JP6372179B2 - Transport system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance system capable of reading information on the RFID from a conveyor on which packages having RFID are sequentially conveyed, and an information reading method in the conveyance system.

  In a picking system that extracts a predetermined package from a plurality of types of packages, a system that reads information from a barcode or the like attached to a package being conveyed by a conveyor has been conventionally used, as described in Patent Document 1, for example. Are known.

JP 2007-153490 A

  In recent years, RFID is attached to a package, and information is read using radio waves from the RFID of the package that is sequentially conveyed by a conveyor.

  In order to read information on one RFID from among packages that are sequentially transported at predetermined intervals in this way, the type of antenna is selected so that information is not read from a plurality of RFIDs even at intervals of the packages. Radio wave output is also adjusted.

  However, there is a case where there is a baggage that cannot read information from the RFID with the radio wave output. On the other hand, when the radio wave output is strengthened, information is also read from the RFID of the adjacent baggage, noise may be mixed with desired information, and legitimate information may not be acquired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when a package in which it is difficult to read information from the RFID is transported, the information can be read from the RFID of the package without causing a major hindrance to the normal transport operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a transport system capable of performing the above and an information reading method in the transport system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a transport system according to the present invention detects a conveyor that sequentially transports a plurality of packages each having an RFID, and that the package is located at a communication position in a transport path of the conveyor. When the interval between the detection device and the package conveyed by the conveyor is the first interval, the first antenna that can communicate only with the RFID of the package existing at the communication position, and the interval between the packages is the first In the case of an interval, the second antenna capable of communicating with the RFID of the plurality of packages, the first antenna, or communication means for communicating with the RFID via the second antenna, and the detection device Error information is output when it is detected that the package is located at the communication position, and communication with the RFID is malfunctioning or impossible from the communication means And control means that, when the error information is output from the control means, characterized in that it comprises a switching means for switching to a state that can communicate via the second antenna.

  According to this, when the information of the RFID cannot be read by the communication means via the first antenna, the information is read by switching to the second antenna having a relatively large output. It is possible to avoid a situation where reading is malfunctioning or impossible.

  Furthermore, it comprises: a payout unit for paying out the cargo transported by the conveyor to the outside of the conveyor; and a storage means for temporarily storing the paid shipments paid out in the payout unit, The baggage may be paid out from the payout unit when an error is output from the control means, which is arranged near the storage means.

  According to this, it is possible to pay out information from the conveyor after reading the information through the first antenna, and to read the information through communication through the second antenna. It is possible to accurately grasp each piece of information without giving the information.

  Still further, a payout unit for paying out the parcels conveyed by the conveyor to the outside of the conveyor, and a reverse transfer path for returning the paid shipments discharged at the payout unit to the conveyor at a position upstream of the payout unit, And the second antenna is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor and downstream of the position where the baggage returns by the reverse conveyance path, and when an error is output from the control means, , And further, the conveyor is controlled and conveyed by the conveyor so as to be equal to or greater than the second interval, which is an interval that can be communicated only with the RFID of the paid shipment by communication via the second antenna. You may adjust the space | interval of the said load and the said payment shipment.

  According to this, it is possible to pay out information from the conveyor and read the information from the conveyor by the first communication means, and the information can be read out by the second communication means without causing any significant trouble in the transportation of the goods by the conveyor. It becomes possible to accurately grasp the information of each package. Further, the first antenna and the second antenna can be disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor, and space saving can be achieved.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information reading method in the transport system according to the present invention includes a conveyor for sequentially transporting a plurality of packages each having an RFID, and the packages at communication positions in a transport path of the conveyor. A detection device that detects position, and a first antenna that can communicate only with the RFID of the load present at the communication position, when the interval of the load conveyed by the conveyor is a first interval; A first communication means for communicating with the RFID via the first antenna; a second antenna capable of communicating with the RFID of a plurality of the packages when the package interval is a first interval; An information reading method in a transport system comprising second communication means for communicating with the RFID via an antenna, wherein the detection device Based on the error information output from the control unit when it is detected that the package is located at the communication position and communication with the RFID from the first communication unit is malfunctioning or impossible, the corresponding package from the conveyor And switching to a state in which communication via the second antenna can be performed by the switching means.

  According to this, when the information of the RFID cannot be read by the first communication means, the information is read by switching to the second communication means for performing communication via the second antenna having a relatively large output. Since it tries, it becomes possible to avoid the situation where reading of information becomes unsatisfactory or impossible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the reading efficiency when reading information from the RFID attached to the load flowing on the conveyor.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a part of the transport system together with a functional unit. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of an information reading method in the transport system. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of the transport system together with a functional unit.

  Next, an embodiment of a transport system and an information reading method in the transport system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment is merely an example of the transport system according to the present invention and an information reading method in the transport system. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the wording of the claims with reference to the following embodiments, and is not limited to the following embodiments. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are not necessarily required to achieve the object of the present invention. It will be described as constituting a preferred form.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a part of the transport system together with a functional unit.

  As shown in the figure, the transport system 100 is a system for transporting packages 200 in a line, and includes a conveyor 101, a detection device 102, a first antenna 131, a second antenna 132, and a communication means 104. , Control means 105 and switching means 106 are provided. In the case of the present embodiment, the transport system 100 further includes a payout unit 111 and a storage unit 107.

  The luggage 200 is not particularly limited as long as it can be conveyed by the conveyor 101. Each package 200 is attached with an RFID 201 (radio frequency identifier), and information unique to the package 200 is stored in the RFID 201 attached to the package 200. The RFID 201 is a small device that includes an element for holding and communicating information and an antenna for communication, and is a device that can exchange information by wireless communication.

  The conveyor 101 is a device that can sequentially transport the packages 200 whose intervals are adjusted by being sequentially loaded by a loader (not shown) or human power. Examples of the conveyor 101 include a roller conveyor and a belt conveyor.

  The detection device 102 is a device that detects that the luggage 200 is located at the communication position 121 in the conveyance path of the conveyor 101. Although it does not specifically limit as the detection apparatus 102, A photoelectric sensor, a non-contact proximity sensor, and a contact-type microswitch can be illustrated. Further, the detection device 102 may recognize the luggage 200 with a camera or the like.

  Here, the baggage 200 being positioned at the communication position 121 means that the baggage 200 is temporarily stopped or passed at the communication position 121.

  The first antenna 131 is an antenna having a performance capable of communicating only with the RFID 201 of the baggage 200 existing at the communication position 121 when the interval D of the baggage 200 conveyed by the conveyor 101 is the first interval. Specifically, the first antenna 131 is an antenna whose radio wave output is limited in order to avoid an interference state in which communication is performed simultaneously with each RFID 201 of the adjacent luggage 200 conveyed at the first interval.

  Here, the first interval and the performance of the first antenna 131 are determined depending on each other. For example, the performance of the first antenna 131 is determined in advance based on the size of the package 200 to be transported and the performance of the RFID 201 to be attached, and the luggage 200 having a low possibility of interference when the first antenna 131 is used. The interval D may be set as the first interval.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the first antenna 131 is disposed on the side of the conveyor 101 in the width direction and on the side of the communication position 121, and is disposed on both sides of the conveyor 101. Thereby, the reading accuracy of information from the RFID 201 is improved.

  The second antenna 132 is an antenna that is adjusted so as to have a radio wave output that allows communication with the RFID 201 of the plurality of packages 200 simultaneously when the interval D of the packages 200 is the first interval. The second antenna 132 is, for example, an antenna for which restriction on radio wave output has been lifted.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the second antenna 132 is disposed on the side of the storage unit 107 and is disposed at a position where information cannot be acquired from the RFID 201 of the luggage 200 conveyed by the conveyor 101.

  The communication unit 104 is a device that communicates information with the RFID 201 via at least one of the first antenna 131 and the second antenna 132 (for example, by switching using the switching unit 106 described later). The communication unit 104 is a device called a so-called RFID reader / writer. By performing wireless communication with the RFID 201, information stored in the RFID 201 can be read and information can be written in the RFID 201. Device.

  Specifically, the communication unit 104 can transmit no-read information when the RFID 201 does not exist at the communication position 121 or when the information from the RFID 201 can be read even if the information is meaningless. It has become.

  In the present embodiment, the first antenna 131 and the second antenna 132 are switched for use with respect to one communication means 104, but the communication means 104 communicates via the first antenna 131. You may provide the 2nd communication means which communicates via a communication means and the 2nd antenna 132. FIG.

  The control means 105 is a device that processes the acquired information and outputs the processed result as information, and is a computer that performs various processes by executing a program. The control unit 105 acquires detection information to be transmitted when the detection device 102 detects that the package 200 is located at the communication position 121, and indicates no-read indicating that communication with the RFID 201 from the communication unit 104 is malfunctioning or impossible. Error information is output when information is acquired.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the control unit 105 also controls the switching unit 106 based on the error information to perform a process of switching to a state where communication via the second antenna is possible.

  Further, the control means 105 controls a later-described payout device 112 provided in the payout section 111, and pays out the parcel 200 attached with the RFID 201 that has become unreadable or disabled from the conveyor 101 to the storage means 107. Also do.

  The control means 105 may control the notification means (not shown) based on the error information to notify the error. For example, a message indicating an error may be displayed on a display included in the control unit 105 and the display may be used as a notification unit, or a light that notifies an error by blinking light may be used as the notification unit.

  The switching unit 106 is a device that switches to a state in which communication via the second antenna is possible when error information is output from the control unit 105. Specifically, the switching unit 106 is a device that determines whether or not to output radio waves from the second antenna 132.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the switching means 106 is a switch that is disposed between the second antenna 132 and the communication means 104 and can connect and disconnect the second antenna 132 and the communication means 104.

  Note that the switching unit 106 may be one that can manually connect and disconnect the second antenna 132 and the communication unit 104. Further, when the communication unit 104 includes the first communication unit and the second communication unit, the switching unit 106 selects the operation and non-operation of the second communication unit to perform communication via the second antenna. It does not matter even if it switches to a state where it can be done.

  The payout unit 111 is a part for paying out the luggage 200 conveyed by the conveyor 101 to the outside of the conveyor 101.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the dispensing unit 111 is provided with a dispensing device 112 that can mechanically dispense the luggage 200 from the conveyor 101 to the storage unit 107. The payout device 112 is a device that can move the baggage 200 conveyed by the conveyor 101 in a direction crossing the conveyance direction. For example, in addition to the push-type payout device 112 shown in FIG. A table that temporarily and partially changes the conveying direction of the conveyor 101 can be listed.

  The storage unit 107 is a shelf or a table for temporarily storing the baggage 200 paid out by the paying unit 111.

  Next, an information reading method in the transport system 100 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of an information reading method in the transport system.

  As shown in the figure, the luggage 200 is carried into the conveyor 101 by a loader, human power, or the like. By adjusting the loading timing of the load 200 and the conveyance speed of the conveyor 101, the interval D of the load 200 is adjusted to be the first interval or more (interval adjustment step S101).

  When the package 200 conveyed with the interval adjusted reaches the position where the detection device 102 is arranged, the detection device 102 detects that the package 200 is positioned at the communication position 121 and transmits detection information (detection step). S102).

  The communication means 104 tries to read information from the RFID 201 by communicating with the RFID 201 (first communication step S103).

  Here, when reading of information from the RFID 201 is malfunctioning or impossible, the communication unit 104 transmits no-read information (no-read determination step S104).

  When the control unit 105 acquires the detection information from the detection device 102 and the no-read information from the communication unit 104, the control unit 105 outputs error information (error determination step S105).

  When the error information is output from the control unit 105, the corresponding parcel 200 is paid out from the payout unit 111 of the conveyor 101 to the storage unit 107 (payout step S106). The payout device 112 may be used for paying out the luggage 200.

  Next, the switching means 106 switches to a state where communication via the second antenna is possible (switching step S107).

  Next, the communication unit 104 communicates with the RFID 201 of the paid shipment 210 stored in the storage unit 107 via the second antenna (second communication step S108).

  As described above, information of the RFID 201 that could not be read in the first communication step can be read in the second communication step. Further, it is possible to read out all information of the RFID 201 of each package 200 without greatly reducing the efficiency of transporting the packages 200 that are continuously conveyed.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, another embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of the transport system together with a functional unit.

  As shown in the figure, the transport system 100 is a system for transporting packages 200 in a line, and includes a conveyor 101, a detection device 102, a first antenna 131, a second antenna 132, and a communication means 104. , Control means 105 and switching means 106 are provided. In the present embodiment, the transport system 100 further includes a payout unit 111 and a reverse transport path 108.

  In the present embodiment, portions different from those in the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The reverse conveyance path 108 is a path for returning the paid shipment 210 delivered by the delivery unit 111 to the conveyor 101 by the return unit 113 at a position upstream of the delivery unit 111. In the case of the present embodiment, the transport system 100 includes a reverse conveyor 181 for forming a reverse transport path 108 extending from the payout unit 111 to the return unit 113.

  The second antenna 132 is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor 101 and on the downstream side of the return portion 113 to which the luggage 200 returns by the reverse conveyance path 108.

  The control means 105 controls the conveyor 101 when the paid shipment 210 is returned from the reverse conveyance path 108 to the conveyor 101, and the communication means 104 can communicate only with the RFID 201 of the paid shipment 210 via the second antenna 132. The interval D between the package 200 conveyed by the conveyor 101 and the paid shipment 210 is adjusted so as to be equal to or greater than the second interval that is the interval. Specifically, the timing for returning the paid shipment 210 to the conveyor 101 is delayed until the interval between the last package 200 being conveyed on the conveyor 101 and the return unit 113 is equal to or greater than the second interval. Further, when the package 200 is further transported after the paid shipment 210, the timing of loading the next package 200 into the conveyor 101 is controlled so that the interval between the paid shipment 210 and the next package 200 is equal to or greater than the second interval. To do.

  As described above, even when the second antenna 132 is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor 101, correct information can be read from the package 200 including the RFID 201 that has become a no-lead. Furthermore, even when there are a plurality of paid-out shipments 210, the correct information can be read by placing them on the reverse conveyance path 108 and returning them to the conveyor 101 in sequence.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, another embodiment realized by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification and excluding some of the components may be used as an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the present invention includes modifications obtained by making various modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention, that is, the meaning described in the claims. It is.

  For example, although the dispensing device 112 has been described in the above embodiment, it may be human power to dispense the no-lead baggage 200 from the conveyor 101.

  Further, the means for conveying the reverse conveying path 108 is not particularly limited, and for example, a carriage equipped with a transfer device may be run. Further, it may be transported manually.

  The present invention can be used in a transport system including a conveyor in which packages having RFIDs continuously flow.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Conveyance system 101 Conveyor 102 Detection apparatus 104 Communication means 105 Control means 106 Switching means 107 Storage means 108 Reverse conveyance path 111 Discharge part 112 Discharge apparatus 113 Return part 121 Communication position 131 1st antenna 132 2nd antenna 181 Reverse conveyor 200 Baggage 210 Shipment to be paid

Claims (2)

A conveyor for sequentially carrying a plurality of packages each equipped with an RFID;
A payout unit for paying out the luggage transported by the conveyor to the outside of the conveyor;
Storage means for temporarily storing paid shipments paid out in the payout unit;
A detection device for detecting that the baggage is located at a communication position in a conveyance path of the conveyor;
A first antenna capable of communicating only with the RFID of the package present at the communication position, when the interval of the package conveyed by the conveyor is a first interval;
A second antenna that is disposed in the vicinity of the storage means and is capable of communicating with the RFID of the plurality of packages when the package interval is the first interval;
A communication means for communicating with the RFID via the first antenna or the second antenna;
Control means for outputting error information when the detection device detects that the load is located at the communication position and communication between the communication means and the RFID is malfunctioning or impossible;
Switching means for determining whether or not to output radio waves from the second antenna,
When error information is output from the control means, the control means switches to a state in which communication via the second antenna is possible by the switching means, and the communication means is a payout stored in the storage means. A transport system that communicates with an RFID of a package via the second antenna. A conveyor for sequentially carrying a plurality of packages each equipped with an RFID;
A payout unit for paying out the luggage transported by the conveyor to the outside of the conveyor;
A reverse conveyance path for returning the paid shipments paid out in the payout unit to the conveyor at a position upstream of the payout unit;
A detection device for detecting that the baggage is located at a communication position in a conveyance path of the conveyor;
A first antenna capable of communicating only with the RFID of the package present at the communication position, when the interval of the package conveyed by the conveyor is a first interval;
In the vicinity of the conveyor and disposed downstream of the position where the load returns by the reverse conveyance path, and when the load interval is the first interval, a second antenna that can communicate with the RFID of the plurality of loads,
A communication means for communicating with the RFID via the first antenna or the second antenna;
Control means for outputting error information when the detection device detects that the load is located at the communication position and communication between the communication means and the RFID is malfunctioning or impossible;
Switching means for determining whether or not to output radio waves from the second antenna,
When error information is output from the control means, the package is paid out from the payout unit, and further, the conveyor is controlled, and communication is performed only with the RFID of the paid shipment by communication via the second antenna. the cargo carried by the conveyor such that the second distance or more is an interval that can and to adjust the distance between the dispensing package, before Symbol control means by the switching means, via said second antenna communication switching to a state where it is, the communication means, transport system and RFID prior Symbol payout luggage communicates via the second antenna.

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