JP2024057812A - Item management system, item management server, program, and item management method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a low-cost and highly convenient item management technology. [Solution] A control label 2 indicates the control number of an inventory target item 7 to which the control label 2 is attached. A photographing terminal 4 photographs the control label 2 using a camera function, and transmits the image information to an inventory management server 1 together with the photographing date and time and location information obtained by a current location measurement function. A management terminal 3 transmits an inventory target list indicating the control number of each inventory target item 7 to the inventory management server 1. The inventory management server 1 creates an inventory management list based on the inventory target list received from the management terminal 3. In addition, in cooperation with an image analysis server 5, the server 1 recognizes the control number from the image information received from the photographing terminal 4, and if this control number is indicated on the inventory management list, the server 1 associates this control number with the image information and receives from the photographing terminal 4 together with the management information, including the photographing date and time and location information, and registers this control number in the inventory management list. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act submitted. Exhibited at a preview event for the applicant's business partners from April 19 to April 21, 2022.

The present invention relates to an item management technology for managing the location of items, etc.

Patent Document 1 discloses an item management system that uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags.

This item management system is comprised of an RFID tag attached to an item to be managed, a verification terminal such as a mobile phone equipped with an RFID tag reader/writer function and a current location measurement function such as GPS (Global Positioning System), and an item management server. The RFID tag stores the management number (item ID) and location information of the item to be managed. The verification terminal reads the management number and location information from the RFID tag attached to the item to be managed and compares the location information of the item to the location information of its own terminal. If the two do not match, and if the management number of the item to be managed is listed in the target item list data preregistered in its own terminal, the location information stored in the RFID tag is updated to the location information of its own terminal, and if it is not listed, an information request accompanied by the management number of the item to be managed is sent to the item management server, and detailed information on the item to be managed is obtained from the item management server.

JP 2012-243245 A

In the item management system described in Patent Document 1, an RFID tag must be attached to each item to be managed. Also, to read and write the RFID tag, a special mobile terminal such as a mobile phone equipped with an RFID tag reader/writer function is required. This increases costs. Furthermore, with the RFID tag alone, the management number stored in the RFID tag cannot be visually observed, which is inconvenient.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a more convenient and lower-cost item management technology.

In order to solve the above problem, the item management system of the present invention is configured to include a management tag attached to an item, a photographing terminal such as a smartphone or tablet PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a camera function and a current location measurement function such as GPS, a management terminal, and an item management server. The management tag contains the management number of the item to which the management tag is attached. The photographing terminal photographs the management tag attached to the item using the camera function, and transmits the image information to the item management server together with the photographing date and time and the location information obtained by the current location measurement function. The management terminal transmits a target item list containing the management numbers of each item to the item management server. Based on the target item list received from the management terminal, the item management server creates an item management list for managing management information by linking it to the management number for each item, based on the target item list received from the management terminal. In addition, the item management server, in cooperation with an image analysis server or using its own image analysis function, performs image analysis processing on the image information received from the photographing terminal and recognizes the management number from the image information. If the recognized management number is listed on the item management list, the image information, along with the shooting date and time and location information received from the shooting terminal, are linked to this management number and registered in the management information registered on the item management list.

For example, the present invention is an item management system for managing items,
The system includes a management tag attached to the item, a photographing terminal having a camera function and a current position measuring function, a management terminal, and an item management server,
The control label has a control number of the item to which the control label is affixed written thereon,
The photographing terminal includes:
a captured image transmission means for photographing the management tag attached to the item by the camera function and transmitting the image information to the item management server together with the photographing date and time and the location information obtained by the current location measurement function;
The management terminal includes:
a target item list transmission means for transmitting a target item list, in which the management number of each of the items is described, to the item management server;
The article management server includes:
an item management list creation means for creating an item management list for managing management information by linking the item to the management number for each item based on the target item list received from the management terminal;
A management number recognition means for performing an image analysis process on the image information received from the photographing terminal in cooperation with an image analysis server or by using an image analysis function provided in the image analysis means, and recognizing the management number from the image information;
The device has an item management list update means which, when the management number recognized from the image information by the management number recognition means is included in the item management list created by the item management list creation means, registers the shooting date and time and location information received from the shooting terminal together with the image information, linked to the management number, in the management information registered in the item management list.

In the present invention, a management tag with a management number written on it is affixed to an item, thereby reducing costs compared to affixing an RFID tag to an item. Furthermore, since an RFID tag is not used, a special mobile terminal with an RFID tag reader/writer function is not required, and general mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet PCs with a camera function and a current location measurement function such as GPS can be used as the photography terminal. Furthermore, since a management tag with a management number written on it is used, the management number of an item can be visually confirmed. In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a more convenient item management technology at lower cost.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inventory control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the inventory management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the inventory control system according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is a continuation of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the inventory management server 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents in the image information storage unit 101. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of registered contents in the inventory management list storage unit 102. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the inventory management server 1. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the inventory management server 1, and is a continuation of FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the management terminal 3. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the management terminal 3. FIG. 11 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the photographing terminal 4. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the photographing terminal 4.

The following describes one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an inventory management system according to this embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the inventory management system according to this embodiment is configured with a number of control tags 2-1 to 2-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as control tags 2) affixed to a number of inventory target items 7-1 to 7-n (hereinafter also simply referred to as inventory target items 7), a photographing terminal 4 such as a smartphone having a camera function and a current location measurement function such as GPS, a management terminal 3, and an inventory management server 1 that manages the item names, location information, etc. of the inventory target items 7.

The management sheet 2 has a management number printed thereon, which is identification information for the inventory item 7 to which it is attached. The inventory management server 1 is connected to the image analysis server 5 and the map providing server 6 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 91, a gateway 92, and a WAN (Wide Area Network) 90. The management terminal 3 is connected to the inventory management server 1 via the LAN 91. The photographing terminal 4 is connected to the inventory management server 1 via an access point 93 and the LAN 91.

Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams showing an example of the operation of the inventory management system according to this embodiment.

First, when the management terminal 3 receives an inventory target designation operation from a user, which involves the designation of inventory target items 7 (in this embodiment, the designation of a management number and item name for each inventory target item 7) (S100), it creates an inventory target list that describes the management number and item name of each inventory target item received in this inventory target designation operation, and transmits this inventory target list to the inventory management server 1 (S101).

When the inventory management server 1 receives the inventory target list from the management terminal 3, it creates and saves an inventory management list based on the inventory target list for each inventory target item 7, linking management information including the item name to a management number (S102).

When the photographing terminal 4 receives a photographing operation from the user with the control tag 2 affixed to the inventory item 7 as the subject (S103), it photographs the control tag 2 using the camera function (S104). Then, it transmits image information of the photographed control tag 2 together with the photographing date and time and location information obtained by the current location measurement function to the inventory management server 1 (S105). In response, the inventory management server 1 stores the image information together with the photographing date and time and location information (S106). The processes of S103 to S106 are performed each time the photographing terminal 4 receives a photographing operation from the user with the control tag 2 affixed to the inventory item 7 as the subject.

Next, when the management terminal 3 receives a matching request operation from the user (S107), it sends a matching request to the inventory management server 1 (S108). In response, the inventory management server 1 identifies unmatched image information from the image information of the stored management list 2 as image information to be matched (S109), and sends an image analysis request including the image information to be matched to the image analysis server 5 (S110).

When the image analysis server 5 receives an image analysis request from the inventory management server 1, it performs an image analysis process (character recognition process) on the matching target image information attached to the image analysis request, and recognizes the control number printed on the control sheet 2 identified by the matching target image information (S111). Then, it transmits the recognized control number to the inventory management server 1 (S112).

Next, when the inventory management server 1 receives the control number from the image analysis server 5, it compares this control number with the inventory management list to determine whether or not this control number is listed in the inventory management list (S113). Here, it is assumed that the control number received from the image analysis server 5 is listed in the inventory management list. In this case, the inventory management server 1 sends a map information request to the map providing server 6, including the location information that is added to the stored image information to be compared together with the date and time of shooting (S114).

When the map providing server 6 receives a map information request from the inventory management server 1, it searches for map information that includes the location specified by the location information added to the map information request (S115). It then transmits the access address (URL: Uniform Resource Locator) for the searched map information to the inventory management server 1 (S116).

Then, the inventory management server 1 adds the shooting date and time and location information stored together with the image information to be compared, the storage destination of the image information to be compared, and the access destination of the map information received from the map providing server 6 to the management information linked to the management number received from the image analysis server 5 and registered in the inventory management list, thereby updating the inventory management list (S117). The processes of S109 to S117 are repeated until all image information of the management forms 2 stored in the inventory management server 1 has been compared.

Then, when the management terminal 3 receives a matching result acquisition operation from the user (S118), it sends a matching result request to the inventory management server 1 (S119). In response, the inventory management server 1 sends the inventory management list to the management terminal 3 (S120). The management terminal 3 then displays the inventory management list received from the inventory management server 1 (S121).

Next, we will explain the details of the inventory management server 1, management terminal 3, and photography terminal 4 that make up the inventory management system of this embodiment.

Note that existing web service servers can be used for the image analysis server 5 and the map provision server 6, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

First, we will explain the inventory management server 1.

Figure 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the inventory management server 1.

As shown in the figure, the inventory management server 1 has a network interface unit 100, an image information storage unit 101, an inventory management list storage unit 102, an inventory target list receiving unit 103, an inventory management list creation unit 104, an image information receiving unit 105, a matching request receiving unit 106, a matching target image information identification unit 107, a management number recognition unit 108, a map information acquisition unit 109, an inventory management list update unit 110, and an inventory management list transmission unit 111.

The network interface unit 100 is an interface for connecting to the LAN 91.

The image information storage unit 101 stores image information of the management form 2 captured by the image capture terminal 4.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of registered contents in the image information storage unit 101.

As shown in the figure, the image information storage unit 101 stores an image information record 1010 for each image information of the management form 2 captured by the imaging terminal 4. The image information record 1010 has a field 1011 in which an image ID that is identification information of the image information is registered, a field 1012 in which the image information of the management form 2 is registered, a field 1013 in which the image information is captured on a date and time basis, a field 1014 in which location information indicating the location where the image information was captured is registered, and a field 1015 in which the matching status (whether "matched" or "not matched") is registered.

The inventory management list is stored in the inventory management list memory unit 102.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the contents registered in the inventory management list memory unit 102.

As shown in the figure, the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102 stores a record 1020 of management information for each inventory target item 7 listed in the inventory target list received from the management terminal 3. The record 1020 of management information has a field 1021 in which the management number of the inventory target item 7 is registered, a field 1022 in which the item name of the inventory target item 7 is registered, a field 1023 in which the matching status ("matched" or "not matched") is registered, a field 1024 in which the photographing date and time of the management list 2 is registered, a field 1025 in which the location information of the inventory target item 7 is registered, a field 1026 in which the access destination of the map information including the point specified by the location information of the inventory target item 7 is registered, and a field 1027 in which the storage destination of the image information of the management list 2 is registered. Note that the above information is registered in fields 1024 to 1027 when the matching status "matched" is registered in field 1023.

The inventory target list receiving unit 103 receives an inventory target list that describes the management number and item name for each inventory target item 7 from the management terminal 3 via the network interface unit 100.

The inventory management list creation unit 104 generates management information for each inventory target item 7 specified in the inventory target designation operation based on the inventory target list received by the inventory target list receiving unit 103, and creates an inventory management list including this management information. Fields 1021 and 1022 of the management information record 1020 register the management number and item name described in the inventory target list, field 1023 registers the matching status "unmatched", and fields 1024 to 1027 register null data (blanks). The created inventory management list is then stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102.

The image information receiving unit 105 receives image information together with the shooting date and location information from the photographing terminal 4 via the network interface unit 100. It then adds a record 1010 of the image information to the image information storage unit 101, registering a unique image ID in field 1011, image information, shooting date, and location information in fields 1012 to 1014, and the matching status "unmatched" in field 1015.

The matching request receiving unit 106 receives a matching request from the management terminal 3 via the network interface unit 100.

When the matching request receiving unit 106 receives a matching request from the management terminal 3, the matching target image information identifying unit 107 identifies, from the image information storage unit 101, the record 1010 of image information in which the matching status "unmatched" is registered in the field 1015, as the matching target image information. Then, the matching target image information is passed to the inventory management list updating unit 110, and the matching status in the field 1015 of the record 1010 of the matching target image information stored in the image information storage unit 101 is updated from "unmatched" to "matched".

The control number recognition unit 108 sends an image analysis request accompanied by the image information received from the inventory management list update unit 110 to the image analysis server 5 via the network interface unit 100, and obtains the image analysis result for this image information (character recognition result: the control number printed on the control sheet 2) from the image analysis server 5. Then, it passes the obtained control number to the inventory management list update unit 110.

The map information acquisition unit 109 transmits a map information request accompanied by the location information received from the inventory management list update unit 110 to the map providing server 6 via the network interface unit 100, and acquires from the map providing server 6 an access destination for map information including the location specified by this location information. Then, it passes the access destination for the acquired map information to the inventory management list update unit 110.

The inventory management list update unit 110 passes the image information contained in the matching target image information received from the matching target image information identification unit 107 to the management number recognition unit 108 and acquires the management number from the management number recognition unit 108. Then, the acquired management number is matched with the management number in the field 1021 of each management information contained in the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102. If a matching management number is included in any management information of the inventory management list, the location information included in the matching target image information is notified to the map information acquisition unit 109 and the access destination of the map information is acquired from the map information acquisition unit 109. Then, in the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102, the shooting date and time and location information included in the matching target image information, the access destination of the map information acquired from the map information acquisition unit 109, and the storage destination of the matching target image information in the image information storage unit 101 (for example, the image ID included in the matching target image information) are registered in the record 1020 of the management information including the management number received from the management number recognition unit 108. In addition, the matching status registered in field 1023 of record 1020 of this management information is updated from "unmatched" to "matched."

The inventory management list transmission unit 111 transmits the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list memory unit 102 to the management terminal 3 in accordance with a matching result request received from the management terminal 3 via the network interface unit 100.

The above-mentioned functional configuration of the inventory management server 1 may be realized in hardware using an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or in software using a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Alternatively, it may be realized as a process by a CPU loading a specific program from an auxiliary storage device into memory and executing it in a general-purpose computer such as a PC equipped with a CPU, auxiliary storage devices such as memory, HDD, and DVD-ROM, and communication interfaces such as a modem and a NIC (Network Interface Card).

Figures 7 and 8 are flow diagrams for explaining the operation of the inventory management server 1.

First, when the inventory target list receiving unit 103 receives an inventory target list from the management terminal 3 via the network interface unit 100 (YES in S200), it passes this inventory target list to the inventory management list creation unit 104. In response to this, the inventory management list creation unit 104 generates a management information record 1020 for each inventory target item 7 listed in the inventory target list. The management number and item name described in the inventory target list are registered in fields 1021 and 1022 of this management information record 1020, the matching status "unmatched" is registered in field 1023, and null data (blanks) are registered in fields 1024 to 1027. Then, an inventory management list including the generated management information record 1020 is generated, and this inventory management list is saved in the inventory management list storage unit 102 (S201).

Next, when the image information receiving unit 105 receives image information together with the shooting date/time and location information from the photographing terminal 4 via the network interface unit 100 (YES in S202), it adds a record 1010 of the image information to the image information storage unit 101, and registers the image information, shooting date and location information in fields 1012-1014 of this record 1010, and the matching status "unmatched" in field 1015 (S203). Thereafter, the image information receiving unit 105 repeats the image information registration process (S203) each time it receives image information together with the shooting date/time and location information from the photographing terminal 4 (YES in S202) until the matching request receiving unit 106 receives a matching request from the management terminal 3 via the network interface unit 100 (NO in S204).

Next, when the matching request receiving unit 106 receives a matching request from the management terminal 3 via the network interface unit 100 (YES in S204), it instructs the matching target image information identifying unit 107 to identify the matching target image information. In response to this, the matching target image information identifying unit 107 extracts one record 1010 from the image information storage unit 101 in which the matching status "unmatched" is registered in field 1015, identifies this as the matching target image information, and updates the matching status registered in field 1015 of this record 1010 from "unmatched" to "matched" (S205). The matching request receiving unit 106 then passes the matching target image information (however, field 1015 may be omitted) to the inventory management list updating unit 110.

In response to this, the inventory management list update unit 110 passes the image information registered in field 1012 of the image information to be matched to the control number recognition unit 108. The control number recognition unit 108 sends an image analysis request accompanied by this image information to the image analysis server 5 via the network interface unit 100, and obtains the image analysis result (character recognition result: control number printed on control sheet 2) from the image analysis server 5 (S206). The obtained control number is then passed to the inventory management list update unit 110.

Then, the inventory management list update unit 110 compares the management number received from the management number recognition unit 108 with the management number in the field 1021 of the record 1020 of each management information of the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102 (S207). Then, if a matching management number is included in any record 1020 of management information of the inventory management list (YES in S208), the location information registered in the field 1014 of the image information to be compared is passed to the map information acquisition unit 109. The map information acquisition unit 109 transmits a map information request including this location information to the map providing server 6 via the network interface unit 100, and acquires from the map providing server 6 the access destination of the map information including the point specified by this location information (S209). Then, the access destination of the acquired map information is passed to the inventory management list update unit 110.

Then, the inventory management list update unit 110 registers the shooting date and time, location information, access destination of the map information acquired from the map information acquisition unit 109, and storage destination of the image information to be matched, which are registered in fields 1013 and 1014 of the image information to be matched, in fields 1024, 1025, 1026, and 1027 of the management information records 1020 included in the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102, in which the management number received from the management number recognition unit 108 is registered in field 1021. The inventory management list update unit 110 also updates the matching status registered in field 1023 of this management information record 1020 to "matched". This updates the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102 (S210).

Then, the inventory management list update unit 110 instructs the matching target image information identification unit 107 to identify the matching target image information. In response to this, the matching target image information identification unit 107 searches the image information storage unit 101 for records 1010 of unmatched image information (S211). Specifically, the image information storage unit 101 searches for records 1010 of image information in which the matching status "unmatched" is registered in the field 1015. Then, if there is a record 1010 of unmatched image information (YES in S211), the process returns to S205, where new matching target image information is identified and the matching status registered in the field 1015 of the matching target image information is updated from "unmatched" to "matched".

On the other hand, if all image information records 1010 have been matched (NO in S211), the inventory management list transmission unit 111 waits to receive a matching result request from the management terminal 3 via the network interface unit 100 (S212). Then, if the inventory management list transmission unit 111 receives a matching result request from the management terminal 3 (YES in S212), it transmits the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list memory unit 102 to the management terminal 3 via the network interface unit 100 (S213).

Next, we will explain the management terminal 3.

Figure 9 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the management terminal 3.

As shown in the figure, the management terminal 3 includes a network interface unit 300, a man-machine interface unit 301, an inventory target list transmission unit 302, a matching request transmission unit 303, and an inventory management list acquisition unit 304.

The network interface unit 300 is an interface for connecting to the LAN 91.

The man-machine interface unit 301 is an interface for accepting various operations from the user and displaying information to the user.

The inventory target list transmission unit 302 creates an inventory target list that describes the management number and item name of each inventory target item received in the inventory target designation operation according to the inventory target designation operation received from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301. Then, it transmits the inventory management list to the inventory management server 1 via the network interface unit 300.

The matching request sending unit 303 sends a matching request to the inventory management server 1 via the network interface unit 300 in accordance with a matching request operation received from a user via the man-machine interface unit 301.

The inventory management list acquisition unit 304 sends a matching result request to the inventory management server 1 via the network interface unit 300 in accordance with a matching result acquisition operation received from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301. Then, it receives the inventory management list from the inventory management server 1 and displays it on the man-machine interface unit 301.

The above-mentioned functional configuration of the management terminal 3 may be realized in hardware, such as an integrated logic IC, an ASIC, an FPGA, etc., as with the inventory management server 1, or in software, such as a computer, such as a DSP. Alternatively, it may be realized as a process in a general-purpose computer, such as a PC, equipped with a CPU, auxiliary storage device, such as a memory, HDD, DVD-ROM, and a communication interface, such as a modem or NIC, by the CPU loading a specific program from the auxiliary storage device into the memory and executing it.

Figure 10 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the management terminal 3.

First, when the inventory target list transmission unit 302 receives an inventory target designation operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301 (YES in S300), it creates an inventory target list that describes the management number and item name of each inventory target item received in this inventory target designation operation. Then, it transmits the inventory management list to the inventory management server 1 via the network interface unit 300 (S301).

Next, when the matching request sending unit 303 receives a matching request operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301 (YES in S302), it sends a matching request to the inventory management server 1 via the network interface unit 300 (S303).

Then, when the inventory management list acquisition unit 304 receives a matching result acquisition operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 301 (YES in S304), it sends a matching result request to the inventory management server 1 via the network interface unit 300 (S305). Then, it receives the inventory management list from the inventory management server 1 and displays it on the man-machine interface unit 301 (S306).

Next, we will explain the photographing terminal 4.

Figure 11 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the photographing terminal 4.

As shown in the figure, the photographing terminal 4 includes a wireless network interface unit 400, a man-machine interface unit 401, a photographing processing unit 402, a position information measuring unit 403, an image information transmitting unit 404, and a communication status monitoring unit 405.

The wireless network interface unit 400 is an interface for wirelessly connecting to the access point 93.

The man-machine interface unit 401 is an interface for accepting various operations from the user and displaying information to the user.

The photography processing unit 402 photographs a subject using a built-in or external camera in accordance with photography operations received from the user via the man-machine interface unit 401.

The location information measurement unit 403 works in conjunction with the GPS to measure the location information of the self-photography device 4.

The image information transmission unit 404 transmits the image information captured by the image capture processing unit 402 and the capture date and time, together with the location information measured by the location information measurement unit 403, to the inventory management server 1 via the wireless network interface unit 400.

The communication status monitoring unit 405 monitors the wireless connection status with the access point 93 in the wireless network interface unit 400.

The above-mentioned functional configuration of the photographing terminal 4 may be realized in hardware by an integrated logic IC such as an ASIC or FPGA, as with the inventory management server 1 and the management terminal 3, or may be realized in software by a computer such as a DSP. Alternatively, it may be realized as a process by the CPU loading a specific program from the auxiliary storage device into the memory and executing it in a portable computer such as a smartphone or tablet PC equipped with a CPU, memory, auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, and a wireless interface such as a wireless LAN adapter.

Figure 12 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the photographing terminal 4.

First, when the photography processing unit 402 receives a photography operation from the user via the man-machine interface unit 401 with the built-in or external camera pointed at the control list 2 affixed to the inventory target item 7 (YES in S400), it photographs the subject, the control list 2 (S401). Then, it passes the image information of the control list 2 together with the photography date and time to the image information transmission unit 404. In response, the image information transmission unit 404 obtains the location information of the self-photographing terminal 4 from the location information measurement unit 403 (S402).

Then, the image information transmission unit 404 obtains the monitoring result of the wireless connection status with the access point 93 in the wireless network interface unit 400 from the communication status monitoring unit 405, and checks the wireless connection status (S403). Then, if the wireless connection status is good and information can be transmitted to the inventory management server 1 (YES in S404), the image information is transmitted to the inventory management server 1 via the wireless network interface unit 400 and the access point 93 together with the shooting date and time and location information (S405). On the other hand, if the wireless connection status is poor and it is difficult to transmit information to the inventory management server 1 (NO in S404), the process returns to S403 and waits until the wireless connection status becomes good and information can be transmitted to the inventory management server 1.

The above describes one embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the control tag 2 with the control number written on it is affixed to the inventory target item 7, so costs can be reduced compared to the case of affixing an RFID tag to the inventory target item 7. In addition, because an RFID tag is not used, a special mobile terminal with an RFID tag reader/writer function is not required, and a general mobile terminal such as a smartphone with a camera function and a current location measurement function such as GPS can be used as the photographing terminal 4. Furthermore, because the control tag 2 with the control number written on it is used, the control number of the inventory target item 7 can be visually confirmed. In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an inventory management technology that is more convenient and less costly.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102, the record 1020 of the management information of the inventory target item 7 includes the management number and the storage destination of the image information of the management sheet 2 obtained by character recognition of this management number. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the location information of any of the inventory target items 7 in the displayed inventory management list does not indicate the location where the inventory target item 7 should be, or when there is a doubt about the consistency between the management number and the location information included in any of the management information records 1020 of the inventory management list, the image information of the management sheet 2 is obtained from the storage destination of the image information included in the management information record 1020, and the management number image included in the image information of the management sheet 2 is referenced, thereby making it possible to confirm the accuracy of the character recognition result of the management number, thereby improving convenience.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the inventory management list stored in the inventory management list storage unit 102, the record 1020 of the management information of the inventory target item 7 includes an access destination of map information including a location specified by the location information of the inventory target item 7. Therefore, according to this embodiment, by accessing the access destination of the map information, it is possible to grasp the location of the inventory target item 7 from the map, further improving convenience.

In addition, in this embodiment, the photographing terminal 4 monitors the wireless connection status with the access point 93, and if it is good and information can be sent to the inventory management server 1, it sends the image information of the control list 2 together with the photographing date and time and location information to the inventory management server 1, and if the wireless connection status with the access point 93 is poor and it is difficult to send information to the inventory management server 1, it waits to send the image information of the control list 2, etc. to the inventory management server 1 until the wireless connection status with the access point 93 becomes good and information can be sent to the inventory management server 1. This makes it possible to reliably send image information, etc. to the inventory management server 1, improving reliability.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and many variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the inventory management server 1 sends an image analysis request to the image analysis server 5 and obtains the control number, which is the image analysis result (character recognition result), from the image analysis server 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inventory management server 1 may have an image analysis processing unit built in. In this case, in the inventory management server 1, the control number recognition unit 108 passes the image information received from the inventory management list update unit 110 to the image analysis processing unit, causes the image analysis processing unit to perform image analysis processing of this image information, and obtains the control number, which is the image analysis result (character recognition result), from the image analysis processing unit.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the functions of the management terminal 3 may be provided to the photographing terminal 4. In this way, the user can perform a matching request operation and a matching result acquisition operation at the site where the control tag 2 affixed to the inventory target item 7 is photographed. This makes it possible to check while comparing the control tag 2 affixed to the inventory target item 7 with the inventory management list, which is the matching result, further improving convenience.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the photographing terminal 4 has a poor wireless connection with the access point 93 and is unable to transmit information to the inventory management server 1, the photographing terminal 4 waits to transmit image information of the control list 2, etc. to the inventory management server 1 until the wireless connection improves and the photographing terminal 4 is able to transmit information to the inventory management server 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the photographing terminal 4 is able to use a mobile phone network, it may transmit image information of the control list 2, etc. to the inventory management server 1 via the mobile phone network without waiting for the wireless connection with the access point 93 to improve.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the management terminal 3 creates an inventory list in which the management number and item name of each inventory item are described according to the inventory target designation operation received from the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the inventory target list is stored in advance in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or the like, the inventory target list may be obtained from the USB memory or the like according to the inventory target designation operation received from the user.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an inventory management system that manages inventory items has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be widely applied to item management systems that manage items that are assets, etc.

1: Inventory management server 2, 2-1 to 2-n: Management slip 3: Management terminal 4: Photography terminal 5: Image analysis server 6: Map providing server 7-1 to 7-n: Inventory target items 90: WAN 91: LAN 92: Gateway 93: Access point 100: Network interface unit 101: Image information storage unit 102: Inventory management list storage unit 103: Inventory target list receiving unit 104: Inventory management list creating unit 105: Image information receiving unit 106: Matching request receiving unit 107: Matching target image information identifying unit 108: Management number recognition unit 109: Map information acquisition unit 110: Inventory management list updating unit 111: Inventory management list transmitting unit 300: Network interface unit 301: Man-machine interface unit 302: Inventory target list transmitting unit 303: Matching request transmitting unit 304: Inventory management list acquiring unit 400: Wireless network interface unit 401: Man-machine interface unit 402: Photography processing unit 403: Position information measurement unit 404: Image information transmission unit 405: Communication status monitoring unit

Claims (8)

An article management system for managing articles,
The system includes a management tag attached to the item, a photographing terminal having a camera function and a current position measuring function, a management terminal, and an item management server,
The control label has a control number of the item to which the control label is affixed written thereon,
The photographing terminal includes:
a captured image transmission means for photographing the management tag attached to the item by the camera function and transmitting the image information to the item management server together with the photographing date and time and the location information obtained by the current location measurement function;
The management terminal includes:
a target item list transmission means for transmitting a target item list, in which the management number of each of the items is described, to the item management server;
The article management server includes:
an item management list creation means for creating an item management list for managing management information by linking the item to the management number for each item based on the target item list received from the management terminal;
A management number recognition means for performing an image analysis process on the image information received from the photographing terminal in cooperation with an image analysis server or by using an image analysis function provided in the image analysis means, and recognizing the management number from the image information;
and an item management list update means for, when the management number recognized from the image information by the management number recognition means is included in the item management list created by the item management list creation means, linking the shooting date and time and location information received from the photographing terminal together with the image information to the management number and registering it in the management information registered in the item management list. The article management system according to claim 1,
The article management server includes:
The image information storage means further includes an image information storage means for storing image information received from the photographing terminal.
The item management list update means
An item management system characterized in that, when the management number recognized from the image information by the management number recognition means is included in the item management list created by the item management list creation means, the management information linked to the management number and registered in the item management list includes the storage destination of the image information by the image information storage means. The article management system according to claim 1,
The photographing terminal includes:
The system further includes a communication status monitoring means for monitoring a communication status with the article management server,
The photographed image transmission means includes:
An item management system characterized in that, when the monitoring result by the communication status monitoring means indicates that communication with the item management server is possible, the image information is transmitted to the item management server together with the shooting date and time and location information. The article management system according to claim 2,
The photographing terminal includes:
The system further includes a communication status monitoring means for monitoring a communication status with the article management server,
The photographed image transmission means includes:
An item management system characterized in that, when the monitoring result by the communication status monitoring means indicates that communication with the item management server is possible, the image information is transmitted to the item management server together with the shooting date and time and location information. 5. The article management system according to claim 1,
The article management server includes:
2. An item management system comprising: an item management list transmission means for transmitting an item management list updated by said item management list update means to said management terminal. An article management server that manages articles,
an item management list creation means for creating an item management list for each of the items, based on a target item list containing the management number of each of the items received from a management terminal, for managing management information linked to the management number;
a management number recognition means for performing an image analysis process on image information of a management tag attached to the item and having a management number of the item written thereon, the image information being received from the photographing terminal in cooperation with an image analysis server or by utilizing an image analysis function provided in the image analysis means, and recognizing the management number from the image information;
an item management list update means for, when the management number recognized from the image information by the management number recognition means is included in the item management list created by the item management list creation means, linking the image information together with the shooting date and time and location information received from the photographing terminal to the management number and registering it in the management information registered in the item management list. A program that causes a computer to function as an item management server that manages items,
an item management list creation means for creating an item management list for each of the items, based on a target item list containing the management number of each of the items received from the management terminal, for managing management information by linking the item to the management number;
A program that causes a computer to function as: a management number recognition means that, in cooperation with an image analysis server or by utilizing its own image analysis function, performs image analysis processing on image information of a management tag that is attached to the item and contains the management number of the item, received from a photographing terminal, to recognize the management number from the image information; and, when the management number recognized from the image information by the management number recognition means is included in the item management list created by the item management list creation means, links the shooting date and time and location information received from the photographing terminal together with the image information to the management number and registers it in the management information registered in the item management list. An article management method using an article management system including a management tag attached to an article, a photographing terminal having a camera function and a current position measurement function, a management terminal, and an article management server, comprising:
The control label has a control number of the item to which the control label is affixed written thereon,
The photographing terminal includes:
taking an image of the management tag attached to the item using the camera function, and transmitting the image information together with the image taking date and time and the location information obtained by the current location measurement function to the item management server;
The management terminal includes:
Transmitting a list of target items, in which the management numbers of the respective items are written, to the item management server;
The article management server includes:
creating an item management list for managing management information for each of the items by linking the item to the management number based on the target item list received from the management terminal;
In cooperation with an image analysis server or by utilizing an image analysis function provided in the image analysis server, the image analysis server performs an image analysis process on the image information received from the image capture terminal, and recognizes the management number from the image information.
An item management method characterized by the fact that, when a management number recognized from the image information is included in the item management list, the shooting date and time and location information received from the photographing terminal together with the image information are linked to the management number and registered in the management information registered in the item management list.

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