JPH1179328A - Control system for lending article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To unmannedly control a lending article in an institution for controlling a lending article such as books. SOLUTION: A wireless tag 201 having a written-in ID of a book is stuck to the back of the book stored in a bookshelf, and when a user puts in and out from the bookshelf, a reader writer 101 provided in the bookshelf reads the ID of the said book for controlling the book. When the user returns the book into an incorrect bookshelf, the reader writer 101 warns the user of that fact and induces him to return the book into a correct bookshelf. Thus, the specified book is arranged and returned into the bookshelf to make the unmanned control of the books possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a library or the like that manages lending items such as books unattended, a user borrows books from a bookcase, and returns a designated shelf of the original bookcase at the time of return. The present invention relates to a system for managing lending storage items such as books, in which a user can be guided to return to a correct shelf with a warning and a display when not returned to a shelf.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, books stored in a library are stored in units of bookshelves or shelves by a classification method determined for each type. And, in the case of a large library where a specialist staff is resident, the user can write the title of the book,
Fill in the sign, date of issue, etc. and ask the staff to borrow the book. The clerk finds the specified book from the library and lends it to the user. On the other hand, when a user returns a book, the book is handed to a staff member, and the staff member collects the book near the end of the day and returns the book to its original shelf.

[0003] In addition, libraries of small municipalities, libraries of companies, etc. are not so large in scale, so that there are few specialized staff members. Therefore, the user freely enters a library to search for a desired book, writes a loan slip by himself, and borrows a book. Then, when returning the book, the book is put in the return box, and the clerk later collectively returns the book to the original shelf, minimizing the work of the clerk as much as possible.

[0004]

In the case of a medium-sized library as described above, it takes time to return the returned books to the original bookshelf, and the amount of work increases rapidly as the number of books increases. As the amount of work increases, it may take days for the returned books to return to their original shelves. Books that may be frequently rented may have a next loan request before the book returns to its original shelf.

[0005] In the case of a library where there is not enough room for a staff member to reside in the library, the user can freely enter the library,
Check out the book you want and write a loan slip. And
When returning the book, the user is responsible for returning the borrowed book to its original shelf. Then, for the corresponding loan slip, the return date and the like are entered by the user. Occasionally, clerks come to the library to check and sort out any unspecified books on each shelf. Also,
Looking at the loan slip, if the book has passed the specified return period, it will prompt the person who borrowed the book to return it. If a large number of books are collected, the series of operations described above requires a large amount of work for the staff and puts a heavy burden on the staff. Originally, the books specified on the bookshelf must be stored. Even one book,
If a book is placed on an unspecified shelf, finding the book is quite difficult and may not be found in small books. Libraries with a system that borrows and returns at the responsibility of the user cannot realistically increase the number of books. In a library of a certain size, it is necessary to have a staff member who works to organize books on a daily basis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is not necessary to have a clerk for managing lending items resident in a facility for managing lending items such as a library. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lending storage item management system which can manage the items.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a rental item management system for storing a rental item attached with a non-contact type information recording medium for transmitting an identification code in response to a received radio wave. A location, a storage / removal detecting means for detecting that a lending storage item has been taken out of the storage location, or that a lending storage item has been inserted into the storage location; and taking out or insertion of the lending storage item by the means. Means for transmitting a predetermined radio wave to the non-contact type information recording medium attached to the rental storage when detecting the identification code, and reading the identification code in response to the response from the non-contact type information recording medium; Means for managing the storage state of the lending storage item in the storage location using the obtained identification code.

[0008] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to manage unnecessarily lending storage items such as books or CDs stored in storage locations such as shelves. Labor saving can be achieved. Further, when the removal or insertion of the lending storage item is detected, the identification code is read and managed, so that the processing can be performed efficiently.

Here, as means for managing the storage state of the lending storage item in the storage location using the read identification code, the identification code storage means for storing the identification code is used, and the rental code extracted from the storage location is used. Means for writing the identification code of the luggage storage item into the identification code storage means, and deleting the identification code of the lending storage material inserted into the storage location from the identification code storage means.

[0010] In addition to the above configuration, the identification code read by the identification code reading means when the lending storage material is inserted into the storage location is different from the identification code of the lending storage product to be stored in the storage location. At least one of a means for giving a warning when it is determined that the identification code is stored and a means for notifying information about a storage location where the lending storage material of the read identification code is stored can be provided. .

[0011] With such a configuration, when the user returns the lending storage item to the wrong storage location, the user can be alerted, and the user is guided to the correct storage location. You can also. Then, if an unspecified lending item is to be inserted into the storage location, the user will be cautioned at that time, and the lending item other than the specified lending item will be stored in the storage location. It will not be stored.

[0012] Further, when the identification code read by the identification code reading means when the lending storage material is inserted into the storage location is determined to be the identification code of the lending storage product to be stored in the storage location. Means may be provided for notifying that the lending storage item has been inserted into the correct storage location.

[0013] With such a configuration, a sense of security can be given to the user who has inserted the rental storage item into the correct storage location. In addition, the in / out detecting means specifically includes at least a pair of infrared transmitting units and an infrared receiving unit, and the lending storage object is switched from an infrared cutoff state radiated from the infrared transmitting unit and received by the infrared receiving unit. It may be a means for detecting that the item has been taken out or that the lending item has been inserted.

Further, when transmitting / receiving a radio wave to / from the non-contact type information recording medium, means for preventing the radio wave from leaking from the storage location to the outside can be provided. As described above, by preventing the radio waves from leaking from the storage location to the outside, it is possible to reliably manage the stored lending items for each storage location.

In order to prevent radio waves from leaking from the storage location to the outside, the storage location is made of a material that blocks electromagnetic waves. The means for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the information recording medium is preferably provided as far as possible from the insertion slot.

Further, there is provided means for transmitting and receiving radio waves by at least one antenna coil having an area covering an arrangement range of the non-contact type information recording medium attached to the rental storage material stored in the storage place. It may be that.

With this configuration, the non-contact type information recording medium and the means for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from the non-contact type information recording medium can be made as close as possible, so that leakage of electromagnetic waves to the outside can be suppressed as much as possible.

[0018]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention applied to a library. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

In this embodiment, a small wireless tag 201 as shown in FIG. 1 is affixed to the back of a book 200 which is a rental storage item as shown in FIG. In the case of the thin book 200A, as shown in FIG.
01 is attached to a hard paper 202 or the like, and then the paper 202 itself is attached to a thin book 200A. Further, when the hard paper 202 is attached to the cover of the thin book 200A, a force may be applied to the portion where the hard paper 202 is attached while the user is handling the book 200A, and the user may be damaged.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
When a dedicated binder 202A to which No. 1 is attached is prepared, and the book 200 is stored in the binder 202A, the cover of the stored book 200A is protected by the cover, so that it lasts longer.
In addition, when it is not necessary to manage thin books one by one, a plurality of books are collectively held as shown in FIG.
B, the wireless tag 201 may be attached to the holder 202B, and managed by the entire holder 202B.

Here, the wireless tag 201 should be
Attach it to the lower side of 00 etc. As will be described later, a reader / writer coil for communicating with the wireless tag 201 is arranged on the bottom of the shelf that stores the book 200 and the like. And the leader
In order to prevent the power transmission wave generated by the writer coil from leaking out of the shelf, it is necessary to minimize the power transmission wave generated from the reader / writer coil. In order to reliably communicate with the wireless tag 201 even if the power transmission wave is small, the reader / writer coil and the wireless tag 20 are attached by attaching the wireless tag 201 to the lower side of the book 200 or the like.
1 can be approached.

FIG. 4 shows a system for communicating between the wireless tag 201 and the reader / writer coil. Wireless tag 2
When 01 is brought close to the vicinity of the reader / writer 101 in FIG. 4, a unique ID can be written in the memory 114 of the wireless tag 201, and the ID written in the memory 114 can be read from the reader / writer 101. The book 200 and the like to which the wireless tag 201 is attached can be identified.

The wireless tag 201 is supplied with power by the power transmission wave emitted from the reader / writer 101, is in a non-contact state with the reader / writer 101, and
The circuit inside 01 can operate without a battery.

Next, the mutual operation will be described from the configuration of the wireless tag 201 and the reader / writer 101 shown in FIG. First, the reader / writer 101 has a transmission circuit 102 and a reception circuit 104 controlled by the computer 100. The transmission circuit 102 and the reception circuit 104 are connected to the transmission antenna coil 103 and the reception antenna coil 105 in a loop, respectively, so that transmission of power and data to the wireless tag 201 and transmission of the wireless tag The data transmitted from 201 is received.

On the other hand, the wireless tag 201 receives power and data with the transmission / reception antenna coil 107 and outputs the DC power output stabilized by the power (smoothing) stabilization circuit 112 via the rectifier circuit 109 and the capacitor 111. ,
The control circuit 113 and the memory 11 inside the wireless tag 201
4 and so on.

Here, the control circuit 113 supplies a reception wave including data received by the transmission / reception antenna coil 107 via the capacitor 108 for giving a predetermined resonance frequency, and supplies a transmission wave to the modulation circuit 110. In this case, the control circuit 113 performs predetermined demodulation processing on the received wave, writes the extracted data into the memory 114, reads out the data in the memory 114, performs predetermined processing on the data, and converts the data into a transmission wave. To supply. Also,
4. Computer 100 and Reader / Writer 10 in FIG.
1 Newly purchased book 200 by combination of 1 set
The wireless tag 201 can be attached to the book 200 or the like after writing a unique ID about the wireless tag 201 or the like. Then, the unique I on the surface of the wireless tag 201
By filling in or printing the D, library staff and users can confirm the ID and place the book 20 on the designated shelf.
0 etc. can be returned.

As shown in FIG. 5, the book 200 and the like are arranged on a shelf 203 on a shelf basis. That is, when a book 200 that must be put in the first shelf 204A is inserted into the second shelf 204B, an alarm or warning is immediately displayed and the correct shelf number is notified, so that the user can be designated. The book 200 is to be put on the shelves that have been set.

As described above, all books 2 stored in the bookshelf 2
00, etc., the wireless tag 201 as shown in FIGS.
And stored in each shelf of the bookshelf 203 as shown in FIG. Then, I such as the book 200 stored in each shelf unit
D, that is, the wireless tag 20 attached to the book 200 or the like
By communicating with 1, the storage state of the book 200 or the like can be managed for each shelf by reading the ID stored in the wireless tag 201.

In order to manage the books 200 and the like stored in units of shelves, the wireless tag 201 and the reader / writer 101 attached to the back of the books 200 and the like stored in the corresponding shelves.
It is necessary to communicate with

FIG. 6 shows each shelf 204A, 204B, 204
C, the reader / writer 101A, 101 at the end of 204D
This is an example in which B, 101C, and 101D are attached. However, according to the method of FIG. 6, the communication range 205 of the reader / writer 101A extends to shelves other than the shelf 204A that should originally communicate. For example, shelf 2 immediately below from upper shelf 204A
Even if the book 200 is moved to 04B, it is read by the same reader / writer 101A. Further, even if the book 200 is taken out of the shelf and the book 200 is turned by the side, since the communication range of the reader / writer is wide, the wireless tag 20 of the book 200 or the like may be used.
Communicates with 1. Even when the book 200 or the like is originally put out of the shelf, it is regarded as being stored in the shelf. Therefore, it is difficult to manage the books 200 and the like stored in the shelf unit by the reader / writer mounting method as shown in FIG.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the contents of the wireless tags 201 attached to the books 200 and the like stored in the shelf unit are surely managed. Further, when the book 200 or the like is taken out from the corresponding shelf,
Even when 00 or the like is inserted, the content of the wireless tag 201 affixed to the book 200 or the like is read, and the ID of the book 200 or the like put in or taken out of the shelf is also detected.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a shelf unit according to this embodiment. A book 200 to which the wireless tag 201 is attached is stored in a shelf 218. A thin book 200A to which the wireless tag 201 is attached is also stored. And
The coils 210 and 21 of the reader / writer are provided on the bottom of the shelf 218.
1, 212 and 213 are attached. These coils 210, 211, 212 and 213 serve as antenna coils of a reader / writer. Since the shelf 218 is made of a material that blocks electromagnetic waves, the coils 210 and 21
Electromagnetic waves generated at 1, 212 and 213 do not leak to the shelf below shelf 218.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, it is considered that books 200, 200A, etc. of various sizes are placed within a range of 1 in the depth direction. Then, the wireless tag 20 attached to the book 200, 200A or the like placed in the range of l
1 and the reader / writer coil must be as close as possible to minimize leakage of electromagnetic waves to the outside.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The receiving coil (220A to 220B) and the transmitting coil (2
21A to 221B) may be used as a single flat coil wound in a spiral.

However, in such a coil, since the coil itself is large, the drive power of the transmission circuit also becomes large,
The leakage of electromagnetic waves from around the coil also increases. Therefore,
When the coils are divided as shown in FIG.
0, 211, 212, and 213, the transmission power is dispersed.
In this case, the electromagnetic waves leaking from the coils 210, 211, 212, and 213 can be reduced.

Reader / writer coils 210, 211, 2
Each of the transmission coils (222A to 222B) and the reception coil (22) is flattened as shown in FIG.
3A to 223B) are alternately wound. Further, as shown in FIG.
A coil in which a transmission coil (225A to 225B) and a reception coil (226A to 226B) are alternately wound is also conceivable.

Then, the reader / writer coils 210, 2
Reference numerals 11, 212 and 213 denote books 2 as much as possible so as to prevent electromagnetic waves generated from each coil from leaking out of shelf 218.
It is attached to the back from the insertion port such as 00. If,
When the coils 210, 211, 212, and 213 are attached near the insertion slot, the user simply moves the book 200 or the like close to the insertion slot outside the shelf 218, and
01 may be read.

As shown in FIG. 12, there is also a method of disposing the reader / writer coil 227 obliquely with respect to the insertion direction of the book 200 or the like. In this case, as shown in FIG.
When the surfaces of the coil 228 and the reader / writer coil 229 of the wireless tag 201 affixed to 00 are as parallel as possible, efficient mutual induction of electromagnetic fields is realized. Although the coil 228 and the reader / writer coil 229 in FIG. 13 are not parallel, more efficient mutual guidance is realized than in FIG. 7 or FIG. When the reader / writer coil 227 is arranged obliquely, both the method of attaching the wireless tag 201 such as the book 200 and the method of attaching the wireless tag 201 such as the book 200A are different from the wireless tag 201 and the reader / writer. Since the angle of the coil 229 is not a right angle, a certain degree of mutual electromagnetic induction is realized between the two coils 228 and 229.

In the case where the number of reader / writer coils is large, if the reader / writer is attached to each of the coils, the number of reader / writers increases and it becomes uneconomical.
As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of coils 227A, 227
B, 227C and 227D can be collectively driven by one reader / writer 230. One leader
The number of reader / writer coils that can be driven by the writer 230 is determined by the drive capability of the reader / writer 230 or the allowable limit of the electromagnetic field leaking to the outside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the reader / writer coils are arranged in a grid pattern, and even if either the book 200 or the book 200A is inserted into the shelf, the book 200 or the book 20
There is also a method for causing the most efficient mutual electromagnetic induction to occur in the wireless tag 201 attached to OA. Then, as in the case of FIG. 14, a plurality of the reader / writer coils can be collectively driven by one reader / writer to reduce the number of reader / writers as a whole. FIG. 16 shows a case where the reader / writer coils are arranged in a grid pattern as shown in FIG.
This is an example of driving with a writer.

Here, in order to detect the operation of taking out the book 200 from the shelf 218 or the operation of inserting the book 200, all the books 20 stored in the shelf 218 are periodically checked.
It is necessary to detect the ID of 0 through the coils 210, 211, 212 and 213. If the detection cycle is short, this 2
Although it sufficiently follows the operation of inserting or removing 00, the load of the detection processing is increased. On the other hand, if the detection cycle is long, the processing load is reduced, but the response to the insertion and removal operation of the book 200 is delayed, and the display of a warning is also delayed, which may be irritating to the user.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the infrared transmitting units 214 and 215 and the infrared receiving units 216 and
By attaching the book 17, the book 200 or the like is taken out immediately after the book 200 or the like is taken out of the shelf 218 or inserted.
0 or the like.
And from the infrared receivers 216 and 217.

FIG. 17 shows that an infrared beam 231 is constantly radiated from the infrared transmitting unit 214 attached to the shelf 218.
It has been received by the infrared receiver 216. Similarly, an infrared beam 232 is constantly emitted from the infrared transmitting unit 215,
This shows a state in which the data is being received by the infrared receiver 217. When the book 200 is taken out of the shelf 218 or the book 200 is inserted into the shelf 218, the infrared beam 2
31 and infrared beam 232 will be blocked by hand or book 200.

FIG. 18 shows that when the book 200 is taken out from the shelf 218, the infrared beam 231 and the infrared beam 232 are
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the state interrupted by 00.
First, when the book 200 is taken out, the infrared beam 231 is blocked by a, and the infrared ray input to the infrared ray receiving unit 216 is stopped. When the user moves the book 200 forward with the hand, the infrared beam 232 is blocked by b, and
The infrared input at 7 disappears. That is, the time between a and ab indicates the operation time by hand. Next, when the book 200 is taken out and the rear end of the book 200 has passed the infrared beam 231, the infrared beam 231 is transmitted to the infrared receiving unit 2 at c.
16 is input. On the other hand, the infrared beam 232 is
When the trailing end of 0 passes through the infrared beam 232, the infrared beam 232 is input to the infrared receiver 217 at d.
d, the book 200 is completely taken out of the shelf 218, and the contents of the entire wireless tag 201 of the remaining book 200 stored in the shelf 218 are stored in the coils 210, 2
Read through 11, 212 and 213. The IDs of all the books 200 stored in the shelf 218 before taking out the books 200 from the shelf 218 and all the books 200 read this time
Can be checked to determine which book 200 has been taken out.

FIG. 19 shows that a book 20 is
The graph shows a state where the infrared beam 231 and the infrared beam 232 are blocked by the book 200 when 0 is inserted. First, when the book 200 is inserted, the infrared beam 232 is blocked by a. When the book 200 moves to the back, the infrared beam 231 is blocked by b.
Then, after the rear end of the book 200, the infrared beam 232 is input to the infrared receiving unit 217 again at c. Next, when the book 200 moves and passes the infrared beam 231, the infrared beam 231 is again transmitted to the infrared receiving unit 2 at d.
16 is input. That is, after d, the book 200
Is completely stored in the shelf 218, and the IDs of all the books 200 stored in the shelf 218 are assigned to the coils 210,
Read through 211, 212 and 213. Shelf 218
The IDs of all the books 200 stored in the shelf 218 before the books 200 are inserted into the
By comparing with the ID of the book 200, it is possible to check which book 200 has been inserted.

If the book 200 is taken out of the shelf 218 halfway and immediately retracted to its original location,
As shown in FIG. 20, the infrared beam 231 is blocked by a,
Before going to the place where the infrared beam 232 is blocked, b
Then, the book 200 returns to the original place, and the infrared beam 231 is input to the infrared receiving unit 216 again.

The book 200 is transferred from the shelf 218 to the infrared beam 23.
1 and the infrared beam 232
In the case of retracting to the original position, the timing is as shown in FIG.
become that way. That is, the infrared beam 231 is blocked by a, and the infrared beam 232 is blocked by b with a slight delay.
And while the book 200 is moving between b and c, c
When the book 200 is retracted, the infrared beam 2
32 arrives at the infrared receiver 217 at c,
After a short delay, the infrared beam 231 is changed to d and the infrared receiver 21
6 will be reached.

The timing of the operation in which the book 200 is inserted halfway into the shelf 218 but stopped halfway is as shown in FIG. First, when trying to insert the book 200, a
Cuts off the infrared beam 232. Then, if the infrared beam 231 is retracted halfway without being moved until the infrared beam 231 is interrupted but interrupted, the infrared beam 232 reaches the infrared receiving unit 217 again at b.

When the book 200 is inserted into the shelf 218 to a position where the infrared beam 231 and the infrared beam 232 are blocked and then retracted to the original position, the timing is as shown in FIG. That is, the infrared beam 232 is
Is interrupted, and the infrared beam 231 is interrupted by b with a slight delay. The book 200 is moving between b and c, but if the book 200 is retracted at c, the infrared beam 231 first reaches the infrared receiving unit 216 at c, and the infrared beam 231 is slightly delayed. 232 reaches the infrared receiving unit 217 at d.

Using a pair of infrared transmitters and an infrared receiver, even a single infrared beam allows the user
The action of returning or removing 00 can be monitored. However, as described above, by monitoring the reception status of the two sets of infrared beams, that is, the operation of the infrared receiving unit 216 for inputting the infrared beam 231 and the operation of the infrared receiving unit 217 for inputting the infrared beam 232, the shelf 2 is monitored.
When the book 200 is taken out from the shelf 18 or when the book 200 is inserted into the shelf 218, an accurate operation can be detected.

In an actual library, since the size of the book 200 varies, it may not be sufficient to simply divide the bookshelf into shelves of the same height as shown in FIG. For example, the bookshelf can be divided irregularly as shown in FIG. 24 so that books 200 of various sizes can be stored. Also in such an example, the divided areas 241, 242,... 245, 246 are regarded as the shelf units shown in FIG.
.., 245 and 246 shield electromagnetic waves generated from the reader / writer coil so as not to leak to other areas. Then, as described above, the ID of the book 200 stored in the shelf unit
Can be read.

Here, in FIG. 25, the reader / writer coils 210, 211, 212 and 213 communicate with the wireless tags 251, 252, 253,... And are stored in the wireless tags 251, 252, 253,. The operation of reading the unique ID is described. First, the first reader / writer 229 is operated to perform communication with a wireless tag mounted on the coil 210 or located nearby. First, the first reader / writer 229
Transmits an RF carrier. The wireless tag receives the carrier and stores the power. This charge causes the IC in the wireless tag to operate. The wireless tag transmits a preset ID. Here, the receiving antenna in the wireless tag switches to the operation as the transmitting antenna. The transmission timing is random. The first reader / writer 229 reads the ID from each tag. Here, the ID transmitted from the wireless tag has a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check Code), and the first reader / writer 229 performs a CRC check, and if it can be read correctly, sends a signal to the wireless tag of that ID. The operation of the sending wireless tag is stopped. When the ID transmitted from the wireless tag collides with the first reader / writer 229 and cannot be read, the wireless tag repeatedly transmits the ID. Then, the first reader / writer 229
Reads the IDs of all readable wireless tags.

Next, as described above, this time, the second leader
Communication is performed between the writer 230 and the wireless tag, and the IDs of all readable wireless tags are read. Similar processing is performed by the third reader / writer 233 and the fourth reader / writer 2
Repeat with 34. Here, the first reader / writer 229, the second reader / writer 230, the third reader / writer 230,
Among all the wireless tags read by the writer 233 and the fourth reader / writer 234, there is a possibility that the same wireless tag is read by a plurality of reader / writers. In such a case, the ID of the corresponding wireless tag is merged as one ID.

FIG. 26 shows an example in which, when the user returns the book 200 to the shelf in units of bookshelf, when the book 200 is returned to an unspecified shelf, an alarm is sounded or a warning is displayed. The alarm buzzer 261 indicates that the user
When 00 is returned, the buzzer 261 is sounded to warn the user. Further, the display unit 260 displays a warning sentence 262 to notify the user, and displays the correct shelf number 263 for the book 200 to alert the user. Here, the user may make a mistake in the bookshelf to be stored. Therefore, there is a method of simultaneously displaying a correct shelf number and a shelf number as a warning display. Then, the correct bookshelves and shelves can be displayed in the layout plan and layout of the library.
Also, when the user returns the book 200 to the designated shelf,
As shown in FIG. 27, a display 271 for confirming that the book 200 has been correctly returned may be displayed on the display unit 260. The display 271 of “stored on the correct shelf” has the effect of reassuring the user. Further, the shelf number display boards 264, 265, 266, and 267 may be fixed number display boards, and the shelf numbers may be directly written on the bookshelf with paint or the like without being electronically displayed.

Further, as described above, some users may make mistakes in the number of the bookshelf, and therefore, the bookshelf number display board 268 on which the fixed bookshelf number is written may be raised on the bookshelf. The shelf number display plate 268 is used to store the book 200.
If is always fixed, it may be written with paint or the like like a general signboard. However, if the layout of the library changes frequently, the layout should be the same on the shelf, and the shelf numbers 264, 265, 266, and 267 or the shelf number display 268 can be changed electronically. For example, by changing the program that manages the entire library, the contents of the display can be easily changed,
Can flexibly deal with layout changes.

Next, electronic modules constituting the library management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are diagrams showing the configuration of main electronic modules required for each shelf unit and each shelf unit and their connections. In FIG. 28, the infrared transmitting unit 2
14, 215 and infrared receivers 216, 217
It is connected to a control unit 290 that controls the entire unit on a shelf basis so as to monitor the operation of inserting and removing 0. First reader / writer 22 for reading the ID of the wireless tag
9, a second reader / writer 230, a third reader / writer 233, and a fourth reader / writer 234, and these respective reader / writers 229, 230, 233, and 234 are provided.
Are reader / writer coils 210, 211, 2
12, 213, transmission circuits 281, 283, 285, 28
7 and receiving circuits 282, 284, 286, 288, and are connected to the control unit 290.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the connection of modules formed in units of bookshelves. First shelf unit module 29
1, the second shelf unit module 292, the third shelf unit module 293, and the fourth shelf unit module 294 are shown in FIG.
This is the same configuration as the shelf unit module shown in FIG. Then, when the user inserts the wrong book 200 in the designated shelf, an alarm output unit 295 that outputs an alarm, and when the wrong book 200 is inserted, a warning is displayed and the correct shelf number is displayed. And a display unit 296 for displaying the fact that the book 200 has been inserted into the correct shelf, and these are connected to a control unit 290 for controlling the entire bookshelf.

The frame unit modules 301 and 3 shown in FIG.
, 30n are connected to the computer 300 shown in FIG. 30 by a network 297 such as a LAN shown in FIG. The computer 300 manages the location of the books 200 in the entire library. In addition, all books 200 currently owned by the library are classified into shelf numbers and shelf numbers, and IDs are stored in the storage book file 320. The lending file 330 is categorized for each user number and user registered in the library, and the ID 200 of the book 200 being lent, the shelf number, the shelf number, the lending period, the user of the user. Numbers and the like are stored.

The input / output device 310 is a part for inputting an ID, a shelf number, a shelf number and the like when a new book 200 is purchased. FIG. 31 is a configuration diagram of the input / output device 310.
A new book 200 to which the wireless tag 201 is attached is placed on the reader / writer 311. Then, when the user operates the keyboard 314 to input a new ID while looking at the display 313, the ID is transmitted through the reader / writer 311,
Written to the wireless tag 201. At the same time, it is registered in the storage book file 320.

The booklet number of all books 200 held by the library, the title of the book 200 corresponding to the shelf number, a list of IDs, and a list of recently rented books 200 are output from the printer 312. Is done. These output data are used as statistical data. In addition, a list of the books 200 lent out and the lending period of each book 200 are also output.

This library is usually unmanned. At the entrance 350 shown in FIG. 30, there is no staff member corresponding to the user. The user enters the entrance 350 first. A use card reader 351 is installed at the entrance 350,
Read the user number registered as this library. Rental book file 330 with read user number
Check if the user is correct by comparing with the user registered in. If the user is regarded as a correct user, the gate control unit 352 is controlled to open the gate of the entrance 350 to allow entry, and the user enters the library from the entrance 350. Next, the reader / writer 353 reads the ID of the book 200 brought by the user. In order to reliably read the ID of the book 200 owned by the user, the reader / writer coil of the reader / writer 353 passes through the large reader / writer coil 322 when the user 321 enters the building as shown in FIG. The ID can be read reliably by such a method.

Then, the ID of the book 200 held by the user
When the file is read, the user
Then, by comparing the ID of the book 200 lent out corresponding to the user number with the read ID, the ID of the book 200 currently brought by the user and the book 200 not brought to the library this time are determined. When the book 200 brought to the display unit 354 is returned, the shelf number and the shelf number are displayed. At the same time, for books 200 that are not brought, the title of the books 200, the return period, etc. are displayed, and the user is careful not to forget to return these books 200.

The user enters the library and brings the book 200
Is returned, the wireless tag 2 attached to the back of the book 200
The book 200 is returned to the corresponding shelf on the corresponding shelf, looking at the shelf number and the shelf number entered in 01. Upon returning, the interruption of the infrared beam radiated from the infrared transmitters 214 and 215 in the shelf 218 and input to the infrared receivers 216 and 217 is detected, and it is found that a new book 200 has been inserted into the shelf 218.

Immediately after the operation of the infrared sensor, the first reader / writer 229, the second reader / writer 230, the third reader / writer 233, and the fourth reader / writer 234 operate, and New book 200 I
Read D. And this ID is stored book file 32
It is searched for 0 and it is checked whether it is stored in the correct shelf on the correct shelf. If the book 200 is stored on the regular bookshelf and shelf, the book 200 is returned, and the ID of the book 200 is deleted from the rental book file 330.

On the other hand, if the user enters the wrong book
When returning 0, the returned book 20 is operated in the same manner as described above.
A search is made in the storage book file 320 from the ID of 0, the correct shelf and shelf number are checked, and the user is notified by alarm from the shelf returned by mistake. At the same time, the correct shelf number and shelf number are displayed. The user is book 2
00 is taken out and the book 200 is returned to the place corresponding to the correct shelf number and shelf number. If the shelf number or shelf number is incorrect, the user is notified again by an alarm and a display, and the above operation is repeated until the user returns to the correct shelf and shelf.

Therefore, when the user returns the book 200, the book shelf and shelf are mistaken, and attention is paid to the alarm and display.
Is returned.

When the user takes out the book 200 from the shelf on the bookshelf and borrows it, it detects that the book 200 has been taken out of the shelf from the interception state of the infrared beams 231 and 232 as described above. Temporarily rent the ID of the book 200 taken out from the corresponding shelf 200 file 3
30. When the user returns from the library, the reader / writer 343 installed at the entrance 340 reads all the IDs of the books 200 owned by the user. Here, the coil of the reader / writer 343 should be large enough so that the entire body of the user 321 can pass through as shown in FIG. 32 in order to reliably read the ID of the book 200 held by the user as described above. ing. The user card reader 341 also reads the user number of the user. The ID of the book 200 taken out from the shelf and temporarily stored in the rental book file 330 is corresponded to the ID read by the reader / writer 343, and the ID of the book 200 borrowed by the corresponding user is obtained. Is created and stored in the lending book file 330. Then, the display section 344 also displays the user number of the user, the title of the borrowed book 200, and the return deadline. In addition, the title and return deadline of the book 200 borrowed by the user and brought to the library but not returned to the shelf, and the title and return period of the book 200 borrowed but at home are also displayed. Opens and the user can leave the library through the gate.

As described above, in this embodiment, the radio tags are attached to all the books held in the library, and the books borrowed from the bookshelves and shelves by the user are managed. Then, when the user visits the library and returns the relevant book, the user himself / herself returns the stored ID of the wireless tag to the bookshelf and shelf written on the wireless tag attached to the book. Read with a reader / writer and manage whether the book is returned to the correct shelf or shelf.

When the user returns the book to a shelf or shelf different from the designated shelf or shelf, the user is warned with an alarm device attached to the shelf and the correct shelf or shelf is displayed on the display device. By displaying the shelf number and guiding the user to return the book to the designated bookshelf or shelf, there is no need to have a staff member who organizes the book resident, and an unmanned library is realized.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the lending items are books is described. However, the lending items are not limited to books, and other lending items such as CDs (compact discs) may be used. Can be similarly implemented.

[0071]

As described above, according to the litter storage management system according to the present invention, it is necessary to have a clerk managing the lending storage in a facility for managing lending storage such as a library. There is no need to manage lending storage items unattended.

Further, when the user returns the lending items to a storage location different from the designated storage location, the user is warned by the warning means attached to the storage location and the display device corrects the warning. By displaying the storage location and guiding the user to return the rental storage to the designated storage location, the user can reliably return the rental storage to the original storage location. It can be returned to the storage location, and the storage location does not contain any lending storage items other than the designated lending storage item.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a wireless tag attached to the back of a book in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example in which a wireless tag is attached to the back of a thick book and an example in which the wireless tag is attached to a thin book using hard paper.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an example of a dedicated binder to which a wireless tag for storing thin books is attached, and an example of a dedicated holder to which a wireless tag for storing a plurality of thin books is attached.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system for performing communication between a wireless tag and a reader / writer coil according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a bookshelf, divided shelves, and books stored in the shelves according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a communication range of a reader / writer when one reader / writer is attached to a shelf unit divided on a bookshelf;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of each shelf.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing an arrangement relationship between a wireless tag and a reader / writer coil.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of a reader / writer coil.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another example of the reader / writer coil.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing still another example of the reader / writer coil.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example in which a reader / writer coil is arranged obliquely.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a reader / writer coil and a wireless tag that are arranged obliquely.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between a reader / writer coil arranged obliquely and a book inserted.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example in which reader / writer coils are arranged in a grid pattern.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example in which reader / writer coils arranged in a lattice are driven by the reader / writer.

FIG. 17 is a plan view for explaining a radiation direction of an infrared beam on each shelf and a positional relationship between taking out and inserting a book.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which an infrared beam emitted between an infrared transmitting unit and an infrared receiving unit is cut off by an operation of taking out a book from a shelf.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state where an infrared beam emitted between an infrared transmitting unit and an infrared receiving unit is cut off by an operation of inserting a book on a shelf;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state where an infrared beam emitted between an infrared transmitting unit and an infrared receiving unit is cut off when a book is taken out halfway from a shelf;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state where an infrared beam emitted between an infrared transmitting unit and an infrared receiving unit is cut off when a book is taken out halfway from a shelf;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an infrared beam emitted between an infrared transmitting unit and an infrared receiving unit is cut off when a book is partially inserted into a shelf;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state where an infrared beam emitted between an infrared transmitting unit and an infrared receiving unit is cut off when a book is partially inserted into a shelf;

FIG. 24 is a view for explaining an example in which a shelf of a bookshelf is divided irregularly.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining an operation of reading an ID of a wireless tag by a reader / writer.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example in which a book is returned to a wrong shelf, a warning is given by an alarm buzzer, or a warning is displayed.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a case where a book is returned to a correct shelf;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a configuration of main electronic modules required for each shelf unit and connections thereof.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of main electronic modules required for each shelf and connections thereof.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of main electronic modules of the entire library and connections thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the input / output device in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a view showing an example of a reader / writer coil installed at an entrance or an entrance in FIG. 30;

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 computer 101, 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D reader / writer 102 transmitting circuit 103 transmitting antenna coil 104 receiving circuit 105 receiving antenna coil 107 transmitting / receiving antenna coil 108, 111 capacitor 109 rectifying circuit 110 Modulation circuit 112 Power supply (smoothing) stabilization circuit 114 Memory 200, 200A Book 201, 251, 252, 253 Wireless tag 202 Hard paper 202A Binder 202B Holder 203 Book shelf 204204A, 204B, 204C, 204D, 21
8 Shelf 210, 211, 212, 213 Reader / writer coil 214, 215 Infrared transmitter 216, 217 Infrared receiver 227, 227A, 227B, 227C, 227D Reader / writer coil 228 Coils 229, 230 233, 234: reader / writer 231, 232: infrared beam 241, 242, ..., 245, 246: divided area 260: display unit 261: alarm buzzer 262: warning text 263: shelf number 264, 265, 266, 267 ... Shelf number display plate 268 ... Book shelf number display plate 271 ... Confirmation display 281, 283, 285, 287 ... Transmission circuit 282, 284, 286, 288 ... Reception circuit 290 ... Control unit 297 ... Network 300 ... Computer 310 ... I / O device 311: Reader / writer 312: Printer 3 3 Display 314 Keyboard 320 Storage book file 321 User 322 Reader / writer coil 330 Lending book file 340 Exit 350 350 Entrance 341 351 Card reader 342 352 Gate control unit 343, 353: reader / writer 344, 354: display unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A storage place for storing a rental storage article to which a non-contact type information recording medium for transmitting an identification code in response to a received radio wave, and the rental storage article is taken out from the storage place. Or a loading / unloading detecting means for detecting that the lending storage material is inserted into the storage location, and being attached to the lending storage material when the removal or insertion of the lending storage material is detected by the means. Means for transmitting a predetermined radio wave to the contactless information recording medium, and reading the identification code in response to the response from the contactless information recording medium; and storing the identification code using the identification code read by the means. Means for managing a storage state of the lending storage items at a place. 2. A storage place for storing a rental storage article to which a non-contact type information recording medium for transmitting an identification code in response to a received radio wave is provided, and a rental storage article stored in the storage place. An identification code storage unit that stores an identification code; and an in / out detection unit that detects that the lending storage item has been taken out of the storage location or that the lending storage item has been inserted into the storage location. Means for transmitting a predetermined radio wave to the non-contact type information recording medium attached to the rental storage when the removal or insertion of the rental storage is detected by the means, An identification code reading unit that reads the identification code in response to the identification code read by the identification code reading unit; Means for writing an identification code of a stored item in the identification code storage means, and deleting the identification code of the rental item inserted into the storage location from the identification code storage means. Object management system. 3. The identification code read by the identification code reading means when a lending storage item is inserted into the storage location, the identification code other than the identification code of the lending storage item to be stored in the storage location. When it is determined that
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a means for giving a warning and a means for notifying information on a storage location where the read lending storage material of the identification code is stored. 2. The lending storage item management system described in 2. 4. An identification code read by said identification code reading means when a lending storage item is inserted into said storage location is determined to be an identification code of a lending storage item to be stored in said storage location. The lending storage item management system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for notifying that the lending storage item has been inserted into a correct storage location when the lending storage item has been inserted. 5. The in-and-out detecting means includes at least a pair of an infrared transmitting section and an infrared receiving section, and detects whether the infrared ray radiated from the infrared transmitting section and received by the infrared receiving section is cut off from the storage location. The lending storage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for detecting that the lending storage has been taken out or that the lending storage has been inserted into the storage location. Object management system. 6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for preventing radio waves from leaking out of said storage space when transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from said non-contact information recording medium. Lending storage item management system described in. 7. A means for transmitting and receiving radio waves by at least one antenna coil having an area covering an arrangement range of the non-contact type information recording medium attached to the rental storage item stored in the storage location. The lending storage item management system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: