JP2007034792A - Information management system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information management system capable of reducing reader registration work of an administrator in response to increase of the readers in a future information system utilizing IC tags. <P>SOLUTION: A retrieval request terminal 1 comprises a service request transfer part for transferring a service request with additional information to an information management apparatus 4 for each reader 2. On receipt of a participation request from the reader 2, a program corresponding to the reader 2 having transmitted the participation request is started, then processing for the service request transfer part is started. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management system and an information management method for managing product information by reading tag information from an IC tag attached to a product or the like using a radio signal.

There is a mechanism for managing receipt / shipment of goods and inventory management using an IC tag attached to the goods and a computer system. In such an information management system, a reader that reads information recorded on a tag from an IC tag by a radio signal, a search request device that receives information from the reader and makes a search request for information related to the IC tag, There is an information management device that searches for related information of a product based on a search request and sends it back to the search request device. This information management system is used to manage information such as to which store the product with the IC tag attached has been delivered, at which position in the delivery route, and how much stock is available. Note that Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 is disclosed regarding a technique using an IC tag.
Koji Segawa, “All about wireless IC tags change business with sesame grain chips”, Nikkei Business Publications, April 20, 2004, P.A. 152-155

  By the way, it is conceivable that the IC tag described above will be attached to various products and other items and used in various forms of business. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to have a large number of readers. However, in order to make the reader connectable to the information management system, it is necessary to register the reader in advance in the search request device or the information management device described above and create an environment in which the reader can connect to the system. I must. In order to create the environment, the administrator is burdened with the registration work of the reader.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides an information management system and an information management method capable of reducing the burden on the manager of registration work of the reader in accordance with an increase in readers in the information management system using future IC tags. It is an object.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information management system comprising an identification information reading device that reads identification information of a management object, a search requesting device, and an information management device, the identification information reading The apparatus, a participation request notification means for notifying the search requesting apparatus of a participation request to the system including the identification information of the own apparatus, an identification information reading means for reading the identification information of the management object, and the search requesting apparatus, Service request transmission means for transmitting a service request including the read identification information and the identification information of the own device, and the search request device adds additional information to the service request and transfers the service request to the information management device Each service request transfer unit that performs processing for each identification information reading device, and upon receipt of the participation request, the identification information reading device that has transmitted the participation request. Activating means for activating the corresponding service request transfer means, wherein the information management device identifies the management object identification information and the identification information reading device included in the service request received from the search requesting device. An information management system comprising: search means for returning service information corresponding to a combination of information to the search request apparatus; and application processing means for performing predetermined processing according to additional information included in the service request. It is.

  In the present invention, the information management system further includes a system participation management device that manages participation of the identification information reading device in the system, and the system participation management device sends the participation request to the identification information reading device. A participation request transfer means for receiving and transferring the response to the search request device, and a participation request response transfer means for receiving a response to the participation request from the search request device and transferring the response to the identification information reading device. Features.

  Further, in the information management system described above, the search requesting device is included in the participation request when there is no response even after a predetermined time interval from the identification information reading device that transmitted the participation request. It further comprises stop means for stopping processing of the service request transfer means corresponding to the identification information reading device for the identification information to be read.

  According to the present invention, in the above-described information management system, the identification information reading device transmits a disconnection request transmission unit that transmits information on a disconnection request from the system to the search requesting device, and information on power-off to the search requesting device. One or both of the power-off transmission means for transmitting, and the stop means of the search requesting device, when receiving the withdrawal request or the power-off information, transmitted the withdrawal request or the power-off. The processing of the service request transfer means corresponding to the identification information reading device is stopped.

  The present invention is also an information management method comprising an identification information reading device that reads identification information of a management object, a search requesting device, and an information management device, wherein the participation request notifying means of the identification information reading device includes: , Notifying the search requesting device of a request to join the system including the identification information of the own device, and the identification information reading means of the identification information reading device reads the identification information of the management object, and the identification information reading device A service request transmission unit transmits a service request including the read identification information and its own identification information to the search request device, and a service request transfer unit of the search request device adds additional information to the service request. In addition, a process of adding and transferring the information to the information management apparatus is performed for each of the identification information reading apparatuses, and the search request apparatus activation means is triggered by the reception of the participation request. The service request transfer unit corresponding to the identification information reading device that transmitted the request is activated, and the search unit of the information management device includes the identification information of the management object included in the service request received from the search request device; Service information corresponding to the combination of identification information of the identification information reading device is returned to the search requesting device, and the application processing means of the information management device performs a predetermined process according to the additional information included in the service request. This is an information management method characterized by this.

  According to the present invention, in response to the participation request from the identification information reading device, the search request device automatically activates the processing unit of the service request transfer means unique to the identification information reading device that has transmitted the participation request. Therefore, the administrator does not have to register the identification information reading device participating in the system in advance, and the identification of the administrator according to the increase of the identification information reading device in the information management system using the future IC tag. Registration work of the information reading device can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information management system according to the embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a search request terminal. This search request terminal 1 is installed, for example, for each organization that manages management objects such as merchandise stores and wholesalers. Reference numeral 2 denotes a reader (identification information reading device). The reader 2 performs a process of reading information from an IC tag attached to a managed object such as a product, and a process of notifying the search request terminal 1 of a request for participation in the system. The IC tag is also called an RFID tag, and transmits information recorded in a storage unit such as a memory by a wireless signal. Specifically, for example, the IC tag receives an electromagnetic wave transmitted from the reader 1 by an antenna in the IC tag, generates an electromotive force by its resonance action, and transmits information stored in the memory by a radio signal. Process.

  Here, the reader 2 reads object allocation information from an IC tag attached to a managed object such as a product, and related information of the managed object (product name, manufacturer, price, color, availability, number of inventory, similar Processing for displaying products and other product descriptions) and processing for operating application programs specific to the management target. The object assignment information is hereinafter referred to as a tag ID, and the management object can be specified by this tag ID.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a search request destination specifying device. Reference numeral 4 denotes an information management apparatus. For example, a plurality of information management devices 4 exist for each service processed using this system. Based on the tag ID received from the search request terminal 1, the search request destination specifying device 3 specifies one information management device specialized for the tag ID among the plurality of information management devices 4, and stores the information. A process of replying to the search request terminal 1 is performed. Based on the service request received from the search request terminal 1, the information management device 4 performs processing for reading related information corresponding to the tag ID included in the service request from a database or the like and sending it back. The information management device 4 performs a predetermined process according to the additional information included in the service request together with the return of the related information. Reference numeral 5 denotes a system participation management device. The system participation management device 5 relays transmission / reception between the reader 2 and the search request terminal 1 such as transfer of a participation request transmitted from the reader 2 having a pre-registered IP address to the search request terminal 1. To do.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the search request terminal, the reader, and the system participation management device.
As shown in this figure, in the search request terminal 1, reference numeral 11 is a communication processing unit that transmits and receives information to and from the reader 2, the information management device 4, and the system participation management device 5. Reference numeral 12 denotes a control unit that controls each processing unit of the search request terminal 1. Reference numeral 13 denotes a service request transfer unit (service request transfer means) that performs a process of transferring a service request transmitted from the reader 2 to the information management apparatus 4. The service request transfer unit 13 is a processing unit that operates for each reader 2 that participates in the system. For example, when the program that processes the service request transfer unit 13 is activated when the reader 2 joins the system, Whether or not a service request transmitted by the reader 2 has been received is constantly monitored, and when received, information is added and transferred to the information management device 4. Reference numeral 14 denotes a program that performs processing of the service request transfer unit 13 and is an activation unit (activation unit) that activates a program corresponding to the reader 2 that has requested participation in the system. A database 15 stores various information.

  In the reader 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a communication processing unit, which performs a process of transmitting / receiving information to / from other devices. Reference numeral 22 denotes a participation request unit 22 (participation request notifying means), which processes transmission of participation request information in response to an instruction from a user who uses the reader 2 (for example, turning on the power or inputting an instruction for a participation request). Reference numeral 23 denotes a service request unit 23 (service request transmission means), which performs a process of transmitting a service request including the information when the information is received from the IC tag. Reference numeral 24 denotes a signal reading unit 24 (identification information reading means), which performs processing for reading information stored in the IC tag using RFID technology.

  In the system participation management device 5, reference numeral 51 denotes a communication processing unit that transmits and receives information to and from the reader 2 and the search request terminal 1. A control unit 52 controls each processing unit of the system participation management device 5. Reference numeral 53 denotes a system participation processing unit (participation request transfer means, participation request response transfer means) that mutually transfers information on the participation request transmitted from the reader 2 and information on the response from the search request terminal 1 corresponding to the participation request. ). Reference numeral 54 denotes a database for storing various information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the information management apparatus.
First, reference numeral 41 denotes a communication processing unit that receives information from the search request terminal 1 via a communication network. Reference numeral 42 denotes a control unit that controls each processing unit of the information management apparatus 4. Reference numeral 43 denotes an information search unit (search means) that searches for information stored in the database based on a service request received from the search request terminal 1 and returns the information. Reference numeral 44 denotes an application processing unit (application processing means) that performs predetermined processing corresponding to the additional information indicated by the service request. The application processing unit 44 is provided for each additional information indicated by the service request. A database 45 stores various information.

  In the information management system of the present invention, when the reader 2 joins the system, registration and withdrawal from the system are automatically performed, so that the future leader in the information management system using the IC tag is used. In response to this increase, a mechanism for reducing the burden on the manager of registration work of the reader is provided.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the information management system.
Next, the processing flow of the information management system will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when the system administrator instructs the search request terminal 1 to monitor the system participation request of the reader 2, the control unit 12 transmits information indicating the instruction to monitor the participation request of the reader 2 to the system participation management device 5 ( Step S1). In the system participation management device 5, when receiving an instruction to monitor the participation request, the system participation processing unit 53 constantly monitors reception of information on the participation request transmitted from the reader 2. In a situation where such a state is established, when the user powers on the reader 2 or when the user gives an instruction to participate in the system to the reader 2, the participation request unit 22 of the reader 2 stores in advance in a memory or the like. The communication processing unit 21 is instructed to transmit a participation request signal to the registered IP address of the system participation management device 5, and the communication processing unit 21 transmits information on the participation request to the system participation management device 5 (step) S2). The system participation processing unit 53 of the system participation management device 5 receives the participation request information and transfers it to the search request terminal 1 via the communication network (step S3). Here, the system participation management apparatus 5 stores the IP address of the reader 2 in the database 54 in advance, and transmits only the participation request information from the reader 2 having this IP address to the corresponding search request terminal 1. .

  Next, in the search request terminal 1, the control unit 12 transmits a response corresponding to the participation request to the system participation management device 5 (step S4), and the system participation processing unit 53 of the system participation management device 5 receives information on the response. Is transmitted to the reader 2 (step S5). In the response information, the IP address of the search requesting terminal 1 is stored. Next, the reader 2 sends location information indicating a reader ID (reader identification information) stored in advance and a service ID (service identification information) provided by the reader to the user to the system participation management apparatus 5. A reply is made (step S6), and the system participation processing unit 53 transfers it to the search request terminal 1 (step S7). Here, the search request terminal 1 determines the participation of the reader 2 that has transmitted the location information in response to the response to the participation request to the system, and the service request corresponding to the reader ID and the service ID included in the location information. The transfer program is activated (step S8). By starting this service request transfer program, the search request terminal 1 has the function of the service request transfer unit 13. In addition, the service request transfer unit 13 holds predetermined additional information corresponding to the service ID. And the process of the automatic participation to the system of the reader | leader 2 is completed by the above process.

  Next, when the signal reading unit 24 of the reader 2 reads the tag ID from the IC tag attached to the management target object by the user's operation (step S9), the service request unit 23 reads the read tag ID and the memory The communication processing unit 21 is instructed to directly transmit a service request including at least the reader ID stored in the search request and the time at that time to the search request terminal 1. Then, the communication processing unit 21 transmits the service request to the search request terminal 1 (step S10). At this time, it transmits to the search request terminal 1 using the IP address of the search request terminal included in the response information of the participation request.

  In the search request terminal 1, the service request transfer unit 13 receives a service request. When the reader 2 that transmitted the service request matches the reader ID of the stored reader 2, it is determined to transfer the service request. When the transfer of the service request is determined, the service request transfer unit 13 inquires of the search request destination specifying device 3 about the information management device serving as the service request transfer destination from among the plurality of information management devices 4 existing in the system (step S11). ). In this inquiry, a tag ID is transmitted. The search request destination specifying device 3 transmits the IP address of the information management device 4 stored in association with the tag ID to the search request terminal 1. Thereby, the search request terminal 1 determines to transfer the service request to the information management device 4 of the IP address received from the search request destination specifying device 3. At the time of transferring the service request, the service request transfer unit 13 of the search request terminal 1 stores the additional information in the service request and transmits the information of the service request in which the additional information is stored to the information management device 4 (step S12).

  In the information management device 4, when the service request information is received, the information search unit 43 searches the related information recorded in the database 45 in association with the tag ID included in the service request (step S13). Read and return to the search request terminal 1 via the communication network (step S14). Further, the application processing unit 44 executes application processing corresponding to the combination of the tag ID and the reader ID included in the service request (step S15). This application process may be a process linked to the search request terminal 1. With the above processing, the search request terminal 1 and the reader 2 perform operations corresponding to output of related information related to the tag ID to the screen and application processing executed in the information management device 4. In response to the participation request from the reader 2, the search request terminal 1 automatically activates the processing unit of the service request transfer unit 13 specific to the reader 2 that has transmitted the participation request. The registration of the reader 2 that participates in the system does not have to be performed in advance, and the burden on the manager of the registration work of the reader can be reduced according to the increase of readers in the information management system using the future IC tag. .

Next, the process of leaving the reader from the system will be described.
In the above process, after the reader 2 transmits the participation request information, the search request terminal 1 responds to the participation request via the system participation management device 5, and as a result, the reader 2 sends the location information to the system participation management device. However, after that, the search request terminal 1 transmits response information to the reader 2 via the system participation management device 5 at predetermined time intervals. Then, in response to the response, it is detected whether there is a return of location information, and it is determined whether the reader 2 is connected to the system. Here, if the location information has not been replied a predetermined number of times, the processing of the service request transfer unit 13 corresponding to the reader 2 is automatically stopped. Thereby, the process of leaving the reader 2 from the system can be automatically performed.

  When an instruction to turn off the power or to participate in or leave the system is input to the reader 2, the reader 2 transmits information on participation or withdrawal to the search request terminal 1 via the system participation management device 5. Results As described above, the retrieval request terminal 1 may automatically stop the process by automatically stopping the process of the service request transfer unit 13 corresponding to the reader 2.

FIG. 5 is a first diagram showing a service usage form.
As shown in this figure, using the above-described information management system, it is possible to provide a service for inquiring about individual trace information of each commodity in a warehouse. In this service usage mode, the information search unit 43 of the information management device 4 reads the time, location, and receipt / shipment information recorded in the database 45 in association with the tag ID included in the received service request. Then, the process of transmitting the trace information of the delivery route related to the tag ID to the search request terminal 1 and the reader 2 is performed. The application processing unit 44 performs processing such as generating and transmitting a map such as a delivery route.

FIG. 6 is a second diagram showing a service usage form.
As shown in this figure, it is possible to provide a service for referencing individual product information using the information management system described above. In this service usage mode, the information search unit 43 of the information management device 4 reads the product name, manufacturer, etc. of the product recorded in the database in association with the tag ID included in the received service request, A process of transmitting product-specific information related to the tag ID to the search request terminal 1 or the reader 2 is performed. In addition, for example, if the product is clothes, the application processing unit 44 performs a process of simulating the coordination of clothes by changing the color of the clothes on the monitor.

FIG. 7 is a third diagram showing a service usage form.
As shown in this figure, a service for remotely explaining products can be provided using the information management system described above. In this service usage mode, the information search unit 43 of the information management device 4 reads inquiry destination information such as a telephone number recorded in the database in association with the tag ID included in the received service request, Processing to transmit to the search request terminal 1 and the reader 2 is performed. Further, the application processing unit 44 performs a call connection with the telephone number of the inquiry destination by performing cooperation processing with the search request terminal 1 and the reader 2. As a result, it is possible to inquire of an operator at a remote inquiry destination for an explanation of the product.

  Each of the terminals and devices described above has a computer system inside. The process described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above process is performed by the computer reading and executing this program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium means a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to the computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received the distribution may execute the program.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an information management system. It is a figure which shows each functional block of a search request terminal, a leader, and a system participation management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the functional block of an information management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of an information management system. It is a 1st figure which shows a service utilization form. It is a 2nd figure which shows a service utilization form. It is a 3rd figure which shows a service utilization form.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Search request terminal 2 ... Reader 3 ... Search request destination specific device 4 ... Information management device 5 ... System participation management device

Claims (5)

An information management system comprising an identification information reading device that reads identification information of a management object, a search request device, and an information management device,
The identification information reading device is
Participation request notifying means for notifying the search requesting device of a request for participation in a system including identification information of the own device;
Identification information reading means for reading identification information of the management object;
Service request transmission means for transmitting a service request including the read identification information and the identification information of the own device to the search requesting device,
The search requesting device is
Each service request transfer means for performing processing for adding additional information to the service request and transferring it to the information management device for each identification information reading device;
Triggering means for activating the service request transfer means corresponding to the identification information reading device that has transmitted the participation request upon receipt of the participation request,
The information management device includes:
Search means for returning service information corresponding to a combination of identification information of the management object and identification information of the identification information reading device included in the service request received from the search request device to the search request device;
An information management system comprising: application processing means for performing predetermined processing according to additional information included in the service request. A system participation management device for managing participation of the identification information reading device in the system;
The system participation management device includes:
A participation request transfer means for receiving the participation request from the identification information reading device and transferring it to the search request device;
A participation request response transfer means for receiving a response to the participation request from the search requesting device and transferring the response to the identification information reading device;
The information management system according to claim 1, further comprising: The search request device includes:
If there is no response after a lapse of a predetermined time interval from the identification information reading device that transmitted the participation request, the service request transfer means corresponding to the identification information reading device of the identification information included in the participation request The information management system according to claim 1, further comprising stop means for stopping the processing. The identification information reading device is
A withdrawal request transmission means for transmitting information on a withdrawal request from the system to the search request device;
Including either or both of power-off transmission means for transmitting power-off information to the search request device,
Stop means of the search request device is:
The process of the service request transfer unit corresponding to the identification information reading device that has transmitted the withdrawal request or power-off when the withdrawal request or the power-off information is received. The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An information management method comprising an identification information reading device that reads identification information of a management object, a search requesting device, and an information management device,
Participation request notifying means of the identification information reading device notifies the search requesting device of a request for participation in a system including identification information of the device itself,
The identification information reading means of the identification information reading device reads the identification information of the management object,
The service request transmission means of the identification information reading device transmits a service request including the read identification information and the identification information of the own device to the search request device,
The service request transfer means of the search requesting device performs processing for adding additional information to the service request and transferring it to the information management device for each identification information reading device,
The search requesting device activation unit activates the service request transfer unit corresponding to the identification information reading device that has transmitted the participation request when the participation request is received,
The search means of the information management device sends service information corresponding to a combination of the identification information of the management object and the identification information of the identification information reading device included in the service request received from the search request device to the search request device. Reply,
An information management method, wherein application processing means of the information management apparatus performs predetermined processing according to additional information included in the service request.

Images