JP4255339B2 - Product management system and product management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a merchandise management system and merchandise management method for managing merchandise distribution using RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, research on so-called RFID, which is a technique for detecting an electronic tag in a non-contact manner and reading information recorded on an IC chip inside the electronic tag, has been actively conducted.

  Among these, particularly, RFID that transmits and receives data using microwaves in the 2.45 GHz band has the advantage that there is little influence of communication due to external noise, no battery is required for the electronic tag, and the communication distance is as long as 0 to 1.5 m. . For this reason, since the electronic tag can be reliably recognized even from a distance, it is expected to be used in various fields such as logistics management and management of people entering and leaving.

  An example of a product management method using an electronic tag will be described below. In the physical distribution system of Patent Document 1, electronic tags are attached to individual commodities such as clothing, precious metals, and accessories, and electronic tags are also attached to a packing box for packing them. Therefore, when checking the packed product, the product in the packing box can be checked instantaneously without unpacking.

  Also, in the medicine storage management method of Patent Document 2, an electronic tag in which different identification information is written is attached to a medicine packaging body, and different identification information is also written to an integrated packaging body that wraps a plurality of these packaging bodies. An electronic tag is attached. Accordingly, even if the inside of the integrated packaging is not visible, it is possible to confirm whether or not the number of medicines in the integrated packaging is a regular number. In addition, since the identification information of the electronic tag is different from each other, it is said that the medical institution or pharmaceutical wholesaler can manage and store the medicine.

JP 2002-37413 A JP 2003-63535 A

  However, when extracting necessary information from the electronic tag, it is necessary to communicate with the electronic tag of the packing box and all of the electronic tags of the packed goods. This is because a plurality of products and electronic tags attached to the packaging box for packing the products are arranged close to each other, so that all these electronic tags are within the receivable range of radio waves read from the reader / writer. Because it will end up.

  When a plurality of electronic tags react with the radio waves read from the reader / writer, the reader / writer reads the contents while communicating with all the electronic tags. This causes a problem that the number of communication times increases and the processing time increases. In addition, communication is normal in a poor communication environment (in an environment where there are multiple electronic tags close to each other, there is a high possibility that the radio wave will be reflected by the electronic tag and the reader / writer will receive an incorrect signal). However, if a retry is performed, the number of communication increases further and the processing time becomes longer. If it takes too much time to communicate with the electronic tag in the distribution stage where the ID information is read from the packing box carried by the belt conveyor to check the contents of the packing box, the speed of the belt conveyor is reduced or the belt conveyor is temporarily stopped. I have to let it. As a result, there arises a problem that costs are increased such as adding a belt conveyor or arranging personnel to secure a constant flow rate.

  In addition, since power is supplied to the electronic tag by radio waves from the reader / writer, if there are a large number of electronic tags that communicate at the same time, the power supplied to the electronic tag may be insufficient and communication may not be possible.

  The reader / writer also has a function to attach identification information such as a serial number to the electronic tag and read only the electronic tag with the identification information, but actually communicates with all the electronic tags and confirms that the identification information matches. As a result, there are not many opportunities for communication.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a product management system and a product management method that improve the efficiency of product management by communicating only with a desired electronic tag. To do.

  In order to achieve this object, the product management system according to claim 1 includes a first electronic tag attached to a product, a second electronic tag attached to a packaging box for packing the product, and the first electronic tag. A reader / writer that reads and reads ID information on the tag and the second electronic tag, and outputs a radio wave output from the reader / writer in response to the electronic tag that reads the ID information. A radio wave having a first polarization plane that can be received by the first electronic tag of the product packed in a package, and a radio wave having a second polarization plane that can be received by the second electronic tag of the packaging box. It is characterized by switching to.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the radio wave output from the reader / writer can be received by the first electronic tag of the product packed in the packing box, and the second wave of the packing box can be received. Switching to radio waves having a second polarization plane that can be received by the electronic tag. For this reason, even if there are a plurality of first electronic tags attached to the product within the communicable range from the reader / writer, communication can be performed only with the second electronic tag attached to the packaging box. Therefore, it is not necessary to communicate with the first electronic tag in order to extract necessary information, and the time required for extracting information can be reduced. Further, since it is possible to communicate with only a desired electronic tag from among a plurality of electronic tags, power is not taken by the electronic tag that does not require communication. Therefore, there is no problem that communication cannot be performed due to insufficient power supply when communicating with the electronic tag.

  The product management system according to claim 2, wherein the first electronic tag of the product packed in the packaging box is irradiated from the reader / writer in the product management system according to claim 1. The second electronic tag cannot receive power from the second polarization plane radio wave that can be received by the reader / writer so that the second writer can respond to the reader / writer. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the first electronic tag of the product receives the radio wave of the second polarization plane irradiated from the reader / writer, the first electronic tag receives enough power to respond to the reader / writer. Cannot be established, and the communication is lost. Therefore, by irradiating the packaging box in which the product is packaged with the radio wave of the second polarization plane, the ID information can be extracted only from the second electronic tag attached to the packaging box. Therefore, it is not necessary to communicate with the first electronic tag in order to extract necessary information, and the time required for extracting information can be reduced. Further, since it is possible to communicate with only a desired electronic tag from among a plurality of electronic tags, power is not taken by the electronic tag that does not require communication. Therefore, there is no problem that communication cannot be performed due to insufficient power supply when communicating with the electronic tag.

  The product management system according to claim 3 is the product management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first electronic tag and the packing of the product are applied to the circularly polarized radio wave output from the reader / writer. A response signal is output together with the second electronic tag of the box.

  The invention according to claim 3 reads ID information from both the first electronic tag attached to the product and the second electronic tag attached to the packaging box by outputting circularly polarized radio waves from the reader / writer. be able to. Therefore, it is effective when checking the consistency between the packing content of the packing box recorded on the second electronic tag and the product actually packed.

  A merchandise management system according to claim 4 is the merchandise management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a transport box for storing a plurality of packing boxes and a third electronic tag attached to the transport box. And the third electronic tag of the transport box is disposed so as to be able to receive radio waves of the second polarization plane that can be received by the second electronic tag attached to the plurality of packing boxes. It is characterized by having.

  In the invention according to claim 4, when the packaging box in which the product is packed is transported to the delivery destination, it is stored in the transportation box for transportation. The third electronic tag attached to the transport box is disposed so as to be able to receive radio waves of the second polarization plane that can be received by the second electronic tag. That is, information can be extracted from both the second electronic tag and the third electronic tag by irradiating the reader / writer with radio waves of the second polarization plane. Therefore, this is effective when checking the consistency between the number of packing boxes in the shipping box recorded on the third electronic tag and the number of packing boxes actually packed. Moreover, the 2nd electronic tag of the packaging box accommodated in the transport box is not arrange | positioned near the some 1st electronic tag like the goods packed in the packaging box. Therefore, even if both the second electronic tag and the third electronic tag can be read simultaneously, there is almost no problem that communication frequently fails.

  The merchandise management method according to claim 5 is a merchandise for managing merchandise by recording ID information on a first electronic tag attached to the merchandise and a second electronic tag attached to a packaging box in which the merchandise is packed. A first polarization plane capable of receiving, by the first electronic tag of a product packaged in the packaging box, a radio wave output from a reader / writer according to an electronic tag for reading the ID information. And a radio wave having a second polarization plane that can be received by the second electronic tag of the packing box.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the radio wave output from the reader / writer can be received by the first electronic tag of the product packed in the packing box, and the second wave of the packing box. Switching to radio waves having a second polarization plane that can be received by the electronic tag. For this reason, even if there are a plurality of first electronic tags attached to the product within the communicable range from the reader / writer, communication can be performed only with the second electronic tag attached to the packaging box. Therefore, it is not necessary to communicate with the first electronic tag in order to extract necessary information, and the time required for extracting information can be reduced. Further, since it is possible to communicate with only a desired electronic tag from among a plurality of electronic tags, power is not taken by the electronic tag that does not require communication. Therefore, there is no problem that communication cannot be performed due to insufficient power supply when communicating with the electronic tag.

  The product management method according to claim 6 reads the record information of the first electronic tag attached to the product when the product is packed in the packaging box, and records it in the management device as a product list stored in the packaging box. A list creation step, an identification information writing step for writing identification information of the first electronic tag of the product into a second electronic tag attached to the packaging box, and only the second electronic tag of the packaging box receives A package content confirmation step of taking out the identification information of the product from the second electronic tag using a radio wave having a possible polarization plane, and confirming the packaging content of the packaging box from the identification information and the product list; It is characterized by having.

  The invention according to claim 6 records the information of the product stored in the packaging box when the product is packed in the packaging box, creates a product list, and the electronic tag of the packaged product has an electronic tag of the packaged product Identification information for identifying is registered. Thereby, it is possible to know the details of the packed product simply by reading the identification information of the packing box.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform communication only with a desired electronic tag. Therefore, the communication time with the electronic tag attached to the product or the packing box can be shortened, and the efficiency of product management can be improved.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment includes a first RFID tag 1 attached to each of a plurality of products 2 to be packed, a packaging box 4 for packaging the products 2 to which the first RFID tag 1 is attached, and a packaging box 4. And the second RFID tag 3 attached to the.

  The first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 attached to the product 2 and the packaging box 4 are attached to one product 2 and one packaging box 4 one by one. The first RFID tags 1 attached to a plurality of products 2 are attached at the same position when the products 2 are of the same type. Similarly, the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packaging box 4 is also attached to the same position by the plurality of packaging boxes 4. This is because, in the case of the same product, it is advantageous in terms of efficiency and cost to attach the tag to the same position. In order to make it easier to read the ID information written in the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 when taking out information on a plurality of products 2 and packaging boxes 4 placed together, the first and second RFID tags 1 , 3 can be shifted.

  The product 2 is preferably a book, a magazine, a book, a notebook or the like that has the same shape and can be packed in the same direction at the time of packing, but the first RFID tag 1 is oriented in the same direction by providing a partition in the packing box 4 or the like. Anything that can be packed is acceptable. Similarly, a plurality of types of products 2 can be stored in one packing box 4 by partitioning the packing box 4.

  Here, the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 attached to the product 2 and the packaging box 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 are mounted with an IC chip 5 for storing data on a circuit board, and an antenna 6 for transmitting and receiving the data in a contactless manner is patterned by a printed wiring technique. Has been. Further, although different depending on the application, a film for protecting the circuit board from water, dust and the like usually seals the circuit board. The first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 communicate with the transmission / reception circuit of the IC chip 5 when the antenna 6 is irradiated with radio waves from the reader / writer 7 (in this embodiment, 2.45 GHz band microwaves). The power supply and response request signal are received from the reader / writer 7. In the IC chip 5, ID information which is information on the product 2 and the packaging box 4 to which the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 are attached is recorded. For example, in the case of the first RFID tag 1 attached to the product 2, the identification number for identifying the product 2, the date of manufacture of the product, the manufacturing location, and the like are recorded as ID information. In the case of the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packing box 4, the number of products 2 packed in the packing box 4, the identification number for identifying each packed product, and the like are recorded as ID information. The IC chip 5 is activated by receiving power from the reader / writer 7 and outputs the ID information stored in the IC chip 5 to the reader / writer 7 as a response signal to the received response request signal.

  Next, the reader / writer 7 that communicates with the first RFID tag 1 or the second RFID tag 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the reader / writer 7 includes an antenna unit 8 that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3, and on / off of radio waves output from the antenna unit 8. And an antenna control unit 9 for controlling. Different types of antennas are employed for the antenna unit 8 due to the difference in the plane of polarization described later. When circularly polarized radio waves are used, only one antenna is required as shown in FIG. 3A, and a circularly polarized antenna 81 is incorporated in the antenna unit 8. Also, when using linearly polarized radio waves, two antennas are required as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, and in the case of FIG. Reader / writers 7 each incorporating a linear polarization antenna 83 for use are connected to the management apparatus 10. The reader / writer 7 and the management apparatus 10 are connected by a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark). As shown in FIG. 3C, the reader / writer 7 can incorporate a switching unit 91 for switching between the horizontal linear polarization antenna 82 and the vertical linear polarization antenna 83. The radio wave output from the antenna unit 8 of the present embodiment is a microwave in the 2.45 GHz band indicating the characteristics of circular polarization and linear polarization, but is not particularly limited to radio waves of this frequency. For example, it may be a radio wave in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. The reader / writer 7 reads the ID information written in the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 and transfers it to the connected management apparatus 10. The management device 10 registers and manages ID information of the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3.

  Here, the plane of polarization of the radio wave transmitted from the antenna unit 8 will be described with reference to FIG. Radio waves propagate through space by the interaction of orthogonal electric and magnetic fields. At this time, among the radio waves whose electric field direction and radio wave traveling direction are always within a certain plane (polarization plane), those having an electric field perpendicular to the ground have vertically polarized radio waves, and those having an electric field horizontal to the ground. Things are called horizontally polarized radio waves. FIG. 4 shows vertically polarized radio waves and horizontally polarized radio waves. Vertically polarized radio waves and horizontally polarized radio waves have a characteristic that they do not interfere with each other even at the same frequency. That is, if the polarization side on the receiving side is deviated, the receiving sensitivity is weakened, and if it is deviated by 90 degrees, almost no reception is possible.

  Using this characteristic, in this embodiment, the polarization plane of the receivable radio wave of the first RFID tag 1 attached to the product 2 in the packaging box 4 and the receivable radio wave of the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packaging box 4 are used. The polarization planes are arranged so as to be approximately 90 degrees different from each other. Accordingly, the first RFID tag 1 of the product 2 packaged in the packaging box 4 is irradiated from the reader / writer 7, and the reader / writer 7 uses the radio wave of the polarization plane that can be received by the second RFID tag 3 of the packaging box 4. It is not possible to receive as much power as possible to respond to, and the communication is disconnected.

  Here, the example of accommodation of the goods 2 in the packaging box 4 is demonstrated, referring FIG.5 and FIG.6. In the following description, the antenna 6 of the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 has the plane of polarization of the radio wave coincident with the longitudinal direction of the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 shown in FIG. And the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction). First, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinal direction of the first RFID tag 1 and the longitudinal direction of the second RFID tag 3 are arranged so as to be approximately 90 degrees different from each other, and these RFID tags 1 and 3 have the same direction. It is arranged to face. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first RFID tag 1 and the second RFID tag 3 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the first RFID tag 1 is different from the longitudinal direction of the second RFID tag 3 by about 90 degrees, and the orientation of the first RFID tag 1 is the orientation of the second RFID tag 3. It is arranged to face in a different direction. Note that the directions of the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 indicate the normal direction of the RFID tag. Further, the product 2 is preferably placed in the packaging box 4 so that the longitudinal direction of the first RFID tag 1 and the longitudinal direction of the second RFID tag 3 are different by 90 degrees, but a predetermined range (preferably 90). If within a range of ± 5 degrees, the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 do not receive both vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the polarization plane of the receivable radio wave of the first RFID tag 1 attached to the product 2 in the packaging box 4 and the polarization plane of the receivable radio wave of the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packaging box 4 are described. And about 90 degrees. Therefore, the radio wave output from the reader / writer 7 has a polarization plane that can be received by the first RFID tag of the product 2 packed in the packing box 4 and the polarization plane that can be received by the second RFID tag 3 of the packing box 4. By switching between the radio wave having the ID, it is possible to select the RFID tag from which the ID information is read.

  Therefore, even if a large number of RFID tags exist in the area where communication with the reader / writer 7 is possible, communication can be performed only with the desired RFID tag. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of RFID tags that communicate with each other by extracting data. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the time required for data retrieval. In addition, since power is not supplied to unnecessary RFID tags, the amount of power used for communication is reduced, and supply of power to necessary RFID tags does not become insufficient.

  Next, the configuration of the management apparatus 10 that reads and manages the ID information read by the reader / writer 7 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the management device 10 includes a communication control device 11 that performs communication with the reader / writer 7, a display device 12 that displays ID information of the registered first and second RFID tags 1 and 3, and the like. A hard disk device 13 that registers ID information read from the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 and a central control device 14 that controls these devices are connected via a bus 15.

  A management table for registering ID information read from the first and second RFID tags 1 and 3 will be described with reference to FIG. This management table is realized by writing data to the hard disk device 13 under the control of the central control device 14. FIG. 8A shows an example of a packing content management table for managing ID information read from the second RFID tag 3. As shown in FIG. 8A, in this packing content management table, the identification number of the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packing box 4 and the data recorded on the second RFID tag 3 are recorded in association with each other. Yes. The identification number of the second RFID tag 3 and the data recorded on the second RFID tag 3 are collectively referred to as ID information of the second RFID tag 3. The data recorded in the second RFID tag 3 records the number of products stored in the packaging box 4 and the identification number of the first RFID tag 1 attached to each stored product.

  FIG. 8B shows an example of a personal information management table for managing ID information read from the first RFID tag 1. As shown in FIG. 8B, in this personal information management table, an identification number for identifying the first RFID tag 1 attached to each product is associated with data registered in the first RFID tag 1. It is recorded. The identification number for identifying the first RFID tag 1 and the data registered in the first RFID tag 1 are collectively referred to as ID information of the first RFID tag 1. The data registered in the first RFID tag 1 records the date of manufacture of the product, the manufacturing site number for identifying the manufacturing site where the product was manufactured, the number of the manager responsible for managing the product, and the like.

  Next, the procedure for packing the product 2 in the packing box 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the ID information of the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packaging box 4 is read from the reader / writer 7 (step S1). The read ID information is transferred to the management apparatus 10. Next, the ID information of the first RFID tag 1 attached to the product 2 to be packed is read (step S2), and the read ID information is transferred to the management apparatus 10. The management apparatus 10 registers the packing box 4 and the product 2 stored in the packing box 4 in the management table in association with each other from the transferred ID information of the second RFID tag 3 and the ID information of the first RFID tag 1 ( Step S3).

  When the reading of the first RFID tag 1 is completed (step S2), the corresponding product is stored in the packing box 4. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the product 2 is arranged with respect to the packaging box 4 so that the longitudinal direction of the first RFID tag 1 and the longitudinal direction of the second RFID tag 3 are different by approximately 90 degrees. When the reading of all the first RFID tags 1 and the storage of the products 2 in the packaging box 4 are completed (step S4 / YES), the identification numbers of all the products 2 packed in the packaging box 4 are assigned to the second RFID of the packaging box 4. Write as ID information in the tag 3 (step S5). The management device 10 writes the identification number of the packed product in the second RFID tag 3 by the reader / writer 7.

  With the above procedure, the ID information of the packing box 4 and the ID information of the product 2 packed in the packing box 4 can be registered in the management apparatus 10 in association with each other. Further, the identification number of the packed product 2 can be written as ID information in the second RFID tag 3 of the packing box 4.

  When confirming the consistency between the ID information (identification number of the stored product 2) recorded on the second RFID tag 3 and the actually stored product 2, the circularly polarized radio wave is transmitted. The ID information can also be read from both the first RFID tag 1 and the second RFID tag 3 by using it. A circularly polarized radio wave is a radio wave that can be always received on the receiving side regardless of the angle of the polarization plane of the antenna on the receiving side.

  Next, a procedure for displaying a list of products packed in the packing box 4 on the management device 10 at the product delivery destination will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that the information registered in the management apparatus 10 at the time of packing is transmitted to the management apparatus 10 that is the product delivery destination and registered in this apparatus. First, the merchandise delivery destination management apparatus 10 reads ID information from the second RFID tag 3 of the packaging box 4 (step S10). At this time, the radio wave output from the reader / writer 7 for reading the ID information is a radio wave that can be received only by the second RFID tag 3, and the polarization plane of the first RFID tag 1 differs by 90 degrees. It cannot be received.

  The merchandise delivery destination management device 10 searches the packing content management table based on the ID information (identification number of the first RFID tag 1) of the read packing box 4, and obtains the ID information of the goods packed in the packing box 4. Take out (step S11). Next, the management device 10 displays the product list packed in the packing box 4 on the display device 12 with reference to the product information management table from the product ID information.

  In this way, in this embodiment, the product 2 is small, and the first RFID tag 1 attached to the product 2 is too close in the packed state, and it is difficult to read the ID information from the first RFID tag 1 of the product 2. In addition, the ID information of the product 2 can be read from only the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packaging box 4.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of packing boxes 4 packed with products 2 are collected and stored in a shipping box 20 for shipping. The third RFID tag 21 is attached to the transport box 20 as in the above-described packing box 4.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the third RFID tag 21 attached to the transport box 20 and the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packing box 4 have the same longitudinal direction and the same RFID tag orientation as shown in FIG. (RFID tag orientation refers to the normal direction of the RFID tag). That is, the second RFID tag 3 attached to the packing box 4 and the third RFID tag 21 attached to the transport box 4 receive radio waves having the same polarization plane direction. However, the second RFID tag 3 of the packaging box 4 housed in the transport box 20 is not arranged with a plurality of RFID tags close to each other like the product 2 packed in the packaging box 4. Accordingly, since there is almost no problem of frequent failure in communication, the ID information of both the second RFID tag 3 and the third RFID tag 21 may be read.

  Next, the operation procedure of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example the case where ten notebooks are stored in one packing box 4 and ten of each packing box 4 is further stored in the transport box 20. When performing the packing operation, a list representing the correspondence between the notebook stored in the packing box 4 and the packing box 4 stored in the transport box 20 is created in the management apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. Since the procedure for storing the notebook (product) in the packing box 4 has been described in the procedure shown in FIG. 9, the description is omitted, and the procedure for storing the packing box 4 storing the notebook in the transport box 20 is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  First, the ID information of the third RFID tag 21 attached to the transport box 20 is read from the reader / writer 7 (step S20). The ID information of the third RFID tag 21 read by the reader / writer 7 is transferred to the management device 10. The management device 10 creates a list of packing boxes 4 stored in the transport box 20 from the transferred ID information. When the reader / writer 7 reads the ID information from the second RFID tag 3 (step S21), the read ID information is transferred to the management device 10. The management apparatus 10 records in the list as the packaging box 4 stored in the transport box 20 (step S22). When the reading of the ID information of the packing box 4 is completed, it is stored in the transport box 20. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the third RFID tag 21 and the second RFID tag 3 are arranged such that their longitudinal directions are the same direction and the RFID tags are oriented in the same direction.

  The above-described procedure is repeated until the shipping box 20 is filled with the packing box 4 (until all ID information of the stored packing box 4 is read and ten packing boxes 4 are stored in the shipping box 20) (step S23). . When the transport box 20 is filled with the packing box 4 (step S23 / YES), the list created in the management device 10 is written to the third RFID tag 21 (step S24). The management device 10 writes the created list in the third RFID tag 21 via the reader / writer 7. Further, the created list is registered in the transport box storage content management table shown in FIG.

  In this way, the information on the packing box 4 stored in the transport box 20 and the information on the notebook stored in the packing box 4 are recorded in the management device 10, and the RFID tag attached to each box is stored in the box. It is possible to record information on the stored items.

  When the information in the notebook stored in the transport box 20 is taken out, a radio wave having a polarization plane that can be received only by the third RFID tag 21 and the second RFID tag 3 is output. Thereby, it can communicate with the 3rd RFID tag 21 and the 2nd RFID tag 3, and the merchandise information in packing box 4 can be acquired. The first RFID tag 1 attached to the notebook in the packing box 4 is also within the receivable range of the radio wave from the reader / writer 7, but cannot be received because the polarization plane is different.

  For example, if a notebook is packed in units of 10 and is further packed into 10 boxes, the contents of 10 × 10 = 100 RFID tags must be read in order to read the contents of the shipping form of one box. However, since the information of the first RFID tag 1 of the notebook is transferred to the second RFID tag 3 of the packing box 4 when packing, it is only necessary to read the second RFID tag 3 attached to the ten packing boxes 4. Become. At this time, even if the first RFID tag 1 is too close and difficult to read in the packaged state, the ID information is recorded on the second RFID tag 3 of the packing box 4, so the contents should be confirmed. Can do. Further, by outputting linearly polarized radio waves from the reader / writer 7, no power is supplied to RFID tags having different polarization planes, so power is not taken by unnecessary RFID tags. Therefore, it is possible to supply power only to the RFID tag to be read and perform only necessary communication.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the attachment position to the goods 2 and the packaging box 4 of the 1st, 2nd RFID tags 1 and 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st, 2nd RFID tag 1 and 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader / writer 7 and a connection configuration between the reader / writer 7 and a management apparatus 10. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a polarization plane. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the goods 2 in the packaging box 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the goods 2 in the packaging box 4. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management device 10. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the structure of a packing content management table, (B) is a figure which shows the structure of a merchandise information management table. It is a flowchart which shows the packing procedure of the goods 2 to the packaging box 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the procedure which searches and displays ID information of the goods 2 by ID information of the packing box. It is a figure which shows the example of accommodation to the transport box 20 of the packaging box 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a shipping container storage content management table. It is a flowchart which shows the packing procedure of the packing box 4 to the transport box 20. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st RFID tag 2 Product 3 2nd RFID tag 4 Packing box 5 IC chip 6 Antenna 7 Reader / writer 8 Antenna part 9 Antenna control part 10 Management apparatus 11 Communication control apparatus 12 Display apparatus 13 Hard disk 14 Central processing unit 20 Transport box 21 3rd RFID Tag 81 Circularly polarized antenna 82 Horizontal linearly polarized antenna 83 Vertical linearly polarized antenna 91 Switching unit

Claims (6)

A first electronic tag attached to the product;
A second electronic tag attached to a packing box for packing the product;
A reader / writer for writing and reading ID information on the first electronic tag and the second electronic tag;
A radio wave having a first polarization plane that can be received by the first electronic tag of the product packaged in the packaging box according to an electronic tag that reads the ID information. Switching to radio waves having a second polarization plane that can be received by the second electronic tag of the packing box. The first electronic tag of the product packaged in the packaging box is irradiated from the reader / writer, and the second electronic tag of the packaging box can receive the second polarized wave. 2. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, wherein the product management system is incapable of receiving power sufficient to respond to the reader / writer and is in a communication disconnection state. The first electronic tag of the product and the second electronic tag of the packaging box both output response signals to circularly polarized radio waves output from the reader / writer. The merchandise management system according to claim 1 or 2. A transport box for storing a plurality of packing boxes, and a third electronic tag attached to the transport box,
The third electronic tag of the transport box is disposed so as to be able to receive radio waves of the second polarization plane that can be received by the second electronic tag attached to the plurality of packing boxes. The merchandise management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A merchandise management method for managing merchandise by recording ID information on a first electronic tag attached to a merchandise and a second electronic tag attached to a packaging box that packs the merchandise,
A radio wave having a first polarization plane that can be received by the first electronic tag of the product packed in the packaging box according to an electronic tag for reading the ID information; Switching to radio waves having a second polarization plane that can be received by the second electronic tag of the packing box. A list creation step of reading record information of the first electronic tag attached to the product at the time of packing the product into a packaging box, and recording it in a management device as a product list stored in the packaging box;
An identification information writing step of writing identification information of the first electronic tag of the product on the second electronic tag attached to the packaging box;
Using the radio wave having a polarization plane that can be received only by the second electronic tag of the packaging box, the identification information of the product is extracted from the second electronic tag, and the identification information and the product list are used to extract the identification information. And a package content confirmation step for confirming the package content of the packaging box.

Images