JP4632012B2 - Container management method and management apparatus in container terminal - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container management apparatus and a management method in a container terminal, and in particular, container loading / unloading at a container terminal gate, container loading / unloading by a yard crane at a container yard, and container crane at a quay. The present invention relates to a container management method and a management apparatus that comprehensively manage containers by combining the Internet and a wireless IC key number tag attached to a container for container loading and unloading.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The container terminal is located at the point of contact between land transportation and sea transportation, and transships containers between different types of transportation means such as container ships and trailers (chassis). The shipper loads the cargo into an empty container sent from the shipping company. Once loaded into a container, the type of the package is determined based on the container number assigned to each container and the slip (container cargo delivery slip) shown in FIG. You can know attributes such as weight, destination, and shipper. Further, when loading of the cargo into the container is completed, the shipper seals the opening / closing door 1b of the container 1 with the seal 5 as shown in FIG. The loaded container 1 is placed on the chassis 3 and carried to the container terminal. At the entrance gate of the container terminal, the gateman checks the container number and the type, weight, destination, and shipper of the package, and also checks the seal number of the seal 5 and the sealing state. When the container 1 is carried into the container terminal, it is stacked in a container yard by a yard crane (not shown). Further, when the container 1 is loaded on the quay, the container number, the seal 5 and the like are confirmed by a container crane (not shown). On the other hand, the container number and the seal are also checked when the imported container is unloaded, the imported container is stacked in the container yard, or the imported container is transported from the container yard.
[0003]
As part of the automation of the container terminal gate, the applicant of the present application converts the container freight entry form filled with logistics information such as the type, weight, destination, and shipper of the container into a wireless IC card (tag) and uses the container freight entry form A patent application was filed for "container carrying-in / out management apparatus and management method in container terminal" in which the carrying-out / in procedure is eliminated (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-372897). In addition, a patent application was filed for "container loading / unloading management apparatus and management method in container terminal" that enables container number reading by converting the container number into a wireless IC card (tag) (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-27241 (unpublished)). ).
[0004]
Further, in order to promote the automation of the container terminal gate, the applicant of the present application can automatically read them at the entrance of the container terminal by using a combination of the wireless IC document tag, the wireless IC seal tag, and the wireless IC number tag. "Container management apparatus and management method at container terminal entrance" was devised and a patent application was filed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-25976 (unpublished)).
[0005]
4 to 6 are diagrams of a container management apparatus at the entrance of a container terminal presented in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-25976, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram thereof. FIG. 5A is a conceptual diagram of a wireless antenna, and FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram of a container wireless IC tag. 6A is a plan view of the wireless IC seal tag, showing a state before sealing, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the sealed state. In FIG. 4, a container (actual container) 1 carried into a container terminal has a wireless IC number tag 7 attached to the front surface, a wireless IC seal tag 11 attached to the rear opening / closing door, and the type of luggage on the tractor head of the trailer 2. The wireless IC document tag 12 to which the weight, the destination, the shipper and the like are input is attached, placed on the trailer 2, and carried to the container terminal. When the container 1 is carried to the container terminal entrance gate, the container number is checked by communicating between the reader 8 of the wireless antenna 9 installed at the container terminal entrance gate and the wireless IC number tag 7, and the wireless antenna 9 Communication is performed between the reader 8 and the wireless IC document tag 12 to check physical distribution information such as the type, weight, destination, and shipper of the package, and communicate with the computer 13. Next, communication is performed between the reader 8 </ b> A of the wireless antenna 9 </ b> A and the wireless IC seal tag 11, and the seal number and sealing state of the seal 11 are checked to communicate with the computer 13. Further, communication is performed with the reader 8B of the wireless antenna 9B, and the destination address of the container 1 is displayed on the in-vehicle device of the tractor head based on information from the computer 13.
[0006]
When the check at the container terminal entrance gate is completed, the container 1 is carried into the container terminal and temporarily stored in a container yard by a yard crane (not shown).
[0007]
When the container 1 stored in the container yard is loaded, it is unloaded by a yard crane, carried on a trailer or the like and carried to a quay, and loaded by a container crane (not shown).
[0008]
As an example, the reader 8 disposed in the wireless antenna 9 includes a coil 8a as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, and the wireless IC number tag 7 is as shown in FIG. 5B. The coil 7a and the IC 7b are built in, and the container number is input to the IC 7b. The wireless IC number tag 7 does not always transmit, but receives power supplied from the reader 8 disposed in the wireless antenna 9 and transmits it. The wireless IC document tag 12 has the same structure as the wireless IC number tag 7. The wireless IC document tag 12 may be attached to the in-vehicle device of the tractor head. In this case, the wireless IC document tag 12 communicates with the antenna 9 via the in-vehicle device.
[0009]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the wireless IC seal tag 11 includes a cover 11d and a plastic or FRP band 11g, and a protrusion 11e is disposed at the tip of the band 11g. The IC chip 11a and the wiring 11b are embedded in the band 11g, and the tip of the wiring 11b reaches the inside of the protrusion 11e and the cover 11d. When the wireless IC seal tag 11 is sealed, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the band 11g is bent, and the protrusion 11e is inserted into a hole (not shown) on the bottom surface of the cover 11d. In addition to forming a loop, the tips of the wires 11b are connected to form a contact 11c, and a loop-like closed circuit is completed, so that the wireless IC seal tag 11 can transmit. The wireless IC seal tag 11 is not opened again unless it is destroyed after being loaded on the container 1 and sealed. Further, the wireless IC seal tag 11 does not always transmit, but receives power supplied from the reader 8 disposed in the wireless antenna 9 to transmit.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the management apparatus and management method in the container terminal described above are complicated because (1) it is necessary to create a wireless IC document tag and a wireless IC number tag separately. (2) Since the wireless IC document tag has a large amount of information, the price of the wireless IC tag is high. (3) The wireless antenna is complicated because it has to communicate with a wireless IC tag or a wireless IC number tag attached to a different place. There are problems such as. Further, it is not always necessary to move logistics information as described in the wireless IC document tag as a unit with the container.
[0011]
The present invention has been devised in view of such problems of the prior art. A wireless IC number tag and a wireless IC document tag are integrated into a wireless IC key number tag, and distribution information and container numbers are obtained using the Internet. An object of the present invention is to provide a container management method and management apparatus in a container terminal that can comprehensively manage containers in the container terminal by communicating.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a container management method in a container terminal according to the present invention comprises building a port information network between a distribution information center of a container terminal and a shipper, a collector, a shipping company, customs, etc. A file or holder (hereinafter collectively referred to as “holder”) with a key number corresponding to each container is created for communication in the container, and the container number, cargo distribution information, etc. are stored in the holder. By attaching a wireless IC key number tag that transmits the key number to the container, communicating with the wireless antenna attached to the terminal gate, yard crane, container crane, etc., searching for the holder by the key number and making it correspond It manages containers.
[0013]
The container management apparatus in the container terminal according to the present invention constructs a port information network between a distribution information center of the container terminal and a shipper, a collector, a shipping company, customs, and the like for communication within the network. Create a holder with a key number corresponding to each container, store the container number and logistics information of the cargo in the holder, affix a wireless IC key number tag that transmits the key number to the container, A wireless antenna that communicates with the wireless IC key number tag is provided on a terminal gate, a yard crane, a container crane, or the like.
[0014]
It is preferable to attach a wireless IC key number tag that transmits the key number to the required part of the container, and attach a wireless IC seal tag to the door.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. A port information network is built between the host computer in the logistics information center and the terminal computer in the shipper, collector, shipping company, customs, land carrier, etc., and 1 for each container as part of communication within the network. A corresponding file or holder (hereinafter simply referred to as “holder”) is created on a one-to-one basis, and in addition to the container number, logistics information such as cargo type, weight, destination, ship name, shipper name, etc. is stored in the holder. Put it. On the other hand, a wireless IC key number tag that can input a key number and transmit the key number is attached to the container. A terminal antenna of a container terminal, a yard crane, a container crane, and the like are provided with a wireless antenna that communicates with the wireless IC key number tag. The wireless antenna detects the key number and sends the information to the host computer. The host computer searches the holder corresponding to the container by the key number, retrieves necessary data from the holder, determines the storage address of the container, and manages the container such as instructing the destination of the trailer driver . Note that the host computer may manage only the database, download only necessary data to the terminal computer, and perform search and instructions by the terminal computer.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a container management apparatus in a container terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the trailer on which the container is placed. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated about the part common to what was shown in Japanese Patent Application 2000-25976 demonstrated using FIG. 4 thru | or FIG. 1 and 2, 1 is a container. 2 is a tractor head, 3 is a chassis, and 4 is a trailer in which the tractor head 2 and the chassis 3 are combined. Reference numeral 10 denotes a wireless IC key number tag for transmitting a key number, which is attached to the opening / closing door 1b of the container 1. The wireless IC key number tag 10 is not limited to the opening / closing door 1b of the container 1, but may be affixed to another location. The wireless IC key number tag 10 is a film type made of plastic or the like and has the same configuration as the wireless IC number tag 7 described with reference to FIG. 22 is a logistics information center, 23 is a port information network, 24 is a host computer installed in the logistics information center, 25 is a yard crane, 26 is a container crane, 27 is a shipper, collector, shipping company, customs, etc. Terminal computer.
[0017]
A port information network 23 is constructed between a host computer 24 in the distribution information center 22 of the container terminal and a terminal computer 27 installed at a shipper, a collector, a shipping company, customs, or the like. The port information network 23 may use a normal telephone line or a dedicated line. When using a normal telephone line, use a password to ensure security. In order to communicate with each other within the port information network 23, the host computer 24 creates a holder with a key number corresponding to each individual container 1 to be used. Each holder 28 holds a container number and cargo distribution information. As described above, the cargo distribution information is information on the type, weight, destination, shipper, etc. of the package as described in the container freight delivery slip shown in FIG.
[0018]
The terminal gate, the yard crane 25, the container crane 26, and the like are provided with wireless antennas 9. The wireless antenna 9 and the wireless IC key number tag 10 communicate with each other. The wireless antenna 9 sends the key number transmitted by the wireless IC key number tag 10 to the host computer 24. The host computer 24 searches for the holder 28 attached with the number by using the key number as a clue, takes out necessary information such as the container number from the searched holder 28, determines the storage address of the container 1, and sends the destination to the trailer 3. The container 1 is managed. Communication between the wireless IC key number tag 10 and the wireless antenna 9 is performed not only by the terminal gate but also by the yard crane 25, the container crane 26, and the like, and performs management of storage and storage of the container 1 and management of loading and unloading. Further, when the empty container 1 is lent out from the container terminal for export or when the empty container 1 is returned after the load of the imported container 1 is taken out, the wireless antenna 9 of the terminal gate and the wireless IC key number tag 10 are also connected. Communication is performed and it is confirmed that the container 1 is scheduled to be lent or returned. Further, the same management can be performed for the actual imported container 1 by the wireless IC key number tag 10.
[0019]
3 is a side view of a trailer on which a container is placed. In FIG. 3, a wireless IC key number tag 10 for transmitting a key number is attached to the container 1. A wireless IC seal tag 11 similar to the wireless IC seal tag 11 described in the conventional example is attached to the open / close door 1b of the container 1.
[0020]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As described above, since the wireless IC key number tag 10 can transmit the key number, the communication with the antenna 9 can search the information transmitted through the Internet by the key number to know the container number and the logistics information of the cargo. Therefore, it is possible to manage storage, storage, shipping and unloading in the container terminal. As described above, the wireless IC document tag 12 and the wireless IC number tag 7 described as the prior art are not necessary, and all management within the container terminal can be performed using only the wireless IC key number tag 10. Therefore, the trouble of attaching these wireless IC tags can be saved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Since there is no need to attach the wireless antenna to different locations and communicate with the wireless IC tag separately, it is possible to save the trouble of communication. In addition, by attaching the wireless IC seal tag 11 to the opening / closing door 1b, it is possible to rationalize the check operation of the seal manually.
[0021]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the host computer 24 manages only the database and downloads only necessary data to a terminal computer in the terminal gate, the cab of the yard crane 25, the cab of the container crane 26, etc. You may make it carry out by the computer of. The seal tag may or may not be a wireless IC. If the wireless IC is used, it is not necessary for the gateman to check the seal.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the container management method and management apparatus in the container terminal of the present invention integrates a wireless IC number tag and a wireless IC document tag to form a wireless IC key number tag. Since only the wireless IC key number tag that communicates through the Internet and transmits the key number is attached to the container, the following excellent effects are obtained.
(1) Since it is not necessary to make a wireless IC document tag and a wireless IC number tag separately as in the prior art, the labor and cost of production are reduced.
(2) The conventional wireless IC document tag was expensive because of the large amount of information written on the tag, but in the present invention, information is communicated over the Internet, and only the key number needs to be written into the tag, so the cost is low. Tesumu.
(3) Since the wireless antenna does not need to communicate separately with the wireless IC document tag and the wireless IC number tag attached to different places, there is no complexity.
(4) By attaching the wireless IC seal tag to the opening / closing door of the container, it is possible to rationalize the manual check operation of the seal.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a container management apparatus in a container terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a trailer on which a container is placed.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a trailer on which a container according to claim 3 of the present invention is placed.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a container management apparatus at the entrance of a conventional container terminal.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a communication state between a wireless IC tag and a reader built in a wireless antenna.
6A and 6B are diagrams of a wireless IC seal tag, in which FIG. 6A is a plan view in a state where sealing is not performed, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view in a state where sealing is performed.
FIG. 7 is a container freight delivery slip.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where a seal tag is attached to the opening / closing door of the container.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Container 2 Tractor Head 3 Chassis 4 Trailer 8 Reader 9 Antenna 10 Wireless IC Key Number Tag 11 Wireless IC Seal Tag 22 Logistics Information Center 23 Port Information Network 24 Host Computer

Claims (3)

A port information network is established between the distribution information center of the container terminal and communication partners such as shippers, collectors, shipping companies, and customs, and key numbers are assigned to individual containers for communication within the network. A file or holder is created, the container number and the logistics information of the cargo are stored in the file or holder, a wireless IC key number tag for transmitting the key number is affixed to the container, terminal gate, yard crane, container It communicates with the antenna attached to the equipment in the container terminal such as a crane, searches the file or holder by the key number, takes out necessary data from the file or holder , and manages the container by handling it. A container management method in a container terminal. A port information network is established between the distribution information center of the container terminal and communication partners such as shippers, collectors, shipping companies, and customs, and key numbers are assigned to individual containers for communication within the network. A file or holder is created, the container number and the logistics information of the cargo are stored in the file or holder, a wireless IC key number tag for transmitting the key number is affixed to the container, terminal gate, yard crane, container Install an antenna that communicates with a wireless IC key number tag in equipment in a container terminal such as a crane , search for the file or holder by the key number, take out the necessary data from the file or holder, and correspond to it. container terpolymer Mina, characterized in that is adapted to perform management Management device of the container in.   The container management method in the container terminal according to claim 1 or the container terminal according to claim 2, wherein a wireless IC key number tag for transmitting a key number is attached to a required part of the container, and a wireless IC seal tag is attached to the opening / closing door. Container management device.

Images