JP2021147183A - Document shelf and document position guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a document shelf in which an IC tag provided on a stored document can be satisfactorily read without major change to standard document shelf configuration, and a document position guide system with use of the document shelf.SOLUTION: A document shelf 10 stores a document 200, on which an IC tag 40, in which information, that can be read by causing a non-contact communication possible reader 120 to approach at least a part of a cover sheet, is recorded, is provided, so that a back of the document 200 faces a near side. The document shelf comprises: side plates 16, 17 which are located at both ends in a longitudinal direction that defines a storage area of the document 200; and a partition plate 20 which further partitions the storage area into a plurality of sections for each unit document. In any section, the side plates 16, 17 or the partition plate 20, which constitute the section, are provided with a posture correction part 30 which corrects the documents 200 inserted in the section in an upright direction for each unit document.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a book shelf capable of storing a book having an IC tag, and a book position guidance system using the book shelf.

In recent years, IC tags have been attached to books for rent in libraries, etc., and when borrowing or returning a book, a dedicated reader is held over the book to read the information on the IC tag by non-contact communication. The procedures for identification, lending, and returning have been simplified and streamlined. In addition, a robot equipped with a dedicated reader patrols each book shelf, reads the information of the IC tag attached to the book, and combines this with the position information detected by the robot to find which position on the book shelf. There is a system that recognizes whether books are stored and informs the location of books to be rented.

By the way, in order to accurately read the IC tag of a book stored in a book shelf, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of IC tag to be used, the attachment position to the book, and the like. For example, in Patent Document 1, RFID tags are attached to both the front and back covers of a book, and the directivity of the antenna of each RFID tag is four directions substantially orthogonal to each other in the plane direction of a predetermined surface. Have been described. However, if each book is not stored upright, that is, if some books are arranged diagonally or sideways, it can be difficult to read the RFID tags of each book.

Further, assuming that each book can be reliably stored in an upright state, for example, as described in Patent Document 2, each book is stored in a dedicated book storage folder, and this is stored in the storage unit of the automatic book lending device. Aspects are conceivable. However, this aspect is intended to automatically and selectively retrieve the required books by the picker, diverting standard book shelves such as those with intermediate shelves and dividers used for normal book storage. Is difficult.

JP-A-2007-174295 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-88641

In this way, no matter where the IC tag is attached to the book, the IC tag may not be read correctly depending on the storage state of the book on the book shelf. Further, in the mode in which the books are stored in a dedicated folder or the like and then arranged on the bookshelf, it is difficult to divert the ordinary book shelves, and there is a possibility that the production of the bookshelf having a dedicated structure is costly.

This disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and the bookshelf provided with the stored books can be read well without significantly changing the configuration of the standard bookshelf, and the bookshelf. An object of the present invention is to provide a book position guidance system using the book shelf.

The book shelf according to the present embodiment is a book provided with an IC tag on which readable information is recorded by bringing a reader capable of non-contact communication close to at least a part of the cover, and the spine of the book is on the front side. A book shelf that stores books so as to face the book, side plates arranged at both ends in the left-right direction that define the storage area of the book, and a partition plate that further divides the storage area into a plurality of sections for each unit book. In any of the compartments, the side plate or the partition plate constituting the compartment has a posture correction portion for correcting the books inserted in the compartment in an upright direction for each unit book.

Further, the book shelf according to another embodiment of the present embodiment has a bottom plate that defines the lower limit of the storage area for supporting the side plates arranged at both ends in the left-right direction, a top plate that defines the upper limit of the storage area, or a top plate. , A back plate that defines the depth of the storage area may be further provided.

Further, in the book shelf according to another embodiment of the present embodiment, the posture correction unit is arranged so that the width of the space into which the book can be inserted in the section becomes narrower from the front to the back of the book shelf. May be good.

Further, in the book shelf according to another embodiment of the present embodiment, the posture correction unit may have a leaf spring or a coil spring that is deformed by the book inserted in the section.

Further, in the book shelf according to another embodiment of the present embodiment, the posture correction unit may increase the load urging the book as the thickness of the book inserted in the section increases.

Further, in the book shelf according to another embodiment of the present embodiment, the partition plate may be made of non-metal.

Further, the book position guidance system of the present implementation includes an information reading means for reading a book code from any of the above book shelves, the IC tag of the book stored in the book shelf, and a book code by non-contact communication. A self-propelled inspection robot provided with a position detecting means for detecting the position information obtained by the information reading means reading the book code, and the book code received from the inspection robot after receiving a reservation for renting a book from a user. And, based on the location information, the book to be reserved is specified, and if it is determined that the book exists on the bookshelf and no other reservation is made, the book is rented out. If it is determined that the book does not exist on the bookshelf, or if there is another reservation, the management server that does not allow the book to be rented and the above in response to an inquiry from the user It is provided with a reserved book guide means for receiving and outputting information for identifying a book for which the management server has been permitted to rent and location information for the book from the management server.

According to the present embodiment, a book shelf that makes it possible to read the IC tag provided on the stored book without significantly changing the configuration of the standard book shelf, and a book using the book shelf. A location guidance system can be provided.

It is a perspective view explaining a part of the book shelf and the book position guidance system which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view explaining the book shelf which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view explaining the structure and operation of the book shelf which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the book position guidance system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an IC tag, the structure of a reading device, and a data table. This is an example of a flow for lending a book according to an embodiment. This is an example of a flow for lending a book according to an embodiment. This is an example of a flow for lending a book according to an embodiment. It is a top view explaining the structure and operation of the book shelf which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is a top view explaining the structure and operation of the book shelf which concerns on modification 2 and modification 3.

Hereinafter, an example of the book shelf and the book position guidance system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to drawings and the like. However, the book shelf and the book position guidance system of the present disclosure are not limited to the book shelf and the book position guidance system according to the embodiments and modifications described below.

The figures shown below are schematically shown. Therefore, the size and shape of each part, the thickness of each layer in the cross-sectional view, and the like are exaggerated as appropriate for easy understanding. Further, in each drawing, hatching showing a cross section of the member is omitted as appropriate. Numerical values such as dimensions of each member and material names described in the present specification are examples of embodiments, and are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately selected and used. In the present specification, terms that specify a shape or a geometric condition, such as parallel, orthogonal, and vertical, are intended to include substantially the same state in addition to the exact meaning. Further, for convenience of explanation, the term "upper or lower" may be used for explanation, but the vertical direction may be reversed, and the same applies to the horizontal direction.

1. 1. Embodiments of the present disclosure Hereinafter, an example of a book shelf and a book position guidance system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an inspection robot 100 that constitutes a part of the book shelf 10 and the book position guidance system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the book shelf 10 according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration and operation of the book shelf 10 according to the present embodiment.

Here, for convenience of explanation, the XYZ coordinate system is set based on the arrangement of the book shelf 10. First, the Z axis is taken along the vertical direction of the book shelf 10, the upper side is the + Z direction, and the lower side is the −Z direction. Further, the Y-axis is taken in the direction of inserting and removing the book, the insertion direction of the book is the −Y direction or the back side, and the removal direction is the + Y direction or the front side. Further, when viewed from the side where the books are inserted and taken out, the X axis is taken in the width direction or the horizontal direction of the bookshelf, and the left side is the + X direction and the right side is the −X direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the book shelf 10 is horizontal with an outer frame 13 which is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped structure and shelf boards 51 and 52 which are two shelf boards 50 which partition the space between them in the vertical direction. A partition plate 20 for partitioning in the direction is provided. The outer frame 13 includes a top plate 14 extending in the horizontal direction at the uppermost stage, a bottom plate 15 extending in the horizontal direction at the lowermost stage, and a left side plate 16 and a right side plate 17 extending in the vertical direction at the left and right ends, respectively. Further, the book shelf 10 is provided with a back plate 18 on the back side of the outer frame 13.

In the book shelf 10, books 200 having various thicknesses are stored in each of the upper, middle, and lower tiers partitioned by the shelf boards 51 and 52. For example, when looking at the upper part of the book shelf 10, books 201, 202, and 203 are stored in this order from the −X direction side, that is, from the right side. Here, for convenience of explanation, the book 201 is a book having a relatively thin thickness, and the book 202 is a book having a slightly thicker thickness than the book 201. Further, the book 203 is a book having a thickness even thicker than the book 202. An IC tag 40 is provided on each of all the books 200 including the books 201, 202, and 203 stored in the book shelf 10. As will be described later, the IC tag 40 is attached to, for example, a part of the cover of each book 200.

Each book 200 stored in the book shelf 10 is pushed from one side by the posture correction portion 30 of the right side plate 17 and the partition plate 20, regardless of the thickness, and the posture is substantially upright. .. Further, an inspection robot 100 capable of independently traveling is arranged on the front side of the book shelf 10. The inspection robot 100 can detect its own position by reading, for example, the reference mark 131 arranged on the floor surface. The inspection robot 100 calculates the position of the book shelf 10 in this way, and is installed above, in the middle, and below the inspection robot 100 so as to correspond to the heights of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the book shelf 10. 121, 122, and 123, which are the readers 120 of the book shelf 10, are moved toward the book 200 on the book shelf 10.

Then, an electric signal such as a radio wave is transmitted to the IC tag 40 provided in each book 200 stored in the upper, middle, and lower rows, and the IC tag 40 read by receiving the response signal from the IC tag 40. Collect information about the corresponding book 200. After that, the inspection robot 100 moves along the X direction, that is, the horizontal direction of the bookshelf 10 without changing the distance from the bookshelf 10, and sequentially another books stored in the upper, middle, and lower tiers. Information about the book 200 is collected from the IC tag 40 provided on the 200. As a result, information on all the books 200 stored in the book shelf 10 can be automatically collected. The details of the structure of the book shelf 10 and the book 200 will be described below.

(A) Book shelf (i) Side plate, top plate, bottom plate, back plate, etc. In order to make the structure of the book shelf 10 easy to understand, FIG. It is a perspective view which is partially seen through the part of the plate 14 and the back plate 18. The book shelf 10 is provided with a pair of side plates at both ends in the left-right direction. The side plate is a substantially rectangular flat plate member arranged as a left side plate 16 and a right side plate 17, respectively. The left side plate 16 and the right side plate 17 define a storage area for books in the left-right direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the book shelf 10 further includes a top plate 14 that defines the upper limit of the book storage area and a bottom plate 15 that defines the lower limit as a structure for fixing and supporting the left side plate 16 and the right side plate 17. These form a substantially rectangular outer frame 13. Further, a back plate 18 for defining the depth limit of the book storage area is further provided, and the structure is such that one opening of the outer frame 13 is closed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the book from protruding from the storage area of the book shelf 10 and falling from the back side. The top plate 14, the bottom plate 15, and the back plate 18 are all configured as substantially rectangular flat plate members, like the side plates.

All of these, including the side plates, can be formed of a metal plate such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum, a plastic plate, a wooden plate, or the like, and any coating can be applied. In addition to the plate material, for example, metal wire rods can be combined in a grid pattern to form a plate-shaped member. Further, the side plates and the like may be all formed of the same material, or may be partially or each formed of different materials. It should be noted that, as a component of the book shelf 10, at least a pair of side plates may be provided at both ends in the left-right direction thereof, and the top plate 14, the bottom plate 15, or the back plate 18 is not always necessary. However, in order to increase the rigidity of the book shelf 10 and properly support the pair of side plates, it is preferable to provide any of the top plate 14, the bottom plate 15, and the back plate 18 as the components of the book shelf 10. It is more preferable to have at least the bottom plate 15.

(Ii) Shelf Board In order to improve the storage efficiency of books, one or a plurality of shelf boards 50 may be arranged on the book shelf 10. In the present embodiment, by arranging the shelf board 51 above and the shelf board 52 below, books can be stored in a total of three tiers, that is, the upper tier, the middle tier, and the lower tier. In this way, the shelf board 50 divides the storage area of the book shelf 10 in the vertical direction. Both ends of each shelf plate 50 are detachably supported and fixed to the left side plate 16 and the right side plate 17. However, although two shelves 50 are used in this embodiment, three or more shelves may be used, one shelf board 50 may be used, or one shelf board 50 may not be used at all. The shelf board 50 can also be configured as a substantially rectangular flat plate member, and as the member, the same members as those mentioned in the side plates and the like can be used.

(Iii) Partition board In the book shelf 10, the storage space for books is divided into upper, middle and lower tiers by the shelf boards 51 and 52, and the storage space divided into each tier is further one or more. It is divided into a plurality of sections for each unit book by a partition plate 20. A unit book usually refers to a book for each book, but when multiple booklets form an integrated book and this is used as a distribution unit, the combination of these multiple booklets is called a unit book. do. Further, each partition plate 20 is usually detachably fixed to a bottom plate 15, a shelf plate 51, 52, a back plate 18, or the like. The partition plate 20 may be fixed to these in a non-detachable manner, and the width of a plurality of compartments for each unit book may be variably adjustable.

In the book shelf 10 of the present embodiment, four partition plates 20 are arranged at each stage for easy explanation. That is, five unit books can be stored in each stage. However, it goes without saying that the partition plates arranged in each stage of the book shelf are not limited to this, and may be five or more or three or less partition plates. The shape of the partition plate 20 is arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, the lower side is a substantially rectangular flat plate member, and the upper side is a substantially triangular flat plate member that tapers toward the upper side. With such a shape, it is possible to ensure the ease of attaching the posture correction unit 30 described later and the workability when grasping the book and putting it in and out of the book shelf 10.

The material of the partition plate 20 is also not particularly limited, such as metal, resin, and wood, but in order to reduce reading defects of the IC tag 40, the partition plate 20 should be made of a non-metal that is hard to shield from radio waves. Is preferable. As such a partition plate 20, for example, a resin plate containing no metal can be considered.

Further, in the present embodiment, the partition plates 20 are arranged so that the widths of the respective sections are equal in the left-right direction of each stage of the book shelf, but the partition plates 20 do not necessarily have to be provided at equal intervals. , The partition plate 20 may be arranged so that the width of each section is uneven in one stage, and the width of each section in one stage is uniform, but the upper, middle, and lower stages are equal. The partition plates 20 may be arranged at different intervals for each of the above.

(Iv) Posture correction unit Further, the book shelf 10 is a posture in which the books inserted in the compartments are corrected in the upright direction for each unit book in any of a plurality of compartments partitioned by the partition plate 20 for each unit book. It has a straightening section 30. When there is a possibility of inserting a book into an arbitrary section of the book shelf 10, the book shelf 10 has a posture correction unit 30 corresponding to the section in all the sections partitioned by the partition plate 20 for each unit book. It is preferable to have.

Here, the upright direction of the book refers to both the front cover of the book in the closed state (both the front cover and the back cover of the back side, and further faces the front cover of the front side and the back cover of the back side). (Including adjacent pages, etc.) and spine both refer to the direction of the books lined up vertically with respect to the horizontal plane. Normally, the long side direction of the cover and spine of a book is in the vertical direction, but depending on the shape and thickness of the book, the short side direction may be in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the posture correction unit 30 can be provided on one end side in the −X direction of each of a plurality of sections partitioned by the partition plate 20 for each unit book. For example, taking the upper stage of the book shelf 10 as an example, the posture correction portion 30a is provided on the right side plate 17 on the most −X direction side, and the partition plate 20b is provided on the next section on the + X direction side thereof. A posture correction portion 30b is provided on the side surface on the + X direction side. Similarly, posture correction portions 30c, 30d and 30e are provided on the side surfaces of the partition plates 20c, 20d and 20e which are sequentially adjacent to the partition plate 20b on the + X direction side, respectively. The middle and lower tiers have the same structure.

Next, the details of the configuration and operation of the posture correction unit 30 will be described. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the book shelf 10 of FIG. 2 when the top plate 14 is removed, the shelf plate 51 is omitted, and the upper portion of the book shelf 10 is viewed from the + Z direction. As described above, the posture correction portions 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e having the same shape in plan view on the side surfaces of the right side plate 17, the partition plates 20b, 20c, 20d and 20e on the + X direction side in order from the −X direction side. Is provided.

That is, these posture correction portions 30 are detachably or non-detachably fixed to the right side plate 17 or the partition plate 20. The posture correction unit 30 has a substantially arc-shaped shape in which one end side is an open end in a plan view from the + Z direction. Further, in the posture correction unit 30, the width of the space into which the books in each of the plurality of sections partitioned by the partition plate 20 can be inserted increases from the + Y direction side to the −Y direction side of the book shelf 10. That is, they are arranged so as to become narrower from the front to the back of the book shelf 10.

For example, in the second section from the right, the width not including the posture correction portion 30 of each section is W1, but the width of the space in which the books in the section can be inserted is such that the front side is close to W1. In comparison, the back side has a very short length of W2, and the posture correction portion 30b is arranged so as to become narrower for a while from the front to the back.

In the present embodiment, the posture correction portion 30 is composed of a resin plate or the like having a leaf spring action made of a non-metal that is easily elastically deformed. The posture correction unit 30 has the above-mentioned shape in a plan view, and when books of various thicknesses are inserted into a space in which books in each section can be inserted, the posture correction unit 30 is appropriately deformed to reach the depths of the books. The spring constant is set so that it can be deformed to the extent that it does not interfere with insertion and an external force that corrects the book in the upright direction is generated to the extent that it does not damage the book. Such a posture correction unit 30 determines the Young's modulus according to the material thereof, and determines the thickness, length, height, and curvature of the arcuate shape to correct the range of the thickness of the book and the correction of the book. The force can be adjusted.

Here, it is assumed that the posture correction unit 30 is not an arc shape but a straight cantilever in a plan view. According to the strength of materials, the deflection D when a load P is applied to the tip of the cantilever in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the beam ^{can be generally expressed as D = Pl 3} / (3EI). Here, l is the length of the beam, E is the Young's modulus of the posture correction portion 30, and I is the moment of inertia of area of the posture correction portion 30. Vertical b is a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the beam of the posture correction section 30, a rectangular horizontal h, or b / h is sufficiently large, because it is ^{I = bh 3/12, D} = (4Pl 3 / (Ebh ³ )) × (1-ν ² ). ν is Poisson's ratio. Therefore, assuming that the book 200 is inserted into the posture correction unit 30 in which the arc-shaped deflection D is generated from the beginning and the deflection is eliminated and the book 200 is deformed into a substantially linear shape in a plan view, the book 200 is the posture correction unit 30. The external force P received in the upright direction can be estimated as ^{P = DEbh 3} / (4l ³ × (1-ν ^2)).

The action and effect of the posture correction unit 30 described above will be further described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the upper part of the book shelf 10 of FIG. 3A when the book 200 is actually inserted and the reading device 120 of the inspection robot 100 is brought close to the book 200. Is shown. That is, with respect to the book shelf 10 of FIG. 1, the top plate 14 is removed, the shelf plate 51 is omitted, and the upper portion of the book shelf 10 is viewed from the + Z direction.

In the uppermost-X direction side of the book shelf 10, that is, the rightmost section, a relatively thin book 201 having a thickness of W3 is inserted in the -Y direction side, that is, the back side. W3 is preferably W2 or more. The permissible thickness of the book to be inserted into the compartment of the book shelf 10 needs to be W2 or more and W1 or less. Regardless of the thickness of the book inserted in the book shelf 10, it is expected that the book will always come into contact with the posture correction unit 30 and receive an external force that corrects the book in the upright direction from the posture correction unit 30. Because it can be done.

Further, in another section to the left of the section, a book 202 having a thickness of W4 thicker than W3 is inserted into the back side. Further, in another section to the left of the section, a relatively thick book 203 having a thickness of W5 thicker than W4 is inserted into the back side. A book is not inserted into the section to the left of the section, and a book 201 having a thickness of W3 is inserted into the section to the left of the section. The widths of each section not including the posture correction portion 30 are all the same and are W1.

Each book 200 is inserted into each section of the book shelf 10 so that its back faces the front side of the book shelf 10. An IC tag 40 is provided on the right cover of each book. As will be described later, the IC tag 40 is of a proximity wireless system, and good non-contact communication can be performed by bringing the reading device 120 closer to within several cm to several tens of cm. Here, for example, the inspection robot 100 assumes that the reading device 120 is moved from the right side to the left side while approaching the book shelf 10.

In the proximity wireless IC tag 40, the antenna is formed so that the antenna is parallel to at least a part of the cover surface of the book 200 along the cover surface. Therefore, the radio waves transmitted and received from the antenna mainly generate a strong magnetic field parallel to the thickness direction of the book 200, that is, along the X axis, but bring the reader 120 closer to the IC tag 40 to some extent. As a result, good communication with the IC tag 40 can be performed. When the antenna of the reading device 120 is formed on the cover surface of the book 200, that is, on a surface parallel to the YZ plane, the antenna of the reading device 120 is formed by the book 200 and the posture correction unit 30. By inserting it in between, the communication strength with the IC tag 40 can be improved.

In the book 201 in the leftmost section of FIG. 3B, a radio wave traveling toward the front side is transmitted from the IC tag 40 with respect to the radio wave transmitted by the reading device 120 transmitted to the IC tag 40 in this way. .. Then, the reading device 120 that has moved can receive this satisfactorily.

Here, in FIG. 3B, when the book 203 having a thickness of W5 inserted in the third section from the right is pulled out toward the front, the posture correction portion 30c is not pushed from the book, and thus the posture correction portion 30c is not pushed from the book. It returns to the original shape as shown in (c). That is, the width of the space in which the book in the section can be inserted returns to a short length of W2 on the back side. In addition, it is natural that books may be inserted at any time later in the section of the book shelf 10 where the books are not inserted. For example, in FIG. 3 (b), when a book 202 having a thickness of W4 is inserted into the section not containing the fourth book from the rightmost side, as shown in FIG. 3 (c). In addition, the posture correction unit 30c is pushed by the book 202 and moves laterally by the width of (W4-W2). At the same time, the action of correcting the book 202 in the upright direction works.

(B) Books, etc. (i) Books The books handled in this disclosure include all books having the form of a booklet, including those that are flat-stitched, perfect-bound, and saddle-stitched with a stapler or the like. It also includes booklets that include CDs, DVDs, and the like. Further, as described above, in addition to a book composed of a single booklet, a book in which a plurality of booklets are grouped together to form an integrated book and used as a distribution unit is also treated as a unit book which is a form of a book. ..

(Ii) IC tag As the IC tag 40 to be attached to a book, various ones can be applied. Typical examples include a proximity wireless system that conforms to the ISO18000-3 standard that performs non-contact communication within a few centimeters at a frequency in the HF band such as 13.56 MHz, and the same proximity wireless system that starts from a few centimeters. There is a UHF method or the like that uses a frequency band of about 900 MHz that can support non-contact communication up to about several meters. However, in addition to this, various methods such as a method using a frequency band of about several hundred KHz and a frequency band of 2.54 GHz can be considered. Regardless of which method is used, it is important that the antenna of the IC tag 40 is arranged at an optimum position in consideration of the directivity of radio waves and the like. The IC tag may also be referred to as an RF tag, an RFID tag, or a non-contact tag.

In the case of a general book, the antenna of the IC tag 40 that occupies a certain flat area may be arranged along the cover, for example, or along the spine perpendicular to the cover. However, depending on the thickness of the book, the spine may not have an almost flat area, and it is not always possible to arrange the antenna. On the other hand, there is always a certain flat area on the outside or inside of the front and back covers, and on the adjacent page facing the front and back covers, so that the antenna of the IC tag 40 can be reliably arranged. In that respect, it is considered advantageous to provide the IC tag 40 on a part of the cover of the book.

It is conceivable that the antenna of the IC tag 40 is provided across the cover and the spine of the book, but the book opens and closes the cover repeatedly, and the antenna is bent each time. , Not preferable from the viewpoint of durability.

FIG. 5A is a schematic explanatory view illustrating non-contact communication between the IC tag 40 and the reading device 120 included in the inspection robot 100. The IC tag 40 includes an IC chip 45, at least two connection pads provided on the IC chip 45, and an antenna 46 whose both ends are electrically connected to these connection pads. As the antenna 46, a loop antenna conforming to ISO18000-3 is schematically described, but it may be replaced with a dipole antenna corresponding to the UHF band or another shape. Further, the reading device 120 also has a similar configuration to the IC chip 125, at least two connection pads provided on the IC chip 125, and an antenna 126 whose both ends are electrically connected to these connection pads. And have.

Both the IC chips 45 and 125 include a CPU, an input / output interface, a power supply unit, a memory, and the like. The CPU performs various controls such as program execution, memory read / write, power supply control, various operations, decoding of information acquired from the input / output interface, and output of transmission information to the input / output interface. It is a thing. The input / output interface has functions related to input / output of information by radio waves, such as extracting power from external radio waves, converting received information into digital information, and converting transmitted information into radio waves. ..

In addition, the power supply unit performs power control such as storing the power extracted from the input radio wave by the IC tag 40 and supplying the power to the CPU or the like. The memory also includes a ROM that stores data for starting a basic program and a unique code of the IC tag 40, a RAM that is temporarily used for CPU calculation, a book code of the IC tag 40, and the like. It is equipped with a non-volatile rewritable memory (NVM) such as an E2PROM or a flash memory used for storing various data.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the IC tag 40 sequentially responds to a call from the reading device 120, and non-contact communication between the two is performed. For example, a command is transmitted from the reading device 120 to the IC tag 40 via the antenna 126 by radio waves or the like so as to transmit unique information such as an “IC tag code” or a “book code”. The "IC tag code" is a unique code for each IC tag 40 registered in advance in the IC tag 40, and each IC tag 40 can be identified.

Further, the "book code" is a code uniquely associated with each book, and each book 200 can be identified. As for the "book code", even if there are a plurality of books having the same content, different codes are assigned to each.

The IC tag 40 extracts power for operating the CPU or the like from the radio waves or the like received from the reading device 120, activates the CPU or the like, and decodes an instruction from the received radio waves or the like. The IC tag 40 reads the "book code" recorded in its own NVM or the like in accordance with the instruction of the reading device 120, and returns the reply information including the information by radio waves or the like via the antenna 46. The reading device 120 reads the information and acquires the "book code" of the IC tag 40.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the book 200 is provided with an IC tag 40 in which readable information is recorded by bringing a reading device 120 capable of non-contact communication close to at least a part of the cover surface thereof. Further, the book shelf 10 can store the book 200 so that the back of the book 200 faces toward the front side. Further, the left side plate 16 and the right side plate 17 arranged at both ends in the left-right direction defining the storage area of the book 200, and a partition plate 20 for further dividing the storage area into a plurality of sections for each unit book are provided.

In any of the sections, the left side plate 16, the right side plate 17, or the partition plate 20 constituting the section has a posture correction unit 30 that corrects the books 200 inserted in the section in the upright direction for each unit book. ing. As a result, the book 200 inserted into the compartment receives an external force for correcting in the upright direction from the posture correction unit 30 for each unit book regardless of the thickness of the book 200. Therefore, each of the books 200 inserted in the compartment is arranged so as to face the upright direction regardless of how the books are inserted, and the IC tags 40 arranged on a part of the cover of the book are aligned in a certain direction. Can be expected. As a result, the IC tag 40 can be easily read by the reading device 120 from the front side.

Further, in the present embodiment, a book is simply attached to a book shelf or rack having a standard structure by attaching a posture correction unit 30 having the same shape to each of the left side plate 16, the right side plate 17, or the partition plate 20. The shelves 10 can be configured. As a result, the book shelves and racks of mass-produced products can be diverted, and the introduction cost of the book shelf 10 can be reduced. Further, the posture correction unit 30 is arranged so that, for example, the width of the space into which the books 200 in the section can be inserted becomes narrower from the front side to the back side of the book shelf 10. This facilitates manual loading and unloading of the book 200.

Further, the posture correction unit 30 has a leaf spring that is deformed by the book 200 inserted in the compartment. Therefore, as the thickness of the book 200 inserted into the section increases, the load urging the book 200 increases. Therefore, the thickness of a thick and heavy book is increased. The book can be straightened upright with a larger external force than a thin and light book.

(C) Book Position Guidance System Next, the book position guidance system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a book position guidance system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 (b) is a diagram showing an example of the data table recorded in the memory of the IC tag 40 and the management server 150, and FIG. 5 (c) shows an example of the data table recorded in the management server 150. It is a figure. Further, FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are based on the flow until the user inputs the book reservation information to the management server 150, the flow until the user takes out the reserved book from the bookshelf, and the automatic lending machine, respectively. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow up to lending processing.

(I) Configuration of Book Position Guidance System Based on FIG. 4, the book position guidance system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The book position guidance system 1 has one or a plurality of book shelves 10 having the above-mentioned contents. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that there are six book shelves, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F. Books 200 provided with an IC tag 40 are stored in each of the book shelves 10A to 10F. The book 200 is stored in the book shelves 10A to 10F by an operator, for example, manually. In addition, the book position guidance system 1 includes a user terminal 140, an inspection robot 100, a management server 150, a reserved book guidance means 160, and an automatic lending machine 170. However, the user terminal 140 and the automatic lending machine 170 are not essential components of the book location guidance system 1.

(A) Inspection robot The inspection robot 100 is a so-called self-propelled robot, and includes a reading device 120 which is an information reading means for reading information from the IC tag 40. The inspection robot 100 patrols the section from the book shelves 10A to 10F on a regular or irregular basis based on the program input in advance and the map information of each book shelf 10A to 10F, and each book shelf. Obtain a "book code" for the book 200 stored in. Whether the inspection robot 100 also acquires its own position information when reading the "book code" of the IC tag 40 provided in each book 200 by the position detecting means, and records both information in association with each other. , Both information are transmitted to the management server 150 as a set, and the management server 150 records these information in association with each other.

In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the inspection robot 100 has three types of separate books in the height direction so that the IC tags 40 of the books 200 in the upper, middle, and lower tiers can be read according to the tiers of the book shelf 10. The readers 121, 122 and 123 of the above are provided. As a result, the inspection robot 100 is sequentially housed in the upper, middle, and lower stages while moving along the X direction, that is, the horizontal direction of the book shelf 10 without changing the distance of the front side from the book shelf 10. A "book code" related to the book 200 can be collected from the IC tag 40 provided in each of the other books 200. However, the reading device 120 itself of the inspection robot 100 may move in the height direction so that the IC tag 40 of the upper, middle, and lower books 200 can be read.

As a method for the inspection robot 100 to acquire its own position information, various known methods can be considered. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a method in which a reference mark 131 is provided in advance on the floor surface of a key point of a section in which the inspection robot 100 moves. The reference mark may be a series of simple square or circle marks, or may indicate different positions depending on the arrangement. Alternatively, the reference mark 131 may be a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code, and its position can be recognized by reading the reference mark 131. Further, a technique of mapping the structure of an obstacle by irradiating the surroundings with a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength from the inspection robot 100 and measuring the presence or absence and the shape of the surrounding obstacle may be used.

As a method other than the above, for example, the inspection robot 100 can recognize its own position by separately mounting the reading device 120 or an IC tag reading device different from the reading device 120 and reading the IC tag provided at a key point. May be. Further, the inspection robot 100 itself may be provided with an acceleration sensor and a GPS measuring device without using such a reference mark 131 or an IC tag, and may calculate its own position based on the acceleration sensor and the GPS measuring device.

(B) User terminal For example, a user who wishes to rent a book 200 from a facility such as a library searches for a homepage or the like opened by the library or the like using a web browser using his or her own user terminal 140, and then searches from the homepage or the like. It is possible to check the stock status of the books 200 to be rented and information on whether or not the books can be rented. The user terminal 140 is, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer.

Inquiries regarding the lending of books 200 from the user terminal 140 are inquired by the database provided in the management server 150, and as a result, the inventory status of the books 200 desired to be rented and information on whether or not the books can be rented are displayed on the screen of the user terminal 140. Display for confirmation. Further, such an inquiry can be limited to a certain number of users registered in advance, and when making an inquiry from the user terminal 140, it is possible to first authenticate the user and then accept the inquiry regarding the lending of the book 200. .. However, such a user terminal 140 is not indispensable. For example, the user may make an inquiry about the rental of the book 200 directly to the library or the like by telephone or the like.

(C) Management server The management server 150 has a database that collectively manages information on all books owned by libraries, reservation information, rental information, return information, etc., and outputs answers to inquiries from users and determines whether or not to lend. It is an information processing device that performs various control processes such as output of judgment information. Further, the management server 150 sucks up the position information of the book 200, such as which position of the book shelf 10 the book 200 is stored in, which the inspection robot 100 has acquired by the inspection, from the inspection robot 100.

The management server 150 can send and receive information via a communication interface with the inspection robot 100, the reserved book guidance means 160 described later, and the automatic lending machine 170. The connection with these devices may be wired or wireless, or may be via the Internet. In addition, the management server 150 can receive various inquiries from the user terminal 140 via a network 180 such as the Internet via a web browser, and enable the user terminal 140 to view the inquiry results.

Here, the data table of FIG. 5B is recorded in the IC tag 40, and FIG. 5C is an example of the data table managed by the database of the management server 150. First, according to the data table of FIG. 5B, the "IC tag code" written in the IC tag 40 from the beginning and the "book code" written in the IC tag 40 later are linked and recorded. There is. The "IC tag code" is already written when the IC tag 40 is obtained, and the "book code" is information to be written in the IC tag 4 when the IC tag 40 is attached to the book 200. Information on the publisher, author, title, content, etc., which is detailed information of the book 200, may be managed by the management server 150 as a different data table in association with the "book code".

As shown in FIG. 5 (c), in the data table, "position information" is recorded in the data table for the book code whose storage position has been confirmed by the inspection robot in advance in association with the "book code" of each book 200. doing. If the storage position of the book 200 is confirmed, the book 200 is in stock, and if it is not confirmed, the book 200 is not in stock.

In addition, regarding the book 200, "reservation / non-reservation" information regarding whether or not there is a reservation from the user, "reservation / borrower" information which is information of the user who made the reservation or borrowed, and the loanable deadline when the reservation is made. "Lending deadline" information indicating "Lending deadline" and "Lending processing" information indicating whether or not the loan has been processed are also recorded. In addition, "rental date" information indicating the date of lending, "return deadline" information indicating the return deadline calculated from the lending date, and "return processing" information indicating whether or not the return processing was actually performed are also recorded. Will be done.

Here, when a reservation application is received from the user, the management server 150 identifies the reserved book 200 by its "book code". Next, the presence / absence of "inventory" and the "presence / absence of reservation" information are confirmed, it is determined whether or not the book can be reserved or rented, and the user is notified of the result that the book can be reserved or cannot be reserved. Answer to. When the reservation application process is processed by the user, "presence or absence of reservation" is recorded as "yes", and the user information is recorded in "reservation person, borrower". In addition, a "rental deadline" is set and recorded, and if the user performs the lending process by this deadline, the loan can be made.

(D) Reserved book guidance means In the reserved book guidance means 160, when the user comes to pick up the book 200 to be rented in advance at a library or the like, which book 200 is reserved to the user for rent? It is an information processing device provided with a card reader and a printer for notifying the position of the book shelf 10 in which the books are stored. However, the function of the reserved book guidance means 160 may be replaced by the management server 150. For example, when the user comes to pick up the book 200 to be rented in advance at a library or the like, the user terminal 140 is used. It may be configured to operate to acquire the location information of the reserved book 200 from the management server 150 and browse it.

When the reserved book guiding means 160 is an information processing device equipped with a card reader or a printer, the user is the card reader of the reserved book guiding means 160, such as a usage card certifying that he / she is registered. Identity verification is performed through the usage card reading unit 161. Here, only when it is possible to authenticate that the user is a legitimate registrant, a receipt describing the storage location of the reserved book 200 is printed out from the receipt output unit 162 of a printer or the like and handed to the user. The user sees the storage location information of the reserved book 200 described on this receipt, and actually takes out the book 200 from the book shelf 10.

Specifically, the reserved book guidance means 160 may inquire the management server 150 whether the user is a legitimate registrant, and the reserved book guidance means 160 itself provides a list of registered users as a database. , You may authenticate the user. Further, the reserved book guidance means 160 inquires whether or not the user is the same as the user who actually applied for the reservation to the management server 150, and the user information recognized by the usage card reading unit 161 and the user information of the management server 150 You may check the match with the "reservation person, borrower" recorded in the data table. Further, for the storage location information of the reserved book 200 to be printed out from the receipt output unit 162 to the user, the reserved book guiding means 160 obtains the "location information" corresponding to the "book code" from the data table of the management server 150. It is confirmed by acquiring.

It should be noted that the user authentication may be performed by inputting or collating a personal identification number or the like regardless of the usage card, and the notification to the user of the storage location of the reserved book 200 is not the output of the receipt but the reserved book guiding means 160. It may be displayed only on the display screen of, or it may be notified by voice guidance or the like.

(E) Automatic Lending Machine The automatic lending machine 170 is an information processing device in which a user who actually takes out a book 200 to be reserved by the above-mentioned reserved book guidance means 160 from the book shelf 10 finally automatically performs a lending process. be. The automatic lending machine 170 inquires about the "book code", "reservation person, borrower" information, "lending deadline" information, and "lending processing" information recorded in the data table of the management server 150, and the user causes the user. Make sure that you are a regular reservation person and borrower, and that you are processing the loan within the loan deadline, and that you are not performing double loan processing. Then, when all the lending conditions are satisfied, the lending process is performed, and the information that the "lending process" is "completed" and the "lending date" is transmitted to the management server 150. The management server 150 reflects this information on the data table and rejects the reservation or lending application of the same book from another person until the return process is completed.

(Ii) Flow of processing of the book position guidance system Next, the flow of book lending processing using the book position guidance system 1 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

(B) Input of book reservation information to the management server First, in FIG. 6, a pre-registered user who wishes to rent a book 200 from a library or the like can use his or her own user terminal 140 to operate the Internet operated by the library or the like. Enter the book reservation site from the above homepage. Then, the reservation information of the book 200 is input to the management server 150 (step S301). As the method for specifying the book 200, any method such as a search and input of a book name and a search and input of a book code can be used. The worker arranges the book 200 whose reservation has been accepted by the management server 150 at a predetermined position on the book shelf 10 (step S302). However, since the storage position of the book 200 is accurately confirmed by the inspection robot 100 described later, it is not necessary to store the book 200 in a strictly correct position.

Next, at an arbitrary timing when the reserved books 200 are stored in the book shelves 10, the inspection robot 100 is patrolled across the book shelves 10A to 10F, and the IC tags 40 of the arranged reserved books 200 are arranged. Information is read by a dedicated reading device 120. After that, the inspection robot 100 associates the information with its own current position information and transmits it to the management server 150 (step S303). In the "position information" of the data table of FIG. 5C of the management server 150, information regarding the reading position of the IC tag 40 when the inspection robot 100 patrols is recorded.

In this way, when the reserved book 200 is already recorded in the data table of the management server 150 including the location information, the reserved book 200 can be rented (step S304). For example, if a user visits a library or the like for loan processing, the necessary procedures can be carried out.

(B) Taking out the reserved book from the bookshelf Next, in FIG. 7, a user who has made a reservation application in advance visits a library or the like and asks the card reading unit 161 of the reserved book guidance means 160 to read his / her own book. Insert the usage card (step S311). This is because the book 200 should be lent out after authenticating that the user is a legitimate registrant. After the user is successfully authenticated, information about the reserved book 200 is displayed on the display screen of the reserved book guiding means 160 (step S312). The reserved book guidance means 160 communicates with the management server 150, and reads out "location information" corresponding to the "book code" that identifies the book 200 from the data tables of FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c).

After that, an approval process is performed to confirm that the user has not made a mistake in selection (step S313), and in response to this, the reserved book guide means 160 stores the book 200 in which book shelf 10, and the upper, middle, and so on. The display screen displays the position information for the user to easily take out the target book 200 from the predetermined book shelf 10, including which of the lower tiers it is stored in, and even the left and right positions in the tier. .. Further, if necessary, such information is printed out on the receipt through the receipt output unit 162 (step S314).

The user takes out the reserved book 200 from the book shelf 10 by referring to the arrangement position information of the book shelf 10 of the reserved book 200 displayed on the display screen of the reserved book guide means 160 or printed on the receipt. (Step S315). As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can easily take out the reserved book 200 from the book shelf 10 by himself / herself without hesitation. It does not take time and effort, and the workload when lending books is greatly reduced.

(C) Lending processing by the automatic lending machine Next, the user who takes out the reserved book 200 from the book shelf 10 brings the book 200 closer to the automatic lending machine 170 (step S321), and reads the book 200 provided in the automatic lending machine 170. The device reads out the information of the IC tag 40 of the book 200 (step S322). The automatic lending machine 170 transmits the information of the IC tag 40 of the read book 200, for example, the “book code” to the management server 150 (step S323). The management server 150 collates the book code received from the automatic lending machine 170 based on the data tables illustrated in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c) of the database, and reserves books to be rented. The 200 determines whether or not the necessary lending conditions are satisfied, and transmits the determination result to the automatic lending machine 170.

For example, it is assumed that the "book code" received from the automatic lending machine 170 is "11527629". For other information of the corresponding book 200, referring to the data table, "presence or absence of reservation" is "yes", and "reservation person, borrower" makes a reservation from a legitimate user having a code of "2107". Has been done. It is assumed that the access date of the user's automatic lending machine 170 is before the "rental deadline". In addition, "lending processing" is "not yet". In this way, the book 200 presented to the automatic lending machine 170 is reserved by a legitimate user by referring to the corresponding data table, and the procedure is completed within the specified lending deadline, and the lending process is performed. There is no double implementation. Therefore, the management server 150 can transmit the information permitting the automatic lending machine 170 to lend the book 200 to the user.

In the automatic lending machine 170, a verification procedure may be added to see if the reserved user and the user in the lending procedure are the same person, such as by reading the user's card again. By doing so, when a user other than the user who made the reservation tries to lend the book 200 by the automatic lending machine 170, the management server 150 causes the automatic lending machine 170 to perform the lending procedure. Information that does not allow the book 200 to be lent to the other user can be transmitted.

On the other hand, when the "book code" received from the automatic lending machine 170 is "41035722", the information on the data table corresponding to this is "no reservation" and "reservation person, borrowing". There is no record of "person". That is, there is no evidence that it has been reserved by the user in advance. In such a case, as a rule violation that has not undergone the advance reservation procedure, the management server 150 can transmit information to the automatic lending machine 170 that does not allow the book 200 to be lent to the user. However, even in such a case, if no other reservation is made, the book 200 can be lent to the user on the condition that the user is authenticated as a legitimate registrant. You may send the permitted information.

As described above, the management server 150 determines whether or not the procedure is performed by a legitimate user who has been registered and made a reservation in advance, based on the information of the IC tag 40 of the book 200 read by the automatic lending machine 170. (Step S324). Then, if it can be confirmed that the information is reserved by a legitimate user, the management server 150 transmits the lending permission information to the automatic lending machine 170 (step S326). In this case, the automatic lending machine 170 performs a necessary lending process to the user (step S327).

If it cannot be confirmed that the information is reserved by a legitimate user, the management server 150 transmits the lending disapproval information to the automatic lending machine 170 (step S328). Further, in this case, the automatic lending machine 170 does not perform lending processing to the user (step S329). When the lending process is performed, for example, the automatic lending machine 170 can transmit the information that the "lending process" is "completed" and the specific date information of the "lending date" to the management server 150. Further, when the user performs the return processing to the automatic lending machine 170, the information that the "return processing" is "completed" can be transmitted to the management server 150.

On the other hand, the management server 150 reflects the received information from these automatic lending machines 170 on the data table of FIG. 5 (c), generates "return deadline" information calculated from the "lending date" date, and generates the "return deadline" information. It can be recorded in the data table. Furthermore, if the return information by the user is not received from the automatic lending machine 170 or the like even after the "return deadline" has passed, the worker or the user may be notified of the information urging the return of the rented book. can.

As described above, the book position guidance system 1 of the present embodiment and the book 200 using the book position guidance system 1 use the book shelf 10 described above. Therefore, in particular, the reading device 120 of the self-propelled inspection robot 100 has an advantage that the information of the IC tag 40 of the books 200 stored in the book shelves 10A to 10F can be easily and surely read. .. This is because the posture correction unit 30 included in the book shelf 10 has the effect of correcting each book 200 in the upright direction.

As a result, the inspection robot 100 can surely read the information of the IC tag 40 of the book 200 in a state where the omission is suppressed. Further, the inspection robot 100 can acquire and transmit the information of the IC tag 40 of the book 200 and its own position information to the acquisition and management server 150 in association with each other. Thereby, the management server 150 can confirm the position information of which book 200 is in stock and which position of which book shelf 10 the book 200 is stored.

Further, the management server 150 accepts a reservation for lending the book 200 from the user, and as described above, based on the "book code" and the location information received from the inspection robot 100, the book 200 to be reserved is selected. If it is specified and it is determined that the book 200 exists on any of the book shelves 10A to 10F and no other reservation is made, the rental of the book 200 is permitted. On the other hand, if it is determined that the book 200 does not exist on any of the book shelves 10A to 10F, or if another reservation is made, the rental of the book 200 is not permitted. However, as described above, lending may be permitted as an exception handling.

Further, the reserved book guidance means 160 has a function of receiving and outputting information identifying the book 200 permitted to be rented by the management server 150 and the location information of the book 200 from the management server 150 in response to an inquiry from the user. have. With such a system and processing, a user who has made a reservation for renting a book 200 can quickly and accurately search for a book 200 to be reserved from a plurality of book shelves 10A to 10F in a library or the like. This makes it possible to reduce the burden of lending procedures and improve efficiency.

2. Modifications Next, various modifications relating to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. As for the modified examples, those described below are only examples thereof, and other modified examples may be allowed as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

(A) Modification 1
FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the configuration and operation of the book shelf 11 according to the first modification according to the present embodiment. 9 (a), 9 (b), and 9 (c) show the upper portion of the book shelf 10 of the present embodiment by removing the top plate 14 and omitting the shelf plate 51, respectively. Is a plan view seen from the + Z direction, and is a view corresponding to FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b), and 3 (c).

In the upper part of the book shelf 11, the right side plate 17, the partition plate 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e and the left side plate 16 are arranged in order from the −X direction side. In addition, the first posture, which is the posture correction unit 31, faces the side surfaces of the right side plate 17 on the + X direction side and the side surface of the partition plate 20b on the −X direction side, which are both ends of the rightmost section in the upper row. A straightening section 31a and a second posture straightening section 31b are provided. Similarly, the first posture correction portion 31c and the second posture correction portion 31c and the second side surface of the partition plate 20c on the + X direction side and the side surface of the partition plate 20c on the −X direction side, which are both ends of the second section from the right side, face each other, respectively. A posture correction unit 31d is provided.

Further, the first posture correction portion 31e and the second posture correction portion 31e and the second side surface of the partition plate 20c on the + X direction side and the side surface of the partition plate 20d on the −X direction side, which are both ends of the third section from the right side, face each other, respectively. The posture correction portion 31f is provided, and the first posture correction is provided so that the side surfaces of the partition plate 20d on the + X direction side and the side surfaces of the partition plate 20e on the −X direction side, which are both ends of the fourth section from the right side, face each other. A portion 31g and a second posture correction portion 31h are provided. Further, the first posture correction portion 31i and the second posture correction are opposed to the side surfaces of the partition plate 20e on the + X direction side and the side surface of the left side plate 16 on the −X direction side, which are both ends of the leftmost section, respectively. A portion 31j is provided.

The posture correction section 30 according to the embodiment is provided only on one side of each section, whereas the posture correction section 31 according to the modification 1 is provided on both sides of each section in a substantially symmetrical shape in a plan view. The point is different. These posture correction portions 31 are detachably or non-detachably fixed to the left side plate 16, the right side plate 17, or the partition plate 20. Like the posture correction unit 30, the posture correction unit 31 has a substantially arc-shaped shape in which one end side is an open end in a plan view from the + Z direction.

Further, in the posture correction unit 31, the width of the space into which the books 200 in each of the plurality of sections partitioned by the partition plate 20 can be inserted increases from the front to the back of the book shelf 11 on both sides of the section. It is arranged so that it becomes narrower. For example, in the second section from the right, the width not including the posture correction portion 31 of each section is W1, but the width of the space in which the book 200 of the section can be inserted is such that the front side is close to W1. On the back side, there is only a very short length of W6, and the posture correction portions 31c and 31d are arranged so as to become narrower from both sides for a while from the front to the back.

Like the posture correction unit 30, the posture correction unit 31 of this modification is also composed of a non-metal leaf spring that is easily elastically deformed. The actions and effects of the posture correction unit 31 include all the actions and effects of the posture correction unit 30. Therefore, the other actions and effects will be described below. As shown in FIG. 9B, a relatively thin book 201 having a thickness of W3 is placed in the −Y direction in the most −X direction side, that is, the rightmost section of the upper part of the book shelf 11. It is inserted on the side, that is, on the back side. W3 is preferably W6 or more. The permissible thickness of the book 200 to be inserted into the compartment of the book shelf 11 needs to be W6 or more and W1 or less.

Further, in another section to the left of the section, a book 202 having a thickness of W4 thicker than W3 is inserted into the back side. Further, in another section to the left of the section, a relatively thick book 203 having a thickness of W5 thicker than W4 is inserted into the back side. A book is not inserted into the section to the left of the section, and a book 201 having a thickness of W3 is inserted into the section to the left of the section. The widths of each section not including the posture correction portion 31 are all the same and are W1.

Each book 200 is inserted into each section of the book shelf 11 so that its back faces the front side of the book shelf 11. An IC tag 40 is provided on the right cover of each book 200. Here, the inspection robot 100 moves the reading device 120 from the right side to the left side while approaching the book shelf 11, and reads the IC tag 40 of the proximity wireless system. Here, the books 201, 202, and 203 are always arranged at substantially the center of the width of each section. This is because the pair of posture correction portions 31 provided at both ends of each section are arranged substantially symmetrically in a plan view, so that the inserted books 201, 202 and 203 are not related to the difference in thickness. Instead, they will receive approximately the same load from both sides of the compartment. As a matter of course, the absolute value of the load is stronger as the thickness of each book 200 is thicker.

By arranging the books 201, 202, and 203 at substantially the center of the width of each section in this way, first, the gap between the books 200 is widened, which makes it much easier to put in and take out the books 200. Further, as the space between the books is widened, the space between the IC tags 40 is also widened, and the IC tag 40 can be accurately read by the reading device 120. Further, the load from the posture correction unit 31 that tries to correct the book 200 in the upright direction is distributed to the left and right, and the risk of damage to the book 200 can be reduced as compared with the case where the book 200 is corrected by the load from only one side.

In FIG. 9B, when the book 203 having a thickness of W5 inserted in the third section from the right is pulled out toward the front, the posture correction portions 31e and 31f are not pushed from the book 200. It returns to the original shape as shown in FIG. 9 (c). That is, the width of the space in which the book 200 in the section can be inserted returns to a short length of W6 on the back side. Further, it is natural that the book 200 may be inserted at any time later in the section of the book shelf 11 where the book is not inserted. For example, in FIG. 9 (b), when a book 202 having a thickness of W4 is inserted into the section not containing the fourth book from the rightmost side, as shown in FIG. 9 (c). In addition, the posture correction portions 31g and 31h are pushed by the book 202, and each moves laterally by the width of (W4-W6) / 2. At the same time, the action of correcting the book 202 in the upright direction works.

(B) Modification example 2
Next, the configuration and operation of the book shelf 12 according to the second modification according to the present embodiment will be described. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are views corresponding to FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) according to the first modification.

In the upper part of the book shelf 12, the right side plate 17, the partition plate 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e and the left side plate 16 are arranged in order from the −X direction side, and the right side plate 17 of the rightmost section of the upper stage is in the + X direction. A posture correction portion 32a is provided on the side surface. Similarly, the posture correction portions 32b on the + X direction side surfaces of the partition plates 20b, 20c, 20d and 20e, which are one ends on the −X direction side of the second, third, fourth and fifth sections from the right side, respectively. , 32c, 32d and 32e are provided.

The posture correction unit 32 according to the second modification is provided only on one side of each section, similarly to the posture correction unit 30 according to the embodiment. However, the shape of the posture correction portion 32 when viewed in a plan view from the + Z direction side is not a substantially arc shape like the posture correction portion 30, but a substantially straight line or a substantially rectangular shape of the plate member 401. Further, the plate member 401 is connected to the right side plate 17 or the partition plate 20 by a first spring portion 402 and a second spring portion 403 which are coil springs. The first spring portion 402 is arranged on the back side of the compartment, and the second spring portion 403 is arranged on the front side of the compartment.

In this case as well, the posture correction unit 32 has a space in which the books 200 in each of the plurality of sections partitioned by the partition plate 20 can be inserted, as the width of the space increases from the front to the back of the book shelf 12. It is arranged so as to be narrow from both sides of. For example, in the second section from the right, the width not including the posture correction portion 31 of each section is W1, but the width of the space in which the book 200 of the section can be inserted is the length of W22 on the front side, which is close to W1. The back side has a very short length of W21, and the posture correction portion 32b is arranged so as to become narrower from both sides for a while from the front to the back.

Unlike the posture correction portions 30 and 31, the posture correction unit 32 of this modification does not require the plate member 401 itself to elastically deform to push the book 200, and the function of pushing the book 200 is provided by the first spring portion 402 and the first spring portion 402. It is secured by a coil spring composed of the second spring portion 403. Therefore, the material of the plate member 401 that directly contacts the book 200 can be selected from a wide range regardless of the presence or absence of elastic deformation. Here, for example, when the spring constant of the first spring portion 402 arranged on the back side of the compartment is k1 and the spring constant of the second spring portion 403 arranged on the front side of the compartment is k2, k1> k2. It is preferable to do so. By setting the spring constant of the coil spring on the front side to be smaller than that on the back side, the plate member 401 on the front side can be moved relatively easily when the book 200 is taken in and out, and workability is improved. On the other hand, the back side can apply a strong external force to the book 200 with respect to the insertion of the book 200, and the effect of correcting the book 200 in the upright direction can be easily obtained.

The actions and effects of the posture correction unit 32 include all the actions and effects of the posture correction unit 30. Therefore, the other actions and effects will be described below. As shown in FIG. 10B, a relatively thin book 201 having a thickness of W3 is placed in the −Y direction in the uppermost −X direction side of the book shelf 12, that is, the rightmost section. It is inserted on the side, that is, on the back side. W3 is preferably W21 or more. The permissible thickness of the book 200 to be inserted into the compartment of the book shelf 12 needs to be W21 or more and W1 or less.

Further, in another section to the left of the section, a book 202 having a thickness of W4 thicker than W3 is inserted into the back side. Further, in another section to the left of the section, a relatively thick book 203 having a thickness of W5 thicker than W4 is inserted into the back side. A book is not inserted into the section to the left of the section, and a book 201 having a thickness of W3 is inserted into the section to the left of the section. The widths of each section not including the posture correction portion 32 are all the same and are W1.

Each book 200 is inserted into each section of the book shelf 12 so that its back faces the front side of the book shelf 12. An IC tag 40 is provided on the right cover of each book 200. Here, the inspection robot 100 moves the reading device 120 from the right side to the left side while approaching the book shelf 12, and reads the IC tag 40 of the proximity wireless system. Therefore, in each book 200 stored in the book shelf 12, it is possible to read a good IC tag 40 in the same manner as in each book 200 stored in the book shelf 10 according to the embodiment.

(C) Modification 3
Next, the configuration and operation of the book shelf 12A according to the third modification according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 (c) is a plan view of the book shelf 12A according to the modified example 3 corresponding to FIG. 10 (a) according to the modified example 2.

In the upper part of the book shelf 12A, the right side plate 17, the partition plate 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e and the left side plate 16 are arranged in order from the −X direction side. Further, the first posture correcting portion 33, which is opposed to the side surface of the right side plate 17 on the + X direction side and the side surface of the partition plate 20b on the −X direction side, which are both ends of the rightmost section in the upper row, respectively. A posture correction portion 33a and a second posture correction portion 33b are provided. Similarly, the + X-direction side surfaces of the partition plates 20b, 20c, 20d and 20e, which are both ends of the second, third, fourth and fifth sections from the right side, and the partition plates 20c, 20d, 20e and the left side plate 16 A first posture correction portion 33a and a second posture correction portion 33b are provided on the side surfaces on the −X direction side, respectively.

The posture correction section 32 according to the modification 2 is provided only on one side of each section, whereas the posture correction section 33 according to the modification 3 is provided on both sides of each section as in the modification 1. The difference is that a structure similar to that of the posture correction unit 32 is provided in a substantially symmetrical shape in a plan view.

In the modification 3, as in the modification 1, each book 200 is arranged at substantially the center of the width of each section. Therefore, the plate member 401 has the advantages of facilitating the loading and unloading of the book 200, improving the reading accuracy of the IC tag 40 by the reading device 120, and reducing the risk of damage to the book 200 due to loading and unloading. It also has the advantage of expanding the selection range of materials.

1 Book position guidance system 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 11, 12 Book shelf 13 Outer frame 14 Top plate 15 Bottom plate 16 Left plate 17 Right plate 18 Back plate 20, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e Partition plate 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 31, 32, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 33 Posture correction section 31a, 31c, 31e, 31g, 31i, 33a First posture correction section 31b, 31d, 31f, 31h, 31j, 33b Second posture correction unit 40 IC tag 45 IC chip 46 Antenna 50 Shelf board 51 First shelf board 52 Second shelf board 100 Inspection robot 120, 121, 122, 123 Reader 125 IC chip 126 Antenna 131 Reference mark 140 User terminal 150 Management server 160 Reserved book guidance means 161 Used card reading unit 162 Receipt output unit 170 Automatic lending machine 180 Network 200, 201, 202, 203 Books 401 Plate member 402 1st spring part 403 2nd Spring part

Claims (7)

A book shelf that stores books with an IC tag on which readable information is recorded by bringing a reader capable of non-contact communication close to at least a part of the cover so that the spine of the book faces toward you. There,
Side plates arranged at both ends in the left-right direction that define the book storage area,
The storage area is further provided with a partition plate for partitioning each unit book into a plurality of sections.
In any of the compartments, the side plate or the partition plate constituting the compartment has a posture correction unit that straightens the books inserted in the compartment in an upright direction for each unit book. Further, a bottom plate that defines the lower limit of the storage area for supporting the side plates arranged at both ends in the left-right direction, a top plate that defines the upper limit of the storage area, or a back plate that defines the depth of the storage area. The book shelf according to claim 1 provided. The book shelf according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the posture correction unit is arranged so that the width of the space into which the book can be inserted in the section becomes narrower from the front side to the back side of the book shelf. The book shelf according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the posture correction unit has a leaf spring or a coil spring that is deformed by the book inserted in the section. The book shelf according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the posture correction unit increases the load urging the book as the thickness of the book inserted into the section increases. The book shelf according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the partition plate is made of non-metal. The book shelf according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and
An information reading means that reads a book code from the IC tag of the book stored in the book shelf by non-contact communication, and a position detecting means that detects the position information that the information reading means has read the book code. A self-propelled inspection robot equipped with
The book lending reservation from the user is accepted, the book to be reserved is specified based on the book code and the position information received from the inspection robot, and it is determined that the book exists in the book shelf. In this case, if there is no other reservation, the book is allowed to be rented, and if it is determined that the book does not exist on the bookshelf, or if there is another reservation, the book is applicable. A management server that does not allow books to be rented,
Book location guidance provided with information for identifying books that the management server has permitted to rent and reserved book guidance means that receives and outputs the location information of the book from the management server in response to an inquiry from the user. system.

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