WO2022201486A1

WO2022201486A1 - Conveyed object management device, conveyed object management method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2022201486A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/012850
Authority: WO
Inventors: 秀和長岡; 里江子上野; 秀幸三好; 大輔川崎; 薫山根
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2021-03-26
Filing date: 2021-03-26
Publication date: 2022-09-29
Also published as: JPWO2022201486A1

Abstract

This conveyed object management device (10) comprises a readout unit (130) and a transmission unit (140). The readout unit (130) is capable of using information stored in a storage unit (150). The storage unit (150) stores, individually for each conveyed object, at least communication device identification information pertaining to a wireless communication device attached to the conveyed object. Upon acquiring information that specifies an object being conveyed (referred to below as subject specification information), the readout unit (130) reads out the communication device identification information corresponding to the subject specification information from the storage unit (150). The transmission unit (140) transmits, to the wireless communication device indicated by the communication device identification information read out by the readout unit (130), a light emission signal for causing a light-emitting device attached to the conveyed object to emit light.

Description

Conveyed article management device, conveyed article management method, and program

The present invention relates to a transported article management device, a transported article management method, and a program.

In recent years, wireless communication tags have been used in various fields. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a server that manages the positions of wireless terminals such as active tags. In Patent Literature 1, a wireless terminal is attached to an object to be managed. The server causes markers representing the installation positions of one or more communication devices to be displayed together with the map. This communication device transmits a positioning signal representing location information of the communication device to the wireless terminal. Also, the wireless terminal stores the positioning signal acquired from the communication device. The user then selects a marker. The server identifies the wireless terminal that is receiving the positioning signal from the communication device corresponding to the selected marker, and displays information on the identified wireless terminal.

Note that Patent Document 2 describes that recognition markers are provided in each part of a working machine such as a hydraulic excavator, and the operating state of each part is detected by specifying the positions of these recognition markers by image processing. ing.

JP 2014-60466 A International Publication No. 2015-182455

At a place where multiple items are arranged, for example at a distribution center, transport equipment such as forklifts may be used to sequentially move multiple items. In order to improve the efficiency of this work, it is necessary to make the operator who operates the conveying device efficiently recognize the article to be conveyed next.

An example of an object of the present invention is to allow an operator operating a conveying device to efficiently recognize the next conveyed object when a conveying device is used to sequentially move a plurality of conveyed objects. .

According to the present invention, there is provided an article management apparatus for managing a plurality of articles to be conveyed,
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The transported article management device includes:
storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of conveyed articles, and
a reading means for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the object specifying information for specifying the target object to be conveyed by the conveying means is acquired;
transmitting means for transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read by the reading means;
There is provided a transported item management device comprising:

According to the present invention, there is provided an article management method for managing a plurality of articles to be conveyed using a computer, comprising:
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The computer is
storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of conveyed articles, and
a reading process for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the object specifying information specifying the target object to be conveyed by the conveying means is acquired;
a transmitting process of transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read out in the reading process;
Provided is a method of managing a transported object.

According to the present invention, a program that causes a computer to have a function of managing a plurality of items to be transported,
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The computer can use storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of goods to be conveyed,
to the computer;
a reading function for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the target specifying information for specifying the target transported article to be transported by the transporting means is acquired;
a transmission function for transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read by the reading function;
A program is provided that causes the

According to the present invention, it is possible to make the operator operating the conveying device efficiently recognize the article to be conveyed next.

The above-mentioned objects, as well as other objects, features and advantages, will become further apparent from the preferred embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings below.

It is a figure for demonstrating the usage environment of the goods management apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the perspective schematic diagram of a conveyed article. It is a perspective schematic diagram of a conveying apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the marker of a conveyed article. It is a figure which shows an example of the marker of a conveying apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional structure of a conveyed goods management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which the memory|storage part has memorize|stored. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a wireless communication device; FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of a conveyed article management apparatus. 4 is a flow chart showing a first example of processing performed by the article management apparatus; 7 is a flow chart showing a second example of processing performed by the article management apparatus; FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a first modification of FIG. 11; FIG. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a second modification of FIG. 11; FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a third example of processing performed by the transported article management apparatus; It is a figure which shows an example of the information which the display apparatus of a conveying apparatus displays.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in all the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the usage environment of the goods management device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the conveyed object 40. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the transport device 50. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, a first area 62 and a second area 64 are located, for example, in a warehouse of a logistics hub. A first area 62 is, for example, a storage area and a second area 64 is, for example, a shipping berth.

The transported article management device 10 is used together with the imaging device 20, the wireless relay device 30, and the transport device 50. The conveying device 50 is, for example, a forklift, and sequentially conveys a plurality of articles 40 from the first area 62 to the second area 64 . The imaging device 20 includes the first region 62 and the second region 64 in its imaging range, and repeatedly generates images. The frame rate at this time is, for example, 1 frame/second or more, but is not limited to this value. The wireless relay device 30 includes a first area 62 and a second area 64 in its communication range. In order to do so, for example, the imaging device 20 and the wireless relay device 30 are arranged above the first area 62 and the second area 64 . Moreover, at least one of the imaging device 20 and the wireless relay device 30 may be provided in plurality as needed.

Then, the transported object management device 10 performs processing for making it easier for the operator of the transport device 50 (for example, a forklift driver) to recognize the transported object 40 to be transported next (hereinafter referred to as the target transported object). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , a wireless communication device 410 and a light emitting device 420 are attached to the transported article 40 . Conveyed article management device 10 transmits a signal for causing light emitting device 420 to emit light (hereinafter referred to as a light emission signal) to wireless communication device 410 of the target article via wireless relay device 30 . Upon receiving the light emission signal, wireless communication device 410 causes light emitting device 420 to emit light. Thereby, the operator of the transport device 50 can easily recognize the object to be transported.

At this time, the transported item management device 10 may use the relative positions of the transporting device 50 and the transported object to determine whether or not to transmit the light emission signal to the wireless communication device 410 as necessary. In this case, the transported object management apparatus 10 uses the result of processing the image generated by the imaging device 20 to specify the relative position between the transporting device 50 and the object to be transported.

A marker 430 is attached to the conveyed object 40, and a marker 510 is attached to the conveying device 50. The image generated by imaging device 20 includes

markers

430 and 510 . The article management apparatus 10 calculates the position of the article 40 and the position of the transport device 50 by processing the image generated by the imaging device 20 .

In the example shown in this figure, the marker 430 is attached to the upper surface of the conveyed object 40 and the marker 510 is attached to the upper surface of the conveying device 50 . However, the positions of the

markers

430 and 510 are not limited to the above examples as long as they are positions that are easily imaged by the imaging device 20 .

A display device 520 is also provided in the conveying device 50 . The display device 520 is provided to allow the operator of the conveying device 50 to recognize predetermined information. An example of information displayed on the display device 520 is information indicating the position of the target transported article. The display device 520 receives information to be displayed from the goods management device 10 via the wireless relay device 30 . In addition, the display device 520 may be incorporated in the transport device 50 or may be detachable from the transport device 50 . In the latter case, an example of the display device 520 is a portable communication terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smart phone.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the marker 430. FIG. As shown in this figure, the marker 430 has a positioning marker 432 and an identification marker 434 . The positioning marker 432 and the identification marker 434 are printed on, for example, a sheet-like base material (eg, paper).

The position positioning marker 432 has a predetermined pattern. When this pattern is photographed, the pattern in the image is distorted differently depending on the photographing angle. Therefore, the article management apparatus 10 can calculate the position of the marker 430 (that is, the position of the article 40) with respect to the imaging device 20 by recognizing the distortion and size of the pattern in the image. Since the imaging device 20 is fixed, the position of the article 40 calculated here substantially indicates the position of the article 40 in the real space.

The identification marker 434 is, for example, a code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. This code includes identification information of the article 40 to which the marker 430 is to be attached (hereinafter referred to as article identification information).

A wireless communication device 410 and a light emitting device 420 are attached to the marker 430 . As described above, the wireless communication device 410 is, for example, a wireless communication tag, and communicates with the goods management device 10 via the wireless relay device 30 . Also, the wireless communication device 410 controls the light emitting state of the light emitting device 420 in accordance with the signal transmitted from the article management device 10 . Wireless communication device 410 and light emitting device 420 may be integrated. This integrated object is fixed to the base material of the marker 430 . A code 411 is assigned to the wireless communication device 410 . The code 411 is, for example, a bar code or a two-dimensional code, and includes identification information of the wireless communication device 410 (hereinafter referred to as communication device identification information).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the marker 510. FIG. As shown in this figure, the marker 510 has a positioning marker 512 and an identification marker 514 . Location positioning marker 512 is similar to location positioning marker 432 of marker 430 . The identification marker 514 is, for example, a code such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code. This code includes identification information of the transport device 50 to which the marker 510 is to be attached (hereinafter referred to as device identification information).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the transported article management apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. The goods management apparatus 10 includes a readout section 130 and a transmission section 140 .

The reading unit 130 can use the information stored in the storage unit 150. The storage unit 150 stores at least the communication device identification information of the wireless communication device 410 attached to the article 40 for each article 40 to be transferred. Then, when acquiring the information specifying the transport object (hereinafter referred to as object specifying information), the reading unit 130 reads the communication device identification information corresponding to this object specifying information from the storage unit 150 . In the example shown in this figure, the storage unit 150 is part of the transported article management apparatus 10 . However, the storage unit 150 may be located outside the transported article management apparatus 10 .

The transmission unit 140 transmits the light emission signal to the wireless communication device 410 indicated by the communication device identification information read by the reading unit 130 . For example, the transmission unit 140 transmits the light emission signal together with the communication device identification information. When the wireless communication device 410 receives the communication device identification information of the wireless communication device 410 and the light emission signal, the wireless communication device 410 causes the light emitting device 420 to emit light.

In the example shown in this figure, the transported article management device 10 further includes a relative position acquisition unit 120 . The relative position acquisition unit 120 acquires information indicating the relative position between the object to be transported and the transport device 50 (hereinafter referred to as relative position information). Then, the transmission unit 140 transmits a light emission signal as necessary when the relative position information satisfies the first criterion. The first criterion is, for example, that the relative distance is equal to or less than a reference value.

In this case, the transmission unit 140 may perform processing for changing the light emission pattern of the light emitting device 420 according to the relative position indicated by the relative position information. For example, the transmitter 140 may include a signal indicating the light emission pattern in the light emission signal. Further, the transmitter 140 may include the relative position information in the light emission signal. In this case, wireless communication device 410 determines the light emission pattern of light emitting device 420 according to the relative position indicated by the relative position information.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the relative position information is generated using the result of processing the image generated by the imaging device 20 . Specifically, the transported article management apparatus 10 has an image acquisition unit 110 . The image acquisition unit 110 acquires an image generated by the imaging device 20 . This image includes the marker 510 (an example of the first identification code) of the conveying device 50 . Then, the relative position acquisition unit 120 generates information indicating the position of the transport device 50 (hereinafter referred to as first position information) by processing the marker 510 in the image. Then, the relative position acquisition unit 120 generates relative position information using the first position information and information indicating the position of the target transported article (hereinafter referred to as second position information).

Here, the second position information may be stored in the storage unit 150 in advance. Further, when the image used when generating the first position information includes the marker 430 (an example of the second identification code) of the conveyed object 40, the relative position acquisition unit 120 processes the marker 430 in this image. may generate the second location information.

Also, the relative position acquisition unit 120 may identify the orientation of the transport device 50 by processing the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 110 . In this case, the transmitting unit 140 transmits the light emission signal to the wireless communication device 410 when the relative position information satisfies the first criterion and the orientation (for example, traveling direction) of the conveying device 50 satisfies the second criterion. good too. Here, the second criterion is, for example, that the conveyed object 40 is assumed to be within the field of view of the operator of the conveying device 50 . For example, the orientation of the conveying device 50 is defined as the center line, and ±a reference angle (for example, 30°) of the center line is defined as the predetermined range. An example of the second criterion is that the object to be conveyed is positioned within this predetermined range.

Further, the relative position acquisition unit 120 processes the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 110 to obtain information indicating the position of the target object after being transported to the second area 64 (hereinafter referred to as third position information). ), and this information may be stored in the storage unit 150 in association with the target conveyed article. A method of generating the third location information is the same as the method of generating the second location information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 150. As shown in FIG. In the example shown in this figure, the storage unit 150 stores, for each conveyed article 40, conveyed article identification information, information specifying an article (for example, product) included in the conveyed article 40 (hereinafter referred to as article identification information), communication Device identification information, second location information, and third location information are stored.

Here, the second position information is generated by processing the image generated by the imaging device 20 when the conveyed article 40 is received in the first area 62 . Therefore, the storage unit 150 stores the second position information at the timing when the article 40 is transported to the second area 64 . In other words, the storage unit 150 stores the second position information for each of the multiple items 40 to be transported. The transmitter 140 then uses this second position information when generating the relative position information.

Also, the conveyed article identification information, the article identification information, and the communication device identification information are stored in the storage unit 150 when the conveyed article 40 is received in the first area 62, for example. As an example, when receiving the goods 40 in the first area 62, the operator attaches the marker 430 to the goods 40 and reads and stores the code 411 and the identification marker 434 of the marker 430 using a code reader. Stored in unit 150 . Also, a code (for example, a bar code or a two-dimensional code) indicating article specific information is attached to the conveyed article 40 . Then, when receiving the conveyed article 40 in the first area 62 , the operator uses a code reader to read this code and store it in the storage section 150 .

If the item is a product, an example of the item identification information is the JAN code. Further, the third position information is not stored in the article 40 before being conveyed to the second area 64 .

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the wireless communication device 410. As shown in FIG. The wireless communication device 410 has an antenna 412 and a controller 414 . Antenna 412 receives the light emission signal transmitted from wireless relay device 30 . Control unit 414 controls light emitting device 420 according to this light emission signal. The control unit 414 stores a program for performing this control.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the transported article management apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. The goods management apparatus 10 has a bus 1010 , a processor 1020 , a memory 1030 , a storage device 1040 , an input/output interface 1050 and a network interface 1060 .

The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for the processor 1020, the memory 1030, the storage device 1040, the input/output interface 1050, and the network interface 1060 to exchange data with each other. However, the method of connecting processors 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

The processor 1020 is a processor realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like.

The memory 1030 is a main memory implemented by RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), memory card, ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The storage device 1040 stores program modules that implement each function of the article management apparatus 10 (for example, the image acquisition unit 110, the relative position acquisition unit 120, the reading unit 130, and the transmission unit 140). Each function corresponding to the program module is realized by the processor 1020 reading each program module into the memory 1030 and executing it. The storage device 1040 also functions as the storage unit 150 .

The input/output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the goods management apparatus 10 and various input/output devices.

The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the goods management apparatus 10 to the network. This network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). A method for connecting the network interface 1060 to the network may be a wireless connection or a wired connection. The transported article management device 10 may communicate with the imaging device 20 and the wireless relay device 30 via the network interface 1060 .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing performed by the transported article management apparatus 10. FIG. This figure shows the processing for causing the light emitting device 420 of the transported article 40 to emit light.

In the example shown in this figure, the order of transportation of the goods 40 is determined in advance. The storage unit 150 of the transported article management apparatus 10 stores information indicating the transport order (hereinafter referred to as transport order information). The transport order information is, for example, a list of transported object identification information arranged in the order of transport. Then, the article management apparatus 10 performs the processing shown in this figure each time transportation of a certain target article is completed. The determination as to whether or not the transport of the object to be transported has ended is made, for example, by the relative position acquisition unit 120 processing the image generated by the imaging device 20 .

When the transport of a certain target transported product is completed, the reading unit 130 of the transported product management apparatus 10 acquires the transported product identification information (an example of the above-described target specifying information) for the next transported target (step S100). Next, the reading unit 130 reads out the communication device identification information corresponding to this conveyed article identification information from the storage unit 150 (step S110). Then, the transmission unit 140 transmits the communication device identification information and the light emission signal via the wireless relay device 30 (step S120).

When the communication device identification information of the wireless communication device 410 is transmitted from the wireless relay device 30, the wireless communication device 410 of the conveyed article 40 causes the light emitting device 420 to emit light according to the light emission signal transmitted together with the communication device identification information. Let

It should be noted that when a plurality of transport devices 50 are moving in parallel, the transport order information is stored for each transport device 50 . Then, the transported object management device 10 performs the processing shown in FIG. 10 for each of the multiple transport devices 50 . This is the same for the second example and its modification, which will be described later.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a second example of processing performed by the transported article management apparatus 10. FIG. The example shown in this figure is the same as the first example shown in FIG. 10 except for the following points. First, the imaging device 20 repeatedly generates images and immediately transmits the generated images to the transported article management device 10 . Then, when the relative position information satisfies the first criterion, that is, when the relative position between the object to be conveyed and the conveying device 50 satisfies the first criterion, the article management device 10 transmits a light emission signal. The second example will be described in detail below.

When the transport of a certain target transported product is completed, the reading unit 130 of the transported product management apparatus 10 acquires the transported product identification information (an example of the above-described target specifying information) for the next transported target (step S200). The processing performed here is the same as that of step S100 in FIG.

Next, the reading unit 130 reads out the communication device identification information corresponding to the conveyed object identification information and the second position information, that is, the position of the conveyed object from the storage unit 150 (step S210). Then, the transmission unit 140 repeats the processing shown in steps S220 to S240 until the relative position information satisfies the first criterion.

First, the image acquisition unit 110 acquires an image generated by the imaging device 20 (step S220). Next, the relative position acquisition unit 120 processes this image to generate first position information, that is, information indicating the current position of the transport device 50 (step S230). Next, relative position acquisition section 120 generates relative position information using this first position information and the second position information read in step S210. If the relative position information does not satisfy the first criterion (step S240: No), the transmitter 140 returns to step S220.

If the relative position information satisfies the first criterion (step S240: Yes), the transmitter 140 transmits the communication device identification information read in step S210 together with the light emission signal via the wireless relay device 30 ( step S250).

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a first modified example of FIG. The example shown in this figure is the same as the example shown in FIG. 11 except that the orientation of the conveying device 50 is also used as a condition for transmitting the light emission signal.

Specifically, the processes shown in steps S200 to S230 are as described with reference to FIG. After generating the first position information (step S230), the relative position acquisition unit 120 identifies the orientation of the transport device 50 by processing the image acquired in step S220 (step S242). The transmitter 140 then calculates the relative position information. If the relative position information does not satisfy the first criterion, or the orientation of the conveying device 50 does not satisfy the second criterion (step S244: No), the process returns to step S220.

Further, when the relative position information satisfies the first criterion and the orientation of the conveying device 50 satisfies the second criterion (step S244: Yes), the transmission unit 140 transmits the communication device identification information read in step S210 to Together with the light emission signal, it is transmitted via the wireless relay device 30 (step S250).

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a second modification of FIG. The example shown in this figure is the same as the example shown in FIG. 11 except that the light emission pattern of the light emitting device 420 changes according to the relative position (that is, relative position information) between the object to be conveyed and the conveying device 50 .

Specifically, the processes shown in steps S200 to S240 are as described with reference to FIG. Then, if the relative position information satisfies the first criterion (step S240: Yes), the transmission unit 140 uses the relative position information to identify the light emission pattern of the light emitting device 420 (step S246). For example, the transmission unit 140 may cause the light emitting device 420 to blink, and may increase the blinking speed as the conveying device 50 approaches the object to be conveyed.

The transmission unit 140 includes a signal indicating the determined light emission pattern in the light emission signal. Then, the transmission unit 140 transmits the read communication device identification information in step S210 together with the light emission signal via the wireless relay device 30 (step S250). After that, the process returns to step S220.

Then, when the communication device identification information of the wireless communication device 410 is transmitted from the wireless relay device 30, the wireless communication device 410 of the conveyed article 40 follows the light emission pattern indicated by the light emission signal transmitted together with the communication device identification information. The light emitting device 420 is caused to emit light.

The transported item management device 10 repeats the processing shown in this figure until the relative distance between the transport device 50 and the transported object becomes equal to or less than the reference value.

Note that, as described using FIG. 6, the transmission unit 140 may include the relative position information in the light emission signal. In this case, wireless communication device 410 determines the light emission pattern of light emitting device 420 according to the relative position indicated by the relative position information.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a third example of processing performed by the transported article management apparatus 10. FIG. In the processing shown in the figure, the transported object management apparatus 10 causes the display device 520 of the transporting device 50 to display information for allowing the operator of the transporting device 50 to recognize the position of the target transported object. This information is generated using relative position information.

The processing shown in this figure is performed after step S230 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. After the first position information indicating the position of the transport device 50 is generated (step S230), the transmitter 140 generates relative position information. As described above, the relative position information indicates the relative positions of the transport device 50 and the object to be transported. Then, the transmission unit 140 generates display information for indicating the position of the object to be conveyed with respect to the current position of the conveying device 50 (step S260), and displays this display information on the display device 520 of the conveying device 50. Send (step S270). The display device 520 displays the received display information.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed by the display device 520. FIG. In the example shown in this figure, the direction in which the object to be conveyed exists with respect to the conveying device 50 is shown. However, the information displayed by the display device 520 is not limited to the example shown in this figure.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make the operator operating the conveying device efficiently recognize the article to be conveyed next. Further, according to the process shown in FIG. 11, the object management apparatus 10 detects that the relative positions of the transport device 50 and the target object satisfy the first criterion (for example, that they are close to each other to some extent) by turning the light emitting device 420 on. It is a condition for emitting light. In this case, the operator of the conveying device 50 can easily recognize the article to be conveyed next.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the conveyed article 40 may be provided with an audio output device instead of or in addition to the light emitting device 420 .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can be adopted.

Also, in the plurality of flowcharts used in the above description, a plurality of steps (processing) are described in order, but the execution order of the steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order of description. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed within a range that does not interfere with the content. Moreover, each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as the contents do not contradict each other.

Some or all of the above embodiments can also be described as the following additional remarks, but are not limited to the following.
1. A conveyed article management device for managing a plurality of conveyed articles to be conveyed,
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The transported article management device includes:
storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of conveyed articles, and
a reading means for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the object specifying information for specifying the target object to be conveyed by the conveying means is acquired;
transmitting means for transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read by the reading means;
Conveying object management device.
2. In the transported object management device described in 1 above,
Relative position acquisition means for acquiring relative position information indicating the relative position of the transport means and the target transported object,
The transported article management apparatus, wherein the transmission means transmits the light emission signal when the relative position information satisfies a first criterion.
3. 2. In the transported object management device described in 2 above,
The transported item management apparatus, wherein the transmission means performs processing for changing the light emission pattern of the light emission means in accordance with the relative position indicated by the relative position information.
4. In the transported item management device according to 2 or 3 above,
The relative position acquisition means is
obtaining an image including the conveying means, and generating first position information indicating the position of the conveying means using a processing result of the image;
A conveyed article management apparatus that generates the relative position information using the first position information.
5. 4. In the transported object management device according to 4 above,
The relative position acquisition means identifies the orientation of the conveying means by processing the image,
The transported article management apparatus, wherein the transmitting means transmits the light emission signal when the relative position information satisfies the first criterion and the orientation of the conveying means satisfies the second criterion.
6. In the transported item management device according to 4 or 5 above,
The storage means stores second position information indicating the position of each of the plurality of conveyed articles,
The conveyed article management apparatus, wherein the relative position acquisition means generates the relative position information using the second position information.
7. 6. In the transported object management device according to 6 above,
The relative position acquisition means processes the image to generate third position information indicating the position of the target object after transportation, and stores the third position information in association with the target object. A conveyed article management device stored in means.
8. In the transported object management device according to any one of 4 to 7 above,
The conveying means is attached with a first identification code for identifying the conveying means,
The conveyed article management apparatus, wherein the relative position obtaining means generates the first position information by processing the first identification code in the image.
9. In the transported object management device according to any one of 4 to 8 above,
A second identification code is attached to each of the plurality of items to be transported for identifying the item to be transported,
The conveyed article management apparatus, wherein the relative position acquisition means generates second position information indicating the position of the conveyed article by using the position of the second identification code within the image.
10. In the transported object management device according to any one of 2 to 9 above,
the conveying means is operated by a driver and has display means;
The transmission means generates display information to be displayed on the display means using the relative position information, and transmits the display information to the display means.
11. A transported object management method for managing a plurality of transported objects to be transported using a computer,
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The computer is
storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of conveyed articles, and
a reading process for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the object specifying information specifying the target object to be conveyed by the conveying means is acquired;
a transmitting process of transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read out in the reading process;
A method of managing goods to be carried.
12. 12. In the transported article management method described in 11 above,
The computer is
performing relative position acquisition processing for acquiring relative position information indicating the relative positions of the conveying means and the target conveyed object;
The transported article management method, wherein in the transmission process, the light emission signal is transmitted when the relative position information satisfies a first criterion.
13. 12. In the transported article management method described in 12 above,
A transported article management method, wherein in the transmission process, the computer performs a process for changing a light emission pattern of the light emitting means in accordance with the relative position indicated by the relative position information.
14. 14. In the transported article management method described in 12 or 13 above,
The computer, in the relative position acquisition process,
obtaining an image including the conveying means, and generating first position information indicating the position of the conveying means using a processing result of the image;
A transported article management method, wherein the relative position information is generated using the first position information.
15. 15. In the transported article management method described in 14 above,
The computer is
identifying the orientation of the transport means by processing the image in the relative position acquisition process;
The transported object management method, wherein in the transmission process, the light emission signal is transmitted when the relative position information satisfies the first criterion and the orientation of the conveying means satisfies the second criterion.
16. 16. In the transported article management method described in 14 or 15 above,
The storage means stores second position information indicating the position of each of the plurality of conveyed articles,
The conveyed article management method, wherein the computer generates the relative position information using the second position information in the relative position acquisition process.
17. 17. In the transported object management method described in 16 above,
In the relative position acquisition process, the computer processes the image to generate third position information indicating the position of the target object after transportation, and binds the third position information to the target object. A method of managing a transported object, wherein the object is stored in the storage means.
18. In the transported article management method according to any one of 14 to 17 above,
The conveying means is attached with a first identification code for identifying the conveying means,
The transported article management method, wherein the computer generates the first position information by processing the first identification code in the image in the relative position acquisition process.
19. In the transported article management method according to any one of 14 to 18 above,
A second identification code is attached to each of the plurality of items to be transported for identifying the item to be transported,
The method of managing goods, wherein the computer generates second position information indicating the position of the goods by using the position of the second identification code in the image in the relative position acquisition process.
20. 20. In the transported article management method according to any one of 12 to 19 above,
the conveying means is operated by a driver and has display means;
The transported article management method, wherein in the transmission process, the computer generates display information to be displayed on the display means using the relative position information, and transmits the display information to the display means.
21. A program that gives a computer a function of managing a plurality of items to be transported,
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The computer can use storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of goods to be conveyed,
to the computer;
a reading function for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the target specifying information for specifying the target transported article to be transported by the transporting means is acquired;
a transmission function for transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read by the reading function;
A program that allows you to do
22. In the program according to 21 above,
The computer is provided with a relative position acquisition function for acquiring relative position information indicating the relative position of the transport means and the object to be transported,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the transmission function transmits the light emission signal when the relative position information satisfies a first criterion.
23. In the program described in 22 above,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the transmission function performs processing for changing the light emission pattern of the light emitting means according to the relative position indicated by the relative position information.
24. In the program according to 22 or 23 above,
The relative position acquisition function is
obtaining an image including the conveying means, and generating first position information indicating the position of the conveying means using a processing result of the image;
A program for generating the relative position information using the first position information.
25. In the program described in 24 above,
The relative position acquisition function identifies the orientation of the conveying means by processing the image,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the transmission function transmits the light emission signal when the relative position information satisfies the first criterion and the orientation of the conveying means satisfies the second criterion.
26. In the program according to 24 or 25 above,
The storage means stores second position information indicating the position of each of the plurality of conveyed articles,
A program according to claim 1, wherein the relative position acquisition function generates the relative position information using the second position information.
27. In the program according to 26 above,
The relative position acquisition function processes the image to generate third position information indicating the position of the target object after transportation, and stores the third position information in association with the target object. A program stored in a means.
28. In the program according to any one of 24 to 27 above,
The conveying means is attached with a first identification code for identifying the conveying means,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the relative position acquisition function generates the first position information by processing the first identification code within the image.
29. In the program according to any one of 24 to 28 above,
A second identification code is attached to each of the plurality of items to be transported for identifying the item to be transported,
The program, wherein the relative position acquisition function generates second position information indicating the position of the conveyed object using the position of the second identification code within the image.
30. In the program according to any one of 22 to 29 above,
said transport means is operated by a driver and has a display means,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the transmission function uses the relative position information to generate display information to be displayed on the display means, and transmits the display information to the display means.

10 Conveyed goods management device 20 Imaging device 30 Wireless relay device 40 Conveyed goods 50 Conveying device 62 First region 64 Second region 110 Image acquiring unit 120 Relative position acquiring unit 130 Reading unit 140 Transmitting unit 150 Storage unit 410 Wireless communication device 411 Code 412 antenna 414 control unit 420 light emitting device 430 marker 432 positioning marker 434 identification marker 510 marker 512 positioning marker 514 identification marker 520 display device

Claims

A conveyed article management device for managing a plurality of conveyed articles to be conveyed,
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The transported article management device includes:
storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of conveyed articles, and
a reading means for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the object specifying information for specifying the target object to be conveyed by the conveying means is acquired;
transmitting means for transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read by the reading means;
Conveying object management device.
In the conveyed object management device according to claim 1,
Relative position acquisition means for acquiring relative position information indicating the relative position of the transport means and the target transported object,
The transported article management apparatus, wherein the transmission means transmits the light emission signal when the relative position information satisfies a first criterion.
In the conveyed object management device according to claim 2,
The transported item management apparatus, wherein the transmission means performs processing for changing the light emission pattern of the light emission means in accordance with the relative position indicated by the relative position information.
In the conveyed item management device according to claim 2 or 3,
The relative position acquisition means is
obtaining an image including the conveying means, and generating first position information indicating the position of the conveying means using a processing result of the image;
A conveyed article management apparatus that generates the relative position information using the first position information.
In the conveyed object management device according to claim 4,
The relative position acquisition means identifies the orientation of the conveying means by processing the image,
The transported article management apparatus, wherein the transmitting means transmits the light emission signal when the relative position information satisfies the first criterion and the orientation of the conveying means satisfies the second criterion.
In the transported object management device according to claim 4 or 5,
The storage means stores second position information indicating the position of each of the plurality of conveyed articles,
The conveyed article management apparatus, wherein the relative position acquisition means generates the relative position information using the second position information.
In the conveyed object management device according to claim 6,
The relative position acquisition means processes the image to generate third position information indicating the position of the target object after transportation, and stores the third position information in association with the target object. A conveyed article management device stored in means.
In the transported object management device according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The conveying means is attached with a first identification code for identifying the conveying means,
The conveyed article management apparatus, wherein the relative position obtaining means generates the first position information by processing the first identification code in the image.
In the transported object management device according to any one of claims 4 to 8,
A second identification code is attached to each of the plurality of items to be transported for identifying the item to be transported,
The conveyed article management apparatus, wherein the relative position acquisition means generates second position information indicating the position of the conveyed article by using the position of the second identification code within the image.
In the transported object management device according to any one of claims 2 to 9,
the conveying means is operated by a driver and has display means;
The transmission means generates display information to be displayed on the display means using the relative position information, and transmits the display information to the display means.
A transported object management method for managing a plurality of transported objects to be transported using a computer,
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The computer is
storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of conveyed articles, and
a reading process for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the object specifying information specifying the target object to be conveyed by the conveying means is acquired;
a transmitting process of transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read out in the reading process;
A method of managing goods to be carried.
A program that gives a computer a function of managing a plurality of items to be transported,
Wireless communication means, light emitting means, and control means for controlling the light emitting means are attached to the plurality of conveyed objects,
The computer can use storage means for storing communication means identification information for identifying the wireless communication means attached to each of the plurality of goods to be conveyed,
to the computer;
a reading function for reading, from the storage means, the communication means identification information corresponding to the target specifying information, when the target specifying information for specifying the target transported article to be transported by the transporting means is acquired;
a transmission function for transmitting a light emission signal for causing the light emitting means to emit light to the wireless communication means indicated by the communication means identification information read by the reading function;
A program that allows you to do