JP7158266B2 - ID medium management method and management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and system for managing ID media composed of, for example, RF tags, bar codes, two-dimensional codes, etc., and in particular ID media in the case where a plurality of ID media are attached to an individual to be attached. It relates to the management method and system of.

In general, a so-called RF tag with a built-in IC chip that stores predetermined information (individual identification information) on any article or object in a readable and writable manner is widely used as an ID medium for individual identification. It is
An RF tag is also called an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, an IC tag, a non-contact tag, etc., and is a so-called inlay in which an electronic circuit equipped with an IC chip and a wireless antenna is sealed and coated with a base material such as a resin film. Inlet) is an ultra-compact communication terminal formed in the shape of a tag (tag). (read only, write once, read/write) can be performed.

By writing predetermined information on such an RF tag and attaching it to an arbitrary article or object, the information recorded on the RF tag is picked up by a reader/writer, and the information recorded on the IC chip is read as Recognize, output, display, and update various information such as the name, identification symbol, content, composition, administrator, user, usage status, and usage status of the article as individual identification information. can be equated.
Such RF tags can generally record data of several hundred bits to several kilobits in the memory of the IC chip, and can record a sufficient amount of information as information on articles, etc. Since the tag can communicate without contact, there is no need to worry about contact wear, scratches, dirt, etc. Furthermore, since the tag itself can be powered off, it can be processed according to the target object and can be made smaller and thinner. . For this reason, RF tags have been widely used in recent years because they can be easily attached to any object without taking up much space and can be conveniently used as an ID medium for individual identification of the object.

However, since RF tags are simply inlays in which IC chips and antennas are film-coated, or inlays are simply housed in thin housings or holders, they can be damaged or damaged by impacts from the outside. Doing so may cause malfunction or damage.
For example, ID media attached to cargo pallets and skids are constantly subject to physical and mechanical external forces and impacts due to contact and collision with forklift claws, other pallets, structures, etc. In the case of an ID medium attached to an object such as a pallet in a state where there is a risk of being subjected to a shock, it is easily detached, damaged, destroyed, etc. by the application of an external force, and the information cannot be read. was likely to occur.

As a measure to detect and discriminate missing reading of such a damaged ID medium, for example, there is a method of preparing a list of individual information to be read in advance and comparing the list with the information read from the ID medium. obtain. However, with such a method, for example, for pallets returned from overseas, there is only a list for each marine container. Since it is necessary to search for the missing individual, it was not a realistic measure, especially in transportation and transport sites where a large number of individuals are processed.

As another measure, a method of monitoring the number of individuals passing through an automatic reading gate (reading device) of ID media with a camera and comparing the number of individuals with the number of ID media read is conceivable. However, with this method, for example, when the colors and shapes of special pallets to which ID media are to be attached are varied, it is difficult to identify the number of individuals, and the detection of the ID media by an image processing system or the like becomes difficult. There were other problems such as increased costs.
Furthermore, as another measure, there is a method of passing through the gate one by one the individuals to which the ID media are attached, or a method of individually confirming the reading of the ID media one by one using a handy reader. However, it took a lot of man-hours, and it was not a practical solution especially in the field where a large number of pallets and the like were handled.

Here, for ID media used in an environment where external force is likely to be applied, a plurality of ID media are attached to one individual (pallet, etc.) in preparation for falling off or breakage. It has been proposed that even if an ID medium is damaged or the like, another ID medium is used to ensure and guarantee functions such as reading information.
For example, in Patent Document 1, out of the information read from a plurality of RF tags that write the same information on a pallet for transporting goods, by advancing the process based on the information that matches the majority, some Proposals have been made to continue processing even if a defect occurs in the RF tag.

JP 2003-067683 A

However, simply increasing the number of ID media to be attached to a single object will increase the number of ID media to be managed, making it more difficult to detect failure, damage, or dropout of ID media. A problem arises.
In addition, in the proposal of Patent Document 1 mentioned above, by fitting a plurality of RF tags into a single support holder, they are arranged intensively at the same place on one side of the pallet to be attached. Therefore, for example, when a claw of a forklift or the like comes into contact with the RF tags, there is a risk that a plurality of RF tags may be damaged or detached at the same time.
Furthermore, in the proposal of Patent Document 1, it is possible to identify the RF tag in which the defect has occurred by outputting the defect information from the RF tag. There is also a problem that it is difficult to determine whether or not the RF tag is defective by merely visually observing the appearance of the RF tag, and the task of identifying the defective RF tag becomes complicated or difficult.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Individuals that are used at sites such as transportation and transportation where a large number of pallets are handled, in particular, that can reliably discriminate and extract, and can easily identify and specify the extracted defective ID media by visual inspection from the appearance. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ID medium management method and a management system suitable for identification of ID media.

In order to achieve the above object, an ID medium management method according to the present invention is a method for reading and managing information recorded on a plurality of ID media associated with one individual to be attached by a reading device. In each of the plurality of ID media, identification information of the one individual associated with the ID medium and discrimination information that can discriminate the ID medium itself are recorded, and the reading device includes: Comparison information corresponding to the identification information and discrimination information is recorded, and the reading device reads the identification information and discrimination information recorded on all of the plurality of ID media, and reads the read identification information and discrimination. The information is compared with the comparison information, and an ID medium from which discrimination information corresponding to the comparison information has not been read is extracted as a defective ID medium.

Further, an ID medium management system according to the present invention is an ID medium management system comprising a reading device for reading and managing information recorded on a plurality of ID media associated with one individual to be attached. , each of the plurality of ID media is recorded with identification information of the one individual associated with the ID medium and identification information with which each ID medium itself can be identified; storage means for recording comparison information corresponding to the information and identification information; reading means for reading the identification information and identification information recorded on all of the plurality of ID media; and the identification information and the identification information read by the reading means. The apparatus includes comparison means for comparing discrimination information with the comparison information, and extraction means for extracting an ID medium from which the discrimination information corresponding to the comparison information has not been read as a defective ID medium.

According to the present invention, while attaching a plurality of ID media to an individual to be attached, it is possible to reliably identify and extract a defective ID medium, and to visually inspect the extracted defective ID medium from its appearance. It becomes possible to easily identify and specify.
As a result, a management method suitable for management of ID media used for pallets, skids, etc., which are often subjected to physical force and impact from the outside, especially in the field of transportation and transportation, where a large number of pallets, etc. are processed. A management system can be provided.

(a) is an explanatory view showing the state of use of a pallet to which an ID medium is to be attached in an ID medium management method and management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is an external oblique view of a pallet with a pallet; FIG. (c) is an external view of the ID media attached to the mounting portion of the pallet shown in FIG. It is a perspective view. 1A is a plan view and FIG. ) is a front view of the pallet viewed from the direction of travel. 1(a) is a functional block diagram of a reading device, and FIG. 1(b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of an output means in an ID medium management method and management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a procedure in an ID medium management method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of an ID medium management method and a management system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the constituent elements of a management system for implementing an ID medium management method according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (a) shows the use state of a pallet (individual) to which an ID medium is attached. Explanatory drawing, (b) is an external perspective view of a pallet to which an ID medium is attached, (c) is an external view of an ID medium mounted on the mounting portion of the pallet shown in (b), and (d) is an ID medium. 1 is an external perspective view of a metal pallet with an attached solid basket. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the ID medium attached to the pallet and the reading device in the management system for implementing the ID medium management method according to the present embodiment.

As shown in these figures, the ID medium management method/management system according to the present embodiment reads information recorded on a plurality of ID media associated with one individual to which the ID medium is to be attached. It is a method / system that reads and manages by.
Specifically, a plurality of RF tags 20 as ID media are attached to a pallet 10, which is an individual object to which individual identification is performed by attaching an ID medium. 100 transports and conveys.
When the forklift 100 passes close to the reader 50 and passes through it, the information recorded on the RF tags 20 attached to one or more pallets 10 mounted on the forklift 100 is read by the reader. 50.
Details of each part for implementing the ID medium management method/management system according to the present embodiment will be described below.

[palette]
The pallet 10, also called a skid, is a cargo handling platform used when carrying and transporting objects and cargo to be transported, and is associated with an ID medium to perform individual identification management, according to the present invention. It constitutes the individual concerned.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the pallet 10 has a rectangular upper deck 10a and a lower deck 10b, which serve as mounting surfaces on which objects to be transported can be mounted, and upper and lower decks 10a. , 10b to form a space into which the claws of the forklift 100 are inserted. It's becoming

The upper and lower decks 10a and 10b are formed to have the same shape and size so that either can be used as a mounting surface, and the pallets 10 can be stacked vertically.
The girder 10 c forms a space into which the claws of the forklift 100 can be inserted from two or four directions on the side surface of the pallet 10 .
Such a pallet 10 may be made of wood, synthetic resin, metal, or the like, and a metal pallet is preferably used from the standpoint of durability. The pallet 10 of this embodiment also assumes that a metal pallet is used. Also, a metal pallet 200 with a basket is sometimes used to prevent the load from falling, as shown in FIG. 1(d).
In this embodiment, mounting portions 11 for mounting RF tags 20 are provided at predetermined positions on a plurality of different side surfaces of the pallet 10 (200).

The mounting portion 11 is a mounting area in which the RF tag 20 is mounted via a mounting body 30, which will be described later. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The space between the upper and lower decks 10a and 10b is used to construct the pallet 10 at approximately the center of the side surface of the pallet 10, which is not assumed (the possibility of insertion is low).
Such a mounting portion 11 can be provided on at least two opposing side faces among the four side faces of the pallet 10, and optionally on any plurality (three or four) of the side faces of the pallet 10. can also be provided. Also, it is possible to provide a plurality of mounting portions 11 on the same side surface of the pallet 10 .
In this embodiment, mounting portions 11 are provided on the left and right sides of the pallet 10 in the conveying direction so that two RF tags 20 can be attached to one pallet 10 (see FIG. 2). ).

By providing such a mounting portion 11, the RF tag 20 is not stored or embedded in the upper and lower decks 10a and 10b of the pallet 10, and does not require a special protective structure. , can be mounted and attached to the pallet 10 .
Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the RF tags 20 attached to such an attachment portion 11 are stacked and transported by a forklift 100 and are configured by a reader 50 while being stored, for example, in a truck or warehouse. By passing through the gate, the RF tags 20 positioned on the left and right sides of the pallet 10 in the traveling direction are detected and communicated by the antenna 51 of the reader 50, and the information recorded in the RF tag 20 (identification information・ Discrimination information) will be automatically read.

Further, the RF tag 20 attached to the attachment portion 11 is placed on the attachment portion 11 in a state in which it can be visually recognized from the side of the pallet 10, as shown in FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c). As a result, even if the RF tag 20 has a backup bar code, two-dimensional code, etc., the RF tag 20 can be easily and reliably detected so that its existence can be visually recognized and confirmed at a glance from the outside of the pallet 10. Further, the RF tag 20 can be easily attached, detached and replaced.
In addition, although not shown, characters, numbers, symbols, etc. corresponding to the identification information (pallet ID) written in the RF tag 20 are displayed and printed in the vicinity of the mounting portion 11 of the pallet 10. Predetermined identification information can also be confirmed visually from the outside.

Further, the RF tag 20 to be mounted/arranged on the mounting portion 11 is arranged on the mounting portion 11 so as to be accommodated inside from the outer peripheral surface of the pallet 10 (see FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c)). ).
With such a configuration, the RF tag attached to the attachment portion 11 is positioned inside the pallet from the outer edges of the upper and lower decks 10a and 10b of the pallet 10, and the RF tag 20 is positioned from above and below the pallet 10. As a result, the RF tag 20 is reliably protected and guarded inside the mounting portion 11. As a result, the RF tag 20 is protected and guarded.

The placement position of the RF tag 20 attached to the attachment portion 11 is inside the pallet from the outer edges of the upper and lower decks 10a and 10b of the pallet 10, and as described above, the RF tag 20 from the outside of the pallet 10 It is arranged in an appropriate position so as not to impair the visibility, detachability, readability of barcodes, etc.
For example, it is preferable to arrange the RF tag 20 at a position about 2 to 3 cm from the outer periphery of the pallet 10 inside the pallet.
In addition, in FIG. 2 described above, for convenience of explanation for facilitating understanding of the present invention, the RF tag 20 is drawn so as to protrude greatly outward from the side surface of the pallet 10, but the RF tag 20 is attached Since it is installed in the inside of the part 11, it can be constructed and arranged so as not to protrude from the side surface of the pallet 10. - 特許庁

[RF tag]
The RF tag 20 attached to the attachment portion 11 of the pallet 10 as described above performs reading, writing, and reading/writing of predetermined information wirelessly with the reading device 50 (reader/writer). It constitutes an ID medium.
Here, the RF tag 20 includes types such as a read-only type, a write-once type, and a read/write type, for example.
Specifically, the RF tag 20 includes an IC chip, a loop circuit antenna on which the IC chip is mounted, an inlay having dipole antennas extending on both sides of the loop circuit antenna, and a case/housing that accommodates the inlay. It is configured.

Here, the IC chip provided in the RF tag 20 is composed of a semiconductor chip such as a memory, and can record data of several hundred bits to several kilobits, for example.
An antenna is connected to the IC chip, and a part of the antenna is connected as a loop-shaped circuit conductor so as to surround the chip to form a loop circuit section. Antennas are connected on both the left and right sides or on one side.
Then, while the impedance matching of the IC chip is achieved by the loop circuit, reading and writing (data calling, registration, deletion, updating, etc.) are performed by wireless communication with a reader/writer (not shown) via the antenna. The data recorded in is recognized.

Data recorded on the RF tag 20 (IC chip) includes, for example, product identification code, name, weight, content, manufacturer/seller name, manufacturing location, manufacturing date, expiration date, and any other data. can be recorded and can be rewritten.
In this embodiment, as the information stored and recorded in the RF tag 20, the identification information of the pallet 10 associated with the RF tag 20 and the discrimination information that can discriminate the RF tag 20 itself are recorded. It's like

Specifically, the identification information stored in the RF tag 20 includes a pallet ID for identifying the pallet 10 to which the RF tag 20 is attached, the name of the pallet, and information on the goods to be carried on the pallet (name of goods to be conveyed, destination etc.).
The identification information stored in the RF tag 20 includes a tag ID for identifying the RF tag 20, color identification information indicating the color assigned to the tag (color identification code indicating red, green, etc.), and the like. be.
These identification information/determination information are recorded/registered in each of the plurality of RF tags 20 in advance when managing/operating the ID medium in this system.

Furthermore, the RF tag 20 has information (red, red colors such as green) are displayed by coloring.
For example, in the RF tag 20, the housing that houses the inlay can be configured by a resin case or the like having a color corresponding to the color identification code.
Alternatively, a label of a color corresponding to the color identification code may be attached to the surface of a general-purpose case or the like, or the surface of the case may be coated with paint of the corresponding color.

In this way, as identification information of the RF tag 20, a color is assigned to the RF tag 20, a color identification code indicating the color is recorded in the RF tag 20, and the appearance (housing/case) of the RF tag 20 corresponds to By displaying colors, the same pallet ID/tag ID is recorded for the same pallet 10, and a plurality (two) of RF tags 20 that differ only in color (color identification code/appearance color) are attached. be able to.
As a result, the reading device 50 can detect and determine whether or not all of the plurality of color identification information have been read for the RF tags 20 from which the same pallet ID/tag ID has been read. If the information is not read, it is possible to extract and determine that any of the RF tags 20 with the corresponding pallet ID or tag ID has been overlooked.

Since the color corresponding to the color identification information that has not been read is displayed on the surface of the RF tag 20 that has been overlooked, by visually checking the pallet 10, the RF tag 20 of the corresponding color can be detected. can be easily identified.
As a result, if any of the multiple (two) RF tags 20 attached to one pallet 10 is misread, the appearance color of the relevant RF tag 20 is visually checked. This makes it possible to easily identify the RF tag 20 that is malfunctioning, damaged, or missing, and to quickly replace the defective RF tag 20 with a non-defective RF tag 20 .

The color identification information to be recorded in the RF tag 20 and the color to be displayed by coloring on the exterior are preferably set to different colors such as "red/green" that can be reliably identified visually. However, it is not particularly limited to "red and green" as long as it is a plurality of identifiable colors.
Further, in addition to or in place of the colors described above, other information that can discriminate a plurality of RF tags 20 having the same pallet ID/tag ID recorded thereon can also be used as discriminating information. For example, for a plurality of RF tags 20 in which the same pallet ID/tag ID is recorded, information such as "tag 1/tag 2" or "tag right/tag left" is recorded, and the housing/tag of the RF tag 20 is recorded. Corresponding characters can be printed on the case, and a label, seal, or the like can be attached.
Even in this way, it is possible to easily identify the RF tag 20 in which reading has been missed by visual inspection of the appearance.
In this way, the discrimination information is displayed on the surface of the RF tag 20, and any information (colors, letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) that can be visually discriminated can be used as the discrimination information. It can be recorded and displayed on the RF tag 20 .

The communication frequency band used by the RF tag 20 can be, for example, the 860-960 MHz band belonging to the so-called UHF band.
Frequency bands generally used in RF tags include several types of frequency bands, for example, a band of 135 kHz or less, a 13.56 MHz band, an 860-960 MHz band belonging to the UHF band, and a 2.45 GHz band. The communication distance over which wireless communication is possible differs depending on the frequency band used, and the optimum antenna length and wiring pattern also differ depending on the frequency band.

For example, if the RF tag 20 is miniaturized so that it does not interfere with the pallet 10 to be attached and does not require a large installation space (mounting part 11), it is targeted for the UHF band with a short wavelength and a small antenna. For example, the 860 MHz band and the 920 MHz band can be targeted, and it is possible to adopt a mounting structure that can obtain good communication characteristics in these frequency bands.
However, if there is no restriction on the size of the RF tag 20, the technical idea itself according to the present invention is that the communication frequency of the RF tag 20 is not limited to a specific frequency band. of course, can also be applied to the frequency band of

The RF tag 20 as described above is not particularly limited in specific configuration, structure, function, and the like.
For example, existing general-purpose tags and dedicated tags customized for specific products and applications can be targeted, and what are their configurations, shapes, sizes, functions, etc.? can be employed as the RF tag 20 according to this embodiment.
That is, any RF tag that can operate and function as an RF tag capable of wireless communication can be applied as the RF tag 20 of the present embodiment.

In addition, the RF tag 20 may have a back-up bar code or two-dimensional code attached to the surface of the housing containing the inlay, for example. Such barcodes and two-dimensional codes can also constitute the ID medium of the present invention.
Also, instead of the RF tag 20, a bar code or a two-dimensional code can be attached to the mounting portion 11 singly or in combination.
Therefore, the ID medium according to the present invention can be configured by any one of RF tags, bar codes (one-dimensional codes), and two-dimensional codes, or a combination of two or more of them.

Further, in the present embodiment, the RF tag 20 as described above is detachably attached to the attachment portion 11 of the pallet 10 via the attachment body 30 .
The attachment body 30 is an intervening member for attaching the RF tag 20 to the attachment part 11 of the pallet 10 . By attaching the attachment body 30 to which the RF tag 20 is fixed to the attachment part 11 , Installed and arranged inside.
Specifically, the mounting body 30 can be formed of an elastic body, such as rubber or synthetic resin, having an elastic force that allows it to be bent by an external force applied to the RF tag 20 .

By attaching the RF tag 20 to the pallet 10 via such an attachment body 30, for example, when a claw of a forklift 100 enters from the outside and a physical impact is applied to the RF tag 20, the physical impact is released or It bends around the connection point with the mounting part 11 so as to absorb it.
As a result, even if a physical external force is applied to the RF tag 20, the physical external force is released or absorbed by the bending of the mounting body 30, and the impact is not applied to the RF tag 20. will be reduced.
From a similar point of view, the mounting body 30 can also be formed by a bending/folding structure that can be bent by an external force applied to the RF tag 20, such as a hinge structure/hinge. Moreover, the attachment body 30 made of such an elastic body or hinge structure can include a rigid body that cannot be bent.

In addition, the attachment body 30 is arranged so that the RF tag 20 fixed to the front surface (or the back surface) of the attachment body 30 is fitted inside the outer peripheral surface of the pallet 10 in the state of being attached to the mounting part 11, for example, The RF tag 20 is attached and fixed to the mounting portion 11 so that the RF tag 20 is positioned inside the pallet by about 2 to 3 cm from the outer periphery of the pallet 10 .
As a result, the RF tag attached to the attachment portion 11 via the mounting body 30 is positioned inside the pallet rather than the outer edges of the upper and lower decks 10a and 10b of the pallet 10, and the RF tag is attached to the pallet 10 from above and below. 20 is prevented from contacting or colliding with another object or the like.
The mounting position of the mounting portion 11 of the mounting body 30 is inside the pallet from the outer edges of the upper and lower decks 10a and 10b of the pallet 10, and as described above, visibility of the RF tag 20 from the outside of the pallet 10 and It is set at an appropriate position that does not impair detachability, readability of bar codes, and the like.

[Reading device]
The reading device 50 is a reader/writer device that wirelessly reads, writes, and reads/writes predetermined information from/to the RF tag 20 described above. Configure.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the reading device 50 is configured in the shape of a gate through which a forklift 100 that loads and conveys a plurality of pallets 10 can pass while traveling. Antenna 51 for transmitting/receiving a radio signal to/from RF tag 20 is provided on each of the facing surfaces of a pair of pillars arranged to face each other at an interval wider than the width of 100 .
A predetermined number of antennas 51 are arranged at predetermined positions so that the plurality of RF tags 20 attached to the pallet 10 can be reliably read, and the reader 50 functions as an automatic ID medium identification device. ing.

Further, the reading device 50 includes an information processing device connected to the antenna 51 and executes reading processing of the RF tag 20 including control of the antenna 51 . The information processing apparatus is composed of hardware including, for example, a CPU, RAM, ROM, HDD, input device, display device, etc., and is implemented as means capable of executing the following processing functions by installing predetermined software. Configured.
FIG. 3(a) shows a functional block diagram of the reading device 50, and FIG. 3(b) shows an example of a display screen output and displayed from the output means 56 of the reading device 50. As shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the reading device 50 includes the above-described antenna 51 for receiving wireless signals from the RF tag 20, and also includes a storage means 52, a reading means 53, a comparison means 54, an extraction means 55, an output It functions as each means of means 56 .

The storage means 52 records comparison information corresponding to the identification information and discrimination information recorded in the RF tag 20 .
Specifically, as the comparison information recorded in the storage means 52, first, as information corresponding to the identification information stored in the RF tag 20, a pallet ID and a pallet name for identifying the pallet 10 to which the RF tag 20 is attached. , information on goods to be carried on a pallet (name of goods to be conveyed, destination, etc.), information on the number of RF tags 20 to be attached, and the like.
In addition, as information corresponding to the identification information stored in the RF tag 20, the tag ID that identifies each RF tag 20, the color identification code (red, green, etc.) indicating the color assigned to the tag, etc. are also used as comparison information. It is recorded in the storage means 52 .
These pieces of comparison information, together with the identification information and discrimination information written in the RF tag 20, are registered and stored in advance in the reading device 50 when managing and operating the ID medium in this system.

The reading means 53 reads the identification information and discrimination information recorded in all of the plurality of RF tags 20 from the signal received via the antenna 51 .
In this way, when a plurality of pallets 10 to which RF tags 20 are attached are conveyed (see FIG. 1(a)), the reading device 50 reads all The identification information and discrimination information recorded on the RF tag 20 are read.
As a result, rapid and efficient reading processing of the RF tag 20 and individual identification processing of the pallet 10 can be performed.

The comparison means 54 compares the identification information and discrimination information of each RF tag 20 read by the reading means 53 with the corresponding comparison information.
Specifically, the identification information/discrimination information such as the palette ID, tag ID, and color identification information read from the RF tag 20 is converted to the corresponding palette ID, tag ID, color identification information, etc. recorded in the storage means 52. Contrast and compare with the comparison information of
By the comparison processing in the comparison means 54, matching/mismatching or difference between the identification information/discrimination information read from the RF tag 20 and the comparison information registered in the reading device 50 is detected.

The extraction means 55 extracts the relevant RF tag 20 as a defective ID medium when the determination information corresponding to the comparison information is not read as a result of the comparison processing in the comparison means 54 .
Specifically, when "pallet ID: P0001, tag ID: T0001, color identification code, red/green" is recorded as the comparison information recorded in the storage means 52, the RF tag 20 outputs "pallet ID: P0001, tag ID: T0001, color identification code, red” and “pallet ID: P0001, tag ID: T0001, color identification code, green” are read. No bad ID medium is extracted (see FIG. 3(b)).

On the other hand, when "pallet ID: P0003, tag ID: T0003, color identification code, red/green" is recorded, the RF tag 20 sends "pallet ID: P0003, tag ID: T0003, color identification code, green". is read, but if the information of "pallet ID: P0003, tag ID: T0003, color identification code, red" is not read, the RF tag 20 is not read and a defective ID medium is extracted. (See FIG. 3(b)). In this case, since the identification information "red" of the RF tag 20 has not been read, the RF Tag 20 has been missed.

The output means 56 outputs the result of extraction processing by the comparison means 54 and the extraction means 55 as described above.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, an information processing device such as a tablet terminal or a smart phone as shown in FIG. A tablet terminal or the like functions as output means 56 for outputting the extraction processing results by the comparison means 54 and the extraction means 55 . Such an output unit such as a tablet terminal is provided, for example, in the driver's seat of the forklift 100 so that the operator of the forklift 100 can operate and visually recognize the output at any time.

As the information output and displayed by the output means 56, the identification information/discrimination information and comparison information subjected to comparison/extraction processing, and information indicating match/mismatch, etc. are generated/displayed.
In the example shown in FIG. 3B, information about each item of "pallet ID, tag ID, color identification code (red), color identification code (green), judgment" is output and displayed for each of the plurality of palettes 10. It is designed to be
For example, for "Palette ID: P0001", "Palette ID: P0001, Tag ID, T0001, Color identification code (red): ◯, Color identification code (green): ◯, Judgment OK", "Tag ID: T0001" It is shown that no misreading has occurred.

On the other hand, for "Palette ID: P0003", "Palette ID: P0003, Tag ID, T0003, Color identification code (red): ×, Color identification code (green): 0, Judgment NG", "Tag ID: T0003 ” indicates that the “green” RF tag 20 is not read. In this case, "determination NG" can be displayed by highlighting or the like.
Therefore, an operator or the like who sees the display result of the output means 56 visually checks the palette 10 of the corresponding ID, confirms and identifies the RF tag 20 to which the corresponding color is attached, and identifies the RF tag 20. It becomes possible to inspect and confirm whether or not there is omission, failure, or the like.

The output/display contents of the output means 56 shown in FIG. 3(b) are an example of the output information according to the present invention, and are not limited to this example.
In addition, as the output means 56, a tablet terminal or the like connected to the reading device 50 by wireless communication is shown in this embodiment, but as long as the results of the above comparison/extraction processing can be output/displayed as information, output The configuration of means 56 is not limited to the tablet terminal.
For example, a display unit directly connected to a gate or the like that constitutes the reading device 50 can function as the output means 56, and a PC or the like installed in a company building or management building away from the work site of the forklift 100 can be used. It is also possible to use the information processing device as the output means 56 .

[Operation (ID medium management method)]
Next, the operation (ID medium management method) of the ID medium management system of this embodiment including the reader 50 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing procedures of an ID medium management method executed by the management system according to the present embodiment.
First, as a preliminary preparation, a plurality (two) of RF tags 20 are prepared for each pallet 10 to be attached, and each RF tag 20 contains identification information of the corresponding pallet 10 and the RF tag 20 identification information (color identification code) is recorded. Writing such identification information/determination information to the RF tag 20 can be performed by the reading device 50, or can be performed by using another reader/writer or the like.

In addition, each RF tag 20 is colored so that the appearance of the case/housing containing the inlay is a color (red, green, etc.) corresponding to the color identification code assigned to the RF tag 20. Keep
Then, the prepared RF tags 20 are attached to predetermined positions (mounting portions 11) of the corresponding pallets 10, respectively.
In addition, comparison information corresponding to the identification information and discrimination information recorded on the RF tag 20 is recorded and registered in the storage means 52 in the reading device 50 .

In this way, transportation of the pallet 10 to which a plurality of RF tags 20 are attached is started (step 401).
Here, in this embodiment, as the management of the RF tag 20, at the timing when the pallet 10 that has finished transporting the product etc. is returned/collected and stored in a truck or warehouse (see FIG. 2(a)), for example, , the RF tag 20 is determined to be missed.
At the time of shipment of the pallets 10 in which products and the like are mounted on each pallet 10, the number of pallets 10 to be mounted and transported by one forklift 100 is basically one, and the pallets 10 and RF tags This makes it difficult to efficiently determine whether or not to read 20 characters.
In addition, when shipping products, for example, the hours of use of ports and warehouses are limited, and it is necessary to complete the shipping work as quickly and efficiently as possible.

On the other hand, the pallets 10 returned after shipment of the products or the like can be transported by loading a plurality of (for example, 10) pallets 10 on one forklift 100 .
In addition, by performing a read-miss determination on the returned pallet 10, the pallet 10 and the RF tag 20 for which the read-miss was detected can be replaced or repaired in advance before shipping the product. it is possible to take.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the failure to read the RF tag 20 is determined and managed at the timing when the pallet 10 that has finished shipping products is returned or collected, so that the management of the RF tag 20 can be efficiently and quickly performed. I'm going to be able to do it.

Specifically, the plurality of pallets 10 loaded and conveyed by the forklift 100 pass through the gate of the reader 50 as the forklift 100 moves (step 402).
When a plurality of pallets 10 pass through the gate of the reader 50, wireless communication is automatically performed between the antenna 51 of the reader 50 and the RF tag 20, and the wireless signal from the RF tag 20 is received by the antenna 51. , the identification information/discrimination information recorded in each of the plurality of RF tags 20 is read by the reading device 50 (reading means 53) (step 403).
As a result, rapid and efficient reading processing of the RF tag 20 and individual identification processing of the pallet 10 are executed.

The identification information/discrimination information read from the RF tag 20 is compared with the comparison information recorded in the reader 50 (step 404).
Specifically, the pallet ID/tag ID/identification information/discrimination information such as the color identification code read from the RF tag 20 is stored in the corresponding pallet ID/tag ID registered in the reading device 50 (storage means 52).・Comparison information such as a color identification code is compared, and match/mismatch is detected.
Then, the reading device 50 (extraction means 55) extracts the RF tag 20 whose identification information has not been read as a defective ID medium (missing tag) (step 405).

In this embodiment, the number of colors and the color of the color identification information (color identification code) read from each RF tag 20 are determined, and if there is a missing color, it is detected as a missing tag.
For example, when "pallet ID: P0001, tag ID: T0001, color identification code, red/green" is recorded as comparison information recorded in the reader 50, the RF tag 20 reads "pallet ID: P0001・Tag ID: T0001・Color identification code・Red” and “Palette ID: P0001・Tag ID: T0001・Color identification code・Green” are read, the RF tag 20 is not overlooked. Bad ID media are not extracted (see FIG. 3(b)).

On the other hand, when "pallet ID: P0003, tag ID: T0003, color identification code, red/green" is recorded, the RF tag 20 sends "pallet ID: P0003, tag ID: T0003, color identification code, green". is read, but if the information of "pallet ID: P0003, tag ID: T0003, color identification code, red" is not read, the RF tag 20 is not read and a defective ID medium is extracted. (See FIG. 3(b)). In this case, since the identification information "red" of the RF tag 20 has not been read, the RF Tag 20 has been missed.

The result of the reading process of the RF tag 20 as described above is output by the reading device 50 (output means 56) (step 406).
In this embodiment, a tablet terminal or the like as shown in FIG. It is designed to be output and displayed at any time to the operator.
As a result, an operator or the like who sees the display result of the tablet terminal can visually confirm and identify the RF tag 20 of the corresponding color by visually checking the palette 10 of the corresponding ID, thereby preventing the RF tag 20 from falling off or malfunctioning. etc., and take necessary measures such as replacement and repair.

In the example shown in FIG. 3B, information about each item of "pallet ID, tag ID, color identification code (red), color identification code (green), judgment" is output and displayed for each of the plurality of palettes 10. It is designed to be
As shown in the figure, for "pallet ID: P0001 (and 2, 4, 6...)", "pallet ID: P0001, tag ID, T0001, color identification code (red): 0, color identification code (Green): O.Determination OK" indicates that no reading errors have occurred for "Tag ID: T0001 (and 2, 4, 6, ...)".

On the other hand, for "Palette ID: P0003 (and 5)", "Palette ID: P0003, Tag ID, T0003, Color identification code (red): ×, Color identification code (green): ○, Judgment NG (highlight display )”, “tag ID: T0003 (and 5)” indicates that the “red” (or “green”) RF tag 20 is misread.
Therefore, the operator or the like can identify and replace the RF tag 20 that has been misread as a defective ID medium simply by visually recognizing and distinguishing the color of the appearance. That is, the RF tag 20 extracted as a defective ID medium can be identified as a defective product by visually discriminating information (color, letters, numbers, etc.) corresponding to the discrimination information displayed on the outer surface of the RF tag 20. You can remove it and replace it with a good one.
Also, even if no reading error is detected, it is possible to inspect and manage the plurality of RF tags 20 to prevent reading errors.

As described above, according to the ID medium management method and management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the pallet 10 with the RF tag 20 attached thereto is simply loaded on the forklift 100 and passed through the gate of the reader 50. , it is possible to determine whether the RF tag 20 has been missed, and to automatically detect a defective ID medium.
As a result, even if a plurality of RF tags 20 are attached to each pallet 10 in a transportation/transportation site where a large number of pallets 10 to be managed are transported/processed, each RF tag 20 can be read incorrectly or defectively. It becomes possible to efficiently and reliably detect and determine the presence or absence of

In addition, the RF tag 20 determined/extracted as missing reading can be identified by visually confirming the appearance of the corresponding RF tag 20, which facilitates identification and replacement of defective ID media, and reduces man-hours for replacement work. can be greatly reduced.
In addition, since it is possible to easily and reliably detect defects in ID media, it is possible to operate multiple ID media. It is also possible to simplify the gate by, for example, using only one side.

As described above, according to the present invention, while attaching a plurality of ID media to an individual to be attached, a defective ID medium can be reliably identified and extracted, and the extracted defective ID media can be identified. , can be easily identified and specified by visual inspection from the appearance.
As a result, for example, pallets and skids for transportation, containers for cargo, basket carts, car trucks, etc., are processed and operated in large quantities at sites such as transportation and transportation, and physical force and impact are applied from the outside. It can be preferably applied to management of ID media used for individual identification of objects, which are often used.

As described above, the method for attaching an individual identifier to an article and the article provided with an individual identifier according to the present invention have been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of pallets 10 attached with RF tags 20 serving as ID media are conveyed, and read-miss determination is performed at the timing of return/collection. Of course, it is also possible to determine whether or not the readout has been missed at the timing of shipment when the printed circuit board is loaded and transported.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the readout determination is performed in a state where the RF tag 20 serving as an ID medium is attached to the pallet 10. However, the ID medium is attached to an object to be attached such as a pallet. Even in the previous state, it is possible to determine whether or not the read has been missed.
In this case, defects such as failure can be inspected and verified for the ID medium before it is attached to the individual to be attached.

In the above-described embodiment, pallets used for transportation, cargo, etc. are exemplified as objects for which individual identification management is performed using the ID medium according to the present invention. , Objects are not limited to pallets.
In other words, if an ID medium such as an RF tag is attached and predetermined information and data are read and written via a reading device and managed, etc., any article or object can be used. , the management method and management system according to the present invention can be applied.

The present invention provides a management method and management system for ID media such as RF tags that are attached to arbitrary articles and objects, such as cargo pallets and containers, in order to improve durability and impact resistance. It can be suitably used as.

10 pallet 11 mounting part 20 RF tag (ID medium)
30 Attachment 50 Reader 51 Antenna 52 Storage Means 53 Read Means 54 Comparison Means 55 Extraction Means 56 Output Means 100 Forklift 200 Metal Pallet with Basket

Claims (8)

A method for reading and managing information recorded on a plurality of ID media associated with one individual to be attached by a reading device,
In each of the plurality of ID media, identification information of the one individual associated with the ID medium and identification information that can identify each ID medium itself are recorded,
The reading device records comparison information corresponding to the identification information and the discrimination information,
In the reader,
reading the identification information and discrimination information recorded on all of the plurality of ID media;
Comparing the read identification information and discrimination information with the comparison information,
An ID medium management method, comprising extracting an ID medium from which identification information corresponding to the comparison information has not been read as a defective ID medium. When a plurality of individuals to which the plurality of ID media are attached are provided,
In the reader,
2. The ID medium management method according to claim 1, wherein the identification information and discrimination information recorded on all of the ID media attached to each of the plurality of objects are read. 3. The ID medium management method according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination information includes visually discriminable information. 4. The ID medium management method according to claim 3, wherein the identification information includes color information. Each of the plurality of ID media,
5. The ID medium management method according to claim 3, wherein information corresponding to the identification information is displayed on at least a part of the outer surface. The ID medium extracted as the defective ID medium,
6. The ID medium according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information corresponding to the identification information displayed on the outer surface of the ID medium is visually identified and removed, and the ID medium is replaced with a non-defective ID medium. ID medium management method. The ID medium is
7. The ID medium management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising any one of an RF tag, a one-dimensional code, and a two-dimensional code, or a combination of two or more of them. An ID medium management system comprising a reading device for reading and managing information recorded on a plurality of ID media associated with one object to be attached,
In each of the plurality of ID media, identification information of the one individual associated with the ID medium and identification information that can identify each ID medium itself are recorded,
The reader is
a storage means for recording comparison information corresponding to the identification information and the discrimination information;
reading means for reading the identification information and discrimination information recorded on all of the plurality of ID media;
a comparison means for comparing the identification information and discrimination information read by the reading means with the comparison information;
An ID medium management system comprising: extracting means for extracting, as a defective ID medium, an ID medium from which identification information corresponding to the comparison information has not been read.

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