KR20170020155A

KR20170020155A - Reader logger and delivery information management system for collecting and record the delivery environment information and location information

Info

Publication number: KR20170020155A
Application number: KR1020150114988A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이혁진
Original assignee: 주식회사 티케이에스세미콘
Priority date: 2015-08-14
Filing date: 2015-08-14
Publication date: 2017-02-22

Abstract

Provided is a reader logger device formed by combining a reader for reading delivery information of a delivered object with a logger for recording history of the delivery information read by the reader. According to the present invention, the reader logger device comprises: an RFID reader which includes an RF antenna module and an RF control IC module and has an RFID reading function; a control unit which includes an MCU and a memory block providing a storage function; a GPS module which obtains current location information of the delivered object; a sensor module which includes at least one among a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a shock sensor; a communications module which transmits information received from the sensor module and the GPS module to a central server; and a battery which supplies power to the RFID reader, the control unit, the communications module, the GPS module, and the sensor module. The control unit can collect delivery environment information including at least one of temperature, humidity, and shock, sensed by the sensor module at predetermined time intervals, and the location information obtained by the GPS module, record the delivery environment information and the location information in a memory block, and transmit the delivery environment information and the location information collected by the communications module to the central server.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a reader logger and a delivery information management system for collecting and recording delivery environment information and location information,

The present invention is not limited to a reader logger device including a logger function capable of recording collected information as well as a reader function for reading and collecting information on distribution environment and location information, Information management system.

In logistics management, it is important to know the position of the delivery item and to manage the delivery status so that the delivery item is not damaged or lost. Various devices and methods for efficient logistics management have been applied in accordance with technological developments. Recently, a logistics management system using an RFID tag has been introduced in a management system of a conventional bar code system.

Generally, the most frequently used methods for the recognition and information management of goods in the logistics management system are the bar code system and the self-recognition system. BACKGROUND ART [0002] A barcode system, which is widely used in wholesale and retail stores, is a method of attaching an attachment formed of a specific information in a bar pattern to an object to be managed and reading the object with a reader to manage information of the object to be managed. The predetermined information is recorded in the magnetic bar of the card, and the information is managed by reading it from the reader.

However, in the conventional bar code system, recognition is often impossible due to an external environment such as snow, rain, fog, dust, etc., and when bar codes attached to an object to be managed become unidentifiable due to moisture or deformation during delivery, The bar code recognition is difficult to recognize the bar code far away from the operator due to the handling of the operator or the proximity recognition device, It was difficult to manage the packed items in the unit when they were packed in one unit. In particular, in the case of the bar code system, it is impossible to transmit and manage additional information such as the temperature and the position of the management object because the bar code contains only the identification information about the management object.

In order to overcome this problem, an electronic logistics system using an RFID tag has been developed. In the RFID, a RFID tag having a semiconductor storage element and its own antenna is attached to a product, a container or a transfer vehicle, The transport vehicle senses the delivery, receipt, or movement, and manages the logistics. The existing RFID system is advantageous in that it realizes the ordering, logistics management, transportation management, and inventory management in the warehouse by managing real-time information such as logistics and freight ordering, transportation, goods receipt and warehouse, have.

However, in the existing RFID system, the RFID tag has an advantage that it can identify the identification information, the position and the quantity of the RFID tagged article, but the RFID tag should also be recognized as the external reader. The effective communication distance between the RFID tag and the RFID reader is limited to be. If the battery is built in as an energy supply source inside to secure the receiving distance, it can be used for several days, but it is difficult to see the lifetime of the product enough to operate during the delivery of the product. Further, in the case of articles requiring refrigeration or refrigerated delivery, it is necessary to collect and record additional information such as the temperature and humidity of the articles by using the RFID tag. When the temperature sensor or the humidity sensor is additionally attached to the RFID tag, Thereby shortening the lifetime of the RFID tag and making it difficult to use the RFID tag semi-permanently.

In the case of the goods whose delivery environment such as special temperature or humidity should be maintained, if the history of the delivery environment can not be accurately delivered and managed during the process of transportation and storage, information of the damaged or deteriorated product It may not be reflected normally, which may cause the reliability of the logistics to deteriorate.

Recently, an RFID tag device having a wireless power receiving function has been developed (refer to Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1515855), and therefore, a new logistics system using such an RFID tag device is required to be developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems as described above, and in the case of conventional RFID tags, it is general that the RFID tags are driven using only the built-in batteries, so that the logistics management using the RFID tags is possible only within a certain range of stores. In addition, it was difficult to attach additional sensors due to the power shortage of the built-in battery.

The RFID tag used in the present invention is an RFID tag capable of generating energy by itself using energy transmitted from an RFID reader using energy harvesting technology. Accordingly, since the RFID tag apparatus can receive energy from the reader, it is possible to secure energy for driving the additional sensor apparatus. Also, if energy is continuously supplied from the reader, it can be used semi-permanently without having to be replaced with a new tag.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for securing driving power using energy harvesting technology and receiving information of a delivery item from an RFID tag including a wireless transmission antenna, one or more sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, And to provide a logger management system for managing the items to be delivered using the reader logger device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a reader logger for reading and recording delivery information of a delivery article. The reader logger of the present invention includes an RF antenna module and an RF control IC module, and includes an RFID reader having an RFID reading function, a controller including a memory block for providing an MCU and a storage function, a GPS A communication module for transmitting information received from the sensor module and the GPS module to a central server, the RFID reader, a controller, a communication module, a GPS module, a GPS module, And a battery for supplying power to the module and the sensor module.

Also, the controller included in the reader logger of the present invention collects the distribution environment information including at least one of temperature, humidity, and shock sensed by the sensor module in a predetermined time period and position information grasped by the GPS module, And transmits the distribution environment information and location information collected through the communication module to a central server.

According to the present invention, when an RFID tag having a wireless power receiving function is used, it is possible to more accurately grasp a delivery position of an article individually and to more accurately grasp a delivery environment (temperature, humidity, shock, etc.) Device and a logistics management system using the same.

In addition, since the reader logger itself is equipped with temperature, humidity, impact sensor, etc., it is possible not only to grasp the delivery environment of the article itself with the RFID tag, but also to the vehicle which transports the article to the reader logger itself, And records the delivery environment information and transmits it to the server so that the delivery history can be inquired and managed remotely.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader logger according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an RFID tag having a wireless power receiving function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating interworking between a reader logger and an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating interworking between a reader logger, an RFID tag, and a server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the interlocking between the individual articles included in the package unit and the reader logger, and interlocking between the reader logger and the server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating a logistics management system using a reader logger and an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a reader logger for reading and recording the delivery information of a delivery article is provided. The reader logger of the present invention includes an RFID reader, a controller, a GPS module, a sensor module, a communication module, and a battery, Information and location information obtained from the GPS module are collected and recorded in a memory block, and the distribution environment information and location information collected through the communication module can be transmitted to a central server. The present invention provides a logistics management system that can more accurately grasp a delivery position of an article by using the reader logger and more clearly grasp a delivery environment (temperature, humidity, impact, etc.) of each delivery article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and the manner of achieving them, will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. And is intended to enable a person skilled in the art to readily understand the scope of the invention, and the invention is defined by the claims. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. It is noted that " comprises, " or "comprising," as used herein, means the presence or absence of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / Do not exclude the addition.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader logger 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The reader logger for reading and recording the delivery information of the delivery article according to the present invention includes an RFID reader 10 having an RFID reading function. The reader logger of the present invention may further include an NFC reader. The RFID reader of the present invention includes a reader UHF communication unit capable of communicating with an external RFID tag device and receiving information sensed by the external RFID tag device. RF antenna module and RF control IC module.

The control unit may receive and record the delivery environment information sensed by the external RFID tag device periodically in cooperation with the external RFID tag device through the reader UHF communication unit.

The RFID system differs from the existing barcode system in that it uses radio waves to transmit information. It can read the tag of the goods even at a relatively long distance, and can receive information even when passing through a certain object. Therefore, when the RFID tag and the RFID reader are used, it is not necessary to place the reader close to the RFID tag, and thus it can be used variously in various fields. The RFID reader of the present invention includes an RF antenna module and an RF control IC module, and is generally capable of communicating with an external RFID tag device through a 900 MHz UHF.

The NFC system is a non-contact type short-range wireless communication system using a frequency band of 13.56 MZ, and is a terminal-side data transmission technology used at a distance of about 10 cm. Payment, transfer of goods information, locking device, etc. Recently, it has been introduced to smart phones and used as an electronic payment system.

The reader logger of the present invention can read information from the external RFID tag device or the NFC tag device including the RFID reader and the NFC reader as described above.

The sensing and communication function unit 320 may include a tag sensor module 322 including at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an impact sensor, and at least one of temperature, humidity, and shock sensed by the tag sensor module And a tag UHF communication unit 324 for processing the communication environment so as to communicate with the outside.

The reader logger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a controller 20 including a MCU and a memory block that provides a storage function. The MCU refers to a microcontroller unit and controls a reader logger system It can function as a kind of processor. The memory may include an operating system for operating a reader logger, and may collect and record various information (temperature, humidity, impact, etc.) sensed by a sensor or a tag at a specified time.

The reader logger according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a GPS module 30 for grasping current position information of a delivery item, and a sensor module 40 including at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an impact sensor can do. The GPS module and the sensor module provide basic data for tracking the delivery information of a delivery item.

The reader logger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a communication module 50 for transmitting information received from the sensor module and the GPS module to the central server 150. The communication module provides a wide area network WAN line (such as GSM or CDMA or LTE M1).

The reader logger according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery 60 for supplying power to the RFID reader, the control unit, the communication module, the GPS module, and the sensor module, and further includes various information (temperature, humidity, A USB local interface and an external power connector capable of delivering a shock or not) to a PC or a mobile terminal or the like.

The reader logger according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a display unit that is provided in a form or a removable form fixed to the reader logger and on which at least one of the sensed distribution environment information, can do.

In the reader logger according to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller collects the distribution environment information including at least one of temperature, humidity, and shock sensed by the sensor module in a predetermined time period and position information grasped by the GPS module And transmits the distribution environment information and the location information collected through the communication module to a central server.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an RFID tag having a wireless power receiving function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the external RFID tag apparatus may be an RFID tag having a wireless power receiving function unit 310, and may be configured to receive wireless power in a self- A receiving wireless power receiving antenna 312 and an energy matching circuit 314 for receiving wireless power, an energy harvesting unit 316 for managing the received wireless power, a tag battery 318 for storing the received wireless power, . &Lt; / RTI >

In a further embodiment of the present invention, when the external RFID tag device has the wireless power receiving function 310, the tag itself can drive the sensor through the energy transmitted from the reader logger, And thus may include the sensing and communication function unit 320.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating interworking between a reader logger and an RFID tag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Each RFID tag has identification information (ID), and three tags 210, 220, and 230 are illustrated as an example in FIG. (210) tags AA1, (220) tags BB1, (230) tags CC1, and each tag includes a temperature sensor.

As described above, when it is assumed that the RFID tag has a wireless power receiving function, the reader logger 110 according to the present embodiment wirelessly transmits energy to the RFID tag, and each RFID tag receives the corresponding energy, And power for wireless communication. The reader logger 110 is capable of RFID wireless communication with each tag, exchanges information with each other, and can collect and record the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of each tag by ID.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating interworking between a reader logger, an RFID tag, and a server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

The reader logger 120 of the present embodiment includes a display unit capable of displaying the state of the reader logger and the data (for example, temperature, humidity, shock, etc.) received for each tag ID, And a communication module that can transmit to the central server 150.

The central server can collect tag information through the reader logger of the present embodiment. Further, when the reader logger itself includes a sensor module (for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a shock sensor, etc.) Temperature, humidity, shock, and so on.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the interlocking between the individual articles included in the package unit and the reader logger, and the interlocking between the reader logger and the server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the external RFID tag apparatus can be attached to the individual articles included in the package unit. For example, if a sufficiently low temperature is not achieved during the delivery of refrigerated or frozen foods, the quality of the food may deteriorate and sometimes the food may be damaged or corrupted. In particular, vaccines among medicines may have a significant adverse effect on the activity of the vaccine if proper storage temperature is not maintained during delivery.

If the vaccine is delivered at an excessively high temperature, the components contained in the vaccine may activate above the reference level, which may pose a threat to the immune system upon administration to the human body. If the vaccine is delivered at an excessively low temperature, The function as a vaccine may be deteriorated because it does not function properly. Particularly in the case of medicines, since individual samples are written for each patient, care must be taken to maintain the reference temperature of the individual samples during delivery and air exposure due to impact, and at any point during the delivery process, The contents in the container shall not be exposed to air.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, a reader logger can be included in one package unit, and RFID tags are attached to all of the individual articles contained in the package unit to determine the temperature, humidity, impact, etc. of each sample It can be detected throughout the delivery process. The reader logger of FIG. 5 is transported together with the article from the time the article is shipped, and the reader logger is shipped together with the article to which the article is shipped, so that the temperature, humidity, You can check the history (history). In addition, the leader logger carried along during the delivery process can deliver the delivery environment information of the individual articles to the central server. In the central server, the distribution environment information transmitted from the leader logger is collected and the distribution status It is possible to prevent the damage of the product by taking necessary measures in real time when an abnormality such as temperature, humidity, shock or the like is detected.

6 is a diagram showing a logistics management system using a reader logger and an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the leader logger 140 may be carried within the package unit to be delivered (S100) or together with the vehicle (S200). During the circulation of the goods, it is possible to go through various cargo and logistics centers by getting off and going from the transportation vehicles. S300 indicates a stage where the goods are gathered and stored in the distribution center, and the distribution vehicle is divided and loaded into the delivery vehicle from the distribution center to each destination in step S400. Thereafter, in step S500, the article arrives at a retail store such as a large-sized shopping mall, and is then delivered to the final consumer or recipient in step S600.

In the above-mentioned logistics process, a cold chain is required to maintain a sufficiently low temperature in the case of refrigerated products (especially food products). If the proper temperature is not maintained at any stage during the delivery of the product, the food may be damaged. In this respect, products requiring refrigeration or refrigeration are not easy to maintain reliability in delivery. According to the present embodiment, the reader logger can continuously grasp the delivery environment of the product at regular intervals during the delivery process. If an abnormality is detected in the identified delivery environment, the reader logger can prevent damage to the goods by corrective action The history can be recorded to make it easy for the logistics person to check the history of the items to be shipped during the delivery process. In addition, the end consumer or recipient can easily ascertain the history of the delivery environment, thereby increasing the reliability of the delivery process.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A reader logger for reading and recording delivery information of a delivery article,
An RFID reader including an RF antenna module and an RF control IC module and having an RFID read function;
A control unit including an MCU and a memory block that provides a storage function;
A GPS module for obtaining current position information of the delivery item;
A sensor module including at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an impact sensor;
A communication module for transmitting information received from the sensor module and the GPS module to a central server;
And a battery for supplying power to the RFID reader, the control unit, the communication module, the GPS module, and the sensor module,
Wherein the control unit collects distribution environment information including at least one of temperature, humidity, and shock sensed by the sensor module in a predetermined time period and position information grasped by the GPS module and records the collected information in a memory block, And transmits the delivery environment information and the location information to the central server.

The method according to claim 1,
And an NFC reader having an NFC reading function for short-range wireless communication.

The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a display unit which is provided in a form detachable or fixed to the reader logger and on which at least one of the sensed distribution environment information, position information, and delivery article information is displayed.

The method according to claim 1,
And a reader UHF communication unit that provides a communication function with the external RFID tag apparatus to receive information sensed by the external RFID tag apparatus,
Wherein the control unit receives the delivery environment information sensed by the external RFID tag device periodically in cooperation with the external RFID tag device through the reader UHF communication unit and records the received delivery environment information.

5. The method of claim 4,
The external RFID tag device includes:
A wireless power receiving antenna for receiving wireless power from the outside in a self-resonant manner; and an energy matching circuit for wireless power reception;
An energy harvesting unit for managing the received wireless power;
A tag battery for storing the received wireless power;
A tag sensor module including at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a shock sensor; And
And a tag UHF communication unit for storing distribution environment information including at least one of temperature, humidity, and shock sensed by the tag sensor module and for communicating with the outside, Wherein the reader is a device.

The method according to claim 1,
A USB local interface for transmitting / receiving information stored in the memory block to / from an external terminal; And
And an external power connector for charging or powering the battery.

A delivery information management system for monitoring a delivery process,
An external RFID tag device attached to each delivery item or unit delivery package; And
And a reader logger for collecting and recording the delivery environment information and the position information sensed at the set time period and transmitting the data to the central server,

The reader logger apparatus includes:
An RFID reader including an RF antenna module and an RF control IC module and having an RFID read function;
A control unit including an MCU and a memory block that provides a storage function;
A GPS module for obtaining current position information of the delivery item;
A communication module for transmitting information received from the sensor module and the GPS module to a central server;
A sensor module including at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an impact sensor; And
And a battery for supplying power to the RFID reader, the control unit, the communication module, the GPS module, and the sensor module,

The external RFID tag device includes:
A wireless power receiving antenna for receiving wireless power from the outside in a self-resonant manner; and an energy matching circuit for wireless power reception;
An energy harvesting unit for managing the received wireless power;
A tag battery for storing the received wireless power;
A tag sensor module including at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a shock sensor; And
And a tag UHF communication unit for storing distribution environment information including at least one of temperature, humidity, and shock sensed by the tag sensor module and processing for communicating with the outside,

Wherein each of the external RFID tag devices is attached to each of the delivery items or the unit delivery package to give a unique ID, and the reader logger device is operable to communicate with the external RFID tag device, Collects and records the distribution environment information and the location information of the distribution information, and transmits the collected information to the central server.

8. The method of claim 7,
The reader logger device is disposed at a distance capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving information and power from each of the external RFID tag devices and is capable of periodically monitoring the delivery environment information of the delivery article or the unit delivery package without supplying any additional power during delivery Features a shipping information management system.