JP2019125295A - Identification code reading device and article handling device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an identification code reading device that can identify the identification code of a target article as accurately as possible.SOLUTION: An identification code reading device 20 includes: a radio communication circuit 25 that performs radio communication with a wireless tag 10 storing an identification code via an antenna 16; and a control unit 21 that executes reading processing of the identification code through the radio communication circuit 25 multiple times and identifies the identification code on the basis of multiple times of reading results of the identification code. The multiple times of reading processing of the identification code includes first reading processing before a peripheral environment changes relative to the antenna and second reading processing after the peripheral environment changes relative to the antenna.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for reading an identification code.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a book handling apparatus including a storage unit and a picker. In the book, a tag in which an identification code is recorded is provided. The books are stored in the storage unit in a state of being stored in a folder. The picker is provided with a folder loading / unloading unit for loading / unloading a folder into / from the storage unit or the like. The folder loading / unloading unit is provided with a reader that performs wireless communication with a tag of a book to read an identification code. When the picker takes in the folder containing the books, the picker performs wireless communication with the tag of the books stored in the folder, reads the identification code, and specifies the books.

JP, 2017-088887, A

  However, around the picker, a plurality of books stored in the storage unit exist. For this reason, even if the picker tries to read the identification code of the book taken inside, there is a possibility that the identification code of the surrounding books may be read erroneously.

  Then, an object of the present invention is to make it possible for an identification code reader to specify an identification code of an article to be targeted as accurately as possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, the identification code reader according to the first aspect comprises a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication with an RFID tag storing an identification code via an antenna, and an identification code through the wireless communication circuit. Performing a plurality of reading processes of the plurality of identification codes and identifying identification codes based on reading results of the plurality of identification codes, and the plurality of identification codes reading And the second reading process after the ambient environment changes relative to the antenna.

  A 2nd aspect is an identification code reader which concerns on a 1st aspect, Comprising: The said control part specifies the identification code which matched based on the read-out result of several identification code as an identification code of reading object.

  An article handling apparatus according to a third aspect includes a storage unit capable of storing an article attached with a wireless tag storing an identification code, an article taken in and out of the storage unit, and an article taken out from the storage unit The picker including an article loading / unloading unit to be held, and the identification code reading device according to the first or second aspect, the antenna is provided in the article loading / unloading unit, and the control unit controls the article loading / unloading unit After the article is taken out of the storage unit, the reading process of the identification code is executed a plurality of times through the wireless communication circuit.

  A fourth aspect is the article handling apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the picker includes an operating mechanism for moving the article loading / unloading unit, and the first loading / unloading unit is moved by the operation mechanism. The position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the reading process and the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the second reading process are made different.

  A fifth aspect is the article handling apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the operation mechanism includes a rotary support mechanism that changes the orientation of the article loading and unloading unit with respect to the storage unit, and the article loading and unloading by the rotary support mechanism. By changing the orientation of the unit, the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the first reading process is made different from the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the second reading process.

  A sixth aspect is the article handling apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the storage sections are disposed facing each other at an interval of two, and the picker is provided between the two storage sections, The first reading process is performed with the article loading and unloading unit facing one of the two storage units, and the second reading process changes the direction of the article loading and unloading unit by the rotation support mechanism. It is performed in the state which made the other of the said 2 storage parts oppose.

  A seventh aspect is the article handling device according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, wherein the article loading and unloading unit has a unit case provided with shielding portions in the upper, lower, left, and right rears and an opening in the front, An article transfer unit for transferring the load between the storage unit and the inside of the unit case, and the control unit, in a state where the article is stored in the unit case, the identification code through the wireless communication circuit Execute the reading process of

  An eighth aspect is the article handling apparatus according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, wherein the control unit transmits a command for transmitting the identification code by the standard output, and reads the identification code. When it is determined that there is not, the command to transmit the identification code is sent with the signal output raised.

  According to the first aspect, the identification code reading process is performed a plurality of times, and the identification code is identified based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes. In addition, the plurality of identification code reading processes are a first reading process before the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna, and a second reading process after the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna. And read processing. Therefore, the identification code can be identified based on the common reading result before and after the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna, and the identification code of the article to be targeted can be identified as accurately as possible.

  According to the second aspect, the control unit can identify the identification code of the target wireless tag as accurately as possible because the identified identification code is specified as the identification code of the reading target based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes. .

  According to the third aspect, the antenna is provided in the article loading and unloading unit, and the control unit executes the reading process of the identification code multiple times through the wireless communication circuit after the article loading and unloading unit takes out the article from the storage unit. Therefore, the identification code of the article extracted from the storage unit can be identified as accurately as possible as the identification code of the reading target.

  According to the fourth aspect, by moving the article loading and unloading unit by the operation mechanism, the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the first reading process and the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the second reading process In order to make the difference, the plurality of reading results including the reading result of the first reading process and the reading result of the second reading process before and after the position or the attitude of the antenna changes with respect to the wireless tag of the article stored in the storage unit. , The identification code can be identified, and the identification code of the target item can be identified as accurately as possible.

  According to the fifth aspect, by changing the direction of the article loading and unloading unit by the rotary support mechanism, the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the first reading process, and the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the second reading process. Make the position different. If the orientation of the loading and unloading unit is changed, the identification code of the wireless tag of the same article stored in the storage unit becomes difficult to read continuously. Therefore, if the identification code is specified based on a plurality of reading results including the reading result in the first reading process and the reading result in the second reading process, the identification code of the object to be targeted can be identified as accurately as possible.

  According to a sixth aspect, the first reading process is performed with the article loading and unloading unit facing one of the two storage units, and the second reading process is performed by the rotary support mechanism. It is performed in the state which changed the direction of the unit and was made to oppose the other of the said two storage parts. If the orientation of the loading / unloading unit is changed between the state in which it faces one of the two storage units and the state in which it faces the other, the identification code of the wireless tag of the same article stored in the same storage unit is difficult to read continuously Become. Therefore, if the identification code is specified based on a plurality of reading results including the reading result in the first reading process and the reading result in the second reading process, the identification code of the object to be targeted can be identified as accurately as possible.

  According to the seventh aspect, it becomes difficult to read the identification code of the item outside the unit case.

  According to the eighth aspect, in the initial state, since the instruction to transmit the identification code is transmitted by the standard output, it is difficult for the surrounding wireless tags to erroneously transmit the identification code. When it is determined that the identification code can not be specified, the identification code is more reliably transmitted from the target wireless tag in order to transmit a command to transmit the identification code by raising the signal output.

It is a block diagram which shows the identification code reader which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the identification process of an identification code. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a positional relationship of an identification code reader and a wireless tag. It is a schematic perspective view which shows a book handling apparatus. It is a schematic side view showing a book handling device. It is a schematic plan view which shows a book handling apparatus. It is a schematic front view which shows the internal structure of a book handling apparatus. It is a schematic perspective view showing a book and a wireless tag. It is a block diagram of a wireless tag. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of a wireless tag. It is a schematic side view which shows the folder for books accommodation. It is a schematic front view which shows a folder. It is a schematic plan view which shows a folder. It is a XIX-XIX line schematic sectional drawing of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a folder main-body part. It is a schematic side view which shows a picker and a storage part. It is a schematic front view which shows a part of storage part. It is a front view which shows a part of picker. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a book handling apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a warehousing process of a folder. It is a flowchart which shows an example of an identification code identification process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a positional relationship of the wireless communication part and wireless tag by the movement of a folder loading / unloading unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a positional relationship of the wireless communication part by another movement of a folder loading / unloading unit, and a wireless tag.

First Embodiment
The identification code reader according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the identification code reader 20. As shown in FIG.

  The identification code reader 20 is a device that performs wireless communication with the wireless tag 10 to specify an identification code.

  Here, an identification code is assigned to the wireless tag 10, and the assigned identification code is configured to be transmitted by wireless communication.

  More specifically, the wireless tag 10 includes the tag side control unit 11 and the wireless communication circuit 15.

  The wireless communication circuit 15 includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit, and performs wireless communication through the antenna 16 under the control of the tag side control unit 11. The wireless communication may be radio communication, and in particular may be radio communication using a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radio band.

  The tag side control unit 11 includes a CPU, a storage unit 12 and the like, and performs processing for performing wireless communication with the identification code reader 20 through the wireless communication circuit 15 and the antenna 16 according to a program stored beforehand by the CPU. Run. In particular, the tag side control unit 11 executes a process of wirelessly transmitting the identification code 13 stored in the storage unit 12 to the outside through the wireless communication circuit 15 and the antenna 16. The process of wirelessly transmitting the identification code 13 to the outside may be performed when the wireless tag 10 receives a transmission request for the identification code from the identification code reader 20. The identification code 13 is a unique code assigned to the wireless tag 10. The identification code 13 assigned in advance is stored in the storage unit 12 in accordance with a setting command from an external computer or the like.

  As the wireless tag 10, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) or the like can be used. The wireless tag 10 is attached to an article or attached to a person, and provided for management of the article, the person, and the like.

  In FIG. 1, a plurality of (three in the figure) wireless tags 10 are shown. In the following description, when a plurality of wireless tags 10 are distinguished, the one to be read is referred to as a wireless tag 10a, and the other non-read targets are referred to as wireless tags 10b and 10c to distinguish them. May. Similarly, the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a to be read and the identification codes 13b and 13c of the wireless tags 10b and 10c not to be read may be described separately.

  The identification code reader 20 wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag 10 to read the identification code of the wireless tag 10. When a plurality of wireless tags 10a, 10b and 10c are provided around the identification code reader 20, the identification code reader 20 may read the identification codes of the plurality of wireless tags 10a, 10b and 10c.

  For example, the reading process is performed in a state where the identification code reading device 20 is closest to the wireless tag 10a to be read. Even in this case, radio waves from the wireless tags 10b and 10c not to be read reach the identification code reader 20 due to diffusion, diffraction, refraction, etc. of electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication, and only the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a Instead, the identification codes 13b and 13c of the wireless tags 10b and 10c may be read.

  The identification code reader 20 has the following configuration in order to be able to specify the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a to be read as accurately as possible. The identification code reader 20 includes a controller 21 and a wireless communication circuit 25.

  The wireless communication circuit 25 includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit, and performs wireless communication with the wireless tag 10 through the antenna 26 under the control of the control unit 21. The wireless communication may be radio communication, and in particular may be radio communication using a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radio band. The antenna 26 may be integrated with the control unit 21 and the wireless communication circuit 25. The antenna 26 is separate from the control unit 21 or the wireless communication circuit 25 and is for wireless communication with the wireless tag 10a to be read. It may be provided at a suitable position.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a storage unit 22 and the like, executes reading processing of the identification code multiple times through the wireless communication circuit 25 and the antenna 26 in accordance with the identification code specification program 22a stored in advance in the storage unit 22. And a process of identifying the identification code based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes. That is, when the control unit 21 reads the identification code, the reading result may include one or more identification codes. Then, a process of identifying the identification code is performed based on the plurality of read results. A plurality of identification code reading processes are a first reading process before the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 26, and a second reading process after the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 26. And. An example in which the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 26 will be described later. The control unit 21 may transmit a request for transmission of the identification code to the wireless tag 10 when executing the process of reading the identification code and specifying the identification code.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing identification processing of identification code by the control unit 21.

  When the identification code identification process is started, in step S1, the control unit 21 receives a wireless signal from the wireless tag 10 through the wireless communication circuit 25 and the antenna 26, and identifies the identification code 13 included in the wireless signal. Read Execute this reading process multiple times. A plurality of reading processes of the identification code 13 may be performed at intervals.

  In the next step S2, identification codes are identified based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the reading process is performed before the ambient environment changes relative to the antenna 26, and the reading process is performed after the change. When the wireless tag 10a to be read is disposed at a position suitable for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the antenna 26 of the identification code reader 20, both in the first and second reading processes. A radio signal from the radio tag 10a is likely to be received through the antenna 26. On the other hand, the wireless tags 10b and 10c which are not to be read are not disposed at positions suitable for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the antenna 26 of the identification code reader 20, as compared with the wireless tag 10a. For this reason, it is predicted that the wireless signals from the wireless tags 10b and 10c reach the antenna 26 of the identification code reader 20 as accidental as compared with the wireless radio waves from the wireless tag 10a. Therefore, the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a is likely to be read in the first and second reading processes. On the other hand, the identification codes 13b and 13c of the wireless tags 10b and 10c are relatively unlikely to be read in both reading processes before and after the surrounding environment fluctuates relative to the antenna 26.

  Thus, the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a to be read is highly likely to be read all or many times in the reading results of a plurality of identification codes, while the identification code of the wireless tags 10b and 10c not to be read 13b and 13c are not read or read less frequently in the reading results of the plurality of identification codes. Therefore, among the reading results of the plurality of identification codes, the one with the largest number of readings can be specified as the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a to be read.

  More specifically, the control unit 21 may specify the identification code 13a read in agreement as the identification code to be read based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes.

  When the identification code is identified, the identification code identified as necessary is output, and the process is ended. The identified identification code is provided to the management of the article to which the wireless tag 10a is attached.

  As described above, the plurality of identification code reading processes performed in step S1 are the first reading process before the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 26, and the surrounding environment relative to the antenna 26. And a second read process after relative fluctuation. The relative fluctuation of the surrounding environment with respect to the antenna 26 includes positional fluctuation, posture fluctuation of the wireless tags 10a, 10b and 10c (in particular, wireless tags 10b and 10c not to be read) with respect to the antenna 26, electromagnetic wave shielding around the antenna 26. There may be fluctuations in the presence or absence of objects, etc., and the position situation. These positional variations may be caused by the movement of the antenna 26, or caused by the movement of the wireless tags 10a, 10b, 10c (in particular, the wireless tags 10b, 10c not to be read) May be The movement of at least one of the antenna 26, the wireless tags 10a, 10b, 10c (in particular, the wireless tags 10b, 10c not to be read) and the electromagnetic wave shield is provided with a moving mechanism for moving at least one of them. It may be done by driving the Alternatively, at least one movement of the antenna 26, the wireless tags 10a, 10b, 10c (in particular, the wireless tags 10b, 10c not to be read) and the electromagnetic wave shield is provided by movement by a person (for example, manually In the case of reading the wireless tag attached to the carried object, etc.), it is preferable to perform the first reading process and the second reading process with time.

  For example, in FIG. 3, the positions of the identification code reading device 20 and the wireless tag 10a at the time of the first first reading process are indicated by solid lines, and the positions of the identification code reading device 20 and the wireless tag 10a at the time of the second reading process. The position is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  At the time of the first and second reading processing, the wireless tag 10a to be read is disposed at a position maintaining a fixed positional relationship with the identification code reading device 20, here, at a position facing the identification code reading device 20. It is set up. For this reason, the identification code reader 20 can read the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a to be read in both the first and second reading processes. On the other hand, at the time of the first reading process for the first time, the antenna 26 is relatively close to the wireless tag 10 b but relatively far from the wireless tag 10 c. At the time of the second reading process of the second time, the antenna 26 is relatively close to the wireless tag 10 c but relatively far from the wireless tag 10 b. Therefore, the identification code reader 20 is expected to read only the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a or read the identification codes 13a and 13b of the wireless tags 10a and 10b at the time of the first reading process for the first time. Ru. In the second reading process for the second time, it is expected that only the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a is read or the identification codes 13a and 13c of the wireless tags 10a and 10c are read. Therefore, the control unit 21 can specify the identification code 13a read in both the first and second reading processes as the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a to be read. Therefore, the identification code 13a of the wireless tag 10a to be read can be specified more accurately.

  According to the identification code reader 20 configured as described above, the identification code reading process is performed a plurality of times, and the identification code is identified based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes. In addition, a plurality of identification code reading processes are a first reading process before the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 26, and a second reading process after the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 26. And read processing. Therefore, the identification code can be identified based on the read result common before and after the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 26, and the identification code 13a of the target wireless tag 10a can be identified as accurately as possible. .

  Further, the control unit 21 identifies the identification code of the target wireless tag 10 as accurately as possible because the identified identification code 13a is identified as the identification code 13a to be read based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, an article handling apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. Here, an example in which the article handling apparatus is a book handling apparatus that handles books as articles will be described.

<About the whole composition>
4 is a schematic perspective view showing the book handling apparatus 110, FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the book handling apparatus 110, FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the book handling apparatus 110, and FIG. It is a schematic front view which shows the internal structure of the apparatus 110. As shown in FIG.

  The book handling apparatus 110 is an apparatus installed in a library or the like, and the book handling apparatus 110 is an apparatus for automatically lending a book selected by a user from among a plurality of stored books. The loaned books will be returned to the separately provided return box or to the staff counter. The returned books are stored in the book handling apparatus 110 by the operator of the book handling apparatus 110, and are automatically stored in the internal storage unit 130.

  That is, the book handling apparatus 110 is an apparatus capable of automatically lending the user a book stored in the apparatus according to a book lending instruction by the user. The lending instruction of the book by the user is issued by the lending receiving unit 170 or the like installed in the book handling apparatus 110.

  Here, the book handling apparatus 110 includes a storage unit 130, a picker 140, an outlet mechanism unit 190, a storage cart 160 as a movable folder storage unit, a lending reception unit 170, and a control unit 180 (see FIG. 19). And

  The four sides and the upper side of the book handling apparatus 110 are surrounded by a panel 122. Here, the storage unit 130, the picker 140, and a part of the outlet mechanism 190 in the book handling apparatus 110 are disposed in a closed space surrounded by panels 122 in four directions and the upper side. In addition, another part of the extraction mechanism unit 190 and the lending reception unit 170 are disposed to face the outside of the panel 122. Hereinafter, the inside of the book handling apparatus refers to the inside of the panel 122. The inside of the book handling apparatus 110 is restricted by a panel 122 from entering other people. Further, the storage cart 160 is disposed so as to be able to move in and out of the book handling apparatus 110.

  In the book handling apparatus 110, the books 200 are stored and transported in a state of being stored in the book storage folder 210.

  That is, the books 200 are stored in the storage unit 130 in a state of being stored in the book storage folder 210 (in FIG. 5, the state where the books 200 are stored in some of the book storage folders 210 is illustrated). Then, when the user instructs lending of a desired book 200 through the lending reception unit 170, the picker 140 waits for the book storage folder 210 storing the desired book 200 at the standby position R (see FIG. 6) Transport to the The takeout mechanism unit 190 supports the book storage folder 210 in a state where the books 200 can be taken out from the book storage folder 210 to the outside. Then, the user takes out the books 200 from the book storage folder 210 while leaving the book storage folder 210 in the book handling apparatus 110 in the takeout mechanism unit 190. This makes it possible to automatically lend the desired book to the user.

  The storage cart 160 is used, for example, when storing the folder 210 storing the books 200 in the book handling apparatus 110.

  That is, the storage cart 160 is configured to be capable of traveling in a state where a plurality of book storage folders 210 are stored. Then, with the book storage folder 210 storing the books 200 stored in the storage cart 160, the storage cart 160 is placed in the book handling apparatus 110. In this state, the picker 140 transports the book storage folder 210 stored in the storage cart 160 toward the free storage position of the storage unit 130, whereby the book storage folder 210 storing the books is stored in the storage unit 130. Stored in

  The control unit 180 is configured to be able to control each operation of the book handling apparatus 110 including the above-described operations. The control unit 180 may be provided in the panel 122 or may be provided outside the panel 122.

<On the flow of books in the book handling device>
The flow of the books 200 in the book handling apparatus 110 will be described.

  First, a plurality of books 200 are stored in the storage unit 130 in a state of being stored in separate books storage folders 210.

  When the book 200 is to be borrowed, a user desiring to lend out inputs, through the loan accepting unit 170, specific information on the book 200 that the user desires to lend and a lending instruction. Then, under the control of the control unit 180, the picker 140 transports the book storage folder 210 for storing the book 200 toward the standby position R. The standby position R is a position accessible to the user in the outlet mechanism 190. Thus, the user can take out the book 200 from the book storage folder 210 at the standby position R and borrow the book 200.

  At the time of return of the book 200, the user returns the book 200 to a separately provided return box or a counter of a person. The returned document 200 is stored in the storage unit 130 as follows.

  That is, the worker of the library staff or the like checks the contamination status and damage status of the returned books 200. Thereafter, the worker repairs and repairs the books 200 as needed, stores the books 200 in the book storage folder 210, and stores the book storage folder 210 in the storage cart 160. Then, the storage cart 160 is placed in the book handling apparatus 110. Then, the picker 140 transports the book storage folder 210 storing the books 200 to a vacant place in the storage unit 130 and stores it. Thus, the book 200 is stored in the storage unit 130 in a state where the book 200 is stored in the book storage folder 210, and is provided for the next lending.

{About each part composition}
The configuration of each part of the book handling apparatus will be described.

<Books>
As shown in FIG. 8, the book 200 is provided with a wireless tag 202 recording its own identification code. The wireless tag 202 may be attached to at least one of a front cover, a back cover, and a back cover among books.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the wireless tag 202 includes a tag side control unit 203 and a wireless communication circuit 206.

  The wireless communication circuit 206 includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit, and performs wireless communication via the antenna 207 under the control of the tag side control unit 203. The wireless communication may be radio communication, and in particular may be radio communication using a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radio band. When using radio wave communication using the UHF radio band, radio waves are easily scattered and the like. Therefore, radio waves may reach between the wireless tag 202 attached to the document 200 in the storage unit 130 outside the folder loading / unloading unit 145 described later and the antenna 207 in the folder loading / unloading unit 145 . In such a case, the identification code identification process described later is effective.

  The tag side control unit 203 includes a CPU, a storage unit 204 and the like, and between the wireless communication unit 250 which is a part of the identification code reading device through the wireless communication circuit 206 and the antenna 207 according to a program stored beforehand by the CPU. Execute processing for performing wireless communication. In particular, the tag-side control unit 203 performs processing for wirelessly transmitting the identification code 205 stored in the storage unit 204 to the outside through the wireless communication circuit 206 and the antenna 207. The process of wirelessly transmitting the identification code 205 to the outside may be performed when the wireless tag 202 receives a transmission request for the identification code from the wireless communication unit 250. Further, the output of the wireless tag 202 at the time of transmitting the identification code may be adjusted in accordance with a command from the wireless communication unit 250. The identification code 205 is a unique code assigned in association with the book 200 to which the wireless tag 202 is attached. The identification code 205 assigned in advance is stored in the storage unit 204 in accordance with a setting command from an external computer or the like.

  The wireless tag 202 may be used for short distance communication. Because radio waves can be delivered between the wireless tag 202 attached to the book 200 and the antenna 253 attached to the folder take-out unit 145 in a state where the book 200 is housed in a folder loading and unloading unit 145 described later. is there. In addition, it is preferable that radio waves do not reach as much as possible between the antenna 253 attached to the folder loading / unloading unit 145 and the wireless tag 202 attached to the document 200 stored in the storage unit 130.

  As the wireless tag 202, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) or the like can be used.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the tag side control unit 203 of the wireless tag 202.

  When receiving the transmission request for the identification code from the wireless communication unit 250, the tag side control unit 203 proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the tag side control unit 203 wirelessly transmits the identification code through the wireless communication circuit 206 and the antenna 207. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, after a predetermined number of transmission processes, or when the signal from the wireless communication unit 250 can not be received, the transmission is stopped and the process is ended.

<Book storage folder>
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a book storage folder 210 (hereinafter simply referred to as a folder), FIG. 12 is a schematic front view showing the folder 210, and FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing the folder 210. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the folder main body 222.

  The book storage folder 210 is configured to be storable in the storage unit 130 and to be transported by the picker 140 in a state in which the books 200 are stored inside.

  The folder 210 is configured to be able to store a book 200 as an article. Specifically, the book storage folder 210 includes a folder main body 222, a biasing unit 226, and a held unit 228.

  The folder main body 222 is formed in a vertically long rectangular tube shape capable of storing the books 200. More specifically, the folder main body 222 includes a bottom 223, a pair of side portions 224, and a ceiling 225.

  The bottom 223 is formed in an elongated plate shape. In the upper surface of the bottom portion 223, a placement concave portion 223a which is recessed via the step portions 223S1 and 223S2 on both end sides thereof is formed. Then, when the book 200 is placed on the bottom portion 223, the book 200 is prevented from dropping out of the folder 210 by being stored in the above-described placement recess 223a. In particular, regardless of the size of the book 200, the book 200 is placed on the placement recess 223a while the lower spine side portion of the book 200 is in contact with the step 223S1 on one side. The position of the spine of the book 200 in the book folder 210 can be made constant (see FIG. 11). As a result, the user can easily take out the book 200 from the folder 210.

  The ceiling portion 225 is formed in an elongated plate shape. The width dimensions of the bottom portion 223 and the ceiling portion 225 are set larger than the maximum width of the book 200 assumed to be stored.

  The side surface portion 224 is formed in a flat plate shape. When the folder main body 222 is viewed from the side, a storage recess 224d is formed at one end side edge of the side surface 224 (left side in FIG. 11), and the other end side edge of the side surface 224 is removed A recess 224e is formed (right side in FIG. 11).

  The storage recess 224 d is formed so as to be recessed at a portion of the one end side edge portion of the side surface portion 224 from the center portion in the vertical direction to the lower side. When the book 200 is inserted into the folder main body 222 from one end side (left side in FIG. 11) of the folder main body 222 with the spine cover at the top, the storage concave portion 224d is formed. Easy to insert all the way in 222. Accordingly, the book 200 can be easily stored in the folder main body 222 in a posture in which the spine of the book 200 is in contact with the step portion 223S1.

  The extraction recess 224 e is formed so as to be recessed at the vertical direction center portion of the other end side edge portion of the side surface portion 224. The most recessed portion of the extraction recess 224e is beyond the position of the step 223S1. Therefore, as described above, the book 200 is placed on the bottom 223 while the portion on the spine cover side of the lower part of the book 200 is in contact with the step 223S1 on one side. Among them, a part on the spine side is exposed to the outside at the one extraction recess 224e. Therefore, the user can easily take out the book 200 from the folder 210 by grasping the part of the book 200 exposed to the outside by the taking-out concave part 224 e.

  In the side surface portion 224, a rib 224c for suppressing the deformation is formed.

  The vertical dimension of the pair of side surface portions 224 is set to be larger than the maximum height of the book 200 assumed to be stored. The side edge portions of the bottom portion 223 and the side edge portions of the ceiling portion 225 are connected by the pair of side surface portions 224, whereby a rectangular cylindrical folder main body portion 222 which is long in the vertical direction is formed. The books 200 are stored in the folder main body 222 in a mounted state.

  The held portion 228 is provided on the upper outside of the folder main body portion 222, and is configured to be able to be hung on the storage portion 130, the picker 140, and the like.

  Specifically, the held portion 228 is an elongated rod-like portion, and is provided at the upper end edge of the folder main body 222. The held portion 228 is connected to the upper end edge portion of the folder main body portion 222 via the connecting portion 229. The width dimension of the held portion 228 is larger than the thickness dimension of the connecting portion 229. Therefore, when the folder 210 is viewed from the front, the held portions 228 project outward on both sides outward from the upper end portion of the connecting portion 229. Then, the held portion 228 is hung on the storage portion 130 by being hooked on the opposing rails 137 of the adjacent hangers 136 disposed in the storage portion 130.

  Further, in the folder 210, an engagement hole 228a is formed. Here, the engagement hole 228 a is formed to penetrate the held portion 228 in the width direction. More specifically, the engagement hole 228 a is formed in a through hole shape at one end side end portion of the held portion 228. By inserting a grip portion 148b of the picker 140 described later into the engagement hole 228a, the folder 210 can be taken in from the storage portion 130 into the picker 140 and can be stored in the storage portion 130 from the picker 140. . It is not essential that the engagement hole 228 a is formed in the held portion 228, and the engagement hole 228 a may be formed in the folder main body 222. The axial direction of the engagement hole 228a is not limited to the width direction, and can be set in any direction such as the height direction.

  The folder main body 222 and the held portion 228 may be configured, for example, by combining two separate members using a fitting structure. Here, the folder main body portion 222 and the held portion 228 are formed by combining the first member 222A and the second member 222B. The first member 222A and the second member 222B are each formed of a resin as a material using a mold or the like.

  The first member 222 </ b> A constitutes the bottom portion 223 and a part of the ceiling portion 225 and one side surface portion 224. Further, the first member 222A is provided with a fitting protrusion 222Aa. The fitting convex portion 222Aa is provided to project toward the second member 222B.

  The second member 222 </ b> B constitutes a part of the bottom portion 223 and the ceiling portion 225 and the other side surface portion 224. Further, the second member 222B is provided with a fitting hole 222Bh that can be fitted to the fitting protrusion 222Aa. Further, a held portion 228 is integrally provided to the second member 222B via the coupling portion 229.

  The fitting convex portion 222Aa and the fitting hole portion 222Bh fit, for example, as follows. That is, the retaining projection is formed at the tip of the fitting projection 222Aa. The fitting hole 222Bh is formed in the shape of a through hole. Then, the distal end portion of the fitting convex portion 222Aa is inserted into the fitting hole portion 222Bh while being elastically deformed. When the fitting protrusion 222Aa is inserted into the fitting hole 222Bh until the retaining protrusion exceeds the fitting hole 222Bh, the fitting protrusion 222Aa elastically returns, and the retaining protrusion is on the periphery of the fitting hole 222Bh. Get caught. As a result, the fitting convex portion 222Aa is fitted in the fitting hole portion 222Bh in a retaining manner.

  Here, although four fitting convex portions 222Aa and four fitting hole portions 222Bh are provided on the ceiling portion 225 side and three on the bottom portion 223 side, the fitting convex portions and the fitting hole portions are provided. The number may be set appropriately. Further, here, the fitting convex portion 222Aa and the fitting hole portion 222Bh on the ceiling portion 225 side are provided above the lower surface (the surface facing the document 200 side) of the ceiling portion 225. Similarly, the fitting convex portion 222Aa and the fitting hole portion 222Bh on the bottom portion 223 side are provided below the upper surface (the surface facing the document side) of the bottom portion 223. As a result, interference of the fitting convex portion 222Aa and the fitting hole portion 222Bh with the books 200 stored in the folder 210 is suppressed.

  The biasing unit 226 is provided in the folder main body unit 222, and presses the front cover or back cover of the book 200 stored in the folder main body unit 222. Thereby, the posture of the book 200 is stabilized in the folder main body 222.

  The biasing portion 226 includes a spring member 226S provided as a separate member from the first member 222A and the second member 222B. The spring member 226S is formed by applying the principle of a torsion bar. Further, in order to attach the spring member 226S to the first member 222A, a spring member attachment portion 222Ap is formed on the first member 222A.

  More specifically, the spring member 226S is formed, for example, by bending a single metal rod. The spring member 226S includes a supported portion 226S1 and an abutting portion 226S2.

  The supported portion 226S1 is a portion supported by the spring member attachment portion 222Ap provided to the folder main body portion 222. The contact portion 226S2 is a portion that contacts the document 200 and presses the document 200.

  The contact portion 226S2 is formed in a U-shape. The supported portion 226S1 is formed in an L-shape extending so as to turn back from both end portions of the contact portion 226S2 to the back side portion of the contact portion 226S2.

  Spring member attachment portions 222Ap are formed on the upper and lower portions of the inner surface of the first member 222A. The spring member attachment portion 222Ap is formed by forming a recess or a hole in which the supported portion 226S1 can be fitted or inserted into a projecting portion or a rib 224c formed on the inner surface of the first member 222A.

  An end of the supported portion 226S1 extending along the axial direction of the folder main body 222 is supported at a fixed position by the spring member attachment portion 222Ap, and extends along the vertical direction of the folder main body 222 The part is supported at a fixed position in a twistable state.

  Between the two supported portions 226S1 instructed to the upper and lower portions of the inner surface of the first member 222A, the contact portion 226S2 is directed from one end to the other end of the folder main body 222 (FIG. 11 and FIG. It extends so as to incline toward the second member 222B side from the left side to the right side of FIG.

  Then, when the book 200 is inserted into the folder main body 222 from the one end side (from the left side of FIGS. 11 and 14), the contact portion 226S2 abuts on the book 200. Then, a portion extending in the vertical direction of the supported portion 226S1 is twisted, and the contact portion 226S2 is inclined toward the first member 222A with the portion as an axis. Thus, a space capable of storing the book 200 is formed between the second member 222B and the contact portion 226S2. When the book 200 is further pushed into the folder body 222, the spine comes in contact with the step 223S1. In this state, the contact portion 226S2 presses the book 200 against the second member 222B by a force of a portion of the supported portion 226S1 extending in the vertical direction returning to the original position. As a result, the books 200 are stored in a stable posture in the folder main body portion 222 in a state in which the dropout from the folder main body portion 222 is suppressed.

  Here, a plurality of (here, two) spring members 226S are provided at positions shifted in the axial direction of the folder main body 222. As a result, regardless of the size of the book 200, the book 200 can be stored in a stable posture and in a state in which dropping is suppressed.

  In addition, a stopper 230 is provided in the folder 210. The stopper 230 is provided in such a manner as to protrude from one inner surface of the pair of side surface portions 224 (the second member 222B side) toward the other. In the stopper 230, a substantially U-shaped groove is formed in a part of the second member 222B, so that the inner surface of the tip of the stopper 230 is formed in a piece shape in which three sides are separated from the side surface portion 224. The locking projection 231 is formed such that the height dimension gradually increases from the distal end side to the proximal end side. A stopper surface 231 f is formed on a portion of the locking projection 231 facing the proximal end of the stopper 230.

  When the book 200 is inserted into the folder main body 222, the book 200 abuts on the locking projection 231, and the stopper 230 elastically deforms outward. In a state in which the document 200 is completely stored in the folder main body 222, the stopper 230 elastically returns to the original shape, and the locking projection 231 protrudes into the folder main body 222. In this state, the book 200 is pressed by the biasing portion 226 toward the inner surface of the side portion 224 on which the stopper 230 is present. Therefore, when the book 200 is moved to one end side (left side in FIG. 14) of the folder main body 222, the stopper surface 231f abuts on the book 200. Thereby, the book 200 is prevented from dropping out of the folder main body 222.

<About storage unit and picker>
16 is a schematic side view showing the picker 140 and the storage unit 130, FIG. 17 is a schematic front view showing a part of the storage unit 130, and FIG. 18 is a front view showing a part of the picker 140.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and 16 to 18, the storage unit 130 is disposed in a space shielded from the outside by the panel 122 in the book handling apparatus 110. Further, the picker 140 is disposed in a space shielded from the outside by the panel 122 in the book handling apparatus 110, and is configured to be able to put the folder 210 into and out of the storage unit 130.

  The storage unit 130 is configured to be able to store the plurality of folders 210 in a state where the books 200 are stored in each of the plurality of folders 210. Since the wireless tag 202 is attached to the book 200, the storage unit 130 is an example of a storage unit capable of storing the book 200 as an article to which the wireless tag 202 storing the identification code is attached.

  More specifically, the storage unit 130 includes a frame unit 132 and a plurality of hangers 136.

  The frame portion 132 includes a pair of side wall portions 133a facing each other at an interval, and a lateral support rod 133b disposed to connect the pair of side wall portions 133a.

  The lateral support rods 133b are disposed at a plurality of locations at intervals in the vertical direction so as to extend between the pair of side wall portions 133a. Further, at each height point in the vertical direction, two horizontal support rods 133b are disposed at an interval in the front and rear direction.

  The hanger 136 includes an elongated rail 137 and a bracket portion 138 for supporting the rail 137 with respect to the lateral support bar 133 b.

  The two bracket portions 138 are vertically fixed to the two front and rear horizontal support rods 133b at predetermined heights in a hanging manner. The rails 137 are fixed to the lower end portions of the two bracket portions 138. Thus, the rail 137 is supported in a posture perpendicular to the horizontal support bar 133 b and in a horizontal posture.

  The plurality of hangers 136 are supported in parallel at equal intervals with respect to the horizontal support bar 133 b. A gap is formed between the opposing rails 137 of the adjacent hangers 136. The width dimension of the gap is set to be equal to or larger than the width dimension of the connecting portion 229 of the folder 210 and smaller than the width dimension of the held portion 228. In addition, the height dimension of the gap is set to be equal to or larger than the width dimension of the connecting portion 229 of the folder 210. Then, the upper end portion of the ceiling portion 225 of the folder 210 is inserted between the opposing rails 137 of the pair of adjacent hangers 136 from the longitudinal direction one side of the rails 137 of the hanger 136 toward the other side, and the pair of rails By slidingly inserting the held portion 228 of the folder 210 onto the 137, the folder 210 can be stored at a fixed position relative to the hanger 136. That is, the plurality of hangers 136 are configured to be able to hang the folder 210.

  Here, the two storage units 130 are disposed to face each other at an interval, and the picker 140 is provided between the two storage units 130. However, the storage unit 130 may be provided only on one side of the rail 137.

  The frame portion 132 is provided with a shelf 134 at a position separated from the hanger 136 by a height dimension or more capable of storing the folder 210. The bottom of the folder 210 hung on the hanger 136 is in contact with the shelf 134 or faces the top surface of the shelf 134 with a gap (usually a slight gap) from the top surface of the shelf 134. On the shelf plate 134, a folder guide 135 is provided between the hangers 136 adjacent to each other. The folder guide 135 is a long member made of resin or the like, and is provided so as to extend from the front side (the traveling area side of the picker 140) of the shelf board 134 to the opposite back side. In addition, the folder guide 135 is formed to be gradually thinner toward the front side of the shelf plate 134. Therefore, both side surfaces of the folder guide 135 are the centers of the hangers 136 toward the front side of the shelf plate 134. It is inclined from the to the outside.

  Then, when the folder 210 is slide-inserted into the hanger 136, the lower portion of the folder 210 is guided by the folder guides 135 on both sides thereof. Further, in a state where the folder 210 is hung on the hanger 136, the lower part of the folder 210 is sandwiched between the two folder guides 135, and the rolling is suppressed. Thereby, when vibration etc. are added to the storage part 130, a shake of the folder 210 is suppressed, and dropout etc. of the books 200 from the folder 210 are suppressed by it.

  Moreover, the hanger 136, the shelf board 134, etc. are abbreviate | omitted in the position where the extraction / extraction mechanism part 190 is provided among the storage parts 130, and the extraction / extraction mechanism part 190 is arrange | positioned by the position. Similarly, the hanger 136, the shelf board 134 and the like are omitted at the position where the lending reception unit 170 is provided in the storage unit 130, and the lending reception unit 170 is provided at the position.

  The picker 140 includes a folder loading / unloading unit 145 for loading / unloading the folder 210 into / from the storage unit 130 and holding the folder 210 fetched from the storage unit 130. The folder loading / unloading unit 145 is an example of an article loading / unloading unit for loading and unloading the folder 210 storing the books 200. Here, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 of the picker 140 loads / unloads the folder 210 containing the books 200 into / from the storage cart 160 as a storage section described later in detail, and holds the folder 210 fetched from the storage section 130.

  Here, the picker 140 transports the folder 210 in the storage cart 160 to the storage unit 130. The picker 140 transports the folder 210 of the storage unit 130 toward the outlet mechanism unit 190.

  More specifically, the picker 140 includes a rail 141, a traveling mechanism unit 142, an elevating mechanism unit 143, a rotation support mechanism unit 144, and a folder loading / unloading unit 145. The traveling mechanism unit 142, the elevating mechanism unit 143, and the rotation support mechanism unit 144 are an example of an operation mechanism for moving the folder loading / unloading unit 145. The movement mechanism may be considered to be two or more of the traveling mechanism 142, the lifting and lowering mechanism 143, and the rotation support mechanism 144. For example, in the case where the storage portion is provided only on one side of the rail, it is assumed that the rotation support mechanism 144 is omitted. In this case, the operation mechanism comprises the travel mechanism 142 and the lifting mechanism 143 Composed of

  The rails 141 are linearly arranged on the floor between the storage sections 130 disposed opposite to each other with a space.

  The traveling mechanism unit 142 includes a wheel, and a traveling rotation drive unit that rotationally drives the wheel in forward and reverse directions, and is configured to be able to travel the rail 141 in a reciprocating manner by driving the traveling rotation drive unit. The travel mechanism unit 142 travels along the rails 141, whereby the position of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 in the parallel direction of the hangers 136 is adjusted.

  The lifting mechanism portion 143 is configured to move the folder loading / unloading unit 145 up and down. As such an elevation mechanism unit 143, for example, a rotation support mechanism unit 144 is supported so as to be movable up and down by a support erected on the traveling mechanism unit 142, and a pair of gears provided at upper and lower end portions of the support An annular belt (annular chain etc.) is wound around it, the transport unit is connected to the annular belt between a pair of gear bodies, and one of the gear bodies is rotated by a lifting drive such as a motor to rotate the annular belt. Thus, the folder loading and unloading unit 145 can be moved up and down. In addition to the above, a configuration using a linear motor may be used as the elevating mechanism, or a traction type mechanism using a counterweight is configured to drive a pulley portion by a motor to move the transport unit up and down. It is also good.

  The rotation support mechanism portion 144 is supported by the elevation mechanism portion 143 so as to be capable of moving up and down. The rotation support mechanism portion 144 is formed in a long shape supported in a cantilever shape so as to protrude outward from the support of the elevating mechanism portion 143. A folder loading / unloading unit 145 is rotatably supported at its tip. The rotation support mechanism unit 144 includes a rotation drive unit such as a motor that rotationally drives the folder loading / unloading unit 145, and changes the orientation of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 with respect to the storage unit 130 and the storage cart 160. Here, the rotation support mechanism unit 144 causes the folder loading / unloading unit 145 to face the storage unit 130 on one side of the rail 141 or the storage trolley 130 on the other side of the rail 141 and the storage trolley 130 on the other side. It is configured to be rotationally drivable between the posture (that is, capable of rotationally drivable in both forward and reverse directions of 180 degrees).

  The folder loading / unloading unit 145 is configured to be able to load / unload the folder 210 with respect to the storage unit 130, the storage cart 160, and the outlet mechanism 190.

  That is, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 includes a unit case 146 and a folder transfer mechanism unit 148.

  The unit case 146 is formed in a box shape with one side open. With the opening 146 q of the unit case 146 facing any of the storage unit 130, the storage cart 160, and the extraction / extraction mechanism 190, the folder 210 may be any of the storage unit 130, the storage cart 160, and the extraction / extraction mechanism 190 It is carried in and out between the heel and the unit case 146.

  The unit case 146 is formed of a material capable of shielding an electromagnetic wave such as iron. Here, the side of the unit case 146 where the opening 146 q is formed is referred to as the front side. A ceiling plate 146a provided on the upper side of the unit case 146, a bottom plate 146b provided on the lower side, a pair of side plates 146c provided on the left and right, and a back plate 146d provided on the rear side opposite to the opening 146q It is a shielding part which shields.

  The unit case 146 is rotatably supported around an axis along the vertical direction at the lower end of the rotation support mechanism 144.

  A folder transfer mechanism unit 148 is incorporated in the unit case 146. The folder transfer mechanism unit 148 is an example of an article transfer unit for transferring the folder 210 storing the books 200 between the storage unit 130 and the storage cart 160 as storage units and the inside of the unit case 146.

  In the unit case 146, a pair of rails 147 is supported via a bracket 147a. The pair of rails 147 is provided at a position near the upper portion in the unit case 146. Between the pair of rails 147, a gap through which the connecting portion 229 of the folder 210 can be inserted is formed. Then, with the upper end portion of the connecting portion 229 disposed between the one end side of the pair of rails 147 and the held portion 228 disposed thereabove, the folder main body portion 222 of the folder 210 is a unit case 146 Stored inside.

  The folder transfer mechanism portion 148 includes an in / out movement mechanism portion 148a and a grip portion 148b.

  The grip portion 148b includes a pair of grip claws 148b1 and an opening / closing drive portion 148b2 configured to open and close the pair of grip claws 148b1. Then, by driving the pair of gripping claws 148b1 to open and close by driving the opening and closing drive portion 148b2, a state in which the pair of gripping claws 148b1 grip the held portion 228 of the folder 210 and a state in which gripping is released It can be switched and driven.

  The in / out moving mechanism portion 148a is configured to be able to move and drive the gripping portion 148b in a direction connecting the one side opening of the unit case 146 and the back side thereof. The in / out movement mechanism 148a is configured by a linear actuator such as a linear motor. The in / out movement mechanism portion 148 a is attached to the upper portion or the like in the unit case 146 along the extending direction of the rail 147.

  The gripping portion 148b can be protruded from the opening on one side of the unit case 146 by driving of the in / out moving mechanism portion 148a to grip one end portion of the held portion 228 of the folder 210 stored in the storage portion 130 or the like. It is possible to move and drive between the position and the position where one end of the held portion 228 of the folder 210 stored in the unit case 146 can be gripped and the position retracted further outward.

  The folder loading / unloading unit 145 is provided with a wireless communication unit 250 and a folder detection unit 149.

  The wireless communication unit 250 is a device that performs wireless communication with the wireless tag 202 of the book 200 and reads an identification code. The wireless communication unit 250 includes an antenna 253 that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the antenna 207 of the wireless tag 202. Here, the wireless communication unit 250 is attached to the inside of the unit case 146, more specifically, to the inner surface of one side plate 146c. Therefore, the antenna 253 is disposed at a position suitable for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the antenna 207 of the wireless tag 202 attached to the document 200 in the folder 210 housed in the unit case 146.

  The antenna 253 may be provided in the unit case 146, and other transmission / reception circuits and the like may be provided outside the unit case 146.

  The folder detection unit 149 detects the presence or absence of the folder 210 in the storage unit 130 or the storage cart 160.

  In addition, the folder detection unit 149 is configured by a reflective optical sensor or the like. In the folder detection unit 149, in a state where the folder transfer mechanism unit 148 is disposed facing the storage unit 130 or the storage cart 160, the held portion 228 of the folder 210 in which the detection light is held at the opposite portion. It is attached to the unit case 146 at the position and posture at which it is irradiated toward one end of the unit. Then, in a state where the folder transfer mechanism portion 148 is disposed at any position facing the storage portion 130 or the storage cart 160, the presence or absence of the folder 210 at the position depending on the presence or absence of the reflected light of the detection light. Can be detected. Then, in a state where the unit case 146 is opposed to the position where the folder 210 exists, the folder 210 can be transferred from the storage unit 130 or the storage cart 160 into the unit case 146 by the access movement mechanism 148a. . Or, conversely, with the unit case 146 opposed to the position where the folder 210 does not exist, the folder 210 can be transferred from the unit case 146 to the storage unit 130 or the storage cart 160 by the in / out moving mechanism 148a. it can.

  Further, the picker 140 is provided with a guide mechanism 150.

  The guide mechanism 150 includes a pair of guide portions 152 provided at a position sandwiching the folder 210 to be inserted into and removed from the unit case 146, and a guide provided to urge at least one of the pair of guide portions 152 in their approaching and retracting directions. And a control unit 154. Then, in the state where the folder 210 is disposed in the unit case 146, the pair of guide portions 152 is disposed in contact with or in proximity to both side surfaces of the folder 210, thereby suppressing the swing of the folder 210. In addition, since at least one of the pair of guide portions 152 is biased in the approach and retraction direction, the folder 210 is stored in an oblique attitude relative to the unit case 146 or taken out in an oblique attitude. Then, the folder 210 is allowed to be in an oblique posture, so that the folder 210 can be smoothly transferred from the storage unit 130 to the picker 140 or from the picker 140 to the outlet mechanism unit 190. .

  More specifically, the pair of plate-like base portions 158 is extended from the vertically middle portion of the edge portion on the opening 146 q side of the pair of side plates 146 c of the unit case 146 so as to face the outside of the opening 146 q. The plate-like base portion 158 is formed in a long plate shape, and is provided along the storage direction of the folder 210 (the extending direction of the rail 147).

  A pair of guide portions 152 is supported movably in the approaching and separating direction (width direction) with respect to each of the pair of plate-like bases 158 with respect to the folder 210 taken in and out of the unit case 146. Here, a plurality of (here, two) support rods 157 are provided in a protruding manner in the plate-like base portion 158 at intervals along the storage direction of the folder 210. Then, the support rods 157 are inserted in the guide portions 152 so as to be insertable and in a snap-out manner, so that the pair of guide portions 152 is supported movably in the approaching and separating direction.

  In addition, a guide urging portion 154 configured by a coil spring is externally fitted to each support rod 157. The guide urging portion 154 is interposed between the plate-like base portion 158 and the guide portion 152 in a compressed state. The guide portion 152 is urged toward the folder 210 by the guide urging portion 154.

  The guide portion 152 is formed with a guide surface 152 a that gradually inclines outward toward the outside of the unit case 146 where the folder 210 is taken in and out. Further, the surface of the guide portion 152 in the extension direction middle portion facing the folder 210 is formed as a pressing surface 152 b extending along the vertical direction along the insertion and removal direction of the folder 210.

  Then, when the folder 210 is taken in and out of the unit case 146, the pressing surfaces 152b of the pair of guide portions 152 are in contact with or close to both outward facing surfaces of the folder 210, whereby the folder 210 is stored It is guided so as to be in a posture along the direction (the extending direction of the rail 147). Further, even in the state where the folder 210 is housed in the folder loading / unloading unit 145, the pressing surfaces 152b of the pair of guide portions 152 are disposed in contact with or in proximity to both outward facing surfaces of the folder 210. The roll of 210 is suppressed.

<About the receiving cart>
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the storage cart 160 is a movable folder storage unit capable of storing and moving the folder 210. Here, the storage cart 160 is configured to be able to store a plurality of folders 210.

  More specifically, the storage cart 160 includes a cart frame portion 162, a plurality of hangers 136, and wheels 168.

  The carriage frame portion 162 is formed in a box shape having at least one side open. In the carriage frame portion 162, a hanger 136 having the same configuration as the hanger 136 described in the storage unit 130 is provided. Here, the hangers 136 are provided at a plurality of positions above and below the carriage frame portion 162. For this reason, the folders 210 can be stored in a plurality of upper and lower rows with respect to the storage cart 160. Further, in the upper and lower rows, the hangers are arranged in parallel, and therefore, it is possible to store the plurality of folders 210 in the upper and lower rows. Since the support configuration of the folder 210 in the storage cart 160 is the same as the support configuration of the folder 210 in the storage unit 130, by arranging the storage cart 160 adjacent to the storage unit 130, the picker 140 can The folder 210 can be taken in and out of the carriage 160.

  A wheel 168 is attached to the lower part of the storage cart 160, and the storage cart 160 can move under the floor by rolling the wheel 168.

  Here, a pair of spaces SP in which the storage cart 160 can be disposed is provided at a position adjacent to each of the pair of storage sections 130 in the panel 122. An opening 122G1 is provided in a portion of the panel 122 adjacent to the space SP. In a state where the loading cart 160 is disposed in the panel 122, one side panel of the loading cart 160 closes the opening. The storage cart 160 can be taken in and out between the space enclosed by the panel 122 and the outside through the opening 122G1.

  The storage cart 160 may be provided only at a position adjacent to one of the storage units 130.

  In the space SP, the hanger 136 of the storage unit 130 is provided in the upper part of the storage cart 160, and the folder 210 can be stored also here.

  In the right half of FIG. 5, the inside of the storage cart 160 and the upper storage unit 130 are illustrated, and in the left half, the hangers 136 of the storage unit 130 are provided over the entire upper and lower sides. It shows the inside.

<About the takeout mechanism department and the loan acceptance department>
As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the takeout mechanism portion 190 is provided with an opening 122h formed in the panel 122 provided in the outer part of one of the storage portions 130. The hanger 136 is disposed at the omitted part. Then, the folder 210 stored in the storage unit 130 is conveyed by the picker 140 toward the outlet mechanism unit 190. The user can take out the books 200 from the folder 210 conveyed to the takeout mechanism 190. The empty folder 210 may be conveyed to the takeout mechanism unit 190, and the user may return the borrowed book 200 to the folder 210.

  Here, the two takeout mechanism portions 190 are provided, but only one takeout mechanism portion 190 may be provided or three or more may be provided.

  A loan acceptance unit 170 is provided at a side position of the takeout mechanism unit 190. The lending reception unit 170 is a device for accepting a lending instruction of the books 200 to the book handling apparatus 110.

  Here, the loan accepting unit 170 includes a touch panel device 172 having a function as a display unit and an input accepting unit, and a card reader 174.

  The card reader 174 is a device for reading a library user card or the like assigned to each user. When the card reader 174 reads the library user card, it can be determined whether or not the user is authorized to use the facility.

  The touch panel device of the touch panel device 172 displays various screens for accepting lending. For example, if the user is determined to make a reservation for lending to the user after the user is identified, the book 200 for which the reservation for lending is made is displayed, and a lending instruction is accepted. In addition, it is preferable that a reservation can be received in advance via an internet connection or the like. Also, for example, after the user's determination, display of a list of stored books 200 or a search screen of books 200 is displayed, and an instruction of books 200 for which lending is desired is accepted based on the display.

<About block diagram>
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the book handling apparatus 110. As shown in FIG. Here, although the control unit 180 will be described as an example physically configured by one control unit, the physically separate control units are configured to perform processing to be described below in a distributed manner. It is also good.

  The overall control of the book handling apparatus 110 is performed by the control unit 180. The control unit 180 is configured by a computer in which the CPU 181, the ROM 182, the RAM 183, the storage unit 184, and the like are interconnected via a bus line. The ROM 182 stores a basic program (BIOS) or the like for starting up the computer, and the RAM 183 is provided as a work area when the CPU 181 performs processing in accordance with a predetermined procedure. The storage unit 184 is configured by a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive.

  The storage unit 184 stores an operating system (OS) 184a, an in / out program 184b, book management data 184d, and the like.

  The entry / exit program 184b defines the procedure for carrying the folder 210 in the book handling apparatus 110 as described above, and the CPU 181 as the main control unit follows the procedure described in the entry / exit program 184b. The transport processing of the folder 210 is performed by performing the arithmetic processing. The loading and unloading program 184b includes an identification code specifying module 184c for specifying an identification code. The CPU 181 performs an arithmetic process in accordance with the identification code specification module 184 c to specify the identification code assigned to the books 200 stored in the folder 210 when carrying the transfer process of the folder 210.

  The book management data 184 d is a table in which the presence / absence of the stock of the books 200, each storage position of the books 200 with stock, and the like are associated with the specific information of the books 200. The specific information of the book 200 is a unique identification code assigned to each book 200 and is generally the same as the identification code given to the wireless tag 202. The specific information may also be associated with book information such as the title of the book and the author. The storage position is information indicating the position of the book 200 in the storage unit 130. By referring to this position, it can be determined at which position in the storage unit 130 the identified book 200 is stored. Moreover, the vacant position in the storage unit 130 can also be specified by referring to this storage position.

  In the book management data 184d, if necessary, the borrower of the book 200 under reservation registration and lending and the return due date of the book 200 under lending may be associated with the specific information of the book 200. Reservation registration is information indicating the presence or absence of a reservation person for each book 200. When a reservation person for a certain book 200 exists, the name (or identification information of the reservation person) of the reservation person is registered. By referring to this information, it is determined whether or not the book 200 is reserved for a certain reservation person. The borrower is a book which is not in stock, that is, information (such as a name or the identification code of the borrower) for identifying the borrower of the book 200 being lent. Further, the return due date is the return due date of the book 200 being loaned.

  The book management data 184 d is generated and updated, for example, when the book 200 is lent out when the book 200 is stored in the storage unit 130 from the storage cart 160.

  Further, the CPU 181 is communicably connected to the picker 140, the lending reception unit 170, the takeout mechanism unit 190, and the like via the input / output interface 185. Thereby, the control unit 180 controls the picker 140, the lending reception unit 170, the takeout mechanism unit 190, and the like.

  In particular, as described above, the traveling mechanism 142, the elevating mechanism 143, and the rotation support mechanism 144 are incorporated in the picker 140, and the control unit 180 includes the traveling mechanism 142, the elevation mechanism 143, and the rotation support. By controlling the mechanism unit 144, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 can be moved.

  Further, as described above, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 incorporates the wireless communication unit 250. The wireless communication unit 250 includes a communication control unit 251, a wireless communication circuit 252, and an antenna 253. The wireless communication unit 250 includes a CPU, a storage unit, and the like, and performs wireless communication with the wireless tag 202 through the wireless communication circuit 252 and the antenna 253 in accordance with a program stored beforehand by the CPU. In particular, the wireless communication unit 250 wirelessly transmits various commands to the wireless tag 202 in accordance with the command from the control unit 180. Further, the wireless communication unit 250 receives a wireless signal from the wireless tag 202 according to an instruction of the control unit 180, reads an identification code included in the wireless signal, and transmits the identification code to the control unit 180.

  The wireless communication unit 250 and the wireless tag 202 have an anti-collision function, and the wireless communication unit 250 can read identification codes of a plurality of wireless tags 202.

  As the wireless communication unit 250, a general RFID reader can be used.

  In the present embodiment, an identification code reader is configured by the processing portion that the control unit 180 performs in accordance with the identification code specification module 184c and the wireless communication unit 250.

  The control unit 180 may be communicably connected to an external management server via a communication interface, and the book management data 184d may be stored in the external management server.

  In the present embodiment, the processing function for identifying the identification code is incorporated in the control unit 180, but the function may be incorporated in the wireless communication unit 250.

{About processing}
The process of the book handling apparatus 110 will be described. Here, with reference to FIG. 20, the warehousing process will be mainly described in which the picker 140 transfers the folder 210 storing the books 200 from the warehousing carriage 160 to the storage unit 130.

  The warehousing process in the book handling apparatus 110 is started with the warehousing carriage 160 set in the book handling apparatus 110. The storage process is performed, for example, when the operator presses a storage start button, or after the picker 140 finishes the lending operation and the next lending operation command is not issued.

  The operator who operates the book handling apparatus 110 performs preparation work before the storage process is performed. As preparation work, the operation of storing the books 200 with the wireless tag 202 in the empty folder 210, the operation of storing the folder 210 containing the books 200 in the storage cart 160, and the storage cart 160 in which the folder 210 is stored An operation of setting in the book handling apparatus 110 is assumed.

  When the warehousing operation in the book handling apparatus 110 is started, in step S51, the control unit 180 instructs the picker 140 to confirm whether the folder 210 is present in the warehousing cart 160. Here, the confirmation moves the picker 140 to a position facing the storage cart 160 and moves the folder loading / unloading unit 145 to a position facing one of the storage positions of the folder 210 in the storage cart 160, and This is performed by checking the presence or absence of reflection of the detection light from the folder detection unit 149 in the state. Further, the confirmation of the presence or absence of the folder 210 is sequentially performed for each storage position of the folder 210 in the storage cart 160 by sequentially moving the folder loading / unloading unit 145 in front of the storage cart 160. When it is determined that the folder 210 is not present (the folder 210 is absent in the storage cart 160), the storage process is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that the folder 210 is present, the process proceeds to step S52.

  In the next step S52, the control unit 180 instructs the picker 140 to load the folder 210 from the storage cart 160. As a result, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 loads the folder 210 from the position where it is determined that the folder 210 is present in step S51.

  In the next step S53, the control unit 180 executes a process of specifying the identification code of the book 200 in the taken-in folder 210. The process of step S53 is a process performed according to the identification code identification module, and will be described later with reference to FIG. By the step S53, the identification code of the book 200 in the taken folder 210 is specified.

  In the next step S54, the storage position of the folder 210 in the storage unit 130 is determined. The storage position is determined by specifying the vacant position with reference to the book management data 184 d at all the storage positions in the storage unit 130 and selecting one of the vacant positions. If the identification code of the book 200 in the taken-in folder 210 is not identified and a reading error occurs (described later with reference to FIG. 21), a storage area for the error is set in the storage unit 130, It is preferable to store in any storage position in the storage area. Alternatively, when a reading error occurs, the folder 210 may be returned to the original position of the storage cart 160 or may be stored at any position of the storage cart 160. In any case, the storage position of the folder 210 once taken into the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is determined.

  In the next step S55, the control unit 180 gives the picker 140 a storage work start command. Specifically, the control unit 180 notifies the picker 140 of the storage position determined in step S54, and issues an instruction to store the folder 210 at this position. In response to this, the picker 140 transports the folder 210 to the storage position, and stores the folder 210 in the storage position.

  Then, in the next step S56, when the end of the storage operation by the picker 140 is confirmed in the control unit 180 based on the storage operation end signal in the picker 140, the process proceeds to the next step S57.

  In the next step S57, the book management data 184d is updated. That is, the storage position is updated, assuming that the books 200 of the book management data 184d that have been stored are stored. Thereafter, the process returns to step S51.

  Thereafter, all the folders 210 in the storage cart 160 can be stored in the storage unit 130 by repeating steps S51 to S57 until the folder 210 disappears from the storage cart 160.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the identification code identification process of step S53.

  When this processing is started, the folder 210 is in the state of being taken into the folder loading / unloading unit 145.

  When this process is started, in step S61, the control unit 180 gives the wireless communication unit 250 a read command of the wireless tag 202 by the standard output. Then, the wireless communication unit 250 transmits a transmission request for the identification code to the wireless tag 202 at the standard output. The wireless tag 202 receiving this transmits its own identification code. When the wireless communication unit 250 receives a wireless signal from the wireless tag 202 that has made a response, the wireless communication unit 250 reads the identification code included in the wireless signal, and transmits it to the control unit 180. Here, when the control unit 180 can read the identification code of the wireless tag 202 through the wireless communication unit 250, this reading process is a first reading process before the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 253. It becomes.

  In the next step S62, the control unit 180 determines, based on the output of the reception result from the wireless communication unit 250, whether or not the identification code has been read. If the identification code can be read and it is judged as YES, it will progress to Step S63. On the other hand, if the identification code can not be read and it is determined as NO, the process proceeds to step S72. Generally, the standard output has a value suitable for receiving the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 253 of the wireless communication unit 250 by the wireless tag 202 attached to the book 200 in the folder 210 in the folder loading / unloading unit 145 It is set. However, in the case of a relatively thick book 200, a situation may occur where the identification code can not be read well, for example, when the metal spring member 226S hits the wireless tag 202.

  In step S72, it is determined whether or not the number of retries is a first reference number (here, the fifth). The number of retries is the number of reading instructions (the number of repetitions of step S61). If it is determined that the number of retries is not the first reference number (fifth) but NO, the process returns to step S61. If the number of retries is the first reference number (fifth) and the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, the control unit 180 gives the wireless communication unit 250 an instruction for reading the wireless tag 202 based on the retry output. Then, the wireless communication unit 250 transmits a request to transmit the identification code to the wireless tag 202 as a retry output. The standard output and the retry output are outputs for wireless transmission of the identification code transmission request, and the retry output is set larger than the standard output. The wireless tag 202 receiving this transmits its own identification code. When the wireless communication unit 250 receives a wireless signal from the wireless tag 202 that has made a response, the wireless communication unit 250 reads the identification code included in the wireless signal, and transmits it to the control unit 180. In step S61, the control unit 180 can not read the identification code of the wireless tag 202 through the wireless communication unit 250, and in step S73, the control unit 180 reads the identification code of the wireless tag 202 through the wireless communication unit 250. If this is done, this reading process is the first reading process before the ambient environment changes relative to the antenna 253.

  In the next step S74, based on the output of the reception result from the wireless communication unit 250, the control unit 180 determines whether the identification code has been read. If the identification code can be read and it is judged as YES, it will progress to Step S63. On the other hand, if the identification code can not be read and it is determined as NO, the process proceeds to step S75. Since the signal output at the time of retrying is larger than the standard output, even if the wireless tag 202 can not receive the transmission request of the identification code by the standard output (see step S61), at this step, the wireless tag 202 outputs retrying The possibility of receiving a request for transmission of the identification code according to However, when the transmission request of the identification code is transmitted by the retry output, the transmission request of the identification code is likely to be received by the wireless tag 202 outside the folder loading / unloading unit 145 as well. Then, the other wireless tag 202 may transmit an identification code, which may be received by the wireless communication unit 250.

  In step S75, it is determined whether or not the number of retries is the second reference number (here, the tenth). If it is determined that the number of retries is not the second reference number (tenth) but NO, the process returns to step S73 to repeat the subsequent processing. If the number of retries is the second reference number (tenth) and it is determined YES, the process proceeds to step S76.

  In step S76, a read error is output, the present identification code identification process is ended, the flow returns to the original flow, and the process from step S54 is continued.

  If it is determined in steps S61 and S71 that the identification code has been read, the process proceeds to step S63.

  In step S63, the control unit 180 temporarily stores the read identification code in its own storage unit.

  In the next step S64, the control unit 180 moves the folder loading / unloading unit 145 by the operating mechanism. Here, the control unit 180 causes the rotation support mechanism unit 144 to change the orientation of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 with respect to the storage unit 130 as the storage unit and the storage cart 160. More specifically, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is rotated by the rotary support mechanism 144 from the state in which it faces one of the two facing ones to the state in which it faces the other (see FIG. 22).

  In the next step S65, the control unit 180 gives the wireless communication unit 250 an instruction to read the wireless tag 202 by the immediately preceding output. That is, when the identification code is read in step S62 after step S61, a command to read the wireless tag 202 by the normal output is given to the wireless communication unit 250, and the identification code is read in step S74 after step S73. Occasionally, the wireless communication unit 250 is given a read command of the wireless tag 202 by retry output. Then, the wireless communication unit 250 transmits a transmission request for the identification code to the wireless tag 202 at the immediately preceding output.

  The wireless tag 202 receiving this transmits its own identification code. When the wireless communication unit 250 receives a wireless signal from the wireless tag 202 that has made a response, the wireless communication unit 250 reads the identification code included in the wireless signal, and transmits it to the control unit 180. Before this reading process, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is reversed (step S64). Therefore, the position of the wireless tag 202 in the storage unit 130 with respect to the antenna 253 at the time of the main reading process corresponds to the position of the wireless tag 202 in the storage unit 130 with respect to the antenna 253 at the time of the first reading process (see step S61 or step S73). It is changing with respect to the position. Therefore, if the identification code can be read in step S65, the reading process in this step is the second reading process after the surrounding environment has changed relative to the antenna 253.

  Also in the process after step S65, at the initial predetermined number of times, the wireless communication unit 250 is given a read command of the wireless tag 202 by the normal output, and after the predetermined number of times, the wireless communication unit 250 receives the wireless tag 202 by retry output. A read command of may be given.

  In the next step S66, based on the output of the reception result from the wireless communication unit 250, the control unit 180 determines whether the identification code has been read. If the identification code can be read and it is judged as YES, it will progress to Step S67. On the other hand, if the identification code can not be read and it is determined as NO, the process proceeds to step S77.

  In step S77, it is determined whether the number of retries is the third reference number (here, the tenth). The number of retries in step S77 is the sum of the number of times of processing in steps S61 and S65. However, the number of retries in step S77 may be the number of processes in step S65. If it is determined that the number of retries is not the third reference number (tenth) but NO, the process returns to step S65 to repeat the subsequent processing. If the number of retries is the third reference number (tenth) and it is determined YES, the process proceeds to step S78.

  In step S78, a read error is output, the present identification code identification process is ended, the flow returns to the original flow, and the process from step S54 is continued.

  When the process proceeds from step S66 to step S67, the control unit 180 temporarily stores the read identification code in its own storage unit.

  In the next step S68, the identification code at the time of the first reading processing temporarily stored at step S63 is compared with the identification code at the time of the second reading processing temporarily stored at step S67. Determine if it is not. If there is no same identification code and it is determined as NO, it will progress to step S77. If there is the same identification code and it is determined as YES, the coincident identification code is temporarily stored in its own storage unit.

  In the next step S70, it is determined whether or not there is a plurality of matching identification codes. If there are a plurality of matching identification codes and it is determined YES, the process proceeds to step S79.

  If one book 200 exists in the folder 210 and the identification code of the wireless tag 202 outside the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is not read commonly when reading the identification code multiple times, a matched identification code There may only be one. On the other hand, in the case where there are a plurality of books 200 in the folder 210, the identification code of the wireless tag 202 outside the folder loading / unloading unit 145 matches if it is read in common when reading the identification code a plurality of times. There can be multiple identification codes.

  In step S79, it is determined whether the number of retries is the fourth reference number (here, the tenth). If the number of retries is determined not to be the fourth reference number (tenth) but NO, the process returns to step S65 to repeat the subsequent processing. If the number of retries is the fourth reference number (tenth) and it is determined YES, the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, a read error is output, the present identification code identification process is ended, the flow returns to the original flow, and the process from step S54 is continued.

  On the other hand, in step S70, if there are not a plurality of identical identification codes but only one, it is determined as NO and the process proceeds to step S71.

  In step S71, one matching identification code is identified as the identification code of the wireless tag 202 to be read.

  Then, the identification code identification process is ended, the process returns to the original flow, and the process after step S54 is continued.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 during the above processing. In FIG. 22, in order to distinguish each wireless tag 202 for convenience, the wireless tag 202A in the folder loading / unloading unit 145, the wireless tag 202B1, 202B2, 202B3, 202B4, 202B5, one side (right side) of the storage cart, the other side (left side The wireless tag 202C1, 202C2, 202C3, 202C4, 202C5, 202C6 may be distinguished from the storage cart of

  In the initial state, it is assumed that the opening 146 q of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is directed to the storage cart 160 on one side (right side in FIG. 22) to be removed. In this state, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 takes out the folder 210 at a predetermined position from the storage cart 160 and takes in the inside.

  In this state, the wireless communication unit 250 transmits an identification code request signal. The wireless tag 202 having received the request signal wirelessly transmits its own identification code.

  The wireless communication unit 250 is provided in the folder loading / unloading unit 145. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 250 can relatively reliably read the identification code of the wireless tag 202A of the book 200 in the folder 210 in the folder loading / unloading unit 145.

  Around the folder loading / unloading unit 145, the wireless tags 202B1, 202B2, 202B3, 202B4, 202B5 and the other side (left side in FIG. 22) of the inside of the folder 210 of the storage cart 160 on one side (right side in FIG. 22) There are 202C1, 202C2, 202C3, 202C4, 202C5, 202C6 in the folder 210 of the carriage 160. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 250 may read the identification code of the surrounding wireless tags 202B1, 202B2, 202B3, 202B4, 202B5, 202C1, 202C2, 202C3, 202C4, 202C5, 202C6.

  In particular, radio waves from one of the radio tags 202B1, 202B2, 202B3, 202B4 and 202B5 (in particular, the radio tags 203B3 and 202B4 close to the unit case 146) on the side of the storage cart 160 of the warehousing carriage 160 are the opening 146q of the unit case 146 Easily reach the inside of the unit case 146. For this reason, the wireless communication unit 250 may erroneously read the wireless tags 202B1, 202B2, 202B3, 202B4, and 202B5 on the side of the storage cart 160 on one side (the right side in FIG. 22).

  On the other hand, since the upper, lower, left, and right rear sides of the unit case 146 are shielded, the radio waves from the other (the left side in FIG. 22) the radio tags 202C1, 202C2, 202C3, 202C4, 202C5, 202C6 on the side of the storage cart 160 are unit cases Hard to reach within 146. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 250 does not easily read the wireless tags 202C1, 202C2, 202C3, 202C4, 202C5, 202C6 on the other side (left side in FIG. 22) of the storage cart 160.

  In this state, the first read process is executed, and the read result is temporarily stored in step S63. For the sake of explanation, as an example, it is assumed that the read result in this state is the identification code of the wireless tags 202A, 202B3 and 202B4.

  Thereafter, when the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is reversed, the opening of the unit case 146 is directed to the storage cart 160 on the other side (left side).

  In this state, in the same manner as described above, a request signal for an identification code is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 250, and the wireless tag 202 that has received the request signal wirelessly transmits its own identification code.

  Also in this case, the wireless communication unit 250 can relatively reliably read the identification code of the wireless tag 202A of the book 200 in the folder 210 in the folder loading / unloading unit 145.

  At this time, the wireless communication unit 250 may read the identification codes of the surrounding wireless tags 202B1, 202B2, 202B3, 202B4, 202B5, 202C1, 202C2, 202C3, 202C4, 202C5, 202C6.

  However, since the upper, lower, left, and right rear sides of the unit case 146 are shielded, radio waves from the wireless tags 202 B 1, 202 B 2, 202 B 3, 202 B 4, 202 B 5 on one warehousing cart 160 side (right side in FIG. Hard to reach. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 250 does not easily read the wireless tags 202B1, 202B2, 202B3, 202B4, and 202B5 on the side of the storage cart 160 on one side (the right side in FIG. 22).

  The radio waves from the wireless tags 202C1, 202C2, 202C2, 202C3, 202C4, 202C5, 202C6 (especially the wireless tags 203C3, 202C4, 202C5 near the unit case 146) on the other side (left side in FIG. 22) of the storage cart 160 are unit case 146 It is easy to reach the inside of the unit case 146 through the opening 146q. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 250 may erroneously read the wireless tags 202C1, 202C2, 202C3, 202C4, 202C5, and 202C6 on the other side (left side in FIG. 22) of the storage cart 160.

  In this state, the second read process is executed, and the read result is temporarily stored in step S67. For explanation, as an example, it is assumed that the reading result in this state is the identification code of the wireless tags 202A, 202C3, 202C4, and 202C5.

  Since the first read result is the identification code of the wireless tags 202A, 202B3 and 202B4 and the second read result is the identification code of the wireless tags 202A, 202C3, 202C4 and 202C5, they match in these read results. The identification code of the wireless tag 202A, which is the identification code to be read, is identified as the read code of the wireless tag 202A to be read (see steps S68 to S71).

  In this example, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 mainly takes out the folder 210 from the storage cart 160 and stores it in the storage unit 130. However, the folder loading / unloading unit 145 takes the folder 210 out of the storage unit 130 and takes out the outlet mechanism It is also conceivable to carry out the processing of conveying to the unit 190.

  Also in this case, it is also conceivable to specify the identification code of the books 200 in the folder 210 for confirmation in a state where the folder loading / unloading unit 145 fetches the folder 210 from the storage unit 130 and takes it into the inside. Even in such a case, the identification code identification process may be performed. That is, when the folder loading / unloading unit 145 takes out the folder 210 from various storage units in which the folder 210 is stored, the identification code specifying process can be executed.

<Effects>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the wireless communication circuit 252 performing wireless communication with the wireless tag 202 storing the identification code via the antenna 253 and the process of reading the identification code through the wireless communication circuit 252 a plurality of times And a control unit 180 that identifies the identification code based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes. In addition, a plurality of identification code reading processes are a first reading process before the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 253 and a second reading process after the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna 253. And read processing. Furthermore, in the book handling apparatus 110, the control unit 180 takes out the folder 210 in which the documents 200 are stored from the storage cart 160 as the storage unit by the folder loading / unloading unit 145, and reads the identification code through the wireless communication circuit 252. Run multiple times. For this reason, the identification code of the books 200 in the folder 210 extracted from the storage cart 160 as the storage unit can be identified as accurately as possible.

  In addition, the control unit 180 identifies the identified identification code as the identification code to be read based on the reading results of the plurality of identification codes, and therefore can identify the identification code of the book 200 that is the target article as accurately as possible.

  In this case, if the control unit 180 moves the folder loading / unloading unit 145 by the operating mechanism, if the position of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 at the time of the first reading process is different from the position of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 at the time of the second reading process. I'm sorry. Before and after this positional fluctuation, the relative positional relationship between the wireless tag 202 and the antenna 253 in the folder loading / unloading unit 145 does not change so much, but the relative positional relationship between the surrounding wireless tag 202 and the antenna 253 Relatively fluctuates relatively. Therefore, in the reading result including the first reading process and the second reading process, the wireless tag 202 in the folder loading / unloading unit 145 has a high possibility of being read in common, while the surrounding wireless tags 202 are common. The possibility of reading is relatively low. Thus, the identification code of the target book 200 can be identified as accurately as possible.

  Further, the control unit 180 changes the direction of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 by the rotation support mechanism 144 to position the folder loading / unloading unit 145 at the time of the first reading processing and the position of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 at the time of the second reading processing. Make When the folder loading / unloading unit 145 rotates, the relative positional relationship between the antenna 253 and the surrounding wireless tags 202 changes, so the identification code of the wireless tags 202 of the same book 200 stored in the storage cart 160 is continued. It becomes difficult to read. As a result, if the identification code is specified based on the read result common to the read results including the first reading process and the second reading process, the identification code of the target book 200 can be identified as accurately as possible.

  Moreover, the first reading process is executed in a state where the folder loading and unloading unit 145 is opposed to one of the opposing two storage carts 160, and the second reading process changes the direction of the folder loading and unloading unit 145 by the rotary support mechanism 144. Is performed in a state in which the other of the two storage carts 160 is opposed. In this case, the relative positional relationship of the antenna 253 with respect to the surrounding wireless tag 202 largely fluctuates, so that it becomes difficult to read the identification code of the wireless tag 202 of the same book 200 stored in the same storage cart 160 continuously. Therefore, if the identification code is specified based on the reading result including the first reading process and the second reading process, the identification code of the target book 200 can be specified as accurately as possible.

  Further, the unit case 146 of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is opened only at one side, and the other is shielded so that radio waves can not easily pass through. For this reason, the control unit 180 executes the process of reading the identification code through the wireless communication circuit 252 in a state where the book 200 is housed in the unit case 146, thereby identifying the identification code of the wireless tag 202 outside the unit case 146. It becomes difficult to read, and the identification code of the target book 200 can be identified more accurately.

  As described above, the first reading process is executed in a state where the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is opposed to one of the two receiving carts 160 facing each other, and the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is rotated by the rotation support mechanism 144 to rotate the two loading carts. Combined with the configuration that executes the second reading process while facing the other of 160, it becomes difficult to read the identification code of the same wireless tag 202 continuously, and the identification code of the target book 200 is more accurately It can be identified.

  Further, the control unit 180 transmits an instruction to transmit the identification code as a standard output via the communication control unit 251, and can not read the identification code (that is, the instruction to transmit the identification code on the wireless tag 202 side) When it can not be received, and it is determined that the identification code is not transmitted from the wireless tag 202, a command to transmit the identification code is transmitted as a retry output with the signal output increased. Here, when the retry is the fifth time, it is determined that the identification code can not be read in the standard output, and a command for transmitting the identification code is transmitted as the retry output with the signal output increased (see steps S72 and S73). .

  Therefore, in the initial state, the transmission request for the identification code is wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 253 to the wireless tag 202 with the standard output having a relatively small signal output, so it is difficult for the surrounding wireless tag 202 to erroneously transmit the identification code. . When it is determined that the identification code can not be read in the standard output, a request for transmission of the identification code is wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 253 to the wireless tag 202 with a larger retry output from the wireless tag 202, Signals from the wireless tag 202 can be easily received.

  In these cases, even if the identification code of the surrounding wireless tag 202 has been read, as described above, the identification code is specified as much as possible in order to specify the identification code based on the multiple reading results of the identification code. it can.

<Modification>
A modification based on the second embodiment will be described.

  In the second embodiment, an example in which the identification code is read before and after rotating the folder loading and unloading unit 145 has been described.

  Various modes can be considered as the movement for changing the relative positional relationship between the surrounding wireless tag 202 and the antenna 253.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 23, after the folder loading / unloading unit 145 loads the folder 210 from the predetermined position of the warehousing carriage 160, the first identification code reading process (first reading process) is performed, and then traveling After moving the folder loading / unloading unit 145 in the horizontal direction by the mechanism unit 142, the second identification code reading process (second reading process) may be performed.

  In this case, the wireless communication unit 250 can be expected to read the identification code of the wireless tag 202 in the folder loading / unloading unit 145 at both positions.

  In the first reading process, there is a risk of reading the wireless tags 202B2 and 202B3 near the front of the opening 146q of the folder loading / unloading unit 145, but the wireless tags 202B1 202B4 202B5 202B6 202B7 etc. There is a low possibility of reading the identification code.

  In the second reading process, there is a risk of reading the wireless tags 202B5, 202B6, 202B7 near the front of the opening 146q of the folder loading / unloading unit 145, but the wireless tags 202B1, 202B2, 202B3, 202B4, etc. There is a low possibility of reading the identification code.

  Therefore, by identifying the identification code of the common wireless tag 202A as the identification code of the book 200 to be read, for example, the identification code can be identified as accurately as possible based on a plurality of reading results.

  Similarly, the first reading process may be performed before the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is moved up and down by the lifting and lowering mechanism unit 143, the second reading process may be performed after the movement, and the identification code may be read at least twice. . Also, by the combination of the traveling mechanism unit 142 and the lifting mechanism unit 143, the first reading process is executed before moving the folder loading / unloading unit 145 in the oblique direction, and the second reading process is executed after the movement, and the identification is performed at least twice. The code may be read. In addition, these movements may be combined with the rotation of the folder loading / unloading unit 145 by the rotary support mechanism 144.

  Further, the identification code reading operation need not be performed with the folder loading / unloading unit 145 stopped, and may be performed while the folder loading / unloading unit 145 is rotating or moving.

  The reading of the identification code may be performed three or more times. When three or more identification codes are read, the identification code common to all the reading results may be specified as the identification code to be read, as described above, or the most frequent reading is performed. The identification code may be identified as the identification code to be read.

  In the second embodiment, the books 200 are handled in a state of being stored in the folder 210. The books 200 may be held as they are, received, or loaned.

  Although the article handling apparatus has been described as an example of the book handling apparatus 110, it also handles containers such as cardboard boxes and containers, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), Blu-ray discs (registered trademark), etc. It may be an apparatus. That is, the configuration described in the present embodiment can be applied to an apparatus or the like that manages and stores a plurality of articles in a state in which unique identification codes are attached.

{Modification}
In addition, each structure demonstrated by said each embodiment and each modification can be combined suitably, as long as there is no contradiction mutually.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was explained in detail, the above-mentioned explanation is illustration in all the aspects, and this invention is not limited to it. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated are conceivable without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless tag 20 Identification code reader 21 Control part 22 Storage part 22a Identification code identification program 25 Radio communication circuit 26 Antenna 110 Document handling device 130 Storage part 140 Picker 142 Traveling mechanism part 143 Elevating mechanism part 144 Rotation support mechanism part 145 Folder loading and unloading Unit 146 Unit Case 146 q Opening 148 Folder Transfer Mechanism 160 Storage Cart 180 Control Section 184 c Identification Code Identification Module 200 Document 202 Wireless Tag 210 Document Storage Folder 250 Wireless Communication Unit 251 Communication Control Unit 252 Wireless Communication Circuit 253 Antenna

Claims (8)

A wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication with an RFID tag storing an identification code via an antenna;
A control unit that executes identification code reading processing multiple times through the wireless communication circuit, and identifies the identification code based on reading results of the plurality of identification codes;
Equipped with
The plurality of identification code reading processes are a first reading process before the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna, and a second reading after the surrounding environment changes relative to the antenna Identification code reader, including processing; The identification code reader according to claim 1, wherein
The identification code reader, wherein the control unit identifies a coincident identification code as an identification code to be read, based on reading results of a plurality of identification codes. A storage unit capable of storing an article attached with a wireless tag storing an identification code;
A picker including an article taking-out and taking-out unit for taking an article in and out of the storage unit and holding an article taken out of the storage unit;
The identification code reader according to claim 1 or 2.
Equipped with
The antenna is provided in the article loading and unloading unit,
The article handling device, wherein the control unit executes an identification code reading process multiple times through the wireless communication circuit after the article loading and unloading unit takes out an article from the storage unit. An article handling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The picker includes an operating mechanism for moving the article loading / unloading unit,
The article handling apparatus, wherein the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the first reading process and the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the second reading process are made different by moving the article loading and unloading unit by the operation mechanism. An article handling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The operation mechanism includes a rotation support mechanism that changes the orientation of the article loading and unloading unit with respect to the storage unit.
An article in which the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the first reading process and the position of the article loading and unloading unit at the time of the second reading process are made different by changing the orientation of the article loading and unloading unit by the rotary support mechanism. Handling device. An article handling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The two storage sections are disposed to face each other at an interval,
The picker is provided between the two storages,
The first reading process is performed with the article loading and unloading unit facing one of the two storage units, and the second reading process changes the direction of the article loading and unloading unit by the rotation support mechanism. An article handling apparatus, which is executed in a state of being opposed to the other of the two storage units. An article handling apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein
The article loading / unloading unit includes a unit case provided with shielding portions at the top, bottom, left, and right and a front opening, and an article transfer portion for transferring articles between the storage portion and the inside of the unit case.
The article handling apparatus, wherein the control unit executes an identification code reading process through the wireless communication circuit in a state where the article is housed in the unit case. An article handling apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein
The article handling apparatus, wherein the control unit transmits an instruction to transmit the identification code as a standard output, and when it is determined that the identification code can not be read, the command to transmit the identification code is transmitted with an increased signal output. .

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