JP2008056473A - Adjusting device and adjusting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an adjusting device and an adjusting method for determining the attitude alignment of carried objects when carried while avoiding misalignment. <P>SOLUTION: The adjusting device comprises a first IC tag reader 1 for receiving signals including an ID code from a first tag pasted on the carried object with electromagnetic induction, and a second IC tag reader 2 for receiving signals including an ID code from a second tag pasted on the carried object with electric waves having a longer communication range than electromagnetic induction. The IC tag readers 1, 2 perform ID code receiving operation for the first and second tags on the carried object. When the first IC tag reader cannot receive the ID code and the second IC tag reader receives the ID code of the second IC tag, a control part 3 determines that the carried object is reversed up and down or side to side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an adjusting device and an adjusting method capable of adjusting the posture of an object to be conveyed when the object is conveyed in an uneven direction.

  Conventionally, when products are sorted by ship-to party or products processed in a certain process at the time of manufacturing are sent to the next process, the direction of these articles (left and right and front and back) must be aligned. There are many cases. In this case, if the left and right are not aligned, the direction is changed and the top and bottom are turned over. And long and plate-like articles have such a strong tendency, and the reversing work itself is difficult.

  By the way, in order to change the direction of such an article and adjust the posture, conventionally, there has been no choice but to use an adjustment device equipped with a camera or manually. The direction of the left or right or up and down of the article to be conveyed is determined by the human head when viewed with the human eye, or by processing the image taken with the camera and recognizing the whole image of the article. This is because there was only pattern recognition. Accordingly, when considering automation without human intervention, there is no choice but to install a camera and an image processing device, and if this is difficult, there is no choice but to give up automation.

  Pattern recognition by such a camera and image processing apparatus can still be easily performed if only one type of article is conveyed on the conveyance path. However, in the case where a plurality of types of goods are mixed and conveyed, it is necessary to first determine which type of article and then determine the direction for each type. As such an apparatus, the following sorting and supplying apparatus has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The sorting and supply apparatus of (Patent Document 1) picks up images with a CCD camera and conveys the types and orientations of them with an image processing apparatus while conveying a food tool containing three types of spoons, knives, and forks in the longitudinal direction with a belt conveyor. Discriminated, then transported by belt conveyor, distributed to different transfer lines for each type by distribution channel, further led to reversal channel, normal spoon is allowed to pass through, reverse spoon is reversing channel 180 degrees By reversing, all the eating utensils are oriented.
JP 7-299422 A

  As described above, conventionally, when an article is being conveyed, the adjustment device for adjusting the posture has to be manually or use an adjustment device having a camera and an image processing device. The sorting and supplying apparatus of (Patent Document 1) discriminates the type and orientation with the camera and the image processing apparatus, and the article in the normal direction passes through the inversion channel as it is, and the article in the opposite direction inverts the inversion channel. It became possible to arrange the direction normally.

  However, in the sorting and supplying apparatus of (Patent Document 1), it is necessary to equip a high-accuracy camera in order to prevent a recognition error from occurring, and a plurality of types of various patterns are stored and image processing is performed. Judging from the above, it was unavoidable that capital investment and processing time were necessary, and both hardware and software costs were high. There is a need for an inexpensive device that does not require such elements and can reliably capture the orientation of the article.

  In recent years, in place of barcodes, non-contact IC tags such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags have attracted attention. And it is expected that the RFID tag and the like will be affixed to and distributed in every article in the future.

  The RFID tag is roughly classified into the following types (communication methods). The first type is a system using electromagnetic induction. There are also two types of electromagnetic induction methods. The frequency used is 400 kHz to 530 kHz, and the degree of electromagnetic coupling is high. Like a transformer, communication is performed by mutual induction and electromagnetic induction between the RFID tag coil and the reader coil. Some of them use electromagnetic waves of 250 kHz or less or 13.56 MHz, have a relatively low degree of electromagnetic coupling, and communicate using an induced voltage between both coils. The former communication distance is short and a maximum of several centimeters, and the latter communication distance is relatively long and several tens of centimeters.

  On the other hand, there is a radio wave system as a second type. A microwave radiated from a reader antenna or the like is received by a plane wave antenna of an RFID tag, and data is transmitted using the reflected wave. There are also two types of microwave systems: a system that communicates using 2.45 GHz microwaves and a system that communicates using radio waves in the UHF (860 MHz to 960 MHz) band. The former communication distance is about 1 m at maximum, while the latter communication distance is relatively long and about 8 m at maximum. As a third type, there is an optical system using infrared rays.

  Therefore, when the RFID tag communicates, there are two types, a proximity type communication capable of communication of several tens of centimeters and several centimeters, and a long distance type communication capable of communication of 1 m and near 8 m, and at a used frequency. It can be seen that it can be further classified into five types. In addition, there are six types of communications including the optical system.

  In the future, RFID tags are expected to be spread on a global scale and are expected to be affixed to almost any article. With the spread, tags and readers are expected to become extremely inexpensive. That is, the attachment of the RFID tag to the article is not rare, and it is normal that the RFID tag is attached.

  In this way, if RFID tags that are expected to be attached to many articles can be used and the attitude of the conveyed article can be determined and adjusted, the attitude of the article can be obtained without preparing a camera or image processing device. Can be adjusted easily, reliably and inexpensively. At this time, it is possible to reliably determine the direction of the article by using a new method such as the position, type, and communication distance of the RFID tag, instead of pattern recognition by an image processing apparatus or the like as in the prior art.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment device and an adjustment method that can determine the necessity of adjusting the posture of an object to be conveyed and eliminate irregularities.

  In order to solve such a problem, the adjusting device of the present invention includes a first IC tag reader that receives a signal including an ID code from a first tag attached to a transported object by electromagnetic induction, and a transported object. A second IC tag reader for receiving a signal including an ID code by radio waves having a longer communication distance compared to electromagnetic induction from the affixed second tag, the ID code of the first IC tag and the first In the adjustment device corresponding to the ID code of the second IC tag, the first and second IC tag readers perform a reception operation of the signal including the ID code of the first and second tags of the transported object, and the second When the IC tag reader receives a signal including the ID code of the second IC tag and the first IC tag reader fails to receive the signal including the ID code, the transported object is inverted vertically or horizontally. The To mainly characterized in that the control unit which performs effect determination that is provided.

  According to the adjustment device and the adjustment method of the present invention, when the object to be conveyed is being conveyed, it is possible to determine the necessity of adjusting the posture, and to eliminate irregularities. Since the direction is determined by the ID codes of the first and second tags, even when a plurality of types of objects to be conveyed are conveyed, it is possible to cope with them freely.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a first invention of the present invention includes a first IC tag reader that receives a signal including an ID code from a first tag attached to a transported object by electromagnetic induction, and a transported object. A second IC tag reader for receiving a signal including an ID code by radio waves having a longer communication distance compared to electromagnetic induction from the affixed second tag, the ID code of the first IC tag and the first In the adjustment device corresponding to the ID code of the second IC tag, the first and second IC tag readers perform a reception operation of the signal including the ID code of the first and second tags of the transported object, and the second When the IC tag reader receives a signal including the ID code of the second IC tag and the first IC tag reader fails to receive the signal including the ID code, the transported object is inverted vertically or horizontally. ing A control unit for the determination is characterized in that provided adjusting device, when the object to be conveyed is conveyed, can be determined the need to adjust its attitude, it is possible to eliminate the non assortment. Since the direction is determined by the ID codes of the first and second tags, even when a plurality of types of objects to be conveyed are conveyed, it is possible to cope with them freely.

  A second invention of the present invention is an invention dependent on the first invention, characterized in that the ID code of the first IC tag and the ID code of the second IC tag are the same. It is an adjustment device, and processing is facilitated by assigning a common ID code to the object to be conveyed.

  A third invention of the present invention is an invention dependent on the first invention, wherein the first IC tag is at one end of the transported object and the second IC tag is the other end of the transported object. The adjustment device is characterized in that it can be easily and highly accurately determined for adjusting the posture.

  A fourth invention of the present invention is an invention dependent on the first invention, wherein the ID code of the second IC tag corresponding to the ID code of the first IC tag not received by the first IC tag reader When the second IC tag reader receives the code, the adjustment device includes an adjustment unit that reverses the up / down or left / right of the object to be conveyed. The necessity of arranging can be determined, and the direction can be reversed by the adjusting unit.

  The fifth invention of the present invention is a preparation method for adjusting the top / bottom or left / right of the object to which the first IC tag that responds by electromagnetic induction and the second IC tag that responds by receiving radio waves are attached. A first step of transmitting a radio wave to the second IC tag and receiving a signal including an ID code of the second IC tag; and placing one end of the transported object in a predetermined electromagnetic field. A second step of receiving a signal including the ID code of the first IC tag by electromagnetic induction; a second IC tag receiving the ID code of the second IC tag in the first step; and a first IC tag in the second step. And a third step of determining that the object to be conveyed is turned upside down or left and right when the ID code is received, wherein the object to be conveyed is conveyed. When you are ready Can the judgment of need, it is possible to eliminate the non-assortment. Since the direction is determined by the ID codes of the first and second tags, even when a plurality of types of objects to be conveyed are conveyed, it is possible to cope with them freely.

  A sixth invention of the present invention is an invention dependent on the fifth invention, characterized in that the ID code of the first IC tag and the ID code of the second IC tag are the same. This is a preparation method, and processing is facilitated by assigning a common ID code to the object to be conveyed.

  A seventh invention of the present invention is an invention subordinate to the fifth invention, wherein the first IC tag is at one end of the transported object and the second IC tag is the other end of the transported object. The preparation method is characterized in that it is the most easily and highly accurately determined for adjusting the posture.

  The eighth invention of the present invention is an invention subordinate to the fifth invention, and comprises a fourth step of inverting the top / bottom or left / right of the conveyed object after the third step. This is a method, and when the object to be conveyed is being conveyed, it is possible to determine the necessity of adjusting the posture and to reverse the direction.

  A ninth invention of the present invention is an invention subordinate to the fifth invention, wherein the first and second tags having different communication distances are pasted on the object to be conveyed, and within a range in which communication with the first tag is possible. The first IC tag reader is disposed, and the second IC tag reader is disposed in a range where communication with the second tag having a longer communication distance than the first IC tag reader is possible. When the ID code information of the object to be conveyed is requested from the tag, and the first and second IC tag readers acquire the ID code information, it is determined that the object to be conveyed is placed in a normal orientation, and the first When the second IC tag reader receives the ID code information without receiving the ID code information, it is determined that the transported object is placed upside down or left and right, and the second IC tag reader receives the ID code information. IC tag reader can receive ID code information If there is not, the adjustment method is characterized in that it is determined that the transported object is not transported. When the transported object is transported, it is possible to determine the necessity of adjusting the posture, Can be reversed. Since the direction is determined by the ID codes of the first and second tags, even when a plurality of types of objects to be conveyed are conveyed, it is possible to cope with them freely.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is an invention dependent on the ninth aspect, wherein the first IC tag reader cannot receive the ID code information and the second IC tag reader receives the ID code information. This is an adjustment method characterized by notifying the fact that the object to be transported is flipped up and down or left and right, and then notifying the fact when it is judged to be reversed. Thus, irregularities can be avoided.

  An eleventh invention of the present invention is an invention dependent on the ninth invention, in which the first IC tag reader cannot receive the ID code information and the second IC tag reader receives the ID code information. After determining that the object to be transported is flipped up and down or left and right, the adjustment method is characterized in that the top and bottom or right and left of the object to be transported is reversed by an adjustment unit. Sometimes the orientation can be reversed to avoid irregularities.

(Example 1)
An adjustment device and an adjustment method for adjusting the left-right or vertical direction on the conveyance path of the object to be conveyed in Example 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an adjustment device that adjusts the direction of an object to be conveyed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an RFID tag used in the adjustment device that adjusts the direction of an object to be conveyed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reader used in the adjusting device for adjusting the direction of the conveyed object in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows the direction of the conveyed object in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram when the adjusting device for adjusting the direction of the object to be conveyed is reversed, and FIG. 5 is an entire configuration diagram when the adjusting device for adjusting the direction of the object to be conveyed in Example 1 of the present invention is inverted up and down. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an adjustment method for adjusting the direction of the conveyed object in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a first IC tag reader that wirelessly communicates with an RFID tag 11 (see FIG. 4) affixed thereto in order to detect the orientation of a transported object 10 (see FIG. 4). The first IC tag reader 1 may communicate with the RFID tag 11 by mutual induction / electromagnetic induction at 400 kHz to 530 kHz, or may communicate with an induced voltage using 13.56 MHz electromagnetic waves. Both of these are proximity type IC tag readers, and the communication distance is about several cm to several tens cm at the maximum. The first IC tag reader 1 is installed within this distance so that communication can be performed at this communication distance from the conveyance path 8 on which the object 10 is conveyed. Reference numeral 1 a denotes a transmission / reception unit for the first IC tag reader 1 to transmit / receive to / from the RFID tag 11.

  Reference numeral 2 shown in FIG. 1 denotes a second IC tag reader that wirelessly communicates with the RFID tag 12 (see FIG. 4) in order to detect the direction of the conveyed object 10. The second IC tag reader 2 according to the first embodiment wirelessly communicates with the RFID tag 12 at a UHF band frequency of 860 MHz to 960 MHz. This is a long-distance type IC tag reader, and can communicate at a distance of up to about 8 m. Instead of the second IC tag reader 2 in the UHF band, communication may be performed with an IC tag reader of 2.45 GHz or the like belonging to a long-distance type. As described above, the second IC tag reader 2 is installed at a long distance of a maximum of nearly 8 m or 1 m from the conveyance path 8 on which the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed. That is, the second IC tag reader 2 is arranged farther from the conveyance path 8 than the first IC tag reader 1. Reference numeral 2 a denotes a transmission / reception unit for the second IC tag reader 2 to transmit / receive to / from the RFID tag 12.

  Next, reference numeral 3 denotes a control unit that controls an adjusting device that adjusts the direction of the object to be conveyed 10. 4 is an adjustment unit that is controlled by the control unit 3 to adjust the orientation of the object to be conveyed 10, and 5 is that the first IC tag reader 1 is the RFID tag 11, even though the second IC tag reader 2 has detected the RFID tag 12. This is a notifying unit for notifying that this is not detected. Consists of speakers, lamps, etc. In addition, when not detecting RFID tag 12, it does not alert | report. Reference numeral 6 denotes a display unit, and 7 denotes an input unit for setting the adjustment device.

  Therefore, the configuration of the IC tag reader will be further described. Hereinafter, the first IC tag reader 1 will be described, but the second IC tag reader 2 is also configured in a block configuration simply because the communication method is not radio communication mainly using a magnetic field by electromagnetic induction but by radio waves. There is no fundamental difference. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the second IC tag reader 2 is omitted to the description of the first IC tag reader 1.

  20 is an interface unit for communicating with the control unit 3 according to a predetermined protocol, 21 is a reader control unit for controlling the first IC tag reader 1, and 21 a is provided in the reader control unit 21 and receives data from the RFID tag 11. A notification means for notifying the control unit 3 at a predetermined protocol, and a storage unit 22 stores a program and data for operating the reader control unit 21. When the notification unit 21a acquires the data, the notification unit 21a asks the control unit 3 to determine whether or not to adjust the direction of the conveyed object 10. A data processing unit 23 transmits a baseband signal and passes a received signal from the RFID tag 11 to the notification unit 21a.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an oscillation unit that oscillates at a predetermined frequency (communication frequency with the RFID tag 11 described above), and 25 denotes a modulation unit that mixes and modulates the signal oscillated by the oscillation unit 24 and the baseband signal from the data processing unit 23. is there. Reference numeral 26 denotes an amplification unit that amplifies the signal modulated by the modulation unit 25, and 27 denotes an antenna unit that performs wireless communication with the RFID tag 11 by electromagnetic induction. The antenna unit 27 is a loop antenna (coil) in the first IC tag reader 1, but is an antenna that transmits and receives plane waves in the second IC tag reader 2.

  28 is a filter unit that extracts the signal of the RFID tag 11 received by the antenna unit 27 only in a predetermined frequency band, 29 is an amplifier unit that amplifies the signal output from the filter unit 28, and 30 is a signal amplified by the amplifier unit 29. It is a detection decoding part which detects and decodes. The output signal from the detection decoding unit 30 is sent to the data processing unit 23, and the received data transmitted from the RFID tag 11 is extracted.

  Next, a detailed block configuration of the RFID tag 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The RFID tag 1 covers a card containing an IC circuit with a resin film, and an antenna printed using a conductive material is connected to the IC circuit. This IC circuit is provided with the following configuration. Reference numeral 31 denotes an antenna, 32 denotes a rectifier circuit for generating a power supply voltage from an RF signal received by the antenna 31, and 33 denotes a constant voltage circuit for stabilizing the output from the rectifier circuit 32.

  Reference numeral 34 denotes a receiving unit that demodulates the received RF signal to obtain received data, 35 denotes a detecting unit that performs processing for detecting a command transmitted from the first IC tag reader 1 from the received data, and 36 denotes a receiving unit. This is a clock generation unit that generates a clock signal necessary for operating the detection unit 35 and the control unit 37 (described later) from data.

  A control unit 37 acquires a command from a signal detected by the detection unit 35 according to the clock signal generated by the clock generation unit 36 and executes the command. Reference numeral 38 denotes a non-volatile memory, for example, an EPROM (erasable and programmable read only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable only memory), a flash memory, or the like. Further, 39 is a transmission unit that receives data read from the nonvolatile memory 38 from the control unit 37, transmits the data to the antenna 31 as an RF signal, and transmits it.

  Here, based on FIGS. 4 and 5, the adjustment unit of the adjustment device that adjusts the direction of the conveyed object according to the first embodiment will be described. The adjusting unit shown in FIG. 4 adjusts this direction when the conveyed object is a long object and the left and right are reversed. In FIG. 4, 4a and 4b are provided with cylinders such as hydraulic cylinders. For example, when the direction of the long object to be conveyed 10 is reversed left and right, in order to reverse this, the conveyance path 8 is moved from the top to the outside. This is an extruding device for returning to the conveying path 8 after extruding and reversing. As shown in the figure, the pushing devices 4a and 4b are driven by a hydraulic pump or the like under the control of the control unit 3, and the switching valve or the like is switched to perform operations such as pushing, returning, and holding.

  4c is a reversing table for reversing the direction of the conveyed object 10. A drive motor is provided below the reversing table 4c. When the conveyed object 10 is pushed out to a predetermined position by the pushing device 4a, the controller 3 rotates (half-turns) 180 degrees. Thereafter, the object to be conveyed 10 is returned from the reversing table 4c to the conveying path 8 by the action of the pushing device 4b. Further, 5a is an announcement unit that configures the notification unit 5, and 5b is a lamp unit that also configures the notification unit 5. Accordingly, the extruding devices 4a and 4b and the reversing table 4c provided at predetermined positions on the transport path 8 are adjustment units for the left / right reversal in the first embodiment.

  Next, in FIG. 4, reference numeral 8 denotes a conveyance path such as a belt conveyor that conveys the object to be conveyed 10. The conveyance path 8 is driven by a drive motor in response to an instruction from the control unit 3. When the direction of the object to be conveyed 10 is reversed, the conveyance by the conveyance path 8 is temporarily stopped until the object 10 has been reversed. Reference numeral 10 denotes a transported object placed on the transport path 8. Reference numeral 11 denotes an RFID tag capable of proximity communication that can communicate by electromagnetic induction, and reference numeral 12 denotes an RFID tag capable of long-distance communication using UHF band radio waves.

  In the first embodiment, the RFID tag 11 uses an RFID tag that communicates using an induced voltage with an electromagnetic wave of 13.56 MHz, and the RFID tag 12 uses an RFID tag that can communicate using radio waves in the UHF band. The present invention is not limited to this, and RFID tags of other frequency bands (communication systems) can be used as long as the communication distances of the RFID tags 11 and 12 are different. In short, the RFID tags 11 and 12 attached to two places (both ends) of the transported object 10 can communicate with the IC tag readers 1 and 2, respectively, and the RFID tag 11 with a short communication distance is the first IC tag reader. 1, it is only necessary to recognize that a predetermined end of the object to be transported 10 is passing near the first IC tag reader 1, and the RFID tag 12 having a long communication distance is connected to the second IC tag reader 2. It is only necessary to be able to recognize that the predetermined other end of the object to be conveyed 10 has passed within a predetermined range from the second IC tag reader 2.

  Therefore, an RFID tag that communicates with the first IC tag reader 1 at a communication distance of several centimeters by mutual induction / electromagnetic induction at a use frequency of 400 kHz to 530 kHz, and several tens of centimeters using an induced voltage with an electromagnetic wave of 250 kHz or less or 13.56 MHz. Among RFID tags that communicate at a communication distance, RFID tags that communicate at a communication distance of about 1 m using a microwave of 2.45 GHz, and RFID tags that communicate at a communication distance of about 8 m using a UHF band 11 may be a method with a relatively short communication distance (for example, any one of communication methods of 1 m or less), and the RFID tag 12 has a longer communication distance than the method of the RFID tag 11 employed. May be adopted.

  Now, based on FIG. 4, the operation of the adjusting unit in which the adjusting device of the first embodiment adjusts the direction of the conveyed object 10 will be described in detail. When the object to be conveyed 10 is placed on the conveyance path 8, the control unit 3 rotates the drive motor to start operation. As shown in FIG. 4, the transported object 10 is long and has an RFID tag 11 attached to one end (B end) and an RFID tag 12 attached to the other end (A end). FIG. 4 shows a case where the transported object 10 is placed on the transport path 8 with the B end on the left side and the A end on the right side as a normal orientation, and in such a state where there is no placement error (unevenness). It is arranged in a proper direction and is transported in an orderly manner.

  On the left side (one end (B end) side in the normal direction) of the conveyance path 8, the first IC tag reader 1 for communicating with the RFID tag 11 is provided in the vicinity thereof (within the communication distance range). Further, a second IC tag reader 2 for communicating with the RFID tag 12 at a distance from the first IC tag reader 1 is provided. Therefore, when the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed in a normal posture with the B end left and the A end right, the first IC tag reader 1 detects the RFID tag 11 at the B end, The IC tag reader 2 can detect the RFID tag 12 at the A end. At this time, the control unit 3 determines that the conveyed object 10 is being conveyed in a normal posture.

  However, when the transported object 10 is transported in an inverted posture with the A end on the left and the B end on the right, the first IC tag reader 1 holds the RFID tag 11 attached to the B end with a short communication distance. It cannot be detected. On the other hand, the second IC tag reader 2 can communicate with the RFID tag 12 at the A end. When only the second IC tag reader 2 is detected as described above, the control unit 3 determines that the conveyed object 10 is being conveyed in an inverted posture. When at least the second IC tag reader 2 capable of long-distance communication cannot detect the RFID tag 12 even though the conveyance path 8 is in operation, the control unit 3 carries the conveyance within the communicable range. It is determined that the object 10 does not exist, that is, the object to be conveyed 10 is not conveyed on the conveyance path 8.

  It should be noted that there are cases where the second IC tag reader 2 cannot detect the RFID tag 12, although there are exceptional cases where the second IC tag reader 2 is malfunctioning. In response to this, the flag indicating that the transport path 8 is in operation is set in the control unit 3, and the elapsed time from the last detection of the RFID tag 12 is counted by a timer, for example. In spite of the above, it is better to make the operation malfunction when counting out. At this time, a malfunction can also be detected, and the determination of the state of the conveyed object 10 becomes more accurate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the control unit 3 determines that the conveyed object 10 that has been conveyed is reversed, the control unit 3 temporarily stops the conveyance path 8, and the extrusion device 4a causes the reversal table 4c. Extrude into. Thereafter, the reversing table 4c on which the object to be conveyed 10 is placed is rotated by 180 degrees by the control unit 3, and when the object to be conveyed 10 is directed in the normal direction, the control unit 3 operates the extrusion device 4b to Is returned to the conveyance path 8. As a result, the conveyed object 10 assumes a normal posture with the B end left and the A end right, and the control unit 3 resumes the conveyance of the conveyance path 8 when it returns.

  Next, the adjustment unit when the object to be conveyed 10 that has been conveyed based on FIG. 5 is turned upside down will be described. The configuration of the adjusting device that inverts the top and bottom has many parts common to the configuration of FIG. 4 that inverts the left and right, except for the adjusting unit (upside-down inversion device). 4 is basically the same except for the extruding devices 4a and 4b, the reversing table 4c, the first IC tag reader 1 and the transport path 8, and the transport path is separated as shown in FIG. IC tag readers 1 and 2 that react to RFID tags 11 and 12 attached to the top and bottom of the object to be conveyed 10 are provided above or below the conveyance path. Only the point (not shown) is different.

  In FIG. 5, 8a and 8b are transport paths separated into two parts, 9 is installed between the transport paths 8a and 8b, and is turned upside down to turn the object to be transported 10 conveyed on the transport path 8a upside down. Device. The upside down device 9 is formed with an insertion opening that can receive the tip when the article 10 is conveyed in the standby state. The upside down device 9 rotates 180 degrees after receiving the object to be conveyed 10 and turns it over to place it on the conveyance path 8b.

  This operation will be described with reference to the drawings. When the object to be conveyed 10 is conveyed on the conveyance path 8a as shown in FIG. 5A, the upside-down reversing device is on standby as shown in FIG. 5B. 9 accommodates the object 10 to be conveyed from the insertion opening. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5C, the upside-down reversing device 9 rotates 180 degrees clockwise (half rotation), and one end of the article to be conveyed 10 is placed on the conveyance path 8b as shown in FIG. 5D. Put. In this state, since the transport path 8b is in operation, the object to be transported 10 is pulled by friction and then transported by the transport path 8b as shown in FIG. 5 (e).

  Now, a method for adjusting the posture of the conveyed object that is reversed by the adjustment device described above and that is reversed left and right or up and down will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. An object to be conveyed is carried in (step 1), and IC tag information is acquired from each of the RFID tags 11 and 12 (step 2). This IC tag information is stored in the nonvolatile memory 38 of the RFID tags 11 and 12, and is composed of user area information and system area information.

  In the nonvolatile memory 38, one block is composed of a plurality of blocks of 16 bytes, for example. The system area information contains a unique UID (Unique Identifier) consisting of a serial number of a non-rewritable individual, and the user area information is an ID code that is IC tag information expressed in 16 bits, for example, A common code “0001” or the like indicating the type of the article A is written. Instead of using a common code “0001” or the like for all RFID tags 11 and 12, the code for the transported object A is changed to a different code such as “0001” and “0011” for each RFID tag 11 and 12. This code can also be used as a code indicating the same conveyed object A. In this case, the control unit 3 needs to store a correspondence table indicating these relationships, and the control unit 3 refers to this to determine whether or not they are the same transported object A.

  Here, in the present invention, a “signal including an ID code” is a signal in which an ID code is stored in a data area in a communication packet when communicating between an RFID tag and an IC tag reader. The “ID code information” in FIG. 3 is information describing an ID code stored in a data area in a communication packet when communicating between an RFID tag and an IC tag reader.

  The conveyance of the object to be conveyed is started, the first and second IC tag readers are operated, and the second IC tag is detected by the second IC tag reader capable of long-distance communication (step 3). It is determined whether or not an ID code indicating the object to be conveyed is received from the second IC tag (step 4). If the ID code cannot be received, it is determined that the object to be conveyed is not being conveyed and the process ends. When the ID code can be received, the first IC tag reader capable of proximity communication is used to detect the first IC tag (step 5), and the ID code indicating the conveyed object is received from the first IC tag. It is determined whether or not (step 6). In step 4, when the ID code cannot be received, the above flag is referred to whether or not the vehicle is in operation. When the timer counts out when the flag is ON, it is determined that the conveyed object is not being conveyed. Other cases may be determined as malfunctioning of the apparatus.

  In step 6, when the ID code is received, since the first IC tag passes near the first IC tag reader, it is determined that the object to be conveyed is conveyed in a normal posture (step 7). It ends as it is. If the ID code cannot be received in step 6, it is determined that the conveyed object is reversed (step 8), and the conveyed object is reversed, or this is notified (step 9), and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the adjusting device and the adjusting method in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, when the objects to be conveyed are conveyed in the direction of unevenness, the unevenness can be detected and further adjusted.

  The present invention can be applied to an adjustment device and adjustment method for a conveyance system that conveys an object to be conveyed such as assembly or physical distribution.

The block diagram of the adjustment apparatus which adjusts the direction of the to-be-conveyed object in Example 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of an RFID tag used in an adjustment device that adjusts the direction of an object to be conveyed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Configuration diagram of a reader used in an adjusting device for adjusting the direction of an object to be conveyed in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The whole block diagram when the adjustment apparatus which adjusts the direction of the conveyed product in Example 1 of this invention reverses the direction of a conveyed product Overall configuration diagram when the adjusting device for adjusting the direction of the object to be conveyed in the first embodiment of the present invention is turned upside down The flowchart of the adjustment method which adjusts the direction of the to-be-conveyed object in Example 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st IC tag reader 1a Transmission / reception part 2 2nd IC tag reader 2a Transmission / reception part 3 Control part 4 Adjustment part 4a, 4b Pushing device 4c Inversion table 5 Notification part 6 Display part 7 Input part 8 Conveyance path 8a, 8b Conveyance path 9 Upside down device 10 Conveyed object 20 Interface unit 21 Reader control unit 21a Notification means 22 Storage unit 23 Data processing unit 24 Oscillation unit 25 Modulation unit 26 Amplification unit 27 Antenna unit 28 Filter unit 29 Amplification unit 30 Detection decoding unit 31 Antenna 32 Rectification Circuit 33 Constant voltage circuit 34 Receiver 35 Detector 36 Clock generator 37 Controller 38 Non-volatile memory

Claims (11)

Compared to the first IC tag reader that receives a signal including an ID code from the first tag affixed to the object to be conveyed by electromagnetic induction, and the electromagnetic induction from the second tag affixed to the object to be conveyed A second IC tag reader that receives a signal including an ID code by radio waves having a long communication distance, and the adjustment device in which the ID code of the first IC tag and the ID code of the second IC tag correspond to each other ,
The first and second IC tag readers perform a signal receiving operation including ID codes of the first and second tags of the transported object, and the second IC tag reader receives an ID of the second IC tag. When the first IC tag reader cannot receive the signal including the ID code when receiving the signal including the code, the control unit determines that the conveyed object is inverted vertically or horizontally. An adjusting device characterized in that is provided. 2. The adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the ID code of the first IC tag and the ID code of the second IC tag are the same. 2. The adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the first IC tag is attached to one end of the object to be conveyed and the second IC tag is attached to the other end of the object to be conveyed. . 2. The adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the second IC tag reader receives an ID code of a second IC tag corresponding to an ID code of the first IC tag that has not been received by the first IC tag reader. In this case, the adjusting apparatus includes an adjusting unit that reverses the top / bottom or the left / right of the conveyed object. A preparation method for adjusting up and down or left and right of a transported object to which a first IC tag that responds by electromagnetic induction and a second IC tag that responds by receiving radio waves are attached,
A first step of transmitting a radio wave to the second IC tag and receiving a signal including an ID code of the second IC tag;
A second step of placing one end of the conveyed object in a predetermined electromagnetic field and receiving a signal including an ID code of the first IC tag by electromagnetic induction;
When the ID code of the second IC tag is received in the first step and the ID code of the first IC tag is received in the second step, the transported object is turned upside down or left and right. And a third step of determining whether or not there is a preparation method. 6. The preparation method according to claim 5, wherein the ID code of the first IC tag and the ID code of the second IC tag are the same. 6. The preparation method according to claim 5, wherein the first IC tag is affixed to one end of the conveyed object and the second IC tag is affixed to the other end of the conveyed object. . 6. The preparation method according to claim 5, further comprising a fourth step of inverting the top / bottom or left / right of the conveyed object after the third step. A first tag and a second tag having different communication distances are pasted on the object to be conveyed, a first IC tag reader is disposed in a range where communication with the first tag is possible, and a second tag having a longer communication distance than the first tag. A second IC tag reader is arranged in a range capable of communicating with the first and second IC tag readers, and requests ID code information of the object to be conveyed from the first and second tags, respectively. And when the second IC tag reader acquires the ID code information, it is determined that the conveyed object is placed in a normal direction, and the first IC tag reader cannot receive the ID code information without receiving the ID code information. When the second IC tag reader receives the ID code information, it is determined that the object to be transported is placed upside down or left and right, and the second IC tag reader can receive the ID code information. When there was not Adjusting method characterized in that it is determined that the transferred object is not conveyed to the. 10. The preparation method according to claim 9, wherein when the first IC tag reader cannot receive the ID code information and the second IC tag reader receives the ID code information, the object to be conveyed is vertically or horizontally. After judging that it has reversed, the adjustment method which alert | reports this to an alerting | reporting part. 10. The preparation method according to claim 9, wherein when the first IC tag reader cannot receive the ID code information and the second IC tag reader receives the ID code information, the object to be conveyed is vertically or horizontally. An adjustment method, wherein after determining that the object is reversed, the adjustment unit reverses the top / bottom or left / right of the transported object.

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