JP2011198188A - Article retrieval system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article retrieval system which can locate a desired article more quickly in an arrangement area where articles with radio tags attached thereto are arranged.SOLUTION: The article retrieval system 1 outputs transmission data including information on the retrieval object article from a mobile terminal 2 when the retrieval object article is input through the mobile terminal 2, and the radio tag 50 transmits a response radio wave when information on the retrieval object article included in the transmission data corresponds to unique information recorded in a memory 55. A plurality of access points 60 respectively detect response radio wave intensity from the radio tag 50, and the position of the retrieval object article is specified based on the response radio wave intensity detected by each access point and displayed on a display part 13 of the mobile terminal 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an article search system.

  Currently, an article search system is provided that can search for the position of a desired article in a merchandise sales place such as a bookstore or a department store, or in a library. For example, in a book search system provided in a bookstore, an input device capable of inputting book information and a display device for searching and displaying the position of the input book arrangement area (the position of the book shelf on which the book is placed) Etc. are provided so that the user can quickly find the position of the bookshelf. Further, a system for searching for products other than books is also provided.

JP 2005-275663 A

  However, the conventional book search system and the product search system such as Patent Document 1 have a problem that it is difficult to specify a specific position although it is possible to specify a rough position of the search target article. For example, in the book search system, it is necessary to search for the target book (search target book) in the book shelf after specifying the position of the book shelf of the search target book, which takes time and effort. In addition, it is possible to arrange them according to a predetermined order, but it takes time and effort to arrange them accurately in a predetermined order, and it becomes difficult to find out if the order is changed by mistake. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an article search system capable of finding a desired article more quickly in an arrangement area where an article with a wireless tag is arranged. For the purpose.

The invention of claim 1 is attached to an article, and is arranged at a distance from each other in a wireless tag having a recording section in which unique information corresponding to the article to be attached is recorded, and an arrangement area of the article. A portable terminal comprising a plurality of access points, an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the wireless tag through the radio waves, and a display device,
The mobile terminal includes input means for inputting a search target article, and the wireless communication means includes transmission data including information on the search target article input by the input means. Is transmitted via the antenna, and the wireless tag includes:
Receiving means for receiving the transmission data transmitted by the transmitting means, and information on the search target article included in the transmission data received by the receiving means corresponds to the unique information recorded in the recording unit. A response radio wave transmission means for transmitting a response radio wave in case, and each of the access points includes a response radio wave reception means for receiving the response radio wave from the response radio wave transmission means of the wireless tag, and the response radio wave reception Radio wave intensity detecting means for detecting the intensity of the response radio waves received by the means, and further acquiring the response radio wave intensity detected by the radio wave intensity detection means of each access point, respectively, and acquiring them Position specifying means for specifying the position of the search target article based on the strength of the response radio wave is provided. The mobile terminal is characterized in that the display control means for displaying the position of the search target object specified by said position specifying means on the display device is provided.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the article search system according to the first aspect, further comprising an arrangement area search device for searching for the arrangement area of the article, wherein the arrangement area search apparatus includes position information of a plurality of the arrangement areas. Each of which is recorded, a database in which each article and the arrangement area where each article is arranged are recorded in association with each other, and an article designation means capable of designating any of the articles, Reading means for reading out the arrangement area in which the article designated by the article designation means is arranged from the database, and the placement area read by the reading means based on the recorded contents of the position information recording means And output means for outputting position information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the article search system according to the second aspect, the input means of the portable terminal includes an information code reading means for reading an information code, and the arrangement area search apparatus is operated by the article specifying means. It has information code generation means for generating the information code recording the information of the specified article, and the output means is configured to output the information code generated by the information code generation means The information code reading unit acquires the information of the search target article by reading the information code output by the output unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the article search system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the wireless tag includes the search target article included in the transmission data received by the receiving unit. It has a reporting means for reporting to the outside when the information corresponds to the unique information recorded in the recording unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the article search system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the position specifying means is detected by the radio field intensity detecting means of each of the plurality of access points. Based on the strength of the response radio wave, distance calculation means for calculating each distance from the wireless tag to each access point, and based on each distance calculated by the distance calculation means, the distance in the arrangement area Coordinate detection means for detecting the coordinates of the search target article.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the portable terminal is provided with an input means for inputting the search target article, and the wireless communication means provided in the portable terminal transmits the information including the search target article information input by the input means. Transmitting means for transmitting data is provided. On the other hand, the wireless tag includes a receiving unit that receives transmission data transmitted by the transmitting unit, and unique information in which information on the search target article included in the transmission data received by the receiving unit is recorded in the recording unit. A response radio wave transmission means for transmitting a response radio wave when corresponding is provided, and each of the plurality of access points has a response radio wave reception means for receiving a response radio wave from the response radio wave transmission means of the wireless tag, and a response radio wave reception. Radio wave intensity detecting means for detecting the intensity of the response radio wave received by the means. Since it is configured in this way, when a search target article is input on a portable terminal, data (transmission data) can be transmitted to the search target article, and a wireless tag is transmitted to the transmission data. It is possible to detect the radio wave intensity of the response radio wave output from each access point. Furthermore, the position specifying means specifies the position of the search target article based on the strength of the response radio wave detected by the radio wave intensity detecting means of each access point, and the position specifying means is specified by the display control means of the portable terminal. Since the position of the search target article is displayed on the display device, a person using the mobile terminal can easily grasp the specific position of the search target article.

  In the invention of claim 2, there is provided an arrangement area search device for searching for an arrangement area of articles, and the arrangement area search device includes position information recording means for recording each piece of position information of a plurality of arrangement areas, A database in which articles and arrangement areas in which the articles are arranged are associated and recorded, an article designation unit that can designate any article, and an arrangement area in which the article designated by the article designation unit is arranged Reading means for reading out from the database, and output means for outputting the position information of the arrangement area read by the reading means based on the recorded contents of the position information recording means. In this way, by specifying the article with the arrangement area search device, it is possible to grasp the rough arrangement area of the article to be searched, so the search target is roughly narrowed down using the mobile terminal. You can search for items. In addition, since a plurality of areas (arrangement areas) for searching for articles using a mobile terminal can be registered in association with the articles, the searchable area can be widened, and search by a mobile terminal can be performed. It can be narrowed down to an appropriate range (arrangement area) in the previous stage.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the input means of the portable terminal includes an information code reading means for reading the information code, and the arrangement area search device generates an information code in which information on the article designated by the article designation means is recorded. A generating means, and the output means is configured to output the information code generated by the information code generating means, and the information code reading means performs a search by reading the information code output by the output means. Information on the target item is acquired. In this way, information on the articles searched for by the arrangement area search device (articles specified by the article specifying means) can be accurately input to the mobile terminal while enabling the arrangement area search device to narrow the arrangement area roughly. can do. Therefore, information can be linked between the arrangement area search device and the portable terminal, and the information used for the search by the arrangement area search device can be effectively used by the portable terminal.

  In the invention of claim 4, a notification means is provided in the wireless tag, and this notification means corresponds to the unique information recorded in the recording section of the information of the search target article included in the transmission data received by the reception means. When we do, we notify the outside. In this way, in addition to the position display based on the radio wave intensity, notification from the wireless tag attached to the search target article itself is also made, so that it becomes easier to find the search target article.

  In the invention of claim 5, the position calculation means calculates the distance from the wireless tag to each access point based on the response radio wave intensity respectively detected by the radio wave intensity detection means of the plurality of access points. And coordinate detection means for detecting the coordinates of the search target article in the arrangement area based on the distances calculated by the distance calculation means. In this way, the coordinates of the detection target book in the arrangement area can be accurately detected based on each calculated distance (distance from each access point), and the position of the search target article can be determined in more detail. It becomes possible to identify.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an article search system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the mobile terminal used in the article search system of FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a wireless reader unit in the portable terminal of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an information code reading unit in the portable terminal of FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the wireless tag. FIG. 5A is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical configuration of the access point. FIG. 5B is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the arrangement area search device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a store (bookstore) in which the article search system according to the first embodiment is used. FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating the flow of an arrangement area search process performed by the arrangement area search apparatus. FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the article search process performed by the mobile terminal 2. FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating the flow of response processing performed by the wireless tag. FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating the flow of radio wave detection processing performed at the access point. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of a database in which each book is associated with an arrangement area (book shelf). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the position detection of the wireless tag.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the article search system of the present invention is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Overall structure of article search system)
First, the overall configuration of the article search system will be outlined with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an article search system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the mobile terminal used in the article search system of FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a wireless reader unit in the portable terminal of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an information code reading unit in the portable terminal of FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the wireless tag. FIG. 5A is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electrical configuration of the access point. FIG. 5B is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the arrangement area search device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the article search system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a book search system that searches for books arranged on a bookshelf in a bookstore or a library, for example. The article search system 1 is mainly configured by a mobile terminal 2, an arrangement area search device 80, a wireless tag 50, and an access point 60. In the following description, a case where a book arranged in the book shelf SH in the bookstore is searched will be described as a representative example.

  The portable terminal 2 is configured as a battery-type information terminal that is carried by a user and can be used in various places, and functions as an information code reader that reads an information code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, and a wireless tag And a function as a wireless tag reader for reading data, and a configuration capable of performing reading in two ways.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 2 includes a control unit 10 that performs overall control. The control unit 10 includes a memory 11, a key operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an external interface 14, and a wireless reader unit. 20, an information code reading unit 30, a wireless communication unit 40, and the like are connected.

  The control unit 10 is composed mainly of a microcomputer, has a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, and the like, and functions as an information processing device together with the memory 11. The key operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys, and is configured to give an operation signal to the control unit 10 according to a user's key operation. The control unit 10 receives an operation signal from the key operation unit 12. When received, it is configured to perform an operation according to the operation signal. The display unit 13 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by the control unit 10. The external interface 14 is configured as an interface for performing data communication (for example, serial communication via a cable, etc.) with the outside (for example, the access point 60), and cooperates with the control unit 10. To perform communication processing. Further, the mobile terminal 2 is provided with a battery 15 and a power supply unit 16 as power sources, and power is supplied to the control unit 10 and various electric components by these.

  The wireless reader unit 20 communicates with the wireless tag 50 in cooperation with the antenna 25 and the control unit 10 to read data stored in the wireless tag 50 or write data to the wireless tag 50. Is functioning to do. The wireless reader unit 20 is configured as a circuit that performs transmission using a known radio wave system, and includes a transmission circuit 21, a reception circuit 22, a matching circuit 23, and the like as illustrated in FIG.

  The transmission circuit 21 includes a carrier oscillator, an encoding unit, an amplifier, a transmission unit filter, a modulation unit, and the like, and is configured to output a carrier (carrier wave) having a frequency of 953 MHz, for example, from the carrier oscillator. The encoding unit is connected to the control unit 10, encodes transmission data output from the control unit 10, and outputs the encoded transmission data to the modulation unit. The modulation unit is a part to which the carrier (carrier wave) from the carrier oscillator and the transmission data from the encoding unit are input. The carrier (carrier wave) output from the carrier oscillator is encoded at the time of command transmission to the communication target. A modulated signal that is ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulated by the encoded transmission code (modulated signal) output from the encoding unit is generated and output to the amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the input signal (the modulated signal modulated by the modulation unit) with a predetermined gain, and outputs the amplified signal to the transmission unit filter. The transmission unit filter filters the amplified signal from the amplifier. The transmission signal is output to the antenna 25 via the matching circuit 23. When a transmission signal is output to the antenna 25 in this way, the transmission signal is radiated to the outside from the antenna 25 as an electromagnetic wave.

On the other hand, the radio wave signal received by the antenna 25 is input to the receiving circuit 22 through the matching circuit 23. The reception circuit 22 is configured by a reception unit filter, an amplifier, a demodulation unit, a binarization processing unit, a decoding unit, and the like, and after filtering a signal received via the antenna 25 with a reception unit filter, The signal is amplified by an amplifier, and the amplified signal is demodulated by a demodulator. Then, the demodulated signal waveform is binarized by the binarization processing unit, decoded by the decoding unit, and then the decoded signal is output to the control unit 10 as received data.
In the present embodiment, the wireless reader unit 20 and the control unit 10 correspond to an example of “wireless communication means”, and function to perform wireless communication with the wireless tag 50 through radio waves.

  The wireless tag 50 to be communicated is configured as a known RFID tag in hardware, for example, and as shown in FIG. 4, an antenna 51, a power supply circuit 52, a demodulation circuit 53, a control circuit 54, a memory 55, a modulation circuit. 56 or the like. The power supply circuit 52 rectifies and smoothes a transmission signal (carrier signal) received from the portable terminal 2 via the antenna 51 to generate an operation power supply. The operation power supply includes the control circuit 54 and the like. Is supplied to each component. The demodulating circuit 53 demodulates the data superimposed on the transmission signal (carrier signal) and outputs it to the control circuit 54. The memory 55 includes various semiconductor memories such as a ROM and an EEPROM, and includes tag identification information (tag ID) for identifying the control program, the wireless tag 50, and data set by the user according to the use of the wireless tag 50. (Product data, logistics data, etc.) are stored. The control circuit 54 is configured to read the information and data from the memory 55 and output it as transmission data to the modulation circuit 56. The modulation circuit 56 performs load modulation on the carrier signal with the transmission data and performs the antenna 51. Is transmitted as a reflected wave. Here, a passive RFID tag is illustrated as the wireless tag 50, but an active RFID tag may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the information code reading unit 30 includes a light receiving sensor 33 formed of a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD area sensor, an imaging lens 37, an illumination unit 31 including a plurality of LEDs and lenses. The information code (one-dimensional code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark)) attached to the reading object R in cooperation with the control unit 10 is configured. Works to read.

  In the information code reading unit 30, when reading the information code C, first, the illumination light Lf is emitted from the illumination unit 31 that receives a command from the control unit 10, and the illumination light Lf is read out (not shown). The reading object R is irradiated through the light. Then, the reflected light Lr reflected from the information code C by the illumination light Lf is taken into the apparatus through the reading port, and is received by the light receiving sensor 33 through the imaging lens 37. The imaging lens 37 disposed between the reading port (not shown) and the light receiving sensor 33 is configured to form an image of the information code C on the light receiving sensor 33. The light receiving sensor 33 is configured with this information code. A light reception signal corresponding to the C image is output. The light reception signal output from the light reception sensor 33 is stored as image data in the memory 11 (FIG. 2) and used for decoding processing and the like. The information code reading unit 30 is provided with an amplifier circuit that amplifies the signal from the light receiving sensor 33, an AD converter circuit that converts the amplified signal into a digital signal, and the like. The illustration is omitted.

  The wireless communication unit 40 is configured as a known wireless LAN interface, for example, and configured to perform wireless communication with the access point 60 in accordance with a predetermined protocol. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 and each access point 60 are configured to perform wireless communication with each other using, for example, a communication packet encrypted by WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).

  The access point 60 is configured as a known wireless LAN access point in hardware. As shown in FIG. 5A, the access point 60 mainly includes an antenna 61, a wireless transmission / reception unit 62, a radio wave intensity detection unit 63, and the like. , An input unit 64, a memory 65, a communication interface 66, and a control circuit 68.

  The wireless transmission / reception unit 62 is configured as an interface that performs wireless LAN communication based on, for example, a known wireless standard, and is configured to transmit / receive a wireless signal using radio waves via the antenna 61. The radio wave intensity detector 63 can measure the radio wave intensity of the received radio wave. The radio wave intensity detector 63 can detect the radio wave intensity of the radio wave from the wireless tag 50 as well as the radio wave from the mobile terminal 2.

  The input unit 64 is a part that can input various types of information, and includes an operation button and the like. The memory 65 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory, and the like, and is configured to store various information. For example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address for identifying the mobile terminal 2 as a wireless LAN client device, an encryption key used for encrypting data transmitted to and received from the mobile terminal 2 are also registered. The communication interface 66 is configured as an interface for performing wired communication with an external device.

  The arrangement area search device 80 is configured as a known information processing device in terms of hardware, and includes a CPU 81, an input unit 82, a memory 83, a display unit 84, a printing unit 85, and the like.

  The CPU 81 is a part that governs overall control of the arrangement area search device 80, and is configured to perform various types of information processing according to programs stored in the memory 83. The input unit 82 includes various operation keys and a touch panel, and is configured to input information corresponding to an external operation to the CPU 81. The memory 83 includes a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory, an HDD, and the like, and stores various information such as a database described later. The display unit 84 is configured by a known display device such as a liquid crystal display panel, for example, and is configured to display various types of information under the control of the CPU 81.

(Description of each process associated with article search)
Next, each process performed in the article search system of FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a store (bookstore) in which the article search system according to the first embodiment is used. FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating the flow of an arrangement area search process performed by the arrangement area search apparatus. FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the article search process performed on the mobile terminal. FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating the flow of response processing performed by the wireless tag. FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating the flow of radio wave detection processing performed at the access point. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of a database in which each book is associated with an arrangement area (book shelf). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the position detection of the wireless tag.

First, the arrangement area search process performed by the arrangement area search apparatus will be described.
The arrangement area search process is performed, for example, by the arrangement area search device 80 arranged in the bookstore BS as shown in FIG. The process of FIG. 7A is started with, for example, a predetermined operation as a trigger, and it is first determined whether or not book information has been input (S1). When the user inputs book information (for example, a book name or a book code) to be searched by the input unit 82, it is determined that the book information has been input (S1: Yes). On the other hand, when there is no such input, it becomes No in S1 and enters a standby state. There are various methods for inputting book information, and a method in which a user directly inputs a book name may be used. A known search method (search by genre, search by specifying a specific character, etc.) is used. An input method such as designating a searched book may be used.

  If the answer is YES in S1, various registration contents regarding the designated book at the input according to S1 are read from the database (S2). The database is provided in the memory 83, and as shown in FIG. 9, book data (book name, book code, book description information, etc.) of each book and an arrangement area (book shelf) in which each book is placed. Data is associated. For example, when a book name of a book registered as the book data 1 is input and the book is searched in S2, the book data 1 related to the book and the shelf A which is the arrangement area of the book are searched. It will be.

  In the present embodiment, the memory 83 corresponds to an example of a “position information recording unit”, and each piece of position information (book shelf number in FIG. 9) is recorded. Specifically, A database storing data in which articles (books) and arrangement areas (bookcases) in which the articles are arranged is associated is recorded. The input unit 82 corresponds to an example of an “article designating unit” and functions to designate any article (book) in accordance with a user operation. The CPU 81 corresponds to an example of “reading unit”, and functions to read an arrangement area (book shelf) in which the article (book) designated by the article designation unit is arranged from the database.

  After retrieving the book data and the arrangement area data in S2, at least an information code (bar code, QR code (registered trademark), etc.) recorded as information on the retrieved book (book name, book code, etc.) is used. It produces | generates by a well-known method (S3). Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the contents of the book searched in S2 and the arrangement area and the information code C generated in S3 are displayed on the display unit 84 (S4). These pieces of information may be printed by the printing unit 85.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 81 that executes the process of S3 corresponds to an example of “information code generating unit”, and functions to generate an information code that records information on an article specified by the article specifying unit. In the present embodiment, the display unit 84 or the printing unit 85 corresponds to an example of an “output unit”, and an arrangement area (bookcase) read by the reading unit based on the recording contents of the memory 83 (position information recording unit). ) Position information, and further functions to output the information code generated by the information code generation means.

Next, the article search process performed by the mobile terminal 2 will be described.
The article search process shown in FIG. 7B is started, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the mobile terminal 2, and first, it is determined whether or not an operation for inputting a search target article has been performed by the user (S10). ). In the present embodiment, the information code C displayed on the display unit 84 of the arrangement area search device 80 can be read by the information code reading unit 30 (FIG. 2 and the like) of the mobile terminal 2, and this information code By reading C, it is possible to acquire information (for example, book name, book code, etc.) of the book searched by the arrangement area searching device 80. Accordingly, when such an information code C reading operation is performed, the result of S10 is Yes, and information on the book recorded in the information code C (for example, a book name and a book code) is acquired (S11).

  In the present embodiment, the information code reading unit 30 corresponds to an example of “input means” and “information code reading means”, functions to read the information code C, and inputs information on the search target article. Specifically, it functions to acquire the information of the search target article by reading the information code C output by the display unit 84 (output means). The search target article may be input by the key operation unit 12 shown in FIG. 2 or the like. In this case, the key operation unit 12 corresponds to an example of “input means”.

  After the process of S11, the process of transmitting the transmission data including the information of the book (the search target article) acquired in S11 by radio wave is performed (S12). In this process, the book information (book name, book code, etc.) acquired in S11 is transmitted to the wireless tag 50 in the communication area together with a predetermined command (for example, a command for instructing a response). The process of S12 is a process of transmitting a radio wave to the wireless tag 50 attached to the search target article. For example, the process is performed near the arrangement area (book shelf) searched by the arrangement area search device 80 described above. It is desirable that

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 and the wireless reader unit 20 that execute the processing of S12 correspond to an example of “transmission unit”, and transmission data including information on the search target article input by the input unit is stored. It functions to transmit via the antenna 25. Note that the processing of S13 is performed after S12, which will be described later.

Next, response processing performed by the wireless tag 50 will be described.
For example, when the wireless tag 50 receives a carrier from the portable terminal 2, the process shown in FIG. 8 is performed. First, a predetermined command (sent in association with book data in S12 is transmitted from the portable terminal 2). It is determined whether or not a predetermined command to be received is received (S20). If the predetermined command is received, the answer is Yes in S20, and the book data (book name, book code, etc.) associated with the predetermined command is decoded (S21).

  In the present embodiment, the demodulation circuit 53 and the control circuit 54 correspond to an example of “reception unit” and function to receive transmission data transmitted by the transmission unit of the mobile terminal 2. Further, the control circuit 54 and the modulation circuit 56 correspond to an example of “response radio wave transmission means”, and the information on the search target article included in the transmission data received by the reception means corresponds to the unique information recorded in the memory 55. It works to send a response radio wave.

  After S21, the book data (book name, book code, etc.) acquired in S21 and the book data (book name, book code, etc.) recorded in its own memory 55 (recording unit) are in a predetermined match state. Or not (whether or not the same book is designated) is determined (S22). If it is determined that they are in a coincidence state, S22 is Yes and a response radio wave including a predetermined response command as data is transmitted (S23). In the present embodiment, book data (book name, book code, etc.) of the attached book is recorded in the memory 55 of the wireless tag 50 attached to each book, and it is determined in S22 that they are in agreement. In this case, it is found that the article to which the wireless tag 50 is attached is a search target article. In such a case, a response radio wave is transmitted in S23.

  Next, radio wave detection processing performed at each access point 60 will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the article arrangement area (bookcase), a plurality of access points 60 arranged at a distance from each other (in FIG. 1, four access points arranged at the four corners of the bookcase). 60a to 60d) are provided, and the process shown in FIG. 8B is performed at any access point.

  The radio wave detection process shown in FIG. 8B is executed, for example, when radio wave detection is performed or every predetermined short time. First, it is determined whether or not radio wave reception from the wireless tag 50 has been received. (S30). For example, when there is a radio wave period of a predetermined frequency determined by the wireless tag 50, the process proceeds to Yes in S30, and the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received from the wireless tag 50 is detected. Specifically, the value of the radio field intensity is acquired from the radio field intensity detection unit 63 (FIG. 5A). Then, the distance to the wireless tag 50 is calculated based on the radio field intensity (S32), and the distance value is wirelessly transmitted to the portable terminal 2 (S33). The distance value can be calculated based on data defining the relationship between the radio wave intensity and the distance value. For example, the distance value may be calculated using a table in which the radio wave intensity and the distance value are associated in advance. It may be performed by an arithmetic expression.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless transmission / reception unit 62 and the control circuit 68 correspond to an example of “response radio wave reception means” and function to receive response radio waves from the response radio wave transmission means of the wireless tag 50. The radio wave intensity detector 63 corresponds to an example of “radio wave intensity detector” and functions to detect the intensity of the response radio wave received by the response radio wave receiver.

  When the transmission process of S33 in FIG. 8B is performed at each access point 60, the process of S13 of FIG. 7 is performed, and each distance value transmitted from these access points 60 is acquired by the portable terminal 2. The Then, based on these distance values, information that can specify the position of the search target article or information that can narrow down the position of the search target article (position specifying information) is displayed (S14).

  There are various ways of displaying the position specifying information. For example, the position specifying information can be displayed on a map as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 10, image data of an arrangement area (book shelf) where a search target article (book) is arranged is registered in advance. In this image data, the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, the origin coordinates, The coordinates of the access point 60 are determined. Based on each distance value detected at each access point 60, the position estimated from each access point 60 on the registered image data is represented by a curve.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, with respect to the image data of the arrangement area (bookcase), a curve W1 corresponding to the distance value L1 obtained by the process of S32 at the access point 60a (a constant distance L1 from the access point 60a). Similarly, a curve W2 corresponding to the distance value L2 obtained by the process of S32 is drawn at the access point 60b (a curve having a constant distance L2 from the access point 60b), and at the access point 60c. A curve W3 corresponding to the distance value L3 obtained by the process of S32 (a curve having a constant distance L3 from the access point 60c) is drawn, and a curve W4 corresponding to the distance value L4 obtained by the process of S32 at the access point 60d. (Curve that is a certain distance L4 from the access point 60d) is drawn, In, it can be specified to be a four position curves W1~W4 is concentrated P1 (e.g., four points or areas were concentrated curve) of the search target object coordinates (X, Y). Then, in S14 of FIG. 7B, the drawing information itself as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 13, or an image indicating the position P1 where the four curves are concentrated on the image of the arrangement area (bookcase) is added. A thing can be displayed, or information (information etc. which color-coded the section concerned) which specifies a section containing position P1 in bookcase SH can be displayed. In addition, you may display by a number instead of such an image display. For example, you may make it display the row number and column number of the division identified within bookcase SH.

  In the present embodiment, the control circuit 68 of each access point 60 and the control unit 10 of the mobile terminal 2 correspond to an example of “position specifying means”, and the response detected by the radio wave intensity detection unit 63 of each access point 60. Each of the radio wave intensities is acquired, and functions to specify the position of the search target article (search target book) based on the acquired response radio wave intensities. The control circuit 68 of each access point 60 corresponds to an example of “distance calculation means”, and the access point 60 is connected from the wireless tag 50 based on the response radio wave intensity detected by each radio wave intensity detection unit 63. It functions to calculate each distance to each. The control unit 10 of the mobile terminal 2 corresponds to an example of a “coordinate detection unit”, and the search target article (detection target book) in the arrangement area (bookcase) based on each distance calculated by the distance calculation unit. ) To detect the coordinates. Further, the control unit 10 corresponds to an example of “display control unit”, and functions to display the position of the search target article specified by the position specifying unit on the display unit 13.

(Main effects of the first embodiment)
In the article search system 1 according to the present embodiment, the portable terminal 2 is provided with input means for inputting the search target article, and the wireless communication means provided in the portable terminal 2 is the search target article input by the input means. The transmission means for transmitting the transmission data including the information is provided. On the other hand, in the wireless tag 50, the receiving unit that receives the transmission data transmitted by the transmitting unit, and the unique information in which the information of the search target article included in the transmission data received by the receiving unit is recorded in the memory 55. Response radio wave transmitting means for transmitting a response radio wave in the case of corresponding to each other, and the plurality of access points 60 each receive response radio wave reception means from the response radio wave transmission means of the wireless tag 50; And a radio wave intensity detecting unit 63 that detects the intensity of the response radio wave received by the response radio wave receiving means. Since it is configured in this manner, when a search target article is input on the mobile terminal 2, data (transmission data) can be transmitted to the search target article, and the transmission data is wirelessly transmitted. Each access point 60 can detect the radio wave intensity of the response radio wave output from the tag 50. Further, the position specifying means specifies the position of the search target article based on the response radio wave intensity detected by the radio wave intensity detecting unit 63 of each access point 60, and the display control means of the portable terminal 2 uses the position specifying means. Since the position of the specified search target article is displayed on the display unit 13, the person using the mobile terminal 2 can easily grasp the specific position of the search target article.

  The article search system 1 is provided with an arrangement area search device 80 for searching for a bookshelf (article arrangement area) on which books are arranged, and the arrangement area search device 80 stores position information of a plurality of bookshelves. A memory 83 (position information recording means) to be recorded, a database in which each book and a bookshelf on which each book is placed are associated and recorded, and an article designation means capable of designating any article (book) A reading unit that reads a book shelf on which an article (book) designated by the article designating unit is placed from a database, and a display unit that displays position information of the book shelf read by the reading unit based on the recorded contents of the memory 83 84 is provided. In this way, by specifying a book with the arrangement area search device 80, it is possible to grasp a rough arrangement area (bookcase) of the search target book, so that the area to be searched using the mobile terminal 2 is roughly narrowed down. Then you can search for the target book. Further, since a plurality of areas (arrangement areas) for searching for books using the mobile terminal 2 can be registered in association with the books, the searchable area can be widened and the mobile terminal 2 can be searched. It is possible to narrow down to an appropriate range (arrangement area) in the previous stage of search by.

  In the present embodiment, the input unit of the mobile terminal 2 includes an information code reading unit that reads the information code C, and the arrangement area search device 80 records information on the article (book) specified by the article specifying unit. The display section 84 is configured to display the information code C generated by the information code generation means. And the information code reading means of the portable terminal 2 acquires the information of the search target book by reading the information code C displayed by the display unit 13. In this way, the arrangement area search device 80 can roughly narrow down the arrangement area, and the information on the book (article (book) specified by the article specifying means) searched by the arrangement area search device 80 can be accurately obtained. To the portable terminal 2. Therefore, information can be linked between the arrangement area search device 80 and the portable terminal 2, and the information used for the search by the arrangement area search device 80 can be effectively used by the portable terminal 2.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the position specifying unit calculates each distance from the wireless tag 50 to each access point 60 based on the response radio wave intensity detected by the radio wave intensity detection units 63 of the plurality of access points 60, respectively. Distance calculating means for calculating, and coordinate detecting means for detecting the coordinates of the search target book in the bookshelf (arrangement area) based on each distance calculated by the distance calculating means. In this way, the coordinates of the detection target book in the bookshelf can be accurately detected based on each calculated distance (distance from each access point 60), and the position of the search target book can be determined in more detail. It becomes possible to identify.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of searching for books arranged in the bookshelf SH in the bookstore BS has been described as a representative example, but the search target is not limited to books. For example, it may be used to search for music media and video media in the store of a business that sells or lends recording media (CDs, DVDs, etc.) on which music media and video media are recorded. Or you may use as a system which searches goods in large stores, such as a home center.

  The wireless tag 50 is configured as an active tag, and a notification medium such as a lamp or a buzzer is provided in the wireless tag 50. When a response radio wave is transmitted in S23, the lamp is turned on or the buzzer is turned on according to the response radio wave timing. You may make it ring. In this case, the notification medium such as the lamp and the buzzer and the control circuit 54 correspond to an example of the “notification unit”, and information on the search target article included in the transmission data received by the reception unit is recorded in the memory 55. When corresponding to information (functions to notify the outside.

  In the above embodiment, the position of the article to be searched is specified by the mobile terminal 2, but the position of the article to be searched (specifically, the position of the wireless tag 50) is specified by any access point. You may do it.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Article search system 2 ... Portable terminal 10 ... Control part (a wireless communication means, a position specification means, a display control means, a distance calculation means, a coordinate detection means)
13. Display unit (display device)
20 ... Wireless reader (wireless communication means)
21 ... Transmission circuit (transmission means)
25 ... Antenna 30 ... Information code reading unit (input means, information code reading means)
50 ... Radio tag 53 ... Demodulation circuit (reception means)
54. Control circuit (reception means, response radio wave transmission means)
55. Memory (recording unit)
56. Modulation circuit (response radio wave transmission means)
60 ... access point 61 ... antenna 62 ... wireless transmission / reception unit (response radio wave receiving means)
63 ... Radio wave intensity detector (Radio wave intensity detector)
68. Control circuit (response radio wave receiving means)
80: Arrangement area search device 81 ... CPU (reading means, information code generating means)
82 ... Input section (article specifying means)
83. Memory (position information recording means)
84 ... Display section (output means)

Claims (5)

A wireless tag that has a recording unit that is attached to an article and in which unique information corresponding to the attached article is recorded;
A plurality of access points arranged at a distance from each other in the arrangement area of the article;
A mobile terminal comprising: an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves; a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the wireless tag through the radio waves; and a display device;
An article search system having
The portable terminal includes input means for inputting a search target article,
The wireless communication means includes transmission means for transmitting transmission data including information on the search target article input by the input means via the antenna.
The wireless tag is
Receiving means for receiving the transmission data transmitted by the transmitting means;
A response radio wave transmission unit that transmits a response radio wave when information on the search target article included in the transmission data received by the reception unit corresponds to the unique information recorded in the recording unit;
With
Each of the plurality of access points is
Response radio wave receiving means for receiving the response radio wave from the response radio wave transmitting means of the wireless tag;
Radio wave intensity detecting means for detecting the intensity of the response radio wave received by the response radio wave receiving means;
With
Further, the position specifying means for acquiring the response radio wave intensity detected by the radio wave intensity detection means of each access point and specifying the position of the search target article based on the acquired response radio wave intensity. Provided,
The article search system, wherein the portable terminal is provided with display control means for displaying the position of the article to be searched specified by the position specifying means on the display device. An arrangement area search device for searching for the arrangement area of the article;
The arrangement area search device includes:
Position information recording means for recording each position information of the plurality of arrangement areas;
A database in which each article and the placement area where each article is placed are associated and recorded;
Article designating means capable of designating any of the articles;
Reading means for reading out from the database the arrangement area in which the article designated by the article designation means is arranged;
Output means for outputting the position information of the arrangement area read by the reading means, based on the recording contents of the position information recording means;
The article retrieval system according to claim 1, further comprising: The input means of the portable terminal comprises information code reading means for reading an information code,
The arrangement area search device has information code generation means for generating the information code in which information on the article designated by the article designation means is recorded,
The output means is configured to output the information code generated by the information code generation means;
The article search system according to claim 2, wherein the information code reading unit acquires the information of the search target article by reading the information code output by the output unit.   The wireless tag includes notification means for performing notification to the outside when information on the search target article included in the transmission data received by the reception means corresponds to the unique information recorded in the recording unit. The article search system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The position specifying means includes
Distance calculating means for calculating each distance from the wireless tag to each access point based on the strength of the response radio waves respectively detected by the radio wave intensity detecting means of the plurality of access points;
Coordinate detecting means for detecting coordinates of the search target article in the arrangement area based on the distances calculated by the distance calculating means;
The article search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

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