JP2011032092A - Article management system and radio tag communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article management system preventing the occurrence of a reading omission of a radio tag, and to provide a radio tag communication device. <P>SOLUTION: The article management system includes the radio tag and the radio tag communication device. The radio tag communication device includes an origin information obtaining means for obtaining origin information which is information for an origin of start of movement of the radio tag communication device, a move vector quantity detecting means detecting a move vector quantity of the radio tag communication device, a guidance information obtaining means obtaining guidance information corresponding to the origin information obtained by the origin information obtaining means from a storage means storing information obtained by associating the origin with guidance information for a movement capable of transmitting and receiving information relative to the radio tag when the radio tag communication device is moved from the origin, and an informing means informing a direction for moving the radio tag communication device in accordance with the move vector quantity detected by the move vector quantity detecting means based on the guidance information obtained by the guidance information obtaining means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, an article management system that displays a moving direction of a wireless tag communication apparatus according to the inventory location when performing inventory management for the article management, and a wireless tag communication apparatus used therefor. .

  Conventionally, there is no contact between a wireless tag having a wireless tag circuit portion having an IC circuit portion for storing predetermined information and a tag antenna connected to the IC circuit portion for transmitting and receiving information, and the wireless tag communication device Radio Frequency Identification (hereinafter referred to as RFID) systems that read and write information are known.

  This RFID system has been put into practical use in various fields, and in industries such as sales / distribution, it may be used for article management such as inventory work of goods that is regularly performed in order to check the stock of products.

  For example, in the product arrangement information survey and display system described in Patent Document 1, when a large number of products are stored in a storage location, a wireless tag communication device provided in a self-propelled unmanned automatic vehicle at the storage location is provided. By making a round, the product specifying information stored in the tag provided in the product is acquired. Further, the position specifying information acquired by receiving a radio signal from a wireless LAN access point arranged at the position where the product specifying information is acquired by a reading control recognition device provided in the unmanned automatic traveling vehicle, The display device includes a display device that associates product specifying information with each other and stores them in a product arrangement information database and displays the stored product specifying information and position specifying information in association with each other.

  By the way, in the RFID tag communication device provided in the unmanned automatic traveling vehicle, a traveling route is determined in advance in which direction to travel. Then, the movement of the RFID tag communication device is automatically controlled by the controller based on the determined travel route, so that the product can be moved throughout the storage location.

JP 2005-225595 A

  However, in order to perform inventory using the unmanned automatic traveling vehicle as in the prior art, a large facility is required. In addition, in an inventory operation at an actual retail store or the like, an operator performs an inventory operation by exchanging information with a wireless tag provided in an article while moving with a portable wireless tag communication device. Has increased. At this time, in the case where an operator who is not familiar with the handling of the RFID tag communication device performs an inventory work, the product that is originally to be read is provided depending on how the RFID tag communication device is moved. There was a case where information reading of the wireless tag circuit unit was not read.

  The present invention does not require large-scale equipment. For example, even when the operator moves the RFID tag communication device for article management, the information of the target RFID tag circuit unit is not read correctly. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article management system and a wireless tag communication device that can be prevented from occurring.

  In order to achieve the above object, an article management system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a wireless tag including a wireless tag circuit unit having an IC circuit unit that stores information and a tag antenna that transmits and receives information, and the wireless tag; An article management system having a radio tag communication device equipped with a device antenna for transmitting and receiving information, wherein the radio tag communication device obtains origin information that is information relating to the origin of movement of the radio tag communication device Origin information acquisition means, movement vector amount detection means for detecting a movement vector amount of the RFID tag communication apparatus, the origin, and when the RFID tag communication apparatus is moved from the origin, Corresponds to the origin information acquired by the origin information acquisition means from the storage means that stores and associates the guidance information related to movement that can be transmitted and received The RFID tag communication apparatus according to the movement vector amount detected by the movement vector amount detection unit based on the guidance information acquired by the guidance information acquisition unit and the guidance information acquisition unit. An informing means for informing the direction in which the camera should be moved is provided.

  The article management system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the article management system according to the first aspect, wherein the wireless tag communication device further comprises an information transmission / reception determination means for determining whether information has been transmitted or received with the wireless tag via the device antenna. The movement vector amount detection means detects the movement vector amount of the wireless tag communication device when it is determined by the information transmission / reception determination means that transmission or reception of information has been performed with the wireless tag. And

  In the article management system according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the movement vector amount detection unit detects a current position coordinate of the wireless tag communication device, and the guidance information acquisition unit includes the guidance information. The position coordinate to be moved next is acquired from the current position coordinate, and the notification unit determines the RFID tag communication device according to a difference between the position coordinate to be moved next and the current position coordinate. It is characterized by notifying the direction to be moved.

  In the article management system according to a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the movement vector amount detection means is based on a movement vector amount between a current position coordinate of the RFID tag communication apparatus and a position coordinate detected immediately before. Detecting the current moving speed of the wireless tag communication device, the guidance information acquisition means can transmit / receive information to / from the wireless tag when moving from the current position coordinate to the next position coordinate to be moved A moving speed is acquired as the guidance information, and the notification means is a moving speed at which the RFID tag communication device is to be moved according to a difference between the moving speed acquired by the guidance information acquiring means and the current moving speed. Is notified.

  In the article management system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the origin information acquisition unit acquires information stored in an IC circuit unit provided in a place tag for specifying a place. The origin information is acquired based on the above.

  In the article management system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the RFID tag communication device generates an inquiry signal for acquiring information stored in the IC circuit unit, and transmits the inquiry signal via the device antenna. A transmission unit capable of transmitting an inquiry signal, a reception unit capable of receiving a response signal returned from the RFID circuit unit in response to the inquiry signal via the device antenna, and the notification unit from the guidance information acquisition unit In addition to the direction to be moved based on the acquired guidance information, the direction to be moved is notified based on the reception result of the response signal by the receiving unit.

  A wireless tag communication apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the invention is used in the article management system according to claim 1, and includes a wireless tag circuit unit having an IC circuit unit that stores information and a tag antenna that transmits and receives information. A wireless tag communication device including a tag and a device antenna for transmitting and receiving information, wherein the wireless tag communication device acquires origin information that is information related to an origin of movement of the wireless tag communication device When the information acquisition means, the movement vector amount detection means for detecting the movement vector amount of the RFID tag communication apparatus, the origin, and the RFID tag communication apparatus are moved from the origin, information is transmitted to and received from the RFID tag. The guide corresponding to the origin information acquired by the origin information acquisition means from the storage means stored in association with guidance information relating to possible movement Based on the guidance information acquired by the guidance information acquisition means and the guidance information acquisition means, the RFID tag communication device is moved according to the movement vector amount detected by the movement vector amount detection means. An informing means for informing the power direction is provided.

  According to the article management system of the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to notify the moving direction in which the RFID tag communication apparatus should be moved so that information can be transmitted and received with the RFID tag for article management. Thereby, the operator of the RFID tag communication apparatus can confirm the moving direction notified by the notification means. In addition, when the operator moves the wireless tag communication device in the notified direction to be moved, reading omission of information from the wireless tag can be reduced.

  According to the article management system of the invention of claim 2, the movement vector amount is detected only when the wireless tag communication apparatus transmits or receives information with the wireless tag. Thereby, the reading omission of information from the wireless tag can be reduced more reliably.

  According to the article management system of the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the moving direction in which the RFID tag communication apparatus should be moved next from the current position of the RFID tag communication apparatus Is notified. Thereby, the operator can confirm in which direction the RFID tag communication apparatus should move from the current point.

  According to the article management system of the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 3, from the current position of the wireless tag communication device, the moving speed to be moved corresponding to the moving direction to be moved next Is notified. Thereby, the operator of the RFID tag communication apparatus can grasp the moving speed according to the moving direction when moving the RFID tag communication apparatus.

  According to the article management system of the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, origin information can be easily acquired based on transmission / reception of information with a place tag. Can do.

  According to the wireless tag communication device of the invention of claim 6, in addition to the direction to be moved based on the guidance information, the notification unit is further notified of the direction to be moved according to the reception result of the response signal from the wireless tag. To do. As a result, the operator of the wireless tag communication apparatus can confirm the direction in which information can be easily transmitted and received with the wireless tag.

  According to the wireless tag communication device of the invention according to claim 7, the notification means can be notified of the moving direction in which the wireless tag communication device should be moved so that information can be transmitted to and received from the wireless tag for article management. it can. Thereby, the operator of the RFID tag communication apparatus can confirm the direction to be moved that is notified by the notification means. In addition, when the operator moves the wireless tag communication device in the notified direction to be moved, reading omission of information from the wireless tag can be reduced.

It is a system configuration figure showing an example of the whole composition of the article management system of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram showing the detailed function of the radio | wireless tag communication apparatus used for an article | item management system. It is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the radio | wireless tag circuit part with which the goods tag was equipped. It is a figure which shows an example of the guidance information memorize | stored in a memory | storage means. It is a figure which shows an example of the guidance information memorize | stored in a memory | storage means. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on a display means. It is a figure which shows another example of the display screen displayed on a display means. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by CPU of a wireless tag communication apparatus. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by CPU of a wireless tag communication apparatus. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure performed by CPU of a wireless tag communication apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the article management system of this embodiment in FIG. 1, a large number of books M (not shown) are stored in a bookshelf S as appropriate, and a radio tag that stores ID information of the books M on the spine of each book M. T is pasted. In addition to the bookshelf S, a plurality of bookshelves for storing the books M are provided, and the inventory of the bookshelf S will be described below. The inventory of the bookshelf S is performed by an operator holding and moving the RFID tag communication device 100 and transmitting / receiving information to / from all the RFID tags T in the bookshelf S. Here, a thick line arrow in FIG. 1 shows an example of movement of the RFID tag communication apparatus moved by the operator. Further, a place tag Te for storing the ID of the book shelf S is attached to the upper end of the book shelf S.

  In the article management system of the present embodiment, in particular, when starting the inventory of the bookshelf S, the position at which information can be transmitted and received between the wireless tag communication device 100 and the place tag Te is set as the origin, and the inventory is performed thereafter. Be started. Hereinafter, each component will be described in order.

  First, the wireless tag communication device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the wireless tag communication device 100 includes a device antenna 152 for performing wireless communication with the wireless tag T, and a wireless tag communication control unit that controls wireless communication with the wireless tag T via the device antenna 152. 153. In addition, it has a CPU 154, a RAM 156 as a storage means, and a flash ROM 155, which are electrically connected by a bus 157. In parallel with the use of the temporary storage function of the RAM 156, the CPU 154 controls the entire RFID tag communication apparatus 100 by performing signal processing in accordance with a program stored in advance in the flash ROM 155.

  The RFID tag communication apparatus 100 also includes a timer 190 having a timekeeping function, an input unit 170 for inputting instructions and information from an operator, and a display unit 160 for displaying information and messages. The communication control unit 158 is used to acquire a wireless tag ID list and movement data from a server (not shown) via a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. In addition, when the tag ID list and guidance information regarding the inventory target are stored in the flash ROM 155 of the wireless tag communication device 100, the communication control unit 158 is not necessarily provided.

  In addition, the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 includes an acceleration sensor 180. The acceleration sensor 180 may be a well-known sensor and will not be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 180 is a biaxial type, and is used in the width direction (x-axis direction in FIG. 1) and the longitudinal direction of the main body of the RFID tag communication device 100. The movement acceleration in the direction corresponding to each (y-axis direction in FIG. 1) is individually detected. A speed sensor may be used instead of the acceleration sensor. In the present embodiment, when the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 moves, the acceleration detection values with signs corresponding to the x-axis and y-axis directions from the acceleration sensor 180 are always known by interruption processing or the like from the start of movement. Is accumulated. Thereby, the position coordinates of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 and the moving speed are calculated.

  Next, the configuration of the RFID tag circuit section To will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the RFID circuit unit To provided in the RFID tag T includes the device antenna 152 of the RFID tag communication device 100, the tag antenna 252 that transmits and receives signals without contact by wireless communication or electromagnetic induction, And the IC circuit portion 251 connected to the tag antenna 252.

  The IC circuit unit 251 includes a control unit 257 that controls the RFID tag circuit unit To and a rectification unit 255 that rectifies the interrogation wave received by the tag antenna 252. Further, the interrogation wave energy rectified by the rectification unit 255 is stored and used as a driving power source, and the clock signal is extracted from the interrogation wave received by the tag antenna 252 and supplied to the control unit 257. And a clock extraction unit 258 for performing In addition, the IC circuit unit 251 includes a memory unit 250 that can store a predetermined information signal, a modulation / demodulation unit 259 connected to the tag antenna 252, the memory unit 250, and a clock extraction unit 258. .

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, guidance information that is prepared in advance for each shelf subject to inventory before inventory is described. The guidance information indicates how to move the wireless tag communication device in accordance with the shelf to be invented to prevent reading of information on the wireless tag provided in the article when taking inventory. It is movement information related to coordinates, movement speed, and the like.

  For example, in order to prevent the reading of information from a wireless tag from being leaked even if a person who is not used to handling a wireless tag communication device moves, first, a wireless device such as a skilled person is provided for each shelf to be stocked. The movement of the tag communication device is demonstrated, and the amount of movement vector detected by the acceleration sensor 180 at that time is stored. Specifically, when all the books M stored in the bookshelf S are known in advance, the RFID tag communication is performed so that the tag IDs for all the RFID tags T attached to the books M can be received. The amount of movement vector when the apparatus 100 is moved is stored as guidance information. The number and interval of the coordinates stored as the guidance information are appropriately adjusted according to the interval between the shelves of the shelf S that is the storage location of the book M, the width direction, the height direction, the number of shelves, and the like.

  Specifically, a method for obtaining guidance information will be described. First, the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 sets origin coordinates by obtaining origin information. The inventory is started from the position where the origin coordinates are set, the acceleration is detected every predetermined time, the position coordinates of the RFID tag communication device 100 every predetermined time calculated by a known method, and the movement speed between the coordinates Is stored in the flash ROM 155 as guidance information. The guidance information may be transmitted to a server (not shown) and stored in the storage unit.

  Further, the origin information is operation input information that is set in order to set a starting point of movement of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 when taking inventory in the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when a place tag Te for storing predetermined tag ID information is provided in a book shelf S to be invented, and the transmission intensity of a command from the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is minimum, the place tag At the position where the predetermined tag ID is received by transmitting and receiving information with Te, the operator operates the input means 170 to set the origin for the bookshelf S.

  For example, a desired stocktaking location is selected from the stocking location setting selection screen using the input unit 170, and an origin setting operation for starting stocktaking is performed on the home setting screen. In addition, without using the location tag Te as described above, an origin position may be determined in advance for a specific inventory location, and when the operator comes to that location, the input means 170 may be operated to set the origin. .

  As an example of the guidance information, as shown in FIG. 4, a moving coordinate at a predetermined time of 0.5 seconds and a moving speed when moving between the coordinates are stored. Here, with respect to the bookshelf S, guidance information is stored such that the moving speed decreases as it approaches the right end of FIG.

  For example, the movement of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is started from the origin coordinates (0, 0) for starting movement, and the current position coordinates of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 0.5 seconds later are (0.4. , 0). According to the guidance information of FIG. 4, the position of (0.8, 0) is stored as the coordinates after 1.0 second. Therefore, the difference between the position coordinate to be moved next and the current position coordinate is (0.4, 0). In addition, the unit of the coordinate at this time is a meter, for example.

  Thus, since the x direction is positive and the y direction is 0, it is only necessary to move in the positive direction of the x axis in FIG. 1, and the display means 160 is urged to move in the positive direction of the x axis. As an example, in FIG. 6A, a right-pointing arrow R2 indicating the moving direction of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 and a character R1 “Please move in the direction of the arrow” are displayed on the display screen D1 of the display means 160. The Note that display information such as an arrow R2 and a character R1 to be displayed on the display unit 160 is stored in advance in the storage unit in accordance with the difference between the current position coordinate and the position coordinate to be moved next.

  Similarly, in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the current position coordinate of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 after 2.5 seconds from the origin is (1.6, 0). According to the guidance information, since it should move to the position of the coordinates (1.8, -0.2) after 3.0 seconds from the origin, the difference between the position coordinates to be moved next and the current position coordinates is (0 .2, -0.2). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6B, an arrow R4 indicating the direction in which the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 should be moved and the character R1 are displayed.

  On the other hand, regarding the moving speed, the moving speed of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 between 2.0 seconds and 2.5 seconds after the movement of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is started from the origin coordinates (0, 0). Suppose that it is 0.9 m / s. According to the guidance information, the moving speed to be moved from 2.5 seconds to 3.0 seconds after the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 moves from the origin coordinates is 0.4 m / s. Display data corresponding to the display means 160 is displayed based on the difference between the current moving speed and the moving speed in the next coordinate section based on the guidance information. In this example, since the current moving speed is too fast, a display screen corresponding to the current moving speed is displayed on the display means as follows.

  For example, on the display screens D1 and D2 in FIGS. 6A and 6B, which of the current moving speeds of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is to be moved when moving to the next coordinate. The indicator R3, R4 indicates whether it should be about. In the above example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the right end indicating that the moving speed of the indicator R3 is too fast is lit. FIG. 6B shows another example, which is an indicator R5 when the current moving speed and the moving speed when moving to the next position coordinate are approximately the same. In correspondence with the difference between the current movement speed and the movement speed of the next movement section, the lighting means of the indicators R3 and R4 of the display means 160 are stored in advance in the storage means.

  Regarding the moving speed, in the above example, when moving to the next coordinate based on the current moving speed and the guidance information on the assumption that the moving is performed in accordance with the position coordinates stored in the guidance information approximately every predetermined time. The moving speeds are compared and displayed on the display means. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the moving speed may be displayed based on coordinates instead of every predetermined time. Specifically, each time the movement vector amount detection unit moves from the origin coordinate to a predetermined position coordinate serving as a reference, it is compared with the movement speed when moving to the next coordinate stored in the guidance information. You may perform the display regarding the moving speed which should be moved according to a difference.

  Thus, when the movement speed to be moved corresponding to the movement position at the inventory location is known, the inventory operation can be performed reliably. For example, depending on the inventory location, it is easily affected by the metal that is a component of the bookshelf, or an article such as a printer as an object for article management is randomly stored in the shelf. In places where the direction of the wireless tag is disjoint and it is difficult to transmit and receive information between the wireless tag communication device and the wireless tag, it may be desirable to reduce the moving speed of the wireless tag communication device. On the other hand, when the operator slows down the moving speed of the RFID tag communication device more than necessary, the working efficiency is poor, and it may be better to increase the moving speed.

  Furthermore, unlike the direction to be moved based on the guidance information, the direction to be moved based on the reception result of the response signal from the wireless tag T may be displayed on the display unit 160 separately. When setting the origin, the signal transmission output of the RFID tag communication device is the minimum value, so when the start of inventory is detected, the transmission intensity is controlled to increase by a predetermined value. The If the response signal from the RFID tag T cannot be received even though the transmission intensity is increased by a predetermined value, the operator may operate the RFID tag communication device away from the object to be stocked more than necessary. .

  Even when the response signal from the RFID tag T can be received, it may be assumed that the distance between the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 and the inventory target is too short. In order to moderate the communication range, as shown in the display screen D3 of FIG. 7A, a perspective indication indicator R7 whose lighted portion scrolls in accordance with the moving direction is displayed together with the letter R6 “please pull forward”. Is displayed. On the other hand, when it is assumed that the response signal from the RFID tag T cannot be received and the RFID tag communication device 100 is too far away from the inventory object, the display screen D4 in FIG. In this manner, a perspective instruction indicator R9 in which the lighting portion scrolls in accordance with the moving direction is displayed together with the letter R8 “Please approach forward”.

  Next, the operation of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 in the article management system will be described. The CPU 154 of the wireless tag communication device 100 executes processing as shown in FIGS. This flow is started when the power of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is turned on.

  First, in step S100 of FIG. 8, the flag is set to 0. Next, in step S110, a display screen for inputting the inventory target location information is displayed on the display unit 160, and the operator operates the input unit 170 to input the location information targeted for the inventory. Is acquired. Here, the book shelf S of FIG. 1 which is the inventory target is specified.

  Next, in step S120, the guidance information and tag ID list corresponding to the location information are acquired. In the present embodiment, the guidance information and the tag ID list are stored in the storage unit of the server connected via the communication control unit 158, but may be stored in the flash ROM 155 of the wireless tag communication device 100.

  In step S130, the wireless tag communication control unit 153 is controlled so that the transmission intensity of the response request command or the like of the wireless tag communication device 100 becomes the minimum value.

  In step S140, the tag ID of the place tag Te is specified by an operation input from the operator, and an inventory command is transmitted. For example, since the tag ID of the location tag Te is stored in the storage means in association with the inventory location, the location tag ID is also designated by the operator selecting the inventory location.

  In step S150, it is determined whether or not a response signal from the place tag Te has been received. If it is determined that the response signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S155, and a display prompting the operator to move is displayed on the display means 160. For example, characters such as “Please move forward” are displayed. Subsequently, the process returns to step S140, and step S150 is repeated until further response is received.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S150 that the response signal from the place tag Te has been received, the process proceeds to step S160, and a display for prohibiting the movement of the place to the operator is performed on the display means 160. For example, characters such as “Please do not move the wireless tag communication device” are displayed.

  In step S <b> 170, operation information of the input unit 170 such as an origin setting button by the operator is acquired, and the origin coordinates are set in the acceleration sensor 180. The display means 160 may display “Please press the origin setting button”.

  In step S180, it is determined whether the start of inventory has been detected. Wait until the loop is detected. The detection of the start of inventory is determined based on whether or not the inventory start button is pressed by the operator, but may be determined based on whether or not acceleration is detected by the acceleration sensor 180. If it is determined that the start of inventory has been detected, the process proceeds to the next step S190.

  In step S190, the movement vector amount is calculated from the difference between the current coordinates and the guidance information stored in the storage means and the position coordinates to be moved next based on the guidance information. Note that the current coordinates here are the origin since the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is not moved.

  In step S200, the display unit 160 displays display data predetermined in the storage unit in accordance with the amount of movement vector as shown in FIG.

  In step S210, a predetermined value is set by outputting a control signal to the timer 190. In the embodiment, 0.5 seconds is set as the predetermined value.

  In step S220, a control signal is output to the timer 190 to start a timing operation, and the process proceeds to step S230.

  In step S230, the wireless tag communication control unit 153 is controlled to increase the command transmission intensity of the wireless tag communication device 100 by a predetermined value.

  In step S240, an inventory command for requesting the RFID tag circuit unit To provided in the RFID tag T existing in the communicable area of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 to transmit each tag ID as a response signal is transmitted. To do.

  In step S250, it is determined whether a response signal including the tag ID transmitted from the RFID circuit unit To is received via the device antenna 152 in response to the inventory command. If it is determined that the response signal has been received, in step S260, a display such as the display screen D3 of FIG. 7A is made so that the operator separates the RFID tag communication device 100 from the inventory object. Is done.

  Next, in step S265, since the response signal is received from the RFID circuit part To in step S250, the flag is set to 1. In step S270, tag ID verification processing is performed to verify whether the tag ID received in step S250 matches the tag ID registered in the tag ID list.

  In step S280, it is confirmed whether or not the tag ID stored in the tag ID list is detected in the tag ID collation process. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is a tag ID that has been confirmed to match the tag ID in the tag ID list among the tag IDs received in step S250. The process moves to S290.

  In step S290, a flag in which the tag ID in the corresponding tag ID list has been read is set for the matched tag ID, and the process proceeds to step S400 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S280 that the tag ID is not registered in the tag ID list, an unregistered tag ID is newly registered in the tag ID list in step S300, and step S400 in FIG. Proceed to the process.

  In step S400 of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not all tag IDs registered in the tag ID list have been received, or whether or not operation input information for instructing the end of the inventory operation has been acquired. If it is determined that all tag IDs registered in the tag ID list have been received or operation input information for instructing the end of an inventory operation has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S410 and the timer 190 is stopped. This flow is finished. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S400 that all tag IDs registered in the tag ID list have not been received and operation input information for instructing the end of the inventory operation has not been acquired, FIG. To step S240.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S250 that the response signal including the tag ID has not been received, the flag is set to 0 in step S305, and in step S310, the wireless tag T is set within the communication range of the wireless tag communication device 100. The display unit 160 displays a display prompting the operator to bring the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 closer to the inventory object so that the Specifically, a display like the display screen D4 of FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S320, an inventory command is transmitted to request the RFID tag circuit unit To of the RFID tag T existing in the communicable area of the RFID tag communication apparatus 100 to transmit each tag ID as a response signal. To do.

  In step S330, it is determined whether a response signal including the tag ID transmitted from the RFID circuit unit To is received via the device antenna 152 in response to the inventory command. If it is determined that the response signal has been received, the wireless tag communication control unit 153 is controlled to lower the transmission intensity of the radio wave by a predetermined value in step S340, and the process proceeds to step S265.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S330 that a response signal including the tag ID has not been received, the process proceeds to step S230 and subsequent steps.

  Subsequently, in the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 10, in step S500, a timer expiration interrupt is generated according to the timed content of the timer 190, and this flow is started. The timing of the timer interrupt is 0.5 seconds, for example.

  In step S505, it is determined whether or not the flag is 1, that is, whether a response signal from the RFID circuit unit To has been received. If it is determined that the flag is 1, the process proceeds to step S510. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S505 that the flag is not 1, the process proceeds to step S570. In step S510, the current coordinates are calculated from the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 180.

  In step S520, the movement vector amount is calculated from the difference between the coordinates recorded before step S510 and the coordinates calculated in step S510.

  In step S530, the moving speed to the current coordinates calculated in step S510 is calculated from the coordinates recorded before step S510.

  In step S540, the moving speed from the current coordinate stored in the guidance information to the next coordinate is compared with the moving speed calculated in step S530, and the display unit 160 displays the result shown in FIG. ) And (b), the moving speed indicators R3 and R5 are displayed.

  In step S550, a predetermined value is set by outputting a control signal to the timer 190. In the embodiment, 0.5 seconds is set as the predetermined value.

  In step S560, the movement vector amount is calculated from the difference between the current coordinates and the coordinates to be moved next based on the guidance information.

  In step S570, the display unit 160 displays display data predetermined in the storage unit in accordance with the amount of movement vector as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

  In step S580, a control signal is output to the timer 190 to start the timing operation, and this timer interrupt flow is ended.

  In the above, the process of step S170 performed by CPU154 of the said RFID tag communication apparatus 100 is equivalent to the origin information acquisition means as described in a claim. Further, the processing for acquiring guidance information performed in step S190 corresponds to guidance information acquisition means, and the means for calculating movement vector amounts corresponds to movement vector amount detection means. The processing performed in step S200 corresponds to notifying means for notifying the direction in which the RFID tag communication device should be moved based on the guidance information and according to the movement vector amount detected by the movement vector amount detection means. To do.

  In addition to the above, the above embodiment can be variously modified. In the above embodiment, the notification is performed by displaying the direction in which the RFID tag communication apparatus should be moved on the display unit 160 as a notification unit according to the movement vector amount detected by the movement vector amount detection unit. However, the voice output unit may perform voice guidance on the direction to be moved and the movement speed to be moved by outputting a voice by a voice output unit (not shown).

  As a modification of the above embodiment, the wireless tag communication device determines whether or not the wireless tag communication device has received a response signal from the wireless tag via the device antenna in the process of step S505 as information transmission / reception determination means. However, it may be determined whether the RFID tag communication apparatus has transmitted information to the RFID tag circuit unit. In this way, the amount of movement is detected only when the wireless tag communication device transmits and receives information to and from the wireless tag, and the direction of movement of the wireless tag communication device and the direction of movement of the wireless tag communication device are displayed. Further, it is possible to reliably prevent reading of the wireless tag from being read.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, the direction to be moved is displayed on the display unit 160 based on the difference between the current coordinates and the next coordinates stored in the guidance information. The corresponding guidance information may be compared, and if the difference is larger than the position coordinates currently stored in the guidance information due to the difference, the movement direction may be displayed to prompt the movement.

  In the above embodiment, the origin information is acquired from the operation information of the operator, but the origin information regarding the inventory location and the origin related to the inventory location is stored in the storage means of the location tag, and information from the location tag is received. The origin information may be acquired by Further, the moving direction and moving speed based on the guidance information, or the moving direction according to the response signal from the wireless tag may be displayed on one screen separately from the guidance information, or separately as in this embodiment. You may go to the display screen. The display method is not limited to the above embodiment, and various displays are possible.

  In addition, in the above embodiment, the guidance information is received from a storage unit of a server (not shown) via a wireless LAN, and is stored and used in the storage unit. However, the guidance information is stored in the storage unit of the wireless tag communication device in advance. It may be memorized.

T article tag Te place tag 100 wireless tag communication device 160 display means (notification means)
180 Accelerometer

Claims (7)

A wireless tag including a wireless tag circuit unit having an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag antenna for transmitting and receiving information;
An article management system comprising: a wireless tag communication device provided with a device antenna for transmitting and receiving information with the wireless tag,
The wireless tag communication device includes:
Origin information acquisition means for acquiring origin information that is information related to the origin of movement start of the RFID tag communication device;
A movement vector amount detection means for detecting a movement vector amount of the RFID tag communication device;
When the wireless tag communication device is moved from the origin, the origin information acquisition means acquires the wireless tag and storage information associated with movement information capable of transmitting and receiving information. Guidance information acquisition means for acquiring the guidance information corresponding to the origin information;
Informing means for informing the direction in which the RFID tag communication device should be moved based on the amount of movement vector detected by the amount of movement vector detection means based on the guidance information acquired by the guidance information acquisition means. An article management system comprising: The wireless tag communication device includes information transmission / reception determination means for determining whether information has been transmitted or received with the wireless tag via the device antenna,
The movement vector amount detection unit detects a movement vector amount of the wireless tag communication device when the information transmission / reception determination unit determines that transmission or reception of information with the wireless tag is performed. Goods management system. The movement vector amount detection means detects a current position coordinate of the RFID tag communication device,
The guidance information acquisition means acquires, as the guidance information, a position coordinate to be moved next from the current position coordinate,
The said notification means notifies the direction which the said RFID tag communication apparatus should move according to the difference of the position coordinate which should be moved next, and the said present position coordinate. Goods management system. The movement vector amount detection means detects a current movement speed of the RFID tag communication device based on a movement vector amount between a current position coordinate of the RFID tag communication device and a position coordinate detected immediately before,
The guidance information acquisition means acquires, as the guidance information, a moving speed at which information can be transmitted to and received from the wireless tag when moving from the current position coordinate to a position coordinate to be moved next.
The notification means notifies a movement speed at which the RFID tag communication apparatus should be moved according to a difference between the movement speed acquired by the guidance information acquisition means and the current movement speed. 3. The article management system according to 3.   5. The origin information acquisition means acquires the origin information based on acquiring information stored in an IC circuit unit provided in a place tag for specifying a place. The article management system according to any one of the above. The wireless tag communication device includes:
Transmitting means capable of generating an inquiry signal for acquiring information stored in the IC circuit unit and transmitting the inquiry signal via the device antenna;
A receiving means capable of receiving a response signal returned from the RFID circuit unit in response to the inquiry signal via the device antenna;
The notifying means notifies the direction to be moved based on the reception result of the response signal by the receiving means, separately from the direction to be moved based on the guidance information acquired from the guidance information acquiring means. The article management system according to claim 1 to 5. A wireless tag having a wireless tag circuit unit having an IC circuit unit for storing information and a tag antenna for transmitting / receiving information, and an apparatus for transmitting / receiving information, which are used in the article management system according to claim 1 A wireless tag communication device including an antenna,
The wireless tag communication device includes:
Origin information acquisition means for acquiring origin information that is information related to the origin of movement start of the RFID tag communication device;
A movement vector amount detection means for detecting a movement vector amount of the RFID tag communication device;
When the wireless tag communication device is moved from the origin, the origin information acquisition means acquires the wireless tag and storage information associated with movement information capable of transmitting and receiving information. Guidance information acquisition means for acquiring the guidance information corresponding to the origin information;
Informing means for informing the direction of movement of the RFID tag communication device based on the amount of movement vector detected by the amount of movement vector detection means based on the guidance information acquired by the guidance information acquisition means. A wireless tag communication device characterized by that.