JP2005058859A - Sorting system, sorting control device and sorting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting system capable of carrying out sorting of articles according to a rule for sorting the article, a sorting control device and a sorting method. <P>SOLUTION: The sorting control device 30 recognizes the kind of an article required for separating the articles based on tag information obtained by reading a tag 10 and article sorting rule data stored in an article sorting rule data base 34. The sorting device 20 places the article corresponding to the tag 10 in any one of an accumulation tank 20a and an accumulation tank 20b corresponding to the kind of the article. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a separation system, a separation control device, and a separation method for efficiently separating objects, and in particular, in a ubiquitous computing environment in which a contactless tag is attached to an object. The present invention relates to a separation system, a separation control device, and a separation method for efficient execution.

  Currently, there are many kinds of things, but the classification rules for these things are different for each organization. For example, as an example of garbage, some municipalities need to separate combustible garbage, non-burnable garbage, and recycled garbage. Other municipalities need to separate recycled garbage from other garbage. is there. In each municipality, those who dispose of trash need to put them in a predetermined container or place in a predetermined place according to the classification rules of the local government. In addition, when the person who throws out the garbage does not sort the garbage according to the sorting rule, a person who sorts the garbage correctly becomes necessary. In this way, the labor of people involved with sorting is tremendous.

By the way, with the advancement of tag technology, RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags (also called non-contact tags, electronic tags, and IC tags) in which ID (Identification) information is stored in a small IC (Integrated Circuit) chip. ) Has appeared, and various uses such as logistics management are expected (for example, Non-Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 1). Information stored in the RF-ID tag is read in a non-contact manner by a dedicated reader.
Auto-ID center, [online], [searched July 22, 2003] Internet <URL: http://www.autoidcenter.org/main.asp> RFID.org, [online], [searched July 22, 2003] Internet <URL: http://www.rfid.org/> JP 2002-358490 A (paragraph 0039)

The inventor of the present application has studied a method for reducing the labor of the person involved in the above-described separation by utilizing such RF-ID tag technology.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system, a sorting control device, and a sorting method capable of sorting items according to rules for sorting items. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a separation system that separates an object associated with the non-contact tag based on tag information recorded in the non-contact tag. Item classification rule storage means for storing classification rule data representing rules for classifying objects, tag information reading means for reading tag information recorded in the non-contact tag, and the tag read by the tag information reading means An object type recognizing unit for recognizing an object type necessary for the separation of the object based on the information and the classification rule data stored in the object classification rule storage unit; and the object type recognizing unit. A sorting system is provided, comprising: an object sorting unit that is placed in a storage tank corresponding to the object type recognized by the above.

  According to the invention described in claim 1, the classification system is based on the tag information recorded in the non-contact tag associated with the object and the classification rule data stored in the object classification rule storage unit. Since the objects are automatically distributed to the storage tank, it is not necessary for the user to put into the storage tank in consideration of the separation rule, and the user's labor can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to accurately and efficiently separate items.

The invention according to claim 2 is the classification system according to claim 1, wherein the classification rule data stored in the article classification rule storage means is updated with the latest classification rule data for each predetermined period. It further comprises rule update means.
According to the invention described in claim 2, since the classification rule data stored in the product classification rule storage means is updated with the latest data every predetermined period, a new product or product type appears, Even when there is a change in the classification rule, the classification system can sort the objects according to the latest classification rule.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the sorting system according to the first or second aspect, the accumulation amount recognition means for recognizing the accumulation amount of the substance accumulated in the accumulation tank at every predetermined period; The present invention is characterized by comprising: an object accumulation amount transmitting means for transmitting data representing the accumulation amount recognized by the accumulation amount recognizing means to an object accumulation amount server owned by a collection company that collects the objects.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the separation system stores data representing the accumulated amount of the items accumulated in the accumulation tank in an item accumulation amount server owned by a recovery company that collects the items at predetermined intervals. Since the collection company can refer to the data representing the accumulated amount transmitted to the product accumulation amount server to transmit, it is possible to select an optimal method for collecting the item according to the accumulated amount of the product. The collection cost of goods can be reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an instruction for distributing an object associated with the tag information to an accumulation tank is based on tag information recorded on a non-contact tag read by a tag information reader. In the classification control device for the apparatus, when the classification information storing means for storing the classification rule data representing the rules for classifying the articles and the tag information read by the tag information reading apparatus are received, the classification rules Based on the classification rule data stored in the storage unit, the object type recognizing unit for recognizing the object type necessary for the separation of the object, and according to the object type recognized by the object type recognizing unit, There is provided a separation control device comprising: an object distribution means operating means for transmitting an instruction for distributing an object to the accumulation tank to the object distribution device.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the separation control device is configured to store an object in the accumulation tank based on the tag information recorded in the non-contact tag and the separation rule data stored in the object separation rule storage unit. Since instructions for sorting are sent to the sorting device, even if the user does not consciously sort the items and put them in the accumulation tank, the items are automatically sorted into the accumulation tank, saving the user trouble. Efficient.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a tag read from the non-contact tag in a sorting method for distributing the object to an object storage tank based on tag information recorded on a non-contact tag associated with the object. An object type recognition procedure for recognizing an object type necessary for the separation of the object based on information and a rule for separating the object stored in the database, and the object type recognition unit recognizes the object There is provided a sorting method characterized in that the sorting method includes a material sorting procedure to be placed in a storage tank corresponding to the kind of material that has been made.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the classification method recognizes the kind of object necessary for the separation of the object based on the tag information read from the non-contact tag and the rule for separating the object. Later, it is a procedure to put an object in a storage tank corresponding to the recognized object type, so there is no need for a storage tank in accordance with the classification rule with the user in mind, and it is efficient because it saves the user's trouble. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, the separation system can store an object in the accumulation tank based on the tag information recorded in the non-contact tag and the separation rule data stored in the object separation rule storage means. Since it is automatically distributed, it is not necessary for the user to enter the storage tank in consideration of the separation rule, and the user's labor can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to accurately and efficiently separate items.

In addition, since the classification rule data stored in the classification rule storage means is updated with the latest data every predetermined period, even when a new item or item type appears or the classification rule is changed The sorting system can sort items according to the latest sorting rules.
In addition, since the sorting system transmits data representing the accumulated amount of the items accumulated in the accumulation tank to the item accumulation amount server owned by the collection agent collecting the items at a predetermined cycle, By referring to the data transmitted to the accumulation amount server, it is possible to select an optimum collection method according to the accumulation amount of the object, so that the cost of collecting the object can be reduced.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing referred to in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in the other drawings.
[1. Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the entire sorting system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the separation system 1 includes a tag 10 attached to an object, a separation device 20 that separates and stores the object, and a separation control device 30 that is connected to the separation device 20 via a bus. The product separation manager server 40, the product accumulation amount server 50, and the network 60 that relays data exchange between the servers 40 and 50 and the separation control device 30 are provided.
In addition, in the figure, although the thing with which tag 10 was affixed, the sorting apparatus 20, the sorting control apparatus 30, and the sorting management server 40 are each displayed one by one, actually There are multiple.

[1.1. Tag structure]
Next, the configuration of the tag 10 will be described. The tag 10 is generally called an RF-ID tag, and is a tag that performs contactless communication. The tag 10 includes an IC chip and an antenna. In the IC chip, data such as an ID for uniquely identifying the object to which the tag 10 is attached and an attribute indicating the property of the object can be recorded by a dedicated writer. Data recorded on the IC chip is read by a dedicated reader. When the tag 10 receives a radio wave from the reader, the tag 10 converts this into electric power by electromagnetic induction, operates the IC chip, and transmits information recorded on the IC chip to the reader.
The tag 10 is formed in a thin seal shape so as to be attached to an object. The manufacturer of the product ships with the tag 10 attached to the product.

[1.2. Configuration of sorting device]
Next, the hardware configuration of the sorting apparatus 20 will be described. The sorting device 20 includes two material storage tanks 20a and 20b, an inner lid 20c driven by a drive device (not shown), a reader (not shown) for reading information recorded in the tag 10, and a product storage tank 20a. , 20b, and a weight meter (not shown) placed on the bottom of each.

  The sorting device 20 has a cylindrical shape with an opening at the top. A reader for reading the tag 10 is installed in the vicinity of the opening of the sorting device 20. The reader includes an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves and a signal processing unit that analyzes data contents of the received radio waves. The reader transmits a radio wave from the antenna to the tag 10, receives a return radio wave from the tag 10, and analyzes the data content of the radio wave. The reader always emits radio waves, and the reach distance of the radio waves is a distance about the diameter of the opening of the sorting device 20. An inner lid 20 c is provided near the center of the sorting device 20. The inner lid 20 c has a disk shape with a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the sorting device 20. A rotation shaft 20d is provided through the center of the inner lid 20c. Both ends of the rotating shaft 20d are supported by the wall surface of the sorting device 20. Normally, the rotation shaft 20d supports the inner lid 20c horizontally so that the inner lid 20c does not incline. However, when the rotation shaft 20d is rotated by a driving device (not shown), the inner lid 20c is inclined. It is like that. Moreover, the lower part of the sorting apparatus 20 is partitioned by a plate, and an object storage tank 20a and an object storage tank 20b for storing different kinds of objects are formed. For this reason, when the inner lid 20c rotates around the axis, it is possible to separate and store objects in either the object storage tank 20a or the object storage tank 20b. In addition, a weight scale is placed on the bottom of each of the product storage tank 20a and the product storage tank 20b. For this reason, it is possible to measure the accumulation amount of each of the product storage tank 20a and the product storage tank 20b with a weight scale.

Next, the functional configuration of the sorting device 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting apparatus 20 includes a tag information reading unit 21, a material sorting unit 22, and a product accumulation amount checking unit 23.
The tag information reading unit 21 includes a reader. The tag information reading means 21 transmits a radio wave from the reader to the tag 10 attached to the object and electromagnetically induces it, and reads the tag information recorded on the tag 10. The tag information reading means 21 transmits the tag information read from the tag 10 to the sorting control device 30 via the bus.

  The object sorting means 22 includes an inner lid 20c, a rotating shaft 20d for rotating the inner lid 20c, and a driving device (not shown). The object distribution means 22 rotates the rotating shaft 20d by driving the drive device when receiving an object distribution command from the separation control device 30. As a result, the inner lid 20c is tilted by a predetermined angle in the direction indicated by the distribution command. By this inclination, the thing thrown in from the opening part of the sorting apparatus 20 falls in one thing accumulation tank. The object sorting means 22 tilts the inner lid 20c and then drives the drive device again several seconds later to return the inner lid 20c to its original position.

  The material accumulation amount recognition means 23 includes a weigh scale. The product accumulation amount recognizing means 23 measures the weight of the product accumulated in each of the product accumulation tank 20a and the product accumulation tank 20b by a weighing scale placed in the accumulation tank 20a and the product accumulation tank 20b. The accumulation amount confirmation means 23 generates accumulation amount data based on the weight of the object measured by the weigh scale when receiving accumulation amount request data for requesting transmission of the accumulation amount of the object from the separation control device 30. Then, the accumulated amount data is transmitted to the separation control device 30 via the bus.

[1.3. Configuration of separation control unit]
Next, the configuration of the separation control device 30 will be described. The separation control device 30 has a normal hardware configuration of a computer. That is, the separation control device 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes the program and controls the device 30, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program that is executed at startup, and a RAM that temporarily stores data and programs. (Random Access Memory), a hard disk device for storing various data and programs, an internal clock for measuring the date and time, an interface for controlling the exchange of data via the sorting device 20 and the bus, and a material separation manager via the network 60 A communication interface for controlling the exchange of data with the server 40 and the material accumulation amount server 50 is provided.

The hard disk device of the sorting control device 30 is provided with a sorting rule DB 34. The product classification rule DB 34 is a database that stores product classification rule data indicating rules for determining product types.
As shown in FIG. 2, the data structure of the object classification rule DB 34 includes “ID” for identifying the object, “attribute” indicating the name and generic name of the object, and information necessary for classifying the object. It is configured to include a certain “object type”. For example, the item classification rule data shown in FIG. 2 is data related to the rules for garbage separation in Setagaya. The item classification rule data identified by “ID” “1” indicates that the “attribute” is “PET BOTTLE” and the “item type” of the item is “recycled”. In addition, the item classification rule data identified by “ID” “2” indicates that “attribute” is “polybag” and “item type” of the item is “incombustible”.

The hard disk device of the separation control device 30 stores in advance the communication address of the material separation manager server 40 owned by the material separation manager of the separation device 20 and the communication address of the material accumulation amount server 50. The communication can be performed at a predetermined cycle. The predetermined period is stored in advance in the hard disk device of the separation control device 30.
Various application programs are stored in the hard disk device of the separation control device 30. The CPU reads out these application programs from the hard disk device, develops them in the RAM, and executes them, whereby the object type recognition means 31, the object classification rule update means 32, the object accumulation amount transmission means 33, and the object distribution shown in FIG. Each functional means of the means operating means 35 is realized in the separation control device 30.

When the object type recognizing means 31 receives tag information from the classification device 20 via the bus, the object type recognition means 31 searches the object classification rule DB 34 for ID classification data including an ID that matches the ID included in the tag information. To do. The object type recognizing unit 31 reads the “object type” included in the object classification rule data with the matching ID, and recognizes the data contents.
Based on the “object type” recognized by the object type recognizing means 31, the object sorting means operating means 35 determines the direction in which the inner lid 20c of the sorting device 20 is inclined (turned). Then, the object type recognizing means 31 transmits a sorting command signal for tilting the inner lid 20c in the determined direction to the sorting device 20.

  The material classification rule update unit 32 updates the material classification rule data stored in the material classification rule DB 34 with the latest data every predetermined period. Specifically, the material classification rule update means 32 is based on the time counted by the internal clock, and the material classification rules stored in the material classification manager material classification rule DB 41 and the material classification rule DB 34 at predetermined intervals. The difference request data for requesting the data difference is transmitted to the article classification manager server 40 owned by the article classification manager who manages the sorting apparatus 20. Thereby, the material classification rule update means 32 receives difference data from the material classification manager server 40, and updates the material classification rule data stored in the material classification rule DB 34 with the difference data.

Here, the “predetermined period” is preferably about once a month when the waste classification rule data stored in the waste separation rule DB 34 is a garbage separation rule for each local government.
Based on the time counted by the internal clock, the material accumulation amount transmitting means 33 sends accumulation amount request data for requesting accumulation amount data representing the accumulated weight of the object to the sorting device 20 via a bus at predetermined intervals. To send. Then, the material accumulation amount transmission means 33 receives the material accumulation amount data related to the material accumulation tank 20a and the material accumulation tank 20b from the sorting device 20. The product accumulation amount transmitting unit 33 transmits the received accumulation amount data to the product accumulation amount server 50. Here, for example, in the case of garbage collection, it is considered that the “predetermined period” is preferably 11:00 pm the day before the day of garbage collection.

[1.4. Sorting management server]
Next, the configuration of the item separation manager server 40 will be described. The material separation manager server 40 is a server owned by the material classification manager, and has a hardware configuration of a normal server.
The hard disk device of the material separation manager server 40 is provided with a material classification manager material classification rule DB 41. The data structure of the material separation manager material classification rule DB 41 is the same as the data structure of the material classification rule data of the material classification rule DB 34 shown in FIG.
The hard disk device of the material separation manager server 40 stores a program for storing data input from the keyboard of the material classification manager server 40 in the material classification manager property classification rule DB 41. By starting the program, the item separation manager can input the latest item classification rule from the keyboard of the item separation manager server 40.

  Further, when the difference request data is received from the classification control device 30, the material classification rule data stored in the material classification rule DB 34 of the classification control device 30, A difference request for comparing with the item classification rule data stored in the item classification manager item classification rule DB 41 of the classification manager server 40 to generate difference data and transmitting the difference data to the classification control device 30 The program is stored.

[1.5. Material accumulation server]
Next, the configuration of the product accumulation amount server 50 will be described. The material accumulation amount server 50 is a server owned by a material recovery company, and has a normal server hardware configuration.
The hard disk device of the product storage amount server 50 is provided with a product recovery company product storage amount DB 51.
The product collection company product storage amount DB 51 stores storage amount data representing the storage amount of the products stored in the product storage tank 20a and the product storage tank 20b of the sorting device 20.
In addition, the hard disk device of the product accumulation amount server 50 stores an accumulation program for storing the accumulation amount data transmitted from the sorting control device 30 in the item recovery company product accumulation amount DB 51.

  In addition, the hard disk device of the product accumulation amount server 50 stores a display program for displaying the accumulation amount data stored in the item collection company property accumulation amount DB 51 on the display of the property accumulation amount server 50. The display program is started when the item recovery company operates the keyboard of the object accumulation amount server 50, and the item recovery company can refer to the accumulation amount data displayed on the display. The item collection trader can collect the item by referring to the accumulated amount data and selecting an optimum means according to the amount of the accumulated item.

[2. Operation]
Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described.
[2.1. Sorting process]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the object separation process executed by the separation system 1. The operation of the sorting system 1 when the user puts the plastic bottle on which the tag 10 is attached into the sorting device 20 installed in Setagaya-ku will be described with reference to FIG.
As a premise, it is assumed that the material separation rule DB 34 stores the material separation rule data related to the waste separation rules in Setagaya-ku shown in FIG.
Further, it is assumed that tag information “ID” “1”, “attribute” “pet bottle” is recorded in the tag 10 attached to the plastic bottle.

  In addition, the product storage tank 20a is an incombustible material storage tank, and the product storage tank 20b is a recycled product storage tank. Correspondingly, it is assumed that the inclination direction of the inner lid 20c when an object is thrown is set in advance. Specifically, when the object type recognizing unit 31 recognizes the object type as a recycled item, the object sorting unit operating unit 35 tilts the inner lid 20c of the separation device 20 in the direction of lowering the object storage tank 20b. When the sort instruction is transmitted while the item type recognizing unit 31 recognizes the item type as an incombustible material, the item sorter operating unit 35 moves the inner lid 20c of the sorting device 20 downward toward the item storage tank 20a. It is assumed that it is set to transmit a distribution command for tilting.

  First, when the introduced PET bottle passes the tag information reading means 21 of the sorting device 20, the tag information reading means 21 performs a tag information reading procedure for reading the tag information of the tag 10 attached to the PET bottle. Execute (Step S101). Here, the tag information reading means 21 reads the tag information represented by “ID” “1”, “attribute” “pet bottle”. Then, the tag information reading unit 21 transmits the tag information to the separation control device 30 via the bus. The classification control device 30 receives the tag information and executes an object type recognition procedure (step S102). Specifically, the object type recognition unit 31 of the classification control device 30 searches the object classification rule DB 34 for object classification rule data including an ID that matches the “ID” “1” of the tag information. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the product classification rule data including “ID” “1”, “attribute” “plastic bottle”, “product type”, and “recycled product” is searched. Accordingly, the object type recognition unit 31 recognizes that the object type of the object associated with the received tag information is “recycled material”. Next, the object distribution means operation means 35 transmits an object distribution command to the object distribution means 22 of the sorting device 20 based on the object type recognized by the object type recognition means 31. Here, the object sorting means operating means 35 is used for inclining the inner lid 20c of the sorting device 20 toward the object accumulation tank 20b in order to distribute the articles to the accumulation tank 20b for accumulating the recycled materials. Send a sort command. The material distribution means 22 of the sorting apparatus 20 receives the distribution command via the bus and executes a material distribution procedure (step S103). Specifically, the object distribution means 22 drives the drive device to rotate the rotation shaft 20d of the inner lid 20c, so that the inner lid 20c is inclined in the direction of lowering the object storage tank 20b. Thereby, a plastic bottle is thrown into the thing storage tank 20b. Then, after several seconds, the object sorting means 22 drives the driving device again to return the inner lid 20c of the sorting device 20 to the original horizontal position.

[2.2. Sorting rule update process]
Next, the classification rule update process performed by the article classification rule update unit 32 of the classification control device 30 will be described.
As a premise, it is assumed that the hard disk device of the classification control device 30 stores in advance the communication address of the item classification manager server 40 owned by the item classification manager in Setagaya Ward.
In addition, the renewal cycle of the material classification rule data regarding the waste separation in Setagaya-ku is set to be every month.

  The article classification rule update unit 32 monitors an internal clock provided in the classification control device 30. Then, the classification rule updating unit 32 activates the difference request program stored in the hard disk device of the classification control device 30 when one month has elapsed since the last execution of the classification rule update process. Thereby, the article classification rule update unit 32 generates difference request data for requesting the difference between the article classification rule data, and transmits the difference request data to the communication address described above.

When the material separation manager server 40 receives the difference request data from the classification control device 30, the material classification rule data stored in the material classification rule DB 34 included in the difference request data and the material classification manager property classification rule DB 41 are included. The difference data is generated by comparing the latest item classification rule data stored in the item classification data, and the difference data is transmitted to the classification control device 30.
The material classification rule update unit 32 of the classification control device 30 receives the difference data from the material separation manager server 40 and updates the material classification rule DB 34 with the difference data.

[2.3. Material accumulation amount transmission processing]
Next, an accumulation amount transmission process performed by the accumulation amount transmission means 33 of the classification control device 30 will be described.
Here, it is assumed that the item collection trader is a garbage collection trader. In addition, it is assumed that the time when the accumulated material amount transmission process is performed is 11:00 pm the day before the collection date of non-combustible and recycled materials. It is assumed that the time when the material accumulation amount transmission process is to be executed is registered in advance in the hard disk device of the separation control device 30. The material accumulation amount transmission means 33 monitors whether or not the time counted by the internal clock matches the time registered in advance. When the time of the internal clock is 11:00 pm on the day before the date of collection of the recycled material and coincides with the time registered in the hard disk device, the product accumulation amount transmission means 33 is connected to the sorting device 20 via the bus. The accumulation amount request data for requesting transmission of the accumulation amount data of the recycled material is transmitted.

The accumulation amount recognition means 23 of the sorting device 20 receives the accumulation amount request data, and generates accumulation amount data based on the weight measured by the weigh scale installed in the accumulation tank 20b. Then, the product accumulation amount confirmation unit 23 transmits the accumulation amount data to the product accumulation amount transmission unit 33.
The product accumulation amount transmission means 33 of the classification control device 30 transmits the received accumulation amount data to the product accumulation amount server 50 via the network 60.

The material accumulation amount server 50 receives the accumulated amount data of the recycled material from the separation control device 30 and stores the accumulation amount data in the material collection company material accumulation amount DB 51.
On the day of garbage collection for the next day's recycled material, the garbage collector displays the accumulated amount data of the recycled material stored in the material collector DB 51 on the display of the material storage server 50, The amount of material accumulated in the accumulation tank 20b can be confirmed. The garbage collector selects the optimum garbage collection method with reference to the information. For example, a large collection vehicle is selected if there is a large amount of recycled garbage, and a small collection vehicle is selected if there is little.

[3. Modified example]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea. As modifications, for example, the following can be considered.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the separation device 20 and the separation control device 30 are connected by a bus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the separation device 20 and the separation control device 30 are connected to the LAN. (Local Area Network) may be configured and connected by a LAN cable.

  Further, a configuration in which one sorting control device 30 is connected to a plurality of sorting devices 20 via a network 60 may be adopted. In this case, in order to determine which sorting manager 20 follows the sorting rules of the sorting manager, for example, an ID for identifying the sorting device 20 and the sorting device 20 are stored in the hard disk device of the sorting control device 30. In addition to storing data for associating with the product separation manager, it is necessary to add data representing the product separation manager to the product separation rule DB 34 in order to identify which product separation manager is the rule of the product separation rule There is.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the method of reading the tag information recorded on the tag 10 by electromagnetic induction has been described. However, if the tag information is read in a non-contact manner, the method of reading the tag information is electromagnetic induction. It is not limited to. For example, an electrostatic coupling method using an induction effect due to static electricity, a microwave method using a microwave wave, or an optical method using optical communication may be used. In addition, when the distance between the tag 10 and the reader is large because the opening of the sorting device 20 is large, the communication distance can be reduced by using the tag 10 with a power source such as a battery. It can be made longer.

(3) The data configuration of the product classification rule DB 34 and the data configuration included in the tag information in the embodiment described above are examples. Based on the tag information and the object classification rule data stored in the object classification rule DB 34, the object type recognizing means 31 selects an optimum data configuration for recognizing the object type necessary for object classification. can do.
In the above-described embodiment, the object type recognizing unit 31 searches for object classification rule data including an ID that matches the ID included in the tag information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it search the matching thing classification rule data.

(4) In the embodiment described above, the product accumulation amount recognition means 23 is configured to include a weight scale, and the weight of the product is measured by the weight scale. For example, the object accumulation amount confirmation unit 23 may measure the accumulation amount of the object using an optical sensor.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that there are two material storage tanks 20a and 20b in the separation device 20, but the number of the material storage tanks is not limited to two. Good.
When there are three storage tanks, as the material sorting means 22, for example, the upper part of the product storage tank is normally closed by an inclined plate, and when an object is put into the sorting device 20, the driving device A means for opening the upper part of the corresponding material storage tank can be considered.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the product separation rule update unit 32 downloads the difference between the product separation rule data stored in the product separation manager product separation rule DB 41 and the product separation rule DB 34. Such a difference data generation method is an example, and for example, difference data may be generated based on an update date. Moreover, all the data stored in the item classification manager item classification rule DB 41 may be downloaded, and the item classification rule DB 34 may be updated.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the embodiment related to the separation of garbage has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the separation of all things. For example, when a questionnaire is aggregated by gender, a questionnaire sheet with a tag for women is put into the accumulation tank 20a, and a questionnaire sheet with a tag for men is put into the accumulation tank 20b. Can be considered.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the classification system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of thing classification rule DB which concerns on the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the classification process which concerns on the same embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Sorting System 10 Tag 20 Sorting Device 20a, 20b Material Storage Tank 20c Inner Lid 20d Rotating Shaft 21 Tag Information Reading Unit 22 Item Sorting Unit 23 Item Accumulation Amount Recognition Unit 30 Sorting Control Device 31 Item Type Recognition Unit 32 Item Sorting Rule Update Means 33 Item accumulation amount transmission means 34 Item classification rule DB
35 Sorting means operation means 40 Sorting manager server 41 Sorting manager article sorting rule DB
50 Item accumulation amount server 51 Item collection company accumulation amount DB
60 network

Claims (5)

In a classification system that separates objects associated with the non-contact tag based on tag information recorded in the non-contact tag,
An object classification rule storage means for storing classification rule data representing a rule for classifying the object;
Tag information reading means for reading tag information recorded in the contactless tag;
An object type recognizing unit for recognizing an object type necessary for classifying the object based on the tag information read by the tag information reading unit and the classification rule data stored in the object classification rule storage unit. When,
A sorting system comprising: an article sorting unit that puts the item into an accumulation tank corresponding to the item type recognized by the item type recognizing unit.   The classification system according to claim 1, further comprising a product classification rule update unit that updates the classification rule data stored in the product classification rule storage unit with the latest classification rule data for each predetermined period. . An object accumulation amount recognition means for recognizing the accumulation amount of the object accumulated in the accumulation tank for each predetermined period;
An article accumulation amount transmitting means for transmitting data representing the accumulation amount recognized by the article accumulation amount recognizing means to an article accumulation amount server owned by a collector who collects the article. The separation system according to 1 or 2. Based on the tag information recorded in the non-contact tag read by the tag information reading device, in the separation control device that instructs the material distribution device to distribute the object associated with the tag information to the storage tank,
An object classification rule storage means for storing classification rule data representing a rule for classifying the object;
An object for recognizing an object type necessary for the classification of the object based on the classification rule data stored in the object classification rule storage means when the tag information read by the tag information reader is received; Type recognition means;
Sorting means characterized by comprising: sorting means operating means for sending an instruction for sorting the articles to the storage tank according to the kind of article recognized by the kind of article recognition means to the sorting apparatus. Control device. Based on tag information recorded on a non-contact tag associated with an object, in the sorting method for distributing the object to an object storage tank,
An object type recognition procedure for recognizing an object type necessary for classification of the object based on tag information read from the non-contact tag and a rule for classifying an object stored in a database;
A material sorting procedure for placing the product in a storage tank corresponding to the product type recognized by the product type recognition means.

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