JPH1115377A - Merchandise tag and apparatus for utilizing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a merchandise tag which can record detailed information of the merchandise itself and handling information of the product and in which the content is possible to be rewritten or written even after its production and the recorded content scarcely becomes hard to read even after repeated handling of the merchandise and by which an apparatus for handling and utilizing the merchandise is automatically set in the optimum conditions based on the content and to provide an apparatus for handling such a tag. SOLUTION: A non-contact type IC chip are printed on or attached to or stuck to laundry tags 10 sewed on clothing items. Information such as the merchandise attributes, ironing method, laundering instruction, etc., is recorded in the information memory parts 14 in the IC chip. At the time when the clothing items are handled, this apparatus for utilizing such tags receives the information from the IC chip through an antenna 15 and the apparatus for utilizing the tag (for example, an iron) itself automatically sets the proper conditions according to the information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product tag and a device for using the same, and more particularly, to a product tag including an IC chip capable of writing management information and handling information of the product,
The present invention relates to a use device that manages the handling of the product based on management information and handling information written on an IC chip included in the product tag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as tags attached to products,
Barcode tags for merchandise management and laundry tags attached to clothing are known. The former barcode tag records the product name, price, etc. in a barcode, and reads it optically with a barcode reader at a counter in a store, etc., and is used for product inventory management, receipt creation, etc. It is widely used because the input operation is simpler and less erroneous than when manually inputting a product name, price, and the like.

The laundry tag sewn on clothing or the like is characterized by information on the handling of the product, such as ironing guidelines, washing methods, and cleaning methods, in addition to the characteristics of the product itself, such as the material composition of the clothing. Is briefly described. When using such information, it is necessary to find a laundry tag and manually set a system to use based on the described information.

[0004]

According to the above-mentioned prior art, the former method using a bar code simplifies the input operation and reduces errors, but does not record information relating to the handling of commodities. And writing is impossible, and the contents cannot be rewritten or written after the tag is created.

[0005] Further, since the information described in the latter laundry tag is rough information such as an illustration, detailed information is not known, and there is a problem that it is insufficient for handling clothing. There is also a problem that, by repeatedly performing ironing and ironing, it becomes difficult to read what is written on the washing tag. Furthermore, when handling clothing, the handling method of the clothing is described only in the laundry tag, and there is a problem that the user must handle the clothing while paying attention to the described information.

Taking ironing as an example, the laundry tag describes only a guide for ironing (set temperature range), and it is necessary to set the temperature in accordance therewith. In addition, it is difficult to set the iron in an appropriate state only with the information on the temperature described in the washing tag. Therefore, it is necessary to manually set the temperature, steam amount, etc. each time while actually trying ironing,
There is a problem that it takes time and effort.

[0007] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can record detailed product information and product handling information, and can rewrite and write contents even after a tag is created, and handle products repeatedly. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a product tag which does not make it difficult to read the recorded content and which can automatically set a device for using the product to an optimum state based on the tag content, and a device for using the tag. .

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a product tag (a washing tag 10, a brand tag 2) of the present invention is used.
0) is a product utilization device (iron 80, washing machine, etc.)
An information storage unit (14) in which handling information (eg, iron temperature 421, steam amount 422, necessity of a dressing cloth 423, ironing time 420, washing method 430, etc.) to be set in the use device when handling by the user is written. An information processing unit (11) that performs control to read the handling information stored in the information storage unit (14) in response to a command from a use device (an iron 80, a washing machine, or the like); A communication control unit (12) for controlling data communication and power supply between them, a power storage unit (13) for temporarily storing power supplied from the utilization device, and A non-contact type IC chip including an antenna (15) for transmitting and receiving information and receiving power between them is provided.

Further, the commodity use apparatus (iron 80) of the present invention supplies a command and power to the commodity tag in a non-contact manner and reads the handling information stored in the information storage section of the commodity tag. Means (83);
It has means for automatically setting the read handling information and means (91) for displaying the handling information received from the product tag.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an IC chip (card) as a non-contact information storage medium is printed or attached to a laundry tag or brand tag sewn on clothing. Attach. Information such as a product attribute, an ironing method, and a washing method is stored in the IC chip (card). When handling clothing, information is read from an IC chip (card) by a reading means (including an antenna function) provided on the system side, and the system itself automatically sets an appropriate state according to this information. Thereby, the clothing can be handled without being conscious of the information described on the laundry tag. Further, the information written on the washing tag does not become difficult to read due to washing and cleaning as in the related art.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to screens. Although the present invention is generally applicable to tags for merchandise that utilize a separate system, the following describes an example of a clothing tag that is considered particularly effective. FIG. 1 shows that an IC chip (card) is attached to a clothing tag (mainly information related to washing,
FIG. 3 is a diagram printed, attached, or affixed to a laundry tag.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing tag 10 includes an information processing unit 11, a communication control unit 12, a power storage unit 13, an information storage unit 14, and an antenna 15. These are collectively called IC chips (cards). FIG.
Is a diagram in which an IC chip (card) is printed, attached, or affixed to a brand tag. Brand tag 20
The information processing unit 11 and the communication control unit 1
2. It comprises a power storage unit 13, an information storage unit 14, and an antenna 15.

The washing tag 10 in FIG. 1 and the brand tag 20 in FIG. 2 are entirely made of PET (Pol) to prevent water from entering.
It is bonded from both sides with a material such as yEthylene Terephthalate) 16. Further, it is assumed that the sewing machine has a seam allowance portion 17 made of cloth or the like for sewing on clothing. In addition, the laundry tag 10 and the brand tag 2
A value of 0 indicates that it is resistant to heat and bending as well as water intrusion, is thin, and can be printed (printed). Note that the information processing unit 11, the communication control unit 12, the power storage unit 13, and the information storage unit 14 may be integrated.

FIG. 3 shows an IC used in FIGS. 1 and 2.
It is a circuit diagram of a chip (card). As shown in the figure,
A program 31 and a file 32 are stored in the information storage unit. The information processing unit 11 operates a program 31 stored in the information storage unit 14 in accordance with an external command (command) to control reading and writing of data in the file 32 and to perform operations such as addition of data. It is for doing. The communication control unit 12 controls data communication and power supply with the outside (a device such as an iron) when it is performed. The power storage unit 13 temporarily stores power received from the outside and supplies power for the information processing unit 11 to operate. The information storage unit 14 is for storing a program 31 used by the information processing unit 11 and data input from the outside in a file 32. The antenna 15 transmits and receives radio waves when communicating with the outside, and receives power supply from the outside.

FIG. 4 shows an information storage unit 1 in an IC chip.
4 is a configuration diagram of a file 32 in FIG. Here, the file means a group of a plurality of data. The file 32 includes items such as a product attribute 410, an ironing method 420, a washing method 430, a cleaning method 440, and a production / sales route 450, as shown in FIG. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed.

The product attribute 410 includes a product number 411 and a product name 4
12, a plurality of items such as a brand name 413, a price 414, a color 415, and a weight 416. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed. Here, the product number 41
1 is a number that can identify clothing, a product name 412 represents the name (type) of clothing, a brand name 413 represents a brand name, and a price 414 represents upper and lower generations in yen. The color 415 represents the overall color of the garment, and the weight 416 represents the weight in Kg.

In the present embodiment, by storing the product attribute 410 in the file 32, it can be utilized when managing products. Also, by storing the weight 416 in the file 32, it can be used in conjunction with the washing tag and the washing machine to automatically count the weight of clothing to be inserted so as not to exceed the capacity of the washing machine. it can. For example, when washing a plurality of items of clothing, it can be used to issue an alarm when the total weight of the items exceeds the maximum capacity of the washing machine. Further, the amount of water to be supplied to the washing machine may be set based on the total weight of a plurality of clothing items to be put into the washing machine.

The ironing method 420 has a temperature of 421,
Steam amount 422, need for address cloth 423, time 424
Includes multiple items. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed. Here, the temperature 421 indicates the set temperature at the time of performing ironing in ° C., the steam amount 422 indicates the amount of steam at the time of performing ironing, and the necessity of the addressing cloth 423 is the addressing cloth at the time of ironing. The time 424 indicates whether the ironing can be performed continuously in units of seconds. In the present embodiment, by storing the ironing method 420 in the file 32, the state of the iron can be automatically set according to the content of the product tag in conjunction with the washing tag and the iron.

The washing method 430 is described in the notes 431.
And so on. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed. The precautions 431 are precautions in performing washing, and include, for example, the use of a net as shown in FIG. By storing the washing method 430 in the file 32, it is possible to use the information in conjunction with the washing tag and the washing machine to generate alarm for performing washing in an appropriate state when washing.

The cleaning method 440 is based on the precautionary statement 44.
Items such as 1 are included. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed. The precautions 441 are precautions in performing the cleaning, and examples thereof include petroleum-based as shown in FIG. By storing the cleaning method 440 in the file 32, the information can be used as information for generating an alarm for performing cleaning in an appropriate state at the time of cleaning by linking with the system in a cleaning shop.

The production / sales route 450 is the production plant 45
1, a plurality of items such as a store 452 are included. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed. The production factory 451 represents a code capable of specifying the factory where the clothing was produced, and the store 452 represents a code capable of specifying the store where the clothing was sold. By storing the production / sales route 450 in the file 32, it can be used when performing product management in conjunction with the system in operations such as production and sales.

FIG. 5 shows a place where the washing tag 10 or the brand tag 20 is sewn to the tops (such as those worn on the upper body such as a shirt or a jacket), and FIGS. Is shown. It should be noted that these drawings do not limit the place of sewing, and it is naturally possible to sew to other places.
Since the IC chip (card) used in the present invention is a non-contact type having an antenna, data can be read / written from a remote place, so that the washing tag 10 or the brand tag 20 appears on the surface. You don't need to be.

Clothing is produced in a sewing factory, and a washing tag 10 and a brand tag 20 are sewn at the production stage. However, in the case of imported clothing, it may be sewn on the finished product later. IC chip (card)
The method of writing data into the IC card is to write the IC tag (card) in advance before sewing the laundry tag 10 or the brand tag 20 to the clothing, and to sew the IC chip (card) storing the data. Alternatively, an IC chip (card) in which no data is written may be sewn to clothing and data may be written at a certain timing (at the time of shipment, during production, at a sorting stage, etc.).
Since the IC chip (card) used in the present invention is a non-contact type having the antenna 15, it is possible to read / write data remotely after sewing the product.

[0024] As described above, directly sewn to clothing,
A system utilizing information on a product stored in an IC chip (card) will be described below taking ironing as an example. However, the ironing example described here does not limit the use of the IC chip (card).

FIG. 8 is a view of the iron 80 as viewed from the front. The iron 80 has a power supply unit 82 and a reading unit 83 below a contact surface 81 with the cloth. FIG.
Is a view of the iron 80 as viewed from a handle (grip) surface. The iron 80 has a display unit 91. The display unit 91 may be a liquid crystal screen, but is not particularly limited.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the iron 80.
The power supply unit 82 includes the washing tag 10 or the brand tag 2.
The power is supplied to an IC chip (card) printed or attached to or attached to the IC chip. The reading unit 83 has an antenna function, transmits a command to the IC chip (card), and reads the returned data. The processing unit 101 includes the information storage unit 10
2 processes the obtained data and the file 104 stored in the information storage unit 102 by the program 103 stored in the temperature control unit 1.
05, for transmitting data to the steam control unit 106 and storing data in the file 103 of the information storage unit 102. The information storage unit 102 includes a program 103 and a data file 104 used by the processing unit 101.
Is stored. The display unit 91 includes the processing unit 10
1 is for displaying the data transmitted.

FIG. 11 is an example of a configuration diagram of the file 104 stored in the information storage unit 102 in the iron 80. Here, the file means a group of a plurality of data. The file 104 includes a product attribute 111
0, ironing 1120, notes 1130, and the like. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed.

The product attribute 1110 includes a plurality of items such as a product name 1111, a brand name 1112, and a color 1113. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed. The product name 1111 represents the name (type) of clothing, the brand name 1112 represents the brand name, and the color represents the color of the iron.

The ironing method 1120 is performed at a temperature of 112.
1, a plurality of items such as a steam amount 1122 are included.
This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed. The temperature 1121 is the set temperature of the iron in ° C. and the steam amount 1
Reference numeral 122 indicates the amount of steam when ironing.

The precautionary statement 1130 indicates that the necessity of the address cloth 11
31 and a plurality of items such as time 1132. This item may be arbitrarily increased or decreased as needed. The necessity of the address cloth 1131 indicates whether or not the address cloth is necessary when ironing, and the time 1132 indicates the time in seconds in which the iron can be continuously applied.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a method for automatically setting the iron 80. According to this flowchart, a method of setting the proper state of the iron 80 will be described. Here, the washing tag 10 will be described as an example. FIG. 13 is an image diagram of a state when ironing is performed. There are a plurality of clothing items around the iron 80, each of which has a washing tag 10 or a brand tag 20.
Is sewn.

Step 1201: Power is supplied from the power supply unit 82 of the iron 80 to the washing tag 10 existing within a range where power can be supplied. However, the specific supply method is not specified or limited in the present invention. The supplied power is stored in the power storage unit 13 via the antenna 15 in the washing tag 10.

Step 1202: From the reading means 83 in the iron 80, the nearest washing tag 1
0 is instructed to read data. Iron 80
The laundry tag 10 that is closest to receives the command (data) from the iron at the antenna 15, controls the communication controller 12 to receive the command (data), and transmits the command (data) to the information processor 11. In the information processing unit 11, the information storage unit 1
4, the received command (data) is processed, and the product name 412, color 415, temperature 421, and steam amount 42 are stored in the file 32 in the information storage unit 14.
2. Read out the data of the items 423 and 424, which are the necessity of the address cloth. The read data is transmitted to the communication control unit 12 and transmitted from the communication control unit 12 to the iron 80 through the antenna 15.

In the iron 80, the data from the washing tag 10 is received by the reading means 83. The received data is stored in the file 104 of the information storage unit 102 in the iron 80 (the product name 412 is the product name 111).
1, color 415 is color 1113, temperature 421 is temperature 112
1, the steam amount 422 is stored in the steam amount 1122, the address cloth necessity 423 is stored in the address cloth necessity 1131, and the time 424 is stored in the time 1132).

Step 1203: The program 103 of the information storage unit 102 in the processing unit 101 in the iron 80
Is operated to read data to be displayed from the file 104 of the information storage unit 102. The data read here is
The product name 1111 and the color 1113 in the product attribute 1110. The read data is displayed on the display unit 91 of the iron 80. Step 1204: Displayed product name 1111 and color 11
If it is found from the information such as 13 that the information of the laundry tag 10 sewn on the unintended clothing has been read, step 1 is repeated for another clothing.
Start over from 201. If it is the intended garment, the process proceeds to step 1205.

Step 1205: The program 103 of the information storage unit 102 in the processing unit 101 in the iron 80
Is operated, and information necessary for setting the state of the iron 80 is read from the file 104 of the information storage unit 102. The data to be read at this time is the
For example, the temperature 1121 within 0, the amount of steam 1122, and the like. The processing unit 101 performs a temperature control unit 105 and a steam control 106 based on these data.
And automatically set and control the state of the iron.

Step 1206: The program 103 in the information storage unit 102 in the processing unit 101 in the iron 80
Is operated, and the data of notes on ironing is read from the file 104 of the information storage unit 102. The data to be read out here includes the necessity 1131 of the address cloth and the time 1132 in the notes 1130. These pieces of information are displayed on the display unit 91 of the iron 80. The processing unit 101 counts the time for ironing, subtracts the time for ironing from the time 1132, and displays the remaining estimated ironing time on the display unit 91 as needed. However,
In the present invention, the method of counting the time during which ironing is performed in the processing unit 101 is not particularly defined or limited.
The user performs ironing by performing necessary measures such as applying a cloth or checking the ironing time while watching the display.

According to this embodiment, information (product attributes, ironing method, washing method, cleaning method, etc.) stored in an IC chip (card) printed or attached or affixed to a washing tag or a brand tag, A suitable state can be automatically set on the system side based on the production / sales channel. In addition, the information written on the washing tag is not erased by washing or cleaning, and the necessary information is always stored in the IC chip (card), so that the information can be read / written as needed. it can.

In the above embodiment, ironing was taken as an example of a system utilizing information stored in an IC chip (card) sewn on clothing. As another utilization method, a system that sets a more appropriate state of the washing machine in accordance with information on the input laundry by interlocking with the system of the washing machine can be considered. Further, by reading / writing information on / from an IC chip (card), it is possible to manage merchandise at the production, distribution, and sales stages of clothing, and to manage custody at a laundry shop.

Further, in the above embodiment, the clothing tag and its use device (iron, washing machine) are described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the clothing tag, but also includes a product and a utilization device for handling the product. Applicable to those having a combination. For example, in the combination of a frozen food tag and a microwave oven,
It is conceivable that the name of the food, the thawing temperature, the thawing time, and the like are stored in the frozen food tag, and the thawing temperature and the thawing time of the microwave oven are set with this.

[0041]

According to the present invention, information stored in an IC chip (card) printed or attached or affixed to a product tag (product attributes, product handling methods, precautions,
A suitable state can be automatically set on the system side based on the production / sales channel. Further, such information does not disappear even if the product is used repeatedly, and necessary information is stored in the IC chip (card) at any time, and can be read and written as needed. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an IC chip (card) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the washing tag which printed or attached or stuck.

FIG. 2 is an IC chip (card) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the brand tag which printed or attached or stuck.

FIG. 3 is an IC chip (card) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a file 32 in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sewing position of a washing tag or a brand tag of a top in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sewing position of a laundry tag or a brand tag on bottoms (front surface) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sewing position of a laundry tag or a brand tag on bottoms (rear surface) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an iron 80 (front) according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a structure of an iron 80 (handle surface) in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the iron 80 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a file 104 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of setting a state of the iron 80 in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which data of an IC chip (card) is being read by the reading means 83 of the iron 80 in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: washing tag, 11: information processing unit, 12: communication control unit, 13: power storage unit, 14: information storage unit, 15: antenna, 16: PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalat)
e), 17: seam allowance, 20: brand tag, 31: program, 32: file 80: iron, 81: contact surface, 82: power supply, 8
3: reading means, 91: display unit, 102: information storage unit, 103: program, 104: file, 105:
Temperature control section, 106: steam control section

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information storage unit in which handling information to be set in a use device is written at least when a product is handled by the use device, and stored in the information storage unit in response to a command from the use device. An information processing unit for controlling the reading of the handling information, a communication control unit for controlling data communication and power supply between the using device, and temporarily storing power supplied from the using device Tag comprising an antenna for transmitting and receiving information to and from the power supply unit and an antenna for receiving power from the device. 2. The product tag according to claim 1, wherein the use device is an iron, and the handling information includes any of the temperature of the iron, the amount of steam, the necessity of an address cloth, and the use time of the iron. A product tag characterized by the following. 3. The product tag according to claim 1, wherein the use device is a washing machine, and the handling information includes any one of a product weight, a washing water amount, and a washing time. Product tag. 4. A command and an electric power are supplied to the product tag according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in a contactless manner, and handling information stored in an information storage unit of the product tag is contactless. And a means for automatically setting the read handling information. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for displaying the received handling information.