JP2011111247A - Object orientation detection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an object orientation detection system easily, inexpensively and precisely detecting the posture of an object. <P>SOLUTION: Both surfaces of the measurement object 30 are installed with RF tag units 20a, 20b. The RF tag units 20a, 20b each are stacked with RF tags 21a, 21b, high permeability sheets 22a, 22b, and electromagnetic wave insulation sheets 23a, 23b in sequence, respectively. Transmission signals generated in a transmission signal generation section 11 of an RF tag reader 10 are radiated from an antenna 13 as an electromagnetic wave. A reception signal determination section 12 determines which surface of the measurement object 30 is oriented to the antenna 13 side of the RF tag reader 10 based on the presence or absence of the response from the RF tags 21a, 21b, detecting the face-down state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an object orientation detection system that detects the posture of an object, and more particularly to an object orientation detection system using RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification).

  Conventionally, as a technique for detecting the orientation of an object, for example, a target person is allowed to wear a garment having an RF tag attached to one surface of the measurement object, for example, the back side, and the antenna part of the RF tag reader is arranged. Lay it on the sheet. At this time, if the target person becomes prone, the RF tag reader placed on the sheet will not receive a signal from the RF tag. Therefore, the target person is detected to be prone and directly notified by a speaker or a display device. Or informing by a notification unit provided in a remote place by wire or wireless (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a thin film container is filled with a conductive liquid of about half the capacity, and two high frequency transmitters that transmit radio waves when the lead terminal is immersed in the enclosed conductive liquid are attached to the thin film container. A thin film container is attached to the subject's forehead or chest surface. If radio waves are not transmitted from both of the high-frequency transmitters due to the inclination of the conductive liquid, it is determined that the target person is in a prone state, and an alarm is output when the prone state has exceeded a preset time. The technique to do is known (refer patent document 2).

JP 2004-212053 A JP 2007-195837 A

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 is configured to attach an RF tag only to one side of the ventral side or the back side when detecting the prone state or the supine state. Therefore, for example, in the case of an infant with a small body, since the difference in communication distance between the RF tag reader and the RF tag is small between the prone state and the supine state, the communication distance for determining the prone state when detecting the prone state Sensitivity adjustment is difficult, and it is difficult to accurately detect the prone state.

  Further, in the technique of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to create a special dedicated device in order to detect the prone state, so that the device is complicated and expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an object orientation detection system that can accurately and easily detect the posture of an object.

The present invention is an object orientation detection system that detects an orientation of an object by an RF tag reader that communicates with an RF tag in a non-contact manner, and the RF tag is attached to both surfaces facing each other with respect to the center of the object. The RF tag reader determines that the surface of the object to which the RF tag is attached is oriented in a direction in which the RF tag reader is located based on a response from the RF tag.
In addition, when the RF tag reader receives a response from only one RF tag, the RF tag reader may determine that the surface of the object to which the RF tag is attached faces the direction in which the RF tag reader is located.
The RF tag may be a laminate of a high permeability sheet and a radio wave shielding sheet.
The RF tag may face the outside of the object with respect to the radio wave shielding sheet.
The plurality of RF tags attached to the object may have different IDs.

  According to the object orientation detection system of the present invention, the posture of an object can be accurately detected simply, inexpensively.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an object orientation detection system W according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining the orientation of a measurement object in the object orientation detection system W according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the object orientation detection system W according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the measurement object rolls over 90 degrees in the right direction in the drawing from the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example with which the RF tag reader is incorporated in the merry-go-round toy in the object direction detection system X which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the RF tag unit 20 is mounted | worn with the clothing 63 in the direction detection system X of the object which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the direction detection system Y of the object which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the RF tag reader of the direction detection system Y of the object which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the object direction detection system Z which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a robot arm type RF tag reader in the object orientation detection system Z according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining the orientation of a measurement object and changing the orientation of the measurement object based on the determination result in the object orientation detection system Z according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

<Embodiment 1>
First, the overall configuration of the object orientation detection system W of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The RF tag reader 10 includes a transmission signal generation unit 11, a reception signal determination unit 12, and an antenna 13. The transmission signal generation unit 11 generates a transmission signal to be transmitted to the RF tags 21 a and 21 b (hereinafter referred to as the RF tag 21 when the RF tags 21 a and 21 b are not distinguished), and outputs the generated transmission signal to the antenna 13. . The antenna 13 emits the acquired transmission signal as a transmission wave (electromagnetic wave), receives a response wave (electromagnetic field) from the RF tag 21, and outputs it to the reception signal determination unit 12 as a reception signal.

  The reception signal determination unit 12 stores in advance which surface of the measurement object 30 the RF tag 21 is affixed to a memory (not shown), and the RF tag 21 affixed to the same measurement object 30 The direction of the measuring object 30 is determined based on which RF tag 21 has received a response. For example, when the two RF tags 21a and 21b are attached to both surfaces facing the center of the measurement object 30, the reception signal determination unit 12 has a response from one RF tag 21a and the other RF tag When there is no response from the tag 21b, if it is stored in advance that the surface to which the RF tag 21a is attached is the upper surface of the measurement object 30, it is determined that the measurement object 30 faces upward. In FIG. 1, the RF tag reader 10 side is the upper surface of the measurement object 30, the surface facing the upper surface across the measurement object 30 is the lower surface, and RF tags 21 a and 21 b are attached to the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. .

  The RF tag 21 includes an IC (integrated circuit) and an antenna (both not shown), obtains an induced electromotive force by an electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 10, and sends a response wave including its own ID number and the like to the RF tag reader 10. Send to.

  The RF tag 21 is attached by pasting or the like on at least both sides facing the center of the measurement object 30 whose orientation is to be detected. The surface to which the RF tag 21 is affixed may be two or more surfaces facing the measurement object 30, and may be a large number of surfaces such as three surfaces or four surfaces. That is, two or more RF tags 21 may be attached to the measurement object. Thus, when the RF tag 21 is affixed to both surfaces of the measurement object 30, when the measurement object 30 is small (thickness is thin), the electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 10 may be measured depending on the sensitivity adjustment of the communication distance. The object 30 may penetrate and communicate with the RF tags 21 on both sides.

  In this case, for example, in order to prevent the RF tag 21b from responding with the electromagnetic wave penetrating the measurement object 30, that is, to make only one RF tag 21a respond among the RF tags 21 attached to both sides, The RF tag 21 only needs to face the outside of the measurement target 30 with respect to the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23. That is, an electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23 (23a and 23b in the figure) that shields electromagnetic waves may be sandwiched between the measurement object 30 and the RF tag 21.

  However, when the RF tag 21 is in contact with the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23, it does not operate normally. This is related to the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23 made of metal. This is because when the magnetic field penetrates the metal, an eddy current flows through the metal, and the eddy current generates a demagnetizing field in a direction opposite to the magnetic field penetrating the metal, so that the communication magnetic field is weakened and the communication distance is remarkably shortened.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, a laminated structure in which a high permeability sheet 22 (22a and 22b in the figure), which is a material having high permeability represented by ferrite, is inserted between the RF tag 21 and the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23, and To do. As a result, the magnetic field for communication can be linked to the antenna of the RF tag 21 or the antenna 13 of the RF tag reader 10 via the high permeability sheet 22 without being affected by the demagnetizing field, and penetrates the measurement object 30. The RF tag 21b does not react to the electromagnetic wave. Hereinafter, the RF tag unit 20a, 20b (hereinafter referred to as RF tag unit 20 when the RF tag units 20a, 20b are not distinguished) is a laminate of the RF tag 21, the high permeability sheet 22, and the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23. ).

  The RF tag unit 20 may have a thin and flexible structure so that it does not feel uncomfortable when attached to the measurement object 30 such as a human body. For example, the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23 is generated with a mesh structure having a mesh that does not penetrate electromagnetic waves, the high permeability sheet 22 is generated with a thin film structure in which ferrite powder is kneaded with an epoxy resin, or the RF tag 21. Also, a flexible thin film shape is preferable.

  Thus, since the RF tag unit 20 includes the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23, even if each RF tag unit 20 is set to the same resonance frequency and a transmission wave is output from the RF tag reader 10 at the single resonance frequency, Since it is not erroneously detected by the electromagnetic wave penetrating the measurement object 30, it can be easily attached to the measurement object 30 and set.

  Next, the flow of processing in which the RF tag reader 10 determines the orientation of the measurement object 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. It is assumed that the reception signal determination unit 12 stores in advance that the RF tag 21 a is attached to the upper surface of the measurement object 30 and the RF tag 21 b is attached to the lower surface of the measurement object 30.

  First, the transmission signal generation unit 11 generates a transmission signal and outputs it to the antenna 13 (step S10). The antenna 13 radiates the acquired transmission signal as a transmission wave (step S11). At this time, in FIG. 1, when an electromagnetic wave is emitted from the RF tag reader 10, the RF tag 21 a faces the RF tag reader 10, and therefore there is nothing to block the electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 10. Returns a response wave to. On the other hand, since the RF tag 21b has the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23b in the direction in which the electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 10 is received, the RF tag 21b cannot receive the electromagnetic wave and does not respond to the RF tag reader 10. At this time, the RF tags 21a and 21b respond with different IDs.

  Therefore, in this case, the reception signal determination unit 12 of the RF tag reader 10 is based only on the RF tag 21a out of the two RF tags 21a and 21b attached to the measurement object 30 based on the ID of the RF tag 21 that has responded. From the RF tag 21b (step S12). At this time, the reception signal determination unit 12 waits for a response from the RF tag 21 until a predetermined time elapses after the transmission wave is radiated from the antenna 13, and selects the RF tag 21 that does not respond even after the predetermined time elapses. What is necessary is just to determine with no response. The reception signal determination unit 12 detects the direction of the measurement object 30 based on the presence / absence of a response from the RF tag 21 (step S13). That is, in FIG. 1, the measurement object 30 is detected as being upward (upward).

  As described above, by attaching the RF tags 21 to both surfaces of the measurement object 30, even if the measurement object 30 is small in size (thickness), such as an infant, which RF tag 21 has received a response? Therefore, the orientation of the measuring object 30 can be detected easily, inexpensively and accurately.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the measuring object 30 rolls over 90 degrees in the right direction in the drawing from the state of FIG. At this time, since both the RF tags 21a and 21b can receive electromagnetic waves from the RF tag reader 10, both the RF tags 21a and 21b return response waves. Since there is a response from both of the RF tags 21a and 21b, the reception signal determination unit 12 detects that the measurement target 30 is not in the prone state. Note that the RF tag reader 10 may detect that the measurement object 30 is in the sideways state at this time. In addition, the angle at which the reception signal determination unit 12 determines that the measurement target 30 is in the sideways state is not limited to 90 degrees, and it goes without saying that both of the RF tags 21a and 21b can return response waves. .

  In the object orientation detection system W of the present embodiment, since the RF tag reader 10 reads at least two or more RF tags 21 at a time, a plurality of RF tags 21 respond to interference at once (collision). It is good to prevent this from occurring. For example, each RF tag 21 may be given an ID that does not cause collision.

  Further, the communication between the RF tag reader 10 and the RF tag 21 may be performed by an electromagnetic coupling method or a radio wave method in addition to the electromagnetic induction method. However, since the RF tag 21 has a short communication distance with the RF tag reader 10 and may be mounted in the vicinity of the human body, a passive type without a built-in power supply is preferable.

  Although not shown, the orientation of the measurement object 30 can be determined based on the reception intensity of the RF tag 21 without using the high magnetic permeability sheet 22 and the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23. Since there is a difference in the communication distance between the RF tag reader 10 and each of the RF tags 21 on both sides by the thickness of the object 30 to be measured, the reception intensity of electromagnetic waves received by the antenna 13 of the RF tag reader 10 from each RF tag 21. There is a difference. Accordingly, when there is a response from the RF tags 21 on both sides, the reception signal determination unit 12 compares the reception intensity of the electromagnetic waves from the RF tags 21 on both sides, and the RF tag 21 with the highest reception intensity is the RF tag reader 10. You may determine that it is facing the antenna 13 side. At this time, since the RF tag 21 is affixed to both surfaces of the measurement object 30, the measurement object can be easily compared by comparing the reception intensities from the two RF tags 21 without finely adjusting the reception sensitivity. The direction of the object 30 can be determined.

  In the present embodiment, the RF tag reader 10 stores in advance which surface of the measurement object 30 each RF tag 21 is attached, and the response of the RF tag 21 to the transmission wave from the RF tag reader 10 is received. Although the configuration for determining the orientation of the measurement object 30 depending on whether or not there is an object has been described, it may be stored in the RF tag 21 instead of the RF tag reader 10. Specifically, the RF tag 21 itself stores which surface of the measurement object 30 is attached, and the RF tag 21 capable of responding to a transmission wave from the RF tag reader 10 is attached to itself. If the surface is configured to respond, the reception signal determination unit 12 can know the surface to which the responding RF tag 21 is attached, and therefore can determine the orientation of the measurement object 30.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the direction of the measurement object 30 is detected by determining the response from the RF tag 21 attached to both surfaces of the measurement object 30 by the reception signal determination unit 12. Since the measurement object 30 is small, it can be accurately determined even when there is no difference in the communication distance between the RF tag reader 10 and the RF tag 21 between the prone state and the supine state. Moreover, since the high permeability sheet 22 and the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23 are laminated on the RF tag 21, the RF tag 21 attached to both surfaces does not react with the electromagnetic field penetrating the measurement object 30. The direction of the measurement object 30 can be accurately determined.

<Embodiment 2>
The present embodiment is an example in which the RF tag reader 10 and the RF tag unit 20 in the first embodiment are applied when detecting the direction of an infant or the like. In the present embodiment, the RF tag reader is built in a merry-go-round toy, and the RF tag 21 is attached to a clothing 63 such as an infant. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to embodiment mentioned above, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating the entire object orientation detection system X of the present embodiment. An infant or the like wearing a garment 63 with the RF tag unit 20 mounted on the upper and lower surfaces (the abdomen side and the back side of the garment 63) is laid down on the bed 62 for the infant or the like. Abbreviated). A safety fence 61 is provided on the bed 62 for infants and the like so as to cover the four sides, and a merry-go-round toy type RF tag reader 50 is attached to the upper part of the safety fence 61.

  The merry-go-round toy type RF tag reader 50 includes a timer, a speaker, and a fixture for the safety fence 61 of the bed 62 for infants and the like in addition to the antenna 13, the transmission signal generation unit 11, and the reception signal determination unit 12 described above. (Both not shown).

  The antenna 13 is built in the tip 54 of the rotating part of the merry-go-round toy, and when the merry-go-round toy type RF tag reader 50 is disposed on the safety fence 61, the antenna 13 emits electromagnetic waves from the upper surface of an infant or the like. A timer is connected to the transmission signal generation unit 11 to generate a cycle in which the RF tag reader 50 emits electromagnetic waves. In addition, a speaker is connected to the reception signal determination unit 12, and according to the determination result of the reception signal determination unit 12, music is played as a merry-go-round toy during normal times, that is, when the prone state is not detected, and in the prone state When it is detected, alarm sound is given priority over music. The fixture may be configured to be fixable to the safety fence 61, and may have any shape such as a screwing type.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the RF tag unit 20 is attached to the garment 63, and FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which the RF tag unit 20 a is attached to the front surface (belly side) of the garment 63. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the RF tag unit 20 b is attached to the back surface (back side) of the clothes 63. The RF tag unit 20 is laminated in the order of the radio wave shielding sheet 23, the high magnetic permeability sheet 22, and the RF tag 21 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and both surfaces of the garment 63 are disposed so that the radio wave shielding sheet 23 is on the clothing 63 side. It is attached to.

  The shape of the garment 63 to which the RF tag unit 20 is attached is not limited as long as at least two RF tag units 20 can be arranged on the abdomen side and the back side, not only underwear and T-shirts, but also, for example, bib Shape may be sufficient. In consideration of washing of the clothes 63, the RF tag unit 20 is preferably detachable. For example, if a pocket or the like is provided at a place where the garment 63 is attached and the RF tag unit 20 is stored in the pocket, the RF tag unit 20 can be removed during washing, so that the RF tag unit 20 can be prevented from being damaged.

  The operation of the object orientation detection system X in the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. First, the transmission signal generation unit 11 transmits the transmission signal according to the period generated by the timer. And a transmission wave is output from the antenna 13 as an electromagnetic wave. When the baby or the like is lying down, the RF tag unit 20b attached on the back side receives the electromagnetic wave and returns a response wave to the RF tag reader 50 because there is nothing to block the electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 50. On the other hand, the RF tag unit 20a mounted on the ventral side cannot receive the electromagnetic wave because it has the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23a in the direction of receiving the electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 50, and performs a response to the RF tag reader 50. Absent. At this time, each RF tag unit 20 responds with a different ID.

  Therefore, in this case, the reception signal determination unit 12 of the RF tag reader 50 is attached to the back side of the two RF tags 21 attached to the measurement object 30 based on the RF tag unit 20 that responds with different IDs. Since there is a response only from the RF tag 21b and there is no response from the RF tag 21a attached to the ventral side, it is determined that the infant or the like (measurement object 30) is lying down (downward). In response to the reception signal determination unit 12 determining that the baby or the like is lying down and outputting music, the speaker gives priority to the volume and indicates that the baby or the like is lying down. Output alarm sound.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the posture of a person such as an infant whose ability to turn over with his or her own strength is weak or absent is monitored, and an alarm sound is output from the speaker when a prone state occurs. It is possible to call attention to people and others. Moreover, since the transmission signal is periodically generated by the timer, the direction of the measurement object 30 can be monitored periodically.

  In this embodiment, the RF tag reader is integrated with the merry-go-round toy. For example, the RF tag reader antenna 13 is arranged in a rectangular frame on the upper part of the safety fence 61, and the RF tag reader main body ( Components other than the antenna 13) may be arranged in the vicinity of the safety fence 61.

  The position where the RF tag reader is arranged is not limited to a position where electromagnetic waves can be emitted from the upper part of the measurement object 30 to the measurement object 30, for example, a position where electromagnetic waves can be emitted from the lower part of the measurement object 30 to the measurement object 30. It may be.

  For example, the antenna 13 of the RF tag reader may be built in the mat of the bed 62, and the main body of the RF tag reader may be disposed near the mat. Thereby, the safety fence 61 becomes unnecessary and can be applied to a futon laid directly on the floor, for example. In this case, contrary to the above-described embodiment, when there is a response from the RF tag unit 20a attached to the ventral side and no response from the RF tag unit 20b attached to the back side, the measurement object 30 Is determined to be prone.

  In addition, by arranging the RF tag reader so as to radiate electromagnetic waves from the RF tag reader to the side surface of the measurement object, not only the vertical relationship of the measurement object 30 but also the direction of the side surface can be determined.

<Embodiment 3>
In the present embodiment, the orientations of a plurality of measurement objects 30 are detected and managed. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall configuration in the object orientation detection system Y of the present embodiment. Each RF tag reader 80 has its antenna 13 built in the mat 70, and a main body having components other than the antenna 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the mat 70. In addition, the place where the main body is arranged may be a position where it can be connected to the network cable 92. Each RF tag reader 80 is connected to the management server 90 via a hub 91 by a network cable 92. Although not shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the measurement object 30 having the RF tag unit 20 attached on both sides is laid on each mat 70.

  The configuration and operation of the RF tag reader 80 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The RF tag reader 80 includes a network interface unit 81, a transmission signal generation unit 11, a reception signal determination unit 12, and an antenna 13. The transmission signal generation unit 11 and the reception signal determination unit 12 are connected to the network interface unit 81 and the antenna 13. The management server 90 outputs the timing (cycle) at which the transmission signal is output to the transmission signal determination unit 11 via the hub 91 and the network interface unit 81 via the network cable 92. In addition, the management server 90 acquires a determination result as to whether or not the reception signal determination unit 12 is prone by the network cable 92 via the hub 91 and the network interface unit 81, and the acquired determination result is prone. When it is in a state, a notification means such as a speaker or a display device informs the monitor by sound or text to that effect. The management server 90 can identify each RF tag reader 80 and may control each RF tag reader 80. Further, the management server 90 may be connected to the RF tag reader 80 wirelessly instead of wired like the network cable 92. Further, the transmission signal determination unit 11 may generate a transmission signal asynchronously with the period from the management server 90 and detect the direction of the measurement object 30 and output it from the antenna 13.

  For example, it is assumed that a person to be measured wearing a garment with the RF tag unit 20a on the abdominal side and the RF tag unit 20b on the back side is laid down on a mat 70 in which the antenna 13 is built. When the person is in the supine state, the received signal determination unit 12 responds to the electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 80 based on the RF tag unit 20 that responds with different IDs from the RF tag unit 20b attached to the back side. It is determined that there is a response and there is no response from the RF tag unit 20a attached to the ventral side. Then, the reception signal determination unit 12 detects that the person is in a supine state based on the response from the RF tag unit 20, and the person is sent to the management server 90 via the network interface unit 81 and the hub 91. The fact that it is in a supine state is transmitted. On the other hand, when the person is prone, the received signal determination unit 12 responds to the electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 80 from the RF tag unit 20a attached to the ventral side, and the RF tag unit attached to the back side. Since it is determined that there is no response from 20b, it is determined that the person is prone, and the fact that the person is prone is transmitted to the management server 90 via the network interface unit 81 and the hub 91. The management server 90 notifies the reception signal determination unit 12 of the location where the person is lying down and that the person is lying down.

  In this way, for example, in a hospital or nursery where it is necessary to manage the status of a plurality of humans, it is possible to collectively manage whether or not the human being to be managed is lying down. For a person who is frequently determined to be prone, the setting of the cycle for generating the transmission signal of the transmission signal generation unit 11 may be shorter than the normal setting.

<Embodiment 4>
The present embodiment is an example in which the RF tag reader 10 and the RF tag unit 20 described above are applied to managing the direction of luggage in a physical distribution process. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  With reference to FIG. 8, the whole structure in the object direction detection system Z of this embodiment is demonstrated. The load, which is the measurement object 30 with the RF tag unit 20 attached to both sides, is placed on the belt conveyor 110 at a predetermined interval, and is provided in the middle of the belt conveyor 110 when moving according to the flow of the belt conveyor 110. It passes in front of the robot arm type RF tag reader 100 (the back side of the RF tag reader 100 in the drawing). The RF tag reader 100 is of a robot arm type, communicates with the RF tag unit 20 attached to the package flowing on the belt conveyor 110, determines the direction of the package based on the communication result, and the package is determined to be a predetermined one. The load is rotated by the arm unit 102 so as to face the direction.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the configuration of the robot arm type RF tag reader 100 will be specifically described. The robot arm type RF tag reader 100 includes a transmission signal generation unit 11, a reception signal determination unit 12, an antenna 13, an arm drive unit 101, an arm unit 102, and a belt conveyor drive control unit 103.

  The belt conveyor drive control unit 103 is connected to a belt conveyor drive unit (not shown) that drives the belt conveyor 110, and when the received signal determination unit 12 determines that the load is not directed in a predetermined direction, the belt conveyor If the driving of 110 is stopped and it is determined that the load is in a predetermined direction, the driving of the belt conveyor 110 is released. That is, if it is determined that the load is not directed in the predetermined direction, the movement of the bell conveyor 110 is stopped until it is determined that the load is directed in the predetermined direction, and the robot arm is moved until the load is directed in the predetermined direction. The luggage does not move from the front of the type RF tag reader 100. The operating speed of the belt conveyor 110 is sufficient for determining the direction of the measurement object 30 without stopping the driving of the belt conveyor 110 when the package passes in front of the RF tag reader 100. There shall be.

  The transmission signal generation unit 11 generates a transmission signal and outputs a transmission wave from the antenna 13. The timing at which the transmission signal generation unit 11 generates the transmission signal may be a predetermined cycle (at least when the transmission wave is radiated when the package passes in front of the RF tag reader 100), or may be always. When receiving the electromagnetic wave, the RF tag unit 20 returns a response wave to the RF tag reader 100. The reception signal determination unit 12 stores in association with each measurement object whether each RF tag unit 20 is attached to which surface of the same measurement object. The reception signal determination unit 12 determines the direction of the package based on the responses from the RF tag units 20 that respond with different IDs, and determines whether the direction is a predetermined direction. Based on the determination result of the reception signal determination unit 12, the arm drive unit 101 drives the arm unit 102 to rotate the direction of the load so that the load is in a predetermined direction.

  More specifically, the operation of the robot arm type RF tag reader 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 8, the direction in which the surface on which the RF tag unit 20a is attached faces the antenna 13 side of the RF tag reader 100 is a predetermined direction, and the robot arm type RF tag reader 100 has the RF tag unit 20a attached. The direction of the luggage is changed so that the surface faces the RF tag reader 100 side.

  First, the transmission signal generator 11 generates a transmission signal (step S20), and radiates a transmission wave from the antenna 13 when the package passes in front of the RF tag reader 100 (step S21). At this time, since the RF tag unit 20b attached to the package located in front of the RF tag reader 100 is attached to the package facing the RF tag reader 100 side, it returns a response wave to the transmission wave. On the other hand, the RF tag unit 20a attached to the surface facing the RF tag unit 20b cannot receive the electromagnetic wave from the RF tag reader 100 by the electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 23a, and does not respond to the RF tag reader 100.

  Therefore, the reception signal determination unit 12 determines that there is a response from the RF tag unit 20b and no response from the RF tag unit 20a based on the ID of the RF tag unit 20 that has responded when a predetermined time has elapsed ( Step S22). Based on the presence / absence of a response from the RF tag unit 20, the reception signal determination unit 12 determines that the direction of the package is not the predetermined direction (the surface on which the RF tag unit 20a is attached) (No in step S24).

  In step S24, No, that is, when the reception signal determination unit 12 determines that the direction of the measurement target 30 is not the predetermined direction, the belt conveyor drive control unit 103 stops driving the belt conveyor 110 (step S25). ). Then, the arm drive unit 101 drives the arm unit 102 to rotate the direction of the load in a predetermined direction (step S26). Thereafter, the process returns to step S20 for generating a transmission signal, and steps S20 to S26 are repeated until the direction of the measurement object 30 becomes a predetermined direction.

  On the other hand, if YES in step S24, that is, if the reception signal determination unit 12 determines that the direction of the measurement object 30 is the predetermined direction, the process proceeds to step S27, and the belt conveyor drive control unit 103 drives the belt conveyor 110. If stopped, the stop is released and the driving of the belt conveyor 110 is resumed. Thereafter, the process returns to step S20 for generating a transmission signal, and the detection of the direction of the next load flowing through the belt conveyor 110 is repeated.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the orientation of the measurement object 30 can be detected and the orientation can be changed so that the measurement object 30 is in a predetermined direction. Thereby, for example, the orientation of the plurality of measurement objects 30 can be aligned in a certain direction in the physical distribution process, and therefore, work requiring directionality such as labeling of the address becomes easy.

As described above, the present invention will be briefly described. The present invention is an object orientation detection system that detects the orientation of an object by an RF tag reader that communicates with the RF tag in a non-contact manner. The RF tag reader determines that the surface of the object to which the RF tag is attached faces the direction in which the RF tag reader is located based on a response from the RF tag. It is characterized by.
In addition, when the RF tag reader receives a response from only one RF tag, the RF tag reader may determine that the surface of the object to which the RF tag is attached faces the direction in which the RF tag reader is located.
The RF tag may be a laminate of a high permeability sheet and a radio wave shielding sheet.
The RF tag may face the outside of the object with respect to the radio wave shielding sheet.
The plurality of RF tags attached to the object may have different IDs.
Moreover, you may provide the alerting | reporting means to alert | report when the prone state of the said object is detected.
Further, a network device connected to the RF tag reader may be provided, and the RF tag reader may be controlled by the network device.
The rotating unit may change the direction of the object, and the rotating unit may change the direction of the object in accordance with the direction of the surface of the object determined by the RF tag reader.
In addition, when there is a response from a plurality of the RF tags, the RF tag reader determines that the surface of the object to which the RF tag having the highest received intensity is attached faces the direction in which the RF tag reader is located. May be.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10, 50, 80, 100... RF tag reader 11... Transmission signal generation unit 12... Reception signal determination unit 13... Antenna 20a, 20b ..RF tag units 21a, 21b .. RF tag 22a, 22b .. High permeability sheet 23a, 23b .. Electromagnetic wave shielding sheet 30 ... Measurement object 61 ... Safety fence 62 ... Bed 63 ... Clothes 70 ... Mat 81 ... Network interface section 90 ... Management server 91 ... Hub 92 ... Network cable 110 ... Belt conveyor 101 ... Arm drive unit 102 ... Arm unit 103 ... Belt conveyor drive control unit W, X, Y, Z ...・ Object orientation detection system

Claims (1)

An object orientation detection system that detects an orientation of an object by an RF tag reader that communicates with an RF tag in a non-contact manner,
The RF tag is attached to both sides facing each other with respect to the center of the object,
The RF tag reader determines, based on a response from the RF tag, that the surface of the object to which the RF tag is attached faces the direction in which the RF tag reader is positioned. .

Images