JP2004191293A - Article location detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article location detecting system for detecting the location of an article housed in a warehouse or in a store, or detecting the location of an article left behind at home or in an office. <P>SOLUTION: This system is provided with a communication means 250 for reading a code from a wireless tag of an article by previously attaching the wireless tag 100 stored with the code to the housed or possessed article, a means 260 for creating data in which the read code is associated with the name of the article, a storage means 270 for storing the created data in a form like a table, for example, a means 260 for determining the intensity of radio wave from the article for transmitting a relevant code, and a display means 221 for performing display corresponding to the intensity of the radio wave. These means are formed into a portable-type electronic apparatus by housing them in one case, for example. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a location detection system, and more particularly to a technique that is effective when used in a system that detects the location of an article stored in a warehouse or a store, or detects the location of an article left behind in a home or office.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing predetermined data, a transmission circuit for transmitting data read from the ROM to the outside, and reading data from the ROM in response to a request from the outside and the like. A logic circuit that performs control to output data to the outside by a transmission circuit, performs predetermined arithmetic processing, and the like, and a small semiconductor of 1 mm square or less called a wireless tag that incorporates a power supply circuit that supplies a power supply voltage to these circuits. Chips are known.
[0003]
Such a semiconductor chip stores a product code or the like in a built-in ROM, attaches it to a product as a tag, and reads a code in the ROM with a predetermined reading device when passing through a cash register, thereby performing a conventional barcode adjustment. It is expected to replace the system. The present invention is an invention utilizing the function of such a semiconductor chip.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a warehouse or a store, there may be a case where the location of an article being stored cannot be determined, or in a home or office, the user may have lost or misplaced an article. Conventionally, there is no device that searches for items stored in warehouses or stores, or for misplaced items in homes and offices. There is a problem of spending time.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide an article location detection system capable of detecting the location of an article stored in a warehouse or a store, and detecting the location of an article left behind in a home or office.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and has a wireless tag storing a code attached to an article being stored or owned, and reads the code from the wireless tag attached to the article. Communication means, means for creating data in a format such as a table in which the read code is associated with the article name, storage means for storing the created data, and radio waves from the article transmitting the corresponding code A means for determining the strength of the radio wave and a display means for performing a display according to the strength of the radio wave. For example, these means are housed in one case to constitute a portable electronic device. is there.
[0007]
According to the above-described means, when the receiver enters the reception mode by designating the code of the article to be found and changes the direction of the case, the strength of the radio wave from the article emitting the code is displayed on the display device. Since the direction in which the article to be found is located can be known from the strength, the article can be easily found.
[0008]
The above function can be incorporated in an electronic terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance). If the case cannot be moved, two devices having the same function are prepared, and the direction of the strongest radio wave detected by one device is transmitted to the other device. The two-dimensional position or the three-dimensional position of the target article may be determined from the detected direction of the strongest radio wave and the data received from one of the devices, and may be displayed on the display device.
[0009]
Further, a direction conversion means including a support base on which the case can be mounted and a motor for rotating the support base to change the direction of the case is provided, and the motor is automatically controlled by the control means in the case. A search function may be added. In this case, it is not necessary to house all the components in one case. For example, the display device and a console panel for giving commands to the system may be configured separately from the case.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable electronic device such as a PDA.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing predetermined data, a transmission circuit for transmitting data read from the ROM to the outside, and the ROM in response to a request from the outside. A wireless tag chip which incorporates a logic circuit for performing control and predetermined arithmetic processing for reading data from the memory and outputting the data to the outside by a transmission circuit, and a power supply circuit for supplying a power supply voltage to these circuits.
[0011]
Although not particularly limited, the wireless tag chip 100 is configured to rectify an AC signal input from the outside via the antenna 110 with a diode bridge or the like to generate an internal DC power supply voltage. The antenna 110 is formed in a state in which it is insulated from the circuit element by an insulating film on the periphery of the chip or above the circuit portion by a wiring made of a conductive layer having a predetermined pattern. Further, a code different for each chip is stored in a built-in ROM of each wireless tag chip 100.
[0012]
Reference numeral 200 denotes a portable electronic device such as a PDA incorporating the article location detection function according to the present invention. Reference numeral 210 denotes a case of the device. Reference numeral 220 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel provided on the upper surface of the case 210. A man-machine interface unit having a function as an input unit incorporating a sensor, and 231 to 235 are operation buttons such as a power switch and a control switch. The PDA of this embodiment can give commands to the internal control device using the operation buttons 231 to 235, and give commands and input commands and data by touching key buttons displayed on the man-machine interface unit 210. It is configured to be able to.
[0013]
Further, the PDA of this embodiment is configured such that when the mode is set to the article detection mode, a display indicating the intensity of the received radio wave is made on the interface unit 210 by a bar graph pattern A by a function described later.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the PDA (200).
As shown in FIG. 2, the PDA 200 includes an antenna 240, a transmission / reception circuit 250 as communication means connected to the antenna, a microprocessor (CPU) for controlling the entire device and performing predetermined arithmetic processing, and the like. , A memory 270 for storing programs and data executed by the CPU, generating and outputting signals to an external liquid crystal panel (LCD) 221 according to control signals from the control circuit 260, a touch sensor 222, a power switch, etc. And an input / output circuit (I / O port) for supplying an input signal from the operation switch SW to the control circuit 260.
[0015]
The control circuit of the PDA according to the present embodiment has a function of receiving a code transmitted from the wireless tag chip 100 attached to the article and generating data in a format such as a table in which the received code is associated with the article name. And a function of storing the created data in the memory 270 and a function of determining the intensity of radio waves from the article to which the code is transmitted. The memory 270 includes a ROM for storing programs and fixed data, and a RAM (random access memory) for storing data generated by the control circuit 260. A rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used instead of the RAM. The table data is stored in a RAM or an EEPROM.
[0016]
Next, the article location detection function provided in the PDA of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The article location detection function is realized by the article registration processing of FIG. 4 and the article detection processing of FIG.
[0017]
At the time of article registration, the user places an article to be registered having a tag chip near the PDA 200 and instructs registration by input from the touch sensor 222 or the like. When the control circuit 260 determines that an article registration command has been received from an input from the touch sensor 222 or the like, the control circuit 260 shifts to an article registration mode, starts the article registration process of FIG. 4, and firstly, a code read command for reading a code from the tag chip. Is transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 250 (step S11). Then, the tag chip 100 receiving this command reads out the code from the built-in ROM and outputs it. When the control circuit 260 of the PDA 200 receives this code, it takes it in and searches the table in the memory 270 to determine whether the code has already been registered (steps S12 to S14).
[0018]
If the code has been registered, "registered" is displayed on the liquid crystal panel, and the process ends (step S18). On the other hand, when the received code is not registered in the table in the memory 270, the process proceeds to step S15, and the control circuit 260 causes the liquid crystal panel to display a screen prompting the input of the article name. Then, if an article name is input from the touch sensor 222, it is fetched, the article name is registered in a table in the memory 270 in association with the code, and the process is terminated (steps S16 and S17).
[0019]
At the time of article detection, the user operates the touch sensor 222 or the like of the PDA 200 and inputs an article detection command. When the control circuit 260 determines that the article detection command has been received, the control circuit 260 shifts to the article detection mode, starts the article registration process of FIG. 5, and first displays on the liquid crystal panel a screen prompting the input of the name of the article whose location is to be detected ( Step S21). Then, if an article name is input from the touch sensor 222, it is fetched, a table in the memory 270 is searched, and a code corresponding to the article name is read from the memory 270 (steps S22, S23).
[0020]
Next, the control circuit 260 causes the transmission / reception circuit 250 to transmit a code read command for reading a code from the tag chip (step S24). Then, the tag chip 100 receiving this command reads out the code from the built-in ROM and outputs it. When the control circuit 260 of the PDA 200 receives this code, it takes it in and determines whether it matches the transmitted code (steps S25 and S26).
[0021]
If the codes do not match, the flow returns to step S24 to transmit the code read command again, and receives the code from the tag chip 100 to determine whether the code matches the transmitted code. If the codes match, the process proceeds to step S27 to determine the radio field intensity of the received signal of the code. Subsequently, a signal for displaying the determined radio wave intensity on the liquid crystal panel is output (step S28). Then, it is determined whether or not an end command has been input from the touch sensor 222. If there is no end command, the process returns to step S24 to repeat the above operation from transmission of the code read command, and if there is an end command, ends the article detection process ( Step S29).
[0022]
The user looks at the radio wave intensity displayed on the liquid crystal panel in step S28, and if the intensity is low, changes the direction of the PDA or moves from one place to another to find the location and direction of the highest intensity, thereby finding the location of the article. You can find the location.
[0023]
When this embodiment is applied, the PDA 200 needs a means for detecting the intensity of the radio wave, but the transmission / reception circuit 250 increases the amplification factor when the received signal is weak, and increases the amplification factor when the received signal is strong. Has a built-in variable gain amplifier that reduces the amplification factor, and a circuit that determines the amplification factor from the received signal is provided.If a circuit that detects the level of the received signal is provided, implement the detection circuit. The circuit can also be used as the detection circuit of the radio wave intensity in the example.
[0024]
Also, in the case where a circuit that cannot take out a detection signal is used as a unit with a circuit that generates a level detection and a gain control signal, the gain control signal output from the circuit is stored in a gain control signal stored in a memory in advance. By converting the table data indicating the relationship between the signal and the intensity of the received signal into radio field intensity data, the radio field intensity detection means can be omitted.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission / reception circuit 250 for communicating with a wireless tag having a wireless communication function. Although the transmission / reception circuit 250 of this embodiment is not particularly limited, the transmission system circuit 251 and the reception system circuit are configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit on one semiconductor chip. The control circuit 260 can be constituted by a microprocessor, a single-chip microcomputer, or the like.
[0026]
In FIG. 3, a reception system circuit includes a low-noise amplifier 252 for amplifying a signal received by the antenna 240, an oscillator 253, and a mixing of the amplified reception signal and an oscillation signal from the oscillator 253 to convert the signal into a low-frequency signal. Mixer 254, a variable gain amplifier 255 for amplifying the frequency-converted signal, and a gain control signal for the variable gain amplifier 255 based on the output signal of the amplifier so that the amplitude of the signal becomes a predetermined level. It is composed of a gain control circuit 256 and the like for supplying the voltage.
[0027]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 290 denotes a circulator for transmitting a transmission signal from the transmission system circuit 251 to the antenna 240 and transmitting a signal received by the antenna 240 to the reception input terminal RX. Since the transmission system circuit 251 is not directly related to the present invention, a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the gain control circuit 256 detects a signal level and, according to the detected level, increases the gain when the level is low and decreases the gain when the level is high. A control signal is generated to control the variable gain amplifier 255. A signal corresponding to the detection level in the gain control circuit 256 is supplied to the control circuit 260 of the system, and the control circuit 260 It is configured to determine the strength of the received signal based on the received signal.
[0029]
In this embodiment, the gain control circuit 256 is formed on the same chip as the variable gain amplifier 255, but may be formed on another chip. Further, the function of the gain control circuit 256 can be given to the control circuit 260. In this case, the output of the variable gain amplifier 255 is A / D converted by an A / D conversion circuit to determine the level and generate gain control data. The level determination function is used to determine the determined level and the gain at that time. The strength of the received signal can be determined from the control data.
[0030]
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a configuration example of a system that is provided in a warehouse or a store and is suitable for managing articles.
In this embodiment, a case 310 incorporating a transmitting / receiving circuit and an antenna 240, a support 320 capable of fixing the case 310, and a motor 330 for rotating the support 320 to change the direction of the case are provided. A device, a control circuit for sending a signal to a transmission / reception circuit in the case 310, receiving and processing a signal from the transmission / reception circuit, and controlling the motor 330, a console panel for giving commands to the control circuit, and a display unit are mounted. The control box 340 is used.
[0031]
Further, two devices including the case 310, the support 320, and the driving device 330 shown in FIG. 6 are prepared, and the target is determined from the direction of the strongest radio wave detected by one device and the direction of the strongest radio wave detected by the other device. The two-dimensional position or three-dimensional position of the article may be determined and displayed on the display unit of the control box 340.
[0032]
Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Nor. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the input of the article name and the like has been described to be performed from the touch panel having the touch sensor. However, the input may be performed from the keyboard provided on the surface of the case.
[0033]
In addition, sound emitting means and light emitting elements are attached to each article together with the wireless tag, and the sound emitting means attached to the article to be detected is sounded or the light emitting element emits light by a signal from the wireless tag or the PDA. Is also good. Furthermore, the semiconductor chip attached to the article whose location is to be controlled is not limited to a wireless tag chip having a ROM, a transmission circuit, and a small logic circuit, but may be a microcomputer having the same function as the wireless tag chip. Good.
[0034]
In the above description, the case where the invention made by the inventor is mainly applied to the PDA, which is the field of application as the background, has been described. It can also be installed in portable electronic devices other than PDAs, such as mobile phones, or can be configured as an installed-type article location management device other than the portable electronic devices.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect which can detect the location of the article currently stored in a warehouse or a store, and can detect the location of the misplaced article in a home or office.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a portable electronic device such as a PDA.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a PDA (200) to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission / reception circuit 250 for communicating with a wireless tag having a wireless communication function.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an article registration process in the PDA according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an article detection process in the PDA according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a system for managing articles provided in a warehouse or a store.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Wireless tag chip 200 Portable electronic device 220 Man-machine interface (display & touch panel)
240 antenna 250 transmission / reception circuit 252 low noise amplifier 254 mixer 255 variable gain amplifier

Claims (4)

Communication means for reading a code transmitted from the semiconductor chip attached to the article; means for creating data relating the read code to the article name; storage means for storing the created data; An article location detection device, comprising: a determination unit for determining the strength of a radio wave from a semiconductor chip of an article to which a code is transmitted; and a display unit for performing display according to the strength of the radio wave. An article registration function for registering the article name of the article to be managed in the storage unit in association with the code stored in the semiconductor chip attached to the article, and a code received by the communication unit is registered in the storage unit. When the received code matches any one of the codes, the strength of the radio wave from the semiconductor chip of the article is determined, and the display is performed according to the strength of the radio wave. The article location detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising an article detecting function. A variable gain amplifying circuit for amplifying a received signal, and gain control means for generating a signal for controlling the gain of the variable gain amplifying circuit, wherein the determination of the intensity of the radio wave is performed based on information from the gain control means. 3. The article location detection device according to claim 1, wherein the article location detection device is configured to perform the determination based on the information. A first device incorporating communication means for receiving a code transmitted from a semiconductor chip attached to an article;
A support on which the first device is mounted;
Driving means for rotating and driving the support,
Means for creating data that associates the code received by the communication means with the article name, storage means for storing the created data, and the intensity of radio waves from the semiconductor chip of the article transmitting the corresponding code. A second device having a determination unit for determining, and a display unit for performing display according to the strength of the radio wave;
An article location detection device comprising:

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