JP6735599B2 - Wireless tag position management system and wireless tag position management method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique of managing the position of an article by using wireless tags installed on a plurality of articles arranged in a facility.

In logistics, packages are carried on pallets and transported, and the packages are stored in warehouses and the like while being carried on the pallets. As a method of managing the storage location of this pallet, the pallet that carries the goods is equipped with a wireless tag, and the beacon signal transmitted by this wireless tag is read using a wireless tag reader installed in a facility, etc. A method of managing has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1-3).

For example, in Patent Document 1, a forklift that installs a wireless tag on a pallet and is equipped with a wireless tag reader and a wireless terminal on a forklift that transports the pallet, and uses the wireless terminal to read the ID information of the wireless tag read by the wireless tag reader to rent the pallet The data is sent to a wireless base station installed in the company, and the pallet position is managed by the host computer of the pallet rental company, and the movement route of the pallet and the existence of inventory pallets are known.

Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a system in which a coordinator that manages the location of the pallet is installed in each of the warehouses in which the pallet is installed to check whether the pallet is installed in the correct place. In this system, the pallet itself sends the pallet ID and the network ID managed by the coordinator to the management server that manages the position of the pallet, and if the pallet does not exist in the network where it should be, the management server sends the pallet to the user. Can be notified of the warning.

Further, in Patent Document 3, as a technique for more accurately grasping the position of the article placed in the facility, the article wireless tag is attached to the article and the fixed wireless tag is placed at the reference position in the facility. A technique has been proposed in which both the tag signals from the article wireless tag and the fixed wireless tag are received, and the position of the article is grasped based on the reception timing of the tag signal.

JP, 2005-119670, A JP, 2009-073594, A JP, 2003-185730, A

However, when detecting the pallet position with a forklift that transports and arranges the pallet as in Patent Document 1, if the pallet is moved by a method other than the forklift such as a manual or handlift, the actual pallet position and the host computer There was a problem that the position information of the pallet managed by did not match.

Further, according to the technique of Patent Document 2, when the position of the pallet is incorrect, it can be corrected, but since the function of the tag installed on the pallet needs to be further enhanced, it is necessary to manufacture the pallet. There is also the problem of increased costs involved. Furthermore, in each of Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is only possible to grasp that a pallet exists in a specific warehouse, and it is not possible to grasp where the pallet is installed in a large warehouse.

Further, in Patent Document 3, the position of the article placed in the facility in the facility can be grasped more accurately, but the tag signals transmitted by the fixed wireless tag and the article wireless tag are received while moving in the facility. In order to grasp the position of the wireless tag based on the reception timing of these tag signals received by the unit, if the position of the article is changed, move the receiving unit again to grasp the position of the article and move the tag. Need to receive signals.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize accurate grasp of the position of a wireless tag in a facility easily and at low cost.

In order to solve the problems described above, a wireless tag position management system according to the present invention is installed in a predetermined position in a facility and is installed in association with a rack for storing pallets. A tag, a second wireless tag installed on the pallet, a wireless tag reader that receives a beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag, and a wireless tag position management device that manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility are provided. In the wireless tag position management system, the second wireless tag has a wireless transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag, and a transmission interval setting that sets the transmission interval of the beacon signal to a predetermined value. Means, the first wireless tag, a wireless transmission means for transmitting a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag, a beacon detection means for detecting a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag arranged in a stack When the beacon detection unit detects the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag, the beacon signal reception interval is set to a predetermined value so that the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag can be received. And a reception interval setting means for setting the reception interval, and an identification information acquisition means for receiving the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag and acquiring the identification information of the second wireless tag. Transmits the identification information of the first wireless tag and the obtained identification information of the second wireless tag to the wireless tag reader in association with each other, and the wireless tag reader and the identification information of the first wireless tag and the identification information of the first wireless tag. The identification information of the second wireless tag is associated with the identification information of the first RFID tag and the identification information of the second RFID tag is transmitted to the RFID tag location management device. Is managed in association with the installation position of the rack in the facility.

Further, the wireless tag position management system according to the present invention is installed at a predetermined position in the facility, and is installed on the pallet and a first wireless tag installed in association with a rack for storing pallets. A wireless tag position management system comprising a second wireless tag, a wireless tag reader that receives a beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag, and a wireless tag position management device that manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility, The first wireless tag includes wireless transmitting means for transmitting a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag, and transmission interval setting means for setting a transmission interval of the beacon signal to a predetermined value. The wireless tag includes a wireless transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag, a beacon detection unit that detects a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag that is stacked, and the beacon detection unit that causes the first Reception interval setting means for setting a reception interval of the beacon signal to a predetermined value so that the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag can be received when the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag is detected. An identification information acquisition unit that receives a beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag and acquires identification information of the first wireless tag, wherein the second wireless tag is the second wireless tag The identification information and the acquired identification information of the first wireless tag are associated with each other and transmitted to the wireless tag reader, and the wireless tag reader stores the identification information of the second wireless tag and the identification information of the first wireless tag. Is transmitted to the wireless tag position management device in association with each other, and the wireless tag position management device stores the identification information of the first wireless tag and the identification information of the second wireless tag of the rack in the facility. Manage in association with the installation position.

Further, the wireless tag position management method according to the present invention is installed at a predetermined position in a facility and is installed in the pallet, and a first wireless tag installed in association with a rack for storing pallets. Wireless tag position in a wireless tag position management system including a second wireless tag, a wireless tag reader that receives a beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag, and a wireless tag position management device that manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility A management method, wherein the second wireless tag sets a transmission interval of a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag to a predetermined value, the pallet is housed in the rack, and the first wireless tag However, when the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag arranged in a stack is detected, the reception interval of the beacon signal is set to a predetermined value so that the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag can be received. Setting, the first wireless tag receives the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag, and acquires the identification information of the second wireless tag, the first wireless tag, The identification information of the first wireless tag and the acquired identification information of the second wireless tag are associated with each other and transmitted to the wireless tag reader, the wireless tag reader identifying the first wireless tag and the first wireless tag. And transmitting the identification information of the second wireless tag to the wireless tag location management device in association with the identification information of the first wireless tag and the identification information of the second wireless tag. Is managed in association with the installation position of the rack in the facility.

Further, the wireless tag position management method according to the present invention is installed at a predetermined position in a facility and is installed in the pallet, and a first wireless tag installed in association with a rack for storing pallets. Wireless tag position in a wireless tag position management system including a second wireless tag, a wireless tag reader that receives a beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag, and a wireless tag position management device that manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility A management method, wherein the first wireless tag sets a transmission interval of a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag to a predetermined value, the pallet is accommodated in the rack, and the second wireless tag However, when the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag arranged in a stack is detected, the reception interval of the beacon signal is set to a predetermined value so that the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag can be received. Setting, the second wireless tag receives the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag, and acquires the identification information of the first wireless tag, the second wireless tag, The identification information of the second wireless tag and the acquired identification information of the first wireless tag are associated with each other and transmitted to the wireless tag reader, wherein the wireless tag reader and the identification information of the second wireless tag And transmitting it to the wireless tag position management device in association with the identification information of the first wireless tag, the wireless tag position management device including the identification information of the first wireless tag and the identification information of the second wireless tag. Is managed in association with the installation position of the rack in the facility.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to easily and accurately grasp the position of the wireless tag in the facility.

FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram of a wireless tag position management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram of the wireless tag and the wireless tag reader according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of an operation mode of the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an example of control of a beacon signal transmission/reception interval of the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an example of operation state management data of the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an example of location management data of the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the wireless tag position management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is another example of the sequence diagram for explaining the wireless tag position management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an example of a control flowchart in the wireless tag installed on the pallet according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an example of a control flowchart of a wireless tag installed in association with a rack according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the wireless tag position management method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the wireless tag position management method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration diagram of a wireless tag position management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless tag position management system includes a wireless tag 20 installed in association with a rack installed at a predetermined position (A1-F12) in the facility 1, and a wireless tag installed on a pallet 4 stored in the rack 2. 10, a wireless tag reader 30 that receives a beacon signal transmitted by a wireless tag, and a wireless tag position management device 40 that is connected to the wireless tag reader 30 via a network 50 and manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility. .. When the rack 2 has a multi-tiered structure, wireless tags may be installed in each tier of each rack 2. The wireless tag 20 installed in association with the rack 2 may be installed on the movable plate 3 as shown in the figure, or can detect/receive the beacon signal of the wireless tag 10 stacked on the plate 3. Other forms such as these may be adopted. Further, in the wireless tag 20, a reflector 28 may be installed inside the wireless tag 20 so that the FB ratio on the upper side in which the pallet is stored is improved.

The wireless tag 20 installed in association with each rack 2 has a function of detecting and receiving a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag 10 installed in the pallet 4 housed in the rack 2, When the pallet 4 on which the pallet 10 is installed is stored in the rack, the presence of the beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag 10 on the pallet is detected, and the identification information (tag ID) of the wireless tag 10 installed on the stored pallet 4 is detected. ) Is received and a beacon signal including both the identification information (tag ID) of its own and the identification information (tag ID) of the received RFID tag 10 is transmitted to the RFID tag reader 30. By thus associating the identification information of the wireless tag 20 installed in association with each rack 2 with the wireless tag 10 installed in the pallet 4, the position of the wireless tag 10 installed in the pallet 4, that is, the pallet 4 is The contained rack 2 can be specified.

Detection of beacon signals of other wireless tags in this wireless tag is performed by a passive wireless element. The passive wireless element is an element that operates by radio waves transmitted from an external device such as the wireless tag reader 30 and does not require electric power supplied from a power source such as a battery for its operation. Since the reception gain of the passive wireless element is small, it is not possible to detect beacon signals transmitted by other wireless tags that are installed apart, but when the wireless tag is stacked with other wireless tags and the wireless tags approach each other. The passive wireless element incorporated in the wireless tag operates by using the radio wave of the beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag, and it is possible to detect the presence of another wireless tag arranged in layers.

The wireless tag reader 30 has a function of connecting a plurality of wireless tags by receiving a beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag and reading identification information (tag ID), and the identification information of the connected wireless tags (tag ID) is transmitted to the wireless tag position management device 40 via the network 50. The wireless tag position management device 40 associates and manages a predetermined position (A1-F12) in the facility 1 with the wireless tag identification information (tag ID) based on the received wireless tag identification information, and is installed on the pallet 4. The position of the wireless tag 10, that is, the rack 2 in which the pallet 4 is housed can be managed.

When the pallet 4 accommodated in the rack 2 is moved to another rack 2, the movement of the pallet 4 is grasped by receiving the beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag 20 associated with the destination rack 2. Therefore, the RFID tag position management device 40 can grasp the position of the pallet 4 in the facility 1. Further, when only the identification information of the wireless tag 20 corresponding to the rack 2 is transmitted, it is possible to determine that the rack 2 is in an empty state in which the pallet 4 is not stored. Further, the wireless tag 10 installed on the pallet 4 reads the identification information (tag ID) of the wireless tag 20 installed in association with the rack 2 and transmits it to the wireless tag reader 30 together with its own identification information. You may

FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram of the wireless tag and the wireless tag reader according to the embodiment of the present invention. The wireless tag #1 is the wireless tag 20 installed in association with the rack 2, and the wireless tag #2 is the wireless tag 10 installed in the pallet 4 stored in the rack 2.

The wireless tag #1 is an active tag that operates by the built-in battery 25, and transmits the beacon signal including identification information and receives the response from the wireless tag reader 30 and the like. A vibration sensor 23 for detecting vibration, a passive wireless element 24 for detecting a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag, a central processing unit 26 for controlling each unit, and a memory 27 are included. ..

The central processing unit 26 of the wireless tag #1 receives a beacon signal of another wireless tag, and therefore, a reception interval setting unit that sets a reception interval of the beacon signal and an identification information acquisition that acquires an identification signal included in the beacon signal. It operates as a unit and, if necessary, operates as an operation mode determination unit of another wireless tag. The passive wireless element 24 is an element that does not require the power supplied from the battery 25 for its operation, and is used as a beacon detection unit for detecting a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag arranged in layers.

When detecting another wireless tag, the central processing unit 26 only detects the presence of a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag that is stacked and reads the identification information (tag ID) of the wireless tag. Since it can operate at a low clock (for example, 32 kHz), it operates at a high clock (for example, 4 MHz) when receiving and decoding the identification information (tag ID) of another stacked wireless tag. There is a need.

The wireless tag #2 is also an active tag having the same configuration as the wireless tag #1, and includes an antenna 11, a wireless unit 12, a vibration sensor 13 for detecting vibration of the wireless tag, and a central processing unit for controlling each unit. 16 and a memory 17. When the wireless tag #2 detects the beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag #1, the passive wireless element 14 is provided as a beacon detection unit.

The wireless tag reader 30 is a device that receives a beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag and manages the operation state of the wireless tag, and receives an beacon signal from the wireless tag and an antenna 31 for transmitting a response or the like to the wireless tag. And a wireless unit 32, an I/F unit 33 for transmitting and receiving signals via the wireless tag position management device 40 and the network 50, a central processing unit 34 for controlling transmission and reception of signals, and a memory 35. It is configured.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission frequency and the transmission interval of the beacon signal in the wireless tag are set for each predetermined operation mode, and the operation mode is set based on the information from each sensor provided in the wireless tag. The beacon signal is changed and the beacon signal is transmitted at the transmission frequency and the transmission interval set for each operation mode. In the wireless tag, the beacon signal transmission interval is set for each operation mode to achieve both low power consumption of the wireless tag and maintenance of reliability of location management.

FIG. 3 is an example of an operation mode of the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the wireless tag is in a mode in which the pallet 4 is searching for the wireless tag reader 30 to be connected in the facility (“association mode”), and the mode in which the pallet 4 is connected to the wireless tag reader 30 in the facility 1 (“ Deposition mode”), a mode in which the pallet 4 moves up and down (“vibration mode”), and a mode in which the vertical movement of the pallet 4 continues for a long period of time (“moving mode”). In, the transmission frequency and the transmission interval of the beacon signal are set.

For example, in the association mode, a beacon signal is transmitted at a relatively short interval in order to search for the wireless tag reader 30 to be connected in the facility 1 (T1), and when the wireless tag reader to be connected is determined, transition to the depot mode, The beacon signal transmission interval is set relatively long (T2) to reduce power consumption. In addition, when the vertical movement of the pallet is detected, there is a high possibility that the pallet 4 will move to another place by a forklift or the like, and the pallet transits to a vibration mode in which a beacon signal is transmitted in a shorter cycle (T3), Improves the reliability of position management. Furthermore, when the vibration of the pallet continues for a long time, the mode shifts to a movement mode having a longer transmission interval than the vibration mode (T4). In this way, the beacon signal transmission interval is changed according to the state of the wireless tag, and the reliability of the pallet position management is improved and the power consumption is reduced. In addition, the transmission frequency (F1-F4) of the beacon signal in each mode is also determined in advance, and each wireless tag transmits the beacon signal at the transmission frequency and the transmission interval set for each operation mode.

Further, the beacon signal transmission interval in each operation mode is not constant, but can be changed by combining the reference time (T1-T4) and the randomly varying back-off (X1-X4). For example, in the association mode, a beacon signal is transmitted to search for the wireless tag reader 30 to be connected, and a connection from the wireless tag reader 30 is confirmed by receiving a response from the wireless tag reader 30 that receives the beacon signal. At that time, the beacon signal may fail to be transmitted due to a collision with a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag. In this case, the beacon signal transmission interval is set to the reference time (T1)+randomly varying back-off (X1) to avoid another collision with a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag. , The wireless tag reader can be surely connected.

Next, transmission/reception control of a beacon signal in the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is an example of control of a beacon signal transmission/reception interval of the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The wireless tag #2 is the wireless tag 10 installed on the pallet 4, and as described above, the transmission frequency determined for each operation mode and the backoff (X1-T4) that randomly fluctuates with the reference time (T1-T4). The beacon signal including the identification information (ID2) is transmitted at the transmission interval in which X4) is combined. Although FIG. 4 illustrates the case where the wireless tag #2 is connected to the wireless tag reader and is operating in the depot mode, the same applies when operating in another mode. Here, the transmission interval of the beacon signal in the wireless tag #2 is set so that the beacon signal can be received by the wireless tag #1 and is transmitted once every several times at the reference time (T2).

The wireless tag #1 is the wireless tag 20 installed in association with the rack 2. Like the wireless tag #2, the wireless tag #1 randomly changes with the transmission frequency and the reference time (T1-T4) determined for each operation mode. The beacon signal including the identification information (ID1) is transmitted at the transmission interval in which the backoffs (X1 to X4) are combined. FIG. 4 illustrates the case where the wireless tag #1 is connected to the wireless tag reader and is operating in the depot mode.

The RFID tag reader 30 receives the beacon signals transmitted by the RFID tags #1 and #2, performs the RFID tag connection processing, collects information such as identification information and an operation state, and detects the operation state of the RFID tag. to manage.

The wireless tag #1 detects that the pallet in which the other wireless tag #2 is installed is stored in the rack by the passive wireless element, and the other wireless tag #2 is stacked on the wireless tag #1. be able to. At this point, the wireless tag #1 only detects the presence of the beacon signal transmitted by the other stacked wireless tag #2, and acquires the identification information (ID2) of the other wireless tag #2. It is not possible. Since the other wireless tag detection operation is performed by the passive wireless element and the identification information of the wireless tag is not read, the power consumption of the central processing unit of the wireless tag #1 is very small.

When the wireless tag #1 detects the presence of a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag, the wireless tag #1 transitions to a beacon signal reception standby state after a lapse of a predetermined time (R2) from the detection of the beacon signal. The second beacon signal is in a standby state. This predetermined time (R2) corresponds to the reference time (T2) of the transmission interval of the wireless tag #2, and when the wireless tag #2 transmits the beacon signal at the interval of the reference time (T2), The beacon signal of the tag #2 is received, and the identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2 can be decoded. Here, the wireless tag #1 in FIG. 4 determines the reception interval on the assumption that the wireless tag #2 operates in the depot mode, but the wireless tag #1 is stacked based on the interval at which the beacon signal is detected. The operation mode of another wireless tag #2 may be determined. In this case, the reception frequency of the wireless tag #1 also needs to be changed in accordance with the operation mode of the other wireless tag #2.

The wireless tag #1 cannot decode the identification information of the wireless tag #2 when the wireless tag #2 transmits the beacon signal at the transmission interval of the reference time+backoff (T2+X2), but the wireless tag #1 The transmission interval of the beacon signal in 2 is set to be transmitted at the reference time (T2) once every several times, and the reception interval (R2) of the beacon signal in the wireless tag #1 is set to the reference time (T2). By setting them together, the beacon signal of the wireless tag #2 can be received and the identification information (ID2) can be decoded.

The reception standby state of the wireless tag #1 requires the central processing unit to operate at a high clock (for example, 4 MHz) in order to receive and decode the identification information of another wireless tag. Power consumption is higher than that of beacon signal detection. Therefore, if the reception standby state becomes long, the power consumption increases and the life of the built-in battery becomes short. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the reception standby state in the wireless tag #1 is intermittently operated at an interval (R2) that matches the interval (T2) at which the wireless tag #2 transmits a beacon signal, thereby performing the reception standby. The time to enter the state is shortened as much as possible to reduce power consumption.

When the wireless tag #1 receives the beacon signal of the wireless tag #2 and decodes the identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2, the wireless tag #1 outputs its own identification information (ID1) and the identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2. The information is associated and transmitted to the wireless tag reader 30. Upon receiving the identification information (ID1/ID2) of the associated RFID tags #1 and #2, the RFID tag reader 30 transmits the information to the RFID tag position management device. Upon receiving the identification information of the wireless tags #1 and #2, the wireless tag position management device 40 receives the wireless tag #1 associated with the rack 2 installed at a predetermined position in the facility 1, and the wireless tag #. By managing the identification information of No. 2 in association with each other, the position of the pallet having the RFID tag #2 can be grasped.

FIG. 5 is an example of operation state management data of the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention. This operation state management data is recorded in the memory 35 of the wireless tag reader 30.

The wireless tag reader 30 manages the operating mode and operating state of the wireless tag by receiving the beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag. The beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag includes, in addition to the identification signal and the operation mode, information (operating state 1-n) for managing the operating state of the wireless tag such as the battery voltage and transmission power of the wireless tag. The wireless tag reader 30 manages such information for each wireless tag.

FIG. 6 is an example of location management data of the wireless tag according to the embodiment of the present invention. This operation state management data is managed by the wireless tag position management device.

In FIG. 6, installation sections A1-E12 correspond to predetermined positions in the facility 1 shown in FIG. 1, and a rack 2 that can be identified by a rack ID is installed in each installation section. The wireless tag #1 is installed in association with the rack 2, and the identification information of the wireless tag #1 is registered in association with each installation section A1-E12 and rack ID. When the wireless tag position management device 40 receives the identification information of the wireless tag #1 and the wireless tag #2 which are associated with each other from the wireless tag reader 30, the identification information of the wireless tag #2 is associated with the wireless tag #1 to be displayed. It is possible to determine that the pallet 4 in which the wireless tag #2 is installed is stored in the rack 2 installed in the installation section corresponding to the wireless tag #1.

When the rack 2 has a multi-tiered structure and the pallets 4 are housed in each of the racks 2, a plurality of wireless tags are installed in association with one installation section and the rack 2, and each of the plurality of wireless tags is installed. The positions of the plurality of pallets 4 accommodated in the rack 2 can be managed by registering the identification information of the wireless tag #2 to the wireless tag n.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the wireless tag position management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the wireless tag position management device, installation sections (A1-E12) in the facility, and rack IDs installed in each installation section and identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 associated with the rack are registered in advance. Has been done. When the rack has a multi-tiered structure, the identification information of the RFID tags installed in each tier of the rack is registered.

The wireless tag #1 is associated with a rack installed at a predetermined position in the facility, and when installed in the corresponding rack, the operation mode is changed and a beacon signal including identification information (ID1) is operated. Transmission is performed at a predetermined transmission interval determined for each mode. When the RFID tag #1 receives the beacon signal and the RFID tag #1 receives the response transmitted by the RFID tag reader, when the RFID tag #1 is connected to the RFID tag reader, the operation mode is further changed and the beacon signal is transmitted. The data is transmitted at a predetermined transmission interval determined for each operation mode. The identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 received by the wireless tag reader is transmitted to the wireless tag position management device, and it can be confirmed that the wireless tag #1 is installed in a predetermined rack.

Here, in FIG. 7, the case where the installation section (A1-E12), the rack ID, and the identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 are associated and registered in advance in the wireless tag position management device has been described. The identification information of the rack ID and the wireless tag #1 (ID1) may be acquired by the imaging device and the wireless tag reader 30 installed on the forklift that transports the wireless tag and transmitted to the wireless tag position management device 40.

The pallet on which the wireless tag #2 is installed is transported to the facility while the luggage is installed, and is stored in the rack installed in the installation section (A1-E12) in the facility. When the pallet on which the wireless tag #2 is installed is housed in the rack, the operation mode of the wireless tag #2 is changed, and the beacon signal transmission interval is set according to the operation mode. FIG. 7 exemplifies a case where the wireless tag #2 is housed in a rack and further connected to a wireless tag reader to operate in the depot mode.

The wireless tag #1 detects a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag #2 that is stacked and installed by a built-in passive wireless element, and when it detects the presence of another wireless tag #2, it can receive the beacon signal. A transition to the reception standby state occurs at a predetermined reception interval (R2). Since the wireless tag #2 operates in the depot mode, the reception interval (R2) corresponds to the reference time (T2) in the depot mode of the wireless tag #2.

When the beacon signal of the wireless tag #2 is received by the wireless tag #1 and the identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2 is decoded, the wireless tag #1 wirelessly communicates with the identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1. The identification information (ID2) of the tag #2 is associated and transmitted to the wireless tag reader.

The wireless tag reader transmits the received identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 and the received identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2 to the wireless tag position management device. The wireless tag location management device assigns the identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2 to the location management data in which the installation section (A1-E12) in the facility and the identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 are registered in association with each other. to add. As a result, it is possible to determine that the wireless tag #2 is installed in the installation section in which the wireless tag #1 is installed and manage the installation section in the facility of the pallet in which the wireless tag #2 is installed. ..

FIG. 8 is another example of the sequence diagram for explaining the wireless tag position management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram when the pallet is further moved after being stored in the rack. When the pallet is moved, the wireless tag #1 detects the absence of the wireless tag #2 by being triggered by the fact that the beacon signal of the wireless tag #2 cannot be received, and wirelessly transmits only its own identification information (ID1). Send to tag reader. The wireless tag position management device deletes the information of the wireless tag #2 from the position management data. In the wireless tag position management device, if only the identification information of the wireless tag #1 installed corresponding to the rack exists, it is determined that the rack is empty without any pallets stored therein. You can

The absence detection of the wireless tag #2 may be triggered by the passive wireless element not being able to receive the beacon signal of the wireless tag #2, or the beacon transmission interval due to the change of the operation mode of the wireless tag #2. Fluctuation may be a trigger.

FIG. 9 is an example of a control flowchart in the wireless tag installed on the pallet according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

When the pallet on which the wireless tag #2 is installed is moved (S1-1) and stored in the rack (S1-2), the operation mode is changed from the moving mode to the association mode (S1-3), and the wireless When the tag #2 is connected to the wireless tag reader, the operation mode is changed from the association mode to the depot mode (S1-4). In the depot mode, the beacon signal transmission interval is set to a transmission interval that combines a reference time (T2) and a randomly varying back-off (X2) (S1-5), and the beacon signal is transmitted at the transmission interval ( S1-6). Then, when vibration is detected by the vibration sensor of the wireless tag #2 (S1-7), the operation mode is changed from the depot mode to the vibration mode (S1-8).

As described with reference to FIG. 4 and the like, the beacon signal transmission interval in the wireless tag #2 is once every several times at the reference time (T2) so that the wireless tag #1 can receive the beacon signal. Is set to.

FIG. 10 is an example of a control flowchart of a wireless tag installed in association with a rack according to the first embodiment of this invention.

The wireless tag #1 installed in association with the rack is moved (S2-1), installed in the rack (S2-2), the operation mode is changed from the movement mode to the association mode (S2-3), and the beacon is displayed. The signal is transmitted at predetermined intervals (S2-4). When the beacon signal is received by the RFID tag reader 30 and connected to the RFID tag reader 30 (S2-5), the operation mode is changed from the association mode to the depot mode (S2-6), and the beacon signal including the identification information of the RFID tag #1 is included. Are transmitted at predetermined intervals (S2-7).

When the wireless tag #1 detects a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag installed on the pallet by the passive wireless element (S2-8), the beacon is detected after a predetermined time (R2) has elapsed since the wireless tag was detected. A transition is made to a signal reception standby state and a standby state for a beacon signal of the wireless tag #2 is set (S2-9). This predetermined interval (R2) is based on the assumption that the wireless tag #2 is operating in the depot mode, and corresponds to the reference time (T2) of the transmission interval in the depot mode. This reception standby state is repeated until the beacon signal of the wireless tag #2 can be received.

When the beacon signal of the wireless tag #2 is received (S2-10), the identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2 is decoded (S2-11), and the identification information (ID1, ID2) of the wireless tags #1 and 2 is obtained. The information is associated and transmitted to the wireless tag reader (S2-12). When the beacon signal of the wireless tag #2 cannot be detected (S2-13), a transition is made to a state in which only the identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 is transmitted.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the wireless tag #1 acquires the identification information of the wireless tag #2 and transmits it to the wireless tag reader, but conversely, the wireless tag #2 transmits the identification information of the wireless tag #1. It may be acquired.

FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the wireless tag position management method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the wireless tag #2 detects the beacon signal of the wireless tag #1, decodes the identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1, and transmits it to the wireless tag reader in association with its own identification information (ID2). ing.

The wireless tag #2 detects the beacon signal transmitted by the wireless tag #1 installed in association with the rack by the passive wireless element, and when detecting the presence of the wireless tag #1, receives the beacon signal of the wireless tag #1. As possible, the reception standby state is entered at a predetermined reception interval (R2). This reception interval (R2) corresponds to the reference time (T2) in the depot mode of the wireless tag #1. Since the wireless tag #1 is assumed to be installed at a predetermined position in the facility and connected to the wireless tag reader, the wireless tag #2 is based on the assumption that the wireless tag #1 is operating in the depot mode. The reception interval of the beacon signal may be set as

When the beacon signal of the wireless tag #1 is received by the wireless tag #2 and the identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 is decoded, the wireless tag #2 wirelessly communicates with the identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2. The identification information (ID1) of the tag #1 is associated and transmitted to the wireless tag reader.

The wireless tag reader transmits the received identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2 and the received identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 to the wireless tag position management device. The wireless tag location management device assigns the identification information (ID2) of the wireless tag #2 to the location management data in which the installation section (A1-E12) in the facility and the identification information (ID1) of the wireless tag #1 are registered in association with each other. to add. As a result, it is possible to determine that the wireless tag #2 is installed in the installation section in which the wireless tag #1 is installed and manage the installation section in the facility of the pallet in which the wireless tag #2 is installed. ..

<Third Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, assuming that the wireless tag #2 installed on the pallet operates in the depot mode, the reception interval of the beacon signal in the wireless tag #1 is set, but the beacon of the wireless tag #2 is set. The operation mode of another wireless tag #2 may be determined based on the interval at which the signal is detected.

FIG. 12 is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the wireless tag position management method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, the operation mode of another wireless tag is determined based on the detection interval of the other wireless tag signal in the wireless tag #1, and the reception interval of the beacon signal is determined based on the determination result.

In the wireless tag #1, when the pallet in which the wireless tag is installed is accommodated in the rack, the beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag #2 is detected by the passive wireless element, and the beacon signal detection interval is the vibration mode transmission. If it is the interval (T3+X3/T3), it is determined that the wireless tag #2 is operating in the vibration mode, and the reception standby state is entered so that the beacon signal can be received at the predetermined reception interval (R3). .. This reception interval (R3) corresponds to the reference time (T3) in the vibration mode of the wireless tag #2. If the identification information of the RFID tag #2 cannot be received while the RFID tag #2 is operating in the vibration mode, the operation mode determination is performed again and the beacon signal reception interval is determined based on the result. Just decide.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the identification information of the wireless tag installed in association with the rack installed at the predetermined position in the facility and the identification information of the wireless tag installed in the pallet or the like. By associating with, it is possible to accurately grasp the position in the facility of the RFID tag installed on the pallet. In addition, by detecting the beacon signal of another wireless tag that is stacked and installed with a passive wireless element that does not require power supply, by intermittently performing a receiving operation for obtaining identification information of another wireless tag, Low power consumption is possible. As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to easily and accurately grasp the position of the wireless tag in the facility.

1... Facility, 2... Rack, 3... Plate (radio tag #1), 4... Pallet, 5... Luggage, 6... Forklift, 10... Radio tag #2, 11... Antenna, 12... Radio part, 13... Vibration sensor , 14... Passive radio element, 15... Battery, 16... Central processing section, 17... Memory, 20... Radio tag #1, 21... Antenna, 22... Radio section, 23... Vibration sensor, 24... Passive radio element, 25... Battery, 26... Central processing unit, 27... Memory, 28... Reflector plate, 30... Wireless tag reader, 31... Antenna, 32... Wireless unit, 33... I/F unit, 34... Central processing unit, 35... Memory, 40... Wireless tag position management device, 50... Network.

Claims (8)

A first wireless tag installed at a predetermined position in the facility and associated with a rack for storing a pallet, a second wireless tag installed on the pallet, and a beacon transmitted by the wireless tag. A wireless tag position management system comprising: a wireless tag reader that receives a signal; and a wireless tag position management device that manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility,
The second wireless tag includes a wireless transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag, and a transmission interval setting unit that sets the transmission interval of the beacon signal to a predetermined value,
The first wireless tag includes a wireless transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag, a beacon detection unit that detects a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag that is stacked, and the beacon detection unit. Thus, when the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag is detected, the reception interval of the beacon signal is set to a predetermined value so that the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag can be received. A setting unit; and an identification information acquisition unit that receives the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag and acquires the identification information of the second wireless tag,
The first wireless tag associates the identification information of the first wireless tag with the acquired identification information of the second wireless tag and transmits the identification information to the wireless tag reader.
The wireless tag reader associates the identification information of the first wireless tag with the identification information of the second wireless tag and transmits the identification information to the wireless tag position management device.
The wireless tag position management device manages the identification information of the first wireless tag and the identification information of the second wireless tag in association with the installation position of the rack in the facility,
Wireless tag location management system. The first wireless tag includes an operation mode determination unit that determines an operation mode of the second wireless tag, and the reception interval setting unit determines the beacon signal based on the determination result of the operation mode determination unit. Set the reception interval,
Claim 1 Symbol placement of the wireless tag position management system. A first wireless tag installed at a predetermined position in the facility and associated with a rack for storing a pallet, a second wireless tag installed on the pallet, and a beacon transmitted by the wireless tag. A wireless tag position management system comprising: a wireless tag reader that receives a signal; and a wireless tag position management device that manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility,
The first wireless tag includes a wireless transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag, and a transmission interval setting unit that sets the transmission interval of the beacon signal to a predetermined value,
The second wireless tag includes a wireless transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag, a beacon detection unit that detects a beacon signal transmitted by another wireless tag that is stacked, and the beacon detection unit. Thus, when the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag is detected, the reception interval of the beacon signal is set to a predetermined value so that the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag can be received. A setting unit; and an identification information acquisition unit that receives the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag and acquires the identification information of the first wireless tag,
The second wireless tag associates the identification information of the second wireless tag with the acquired identification information of the first wireless tag and transmits the identification information to the wireless tag reader.
The wireless tag reader associates the identification information of the second wireless tag with the identification information of the first wireless tag and transmits the identification information to the wireless tag position management device.
The wireless tag position management device manages the identification information of the first wireless tag and the identification information of the second wireless tag in association with the installation position of the rack in the facility,
Wireless tag location management system. The beacon detection means, the wireless tag position management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is a passive wireless device that does not require power supplied from a power source. A first wireless tag installed at a predetermined position in the facility and associated with a rack for storing a pallet, a second wireless tag installed on the pallet, and a beacon transmitted by the wireless tag. A wireless tag position management method in a wireless tag position management system comprising a wireless tag reader that receives a signal and a wireless tag position management device that manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility,
The second wireless tag sets a transmission interval of a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag to a predetermined value,
A beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag when the pallet is accommodated in the rack and the first wireless tag detects the beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag arranged in a stack. In order to be able to receive, set the reception interval of the beacon signal to a predetermined value,
The first wireless tag receives a beacon signal transmitted by the second wireless tag and acquires identification information of the second wireless tag,
The first wireless tag associates the identification information of the first wireless tag with the acquired identification information of the second wireless tag and transmits the identification information to the wireless tag reader;
The RFID tag reader associates the identification information of the first RFID tag with the identification information of the second RFID tag and transmits the association information to the RFID tag position management device;
The wireless tag position management device manages the identification information of the first wireless tag and the identification information of the second wireless tag in association with the installation position of the rack in the facility,
Wireless tag location management method including. The first wireless tag determines an operation mode of the second wireless tag and sets a reception interval of the beacon signal based on the determination result,
The wireless tag position management method according to claim 5 . A first wireless tag installed at a predetermined position in the facility and associated with a rack for storing a pallet, a second wireless tag installed on the pallet, and a beacon transmitted by the wireless tag. A wireless tag position management method in a wireless tag position management system comprising a wireless tag reader that receives a signal and a wireless tag position management device that manages the position of the wireless tag in the facility,
The first wireless tag sets a transmission interval of a beacon signal including identification information of the wireless tag to a predetermined value,
A beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag when the pallet is accommodated in the rack and the second wireless tag detects the beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag arranged in a stack. In order to be able to receive, set the reception interval of the beacon signal to a predetermined value,
The second wireless tag receives a beacon signal transmitted by the first wireless tag and obtains identification information of the first wireless tag;
The second wireless tag transmits the identification information of the second wireless tag and the identification information of the acquired first wireless tag in association with each other to the wireless tag reader,
The RFID tag reader associates the identification information of the second RFID tag with the identification information of the first RFID tag and transmits the association information to the RFID tag position management device;
The wireless tag position management device manages the identification information of the first wireless tag and the identification information of the second wireless tag in association with the installation position of the rack in the facility,
Wireless tag location management method including. The detection of the beacon signal included in the first wireless tag or said second radio tag, any one of claims 5 to 7 is performed by the passive radio device which does not require electric power supplied from a power source The wireless tag position management method described in.

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