KR20220105340A - Rfid system-based location information managment system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a product management method and a logistics monitoring method using RFID tags. The product management method using RFID tags, according to one embodiment of the present invention, may comprise the steps of: transmitting transmission signals through a plurality of transmitters to a plurality of tags present within a preset detection area, respectively; receiving, through a receiver, individual response signals generated from individual RFID tags constituting a plurality of RFID tags activated based on the transmission signals; calculating positions of the individual RFID tags present within the detection area based on the characteristics of the individual response signals received during a preset detection time; and displaying the calculated positions of the individual RFID tags on a display unit. According to various embodiments of the present invention, in the product management method using the RFID tags, because the plurality of transmitters activate RFID tags present within a wide area, positions of the RFID tags present within the wide area can be accurately and quickly monitored. Therefore, time and cost for managing products can be saved, and waste of manpower for monitoring the products can be prevented.

Description

RFID system-based location information management system {RFID SYSTEM-BASED LOCATION INFORMATION MANAGMENT SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a product management method and a logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag, and more particularly, to a product management method and a logistics monitoring method using a passive RFID tag capable of accurate and fast location detection.

RFID (radio frequency identification) technology is a technology for wirelessly reading various information stored in an RFID tag using an RF signal. In particular, the RFID tag has a better data storage capacity than a barcode and can transmit data over a relatively long distance, so it is in the spotlight as an alternative technology to the barcode.

The RFID tag used in the RFID technology is divided into an active method and a passive method according to a power supply method. Active RFID tags are individually powered through a separate power supply. When an active RFID tag is used, information of an RFID tag existing at a long distance can be accurately read, but since a separate power supply is required for each RFID tag, the price of the RFID tag may increase. On the other hand, the passive RFID tag is activated based on a transmission signal provided through a transmitter and transmits data. If a passive RFID tag is used, a separate power supply is not required, so the price of the RFID tag is low. However, there is a problem in that information of an RFID tag existing at a long distance cannot be read, and it is difficult to accurately read information.

The inventor of the present invention said that the passive RFID tag is inexpensive and can be easily applied to various industrial fields, but the passive RFID tag is activated only when power is supplied wirelessly. It was recognized that the recognition rate of Accordingly, the present inventor invented a passive RFID system capable of reading information from an RFID tag existing in a wide area by separating a transmitter that activates a passive RFID tag and a receiver that receives a response signal from the RFID tag, respectively. .

Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is an article management method using an RFID tag that can manage the status and movement of articles existing in a wide area in real time by accurately detecting location information of the RFID tag existing in a wide area, and To provide a logistics monitoring method.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is a method for managing goods and a method for monitoring logistics using an RFID tag that can be easily applied to complex industrial fields and can manage goods with low cost and high efficiency by applying an inexpensive passive RFID system. is to provide

In order to solve the above problems, in the article management method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention, a transmission signal through a plurality of transmitters is transmitted from individual RFID tags constituting a plurality of activated RFID tags. Receiving the generated individual response signal through a receiver, calculating the position of the individual RFID tag existing in the detection area based on the characteristics of the individual response signal received during a preset detection time, and the calculated position of the individual RFID tag It characterized in that it comprises the step of displaying on the display unit. In the article management method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention, since a plurality of transmitters activate RFID tags existing in a wide area, it is possible to accurately and quickly monitor the locations of the RFID tags existing in a wide area. Accordingly, time and cost for managing the article can be saved, and waste of manpower for monitoring the article can be prevented.

According to another feature of the present invention, the step of receiving the individual response signal through the receiver includes the step of receiving RFID information pre-stored in the individual RFID tag, and the RFID information includes the article information on the article to which the individual RFID tag is attached. Including, the individual RFID tags are characterized in that they are distinguished from each other based on the plurality of RFID tags and RFID information.

According to another feature of the present invention, the product information is characterized in that it includes at least one of the type of the product, the manufacturing date of the product, the expiration date of the product, the manufacturer of the product, and the delivery destination of the product.

According to another feature of the present invention, in the article management method using an RFID tag, after displaying the location of the individual RFID tag on a display unit, based on a monitoring command for the first article, a first article among a plurality of RFID tags The method may further include searching for at least one first RFID tag including information and displaying the found location of the first RFID tag on a display unit to be distinguished from the locations of the remaining RFID tags.

According to another feature of the present invention, in the article management method using an RFID tag, after displaying the position of the individual RFID tag on the display unit, based on the calculated position of the individual RFID tag, the individual present in a preset ROI The method may further include counting the number of RFID tags and displaying the number of individual RFID tags existing in the region of interest on a display unit.

According to another feature of the present invention, in the article management method using RFID tags, after displaying the number of individual RFID tags on a display unit, the steps of comparing the number of individual RFID tags existing in the region of interest with a preset threshold number and generating a preset event when the number of individual RFID tags existing in the region of interest is smaller than the threshold number.

According to another feature of the present invention, the preset event includes at least one of a visual alert, an auditory alert, and a tactile alert.

In order to solve the problems as described above, a logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention is

Transmitting a transmission signal to at least one RFID tag through a plurality of transmitters respectively installed at a plurality of preset checkpoints, receiving a response signal generated from an RFID tag activated based on the transmission signal through a receiver; Calculating the position of the RFID tag based on the characteristics of the response signal received during the preset detection time, displaying the calculated position of the RFID tag on a display unit, the position of the RFID tag and at least one of a plurality of check points It characterized in that it comprises the steps of calculating the distance between the check points, and when the distance between the location of the RFID tag and the at least one check point is less than a preset threshold distance, generating a preset event. Since the logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention can monitor the logistics in real time using the RFID tag, the cost and time for logistics management can be reduced. In particular, various events can be generated at the checkpoint based on RFID information stored in the RFID tag, and vehicles entering and exiting the checkpoint can be efficiently monitored.

According to another feature of the present invention, the position of the RFID tag is repeatedly calculated at the detection time interval, and the position of the RFID tag displayed on the display is updated at the detection time interval.

According to another feature of the present invention, the step of receiving the response signal through the receiver includes the step of receiving RFID information pre-stored in the RFID tag, and the RFID information of the RFID tag is transmitted by a person possessing the RFID tag or the RFID tag. It is characterized in that it includes information about the attached article.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of displaying the location of the RFID tag on the display unit includes the step of displaying the location of the RFID tag and information on the person who possesses the RFID tag or the article to which the RFID tag is attached on the display unit together. characterized by including.

According to another feature of the present invention, the article information on the article to which the RFID tag is attached is the type of article loaded in the vehicle to which the RFID tag is attached, the manufacturer of the article, the origin of the article, the destination of the article, the number of articles and the article. It is characterized in that it includes at least one of information on the date of manufacture.

According to the present invention, since the transmitter that activates the passive RFID tag is separated from the receiver that receives the RFID response signal, it is possible to accurately and quickly monitor the location and status of an article existing in a wide area in real time.

In addition, since a passive RFID tag having a low price is used, it can be easily applied to large and complex industrial fields, and since the number of manpower for managing goods and logistics is reduced, there is an effect of reducing the cost of managing goods and logistics.

The effect according to the present invention is not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an RFID system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating an article management method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the article management method of Figure 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the location and article information of an RFID tag displayed on the display unit of FIG. 3 .
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing an article using an RFID tag according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the article management method of FIG. 5 .
7 is a flowchart illustrating a logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the logistics monitoring method of FIG. 7 .

Exemplary embodiments according to the technical spirit of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the technical spirit of the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the following embodiments are modified in various other forms. may be formed, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided to more fully and complete the present disclosure, and to fully convey the technical spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

Although the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various members, regions, layers, regions, and/or components, these members, parts, regions, layers, regions, and/or components refer to these terms. It is self-evident that it should not be limited by These terms do not imply a specific order, superiority, superiority, or superiority, and are used only to distinguish one member, region, region, or component from another member, region, region, or component. Accordingly, the first member, region, region or component to be described below may refer to the second member, region, region or component without departing from the teachings of the present invention. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the concept of the present invention belongs, including technical and scientific terms. In addition, commonly used terms as defined in the dictionary should be construed as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and have an overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined herein. It should not be interpreted.

As used herein, the term 'and/or' includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited elements.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an RFID system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the RFID system 100 includes a central control unit 110 , a receiving module 120 , transmitters 131 and 132 , antennas 141 and 142 , a display unit 150 , and RFID tags 161 and 162 . ) and the server 180. [0029] The RFID system 100 is a system that reads the positions of the RFID tags 161 and 162 and the information of the RFID tags 161 and 162 using RFID technology. The RFID system 100 may monitor the positions of the RFID tags 161 and 162 in real time by using the passive RFID tags 161 and 162. The transmitters 131 and 132 are respectively connected to the central control unit 110 by wire and/or wirelessly through the reception module 120 , and transmit signals TS1 and TS2 based on the control signal of the central control unit 110 . causes The transmission signals TS1 and TS2 activate the RFID tags 161 and 162 . The transmission signals TS1 and TS2 are, for example, RF signals and activate the RFID tags 161 and 162 existing in a specific area. A plurality of transmitters 131 and 132 may be distributed to cover a wide area. For example, the first transmitter 131 is disposed in the first area to activate the first RFID tag 161 existing in the first area, and the second transmitter 132 is located in the second area. It is disposed in the second area to activate the RFID tag 162 . Accordingly, all of the RFID tags 161 and 162 existing in the first area and the second area may be activated. Although, Figure 1 shows two transmitters (131, 132), the number of transmitters (131, 132) is not particularly limited. The antennas 141 and 142 are respectively connected to the transmitters 131 and 132 and transmit the transmission signals TS1 and TS2 to the RFID tags 161 and 162 based on the control signals of the transmitters 131 and 132 . For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the first transmitter 131 is connected to each of the four antennas 141 , and the second transmitter 132 is respectively connected to the four antennas 142 . However, the number of antennas 141 and 142 connected to the transmitters 131 and 132 is not limited thereto. The antennas 141 and 142 have little frequency interference and may be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals to cover a wide area. The RFID tags 161 and 162 are activated based on the transmission signals TS1 and TS2, and generate response signals RS1 and RS2. As described above, the RFID tags 161 and 162 are passive tags, and generate response signals RS1 and RS2 based on power transmitted through the transmission signals TS1 and TS2. For example, the first RFID tag 161 generates a response signal RS1 based on the transmission signal TS1 of the first transmitter 131 , and the second RFID tag 162 generates the second transmitter 132 . A response signal RS2 is generated based on the transmission signal TS2 of The response signals RS1 and RS2 are RF signals and include RFID information pre-stored in the RFID tags 161 and 162 . The first RFID tag 161 and the second RFID tag 162 have different RFID information. The first RFID tag 161 and the second RFID tag 162 are distinguished from each other based on RFID information. For example, the RFID information of the first RFID tag 161 includes the unique number of the first RFID tag 161 , and the RFID information of the second RFID tag 162 includes the unique number of the second RFID tag 162 . may include. The first RFID tag 161 and the second RFID tag 162 may be distinguished from each other based on a unique number. The RFID information includes article information on articles to which the RFID tags 161 and 162 are attached. For example, the RFID information may include information on at least one of a type, a manufacturing date, an expiration date, a manufacturer, and a destination of the article to which the RFID tags 161 and 162 are attached. However, the information included in the RFID information is not limited thereto, and the RFID information may include various types of information.

The reception module 120 is connected to the central controller 110 by wire and/or wirelessly, and is connected to the transmitters 131 and 132 by wire and/or wirelessly. For example, the reception module 120 is connected to the central control unit 110 through a LAN, and is respectively connected to the transmitters 131 and 132 through a coaxial cable. The reception module 120 transmits power and control signals to the transmitters 131 and 132 and receives response signals RS1 and RS2 generated by the RFID tags 161 and 162 . The receiving module 120 includes a receiver 121 and a position detector 122. [0034] The receiver 121 receives response signals RS1 and RS2 from the activated RFID tags 161 and 162 . For example, the receiver 121 may receive the response signals RS1 and RS2 through the antennas 141 and 142 connected to the transmitters 131 and 132 . That is, the first response signal RS1 generated from the first RFID tag 161 activated by the first transmitter 131 is received through the antenna 141 connected to the first transmitter 131 , and the first transmitter It may be received by the receiver 121 through 131 . In addition, the second response signal RS2 generated from the second RFID tag 162 activated by the second transmitter 132 is received through the antenna 142 connected to the second transmitter 132, and the second transmitter It may be received by the receiver 121 via 132 . In some embodiments, the receiver 121 may directly receive the response signals RS1 and RS2. The position detector 122 is configured to receive the RFID tag (RS1, RS2) based on the response signals RS1 and RS2 received from the receiver 121. 161, 162) are calculated. For example, the position detector 122 may include the size of the response signals RS1 and RS2 received during the preset detection time, a signal to noise ratio (SNR), the reception direction of the response signals RS1 and RS2, and the like. The positions of the RFID tags 161 and 162 are calculated based on the characteristics of the same response signals RS1 and RS2.

Although, although the position detector 122 is shown to be provided in the receiving module 120 in FIG. 1 , the present invention is not limited thereto, and the position detector 122 is not provided in the receiving module 120 and the central control unit 110 . can be implemented to be integrated into For example, the position detector 122 may be implemented in the form of a program in the central controller 110 . In this case, the characteristic information of the response signals RS1 and RS2 received from the receiver 121 of the reception module 120 is transmitted to the central control unit 110, and the central control unit 110 The position detector 122 of 110 calculates the positions of the RFID tags 161 and 162 based on the characteristic information of the response signals RS1 and RS2.

The display unit 150 displays the article information included in the response signals RS1 and RS2 and the positions of the RFID tags 161 and 162 calculated through the position detector 122 . The display unit 150 may display the positions of the RFID tags 161 and 162 as icons. The user can quickly and quickly identify the positions of the RFID tags 161 and 162 through the display unit 150 . .

The central control unit 110 is connected to the receiving module 120 , the display unit 150 , and the server 180 , respectively, and controls the receiving module 120 , the display unit 150 , and the transmitters 131 and 132 .

The server 180 is connected to the central control unit 110 through wired and/or wireless, and receives the location and information of the goods from the central control unit 110 in real time. The user may access the server 180 through the Internet, and may monitor the current location and information of the item regardless of time and place.

The RFID system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes transmitters 131 and 132 that activate RFID tags 161 and 162 and receivers that receive response signals RS1 and RS2 from RFID tags 161 and 162 . Since the 121 is separated from each other, the positions of the RFID tags 161 and 162 existing in a wide area can be accurately detected. That is, the RFID tags 161 and 162 in a wide area are activated through a plurality of transmitters 131 and 132 distributed over a wide area, and response signals RS1 and RS2 are transmitted from the activated RFID tags 161 and 162. can be received to accurately calculate the location of individual RFID tags. In addition, since the passive RFID tags 161 and 162 are inexpensive, the article management system 100 using the RFID tag can be easily applied to various industrial fields.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an article management method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the article management method of Figure 2; Although FIG. 3 schematically shows a method for monitoring the quantity and location of goods stored in a warehouse, the article management method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention is limited by the example shown in FIG. not.

2 and 3 , in the article management method using an RFID tag, a transmission signal is transmitted through a plurality of transmitters 131 , 132 , and 133 to a plurality of RFID tags 361 and 362 existing in a preset detection area. to each of them (S210).

As described above, in the RFID system, a plurality of transmitters 131 , 132 , and 133 may be connected to one receiving module 120 . Each of the transmitters 131 , 132 , 133 exists within a preset detection area. The RFID tags 361 and 362 are activated. The detection area means the sum of areas that can be covered by each of the transmitters 131 , 132 , and 133 , and the detection area shown in FIG. 3 means warehouses. That is, the first RFID tags 361 of the article 1 stored in the warehouse A1 are activated by the first transmitter 131 , and the second RFID tags 362 of the article 2 stored in the warehouse A1 are activated. Also, the first RFID tags 361 of the item 1 stored in the warehouse A2 are activated by the second transmitter 132 . On the other hand, since there are no items stored in warehouse A3, there is no RFID tag activated by the third transmitter 133. The transmission signal is transmitted by antennas 141 , 142 , 143 connected to the transmitters 131 , 132 , 133 , respectively. That is, a transmission signal is transmitted to the warehouse A1 by the first antennas 141 connected to the first transmitter 131 , and a transmission signal is transmitted to the warehouse A2 by the second antennas 142 connected to the second transmitter 132 . It is tentatively transmitted, and the transmission signal is transmitted to the warehouse A3 by the third antennas 143 connected to the third transmitter 133 .

Thereafter, individual response signals generated from individual RFID tags constituting the plurality of RFID tags 361 and 362 activated based on the transmission signal are received through the receiver (S220).

Individual RFID tags constituting the activated RFID tags 361 and 362 each generate a response signal, and the individual response signals individually generated by the RFID tags 361 and 362 are received by the receiver of the receiving module 120 . For example, the receiver of the reception module 120 receives an individual response signal for each warehouse through the antennas 141 , 142 , 143 . That is, the receiver of the receiving module 120 receives the response signals of the five first RFID tags 361 through the antenna 141 installed in the warehouse A1, and receives the response signals of the four second RFID tags 362. . In addition, the receiver of the reception module 120 receives the response signals of the two first RFID tags 361 located in the warehouse A2 through the antenna 142 installed in the warehouse A2. In some embodiments, the receiver of the receiving module 120 may directly receive all of the response signals of the RFID tags 361 and 362 located in the warehouse A1, the warehouse A2, and the warehouse A3.

Thereafter, the position of the individual RFID tag existing in the detection area is calculated based on the characteristics of the individual response signal received during the preset detection time ( S230 ).

As described above, individual RFID tags constituting the plurality of activated RFID tags 361 and 362 generate individual response signals, respectively, and the receiver of the receiving module 120 is individually Receive each response signal. The individual response signal is an RF signal, and the characteristics of the RF signal may change depending on the location of the individual RFID tag that generates the individual response signal. For example, the magnitude of the RF signal, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or the reception direction of the RF signal may be changed. The position detector of the receiving module 120 detects detailed positions of the RFID tags 361 and 362 by analyzing the characteristics of the response signal. The position detector of the receiving module 120 calculates the position of the individual RFID tag by analyzing the characteristics of the response signal during the preset detection time. That is, the position detector of the receiving module 120 may repeatedly calculate each position of the individual RFID tag at the detection time interval. The plurality of RFID tags 361 and 362 are respectively attached to items to be managed. For example, the first RFID tags 361 are attached to the first article, and the second RFID tags 362 are attached to the second article. Accordingly, the location of the first RFID tag 361 means the location of the first article, and the location of the second RFID tag 362 means the location of the second article. That is, by calculating the position of each individual RFID tag, the position of each individual article can be monitored.

Thereafter, the calculated position of the individual RFID tag is displayed on the display unit 150 (S240). The position information of the individual RFID tags calculated by the position detector of the receiving module 120 is transmitted to the central control unit 110 , and the central control unit 110 displays the positions of the individual RFID tags on the display unit 150 . The user can accurately and quickly grasp the location of the current items through the display unit 150 .

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the location and article information of an RFID tag displayed on the display unit of FIG. 3 . FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the display unit 150 of FIG. 3, and the location of the RFID tag is illustrated by an inverted triangle icon. However, the method of displaying the location of the RFID tag is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the state of the detection area 453 is displayed on the display unit 150 . Since the detection areas shown in FIG. 3 mean warehouse A1, warehouse A2, and warehouse A3, detection areas 453 corresponding to warehouse A1, warehouse A2, and warehouse A3 are shown in FIG. 4 . Exist in detection area 453 The positions of the RFID tags are indicated by icons 451 and 452, respectively. RFID tags attached to the same type of article are indicated by the same icon. 4, for convenience of explanation, the RFID tag attached to article 1 is indicated by a black inverted triangle icon 451, and the RFID tag attached to article 2 is indicated by a white inverted triangle icon 452. . As described above, the response signal generated from the activated RFID tag includes RFID information pre-stored in the individual RFID tag, and the RFID information of the individual RFID tag includes various product information about the article to which the RFID tag is attached. The central control unit analyzes the received RFID information of the individual RFID tags to distinguish the RFID tags attached to the same type of article from among the plurality of RFID tags, and the display unit 150 displays the RFID tags attached to the same type of article. They are indicated by the same icon. Accordingly, the user can easily grasp the position of the item by type through the display unit 150 at a glance.

The display unit 150 may highlight and display the position of a specific type of article. For example, when it is necessary to determine the location of the first item among various items existing in the warehouse, the central control unit based on the RFID information of the RFID tag on the basis of the monitoring command for the first item is a plurality of RFID tags. Among them, an RFID tag including article information on the first article may be searched, and the location of the RFID tag including article information on the first article may be displayed on the display unit 150 to be distinguished from the location of other RFID tags. Thereby, the position of the first article can be marked for emphasis. For example, the display unit 150 may display the icon for the first article differently from the icons for other articles, or display only the icon for the first article and not the icon for the other article. However, the method of indicating the position of the first article is not limited thereto.

The display unit 150 may display the location of each item and item information together. As described above, the RFID information stored in the RFID tag may include various information such as the type, manufacturing date, expiration date, manufacturer, and delivery destination of the RFID tag-attached article. The display unit 150 may display the location of each item as an icon, and may display item information of each item together. In this case, item management can be further facilitated. For example, a company that manufactures or distributes food can easily search for the manufacturing date and expiration date of the food stored in each warehouse, and can quickly identify the location of the expired food and dispose of it. In addition, in the case of a distributor that distributes goods, since the type, manufacturer, and delivery destination of the goods stored in each warehouse can be easily searched, the goods can be quickly distributed without a separate confirmation operation.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the display unit 150 displays the number of articles existing in the ROI. That is, the central control unit searches for each RFID tag attached to the same type of articles based on the RFID information of the RFID tag, and counts the number of RFID tags existing in the region of interest based on the location of the retrieved RFID tag, The counted number of RFID tags is displayed on the display unit 150 . For example, if warehouse A1 is an area of interest, the central control unit searches for an RFID tag attached to article 1 based on the RFID information of registered patent 10-1682129-10 - individual RFID tag constituting a plurality of RFID tags, The number of RFID tags attached to article 1 existing in warehouse A1 is counted. In addition, the central control unit searches for RFID tags attached to article 2 and counts the number of RFID tags attached to article 2 existing in warehouse A1. Thereafter, the central control unit displays the number of article 1 and the number of article 2 on the display unit 150 based on the counted number of RFID tags. The number of articles may be shown in a table 454 as shown in FIG. 4 , but the method of displaying the number of articles is not limited thereto.

In the article management method using the RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention, the individual locations and article information of various articles existing in a wide area are displayed on the display unit 150 in real time, so that the article management can be facilitated. In addition, since the number of articles and information on articles existing in the region of interest can be quickly searched, there is no need to separately check the stock of articles, and time and cost for managing articles can be effectively reduced.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an article management method using an RFID tag according to another embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the article management method of FIG. In the article management method using the RFID tag shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the number of RFID tags in the region of interest is counted ( S250 ), and the interest is compared with the article management method using the RFID tag shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . The number of RFID tags in the region is compared with a preset threshold number (S260), and when the number of RFID tags in the region of interest is less than the threshold number, generating a preset event (S270). It is substantially the same as the article management method using the RFID tag shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . Therefore, a redundant description thereof will be omitted. Meanwhile, although FIG. 6 schematically shows a method for monitoring the quantity and position of parts existing in each process line, the article management method using an RFID tag according to another embodiment of the present invention is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. is not limited by

5 and 6 , after the positions of the RFID tags 661 and 662 are displayed on the display unit 150 , the article management method using the RFID tags is based on the calculated positions of the RFID tags 661 and 662 . , the number of RFID tags 661 and 662 existing in the preset ROI is counted (S250).

As shown in FIG. 6 , the RFID system can be applied to a process line. In order to smoothly operate the process line, it is necessary to accurately and quickly determine the number of parts supplied to each process line. The RFID tags 661 and 662 may be attached to respective parts, and part information for the corresponding parts may be pre-stored in the RFID tags 661 and 662 attached to each part. For example, information such as a type of a specific part, a manufacturing date, and a manufacturer may be previously stored in the RFID tags 661 and 662 . The receiving module 120 may calculate the current position of each part based on the response signal received from the activated RFID tags 661 and 662 , and the central controller 110 may be interested based on the calculated positions of the parts. It is possible to count the number of parts present in the area. The region of interest may be a specific process line. For example, the central control unit 110 controls the number of first RFID tags 661 attached to the first part supplied to the A process line 670A and the number of second RFID tags 662 attached to the second part. The first RFID tag ( The number of 661 and the number of second RFID tags 662 may be counted, respectively.

Thereafter, the number of RFID tags existing in the region of interest is compared with a preset threshold number ( S260 ).

The threshold number may be variously set according to the type of process line that the user is interested in. For example, the threshold number may be the minimum number of parts required to smoothly drive a process line.

When the number of RFID tags in the region of interest is less than the threshold number, a preset event is generated ( S270 ).

If the number of parts supplied to the process line is insufficient, the process line may not operate smoothly, so additional supply of parts may be required. Accordingly, the article management method using the RFID tag may generate various events when the number of parts supplied to the process line is less than the threshold number. Events may include various alerts. For example, the event may include at least one of a visual alert, an audible alert, and a tactile alert. 6 illustrates a state in which the display unit 150 generates a visual alarm 655 . In some embodiments, the article management method using the RFID tag may stop the operation of the process line when the number of parts supplied to a specific process line is insufficient. However, the generated event is not limited thereto, and the article management method using the RFID tag may generate various events.

The article management method using the RFID tag according to another embodiment of the present invention provides information on the type, number, location, etc. of the parts supplied to the process line in real time, so that the efficiency of the process can be improved, and the production yield of the product This can be improved.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the logistics monitoring method of FIG. Since the logistics monitoring method using the RFID tag shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can calculate the location of the RFID tag through substantially the same method as the article management method using the RFID tag shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is no overlap. A description is omitted. Meanwhile, although FIG. 8 schematically shows a method for monitoring logistics by attaching an RFID tag to a vehicle carrying goods, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is a method for monitoring logistics using an RFID tag according to another embodiment of the present invention. is not limited by

7 and 8, in the logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag, after displaying the calculated positions of the RFID tags 861 and 862 on the display unit, the positions of the RFID tags 861 and 862 and a plurality of check points A distance between at least one checkpoint 892 among (891, 892) is calculated (S750).

The logistics monitoring method using the RFID tag can be applied to the distribution industry distributing various items. In the case of the distribution industry, since it is necessary to distribute goods to an accurate destination within a short period of time, it is necessary to quickly grasp various information such as the type, quantity, manufacturer, manufacturing date, place of manufacture, origin, and destination of the goods. As described above, since the RFID system of the present invention can accurately read RFID information from an RFID tag existing in a wide area, the RFID system of the present invention can be efficiently utilized in the distribution industry. For example, the RFID tags 861 and 862 are attached to a vehicle carrying goods, and the type, quantity, manufacturer, date of manufacture, place of manufacture, departure point, It is possible to store information such as a destination and the like. The RFID tags 861 and 862 are activated by the transmitter 131 and generate response signals RS1 and RS2, and the receiver of the receiving module 120 receives the response signals RS1 and RS2, and the central control unit The 110 may read various information about the article loaded in the vehicle based on the response signals RS1 and RS2.

The location of the vehicle is calculated through the RFID tags 861 and 862 attached to the vehicle, and the distance TD between the checkpoints 891 and 892 and the vehicle is calculated based on the location of the RFID tags 861 and 862. can The check points 891 and 892 may be specific points where it is necessary to monitor the entrance and exit of the vehicle, for example, it may be an entrance door through which the vehicle enters and exits. FIG. 8 shows a state in which an article management system using an RFID tag is installed at the door for convenience of explanation.

Thereafter, the distance TD between the vehicle and the check points 891 and 892 is compared with a threshold distance ( S760 ).

If the distance TD between the vehicle and the at least one check point 892 is less than the threshold distance, the logistics monitoring method using the RFID tag generates a preset event (S770).

The preset event may be an alarm generating event such as a visual alarm, an auditory alarm, and a tactile alarm, and may be an event such as door opening when the RFID system is installed on the door. In some embodiments, when the distance TD between the vehicle and the at least one check point 892 is less than the threshold distance, the logistics monitoring method using the RFID tag is based on the RFID information pre-stored in the RFID tag 861, The validity of the RFID tag 861 is determined. If the RFID tag 861 is valid, the logistics monitoring method using the RFID tag opens the door, but if the RFID tag 861 is not valid, an alarm is generated through the alarm 850 installed on the door. In this case, vehicles entering and leaving the factory requiring security can be efficiently controlled and managed.

As described above, in the distribution monitoring method using the RIFD tag, information can be easily read from the RFID tag located at a long distance, and thus the distribution can be efficiently monitored. In addition, since various information stored in the RFID tag can be accurately read, time and cost for logistics management can be effectively reduced.

On the other hand, the RFID system of the present invention can be variously applied to industrial fields other than the distribution industry. For example, whether a veryimportant person (VIP) has visited can be known through the RIFD system, and when the VIP approaches the door, a welcome greeting can be displayed through a display installed on the door. In addition, it is possible to attach RIFD tags to the pass cards of workers working at hazardous work sites, and to manage whether the workers have completed safety training through the RFID system.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. . Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: RFID system
110: central control unit
120: receive module
121: receiver
122: position detector
131: first transmitter
132: second transmitter
141: first antenna
142: second antenna
150: display
161, 361, 661, 861: first RFID tag
162, 362, 662, 862: second RFID tag
180: server
451: Icon of the first RFID tag
452: Icon of the second RFID tag
453: detection area
454: Table indicating the number of items
655: visual alarm
670A: A process line
670B: B process line
670C: C process line
850: alarm
891, 892: check points

Claims (12)

transmitting a transmission signal through a plurality of transmitters to a plurality of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags present in a preset detection area, respectively;
receiving individual response signals generated from individual RFID tags constituting the plurality of RFID tags activated based on the transmission signal through a separate receiver separated from the plurality of transmitters;
Based on the characteristics of the individual response signal including the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the individual response signal received for a preset detection time, the detection of the individual RFID tag present in the detection area through a central control unit calculating a location; and
and displaying the calculated positions of the individual RFID tags on a display unit. According to claim 1,
Receiving the individual response signal through the receiver includes receiving RFID information pre-stored in the individual RFID tag,
The RFID information includes article information on the article to which the individual RFID tag is attached,
and the individual RFID tags are distinguished from each other based on the RFID information from the plurality of RFID tags. 3. The method of claim 2,
The product information includes at least one of a type of the product, a manufacturing date of the product, an expiration date of the product, a manufacturer of the product, and a delivery destination of the product. 3. The method of claim 2,
After displaying the position of the individual RFID tag on the display unit,
searching for at least one first RFID tag including first article information from among the plurality of RFID tags through the central control unit based on a monitoring command for a first article; and
and displaying the found location of the first RFID tag on the display unit so as to be distinguished from the locations of the other RFID tags. According to claim 1,
After displaying the position of the individual RFID tag on the display unit,
counting the number of individual RFID tags existing in a preset region of interest through the central controller based on the calculated positions of the individual RFID tags; and
and displaying the number of the individual RFID tags existing in the region of interest on the display unit. 6. The method of claim 5,
After displaying the number of the individual RFID tags on the display unit,
comparing the number of the individual RFID tags existing in the region of interest with a preset threshold number through the central control unit; and
and generating a preset event through an alarm when the number of the individual RFID tags existing in the region of interest is smaller than the threshold number. 7. The method of claim 6,
The method for managing articles using a passive RFID tag, characterized in that the preset event includes at least one of a visual alert, an auditory alert, and a tactile alert. transmitting a transmission signal to at least one RFID tag through a plurality of transmitters respectively installed at a plurality of preset check points;
receiving a response signal generated from the RFID tag activated based on the transmission signal through a separate receiver separated from the plurality of transmitters;
calculating a position of the RFID tag through a central controller based on characteristics of the response signal including a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the response signal received during a preset detection time;
displaying the calculated position of the RFID tag on a display unit;
calculating a distance between the location of the RFID tag and at least one of the plurality of check points through the central control unit; and
When the distance between the location of the RFID tag and the at least one checkpoint is less than a preset threshold distance, generating a preset event through an alarm. . 9. The method of claim 8,
The position of the RFID tag is calculated repeatedly at the detection time interval,
The position of the RFID tag displayed on the display unit is characterized in that it is updated at the detection time interval, Logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag. 9. The method of claim 8,
Receiving the response signal through the receiver includes receiving RFID information pre-stored in the RFID tag,
The RFID information of the RFID tag is a logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag, characterized in that it includes information about a person who possesses the RFID tag or an article to which the RFID tag is attached. 11. The method of claim 10,
The step of displaying the position of the RFID tag on the display unit comprises:
and displaying the location of the RFID tag and information on the person possessing the RFID tag or the article to which the RFID tag is attached on the display unit. . 12. The method of claim 11,
The information on the article to which the RFID tag is attached includes the type of the article loaded in the vehicle to which the RFID tag is attached;
A logistics monitoring method using an RFID tag, characterized in that it includes at least one of information about the manufacturer of the article, the origin of the article, the destination of the article, the number of the article, and the date of manufacture of the article.

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