JP2006244412A - Traffic line length calculation system, traffic line length calculating device and traffic line length calculating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic line length calculation system or the like capable of creating a flow diagram by easily calculating traffic line length without following an operator being a worker in a factory around. <P>SOLUTION: In the traffic line length calculation system including a traffic line length calculating device for calculating traffic line length within a particular area involved in the time passage of a target object moving within the particular area carrying an information reader, the information reader has a reading means for reading information stored in a storage medium installed in a movement path within the particular area to read information for identifying the storage medium, a means for acquiring time information at which the identification information is read, and an information transmitting means for transmitting to the traffic line length calculating device the identification information read by the reading means and the time information acquired by the time information acquiring means, wherein the traffic line length calculating device has an information receiving means for receiving the identification information and the time information transmitted by the information reader, and a means for calculating traffic line length on the basis of the received identification information and time information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow line length calculation system, and more specifically, with the passage of time of an operator (person) as a target object that is a target of flow line length calculation that carries an information reader and moves within a specific area. The present invention relates to a flow line length calculation system for calculating the accompanying flow line length.

  Conventionally, a flow diagram has been used as a method for grasping a flow line related to movement of a person. The flow diagram is a technique for analyzing a process by showing a movement diagram of a person or an object on a layout diagram of a building, a machine facility, a work place or the like on a diagram. In order to create a flow diagram, an observer needs to track the operator and record the movement path. Furthermore, a technique is also used in which a video camera is used to track and record an operator, and the person in charge checks the operator's movement route while watching this recording later.

JP 2003-308374 A JP 2000-90149 A

  However, in the former method, one observer must go around the operator to record the movement path of the operator. On the other hand, in the latter method, the person in charge must watch the recording tape on which the movement route of the operator is recorded for a long time. Therefore, each method has a problem that it takes a lot of labor and time.

  Furthermore, development of a method for calculating a flow line length for an operator has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is possible to easily calculate a flow line length without going around an operator who is an operator in a factory, and to further create a flow diagram. An object is to provide a line length calculation system and the like.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the movement in the specific area with the passage of time of the target object that is the target of the flow line length calculation that carries the information reader and moves in the specific area. In the flow line length calculation system including a flow line length calculation device for calculating a line length, the information reading device is stored in a storage medium installed in a movement path in the specific area, and identifies the storage medium Reading means for reading the identification information, time information acquisition means for acquiring time information indicating the time when the identification information was read by the reading means, identification information read by the reading means, and the time information acquisition means And information transmission means for transmitting the time information acquired by the information to the flow line length calculating device, the flow line length calculating device including the identification information transmitted by the information reading device and the previous information. An information receiving means for receiving the time information, and having a flow line length calculating means for calculating the flow line length, a based on the received the identification information and the time information.

  According to this, the distance (flow line length) that the target object has moved in the specific area is easily calculated by moving the target object in the specific area where the storage medium is installed while carrying the information reader. It becomes possible.

  The invention according to claim 2 for solving the above problem is the flow line length calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the flow line length calculation device includes each of the storage media installed in the specific area. Storage means for storing in advance distance information indicating the distance between the storage medium and another storage medium, and the flow line length calculation means includes the identification information and the time information received by the information reception means. And obtaining the distance information based on the distance information and calculating a flow line length based on the distance information.

  According to this, by storing distance information indicating the distance between the storage medium and another storage medium in advance in the flow line length calculation device, the target object that is the target of the flow line length calculation that moves within the specific area The flow line length can be acquired more quickly and easily.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem, in the flow line length calculation system according to the first or second aspect, the storage means is a specific area where each of the storage media is installed. Position information for specifying the position in the position, and the flow line length calculation device, the position information acquisition means for acquiring the position information corresponding to the identification information received by the information reception means from the storage means, It further has a flow diagram creating means for creating a flow diagram based on the acquired position information and the time information received by the information receiving means.

  According to this, the position information for specifying the position in each specific area where the storage medium is installed is stored in the flow line length calculating device, so that the movement diagram creating means moves within the specific area. The flow diagram of the target object to be created can be created more easily.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention for solving the above problem, in the flow line length calculation system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the information reading device carries the information reading device. The target information for specifying the target object is stored, and the information transmission unit transmits the target information together with the identification information and the time information to the flow line length calculation device. The information receiving means receives the target information together with the identification information and the time information, and the flow line length calculating means is configured for each target object specified by the target information based on the received target information. The flow line length is calculated, and the flow line length calculation device includes a presentation unit that presents the calculated flow line length for each target object.

  According to this, it is possible to easily calculate the flow line length for each target object that is the target of the flow line length calculation that moves in the specific area.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem, in the flow line length calculation system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the storage medium includes an IC tag, an IC card, and a bar. It is a storage object storing a code or a magnetic card.

  According to this, by moving the target object in the specific area where the IC tag or the like as a storage medium is installed while carrying the information reading device, the flow line length in which the target object has moved in the specific area can be easily achieved. It becomes possible to calculate.

  A sixth aspect of the invention for solving the above problem is the flow line length calculation system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the target object is a person or a robot.

  According to this, it is possible to easily calculate the flow line length of a person or a robot that is a target object for calculating the flow line length that moves in the specific area.

  The invention according to claim 7 for solving the above-mentioned problem is stored in a storage medium installed in a moving route in a specific area, reads identification information for identifying the storage medium, and the identification information is In the flow line length calculation device that carries an information reading device that acquires time information indicating the read time and calculates the flow line length with the passage of time of the target object moving in the specific area, the information reading device Information receiving means for receiving the identification information and the time information transmitted from, and a flow line length calculating means for calculating a flow line length based on the received identification information and the time information. And

  According to this, it is possible to easily calculate the flow line length in which the target object moves in the specific area by moving the target object in the specific area where the storage medium is installed while carrying the information reading device. become.

  The invention according to claim 8 for solving the above problem is the flow line length calculation device according to claim 7, wherein each of the storage media installed in the specific area, the storage media and other storages are stored. Storage means for preliminarily storing distance information indicating a distance to the medium, and the flow line length calculation means stores the distance information based on the identification information and the time information received by the information reception means. Obtaining and calculating a flow line length based on the distance information.

  According to this, by storing distance information indicating the distance between the storage medium and another storage medium in advance in the flow line length calculation device, the target object that is the target of the flow line length calculation that moves within the specific area The flow line length can be acquired more quickly and easily.

  The invention according to claim 9 for solving the above problem is the flow line length calculation device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the storage means is each specific area in which each storage medium is installed. Position information acquisition means for storing position information for specifying a position within the storage information, and acquiring the position information corresponding to the identification information received by the information reception means from the storage means, and the acquired position information And a flow diagram creating means for creating a flow diagram based on the time information received by the information receiving means.

  According to this, the position information for specifying the position in each specific area where the storage medium is installed is stored in the flow line length calculating device, so that the movement diagram creating means moves within the specific area. The flow diagram of the target object to be created can be created more easily.

  The invention according to claim 10 for solving the above problem is the flow line length calculation device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the information receiving means includes the identification information and the time. Along with information, target information for specifying the target object carrying the information reading device is received from the information reading device, and the flow line length calculating means is specified by the target information based on the received target information The flow line length is calculated for each target object, and the presenting means for presenting the calculated flow line length for each target object is provided.

  According to this, it is possible to easily calculate the flow line length for each target object that is the target of the flow line length calculation that moves in the specific area.

  The invention described in claim 11 for solving the above-described problem is the flow line length calculation device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the storage medium includes an IC tag, an IC card, a bar. It is a storage object storing a code or a magnetic card.

  According to this, by moving the target object in the specific area where the IC tag or the like as a storage medium is installed while carrying the information reading device, the flow line length in which the target object has moved in the specific area can be easily achieved. It becomes possible to calculate.

  The invention according to claim 12 for solving the above problem is the flow line length calculation device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the target object is a person or a robot, and the presenting means It is a display means for displaying the calculated flow line length for each target object.

  According to this, it is possible to easily calculate the flow line length of a person or a robot that is a target object for calculating the flow line length that moves in the specific area.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, the movement in the specific area with the passage of time of the target object to be calculated for the flow line length carrying the information reader and moving in the specific area. In the flow line length calculation method including the flow line length calculation device for calculating the line length, the information reading device is stored in a storage medium installed in a movement path in the specific area, and for identifying the storage medium A reading step of reading the identification information, a time information acquisition step of acquiring time information indicating a time when the identification information was read by the reading step, an identification information read by the reading step, and the time information acquisition step An information transmission step of transmitting the time information acquired by the flow line length calculation device to the flow line length calculation device, wherein the flow line length calculation device transmits the identification information transmitted by the information reading device and the information An information receiving step of receiving information during, and having a flow line length calculating step of calculating a flow line length, a based on the received the identification information and the time information.

  According to this, it is possible to easily calculate the flow line length in which the target object moves in the specific area by moving the target object in the specific area where the storage medium is installed while carrying the information reading device. become.

  The invention described in claim 14 for solving the above-described problem is the flow line length calculation method according to claim 13, wherein the flow line length calculation device includes each of the storage media installed in the specific area. A storage step of storing in advance distance information indicating a distance between the storage medium and another storage medium, wherein the flow line length calculation step includes the identification information and the time information received by the information reception step. And obtaining the distance information based on the distance information and calculating a flow line length based on the distance information.

  According to this, by storing distance information indicating the distance between the storage medium and another storage medium in advance in the flow line length calculation device, the target object that is the target of the flow line length calculation that moves within the specific area The flow line length can be acquired more quickly and easily.

  The invention described in claim 15 for solving the above-mentioned problem is the flow line length calculation method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the storage step includes the specific areas where the storage media are installed. A position information acquisition step for storing position information for specifying a position in the position, and the flow line length calculation device acquires the position information corresponding to the identification information received by the information reception step from the storage step; It further has a flow diagram creating step of creating a flow diagram based on the acquired position information and the time information received by the information receiving step.

  According to this, the position information for specifying the position in each specific area where the storage medium is installed is stored in the flow line length calculating device, so that the movement diagram creating means moves within the specific area. The flow diagram of the target object to be created can be created more easily.

  The invention described in claim 16 for solving the above-described problem is the flow line length calculation method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the information reader carries the information reader. The target information for specifying the target object is stored, and the information transmission step transmits the target information together with the identification information and the time information to the flow line length calculation device, and in the flow line length calculation device, The information receiving step receives the target information together with the identification information and the time information, and the flow line length calculating step is performed for each target object specified by the target information based on the received target information. The flow line length is calculated, and the flow line length calculation device includes a presentation step of presenting the calculated flow line length for each target object.

  According to this, it is possible to easily calculate the flow line length for each target object that is the target of the flow line length calculation that moves in the specific area.

  The invention according to claim 17 for solving the above problem is the flow line length calculation method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the storage medium includes an IC tag, an IC card, a bar, It is a storage object storing a code or a magnetic card.

  According to this, by moving the target object in the specific area where the IC tag or the like as a storage medium is installed while carrying the information reading device, the flow line length in which the target object has moved in the specific area can be easily achieved. It becomes possible to calculate.

  An invention described in claim 18 for solving the above-mentioned problem is characterized in that, in the flow line length calculation method described in claim 16 or claim 17, the target object is a person or a robot.

  According to this, it is possible to easily calculate the flow line length of a person or a robot that is a target object for calculating the flow line length that moves in the specific area.

  According to the present invention, the distance (flow line length) by which the target object moves in the specific area can be easily calculated by moving the target object in the specific area where the storage medium is installed while carrying the information reader. It becomes possible to do.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(I) 1st Embodiment 1st Embodiment demonstrates the case where this invention is utilized in the workplace in a factory as an example of a specific area. Specifically, a flow line length calculation system for calculating a flow line length with the passage of time of an operator (target object) who works while moving in a work place and creating a flow diagram will be described.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Flow length calculation system]
First, the flow line length calculation system S according to the present embodiment will be conceptually described with reference to FIG.

  The information reading device in the present invention is applied to a reader / writer 2 that reads identification information of an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, and the flow line length calculation device in the present invention is replaced with the flow line information storage device 3 and the flow line length calculation device. Applies to 4.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a flow line length calculation system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flow line length calculation system S includes an IC tag T as a storage medium, a reader, a time information acquisition unit, a reader / writer 2 as an information transmission unit, an information reception unit, and a storage unit. The flow line information storage device 3, a flow diagram creation means, and a flow line length calculation device 4 as a flow line length calculation means. The reader / writer 2, the flow line information storage device 3, and the flow line length calculation device 4 are connected to each other via the network X so as to be able to exchange information.

  Here, the IC tag T, the reader / writer 2, the flow line information storage device 3, and the flow line length calculation device 4 will be specifically described.

  First, an IC tag such as an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag (hereinafter simply referred to as an “IC tag”) is a storage medium that stores identification information such as a unique IC tag ID. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of IC tags T (T1, T2,... TN) are installed at predetermined intervals on the floor, wall, ceiling, etc. in the movement path in the work place where the operator moves. Furthermore, it is installed so that it can be read by a reader / writer 2 described later.

  The reader / writer 2 is possessed by an operator who works while moving in the workplace. When the reader / writer 2 approaches the IC tag T, it reads identification information such as an IC tag ID stored in the IC tag T, and The reading time (time information) when the identification information such as the IC tag ID is read is acquired, and the identification information such as the IC tag ID, the time information, and the operator information are transmitted to the flow line information storage device 3. .

  The flow line information storage device 3 and the flow line length calculation device 4 are installed in a management room for managing the work of an operator in the work place, the head office center, and the like, such as an IC tag ID transmitted by the reader / writer 2. The identification information is received by the flow line information storage device 3, and based on the identification information such as the IC tag ID, the time information, and the operator information, the flow line length calculation device 4 calculates the flow line length and creates a flow diagram. To do.

  Here, the operator information is an example of the target information in the present invention, and is a number for uniquely identifying a target object for which a flow line length is calculated, that is, an operator who owns (carries) the reader / writer 2. Etc. (“10”, “20”, “30”,... Etc.). The flow line length calculation device 4 searches the time information stored in the flow line information storage device 3 using the operator information as a key, thereby calculating the flow line lengths of a plurality of operators and creating a flow line diagram. Is possible.

  Next, the configuration and function of each part constituting the flow line length calculation system S of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration and function of IC tag]
First, the IC tag T is a storage medium for storing identification information such as a unique IC tag ID, and the IC tag T is installed on a floor, wall, ceiling, etc. in a movement path in a work place where an operator moves. Is. Here, the configuration and function of the IC tag T will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the IC tag.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the IC tag T used in the present invention includes an IC unit 17 that stores data and an antenna unit 18 that transmits data stored in the IC unit 17.

  Specifically, the IC unit 17 is a part that stores identification information such as an (unique) IC tag ID that uniquely identifies each IC tag T. Here, the identification information such as the IC tag ID stored in the IC tag T may be any information that can uniquely identify each IC tag T. It can also be used as identification information such as a unique IC tag ID. It is also possible to write and use a unique ID for each IC tag T. Here, identification information such as identification information “a”, “b”, “c”... Is stored in the IC tags T1, T2, T3.

  The antenna unit 18 transmits identification information to the reader / writer 2 via a radio wave.

  Since the IC tag T is battery-free, it can be flexibly processed, downsized and thinned according to application examples, and can be processed into a seal shape.

[Configuration and function of reader / writer 2]
Next, the reader / writer 2 is possessed by an operator. When the reader / writer 2 approaches the IC tag T, the reader / writer 2 reads the identification information stored in the IC tag T, and the flow line information storage device described later. 3 is transmitted.

  The configuration and operation of the reader / writer 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the flow line length calculation system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reader / writer 2 according to the embodiment includes a reading unit R as a reading unit, a storage unit 23 as a storage unit, and a flow line information storage device 3 connected to the network X. The communication unit 24 is an information transmission unit for transmitting and receiving necessary information, and the control unit 25 is a time information acquisition unit. Each member is connected to each other via a bus. Yes.

  When the above-described IC tag T approaches the reader / writer 2, the reading unit R reads the identification information stored in the IC tag T, and outputs the read identification information to the control unit 25 as read information Sl.

  The storage unit 23 outputs the accumulated identification information Sm to the control unit 25 as necessary. When the identification information Sm is updated by the control unit 25, the storage unit 23 receives and stores the accumulated identification information Sm via the control unit 25.

  Here, a detailed configuration of the storage unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the storage unit 23 of the reader / writer 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 23 has identification information read by the reader / writer 2 from the IC tag T, time information as a reading time when the reader / writer 2 reads the identification information from the IC tag T, Are stored in association with each other.

  Specifically, the identification information includes the identification information “a” stored in the IC tag T1, the identification information “b” stored in the IC tag T2, and the identification information “c” stored in the IC tag T3. The time information is, for example, the reading time “12:00” when the reader / writer 2 reads the identification information “a” from the IC tag T1, and the identification information “b” from the IC tag T2. The reading time “12:10” when reading the identification information, the reading time “12:20” when reading the identification information “c” from the IC tag T3, and the like are stored in association with each other as shown in FIG. ing.

  For example, when the operator passes through the position where the IC tag T1 is installed, the position where the IC tag T2 is installed, and the position where the IC tag T3 is installed in this order, the operator approaches each IC tag T. For each, the identification information of each IC tag T and the time information when the identification information is read are associated with each other and stored.

  Note that the identification information and time information stored and stored in the storage unit 23 are stored after a certain period of time (for example, a predetermined time set by the administrator, every half day, every day, or every predetermined working period such as early or late), etc. The information may be transmitted to the flow line information storage device 3 and then erased, or the flow line information storage device when a predetermined accumulation amount (for example, 90% of the storage amount of the storage unit 23) is reached. 3 may be configured to be erased afterwards, or may be configured to be transmitted to the flow line information storage device 3 or erased by an operator's operation. In the present embodiment, the reader / writer 2 is configured to transmit the information to the flow line information storage device 3 at an arbitrary time set in advance by an administrator who manages the work in the workplace.

  The communication unit 24 outputs, for example, necessary communication information Sr such as identification information to the flow line information storage device 3 via the network X in order to transmit it to the control unit 25.

  As described above, the control unit 25 generates necessary communication information Sr such as identification information and communicates with the flow line information storage device 3 via the communication unit 24.

[Configuration and Function of Flow Line Information Storage Device 3]
The flow line information storage device 3 is installed in a management room for managing the workplace, the headquarters center, or the like, receives identification information transmitted by the reader / writer 2, and the flow line length calculation device 4 described later. ID information or the like is transmitted to.

  Here, the configuration and operation of the flow line information storage device 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flow line information storage device 3 according to the embodiment includes an input unit 31, a display unit 32 as a display unit, a storage unit 33 as a storage unit, and a reader connected to the network X. It comprises a communication unit 34 as information receiving means for transmitting and receiving necessary information between the writer 2 and the flow line length calculation device 4, and a control unit 35. Each member is connected via a bus. Are connected to each other.

  The input unit 31 is various operation keys such as numeric keys provided on a keyboard (not shown), and is used when an administrator operates the flow line information storage device 3. Input information corresponding to the operation is input. Sop is generated and output to the control unit 35.

  The display unit 32 calculates a flow line length with the flow line length calculation device 4 and receives it as display information Sdp via the control unit 35 when transmitting / receiving information for creating a flow diagram, 22 is displayed.

The storage unit 33 accumulates and stores information and the like to be displayed on the display unit 22 on the flow line information storage device 3 and outputs the accumulated identification information Sm to the control unit 35 as necessary. When the information to be displayed is input / updated, the updated information is received as accumulated identification information Sm via the control unit 35, and accumulated and stored at a specified address.
Here, a detailed configuration of the storage unit 33 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5A is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the storage unit of the flow line information storage device, and FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating an area diagram stored in the position information database.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the storage unit 33 includes an information database 33A, a position information database 33B, and a distance information database 33C.

  The information database 33A includes, for each operator information that identifies an operator, identification information of the IC tag T that the operator has moved and approached, and time information that indicates the time when the identification information was read by approaching the IC tag T. Are stored in association with each other.

  The position information database 33B stores position information for each IC tag T indicating where the IC tag T as a storage medium is installed in the work place.

  For example, the installation location of the IC tag T1 storing the identification information “a” is the area A-1, and the installation location of the IC tag T2 storing the identification information “b” is the area A-2. Position information corresponding to each piece of identification information is stored such that the installation location of the IC tag T3 storing “c” is area A-3.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a diagram is stored that indicates which position in the workplace corresponds to area A-1, area A-2, area A-3,.

  Therefore, for example, the IC tag T1 that stores the identification information “a” is specified to be installed in the area A-1 by the position information database 33B, and the location of the area A-1 is further determined as shown in FIG. As a result, it is specified where the IC tag T1 storing the identification information “a” is installed in the workplace.

  Here, an example is shown in which IC tags T are installed in a grid pattern on the floor surface, but the present invention is not limited to this, and specific points (periphery of machine operation panel, entrance / exit of workplace, passage of workplace, etc.), etc. The position where the IC tag T is installed or the IC tag T is installed can be arbitrarily set.

  The distance information database 33C stores distance information indicating the distance between each storage medium and another storage medium.

  The distance information is, for example, a distance of 2 m between the IC tag T1 storing the identification information “a” and the IC tag T2 storing the identification information “b”, as indicated by 33C in FIG. The distance between the IC tag T2 storing the identification information “b” and the IC tag T3 storing the identification information “c” is 2.8 m, the IC tag T3 storing the identification information “c” and the identification information “d” Is the information indicating the distance between the IC tags T that are close to each other such that the distance between the IC tags T4 that stores “2” is 2 m.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5 (B), each IC tag T is configured to store only the distance to the adjacent IC tag T, but all the distances between the IC tags T are stored. May be. If only the distance between the adjacent IC tags T is stored, there is an advantage that the storage capacity of the storage unit 33 can be saved. On the other hand, if all the distances between the IC tags T are stored, There is an advantage that it can be easily calculated in the subsequent flow line length calculation.

  The communication unit 34 receives the communication information Sr when transmitting / receiving any information to / from the flow line length calculation device 4 via the network X, and outputs the communication information Sr to the control unit 35 or transmits the communication information Sr. This is output from the unit 35.

  The control unit 35 generates display information Sdp to be displayed on the display unit 32 using the communication information Sr, the input information Sop, and the identification information Sm, and outputs the display information Sdp to the display unit 32 to execute necessary display. The communication information Sr is generated, and communication is performed with respect to the flow line length calculation device 4 and the reader / writer 2 via the communication unit 34.

  The flow line length calculation device 4 is installed in a management room that manages the work of an operator in the workplace, the head office center, etc., and receives the identification information and the like by the flow line information device 3, and the identification information The flow line length is calculated based on the above and the flow line diagram is created.

  Here, the configuration and function of the flow line length calculation device 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

[Configuration and function of flow line length calculation device]
As shown in FIG. 3, the flow line length calculation device 4 according to the embodiment is connected to an input unit 41, a display unit 42 as a display unit (presentation unit), a storage unit 43, and the network X to move. Each of the members includes a communication unit 44 for exchanging various types of information with the line information storage device 3, a flow diagram creation unit, and a control unit 45 as a flow line length calculation unit. Are connected to each other via a bus.

  The input unit 41 includes various operation keys such as numeric keys provided on a keyboard (not shown), and is used when an administrator operates the flow line length calculation device 4. Input information corresponding to the operation is input. Sop is generated and output to the control unit 45.

  The display unit 42 creates a flow diagram with the flow line information storage device 3 and receives it as display information Sdp via the control unit 45 when transmitting and receiving information for calculating the flow line length. 42.

  The storage unit 43 accumulates and stores information to be displayed on the display unit 42 of the flow line length calculation device 4 and outputs the accumulated identification information Sm to the control unit 45 as necessary. When the information to be displayed is input / updated, it is received as accumulated identification information Sm via the control unit 45 and accumulated and stored.

  The communication unit 44 receives the communication information Sr when transmitting / receiving some information to / from the flow line information storage device 3 via the network X, and outputs the communication information Sr to the control unit 45 or transmits the communication information Sr. This is output from the unit 45.

  The control unit 45 generates display information Sdp to be displayed on the display unit 32 by using the communication information Sr, the input information Sop, and the identification information Sm, and outputs the display information Sdp to the display unit 42 to execute necessary display. The communication information Sr is generated, and communication is performed with respect to the flow line information storage device 3 via the communication unit 44.

[Flow length calculation processing]
Next, the flow line length calculation process in the flow line length calculation system S will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing flow line length calculation processing in the flow line length calculation apparatus. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (A) is executed by the control unit 25 of the reader / writer 2, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (B) is executed by the control unit 35 of the flow line information storage device 3, and FIG. 6 is executed by the control unit 45 of the flow line length calculation device 4, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 6D is executed by the control unit 35 of the flow line information storage device 3.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, a case will be described in which the operator starts work from a position where the IC tag T1 storing the identification information “a” is installed.

  When the operator who has the reader / writer 2 approaches the IC tag T1 installed on the floor or the like in the workplace, the reader / writer 2 detects the approaching IC tag T1, and the IC tag T1 detects the IC tag T1. The identification information “a” stored in is read (step S11).

  Next, when the identification information “a” is read from the IC tag T1, the reader / writer 2 acquires the reading time (time information) when the identification information “a” is read (step S12), and the identification information “a”. And time information are associated with each other and temporarily stored in the storage unit 23 (step S13).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, as the reading time when the identification information “a” of the IC tag T1 read by the reader / writer 2 possessed by the operator and the identification information “a” of the IC tag T1 are read. And the time information “12:00” are temporarily stored in the storage unit 23.

  Next, the reader / writer 2 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the identification information “a” was read by the IC tag T1 (step S14).

  The fixed time can be arbitrarily set in advance as 10 minutes, 20 minutes,... By the administrator who manages the work in the workplace as described above.

  Next, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not been reached (step S14: NO), the operation returns to the operation of step S11 and the same operation as described above is repeated.

  Specifically, if the operator moves from the position where the IC tag T1 is installed, for example, to the position where the IC tag T2 is installed, the reader / writer 2 detects the approach of the IC tag T2, and the IC tag The identification information “b” stored in the IC tag T2 is read by T2 (step S11).

  Next, when the identification information “b” is read from the IC tag T2, the reader / writer 2 acquires the reading time (time information) when the identification information “b” is read (step S12), and the identification information “b”. And the time information are temporarily stored in the storage unit 23 (step S13).

  In this way, the identification information of the IC tag T that the operator has approached for a certain period of time is read by the reader / writer 2, the reading time (time information) at which the identification information is read by the reader / writer 2 is acquired, and these are repeatedly stored. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S14: YES), the reader / writer 2 uses the plurality of identification information and time information stored in the storage unit 23 until the predetermined time elapses. Along with the information, the information is transmitted to the flow line information storage device 3 via the network X (step S15).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the operator moves in the order of IC tag T1, IC tag T2, IC tag T3, etc., the identification information stored in each IC tag T Time information “12:00”, “12:10”, “12:20” when identification information is read from each IC tag T, such as “a”, “b”, “c”... In addition, etc., operator information for identifying the operator is transmitted to the flow line information storage device 3.

  Although the operator information has been described above, for example, when there is a possibility that a plurality of operators use the reader / writer 2, the operator who uses the reader / writer 2 for the day will be referred to himself / herself when the work of the day is started. It is necessary to temporarily store the specified operator information in the reader / writer 2.

  The process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. The flow line information storage device 3 receives the identification information, time information, and operator information transmitted by the reader / writer 2 and starts the process shown in (B).

  The identification information, time information, and operator information received from the reader / writer 2 are stored in the information database 33A of the storage unit 33 (step S22).

  Next, the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. The flow line length calculation device 4 transmits operator information together with a flow diagram creation request to the flow line information storage device 3 (step S32).

  Specifically, when the administrator wishes to confirm the flow line for a specific operator, such as when the operator's work for the day is over, the flow line information storage device 3 stores a flow diagram creation request. , Send operator information.

  Next, the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. The flow line information storage device 3 receives the flow diagram creation request and the operator information transmitted from the flow line length calculation device 4 and starts the process shown in (D).

  When the flow line information storage device 3 receives the flow diagram creation request and the operator information transmitted by the flow line length calculation device 4, the flow line information storage device 3 searches the information database 33A, and based on the operator information, identifies information related to the operator information and Time information is searched (step S52).

  Specifically, when creating a flow diagram for an operator whose operator information is 10, as shown in the information database 33A of FIG. 5A, the identification stored corresponding to the operator information 10 Search information and time information.

  Next, when the flow line information storage device 3 retrieves the identification information and time information related to the operator information (step S53), the flow line length calculation device 4 sends the acquired identification information and time information to the position information. The position information stored in the database 33B is transmitted (step S54).

  The process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. When identification information, time information, and position information are received from the flow line information storage device 3 (step S33), processing for creating a flow diagram is performed based on the identification information, time information, and position information (step S34). ).

  Specifically, as shown in the information database 33A of FIG. 5A, with the movement of the operator 10, the identification information “a” “b” “c” “d” “e” “f”, and the identification information The time information “12:00”, “12:10”, “12:20”, “12:30”, “12:40”, “12:50” corresponding to Is moved in the order of a → b → c → d → e → f in the order of time information from 12:00, referring to the position information of each IC tag T1, T2, T3. The position is traced in the order of a → b → c → d → e → f on the installation drawing, and the flow diagram of the operator is displayed on the display unit 42 (step S35) (see FIG. 7). At this time, the flow diagram can be displayed limited to a specific time zone as necessary. Next, a flow line length calculation request is transmitted to the flow line information storage device 3 (step S36).

  When the flow line information storage device 3 receives the flow line length calculation request transmitted by the flow line length calculation device 4 (step S55), the distance information stored in the distance information database 33C is sent to the flow line length calculation device 4. Transmit (step S56).

  The process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. Distance information is received from the flow line information storage device 3 (step S37), and a flow line length is calculated (step S38).

  Specifically, as shown in the position information database 33B in FIG. 5A, since the distance between ab, cd, and de is stored as 2 m, and the distance between bc and ef is stored as 2.8 m, a → When the operator moves along a route of b → c → d → e → f, the total distance of a + b + c + d + e + f is calculated as 2 + 2.8 + 2 + 2 + 2.8, and the movement line length as the distance moved by the operator is 13. 6m. Thus, the flow line length moved by the operator is calculated (step S38), and as shown in FIG. 7, the flow line length is displayed on the display unit 42 along with the flow line diagram for each operator information (step S38). S39).

(II) Modification [1. About specific areas]
In the embodiment, the case of creating a flow diagram when an operator moves in one work place has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to one work place, and the operator works while moving across rooms and floors. The flow diagram of the operator can be created with the same procedure.

  Specifically, when movement between buildings is included, the distance between the entrances and exits of the building is stored in advance in the position information database 33B, and the approximate distance can be calculated by adding the distance. is there.

  At this time, if an IC tag is installed in a passage in the middle of the buildings, it becomes possible to calculate with higher accuracy.

[2. Flow line length calculation method]
In the embodiment, as a method of calculating the flow line length, the distance of the approaching IC tag is stored in the distance database 33C in advance, and the method of calculating from there is described. However, as another method, the position information database 33B There is a method in which the layout diagram is made to be an actual scale, the flow line length output after the flow line is output, and the correction for the scale is calculated.

  Specifically, if the flow line is output, the total flow line length is 8.5 cm, and the scale is 1/160, the distance actually moved by the operator at 8.5 cm × 160 is 13.6 m. The length can be calculated.

[3. About location information]
For example, the coordinates are provided on the installation drawing, the IC tag T1 is at the position (1, 1) on the coordinates, the IC tag T2 is at the position (2, 1) on the coordinates, and the IC tag T3 is on the coordinates The position information may be stored in association with the identification information of the IC tag T.

  The identification information “a” and the coordinates (1, 1), the identification information “b” and the coordinates (2, 1), and the identification information “c” and the coordinates (3, 1) may be stored in association with each other. .

[4. When the operator has an IC tag]
As described above, in the embodiment, the case where the IC tag T is installed on the floor in the movement path on which the operator moves and the operator possesses the reader / writer has been described. On the contrary, the movement path on which the operator moves The reader / writer 2 may be installed on the inside floor, and the operator may carry the IC tag T.

  The flow line length calculation process in the flow line length calculation system S will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow line length calculation process in the flow line length calculation apparatus. The flowchart shown in FIG. 8A is executed by the control unit 25 of the reader / writer 2.

  First, when an operator who has an IC tag T held by an operator approaches the reader / writer 2 installed on the floor in the workplace, the reader / writer 2 detects the IC tag T1 that has approached and the IC tag The operator information stored in T1 is read (step S41).

  Next, when the operator information is read from the IC tag T1, the reader / writer 2 acquires the reading time (time information) when the operator information is read (step S42), and temporarily associates the operator information with the time information. Is stored in the information database 23A of the storage unit 23 (step S43).

  Next, the reader / writer 2 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the operator information was read by the IC tag T1 (step S44).

  Next, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not been reached (step S44: NO), the operation returns to the operation of step S41 and the same operation as described above is repeated.

  Thereafter, the same operation is performed to determine whether or not the coincidence time has elapsed. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S44: YES), the reader / writer 2 stores the time until the predetermined time elapses. The operator information and time information stored in the information database 23A of the unit 23 are transmitted together with the identification information to the flow line information storage device 3 via the network X (step S45).

  The following operation is the same as that shown in the embodiment, and the flow moves to the flowchart of FIG. 5B. The flow line information storage device 3 receives the identification information, time information, and operator information transmitted by the reader / writer 2. Is received, the process shown in (B) is started.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an operator moves by moving in a specific area where an IC tag T such as a storage medium is installed while carrying the reader / writer 2 as an information reading device. The calculated distance (flow line length) can be calculated. Furthermore, it is possible to create a flow diagram based on the position information.

  In the above-described embodiment (steps S35 and S36), the flow diagram is requested to be calculated after the flow diagram is displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the flow diagram length is created without creating the flow diagram. May be calculated. That is, since the order of movement can be specified based on the operator information and the time information, the distance information can be specified and the flow line length can be obtained.

  The distance from the IC tag adjacent to each IC tag T may be stored and read together with the identification information by the reader / writer 2. However, as described in the present embodiment, each IC tag By storing the distance between T in the flow line information storage device 3 in advance, the flow line length can be acquired more quickly and easily.

  Furthermore, since the reader / writer 2 is configured to store the operator information as the target information, the present invention can be applied even when there are a plurality of operators.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operator who performs the work is configured to carry the reader / writer, but the target object for calculating the flow line length is not limited to a person but may be a robot.

  In this embodiment, an IC tag is used as a storage medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any storage medium that can store unique identification information so that it can be read by a reader can be used, such as an IC card or a two-dimensional barcode. It may be a stored object storing various bar codes and magnetic cards.

  In addition, the calculated flow line length is configured to be displayed on the display unit 42. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the calculated flow line length may be presented to the administrator by outputting the sound by voice.

It is the schematic for demonstrating the flow line length calculation system of this invention. It is a top view of an IC tag. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the flow line length calculation system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the memory | storage part of a reader / writer. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the memory | storage part of a flow line information storage device. It is the schematic which shows the area figure memorize | stored in the positional information database. It is a flowchart which shows the flow line length calculation process in the flow line length calculation system of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the flow line figure produced by the flow line length calculation system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow line length calculation process in the flow line length calculation system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS S ... Flow line length calculation system T ... IC tag 2 ... Reader / writer 3 ... Flow line information storage device 4 ... Flow line length calculation apparatus X ... Network 31, 41 ... Input unit 32, 42 ... Display unit 23, 33, 43 ... Storage unit 24, 34, 44 ... Communication unit 25, 35, 45 ... Control unit R ... Reading unit 33A ... Information database 33B ... Position information database 33C ... Distance information database 17 ... IC part 18 ... Antenna part

Claims (18)

Flow line length calculation including a flow line length calculation device that calculates a flow line length in the specific area with the passage of time of a target object that is a target of the flow line length calculation that carries the information reader and moves in the specific area In the system,
The information reader is
Reading means that is stored in a storage medium installed in a movement path in the specific area and reads identification information for identifying the storage medium;
Time information acquisition means for acquiring time information indicating a time when the identification information is read by the reading means;
Information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information read by the reading means and the time information acquired by the time information acquiring means to the flow line length calculating device;
The flow line length calculation device includes:
Information receiving means for receiving the identification information and the time information transmitted by the information reader;
A flow line length calculating means for calculating a flow line length based on the received identification information and the time information;
A flow line length calculation system comprising: The flow line length calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the flow line length calculation device includes: each storage medium installed in the specific area; distance information indicating a distance between the storage medium and another storage medium; , Storage means for storing in advance,
The flow line length calculating means acquires the distance information based on the identification information and the time information received by the information receiving means, and calculates a flow line length based on the distance information. Flow line length calculation system. In the flow line length calculation system according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The storage means stores position information for specifying a position in each specific area where each storage medium is installed,
The flow line length calculation device comprises: position information acquisition means for acquiring the position information corresponding to the identification information received by the information reception means from the storage means;
A flow line length calculation system further comprising a flow line diagram creating unit that creates a flow diagram based on the acquired position information and the time information received by the information receiving unit. In the flow line length calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information reading device carries the information reading device, stores target information for specifying the target object, and
The information transmitting means transmits the target information together with the identification information and the time information to the flow line length calculation device,
The information receiving means in the flow line length calculating device receives the target information together with the identification information and the time information,
The flow line length calculating means calculates the flow line length for each target object specified by the target information based on the received target information,
The flow line length calculation system includes a presentation unit that presents the calculated flow line length for each target object. The flow line length calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The flow line length calculation system, wherein the storage medium is a storage object storing an IC tag, an IC card, a barcode, or a magnetic card. In the flow line length calculation system according to claim 4 or 5,
The target object is a person or a robot,
The presenting means is a display means for displaying the calculated flow line length for each of the target objects. Carrying an information reading device that is stored in a storage medium installed in a moving route in a specific area, reads identification information for identifying the storage medium, and acquires time information indicating the time when the identification information is read. In the flow line length calculation device for calculating the flow line length with the passage of time of the target object moving in the specific area,
Information receiving means for receiving the identification information and the time information transmitted from the information reading device;
A flow line length calculating means for calculating a flow line length based on the received identification information and the time information;
A flow line length calculation device comprising: The flow line length calculation device according to claim 7,
Storage means for storing in advance each storage medium installed in the specific area and distance information indicating a distance between the storage medium and another storage medium;
The flow line length calculating means acquires the distance information based on the identification information and the time information received by the information receiving means, and calculates a flow line length based on the distance information. Flow line length calculation device. In the flow line length calculation device according to claim 7 or 8,
The storage means stores position information for specifying a position in each specific area where each storage medium is installed, and
Position information acquisition means for acquiring the position information corresponding to the identification information received by the information reception means from the storage means;
2. A flow line length calculating apparatus, further comprising a flow line diagram creating unit that creates a flow diagram based on the acquired position information and the time information received by the information receiving unit. In the flow line length calculation device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The information receiving means receives target information for identifying the target object carrying the information reading device from the information reading device together with the identification information and the time information,
The flow line length calculating means calculates the flow line length for each target object specified by the target information based on the received target information, and
A flow length calculation apparatus comprising presentation means for presenting the calculated flow line length for each target object. In the flow line length calculation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
The flow line length calculation apparatus, wherein the storage medium is a storage object storing an IC tag, an IC card, a barcode, or a magnetic card. In the flow line length calculation apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,
The target object is a person or a robot,
The presenting means is a display means for displaying the calculated flow line length for each of the target objects. Flow line length calculation including a flow line length calculation device that calculates a flow line length in the specific area with the passage of time of a target object that is a target of the flow line length calculation that carries the information reader and moves in the specific area In the method
The information reader is
A reading step of reading identification information stored in a storage medium installed in a movement path in the specific area and identifying the storage medium;
A time information acquisition step of acquiring time information indicating a time when the identification information is read by the reading step;
An information transmission step of transmitting the identification information read by the reading step and the time information acquired by the time information acquisition step to the flow line length calculation device,
The flow line length calculation device comprises:
An information receiving step of receiving the identification information and the time information transmitted by the information reader;
A flow line length calculating step of calculating a flow line length based on the received identification information and the time information;
A flow line length calculation method characterized by comprising: The flow line length calculation method according to claim 13,
The flow line length calculating device includes a storage step of storing in advance each storage medium installed in the specific area and distance information indicating a distance between the storage medium and another storage medium;
The flow line length calculating step acquires the distance information based on the identification information and the time information received by the information receiving step, and calculates a flow line length based on the distance information. Flow line length calculation method. In the flow line length calculation method according to claim 13 or 14,
The storing step stores position information for specifying a position in each specific area where each storage medium is installed,
A position information acquisition step in which the flow line length calculation device acquires the position information corresponding to the identification information received in the information reception step from the storage step;
A flow line length calculation method, further comprising a flow diagram creation step of creating a flow diagram based on the acquired position information and the time information received in the information reception step. The flow line length calculation method according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
The information reading device carries the information reading device, stores target information for specifying the target object,
The information transmission step transmits the target information together with the identification information and the time information to the flow line length calculation device,
The information receiving step in the flow line length calculating device receives the target information together with the identification information and the time information,
The flow line length calculation step calculates the flow line length for each target object specified by the target information based on the received target information,
The flow line length calculation method includes a presentation step of presenting the calculated flow line length for each target object. The flow line length calculation method according to any one of claims 13 to 16,
The flow line length calculation method, wherein the storage medium is a storage object storing an IC tag, an IC card, a barcode, or a magnetic card. In the flow line length calculation method according to claim 16 or claim 17,
The target object is a person or a robot,
The presenting means is a display means for displaying the calculated flow line length for each of the target objects.

Images