JP2006240868A - Logistics management system of products - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To know the content of storage even if the door of a container is closed in a logistics management system of products. <P>SOLUTION: This logistics management system 10 of products comprises the container 20 in which an antenna 26 is disposed, pallets 40 and 41 on which a plurality of toner cartridges 50 and 51 as the products are mounted, radio tags 60 stuck on the pallets 40 and 41, a signal line 28 having one end connected to the antenna 26 and having the other end extracted to the outside of the container 20 and having, at the other end, a connector 30, and a radio transmitting/receiving device 70 detachable from the connector 30. With the door 22 of the container 20 closed, the radio transmitting/receiving device 70 is connected to the signal line 28, the radio transmitting/receiving device communicates with the radio tags 70 through the antenna 26, and reads and re-writes data on the toner cartridges 50 and 51 mounted on the pallets 40 and 41 stored in the radio tags 60. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a product distribution management system, and more particularly to a product distribution management system using a memory module with a wireless function.

  As a method for managing physical distribution of an article, a system in which identification information of an article, for example, an article name or the like is represented by a barcode, a barcode label is attached to the surface of the article, and the barcode is read by a barcode reader is well known. The content of the bar code is usually an article name, and the data capacity may be insufficient to store individual information of the article, for example, data such as a serial number in the same article. In addition, the barcode printed on the label cannot be rewritten, and when the data is changed, it is necessary to use another new barcode label. Therefore, in recent years, a memory module with a wireless function has been used as one capable of taking a large memory capacity and rewriting data.

  A memory module with a wireless function is a small module that combines a memory that can read and write data and an antenna, etc., and performs non-contact wireless communication with an external reader / writer. The data stored in the memory module with a wireless function can be read out. As such a memory module with a wireless function, an IC card with a wireless function, a so-called wireless tag (TAG) or an ID tag attached to a component is known.

  When a memory module with a wireless function such as a wireless tag is used, in addition to product identification data, data at the time of production of the product, such as quality data, can be stored. Therefore, by fixing this to the product and distributing it together with the product, it is convenient to obtain quality data unique to the product anywhere. In addition, since data can be rewritten or added, for example, data relating to a distribution history can be added during distribution, and distribution management is facilitated.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an individual management system for white robes with ID tags. In Patent Document 2, the operating conditions of the image forming apparatus are input from the external device to the nonvolatile memory using the infrared communication means in the image forming apparatus, and the operating conditions stored in the nonvolatile memory are read out to the outside. A technique for causing a device to transmit is disclosed.

JP 2002-169879 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-179457

  By the way, for transporting products, a plurality of products are mixedly loaded in a storage case such as a container and transported to a destination. For further convenience, a plurality of products are mounted on a pallet, a plurality of pallets are loaded on a container or the like, and conveyance is managed in units of pallets.

  In such a case, the container is transported to the destination in a state where the door is closed after storing the pallet or the product. Therefore, even if a wireless tag or the like is attached to the product, the inside of the container cannot be known after the door is closed. In other words, when the container door is closed, the contents literally become a black box until the door is opened again, and the functions of the wireless tag are not utilized.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a product distribution management system capable of knowing the contents of storage even when the door of the storage case is closed.

  A product distribution management system according to the present invention includes a storage case body that stores a plurality of products and closes an opening, a memory module with a wireless function for identifying each product, and a memory with a wireless function that is disposed inside the storage case body. An antenna used for communication with the module, and a wireless transmission / reception device that performs communication with the memory module with a wireless function via the antenna are provided.

  In addition, the product distribution management system according to the present invention includes a storage case body for storing a plurality of products mounted on a pallet and closing an opening, a memory module with a wireless function for identifying the pallet, and a storage case body. And an antenna used for communication with the wireless function-equipped memory module, and a wireless transmission / reception device that performs communication with the memory module with the wireless function via the antenna.

  In the product distribution management system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the wireless transmission / reception device is disposed outside the storage case main body. Moreover, it is preferable that a storage case main body is a container for conveyance.

  Moreover, it is preferable that an antenna is arrange | positioned in the position linked | related with the pallet storage position in a storage case main body. Moreover, it is preferable that an antenna is arrange | positioned on the wall surface in a storage case main body. The antenna may be disposed on the bottom surface in the storage case body.

  Further, in the product distribution management system according to the present invention, the antenna is provided with a signal line having one end connected to the antenna and the other end drawn out from the housing case body, and the wireless transmission / reception apparatus can be attached to and detached from the other end of the signal line. It is preferable to be connected to.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a wireless transmission / reception apparatus has an output means for outputting a transmission / reception result.

  With the above configuration, the antenna is arranged inside the storage case main body that stores a plurality of products and closes the opening. Communication is performed between this antenna and the memory module with a wireless function for identifying each product. Therefore, even when the door of the storage case is closed, the contents of the internal product can be known.

  In addition, an antenna is disposed inside the storage case main body that stores a plurality of products mounted on the pallet and closes the opening. Communication is performed between this antenna and the memory module with a wireless function for identifying each pallet. Therefore, even when the door of the storage case is closed, it is possible to know the loading contents of the pallet stored in the storage case.

  In addition, since the wireless transmission / reception device is arranged outside the storage case body, the result of wireless transmission / reception inside the door can be known outside the door even when the door of the storage case is closed. Further, since the storage case main body is a transport container, even if the container door is closed, it is possible to know the contents of the product inside the container or the container.

  Further, since the antenna is disposed at a position associated with the pallet storage position in the storage case body, stable wireless transmission / reception can be ensured if the storage position is determined. In addition, the antenna may be arranged on the wall surface in the storage case body or on the bottom surface in the storage case body. Therefore, even if the arrangement state of the product or pallet changes, the antenna is arranged accordingly. Wireless communication between the memory module with a wireless function and the antenna can be ensured without re-working.

  In addition, a signal line is provided which has one end connected to the antenna and the other end drawn out from the housing case body. Since the wireless transceiver is detachably connected to the other end of the signal line, the storage case is usually used exclusively for the transport function, and when the user wants to know the contents of the accommodation, the wireless transceiver is connected to the other end of the signal line. Can be connected to. Therefore, it is possible to add a function capable of collecting the internal information at any time with a simple configuration to the storage case for the purpose of conveyance.

  Moreover, since the radio | wireless transmission / reception apparatus outputs the result of transmission / reception, it can grasp | ascertain the internal state of the storage case with which the door was closed by the data.

  As described above, according to the product distribution management system according to the present invention, it is possible to know the contents of the storage even when the door of the storage case is closed.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, as an example of product logistics management, we will describe the logistics management of products in units of pallets by containers. However, if the logistics management uses a storage case body that houses a plurality of products and closes the opening, in other forms There may be. For example, distribution management may be performed in units of individual products instead of in units of containers. In addition, the physical distribution management state of the container may be a state where the container is being transported by a transport means such as a train, an aircraft, or a truck, or may be a state where the container is temporarily placed in a relay warehouse. Further, the storage case main body may be a case in which a product or the like is stored in a product storage case at a fixed position and the door is closed instead of a movable container. For example, the storage case body may be an independent storage room or a warehouse building.

  In addition, as an example of a product stored in a container, a toner cartridge of a copying machine is used as an example, but other parts of the copying machine, such as replacement parts such as a process cartridge including a developing cartridge and a photosensitive drum, and a circuit It may be a substrate or the like. Further, it may be an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile or printer other than a copying machine.

  Further, although one wireless tag is provided for each pallet, a plurality of wireless tags may be provided on one pallet. In that case, the contents stored in each wireless tag may be different, and the data contents may be enriched. Alternatively, a wireless tag having the same stored content may be pasted at a different position on the pallet to establish wireless communication between any one of the wireless tags and the antenna, thereby increasing communication redundancy. Further, the wireless tag may be provided for each product instead of the pallet, and the wireless tag may be provided for each pallet and each product. In this case, it is preferable to use means for discriminating between the radio tag for pallets and the radio tag for each product.

  There are various types of so-called wireless tags in the market, but the term wireless tag used in this specification is similar to that of a reader / writer, regardless of the terminology used in the market. A wireless function-equipped memory module including an antenna that can be wirelessly communicated with a wireless transmission / reception terminal and can be fixedly attached to a product and an outer box is included.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product distribution management system 10. The product logistics management system 10 performs product logistics management when the toner cartridge 50 as a product is stored in the container 20. The product logistics management system 10 has one end connected to the container 20 in which the antenna 26 is disposed, the pallet 40 on which the plurality of toner cartridges 50 are mounted, the wireless tag 60 attached to the pallet 40, and the antenna 26. The other end is drawn out of the container 20 and includes a signal line 28 having a connector 30 at the other end, and a wireless transmission / reception device 70 that can be attached to and detached from the connector 30.

  The container 20 has a function of a transport box for transporting a toner cartridge 50 as a product, and corresponds to a main body of a product storage case. The container 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, and includes a door 22 that can be opened and closed on one side, and the pallet 40 on which the toner cartridge 50 is mounted can be taken in and out by opening the door 22. The lock 24 provided on the door 22 has a function of restraining the door 22 from being opened without permission when the door 22 is closed. Such a container 20 can be constructed by assembling a panel plate that is lightweight and has appropriate rigidity. The container 20 may be provided with equipment capable of managing temperature and humidity, for example, air conditioning equipment, refrigeration equipment, etc., in accordance with the storage characteristics of the toner cartridge 50 to be accommodated.

  An antenna 26 capable of communicating with the wireless tag 60 is disposed in advance on the floor surface of the container 20. As the antenna 26, a conductor wire arranged in a loop shape can be used. It is preferable that a plurality of antennas 26 are arranged on the container floor instead of one. In the example of FIG. 1, ten antennas 26 are arranged. The arrangement and the number of antennas 26 are preferably set in consideration of the arrangement situation inside the container 20 of the pallet 40. For example, if two pallets 40 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the container 20, the number of antennas 26 is preferably at least two. For example, considering the redundancy of wireless communication, a plurality of pallets 40 may be provided per pallet 40. For example, it is preferable to provide about four antennas 26. The arrangement of the plurality of antennas 26 is preferably as uniform as possible on the floor surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an arrangement in which five antennas 26 are arranged in two parallel rows can be used.

  The wall surface of the container 20 provided with the antenna 26 may be an inner wall surface other than the floor. For example, instead of the floor surface, a plurality of antennas 26 may be provided on the inner wall surface on the ceiling side, or a plurality of antennas 26 may be provided on the inner wall surface on the side surface. Also, an appropriate number of antennas 26 may be arranged on each of the plurality of inner wall surfaces.

  The antenna 26 may be disposed by being affixed to the surface of the inner wall surface of the container 20 or may be provided by being incorporated inside a panel plate constituting the container 20. In that case, the panel surface of the antenna 26 portion needs to be made of a material that allows electromagnetic waves to pass freely.

  The signal line 28 is a conductor signal line in which a plurality of antennas are connected in parallel and drawn out to the outside of the container 20 as it is, and corresponds to a transmission / reception line of each antenna 26. A connector 30 is provided at the end of the signal line 28 drawn to the outside of the container 20, and this connector is detachably connected to a connection terminal of the wireless transmission / reception device 70.

  The pallet 40 is a product carrying luggage platform for loading a plurality of toner cartridges 50 on the pallet 40 and for loading / unloading the plurality of toner cartridges 50 into / from the container 20 in units of the pallet 40 by a known forklift or the like. As is well known, such a pallet 40 may have a structure in which plate materials are stacked in two stages and a guide hole into which a claw such as a forklift can enter between the plates. The toner cartridge 50 is an example of a product, and a plurality of types of toner cartridges 50 may be mixedly loaded on one pallet. Of course, products other than the toner cartridge 50 may be stacked on the pallet 40.

  The wireless tag 60 attached to the pallet 40 is a memory module with a wireless function that can perform data communication with the wireless transmission / reception device 70 via the antenna 26. FIG. 2 is a plan view and a side view of the wireless tag 60, which is a very general configuration of a so-called wireless tag. That is, the wireless tag 60 is an electronic component mounting circuit module having a substantially rectangular shape, the wireless tag IC 64 is disposed on the circuit board 62, and the peripheral wiring 66 constituting the antenna connected thereto is formed as a pattern. As a whole, appropriate resin potting or resin sealing is applied. If necessary, other electronic components 68 are also arranged and connected. For example, the circuit board 62 has a thickness of about 0.4 mm and a shape of about 15 to 22 mm square. The wireless tag IC 64 has a thickness of about 0.9 mm, and its size is about several millimeters both vertically and horizontally. The surrounding wiring 66 constituting the antenna is wound, for example, about 4 turns. These numerical values are merely examples for explanation, and other values may be used. As the wireless tag 60, for example, a wireless tag for 13.56 MHz band capable of short-range wireless communication can be used.

  The wireless tag IC 64 in the wireless tag 60 is a semiconductor chip that is sometimes referred to as an RFID-IC or simply referred to as an RFID, and is a memory IC with a wireless function capable of reading and writing data by wireless communication with the outside. The inside of the wireless tag IC 64 includes a transmission / reception circuit, a circuit that generates operating power based on a wireless signal received from an antenna, a data memory, a CPU, and the like. As the data memory, a non-volatile memory capable of reading and writing data such as an EEPROM (Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) can be used.

  For attaching the wireless tag 60 to the pallet 40, for example, the wireless tag 60 may be attached and fixed to an appropriate surface of the pallet 40 by adhesion. When the wireless tag 60 has a circuit board shape, a screw or the like may be used. You may fix to the pallet 40 with a suitable fixing means. Alternatively, when the pallet 40 is a molded product or the like, the wireless tag 60 may be embedded when the pallet 40 is molded.

  The radio transmission / reception device 70 is a device that functions as a radio transmission / reception device with a transmission / reception antenna by connecting the connector 30 at the other end of the signal line 28 from the antenna 26 to the connection terminal. The wireless transmission / reception device 70 that has become an antenna-attached device communicates with the wireless tag 60 via the antenna 26, reads data stored in the wireless tag 60, and writes necessary data in the memory of the wireless tag 60. It has a function that can. Further, the wireless transmission / reception device 70 can output communication status data with the wireless tag 60 using a printer or the like (not shown). As the wireless transmission / reception device 70, for example, a data reader / writer for the wireless tag 60 having a structure in which an antenna portion can be freely attached and detached can be used.

  Data read / written to / from the wireless tag 60 by the wireless transmission / reception device 70 is physical distribution management data related to the toner cartridge 50 loaded on the pallet 40. For example, the identification data of the individual toner cartridges 50 loaded on the pallet 40, the total number of toner cartridges 50 loaded, the specifications of the toner cartridge 50, the quality data of the toner cartridge 50, the shipping source and the transport destination of the toner cartridge 50, etc. Are written to and read from the wireless tag 60.

  FIG. 3 shows product logistics management in a state where a plurality of types of toner cartridges 50 and 51 are housed in two types of pallets 40 and 41 inside the container 20 and the door 22 is closed and the lock 24 is engaged. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state of a system 10. FIG. Elements common to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Here, when the container 20 is being transported by a transporting means such as a truck, the wireless transmission / reception device 70 is generally separated from the signal line 28. In FIG. 3, after the door 22 of the container 20 is closed, physical distribution management is shown when it is desired to know the internal state of the container 20 with the door 22 closed.

  In order to know the internal state of the container 20, that is, the contents of the toner cartridges 50 and 51 loaded on the pallets 40 and 41 with the door 22 of the container 20 closed, the following may be performed. That is, the connector 30 at the other end of the signal line 28 drawn out of the container 20 with the door 22 of the container 20 closed is connected to the connection terminal of the wireless transmission / reception device 70. Thus, the wireless transmission / reception device 70 is connected to the plurality of antennas 26 arranged on the floor inside the container 20.

  In this state, the wireless transmission / reception device 70 accesses the wireless tag 60 inside the container 20 via the antenna 26. Access can be performed by transmitting a radio signal using a predetermined communication frequency. The predetermined communication frequency is the 13.56 MHz band in the above example. If the wireless tag 60 responds, the wireless tag 60 is identified next, and then the transmission of data stored in the wireless tag 60 is requested. In the example of FIG. 3, since the wireless tags 60 are attached to the two types of pallets 40 and 41, the two wireless tags 60 are accessed via the antenna 26, and the identification codes and the like of the wireless tags 60 are displayed. From the readout, the wireless tag 60 that is communicating is specified.

  For example, when the wireless tag 60 in communication is identified as the wireless tag 60 attached to one pallet 40, the communication with the wireless tag 60 relates to the toner cartridge 50 loaded on the pallet 40. Data can be read out. That is, in the above example, data such as identification data of the individual toner cartridges 50 loaded on the pallet 40 is read. Similarly, data relating to the toner cartridge 51 loaded on the pallet 41 can be read by communication with the wireless tag 60 attached to the other pallet 41.

  In this way, data relating to the toner cartridges 50 and 51 loaded on the pallets 40 and 41 inside the container 20 can be read while the door 22 of the container 20 is closed. If necessary, the data can be rewritten while the door 22 of the container 20 remains closed. Data can be read and written at any time while the door 22 of the container 20 is closed. For example, the data can be read or transferred, or placed in a warehouse.

  When data reading / writing is not necessary, the signal line 28 and the wireless transmission / reception device 70 are separated from each other. Therefore, an unrelated third party cannot arbitrarily read / write data using the signal line 28. . In other words, the product information inside the container 20 is kept confidential to a third party.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the product physical distribution management system in embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is the top view and side view of a wireless tag. In embodiment which concerns on this invention, it is a figure which shows a mode that physical distribution management is performed in the state in which the door of the container was closed and locked.

Explanation of symbols

  10 product distribution management system, 20 container, 22 doors, 24 locks, 26 antenna, 28 signal line, 30 connector, 40, 41 pallet, 50, 51 toner cartridge, 60 wireless tag, 62 circuit board, 64 wireless tag IC, 66 Circumferential wiring, 68 electronic components, 70 wireless transceiver.

Claims (9)

A storage case body that stores multiple products and closes the opening;
A memory module with wireless function for identifying each product;
An antenna that is arranged inside the storage case body and used for communication with the memory module with wireless function,
A wireless transmission / reception device that communicates with a memory module with a wireless function via an antenna;
A product logistics management system characterized by comprising: A storage case body that stores multiple products mounted on the pallet and closes the opening;
A memory module with a wireless function for identifying a pallet;
An antenna that is arranged inside the storage case body and used for communication with the memory module with wireless function,
A wireless transmission / reception device that communicates with a memory module with a wireless function via an antenna;
A product logistics management system characterized by comprising: In the product logistics management system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The product distribution management system, wherein the wireless transmission / reception device is disposed outside the storage case body. In the product logistics management system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The product distribution management system characterized in that the storage case body is a container for transportation. In the product logistics management system according to claim 2,
The product logistics management system, wherein the antenna is arranged at a position associated with a pallet storage position in the storage case body. In the product logistics management system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The product distribution management system, wherein the antenna is arranged on a wall surface in the storage case body. In the product logistics management system according to claim 6,
The product logistics management system, wherein the antenna is arranged on the bottom surface inside the storage case body. In the product logistics management system according to claim 3,
Provided with a signal line with one end connected to the antenna and the other end drawn out from the storage case body to the outside,
The product distribution management system, wherein the wireless transceiver is detachably connected to the other end of the signal line. In the product logistics management system according to claim 3,
The wireless transmission / reception apparatus includes an output unit that outputs a transmission / reception result.

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