the container 12 (shipment product) from the upstream company 8 is read by the code reader 25, and the delivery information and the delivery notified in advance are provided. The delivery processing of the product is performed by comparing the information with the information.

As a result, even when the delivery business 10 is interposed between the upstream business 8 and the downstream business 9, the transmission of various information between the businesses is performed by the upstream business 8. And the data carrier 1 transmitted and received in a state of being attached to the container 12 between the downstream operators 9 can be reliably performed through the information recorded in the QR code and the information stored electronically, and Since the amount of information that can be transmitted by such a QR code or electronic data can be made sufficiently large, it is possible to manage from the upstream company 8 to the downstream company 9 in an optimal state as one distribution system. . Further, since the data carrier 1 is moved while being mounted on the container 12 which is distributed as a return distribution container between the upstream business operator 8 and the downstream business operator 9, the upstream business operator 8 and the downstream business operator 9 are moved. The transmission and reception of the data carrier 1 between the terminals 9 can be surely performed, and the reliability of information transmission is improved.

Further, at the time of delivery inspection, the downstream business operator 9 compares the shipping information recorded on the data carrier 1 with the order information to the upstream business operator 8, and there is an inconsistency in the comparison result. In this case (when there is a shortage or misdelivery of the goods shipped by the upstream company 8), the data carrier 1
Since the receiving information including the inconsistency information indicating the contents of the inconsistency is recorded as a QR code and electronic data, and the data carrier 1 is forwarded to the upstream company 8, the information is transmitted. On the other hand, the upstream company 8 can easily grasp the type of the abnormal state that has occurred in the physical distribution process based on the inconsistency information, and can quickly deal with the abnormal state.

Further, at the time of the above-mentioned delivery inspection, if there is an abnormality such as breakage or damage in the received product, the downstream business operator 9 gives the data carrier 1 reception information including abnormality information indicating the nature of the abnormality. Is recorded in the form of a QR code and electronic data, and information is transmitted by forwarding the data carrier 1 to the upstream business entity 8, so that the upstream business entity 8 may damage or damage the shipped product. When there is an abnormality such as the above, the content of the abnormality can be easily grasped based on the abnormality information, and the abnormality of the shipped product itself can be promptly dealt with.

As a result of the above, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the downstream business operator 9 suffers a damage caused by a missing or incorrectly delivered product, or damage or damage to the product, and the upstream business company 8 In this case, the work for eliminating the abnormal state can be easily performed, and as a result, the distribution cost can be reduced.

Further, when the downstream carrier 9 forwards the data carrier 1 to the upstream carrier 8 and returns a product related to the inconsistency information or the abnormal information, the downstream carrier 9 sends the data carrier 1 to the data carrier 1. Returned quantity (return information)
Is recorded in the form of a QR code and electronic data, so that the upstream business operator 8 can appropriately cope with the situation of returning the shipped product based on the reception information. Become. In addition, if the inconsistency information is recorded in the reception information recorded on the data carrier 1 forwarded from the downstream operator 9, the upstream business operator 8 transmits the inconsistency information to the subsequent product production. Because it can be reflected in the plan or product inventory plan, shipping plan, etc.
It is possible to prevent an excessive supply or an insufficient supply of goods beforehand, and to construct a stable distribution system.

Further, the rewrite area 2 of the data carrier 1 has a configuration in which recording and erasing operations of data such as characters and information by a QR code can be repeated a predetermined number of times or more, so that the running cost is reduced. This also contributes to a reduction in distribution costs.
The shipping information recorded on the data carrier 1 includes “recording count” data that is incremented by “1” each time a recording or erasing operation of the shipping information or the like is performed by the upstream company 8, and the rewriting history data. In the upstream business operator 8, based on the rewriting history data in the shipping information remaining in the data carrier 1 forwarded from the downstream business operator 9, It is configured to manage the life of the data carrier 1 (manage whether the data carrier 1 is discarded or reused). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the information recorded on the data carrier 1 from becoming unclear due to the life of the data carrier 1, thereby improving the reliability of information transmission through the data carrier 1. Become like

Further, since the data carrier 1 is configured to hold the same information by two recording systems (QR code, electronic data) capable of automatically recognizing, for example, the data carrier 1 attached to the article Information recorded in the rewrite area (QR code)
When it becomes difficult to read the information, the information stored in the memory 5 can be used as a backup for the information recorded in the rewrite area. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of information, which is useful in improving the reliability of the entire system.

In the data carrier 1, a transmitting / receiving unit 6 for transmitting a response radio wave including information stored in the memory 5 in response to an external interrogation radio wave receives power from the interrogation radio wave. It has a working configuration,
Eliminates the need to incorporate batteries. As a result, the maintainability can be improved, and the possibility of a power shortage due to battery exhaustion can be eliminated, thereby improving the operation reliability. Further, the data carrier 1 is provided with a notch 1b for determining its own direction at a position on one side of the outer shell case 1a which is off the center line of the outer shell case 1a. When the carrier 1 is stored in a state of being aligned with the stacker, it is possible to prevent the storage posture from being erroneously set, and the storage operation can be performed reliably and easily.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the distribution management system in a simple form in which only the delivery company 10 is interposed between the upstream company 8 and the downstream company 9 has been described. However, in reality, there are many intermediate businesses such as distribution centers and wholesale businesses. As the logistics form including such an intermediate company, (1) a form in which a transaction with the upstream business and a trade with the downstream business are performed independently of each other; There is a form in which only coordination (broking) of transactions performed with downstream businesses is performed.

In the case of the physical distribution mode (1), as shown in FIG. 6, which schematically shows the system according to the second embodiment of the present invention,
Containers 12 (and commodities) are exchanged between the upstream business 26 and the intermediate business 27 via the delivery business 28, and the delivery is performed between the intermediate business 27 and the downstream business 29. Container 12 (and merchandise) via business 30
Is given and received. In this case, in the relationship between the upstream business operator 26 and the intermediate business operator 27, the intermediate business operator 27 functions as the downstream business operator according to the present invention. As in the first embodiment, information is transmitted through the data carrier 1 attached (attached) to the container 12.

The intermediate company 27 and the downstream company 29
In relation to the above, the intermediate operator 27 functions as the upstream operator according to the present invention, and the two operators 2
Also between 7 and 22, information is transmitted through the data carrier 1 attached (attached) to the container 12, as in the first embodiment. The transmission of the order information from the intermediate operator 27 to the upstream operator 26 and the transmission of the order information from the downstream operator 29 to the intermediate operator 27 are performed through the communication line J, respectively. Transmission of the delivery information from 26 to the delivery company 28 and delivery of the delivery information from the intermediate company 27 to the delivery company 30 are also performed through the communication line J.

(Third Embodiment) In the case of the physical distribution mode of the above (2), as shown in FIG. 7, which schematically shows the system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the container 12 (and the goods) It flows between the downstream business operator 26 and the downstream business operator 29, and vice versa, from the downstream business operator 29 to the upstream business operator 26.
In step 7, based on the shipping information read from the data carrier 1 attached to the container 12, it is determined whether or not merchandise transactions, which are the responsibility range, are proceeding smoothly. Also in this embodiment, the transmission of order information from the intermediate company 27 to the upstream company 26 and the transmission of order information from the downstream company 29 to the intermediate company 27 are performed through the communication line J. The transmission of the delivery information from the upstream operator 26 to the delivery operator 28 and the transmission of the delivery information from the intermediate operator 27 to the delivery operator 30 are also performed through the communication line J.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only portions different from the first embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is characterized in that a data carrier 1 'having a form as shown in FIG. 8 is used as an information recording tag instead of the data carrier 1 in the first embodiment. A rectangular solar cell 31 is disposed on the front side of the data carrier 1 ′, and a rewrite region 2 ′ made of the same heat-sensitive sheet as the data carrier 1 avoids the portion where the solar cell 31 is disposed. Provided in the form. The rewrite area 2 'includes a source display area 2a, a destination display area 2b, a delivery information display area 2c, a delivery information recording area 2d, and a shipment / reception information display similar to those of the data carrier 1 shown in FIG. An area 2e, a shipment / reception information recording area 2f, and a license number recording area 2g are formed.

This data carrier 1 ′ is formed of an outer shell case 1.
In FIG. 9A, an IC chip 3 'for storing information as electronic data and a transmitting / receiving antenna 4 are housed, and the electrical configuration is as shown in FIG. 9, an IC chip 3 'provided on a data carrier 1' includes a nonvolatile memory 5, a transmission / reception unit 6 for transmitting / receiving an interrogation radio wave and a response radio wave, and stabilizes the output of a solar cell 31 to provide the IC. A power supply circuit 32 for supplying power to the chip 3 'is incorporated.

According to the structure of this embodiment, the rewrite area 2 'has a structure in which the recording and erasing operations of the visible information can be repeated a predetermined number of times or more. In addition, since the power supply of the transmission / reception unit 6 including the control circuit 6b and the like and the memory 5 is supplied from the solar cell 31 provided in the data carrier 1 ', a chemical battery which needs to be replaced or charged is built in. As a result, it is possible to achieve an improvement in maintainability and an improvement in reliability with respect to an operable time.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications or extensions are possible. Data carrier 1,
Although the QR code is used as the two-dimensional code recorded in 1 ', a system having a configuration using another two-dimensional code (a code called a maxi code, a data matrix, a color code, a PDF417, etc.) may be used. The recording areas set in the rewrite areas 2, 2 'of the data carriers 1, 1' are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8, but can be variously changed according to the required specifications. In addition, the rewriting history data that is incremented each time the information recording operation is performed on the data carriers 1 and 1 ′ is transmitted from the upstream carrier to the data carriers 1 and 1 ′.
1 ', it is also possible to construct a system in which the rewriting history data is recorded by the downstream company and the rewriting history data is used for the life management of the data carriers 1, 1'. is there. Although an example of an upstream company is a product manufacturing factory, and an example of a downstream company is a sales agent or a retail store, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these.

Reader / writer and RFID for RFID tag
A hybrid device in which a code reader for reading a code is housed in the same housing may be provided. A shipping / reception information display area 2 in which one of shipping information and receiving information is selectively recorded in the rewrite areas 2, 2 '.
e and the shipment / receipt information recording area 2f are provided, but each area for separately recording the shipping information and the receipt information is provided (the shipping information is not erased on the downstream business side and is left as it is. Configuration). The frequency used in the RFID tag is a short wave band (for example, 13.56 MHz) or a quasi-microwave band (2.45 GHz).
z) may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an entire distribution management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure example until delivery of a product corresponding to order information is completed.

FIG. 3 is a front view and a rear view of the data carrier.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a data carrier on which information different from the example of FIG. 3 is recorded.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a data carrier.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a physical distribution management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a physical distribution management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 'is a data carrier, 1b is a notch, 2, 2' is a rewrite area, 3, 3 'is an IC chip, 4 is an antenna,
5 is a non-volatile memory (storage element), 6 is a transmission / reception unit, 7 is a power supply circuit, 8 is an upstream company, 9 is a downstream company, 10
Is a delivery company, 11 is a vehicle, 12 is a container (return logistics container), 13 is a production management device, 14 is a shipping management device, 1
5 is a code reader, 16 is an erasing device, 17 is a recording device, 18 is a reader / writer (RFID tag interrogator), 1
9 is a sales management device, 20 is a receiving management device, 21 is a code reading device, 22 is an erasing / recording device, 23 is a reader / writer (RFID tag interrogator), 24 is a delivery management device, 25
Is a code reader, 26 is an upstream company, 27 is an intermediate company (upstream company, downstream company), 28 is a delivery company, 29 is a downstream company, 30 is a delivery company, and 31 is a delivery company. A solar cell 32 indicates a power supply circuit.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G06K 19/00 G06K 19/00 Q (72) Inventor Akira Shibata 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Pref. DENSO Corporation (72) Inventor Naoto Fujimoto 3-3-16 Toei-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture Within DENSO Topics Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobuyuki 3-3-1-16 Toei-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture F-Term (Denso Topics Co., Ltd.) Reference) 3F022 AA09 AA15 MM02 MM08 MM11 MM28 MM35 PP04 QQ13 5B035 BB09 BC00 CA23 5B049 BB31 DD04 FF08 5B058 CA15 YA20 5B072 BB00 CC21

Claims (13)

[Claims] Claims: 1. An information recording tag is attached to an article shipped based on order information from a downstream operator to an upstream operator, and an article shipped from the upstream operator to the downstream operator is attached to the article. In the logistics management system configured to transmit such logistics information, as the information recording tag, recording and erasing of information that can be viewed on the surface of an RFID tag including an electronic storage element and a transmitting / receiving unit is performed a predetermined number of times or more. Prepare a data carrier having a repeatable rewrite area, in the upstream business, when shipping the goods to the downstream business, in the state where the logistics information is two-dimensionally coded for the rewrite area Recording the logistics information and attaching a data carrier storing the logistics information in the storage element as an information recording tag to perform information transmission. At least one of the logistics information recorded in the rewrite area of the carrier and the logistics information stored in the storage element is read by a code reader or an interrogator for an RFID tag to confirm a received article. Information is transmitted by recording at least the reception information in a two-dimensional coded state in the rewrite area, storing at least the reception information relating to the reception of the article in the storage element, and forwarding the data carrier to an upstream company. Performing, at the upstream operator, at least one of the reception information recorded in the rewrite area of the forwarding data carrier from the downstream operator and the logistics information stored in the storage element by a code reader or RFID. The delivery status of the goods is checked by reading with the interrogator for tags, and Performing an operation of erasing the information recorded in the storage area and the information stored in the storage element, and providing the forwarding data carrier to an information recording tag attached when shipping a new article. A logistics management system characterized by comprising: 2. A return distribution container which is circulated between the upstream business operator and the downstream business operator, wherein the data carrier is mounted on the return distribution container and the upstream business operator and the downstream business operator. The physical distribution management system according to claim 1, wherein the physical distribution management system is moved between locations. 3. The logistics management system according to claim 1, wherein the upstream carrier updates the logistics history data, which is incremented each time information is recorded or erased in a rewrite area of the data carrier, by the logistics information. And recording or storing the rewrite history data in at least one of the rewrite area and the storage element of the data carrier, and using the rewrite history data for managing the life of the data carrier. A logistics management system characterized by: 4. The logistics management system according to claim 1, wherein rewriting history data, which is incremented each time an operation of recording information in a rewrite area of the data carrier is performed by the downstream business operator, is included in the received information. And a step of recording or storing the rewriting history data in at least one of the rewrite area and the storage element of the data carrier, wherein the rewriting history data is used for managing the life of the data carrier. And logistics management system. 5. In a case where a delivery business is interposed between the upstream business and the downstream business, the upstream business notifies the delivery business of delivery information on shipping articles via communication means. And at least one of the logistics information recorded in the rewrite area of the data carrier attached to the goods to be shipped from the upstream carrier and the logistics information stored in the storage element of the data carrier. Reading the information by a code reader or an interrogator for an RFID tag, and comparing the physical distribution information with the delivery information notified in advance to perform an article delivery process. 5. The physical distribution management system according to any one of claims 4 to 4. 6. The downstream business operator checks the logistics information recorded or stored in the data carrier against the ordering information, and rewrites the data carrier when there is an inconsistency in the checking result. Receiving information including inconsistency information indicating the content of the inconsistency in the area is recorded in a two-dimensional coded state, and the receiving information is stored in the storage element of the data carrier, and the data carrier is transmitted to the upstream carrier. The physical distribution management system according to claim 1, further comprising a step of transmitting information by forwarding. 7. The distribution management system according to claim 6, wherein the upstream business operator includes the inconsistency information in reception information recorded or stored in a data carrier forwarded from the downstream business operator. A logistics management system characterized in that the inconsistency information is reflected in a subsequent article supply plan in the case where the information has been updated. 8. When the received article has an abnormality, the downstream-side operator records reception information including abnormality information indicating the content of the abnormality in a rewrite area of the data carrier, and stores the data carrier. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of storing the received information in a two-dimensionally coded state in the element, and performing information transmission by forwarding the data carrier to an upstream carrier. Described logistics management system. 9. The distribution management system according to claim 7, wherein the downstream business operator returns an article associated with the inconsistency information or the abnormal information when forwarding the data carrier to the upstream business company. The receiving information including return information is recorded in a rewrite area of the data carrier, and the receiving information is stored in a storage element of the data carrier in a two-dimensional coded state. Logistics management system. 10. The distribution management system according to claim 9, wherein the upstream business operator includes the return information in reception information recorded or stored on a data carrier forwarded from the downstream business operator. Logistics management system that, in the event of a return, reflects the returned information in a subsequent product supply plan. 11. A data carrier used in the physical distribution management system according to claim 1, wherein a rewrite area capable of repeating a visible information recording and erasing operation a predetermined number of times or more, And a transmission / reception unit that transmits a response radio wave including storage information of the storage element in response to an interrogation radio wave from an external RFID tag interrogator, wherein the transmission / reception unit supplies power by the interrogation radio wave. A data carrier configured to operate in response to the data carrier. 12. A data carrier used in the physical distribution management system according to claim 1, wherein a rewrite area in which recording and erasing operations of visible information can be repeated a predetermined number of times or more, A transmitting and receiving unit that transmits a response radio wave including information stored in the storage element in response to an interrogation radio wave from an external RFID tag interrogator; and a solar cell for supplying power to the transmitting and receiving unit. A data carrier characterized by comprising: 13. The data carrier according to claim 11, wherein the data carrier has a notch at a position deviated from a center line thereof in order to determine a direction of the data carrier.