JP2010102669A - Collective management program, method and device using electronic tags - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a collective management system allowing the total count of electronic tags to be surely and easily grasped. <P>SOLUTION: A collective management program makes a computer with transmitting and receiving units perform: a step S102 of generating a group number; a step S103 of having the transmitting unit transmit to an electronic tag an instruction to return a response including an ID uniquely assigned to the electronic tag; a step S104 of receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit; a step S106 of counting the number of responses from the electronic tag received as above and determining the total count information; and a step S107 of having the transmitting unit transmit an instruction to write the group number and the total count information in the storage area of the electronic tag based on the ID included in the response received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a collective management program, method, and apparatus for managing the total number of articles using an electronic tag.

  There is a technology for managing logistics using electronic tags. This physical distribution management method using an electronic tag can reduce labor and time as compared with a conventional physical distribution management method. Among them, there are Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 that correspond to a physical distribution management method for an article group constituted by an arbitrary combination of a plurality of articles.

  Patent Document 1 includes a product information tag that stores its own product information and the like attached to each article, and a transport information tag that stores total number information of articles to be transported by a transport material for batch transport of articles. A technique is disclosed in which a management unit connected to a reading device at the time of inspection compares the value of the total number information obtained from the transport information tag with the number of read product information tags and checks for coincidence / inconsistency. Yes.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique using a tag in which ID information for identifying an article is written, and in which related information indicating a relation with another tag that is simultaneously read by the reading unit is written. It is disclosed. This related information is, for example, the IDs of the tags attached to the articles before and after the article. By simultaneously reading the tags of the combined articles, it is possible to grasp whether or not the tags can be read without omission. Can do.
JP 2007-31043 A JP 2002-92114 A

  In the physical distribution management method using an electronic tag, an electronic tag is attached to each package to be transported as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, and further, an electronic tag is attached to a transport material or a pallet for loading the package. It is possible. It is also conceivable that the reading device reads information stored in the electronic tag at the time of shipment or delivery.

  In order to confirm whether or not a predetermined number of articles each having an electronic tag have been delivered, it is essential to acquire information on the expected delivery number and grasp the actual number delivered. This is because physical distribution management is performed by comparing the planned number of deliveries with the number of electronic tags actually read (delivered). However, if the position of the electronic tag is far from the reading device during reading, or if there is an obstacle between the electronic tag and the reading device, the tag will not be read successfully and necessary information will not be obtained. It may not be obtained.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not applicable when the total number cannot be grasped on the shipping side because it is necessary to write the total number information in advance in the transport information tag. In addition, a transport information tag for writing the total number information must be prepared separately, and if the total number information stored in the transport information tag cannot be read, it is not possible to check whether there is a match or not.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the scheduled delivery number (total number information) is not recorded in the tag, so that the scheduled delivery number cannot be grasped at the time of inspection. Also, a tag having a storage area in which related information can be written must be used. A tag with a large storage area has a high unit price, and is disclosed in Patent Document 2 where an electronic tag is required for each article. In the technology, the cost increases.

  The present invention was invented in view of the above-described conventional problems, and easily grasps the number of scheduled deliveries (hereinafter referred to as the total number) from a state in which the number of articles constituting one group cannot be grasped. This is the issue. It is another object of the present invention to provide a collective management system that can quickly grasp the coincidence between the delivered number and the total number.

  In the collective management device disclosed in the present application, a reader / writer device capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags instructs a response to the electronic tag, and transmits a response including a tag ID uniquely assigned to the electronic tag. Then, the number of responses from the received electronic tag is counted to determine the total number. Then, the tag ID extracted from the response is designated, and the group number and total number information are written in the storage area of the electronic tag. This group number is a number (symbol) uniquely assigned to a group consisting of a plurality of articles to which an electronic tag is attached.

  According to the present invention, the collective management device can easily grasp the total number even when the total number is not known. Further, by storing the same total number information in the electronic tags attached to the articles constituting one group, the inspection side can know the total number information reliably and quickly. This makes it possible to efficiently manage the total number of articles.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a collective management apparatus on the tag data write processing execution side according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reader / writer device 1 can wirelessly communicate with a plurality of electronic tags 2 and includes a transmission unit 11, a reception unit 12, an ID storage unit 14, and a control unit 16, and the control unit 16 further includes a total number counter unit 13 and a group. A number management unit 15 is provided.

  The transmission unit 11 is a processing unit that performs processing of transmitting a signal to the outside, and transmits a response or a write command to the electronic tag 2, for example. The receiving unit 12 is a processing unit that receives a response from the electronic tag 2. The total number counter unit 13 is a processing unit that counts the number of responses from the electronic tag 2, and the reader / writer device 1 can grasp the total number of articles based on the number counted here. In addition, information included in the response from the electronic tag 2 can be extracted.

  The ID storage unit 14 is a storage unit that stores the tag ID of the electronic tag 2 included in the response received by the receiving unit 12 from the electronic tag 2. The group number management unit 15 is a processing unit that generates and manages a group number uniquely assigned to a group of articles composed of a plurality of articles having the electronic tag 2.

  The control unit 16 is a processing unit that operates as the total number counter 13 and the group number management unit. The control unit 17 and the ID storage unit 14 do not need to be included in the reader / writer device, and may exist outside and be connected to the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12.

  The electronic tag 2 that performs wireless communication with the reader / writer device 1 includes a reception unit 21, a transmission unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a control unit 24. The electronic tag 2 has only to have an ID that can be uniquely identified and has a readable / writable storage area. Specifically, the RFID tag 2 is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, a wireless IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, or the like. May be.

  The receiving unit 21 is a processing unit that receives commands from the reader / writer device 1. The control unit 24 is a processing unit that reads and determines a command received by the receiving unit 21. The storage unit 23 stores a tag ID in advance, and when there is a write command from the reader / writer device 1, the storage unit 23 is a storage unit in which information included in the command is newly stored under the control of the control unit 24. is there. The transmission unit 22 is a processing unit that transmits a response under the control of the control unit 24 when there is a response command from the reader / writer device 1.

  Next, the related movement of each processing unit will be described. When the transmitting unit 11 transmits a command, the receiving unit 21 of the electronic tag 2 existing in a range where communication with the reader / writer device 1 is possible receives the command. If the control unit 24 reads the command received by the reception unit 21 and requests a response to the electronic tag in the initial state in which the group number and total number information are not stored, the control unit 24 refers to the storage unit 23 and identifies its own tag ID. Is sent to the transmitter 22.

  Requesting a response to the electronic tag 2 in the initial state is one of the embodiments. When this processing is performed, a response may be simply requested from the surrounding electronic tag 2. However, the response request designating the electronic tag 2 in the initial state is essential in an embodiment in which the electronic tag 2 to be described later is recycled.

  The reader / writer device 1 receives the response by the receiving unit 12 and passes the received information to the total number counter unit 13. The total counter 13 extracts the tag ID included in the information and counts the number of responses to determine the total number of articles. The total number counter unit 13 delivers the tag ID to the ID storage unit 14. The ID storage unit 14 stores the tag ID.

  On the other hand, when the receiving unit 21 of the electronic tag 2 receives an instruction to write data including the total number information determined by the total number counter unit 13 and the group number 15 generated by the group number management unit from the reader / writer device 1. The control unit 24 reads an instruction and stores the data in the storage unit 23.

  FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of the collective management apparatus on the collective inspection process execution side according to the embodiment of the present invention, as in FIG. The reader device 3 can wirelessly communicate with a plurality of electronic tags 2 and includes a transmission unit 31, a reception unit 32, and a control unit 36. The control unit 36 further includes an inspection counter unit 33, an inspection determination unit 34, and an inspection result. An output unit 35 is included.

  The transmission unit 31 is a processing unit that performs a process of transmitting a signal to the outside, and for example, transmits a response command to the electronic tag 2. The receiving unit 32 is a processing unit that receives a response from the electronic tag 2. The inspection counter unit 33 is a processing unit that counts the number of electronic tags 2, and the reader / writer device 3 can grasp the number of delivered articles based on the counted number. In addition, information included in the response from the electronic tag 2 can be extracted.

  The inspection determination unit 34 is a processing unit that performs a total number check, and determines whether the number of electronic tags 2 included in the delivered article matches the total number information stored in the electronic tag 2 in advance. The inspection result output unit 35 is a processing unit that outputs the total number check result in the inspection determination unit 34. The inspection result output unit 35 may function as a processing unit that issues an instruction to be output to an external output device.

  The control unit 36 is a processing unit that operates as the inspection counter unit 33, the inspection determination unit 34, and the inspection result output unit 35. The control unit 37 does not need to be included in the reader / writer device 3, and may exist outside and be connected to the transmission unit 31 and the reception unit 32.

  The electronic tag 2 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  Next, the related movement of each processing unit will be described. When the transmitting unit 31 transmits a command, the receiving unit 21 of the electronic tag 2 existing in a wireless communicable range receives the command. If the control unit 24 reads the command received by the reception unit 21 and requests a response including the information stored therein, the control unit 24 refers to the storage unit 23 and includes the tag ID, the group number, and the total number information. The response is transmitted to the transmission unit 22.

  The receiving unit 32 of the reader device 3 receives the response and passes the group number to the inspection counter unit 33. Then, the inspection counter unit 33 extracts the group number and the total number information. Then, the group number is delivered to the transmission unit 31, and the response command is transmitted by designating the group number. The total number information is delivered to the inspection determination unit 34.

  On the other hand, if the command received by the receiving unit 21 is a command requesting a response to the electronic tag 2 that satisfies the specified condition, the control unit 24 refers to the storage unit 23 and if the command matches the condition, A response including the ID is transmitted to the transmission unit 22. The reader device 3 receives the response at the receiving unit 32 and passes it to the inspection counter unit 33. Then, the inspection counter unit 33 extracts the tag ID. Then, the inspection counter unit 33 counts the number of received responses and delivers it to the inspection determination unit 34.

  The inspection determination unit 34 compares the number of responses received from the inspection counter unit with the total number information to determine whether or not they match. The result is delivered to the inspection result output unit 35, which outputs the inspection result output unit 35.

  The collective management apparatus may be configured to realize both functions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 on one reader / writer apparatus. In this case, a single reader / writer device can execute both tag data writing processing and batch inspection processing. In other words, by managing the number of items delivered (collective inspection processing) and the number of items shipped (tag data writing processing) with a single device, it is possible to manage the logistics at the entrance and exit of the facility. It becomes.

  Further, as will be described later, it is possible to confirm whether or not the tag data writing process has been reliably performed by a process by the batch inspection apparatus. In this case, the total number counter unit 13 at the time of tag data writing and the inspection counter unit 33 at the time of inspection may be performed by one counter unit.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a data table stored in the storage unit 23 of the electronic tag 2 in the initial state, and includes items of tag ID 311, group number 312, and total number information 313.

  The tag ID 311 stores symbols that are uniquely assigned in advance to uniquely identify the electronic tag 2. For example, “10001” is stored as the tag ID in the electronic tag (A) 2-1, and “10002” is stored as the tag ID in the electronic tag (B) 2-2. The group number 312 stores a symbol uniquely assigned to a group of articles composed of a plurality of articles having the electronic tag 2 as one group. Also, it is not stored in the initial state. The total number information 313 stores total number information corresponding to the total number of articles belonging to the group. Also, it is not stored in the initial state.

  For example, since the electronic tag (A) 2-1 has “0000000” in the group number 312 and “0000” in the total number information 313, the electronic tag (A) 2-1 is determined to be in the initial state. Therefore, when the reader / writer device 1 designates the electronic tag in the initial state and makes a response request, the electronic tag (A) is in the initial state as described above, and therefore “10001” stored in the tag ID 311 is stored. A tag ID is transmitted. In addition, these electronic tags 2 only need to satisfy the area in which the tag ID, group number, and total number information can be written, and it is not necessary to use an electronic tag having a large storable area.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a tag data table when the tag data writing process is completed. In the electronic tag in the initial state of FIG. 3, information is newly stored in the group number 312 and the total number information 313 as shown in FIG. 4 by executing the tag data writing process. Thereafter, collective inspection is executed using information existing in the data table.

  The group number 313 is a group number generated by the group number management unit 15 of the reader / writer device 1, and stores information transmitted by the transmission unit 11 and received by the reception unit 21 of the electronic tag 2. Yes. At this time, the group number only needs to be a unique symbol, for example, “ID unique to reader / writer device + generation date and time of group number” or the like, and “A20080801-1” stored in the group number 312 or the like.

  Further, a group number used by each reader / writer device so far is stored in a storage device of a center computer (not shown) connected to the reader / writer device 1 via a network, and a number that does not exist there is given from the center device. The form which the number management part 15 provides to the memory | storage part 23 of the electronic tag 2 may be sufficient. However, in this case, the reader / writer device 1 needs a communication unit that can communicate with the network.

  In the total number information 313, the transmission unit 11 transmits a command to write the number of responses from the electronic tag in the initial state counted by the total number counter unit 13 of the reader / writer device 1 to the electronic tag 2, and the reception unit of the electronic tag 2 The information received by 21 is stored. For example, when there are 120 articles having the electronic tag 2, the total number counter unit 13 counts responses from 120 electronic tags in the initial state, and “120” is displayed in the total number information 313 column of the electronic tag 2. Is written.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts. In order to fix the communication range of the reader / writer device 1, it is more preferable to prepare an environment surrounded by radio wave absorption and to allow only articles having the electronic tag 2 for performing data writing processing to exist in this communicable range.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of tag data write processing in the collective management apparatus. The detailed processing flow will be described below using the electronic tag as an RFID tag. Further, FIG. 5 shows the processing of the reader / writer device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the processing of the RFID tag 2 in association with each other.

  First, when the reader / writer device 1 receives a tag data write start instruction, the transmitter 11 issues an initialization command to the RFID tag 2 (S101). When the receiving unit 21 of the RFID tag 2 existing in a range capable of wireless communication with the reader / writer device 1 receives this initialization command and stores information other than the tag ID 311 in the storage unit 23, Information is initialized (S201), and the process ends. For example, the information stored in the group number 312 and the total number information 131 other than the unique tag ID 313 is changed to “0”, or “0” when some data such as the group number used before remains. And so on.

  The RFID tag 2 can be recycled by performing the process of S101 in the reader / writer device 1. That is, the same RFID tag can be reused many times, leading to cost reduction. Note that this can be omitted if only the initial RFID tag is used. Furthermore, if it is not necessary to delete the group number, such as shipping by adding the group 2 in which the group number is not written to the group 1 which already has the first group number, this step may be omitted. I can do it.

  Subsequently, the group number management unit 15 of the reader / writer device 1 generates a group number (S102). For example, a unique symbol such as “A20080801-1” stored in 312 of FIG. 4 is generated as a group number.

  Then, the transmitter 11 issues a command to respond to the RFID tag 2 in the initial state (S103). The receiving unit 21 of the RFID tag 2 existing in a range where wireless communication with the reader / writer device 1 is possible receives a command from the reader / writer device 1 (S202). In S103, a response may be requested to the surrounding electronic tag 2 without designating the initial tag.

  Then, the control unit 24 reads the received command, and refers to the storage unit 23 to store the tag in its tag ID 311 if its own tag does not store information in the initial state, that is, the group ID 312 and the total number information 313 (S203 YES). The transmission unit 22 is caused to transmit a response including the information that has been recorded (S204). On the other hand, in S203, if the RFID tag 2 already has information in the group number 312 and the RFID tag 2 is not in the initial state, the response is terminated without transmitting (S202 NO).

  However, if the command transmitted in S103 is a request for a response to the surrounding electronic tag 2, the response is transmitted without passing through S203. Thereafter, when the collective management apparatus simply uses a response command to the electronic tag in the initial state as a response command to the surrounding electronic tag 2, the response is returned without determining whether the electronic tag is in the initial state. Shall.

  Subsequently, the receiving unit 12 of the reader / writer device 1 receives the response of S204 (S104). At this time, a response is received from the RFID tag 2 in an initial state existing in a range where wireless communication with the reader / writer device 1 is possible. Then, the tag ID is extracted from the received response, and the ID storage unit 14 temporarily stores all the tag IDs (S105).

  After all the tag IDs have been read and stored, the total number counter unit 13 counts the number of tag IDs present in the ID storage unit 14, and determines that number as the total number of RFID tags (S106). By counting the number of tag IDs, it is possible to count the number of RFID tags 2 existing in a range where communication with the reader / writer device 1 is possible without duplication. Therefore, the total number can be grasped more reliably. However, it is also possible to simply count the number of responses received from the receiving unit 12 here.

  For example, when a response is received from 120 RFID tags 2 in S104, 120 tag IDs are stored in the ID storage unit 14. Therefore, the count number of the total number counter unit 13 is 120, and the total number is determined to be 120.

  Subsequently, the transmission unit 11 sequentially reads the tag IDs in the ID storage unit 14, designates the tag ID, and transmits a write command for writing the total number information and the group number generated by the group number management unit 15 (S102) (S107). . If the transmission unit 11 has issued the write command of S107 to all tag IDs stored in the ID storage unit 14, the tag data write flow is terminated (YES in S108).

  On the other hand, if no command is issued for all tag IDs (NO in S108), the process returns to S107, and this process is repeated until commands are issued for all tag IDs. The reception unit 21 of the RFID tag 2 that has been waiting receives the command transmitted by the transmission unit 11 of the reader / writer device 1 in S107 (S205), and the control unit 24 refers to the storage unit 23 and designates its own tag ID. It is determined whether the tag ID matches.

  If they match (YES in S206), the process proceeds to S207, and the received information is written in the group number 322 and the total number information 323 in the storage unit 23. On the other hand, if the tag ID does not match, the process ends (NO in S206). Since commands are issued to all tag IDs existing in the ID storage unit 14 from S107 to S108 of the reader / writer device 1, the processing from S205 to S207 is repeated for the number of commands.

  Then, the received information is written in the group number 322 and the total number information 323 of the storage unit 23 of the electronic tag in which its own tag ID is designated. For example, when “10001” present in the tag ID 311 is the tag ID specified in the reader / writer device 1 as in the electronic tag (A) 2-1 in FIG. 4, the group number of the storage unit 23 of the RFID tag 2. “A20080801-1” is written in 312, and “120” is written in total number information 313.

  As described above, the total number of articles can be grasped by a series of processes. Furthermore, the information written in the storage unit 23 is only the group number and the total number information, and an RFID tag with a small storage area can be used. Since the total number information scheduled to be delivered to the delivery destination is written in the electronic tag 2, there is no need to obtain the total number information via the network. Therefore, the inspection process can be executed without requiring a network.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of batch inspection processing in the batch management apparatus. Further, FIG. 6 shows the processing of the reader device 3 shown in FIG. 2 and the processing of the RFID tag 2 in association with each other.

  Upon receiving the inspection start instruction, the reader device 3 stores the information (group number 322 and total number information 323) stored in the RFID tag 2 existing in a range in which the transmitter 31 can communicate with the reader device 1. (S301). The receiving unit 21 of the RFID tag 2 existing in a range where communication with the reader device 3 is possible receives this command (S401). And the control part 24 transmits a response to the transmission part 22 (S402), and complete | finishes.

  The receiving unit 32 of the reader device 3 receives the earliest response from the RFID tags 2, and the inspection counter unit 33 extracts the information “group number and total number information” included in the response (S302). For example, since the response includes “A20080801-1” stored in the group number 312 of FIG. 4 and “120” stored in the total number information 313, the reception unit 32 of the reader device 3 has received the response. The inspection counter unit 33 extracts these two pieces of information from the response.

  Then, the transmission unit 31 designates the group number extracted in S302 and instructs the RFID tag 2 having the same group number to respond (S303). The receiving unit 21 of the RFID tag 2 receives this command (S403), the control unit 24 reads the command, refers to the group number 322 in the storage unit 23, and the specified group number matches the stored group number. Judge whether to do.

  If they match (YES in S404), the process proceeds to S405, a response including the tag ID is transmitted, and the process ends. On the other hand, if they do not match in S404 (NO in S404), the process ends as it is. For example, when the specified group number is “A20080801-1”, the receiving unit 21 of the RFID tag 2 receives the response command, and the control unit 24 reads the command and refers to the group number 312 of the storage unit 23. To do. In the state of FIG. 4, since the stored information is “A20080801-1”, which matches the specified group number, the control unit 24 sends a response including “10001” stored in the tag ID 311. 22 to transmit.

  The reception unit 32 of the reader device 3 receives the response transmitted by the transmission unit 22 of the RFID tag 2 in S405 (S304). Then, the inspection counter unit 32 extracts the tag ID included in the response. Subsequently, the inspection counter unit 33 counts up the tag ID (S305). This may be simply counting the number of responses.

  The inspection determination unit 34 compares the number of responding tag IDs with the total number information read in S302, and determines whether or not they match. If they match (S306 YES), the inspection result output unit 35 outputs “inspection OK” (S307), and if they do not match (S306 NO), outputs “inspection NG” (S308). For example, when the total number information “120” is read in S302 from the RFID tag 2 that is in the state of FIG. 4 and the counter of the inspection counter unit is 120, the total number information “120” is matched, so “inspection OK”. If it is 118, it is inconsistent, so “inspection NG” is output.

  If it is determined that “inspection NG”, this process may be repeated. In this case, it is further preferable to rotate the antennas that are the transmission unit 21 and the reception unit 32, change the antenna to be used when there are a plurality of antennas, or increase the output voltage of the signal.

  Through the series of processes described above, the total number of delivered items can be efficiently checked with a simple configuration of the RFID tag 2 and the reader device 3 and transmission / reception of few signals. Furthermore, the information used for batch inspection is small, and batch inspection can be performed with the RFID tag 2 having a small storable area. In addition, accurate batch inspection can be performed without the need for a network environment.

  When the functions of the reader / writer device 1 that performs the tag data writing process and the reader device 3 that performs the batch inspection process are realized by a single batch inspection apparatus, in the flowchart of the tag data writing process shown in FIG. The batch inspection process shown in FIG. 6 can be executed. As a result, it is possible to confirm whether the total number information and the group number are correctly stored in all the electronic tags, and the tag data writing process can be more reliably performed.

  Furthermore, the following embodiment is also possible with the configuration of the apparatus shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are flowcharts of tag data write processing according to another embodiment, in which the processing of the reader / writer device 1 and the processing of the RFID tag 2 in FIG. This embodiment shows an example of processing for enabling writing of tag data even under unfavorable conditions.

  The condition that is not particularly preferable is that the distance between the RFID tag 2 and the antenna of the reader / writer device 1 (corresponding to the transmission unit 11 and the reception unit 12) is long, and between the RFID tag 2 and the reader / writer device 1. This is a case in which signal transmission / reception cannot be performed accurately due to environmental conditions such as reflection / interference of radio waves at the place where tag data is written.

  First, processes S501 to S503 of the reader / writer device 1 are the same as S101 to S103 of FIG. 5, and processes S610 and S601 to S603 of the RFID tag 2 are the same as S201 to S204 of FIG. When the reader / writer device 1 receives the response including its own tag ID transmitted in step S603 of the RFID tag 2 (YES in S504), the receiving unit 12 receives the response that arrived earliest (S505). The total counter 13 extracts the tag ID and counts up one count number (S506).

  Then, the extracted tag ID is stored in the ID storage unit 14, and the transmission unit 11 designates the tag ID and transmits the group number write command generated in S502 (S507). And after issuing a command, it progresses to A. The receiving unit 21 of the RFID tag 2 receives the group number write command (S604), and the control unit 24 determines whether the specified tag ID matches its own tag ID. If they match (YES in S605), the information is stored in the group number 312 of the storage unit 23 (S606). If they do not match, the process ends (NO in S605).

  On the other hand, the reader / writer device 1 again instructs the initial tag to respond (S511). If a response is received (S512 YES), the process proceeds to S505 and the same process is repeated. Similarly, the RFID tag 2 repeats steps S604 to S606 as many times as the number of commands, and stores the group number 322 when a group number write command with its own tag ID 312 is issued.

  For example, when “10001” present in the tag ID 311 is the tag ID specified in the reader / writer device 1 as in the electronic tag (A) 2-1 in FIG. 4, the group in the storage unit 23 of the RFID tag 2. “A20080801-1” is written in the number 312.

  If there is no response from the RFID tag 2 in the initial state in the reader / writer device 1 (NO in S512), the process proceeds to S508. The total counter 13 determines the count number at that time as the total number of RFID tags 2 (S508). For example, if the count number indicates “120” when there is no response, the total number of RFID tags 2 is determined to be 120.

  The transmission unit 11 sequentially designates the tag IDs present in the ID storage unit 14 and transmits a total number information write command (S509). This process is repeated until an instruction is issued to all tag IDs existing in the ID storage unit 14, and the process ends when an instruction is issued to all tags (YES in S510).

  Each time the command is transmitted in S507, S511, and S509, the antenna having the transmitter 11 and the receiver 12 is rotated, the position of the antenna is changed, the power of the output of the transmission is changed, etc. . As a result, the command to the RFID tag 2 is reliably received by the electronic tag 2. In this case, a processing unit for controlling the position of the antenna and the output power of transmission may be further provided (not shown).

  For example, the RFID tag 2 located far from the antenna that transmits radio waves can also transmit and receive radio waves more stably by changing the antenna to be used (change in position). And a response is transmitted and received reliably, and it can grasp | ascertain the total number more correctly.

  The RFID tag 2 receives the total number information write command (S607), and refers to the tag ID 312 of the storage unit 23, and if its tag ID matches the tag ID specified in the command (YES in S608). The received information is written in the total number information 313 of the storage unit 13 (S609). On the other hand, if it does not match the designated tag ID, the process ends (NO in S608).

  Since commands are issued to all tag IDs existing in the ID storage unit 14 in S509 to S510 of the reader / writer device 1, the processing from S607 to S609 is repeated as many times as the number of commands, and its own tag ID 321 is designated. Sometimes the received information is written in the group number 322 and the total number information 323. For example, when “10001” present in the tag ID 311 is the tag ID specified in the reader / writer device 1 as in the electronic tag (A) 2-1 in FIG. 4, the total number of storage units 23 of the RFID tag 2 “120” is written in the information 313.

  As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, if the batch inspection process is executed after this process, the reliability can be further improved.

  Through the series of processes described above, radio waves can be more reliably transmitted and received between the reader / writer device 3 and the electronic tag 2. And even under unfavorable conditions, the group number and total number information can be surely written in all tags, and the total number of delivered articles can be easily checked using these data at the time of inspection. Further, the information written in the storage unit 23 by this processing is only the group number and the total number information, and an RFID tag with a small storable area can be used.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are flowcharts of batch inspection processing according to another embodiment, in which the processing of the reader / writer device 3 and the processing of the RFID tag 2 in FIG. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the reader device 3 did not perform the writing process to the RFID tag 2, but in the embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10, the transmission unit 31 needs to have a function of performing the writing process. . Therefore, the collective management device is the reader / writer device 3.

  This embodiment shows an example of a process for surely enabling batch inspection even under unfavorable conditions.

  Since S701 after the reader / writer device 3 receives the inspection start instruction and S801 to S802 of the RFID tag 2 are the same as S301 and S401 to S402 of FIG. 6, description thereof will be omitted.

  The receiving unit 32 of the reader / writer device 3 receives the response that has arrived earliest among the responses from the RFID tag 2, and the inspection counter unit 33 reads the tag information included in the response and increments the count number by one ( S702). Then, the transmission unit 31 transmits a flag command so as to set the flag “1” by designating the read tag ID (S703).

  The flag at this time is identification information for distinguishing the responding RFID tag from the others. Any information can be used as long as it can distinguish the responding tag from others, such as writing the date and time. In this case, an area where the flag can be stored is separately required in the storage unit 23 of the RFID tag 2. By storing the identification information in the storage unit 23 of the electronic tag 2, it is possible to exclude a response from the electronic tag that has responded once, and it is possible to prevent duplicate counting in the processing described later.

  The RFID tag 2 receives this flag command (S803), refers to its own tag ID 321 in the storage unit 23, and determines whether the tag ID specified in the command matches the stored tag ID (S804). ). If they match (S804 YES), a flag is set (S805). If they do not match (NO in S804), the process ends.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when “10001” present in the tag ID 311 of the RFID tag (A) 2-1 is the tag ID designated in the reader / writer device 1, the flag is stored in the storage unit 23 of the RFID tag 2. “1” will stand.

  Subsequently, the transmission unit 31 of the reader / writer device 3 transmits a command to respond to the group number read in S702 and the flag is not set (S704). The receiving unit 21 of the RFID tag 2 receives this response command (S806), and the control unit 24 refers to the group number 312 and the flag column of the storage unit 23 to determine whether the specified group number and the flag is 0. (S807). When the condition is satisfied in S807 (S807 YES), the transmission unit 22 is caused to transmit a response (S808). If the condition is not satisfied (NO in S807), the process ends as it is.

  For example, when the specified group number is “A20080801-1”, the reception unit 21 of the RFID tag (B) 2-2 receives the response command, the control unit 24 reads the command, and the storage unit 23 stores the command. Reference is made to group number 312. In the state of FIG. 4, if the stored information matches the group number designated by “A20088011-1” and the flag is “0”, “10002” stored in the tag ID 311 is included. The response is transmitted to the transmission unit 22.

  When there is a response from the transmission unit 22 of the RFID tag 2 that satisfies the condition (YES in S705), the reception unit 32 of the reader / writer device 3 receives only the earliest response, and the inspection counter unit 33 extracts the ID and counts it. One number is counted up (S706). Then, the tag ID is designated and a flag command is issued (S707), and the process proceeds to B. The RFID tag 2 performs S803 to S805.

  After proceeding to B, the reader / writer device 3 executes S711 and S712 similar to S704 and S705, and until there is no response of S808 from the transmitter 22 of the RFID tag 2 in S712 (S712 YES), S706, S707 and S711. And S712 are repeated.

  Each time a command is transmitted in S707 and S711, the antenna having the transmitter 31 and the receiver 32 may be rotated, the position of the antenna may be changed, or the output power of transmission may be changed. As a result, the command to the RFID tag 2 is reliably received by the electronic tag 2. In this case, a processing unit for controlling the position of the antenna may be further provided to change or move the antenna to be used.

  For example, the RFID tag 2 located far from the antenna that transmits radio waves can also transmit and receive radio waves more stably by changing the antenna to be used (change in position). And the number of responses can be grasped more accurately.

  When there is no response (NO in S712), the inspection determination unit 34 compares the count number of the inspection counter unit 33 at this time with the total number information read in S702 (S708). If they match, the inspection result output unit 35 outputs “inspection OK” (S709), and if they do not match, outputs “inspection NG” (S710).

  For example, when the total number information “120” is read in S702 from the RFID tag 2 in the state of FIG. 4 and the count number of the inspection counter unit is 120, it matches the total number information “120”, so “inspection” “OK” is output, and if it is 118, “inspection NG” is output because of mismatch.

  Through the series of processes described above, radio waves can be more reliably transmitted and received between the reader / writer device 3 and the electronic tag 2. Therefore, the total number of delivered articles can be efficiently checked with a simple configuration of RFID tags and reader / writer devices equal to the number of articles even under unfavorable conditions. Further, in this embodiment, an area for setting a flag is required. However, since the memory required for the flag is small, an RFID tag having a small storable area, which is one of the effects of the present invention, can also be used in this embodiment.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above.

  Hereinafter, a computer that executes a management program having the same functions as those of the collective management apparatus 1 and the collective management apparatus 3 described in the above embodiment will be described as an example with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the collective management apparatus. The collective management apparatus 4 includes a transmission unit 41, a CPU 42, a reception unit 43, an HDD 44, a ROM 45, and a RAM 46, and is further connected to each other via a bus 47. Data can be exchanged with each other under the control of the CPU 42.

  The CPU 42 is a central processing unit that controls operation of the entire batch management apparatus. The transmission unit 41 transmits a signal to the outside in response to an instruction from the CPU 42. The receiving unit 43 receives an external signal and passes the content of the signal to the CPU 42.

  The ROM 45 stores in advance a program that exhibits the same function as the collective management apparatus shown in the above embodiment. Then, the CPU 42 reads out this program from the ROM 45 and executes it, whereby the group number management unit 15 and the total number counter unit 13 shown in FIG. 1, or the inspection result output unit 35, the inspection determination unit 34, and the inspection counter unit shown in FIG. 33 will function. This program may be in the HDD 44 or the RAM 46 accessible to the CPU 42.

  The program describing the processing content shown in the flowchart can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. Examples of the magnetic recording device include an HDD, a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape (MT). Examples of the optical disc include a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), and a CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWriteable). Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto-Optical disk). When this program is distributed, for example, a portable recording medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM in which the program is recorded may be sold.

  The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program.

  The reader / writer device 1 of FIG. 1 and the reader (writer) device 3 of FIG. 2 do not have to be realized on one device, and the reader / writer device 1 and the reader device 3 that execute the collective management method of the present application are not disclosed. The above-mentioned collective management method is applied to the reader / writer device 1 and the reader device 3 by causing the computer, the reader / writer device 1 and the reader device 3 to cooperate with each other. Can also be executed. That is, the transmission unit 11 that performs tag data write processing, the reception unit 12, the total number counter unit 13, the ID storage unit 14 and the group number management unit 15 should have processing functions, or the transmission unit 31 that performs batch inspection processing. Processing of functions that the receiving unit 32, the inspection counter unit 33, the inspection determination unit 34, and the inspection result output unit 35 should have is realized by the computer and the reader / writer device 1 or the reader device 3. For example, the collective management apparatus can be configured by connecting a transmission / reception antenna to a standard computer.

  The following is added.

(Appendix 1)
A computer capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area, and connected to a receiving unit that receives an external signal and a transmitting unit that transmits an external signal In a program that allows a running computer to perform batch management,
In the computer,
Generating a group number uniquely assigned to the group in order to manage a plurality of articles having the electronic tag as one group;
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a response reply command including the ID of the electronic tag to the electronic tag;
Receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit;
Counting the number of responses from the electronic tag received from the receiving unit, and determining total number information that is the total number of articles belonging to the group;
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a command to write the generated group number and the determined total number information to the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID included in the response. A batch management program.

(Appendix 2)
The collective management program according to claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the response reply command causes the transmission unit to transmit the reply command a plurality of times.

(Appendix 3)
The step of transmitting a reply command for the response designates an electronic tag in an initial state that does not have the group number and the total number information in the storage area, and causes the transmission unit to transmit the reply command. The collective management program described in Appendix 1.

(Appendix 4)
The batch management program further causes the plurality of electronic tags to transmit a command for erasing at least the partial loop number and total number information existing in the storage area prior to the step of transmitting the response reply command. Supplementary management program according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 3.

(Appendix 5)
The collective management program according to appendix 1, wherein the step of determining the total number information includes extracting the IDs included in the response and counting the number of the IDs.

(Appendix 6)
A computer capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area, and connected to a receiving unit that receives an external signal and a transmitting unit that transmits an external signal In a program that allows a running computer to perform batch management,
In the computer,
From the receiving unit, a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as one group, and total number information which is the total number of the articles belonging to the group A step of accepting an input of a response including,
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a response reply command including the ID of the tag to the electronic tag having the same group number as the group number included in the response received from the receiving unit;
Receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit;
Counting the number of responses received from the receiver;
Comparing the total number information included in the response received from the receiving unit with the number of responses counted by the inspection counter unit and determining whether or not they match;
And executing a step of outputting the determined result.

(Appendix 7)
The batch inspection program according to appendix 6, wherein the step of transmitting the response reply command causes the transmission unit to transmit the reply command a plurality of times.

(Appendix 8)
The batch inspection program described in Appendix 6 or Appendix 7
The identification information for identifying the responding electronic tag and the non-responding electronic tag is written in the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID included in the response received in the step of receiving the response input A step of causing the transmission unit to transmit an identification information write command is executed.

(Appendix 9)
The collective management program according to appendix 6, wherein the step of counting the number of responses extracts the ID included in the response and counts the number of the IDs.

(Appendix 10)
A collective management device capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area,
A group number management unit for generating a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles having the electronic tag as one group;
A receiving unit for receiving a response including the ID of the electronic tag from the electronic tag;
A total number counter unit that counts the number of responses from the electronic tag received by the receiving unit and determines total number information that is the total number of the articles belonging to the group;
A command is sent to return the response to the electronic tag, and the group number generated by the group number management unit and the total number information determined by the total number counter unit are included in the response received by the receiving unit And a transmission unit that transmits an instruction to write to the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID.

(Appendix 11)
An electronic tag that can communicate with a collective management device,
An ID for uniquely identifying the electronic tag, a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as one group, and the total number of articles belonging to the group A storage unit for storing certain total number information;
A receiving unit for receiving a command from the collective management device;
A transmission unit that transmits a response including the ID to the collective management apparatus and the received command is read, and when the command is a write request for the group number and the total number information, the group number and the total number information And a control unit that causes the transmission unit to transmit the response when the command is a response command.

(Appendix 12)
A collective management device capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area,
A group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as a group, total number information indicating the total number of articles belonging to the group, and the ID of the electronic tag A receiver for receiving a response including
A transmission unit that transmits an instruction to return the response including the ID of the electronic tag to the electronic tag having the same group number as the group number included in the response received by the reception unit;
An inspection counter for counting the number of responses received by the receiver;
An inspection determination unit that compares the total number information included in the response received by the reception unit with the number of responses counted by the inspection counter unit and determines whether or not both match,
A collective management apparatus, comprising: an inspection result output unit that outputs the determined result.

(Appendix 13)
A computer capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area, and connected to a receiving unit that receives an external signal and a transmitting unit that transmits an external signal A collective management method executed on a computer running
Generating a group number uniquely assigned to the group in order to manage a plurality of articles having the electronic tag as one group;
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a response reply command including the ID of the electronic tag to the electronic tag;
Receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit;
Counting the number of responses from the electronic tag received from the receiving unit, and determining total number information that is the total number of articles belonging to the group;
And a step of causing the transmission unit to transmit a command to write the generated group number and the determined total number information to the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID included in the response. Bulk management method.

(Appendix 14)
A computer capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area, and connected to a receiving unit that receives an external signal and a transmitting unit that transmits an external signal A collective management method executed on a computer running
From the receiving unit, a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as one group, and total number information which is the total number of the articles belonging to the group A step of accepting an input of a response including,
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a response reply command including the ID of the tag to the electronic tag having the same group number as the group number included in the response received from the receiving unit;
Receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit;
Counting the number of responses received from the receiver;
Comparing the total number information included in the response received from the receiving unit with the number of responses counted by the inspection counter unit and determining whether or not they match;
And a step of outputting the determined result.

(Appendix 15)
A collective management system having a plurality of computers each having a uniquely identifiable ID and capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a readable / writable storage area,
The first computer
A group number management unit for generating a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles having the electronic tag as one group;
A receiving unit for receiving a response including the ID of the electronic tag from the electronic tag;
A total number counter unit that counts the number of responses from the electronic tag received by the receiving unit and determines total number information that is the total number of the articles belonging to the group;
A command is sent to return the response to the electronic tag, and the group number generated by the group number management unit and the total number information determined by the total number counter unit are included in the response received by the receiving unit A transmission unit that transmits an instruction to write to the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID
The second computer
A group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as a group, total number information indicating the total number of articles belonging to the group, and the ID of the electronic tag A receiver for receiving a response including
A transmission unit that transmits an instruction to return the response including the ID of the electronic tag to the electronic tag having the same group number as the group number included in the response received by the reception unit;
An inspection counter for counting the number of responses received by the receiver;
An inspection determination unit that compares the total number information included in the response received by the reception unit with the number of responses counted by the inspection counter unit and determines whether or not both match,
A collective management system comprising: an inspection result output unit for outputting the determined result.

It is a figure which shows an example of the functional diagram of the batch management apparatus by the side of tag data writing process execution in an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional diagram of the batch management apparatus by the side of the batch inspection process execution in an Example. It is a figure which shows the example of a data table stored in the memory | storage part 23 of the electronic tag 2 of the initial state in an Example. It is a figure which shows the example of a data table stored in the memory | storage part 23 of the electronic tag 2 at the time of the completion of the tag data writing process in an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the tag data writing process in an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the batch inspection process in an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the tag data writing process in an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the tag data writing process in an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the batch inspection process in an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the batch inspection process in an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the collective management apparatus in an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader / writer apparatus 11 Transmission part 12 Reception part 13 Total counter part 14 ID memory | storage part 15 Group number management part 16 Control part 3 Reader (writer) apparatus 31 Transmission part 32 Reception part 33 Inspection counter part 34 Inspection determination part 35 Inspection result output Part 36 Control part

Claims (14)

A computer capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area, and connected to a receiving unit that receives an external signal and a transmitting unit that transmits an external signal In a program that allows a running computer to perform batch management,
In the computer,
Generating a group number uniquely assigned to the group in order to manage a plurality of articles having the electronic tag as one group;
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a response reply command including the ID of the electronic tag to the electronic tag;
Receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit;
Counting the number of responses from the electronic tag received from the receiving unit, and determining total number information that is the total number of articles belonging to the group;
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a command to write the generated group number and the determined total number information to the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID included in the response. A batch management program.   The collective management program according to claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the response reply command causes the transmission unit to transmit the reply command a plurality of times.   The step of transmitting a reply command for the response designates an electronic tag in an initial state that does not have the group number and the total number information in the storage area, and causes the transmission unit to transmit the reply command. The collective management program according to claim 1.   The batch management program further causes the plurality of electronic tags to transmit a command for erasing at least the partial loop number and total number information existing in the storage area prior to the step of transmitting the response reply command. The collective management program according to claim 1 or 3.   2. The collective management program according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the total number information includes extracting the IDs included in the response and counting the number of the IDs. A computer capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area, and connected to a receiving unit that receives an external signal and a transmitting unit that transmits an external signal In a program that allows a running computer to perform batch management,
In the computer,
From the receiving unit, a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as one group, and total number information which is the total number of the articles belonging to the group A step of accepting an input of a response including,
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a response reply command including the ID of the tag to the electronic tag having the same group number as the group number included in the response received from the receiving unit;
Receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit;
Counting the number of responses received from the receiver;
Comparing the total number information included in the response received from the receiving unit with the number of responses counted by the inspection counter unit and determining whether or not they match;
And executing a step of outputting the determined result.   The batch inspection program according to claim 6, wherein the step of transmitting the response reply command causes the transmission unit to transmit the reply command a plurality of times. The batch inspection program according to claim 6 or claim 7 further includes:
The identification information for identifying the responding electronic tag and the non-responding electronic tag is written in the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID included in the response received in the step of receiving the response input A step of causing the transmission unit to transmit an identification information write command is executed.   7. The collective management program according to claim 6, wherein in the step of counting the number of responses, the ID included in the response is extracted and the number of the IDs is counted. A collective management device capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area,
A group number management unit for generating a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles having the electronic tag as one group;
A receiving unit for receiving a response including the ID of the electronic tag from the electronic tag;
A total number counter unit that counts the number of responses from the electronic tag received by the receiving unit and determines total number information that is the total number of the articles belonging to the group;
A command is sent to return the response to the electronic tag, and the group number generated by the group number management unit and the total number information determined by the total number counter unit are included in the response received by the receiving unit And a transmission unit that transmits an instruction to write to the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID. An electronic tag that can communicate with a collective management device,
An ID for uniquely identifying the electronic tag, a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as one group, and the total number of articles belonging to the group A storage unit for storing certain total number information;
A receiving unit for receiving a command from the collective management device;
A transmission unit that transmits a response including the ID to the collective management apparatus and the received command is read, and when the command is a write request for the group number and the total number information, the group number and the total number information And a control unit that causes the transmission unit to transmit the response when the command is a response command. A collective management device capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area,
A group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as a group, total number information indicating the total number of articles belonging to the group, and the ID of the electronic tag A receiver for receiving a response including
A transmission unit that transmits an instruction to return the response including the ID of the electronic tag to the electronic tag having the same group number as the group number included in the response received by the reception unit;
An inspection counter for counting the number of responses received by the receiver;
An inspection determination unit that compares the total number information included in the response received by the reception unit with the number of responses counted by the inspection counter unit and determines whether or not both match,
A collective management apparatus comprising: an inspection result output unit that outputs the determined result. A computer capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area, and connected to a receiving unit that receives an external signal and a transmitting unit that transmits an external signal A collective management method executed on a computer running
Generating a group number uniquely assigned to the group in order to manage a plurality of articles having the electronic tag as one group;
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a response reply command including the ID of the electronic tag to the electronic tag;
Receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit;
Counting the number of responses from the electronic tag received from the receiving unit, and determining total number information that is the total number of articles belonging to the group;
And a step of causing the transmission unit to transmit a command to write the generated group number and the determined total number information to the storage area of the electronic tag corresponding to the ID included in the response. Bulk management method. A computer capable of communicating with a plurality of electronic tags each having a uniquely identifiable ID and a readable / writable storage area, and connected to a receiving unit that receives an external signal and a transmitting unit that transmits an external signal A collective management method executed on a computer running
From the receiving unit, a group number uniquely assigned to the group for managing a plurality of articles individually attached with the electronic tag as one group, and total number information which is the total number of the articles belonging to the group A step of accepting an input of a response including,
Causing the transmitting unit to transmit a response reply command including the ID of the tag to the electronic tag having the same group number as the group number included in the response received from the receiving unit;
Receiving an input of the response from the receiving unit;
Counting the number of responses received from the receiver;
Comparing the total number information included in the response received from the receiving unit with the number of responses counted by the inspection counter unit and determining whether or not they match;
And a step of outputting the determined result.

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