JP6318106B2 - Goods management device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an article management apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system for managing merchandise using IC tags (wireless tags) such as RFID attached to merchandise in stores. In such a system, inventory work can be performed by reading an IC tag. For example, there are products that use materials that reflect radio waves for wireless communication by a wireless tag among the products to be inventoried. A product made of a material that reflects radio waves reflects the radio wave, so that it is difficult to read an IC tag attached to the product. When reading an IC tag of such a product that is difficult to read, careful reading work such as bringing the reader / writer closer than usual is required.

JP 2010-44724 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an article management apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of inventory work.

According to the embodiment, the article management apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a control unit, and a notification unit. The acquisition unit acquires article management information including information on a wireless tag attached to an article to be managed and notification setting information associated with the article. The control means determines whether alerting is necessary based on the notification setting information of the article corresponding to the information of the wireless tag read from the wireless tag by the wireless tag reader. Informing means, if it is determined that it is necessary to alert the control means executes the broadcast knowledge operation. The notification setting information indicates whether to perform the notification operation.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an article (product) management system including a mobile terminal as an article management apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tag reading device in which the portable terminal is mounted on the reader / writer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system in the reader / writer and the portable terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of inventory management information according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of control processing of the reader / writer according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of inventory processing by the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of inventory processing by the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a display example of an inventory operation screen on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an article (product) management system having a mobile terminal as an article management apparatus according to an embodiment.
The merchandise management system includes a tag reading device and a server S configured by a portable terminal D (D1, D2, D3, D4) and a reader / writer R (R1, R2, R3, R4). FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a product management system having one server S and a plurality of tag reading devices. There may be a plurality of tag reading devices or a single tag reading device.

  The mobile terminal D as the article management apparatus is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the like. The reader / writer R is a device that communicates with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) as an IC tag (wireless tag) attached to a product (article). The reader / writer R wirelessly communicates with the IC tag to read information from the IC tag and write information to the IC tag. For example, the reader / writer R is a handy type RFID reader / writer. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the tag reading device is a device in which a portable terminal is mounted on a handy type RFID reader / writer.

  The server S has a database M that stores master data of management information including inventory management information of products to be managed. The server S has a communication function with the mobile terminal D. The server S provides inventory management information as master data to the tag reader for inventory processing (inventory management) described later. Further, the server S acquires information such as the reading result of the IC tag from the tag reading device.

  The following embodiments will be described assuming an example in which the present system is operated in an apparel shop that sells clothing and the like as an example of a store. The system according to the present embodiment is applicable as long as it is a system that manages an article (product) with an IC tag attached to the article. For example, you may operate in the store which sells goods other than clothing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tag reading device in which the portable terminal D is mounted on the reader / writer R according to the embodiment.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the reader / writer R includes a main body portion 2, a grip portion 4, a trigger switch 5, and a placement portion 6.
The main body unit 2 includes an antenna, a communication control unit, a control unit, a battery, and the like. The main body 2 performs wireless communication with an IC tag (RFID) as a wireless tag attached to a product. The main body 2 transmits and receives radio waves for wireless communication with the IC tag. Wireless communication with the IC tag will be described later.

  The grip part 4 is a part that an operator grips during operation. The grip part 4 is arranged on the rear side with respect to the main body part 2. The trigger switch 5 is provided in the grip part 4. When the operator turns on the trigger switch 5 while holding the grip part 4, the reader / writer R radiates radio waves from the antenna in the main body part 2. When the operator turns off the trigger switch 5, the reader / writer R stops the emission of radio waves from the antenna of the main body 2.

  The placement unit 6 holds the mobile terminal D. The mounting portion 6 is provided between the main body portion 2 and the grip portion 4. The placement unit 6 is connected to the main body unit 2. The placing portion 6 is connected to the grip portion 4. The placement unit 6 includes a pair of holding units 7 (7a, 7b). The holding unit 7 includes an upper holding unit 7 a and a lower holding unit 7 b that hold the portable terminal D placed on the placing unit 6. The holding unit 7 is fixedly held by the upper holding unit and the lower holding unit while the mobile terminal D is in communication connection.

  In addition, the mobile terminal D includes a display unit 11 and an operation unit 12. The display unit 11 has a display screen. The operation unit 12 receives input of information by the operator. For example, the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12 are configured by a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel. The holding unit 7 holds the portable terminal D so that the display screen of the display unit 11 faces in a direction in which an operator who holds the grip unit 4 of the reader / writer R can directly view.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system in the reader / writer R and the portable terminal D.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the reader / writer R includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, a communication control unit 23, an antenna 24, a mobile terminal interface (1 / F) 25, a vibration unit 26, a battery 27, a trigger switch 5, and the like. Have The control unit 21 is connected to the memory unit 22, the communication control unit 23, the portable terminal interface 25, and the trigger switch 5 via a data bus. The battery 27 supplies power to each part of the reader / writer R.

  The control unit 21 includes a processor 31, a program memory 32, a working memory 33, and the like. The processor 31 executes a program. The processor 31 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, for example. The program memory 32 is a non-volatile memory that stores various programs, control data, and the like. The program memory 32 is, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The working memory 33 is a memory for developing various data. The working memory 33 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The processor 31 is connected to the program memory 32, the working memory 33, and the memory unit 22 via a data bus. The control unit 21 implements various processes by the processor 31 executing programs stored in the program memory 32 or the memory unit 22 using the working memory 33.

The memory unit 22 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The memory unit 22 can be realized by, for example, an HDD or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 22 stores a control program or control data.
The communication control unit 23 is connected to the antenna 24. The communication control unit 23 wirelessly communicates with an RFID as an IC tag (wireless tag) via the antenna 24. The communication control unit 23 transmits and receives radio waves via the antenna. The communication control unit 23 reads information from the RFID as an IC tag according to a predetermined standard. For example, a standard for wireless communication with an RFID (IC tag) is ISO / IEC 18000-6 TypeC (EPC global Class 1 Generation 2).

  In this system, an IC tag as an RFID is attached to an object (article, product) to be managed. The IC tag stores EPC (Electronic Product Code) data (IC tag information) including information to be described later. For example, the communication control unit 23 transmits a radio wave for transmitting a response request for requesting IC tag information to an IC tag attached to a product such as clothing via the antenna 24. The IC tag is activated by the received radio wave, and transmits the IC tag information stored in the IC tag on the response radio wave. The communication control unit 23 receives response radio waves from the IC tag through the antenna 24. The communication control unit 23 stores the IC tag information included in the received response radio wave in the working memory 33 and the memory unit 22.

The mobile terminal interface 25 is an interface for data communication with the mobile terminal D. The mobile terminal interface 25 only needs to be capable of communication connection with the interface of the mobile terminal D. For example, the mobile terminal interface 25 may be a wireless communication interface or a contact type interface. For example, the mobile terminal interface 25 may be an interface for communication connection with the mobile terminal D by NFC (Near Field Communication).
The vibration part 56 vibrates the grip part 4 of the reader / writer R. The vibration part 56 should just generate | occur | produce the vibration for alerting an operator. For example, the vibration unit 56 generates vibration in response to a command from the mobile terminal D.
The battery 27 supplies power to each part of the reader / writer R.

  The mobile terminal D includes the display unit 11, the operation unit 12, the control unit 51, the memory unit 52, the RW interface 53, the wireless communication unit 54, the speaker 55, the vibration unit 56, and the battery 57 in the configuration example illustrated in FIG. . The control unit 51 is connected to the display unit 11, the operation unit 12, the memory unit 52, the RW interface 53, the wireless communication unit 54, and the speaker 55 via a data bus.

  The control unit 51 includes a processor 61, a program memory 62, and a working memory 63. The processor 61 executes a program. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU. The program memory 62 stores various programs and control data. The program memory 62 is constituted by, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The working memory 63 is a memory for developing various data. The working memory 63 is composed of, for example, a random access memory (RAM).

  The processor 61 is connected to the program memory 62, the working memory 63, and the memory unit 52 via a data bus. The control unit 51 implements various processes by executing a program stored in the program memory 62 or the memory unit 52 by the processor 61 using the working memory 63.

  The memory unit 52 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The memory unit 52 can be realized by, for example, an HDD or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 52 stores a control program or control data. For example, the memory unit 52 can install a control program. The memory unit 52 can store data transferred from a server or the like.

  The display unit 11 has a display screen that displays various types of information to the operator. The display unit 11 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit 12 is an input unit for an operator to input operation keys to be described later. The operation unit 12 is configured by a touch panel, for example. The operation unit 12 detects an input to an operation key displayed on the display unit 11 by a touch panel. That is, the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12 can be configured by a display device with a touch panel. The operation unit 12 may include a mechanical hard key.

  In addition, the display unit 11 also functions as a notification unit that displays a guidance that alerts the operator as a notification operation. For example, the display unit 11 blinks a part or all of the display screen as guidance to call attention, or displays it in a specific display format (for example, a specific color). In addition, the display unit 11 displays a guidance for alerting the operator with a display pattern selected from a plurality of types of display patterns in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 51.

  The RW interface 53 is connected to communicate with the portable terminal interface 25 of the reader / writer R. The control unit 51 transmits and receives various types of information including battery remaining amount information to and from the reader / writer R via the RW interface 53. The RW interface 53 inputs the IC tag information transmitted from the reader / writer R.

  The wireless communication unit 54 is a communication interface for communicating with the server S. For example, when starting the inventory work, the wireless communication unit 54 acquires management information of a product to be inventoryed from the server S. In addition, the wireless communication unit 54 transmits information indicating the result of the inventory work to the server S. For example, the wireless communication unit 54 transmits to the server S the reading result of the IC tag and the input information input by the operator as information indicating the result of the inventory work.

  The speaker 55 generates sound. The speaker 55 functions as a notification means for generating an alarm sound that alerts the operator as a notification operation. The speaker 55 has a function of sounding a buzzer as an alarm sound, for example. In addition, the speaker 55 emits an alarm sound that is selected from a plurality of types of alarm sounds according to an instruction from the control unit 51.

The vibration unit 56 vibrates the main body of the mobile terminal D. The vibration unit 56 functions as a notification unit that generates a vibration that alerts the operator as a notification operation. Moreover, the vibration part 56 may vibrate the reader / writer R to which the portable terminal D is attached. The vibration unit 56 generates vibration with a vibration pattern selected from a plurality of types of vibration patterns in response to an instruction from the control unit 51.
The battery 57 supplies power to each part of the mobile terminal D.

The server S includes a control unit 71, a memory unit 72, and a wireless communication unit 73 in the configuration example illustrated in FIG. The control unit 71 includes a processor 81, a program memory 82, and a working memory 83.
The processor 81 executes a program. The processor 81 is, for example, a CPU. The program memory 82 stores various programs and control data. The program memory 82 is constituted by, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The working memory 83 is a memory for developing various data. The working memory 83 is composed of, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The processor 81 is connected to the program memory 82, the working memory 83, and the memory unit 72 via a data bus.

The control unit 71 implements various processes by executing programs stored in the program memory 82 or the memory unit 72 by the processor 81 using the working memory 83.
The memory unit 72 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The memory unit 72 can be realized by, for example, an HDD or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 72 stores a control program or control data. For example, the memory unit 72 can install the control program as appropriate.

  Further, the memory unit 72 has a database M for storing product management information. The database M stores product management information as master data. The database M is updated based on information indicating the result of inventory work acquired from each mobile terminal.

  The wireless communication unit 73 is a communication interface for communicating with the mobile terminal D. For example, the wireless communication unit 73 performs wireless communication over a communication range of an area where inventory work is performed (for example, in-store and inventory storage of products (commodities)). For example, when starting the inventory work, the wireless communication unit 73 transfers the management information of the commodity to be inventoryed to the mobile terminal D. In addition, the wireless communication unit 73 acquires information indicating the result of the inventory work from the portable terminal D. For example, the control unit 71 updates the database M by performing a duplication check on the information indicating the result of the inventory work acquired from the plurality of mobile terminals D by the wireless communication unit 73.

Next, information held by the mobile terminal D will be described.
In the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 3, the memory unit 52 includes an inventory information storage unit 52a, an inventory storage unit 52b, and a counter 52c.
The inventory information storage unit 52a stores inventory management information acquired from the server S. For example, the inventory information storage unit 52a stores inventory management information downloaded from the server S when inventory management is started. The stock management information includes at least SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) as a product number as a minimum management unit for identifying a product and unique serial data to be given to each product (or an IC tag attached to each product). This is information for managing each product based on. The inventory management information is used for inventory management. The inventory process is a process of confirming the theoretical inventory quantity managed by the inventory management information and the actual inventory quantity. The inventory management information and the inventory process will be described later.

The inventory storage unit 52b stores information indicating the result of the inventory process. For example, the inventory storage unit 52b stores an inventory processing result for each product with an IC tag. For example, the inventory storage unit 52b stores information indicating a product whose IC tag is actually read by the reader / writer R or information indicating a result of manual inventory by the operator.
The counter 52c stores information (inventory completion count) counted for each SKU. The counter 52c stores a value obtained by counting each SKU with the number of IC tags actually read as the number of inventory processes.

Next, inventory management information will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of inventory management information.
The server S stores product management information in the database M. The product management information stored in the database M of the server S is master data of stock information indicating the stock of each product. For example, when carrying out inventory management (inventory) work, the mobile terminal D downloads management information on products to be inventoried from the server S.

  The inventory management information (inventory information) includes at least SKU and serial data. In the example shown in FIG. 4, information relating to a product includes SKU, serial data (RFID serial data), product name, size, and the like. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, a notification setting, an inventory completion flag, and a tag reading flag are stored as information regarding the inventory.

  The product name and size are information (product information) for classifying products. SKU is information for identifying a product. That is, the SKU is identification information for each product classified by the product name and size information. The SKU only needs to be able to identify each product in a unit for managing the number of stocks. For example, the SKU may be a product number including information obtained by coding each information of product name and size. The SKU may be a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code, an EAN (European Article Number) code, a UPC (Universal Product Code), or the like.

  The serial data is identification information of an IC tag given to each product. Serial data is information unique to each IC tag. For example, when there are a plurality of the same products, even if the products are the same, each product is provided with an IC tag that holds different serial data.

  The notification setting is information indicating what kind of notification is performed when the IC tag of the SKU is read. The notification setting is set for an SKU that requires attention in reading work in reading processing of an IC tag such as inventory processing. When the IC tag of the SKU in which the notification setting is set is read, the control unit 51 performs a notification process for the operator. For example, an IC tag attached to a product including a material that reflects radio waves may be difficult to transmit / receive radio waves to / from the reader / writer R and may be difficult to read. Notification settings are made for products in which the IC tag is difficult to read. Further, the notification setting can be changed according to actual operation.

  As the notification setting, for example, sound, vibration, and display can be set. In the example shown in FIG. 4, sound, vibration, and display can be set for each IC tag (serial data) as notification settings in the product management information database. However, in the present embodiment, notification setting is performed for each SKU.

  Also, sound, vibration, and display as notification settings can be set independently for each SKU. For example, sound, signal, or display can be set for one SKU, and sound, vibration, and display can be set simultaneously for another SKU. According to such setting, alerting in various forms can be set for each SKU.

  Further, a plurality of patterns may be set for the sound, vibration, and display as the notification setting. As the alarm sound, not only one pattern but also plural kinds of alarm sounds can be set. In the example of FIG. 4, an alarm sound of the pattern “1” is set for the product name “Men's jacket”, an alarm sound of the pattern “2” is set for the product name “Jeans”, and the pattern “ 3 ”alarm sound is set.

  In addition, not only one vibration pattern but also a plurality of types of vibration patterns can be set for vibration. In the example of FIG. 4, the vibration of the pattern “2” is set for the product name “Men's jacket”, and the vibration of the pattern “1” is set for the product name “Dengaron hat”.

  Also for the display, a plurality of types of display patterns can be set. For example, as the display pattern, the SKU display field of the read IC tag can be displayed in a different background color, the SKU display field can be blinked, or the entire display screen can be blinked. In the example of FIG. 4, the display of the pattern “1” is set for the product name “men's jacket”, and the vibration of the pattern “2” is set for the product name “Dengalong Hat”.

  The inventory completion flag and the tag reading flag are information indicating the result of inventory processing for each product. The inventory completion flag is information indicating whether inventory for SKU is completed or not completed. For example, for an SKU for which inventory has been completed, the inventory completion flag is set to “1”. For an SKU for which inventory has not been completed, the inventory completion flag is set to “0”. The tag reading flag is information indicating whether or not the IC tag of each product identified by the serial code has been read. For example, in the inventory work, the tag reading flag is set to “1” for a product (product) from which the IC tag (RFID) has been read. For a product for which the IC tag (RFID) of the corresponding serial code has not been read, the tag reading flag is set to “0”.

  The mobile terminal D stores product information such as SKU (product number), serial data, product name, and size in the inventory information storage unit 52a. The portable terminal D acquires product information by downloading it from the server S. Further, the portable terminal D stores information such as an inventory completion flag and a tag reading flag in the inventory storage unit 52b in association with the SKU and serial data. In addition, the mobile terminal D stores in the counter 52c the number of theoretical stocks for each SKU and the number of completed inventory processing (the number of IC tag readings).

Next, an IC tag reading process by the reader / writer R will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the IC tag reading process by the reader / writer R.
The reader / writer R can transmit and receive radio waves for communication with the IC tag (RFID) in a state where the portable terminal D is mounted. In this state, the control unit 21 detects whether or not the trigger switch 5 is turned on (ACT 11).

  When it is determined that the trigger switch 5 is turned on (ACT 11, Yes), the control unit 21 transmits a radio wave including a response request to the IC tag attached to the product via the antenna 24 by the communication control unit 23. Radiate (ACT12). On the other hand, when each IC tag receives a radio wave including a response request from the reader / writer R, each IC tag returns a response radio wave including the IC tag information stored in the IC tag.

  In a state where a radio wave including a response request is emitted, the reader / writer R can receive a response including IC tag information from the IC tag. When receiving the response radio wave from the IC tag (ACT13, Yes), the control unit 21 transmits the IC tag information received via the mobile terminal interface 25 to the mobile terminal D (ACT14). After transferring the received IC tag information to the portable terminal D, the control unit 21 returns to ACT11. If the control unit 21 has not received a response radio wave including IC tag information (ACT13, No), the control unit 21 returns to ACT11.

  When it is determined that the trigger switch 5 is not turned on (ACT 11, No), the control unit 21 stops the emission of radio waves from the antenna 3 by the communication control unit 23 (ACT 15). When the emission of radio waves is stopped, the control unit 21 returns to ACT 11 and detects again whether the trigger switch 5 is turned on.

Next, an inventory process using the mobile terminal D will be described.
6 and 7 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of the inventory process in the mobile terminal D. 8 to 12 are examples of display screens displayed on the display unit 11 of the mobile terminal D.

  Each process shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 is realized by the processor 31 of the control unit 51 executing an application program for inventory processing for a portable terminal. For example, the application program for inventory processing is provided as a program executed on an OS (Operation System) implemented by the control unit 51 of the portable terminal. That is, the operator who performs the inventory work attaches the portable terminal D in which the application program for inventory processing is installed to the reader / writer R. The operator instructs the start of inventory using the operation unit 12 of the portable terminal D attached to the reader / writer R.

When the start of inventory is instructed (ACT21, YES), the control unit 51 of the mobile terminal D
The inventory management information of the selected store is downloaded from the server S (ACT 22). For example, the control unit 51 requests the server S to download inventory management information through the wireless communication unit 54. The server S receives a download request for inventory management information from the portable terminal D through the wireless communication unit 73. The control unit 71 of the server S downloads the inventory management information stored in the database M to the mobile terminal D in response to the download request.

  Note that the operator may select the inventory management information to be inventoried. For example, assuming an operation in which inventory is performed for each store, the inventory management information to be inventoried may be selected in units of stores. In this case, the portable terminal D may make a request to the server S for downloading the inventory management information of the store selected by the operation unit 12.

When the download of the inventory management information is completed, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D displays an inventory operation screen for performing an inventory operation on the display unit 11 (ACT 23). In the operation screen displayed on the display unit 11, the control unit 51 displays the number of stocks and the number of reading (inventory) for each product number of products to be inventoried and various operation buttons.
Further, the mobile terminal D may be able to select a product category for which the terminal performs an inventory process. For example, when the products are classified into a plurality of categories, the mobile terminal D may be able to select a product group to be inventoried by category. When selecting a product category for performing inventory processing, the mobile terminal D may display an operation screen for inventory work for the selected product group.

FIG. 8 is a display example of an inventory operation screen displayed by the display unit 11.
In the inventory operation screen shown in FIG. 8, the product name, quantity, and status are displayed on the guidance display unit in units of SKU (product number) as the inventory status guidance. The product name is information corresponding to SKU in the inventory management information. The quantity indicates the number of theoretical stocks for each SKU and the number of IC tag readings. The status indicates whether the inventory has been completed. In the guidance display section, SKUs for which inventory has been completed are displayed in reverse video. The theoretical inventory quantity is the total number of SKUs in the inventory management information downloaded from the server S. The number of readings indicates the number of IC tags read by the reading process using the reader / writer R among the products of the SKU.

In the inventory operation screen shown in FIG. 8, various operation buttons that can be selected on the touch panel as the operation unit 12 are displayed together with the above-described guidance. In the inventory operation screen shown in FIG. 8, a reading start button 111, a reading interruption button 112, and a range designation button 113 are displayed.
The reading start button 111 is a button for instructing start of reading processing of the IC tag. The reading interruption button 112 is a button for instructing to interrupt the reading process of the IC tag. The range designation button 113 is a button for designating a reading target. When executing a reading process in a select mode in which a specific SKU is preferentially read, a range designation button 113 is instructed.

  When the reading start button 111 is instructed on the inventory operation screen (ACT24, YES), the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D starts the IC tag reading process using the reader / writer R (ACT25). The control unit 51 instructs the reader / writer R to start reading the IC tag. The reader / writer R executes an IC tag reading process in response to an instruction to start reading the IC tag from the portable terminal D. For example, the reader / writer R performs the IC tag reading process by the process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. After starting the reading process, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D acquires information read by the reader / writer R from the IC tag, and executes a process according to an instruction to each operation button.

  When the reading interruption button 112 is instructed (ACT26, YES), the control unit 51 interrupts the reading process of the IC tag by the reader / writer R (ACT27). In this case, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D instructs the reader / writer R to stop reading. The reader / writer R interrupts the IC tag reading process in accordance with the reading stop instruction of the portable terminal D. When the reading process of the IC tag is interrupted, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D returns to the ACT 24 and accepts the resumption of the reading process.

  Further, during the IC tag reading process, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the filter use (select mode) is valid (ACT 28). For example, the control unit 51 may switch the use / non-use of the filter by the range designation button 114. In this case, if the range specification button 113 is selected, the control unit 51 determines that the filter use is effective.

  Note that the use of the filter means reading control by a select command (reading processing in the select mode). The filter is set to the SKU specified by the select command. While the filter is in use, the IC tag of the SKU on which the filter is set is read as a priority reading target. In addition, while the filter is in use (in the reading process in the select mode), control is performed so that the radio wave output is increased for the SKU in which the filter is set. For this reason, the use of the filter (reading process in the select mode) makes it easy to read the SKU on which the filter is set. Note that reading control by the select command (reading processing in the select mode) is defined by, for example, EPC global Class1 Generation2.

  When the filter use is valid (ACT28, YES), the control unit 51 accepts an SKU instruction (selection) from the operation unit 12 (ACT29). When SKU is instructed by the operation unit 12 in a state where the filter use is valid (ACT29), the control unit 51 determines whether or not the instructed SKU is in use of the filter (ACT30). Here, every time the SKU is selected, the setting and non-setting of the filter are switched. That is, the control unit 51 cancels the filter for the SKU when an SKU in use of the filter is instructed, and sets the filter in the SKU when an SKU that is not used for the filter is instructed.

  When it is determined that the instructed SKU is not in use (ACT30, NO), the control unit 51 sets a filter for the SKU by a select command (ACT31). When it is determined that a filter is being used for the instructed SKU (ACT 30, YES), the control unit 51 releases the filter for the SKU (ACT 32). For example, the control unit 51 cancels the filter by issuing a command for canceling the select command for the SKU.

  During the IC tag reading process, the reader / writer R supplies the IC tag information read from the IC tag to the mobile terminal D via the mobile terminal interface 25. When acquiring the IC tag information read by the reader / writer R, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D determines whether or not the IC tag information read by the reader / writer R is newly read information (ACT41). When it is determined that new IC tag information has been read (ACT 41, YES), the control unit 51 records the IC tag information as a read IC tag (ACT 42).

  When the new IC tag information is read, the control unit 51 determines whether the notification setting is set for the SKU of the read IC tag (ACTs 43, 45, and 47). That is, the control unit 51 determines whether or not a sound is set as a notification setting in the SKU of the read IC tag (ACT 43). When the sound is set as the notification setting (ACT 43, YES), the control unit 51 generates an alarm sound for calling attention through the speaker 55 (ACT 44). The control unit 51 may be configured to set the type of alarm sound for each SKU or for each IC tag. When the type of alarm sound is set, the control unit 51 generates the type of alarm sound that is determined according to the notification setting.

  Further, the control unit 51 determines whether or not vibration is set as a notification setting in the SKU of the read IC tag (ACT 45). When vibration is set as the notification setting (ACT 45, YES), the control unit 51 generates vibration for calling attention by the vibration unit 56 or the vibration unit 26 of the reader / writer R (ACT 46). The vibration pattern may be set for each SKU or each IC tag. When the vibration pattern is set, the control unit 51 generates the vibration of the pattern determined according to the notification setting.

  Further, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the display is set as the notification setting in the SKU of the read IC tag (ACT 47). When the display is set as the notification setting (ACT 47, YES), the control unit 51 displays guidance for calling attention on the display unit 11 (ACT 48). The type of display guidance for calling attention may be set for each SKU or each IC tag. When a plurality of types of warning guidance are set, the control unit 51 causes the display unit 11 to display a type of warning guidance that is determined according to the notification setting.

  In addition, after performing the notification operation by sound, vibration, or display, the control unit 51 receives an instruction to stop the notification operation by the operator (ACT 49). For example, the stop of the notification operation may be instructed by a stop button that can be instructed by the operation unit 12 displayed on the display unit 11. When the control unit 51 receives an instruction to stop the notification operation (ACT 49, YES), the control unit 51 stops the notification operation (ACT 50).

  The notification operation may be stopped by a method other than the stop instruction by the operation unit 12. For example, the control unit 51 may automatically stop the notification operation after a predetermined period. Moreover, the control part 51 may stop alerting | reporting operation | movement with the audio | voice which the operator who can detect by the audio | voice input part provided in the portable terminal D emits. Further, the control unit 51 moves the mobile terminal D itself that can be detected by an inclination sensor or an acceleration sensor provided in the mobile terminal D (the mobile terminal D is tilted or the mobile terminal D is shaken). Thus, the notification operation may be stopped.

  Furthermore, the control unit 51 of the mobile terminal D may be configured to change the setting of the notification operation according to an instruction from the operator. For example, the control unit 51 may perform control so as to stop the subsequent notification operation for the SKU during the notification operation together with the stop of the notification operation in accordance with an instruction to the operator. In this case, the control unit 51 may change the notification setting stored in the database M. Further, the control unit 51 may stop the notification operation of a specific SKU only during the inventory process that is being performed without changing the notification setting of the database M.

  While all the SKU IC tags are not completed (ACT 49, NO), the control unit 51 returns to the ACT 26 and repeatedly executes the above-described processing. When inventory (IC tag reading processing) for all SKUs is completed (ACT 49, YES), the control unit 51 uploads information indicating the inventory result to the server S (ACT 50), and ends the inventory processing.

  As described above, the mobile terminal according to the embodiment holds inventory management information that associates identification information (SKU) for each article, identification information for each IC tag attached to each article, and alert notification setting information. . When the reader / writer reads a new IC tag, the portable terminal performs a notification operation that alerts the operator according to the notification setting for the SKU corresponding to the read identification information of the IC tag.

  Thereby, according to this embodiment, it is possible to call attention to an operator who performs a reading operation (inventory) every time a specific SKU is read. As a result, it is possible to support the reading operation of the IC tag attached to the article or the like that is difficult to read wirelessly by alerting the operator when reading the IC tag of the specific article.

  In addition, sound, vibration, and display can be set as notification settings for each SKU in the inventory management information. Thereby, according to this embodiment, alerting can be performed by various methods for every SKU according to operation | use etc. actually. As a result, the operator can be alerted according to the SKU, and the reading rate of the IC tag can be improved and efficient reading (inventory) work can be supported. For example, sound or vibration can alert the operator without viewing the display screen. Moreover, if it is a vibration or a display, an operator can be alerted without attracting the attention of surrounding persons. In addition, by combining a plurality of sounds, vibrations, and displays to call attention, it is possible to call the operator more reliably. Furthermore, since notification setting can be performed for each SKU, it is possible to perform alerting according to the level of alerting for each SKU.

  Furthermore, the mobile terminal according to the above-described embodiment can set a filter that preferentially reads the SKU IC tag designated by the operation unit using a SELECT command. Thereby, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to call attention when reading a specific SKU after narrowing down SKUs designated by the operator from SKUs for which inventory has not been completed.

  In the above-described embodiment, various processes performed by the control unit of the mobile terminal may be partially or entirely performed by the control unit of the reader / writer. That is, a reader / writer equipped with a portable terminal may perform the above processing as a tag reading device. In addition, some or all of the inventory storage unit, the inventory storage unit, the counter, and the input information storage unit may be provided in the memory unit of the reader / writer R.

  In the above embodiment, the reader / writer may be a reader / writer other than the handy type. For example, a read-only reader may be used instead of the RFID reader / writer. A reader / writer or reader that reads IC tag information other than RFID may be used.

  The program executed in the portable terminal according to the above-described embodiment is an installable or executable file and can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk, CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It is recorded on a storage medium and provided. Further, the program executed on the mobile terminal of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the scope of the claims at the beginning of the present application is added below.
[C1]
Acquisition means for acquiring article management information including information on a wireless tag attached to an article to be managed and notification setting information associated with the article;
Control means for determining whether alerting is necessary based on the notification setting information of the article corresponding to the information of the wireless tag read from the wireless tag by the wireless tag reader;
A notification means for performing a notification action to call attention to an operator when it is determined that attention is required by the control means;
An article management apparatus.
[C2]
The notification means is a speaker that emits an alarm sound to call attention to an operator.
The article management apparatus according to C1.
[C3]
The informing means is a vibration unit that generates vibrations to alert an operator.
The article management apparatus according to any one of C1 and 2.
[C4]
The notification means is a display unit that performs a display to alert the operator.
The article management apparatus according to any one of C1 to C3.
[C5]
Furthermore, it has an operation means for designating an article to be read using a filter,
The control means sets the article specified by the operation means by a select command as a reading target by the wireless tag reader.
The article management apparatus according to any one of C1 to C4.

  D: Mobile terminal (article management device), R: Reader / writer (wireless tag reader), S ... Server, M ... Database, 11 ... Display unit (notification unit), 12 ... Operation unit (operation unit), 21 ... Control unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 ... Communication control part, 24 ... Antenna, 25 ... Portable terminal interface, 51 ... Control part (control means), 52 ... Memory part, 53 ... RW interface, 54 ... Wireless communication part (acquisition means), 55 ... Speaker (informing) Means), 56... Vibrating part (notification means).

Claims (5)

Acquisition means for acquiring article management information including information on a wireless tag attached to an article to be managed and notification setting information associated with the article;
Control means for determining whether alerting is necessary based on the notification setting information of the article corresponding to the information of the wireless tag read from the wireless tag by the wireless tag reader;
If it is determined that it is necessary to alert by said control means, and notification means for performing a multi-address known operation,
Have
The notification setting information indicates whether or not to execute the notification operation.
Article management device. The notification means is a speaker that emits a warning alarm sound,
The article management apparatus according to claim 1. The notification means is a vibration unit for generating a vibration,
The article management apparatus according to claim 1. The notification means is a display unit that performs Viewing,
The article management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Furthermore, it has an operation means for designating an article to be read using a filter,
The control means sets the article specified by the operation means by a select command as a reading target by the wireless tag reader.
The article management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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