JP7583587B2 - Tag device and picking management system equipped with same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tag device and a picking management system equipped with the same.

In recent years, technology that uses wireless communication devices such as RF (Radio Frequency) tags has become widespread as a technique for managing work on items in logistics warehouses, factories, and the like. Patent Document 1 discloses a picking system that uses RF tags to pick items and the like. In this picking system, an RFID reader/writer is attached to the wrist of a picker, and an RF tag is provided on the ceiling of a work shelf on which an object storage unit that contains the items to be picked is located. When the picker reaches out to the object storage unit to pick an item, the RFID reader/writer detects the RF tag.

JP 2009-137748 A

When reading information about an item recorded on an RF tag attached to the item during picking, as in the picking system of Patent Document 1, the information about the item must be set in advance in the RF tag when the picking operation is performed. In other words, two processes occur to pick an item: a process to record information about the item in an RF tag and a process to read information about the item from the RF tag. Since the timing and circumstances of these processes are different, it may be easier to perform the operation if an RF tag is provided for each process. In this case, each RF tag attached to an item must record information corresponding to the same item. For example, when an item to be picked is replaced, if common information about the item is not stored in the multiple RF tags corresponding to the items, the picking operation cannot be performed appropriately. Therefore, each time an item is replaced, information corresponding to the same item must be stored in each of the multiple RF tags corresponding to the item.

The present invention aims to provide a tag device that can easily and reliably set information about an item to perform each process when multiple processes are performed to support work on a single item, and a picking management system equipped with the same.

The tag device according to the present invention comprises a first tag, a second tag, and a control unit. The first tag comprises a first memory that stores first identification information that identifies an item, and is used in a first process for performing an operation on the item based on the first identification information. The second tag comprises a second memory that stores second identification information that identifies the item, and is used in a second process for performing the operation. The control unit controls the first memory and the second memory, and when the first identification information in the first memory is updated, updates the second identification information in the second memory based on the updated first identification information.

The picking management system according to the present invention includes a tag device and a picking management device. The tag device includes a first tag, a second tag, and a control unit. The first tag includes a first memory that stores first identification information for identifying an item, and is used in a first process for performing work on the item based on the first identification information. The second tag includes a second memory that stores second identification information for identifying the item, and is used in a second process for performing the work. The control unit controls the first memory and the second memory, and when the first identification information in the first memory is updated, updates the second identification information in the second memory based on the updated first identification information. The first tag further includes a first communication device that communicates with the first communication medium communication device in the first process. The second tag further includes a second communication device that communicates with the second communication medium device in the second process. The first communication device acquires first work information related to the work from the first communication medium device in the first process. The second communication device acquires second work information related to the work from the second communication medium device in the second process. The work includes a picking operation in which a worker picks up an item. The first tag receives, in the first communication device, picking instruction information from the first communication medium device as the first work information, which instructs the start of picking work for the item corresponding to the first identification information. The second tag transmits, in the second communication device, completion information indicating the completion of picking work for the item corresponding to the second identification information as the second work information to the second communication medium device. The picking management device transmits the picking instruction information via the first communication medium device and receives the completion information via the second communication medium device.

The tag device according to the present invention and the picking management system equipped with the same make it possible to easily and reliably set information about the item to perform each process when multiple processes are performed to assist with work on a single item.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a picking management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is an image diagram of a picking operation in a logistics warehouse. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first reader/writer in the embodiment. FIG. 3B is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the second reader/writer in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the picking management system in the embodiment.

The picking management system and tag device according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the tag device and picking management system are used in a picking operation in which a worker removes an item from a logistics warehouse or the like when delivering the item. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts will be given the same reference symbols and descriptions will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a picking management system in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the picking management system 1 includes a wireless communication device 10, a first reader/writer 20, a second reader/writer 30, and an external server 40. In this embodiment, the wireless communication device 10 is an example of a tag device. The first reader/writer 20 is an example of a first communication medium device, and the second reader/writer 30 is an example of a second communication medium device. The external server 40 is an example of a picking management device.

Figure 2A is an image diagram of picking work in a logistics warehouse. In Figure 2A, the same components as those shown in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals as in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2A, a plurality of items 2b are stored on shelf 2a. On shelf 2a, a wireless communication device 10 is provided near the position of each item 2b. In other words, a wireless communication device 10 is provided for each item 2b that is the subject of picking work. A first reader/writer 20 is provided on the top surface of shelf 2a. A second reader/writer 30 is worn on the arm of a picker 3. In this embodiment, each wireless communication device 10 provided on shelf 2a is electrically connected to a power source (not shown) and is supplied with power.

Returning to FIG. 1, the first reader/writer 20 and the second reader/writer 30 perform wireless communication with the external server 40. Wireless communication is performed between the wireless communication device 10 and the first reader/writer 20 and the second reader/writer 30. The external server 40 manages information related to the picking work, such as information about each item that is the subject of the picking work and the progress of the picking work.

In this embodiment, the picking management system 1 performs the following series of processes during picking work. First, the picking management system 1 performs an initial setting process, a notification process (an example of a first process), and a work completion report process (an example of a second process) in response to an instruction from the external server 40. The initial setting process is a process in which the first reader/writer 20 sets information about an item in the wireless communication device 10. The notification process is a process in which the first reader/writer 20 notifies the wireless communication device 10 of the location of an item in response to an instruction to pick an item from the external server 40. The work completion report process is a process in which, when a picking worker performs a picking work, information about the picked item is transmitted from the second reader/writer 30 to the external server 40. Each component of the picking management system 1 will be specifically described below.

(Configuration of wireless communication device 10)
1, the wireless communication device 10 includes a first RF tag 110, a second RF tag 120, a control unit 130, and an alarm unit 140. The first RF tag 110 is an example of a first tag, and the second RF tag 120 is an example of a second tag. The first tag and the second tag each represent a medium on which information can be electronically rewritten to identify an item.

The first RF tag 110 includes a first RF circuit section 111, a first control circuit 112, a first memory 113, a first input/output section 114, and an antenna 115. In this embodiment, the first RF tag 110 is, for example, an active RF tag.

The first RF circuit unit 111 is an example of a first communication device. The first RF circuit unit 111 performs wireless communication with the first reader/writer 20 via the antenna 115. In this embodiment, the first RF circuit unit 111 communicates, for example, an RF signal in a frequency band of 860 to 960 MHz (ISO/IEC 18000-6) with the first reader/writer 20 as the first wireless communication method. The first RF circuit unit 111 has a function of demodulating an RF signal received via the antenna 115, and a function of modulating a baseband signal input from the first control circuit 112 and outputting it to the antenna 115.

When the first RF circuit unit 111 receives a response request signal including an ID indicating the device from the first reader/writer 20, it transmits a response signal including the ID to the first reader/writer 20 via the antenna 115, and establishes communication with the first reader/writer 20. The first RF circuit unit 111 receives an RF signal including a command instructing an initial setting process from the first reader/writer 20. The initial setting process is a process of setting the identification information of the item to be picked in the first RF tag 11. In addition, in the second process, the first RF circuit unit 111 receives an RF signal including a command instructing an alarm process from the first reader/writer 20.

The first control circuit 112 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)). The first control circuit 112 performs processing related to the picking operation according to commands contained in the signal demodulated by the first RF circuit section 111 by the CPU executing a program pre-stored in the ROM.

Specifically, the first control circuit 112 establishes communication with the first reader/writer 20 by the first RF circuit unit 111 during the initial setting process and the notification process. When the first control circuit 112 receives an RF signal including an initial setting command instructing the initial setting process, the first control circuit 112 stores the identification information of the item specified by the initial setting command in the first memory 113, and outputs the identification information of the item stored in the first memory 113 to the control unit 130 via the first input/output unit 114. When the first control circuit 112 receives an RF signal including a command to notify the location of the item and to instruct the start of a picking operation (picking instruction information, an example of notification unit control information), the first control circuit 112 outputs notification instruction information instructing a notification to the control unit 130 via the first input/output unit 114.

The first memory 113 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or an FRAM (registered trademark) (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory). The first memory 113 stores the ID information of the device itself and identification information of an item (an example of first identification information), etc.

The first input/output unit 114 is an input/output interface electrically connected to the control unit 130. The first input/output unit 114 outputs item identification information and notification instruction information to the control unit 130 under the control of the first control circuit 112.

The antenna 115 transmits and receives RF signals to and from the first reader/writer 20. That is, the antenna 115 outputs RF signals received from the first reader/writer 20 to the first RF circuit unit 111, and transmits RF signals from the first RF circuit unit 111 to the first reader/writer 20.

The second RF tag 120 includes a second RF circuit section 121, a second control circuit 122, a second memory 123, a second input/output section 124, and an antenna 125. In this embodiment, the second RF tag 120 is, for example, an active RF tag.

The second RF circuit unit 121 is an example of a second communication device. The second RF circuit unit 121 performs wireless communication with the second reader/writer 30 via the antenna 125. In this embodiment, the second RF circuit unit 121 communicates, for example, an RF signal in a 13.56 MHz frequency band (ISO/IEC 18000-3) as the second wireless communication method with the second reader/writer 30. The second RF circuit unit 121 has a function of demodulating an RF signal received via the antenna 125 and a function of modulating a signal input from the second control circuit 122 and outputting it to the antenna 125.

When the second RF circuit unit 121 receives a response request signal from the second reader/writer 30, it transmits a response signal including an ID indicating its own device to the second reader/writer 30 via the antenna 115, and establishes communication with the second reader/writer 30. In the work completion reporting process, the second RF circuit unit 121 receives an RF signal including a read command from the second reader/writer 30 instructing the reading of the identification information of the picked item.

The second control circuit 122 includes a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM). The second control circuit 122 controls each part connected to the second control circuit 122 by the CPU executing a program pre-stored in the ROM, and performs processing related to the picking operation. Specifically, during the initial setting process, the second control circuit 122 stores in the second memory 123 the identification information acquired from the control unit 130 via the second input/output unit 124, i.e., the identification information (an example of second identification information) corresponding to the identification information of the item stored in the first memory 113 of the first RF tag 110 (an example of first identification information). In addition, when the second control circuit 122 performs the work completion reporting process, the second RF circuit unit 121 establishes communication with the second reader/writer 30, and when the second control circuit 122 receives an RF signal including a read command from the second reader/writer 30, it reads the item identification information stored in the second memory 123 as completion information indicating the completion of the picking work, and transmits the read identification information to the second reader/writer 30.

The second memory 123 includes a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (registered trademark) or FRAM (registered trademark). The second memory 123 stores data such as ID information identifying the device and identification information of an item (an example of second identification information).

The second input/output unit 124 is an input/output interface electrically connected to the control unit 130. The second input/output unit 124 acquires the item identification information output from the control unit 130, and outputs the acquired item identification information to the second control circuit 122.

The antenna 125 transmits and receives RF signals to and from the second reader/writer 30. That is, the antenna 125 outputs RF signals received from the second reader/writer 30 to the second RF circuit unit 121, and transmits RF signals from the second RF circuit unit 121 to the second reader/writer 30.

The control unit 130 is composed of, for example, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The control unit 130 controls each unit connected to the control unit 130 by the MCU executing a program previously stored in the built-in ROM. Specifically, when the first identification information is updated (including recording and changing) in the first memory 113, the control unit 130 updates the second identification information in the second memory 123 based on the updated first identification information. In other words, the control unit 130 performs a memory control process to store identification information indicating a common item in the first memory 113 and the second memory 123. In this embodiment, the case where identification information is newly recorded in the first memory 113 (initial setting process) will be mainly described, but the initial setting process is also the same when the identification information previously recorded in the first memory 113 is updated to another identification information. Specifically, the control unit 130 acquires the identification information updated in the first RF tag 110 from the first input/output unit 114 of the first RF tag 110, and outputs it to the second input/output unit 124 of the second RF tag 120. The control unit 130 also controls the notification unit 140 based on the notification instruction output from the first input/output unit 114.

Under the control of the control unit 130, the notification unit 140 notifies information such as the position of the item 2b corresponding to the wireless communication device 10.

Figure 2B is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the wireless communication device 10 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2B, the wireless communication device 10 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp 140a and a display 140b as the notification unit 140. The LED lamp 140a and the display 140b are provided on one side of the wireless communication device 10 that is visible to the picking worker 3 (see Figure 2A).

The LED lamp 140a includes an LED, and is turned on or off under the control of the control unit 130. The display 140b is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Under the control of the control unit 130, the display 140b displays any information, such as the item number of the item to be picked.

(Configuration of the First Reader/Writer 20)
Fig. 3A is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the first reader/writer 20 in the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3A, the first reader/writer 20 includes a first RF communication unit 211, a first communication unit 212, a first control unit 213, a first storage unit 214, and an antenna 215. The first reader/writer 20 supports the same communication standard as that of the first RF tag 110, and performs wireless communication with the first RF tag 110.

The first RF communication unit 211 transmits a response request signal including the ID of the first RF tag to the first RF tag 110 of the wireless communication device 10 via the antenna 215, and establishes communication with the first RF tag 110 by receiving a response signal from the first RF tag 110. The first RF communication unit 211 transmits an RF signal obtained by modulating a baseband signal from the first control unit 213, and demodulates the received RF signal and outputs it to the first control unit 213.

The first communication unit 212 is an interface that communicates with the external server 40 via the Internet network N (see FIG. 1). The first communication unit 212 acquires various information for supporting the picking operation from the external server 40, and outputs the acquired information to the first control unit 213.

The first control unit 213 includes a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM). The first control unit 213 controls each unit connected to the first control unit 213 by the CPU executing a program pre-stored in the ROM. Specifically, the first control unit 213 acquires information related to the picking operation from the external server 40 via the first communication unit 212. That is, the first control unit 213 acquires identification information of the item to be picked from the external server 40 and stores it in the first memory unit 214. In addition, the first control unit 213 establishes communication with the first RF tag 110 via the first RF communication unit 211, and transmits an initial setting processing command including the identification information stored in the first memory unit 214 to the first RF tag 110 via the first RF communication unit 211. In addition, the first control unit 213 transmits a picking instruction command (an example of the first work information and picking instruction information) that instructs the start of item picking work, including the identification information stored in the first memory unit 214, to the first RF tag 110 via the first RF communication unit 211.

The first memory unit 214 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (registered trademark). The first memory unit 214 stores data such as identification information of the items to be picked under the control of the first control unit 213.

The antenna 215 transmits and receives RF signals to and from the first RF tag 110.

(Configuration of the second reader/writer 30)
Fig. 3B is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the second reader/writer 30 in the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3B, the second reader/writer 30 includes a second RF communication unit 311, a second communication unit 312, a second control unit 313, a second storage unit 314, and an antenna 315. The second reader/writer 30 supports the same communication standard as the second RF tag 120, and performs wireless communication with the second RF tag 120.

The second RF communication unit 311 transmits a response request signal to the second RF tag 120 of the wireless communication device 10 via the antenna 315, and establishes communication with the second RF tag 120 by receiving a response signal from the second RF tag 120. The second RF communication unit 311 transmits an RF signal obtained by modulating a baseband signal from the second control unit 313, and demodulates the received RF signal and outputs it to the second control unit 313.

The second communication unit 312 is an interface that communicates with the external server 40 via the Internet network N (see FIG. 1). The second communication unit 312 acquires various information related to the picking operation from the external server 40 and outputs the acquired information to the second control unit 313.

The second control unit 313 includes a CPU and memory (ROM and RAM). The second control unit 313 controls each unit connected to the second control unit 313 by the CPU executing a program previously stored in the ROM. Specifically, the second control unit 313 establishes communication with the second RF tag 120 via the second RF communication unit 311, and transmits an RF signal including a read command (an example of second work information) to read the identification information of the picked item to the second RF tag 120. In addition, the second control unit 313 stores the identification information transmitted from the second RF tag 120 in response to the read command in the second memory unit 314. In addition, when the second control unit 313 acquires the identification information from the second RF tag 120, it generates completion report information including the identification information (an example of completion information) stored in the second memory unit 314, and outputs it to the external server 40 via the second communication unit 312. In other words, the completion report information is an example of picking completion information that indicates that the item picking work instructed by the external server 40 has been completed.

The second storage unit 314 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (registered trademark). The second storage unit 314 stores data such as the identification information of the item.

The antenna 315 transmits and receives RF signals to and from the second RF tag 120.

(Operation)
FIG. 4 is an operation flow diagram of the picking management system 1 in this embodiment.

First, the initial setting process in the picking management system 1 will be described. The first reader/writer 20 acquires, via the first control unit 213, the identification information of the item to be picked and the ID information of the first RF tag 110 corresponding to the item to be picked from the external server 40 via the first communication unit 212 (step S11). The acquired identification information is stored in the first memory unit 214 by the first control unit 213.

Then, the first reader/writer 20 transmits an RF signal including an initial setting command specifying the identification information (step S12). That is, the first control unit 213 establishes communication with the first RF tag 110 of the wireless communication device 10 corresponding to the acquired ID information by the first RF communication unit 211, and outputs a baseband signal including an initial setting command specifying the identification information stored in the first memory unit 214 to the first RF communication unit 211. Then, the first RF communication unit 211 generates an RF signal by modulating the baseband signal, and transmits the generated RF signal from the antenna 215.

In the wireless communication device 10, the first RF tag 110 receives the RF signal transmitted from the first reader/writer 20 via the antenna 115, and demodulates the received RF signal in the first RF circuit section 111 (step S21).

Then, if the signal demodulated by the first RF circuit section 111 contains an initial setting command, the wireless communication device 10 stores the identification information specified in the initial setting command in the first memory 113, and stores the same identification information in the second RF tag 120 (step S22).

Specifically, the first control circuit 112 stores the identification information (first identification information) specified by the initial setting command in the first memory 113. Then, the first control circuit 112 outputs the same identification information as the identification information stored in the first memory 113 to the control unit 130 via the first input/output unit 114. The control unit 130 outputs the identification information output from the first RF tag 110 to the second control circuit 122 via the second input/output unit 124. The second control circuit 122 stores the identification information (second identification information) corresponding to the identification information output from the control unit 130 in the second memory 123. As a result, the identification information of the item to be picked is stored in the first RF tag 110 and the second RF tag 120.

After the initial setting process, the picking management system 1 sequentially performs a notification process and a work completion report process in response to an instruction from the external server 40. Specifically, first, the first reader/writer 20 receives a picking instruction including identification information of the item to be picked and ID information of the item to be picked from the external server 40 (step S13). Then, the first reader/writer 20 transmits an RF signal including a picking instruction command specifying the identification information of the item to be picked (step S14). More specifically, in the first reader/writer 20, the first control unit 213 establishes communication with the first RF tag 110 of the wireless communication device 10 corresponding to the ID information specified in the picking instruction by the first RF communication unit 211, and outputs a baseband signal including a picking instruction command specifying the identification information of the item specified by the external server 40 to the first RF communication unit 211. Then, the first RF communication unit 211 generates an RF signal by modulating the baseband signal, and transmits the generated RF signal from the antenna 215.

In the wireless communication device 10, the first RF tag 110 receives the RF signal transmitted from the first reader/writer 20 via the antenna 115, and demodulates the received RF signal in the first RF circuit unit 111 (step S23). When the signal demodulated by the first RF circuit unit 111 contains a picking instruction command, the wireless communication device 10 turns on the LED lamp 140a based on the identification information specified in the picking instruction command (step S24). Specifically, when the signal demodulated from the RF signal contains a picking instruction command and the identification information specified in the picking instruction command matches the identification information in the first memory 113, the first control circuit 112 in the first RF tag 110 outputs notification instruction information to the control unit 130 via the first input/output unit 114. The control unit 130 turns on the LED lamp 140a of the notification unit 140 based on the notification instruction information from the first RF tag 110. This allows the picker (Figure 2A) to recognize that the item 2b corresponding to the wireless communication device 10 with the LED lamp 140a turned on is the item to be picked.

After step S24, the picker 3 takes out the item to be picked that corresponds to the wireless communication device 10 whose LED lamp 140a is turned on (picking work). When picking, the picker 3 points the second reader/writer 30 toward the wireless communication device 10. At this time, communication is established between the second reader/writer 30 and the wireless communication device 10. In other words, communication is established between the second reader/writer 30 and the second RF tag 120 by the second RF tag 120 of the wireless communication device 10 transmitting a response signal in response to a response request signal from the second reader/writer 30.

After establishing communication with the second RF tag 120, the second reader/writer 30 transmits an RF signal including a read command via the antenna 315 (step S31). Specifically, the second control unit 313 outputs a baseband signal including the read command to the second RF communication unit 311. The second RF communication unit 311 then generates an RF signal by modulating the baseband signal, and transmits the RF signal from the antenna 315.

The wireless communication device 10 receives the RF signal transmitted from the second reader/writer 30 via the antenna 125 in the second RF tag, and demodulates the received RF signal in the second RF circuit section 121 (step S25).

When the signal demodulated by the second RF circuit unit 121 contains a read command, the wireless communication device 10 transmits an RF signal including the identification information stored in the second memory 123 from the antenna 125 (step S26). That is, the second control circuit 122 outputs a baseband signal including the identification information stored in the second memory 123 to the second RF circuit unit 121, and the second RF circuit unit 121 generates an RF signal by modulating the baseband signal, and transmits the RF signal from the antenna 125.

The second reader/writer 30 receives an RF signal including the identification information via the antenna 315, and demodulates the received RF signal in the second RF communication unit 311 (step S32). The second reader/writer 30 acquires the identification information from the demodulated signal, and transmits work completion report information including the acquired identification information to the external server 40 via the second communication unit 312 (step S33). Specifically, the second control unit 313 acquires the identification information from the signal demodulated by the second RF communication unit 311 and stores it in the second storage unit 314. The second control unit 313 then generates work completion report information including the identification information stored in the second storage unit 314, and transmits it from the second communication unit 312 to the external server 40. This notifies the external server 40 that the picking work of the item instructed by the external server 40 has been completed.

In the embodiment, the first reader/writer 20 is placed on the shelf 2a where the item 2b is stored, and is used for a process of setting the identification information of the item to be picked in the wireless communication device 10 and a notification process of notifying the wireless communication device 10 of the location of the item. The second reader/writer 30 is worn by the picking worker 3 and is used for a work completion report process of reading the identification information of the item 2b from the wireless communication device 10 during the picking work. The wireless communication device 10 is equipped with RF tags corresponding to the communication standards of the first reader/writer 20 and the second reader/writer 30, and the identification information of the common item is stored in each RF tag. Therefore, even if the communication standards of the first reader/writer 20 and the second reader/writer 30 that perform the notification process and the work completion report process, respectively, are different, the process can be performed on the wireless communication device 10 using the reader/writer corresponding to the process. In this way, when the timing or circumstances of each process to assist with work on a single item are different, the wireless communication device 10 can be equipped with a different RF tag for each process, allowing the use of a communication means (reader/writer) appropriate for each process, thereby improving work efficiency.

In addition, when the identification information of an item is updated in the first memory 113 of the first RF tag 110, the identification information is similarly updated in the second memory 123 of the second RF tag 120 based on the updated identification information. Therefore, when an item is replaced, it is possible to set common item identification information for each RF tag more easily and reliably than when the identification information is rewritten for each RF tag.

The above describes the embodiments of the tag device and picking management system according to the present invention with reference to the drawings (Figs. 1 to 4). However, the tag device and picking management system are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. The drawings are mainly schematic, showing each component, for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention. Below, modified examples of the above embodiments are described.

[Modification]
(1) In the embodiment, an example has been described in which two mutually different processes (first process and second process) are performed to support a task on one item, but the wireless communication device may be configured in the same manner as in the embodiment when three or more processes are performed on one task or when three or more processes are included in one process. In other words, for example, when three mutually different processes are performed using different reader/writers for each process, the wireless communication device 10 may be provided with three RF tags corresponding to the communication standards of the reader/writers. In this case, as in the embodiment, for example, in an initial setting process in which identification information of an item is set in one RF tag, the same identification information is also stored in each memory of the other RF tags.

(2) The communication standards for the wireless communication between the first RF tag 110 and the first reader/writer 20 and the wireless communication between the second RF tag 120 and the second reader/writer 30 in the embodiment are merely examples and are not limited to these. In short, it is sufficient that the communication standards are different for each process that supports work on an item.

(3) In the embodiment, the first RF tag 110 and the second RF tag 120 are described as active RF tags, but they may be passive RF tags that transmit and receive signals using power supplied from the first reader/writer 20 and the second reader/writer 30.

(4) In the embodiment, the first RF tag 110 and the second RF tag 120 correspond to different communication standards, but may correspond to the same communication standard. In this case, each process related to the picking operation may be performed using a common reader/writer.

(5) In the embodiment, the first tag and the second tag perform wireless communication with the first communication medium device and the second communication medium device, but the communication between the first communication medium device and the second communication medium device may be wired communication.

The present invention can be used for tasks such as picking or inspecting items in warehouses or factories.

1: Picking management system 2b: Item 10: Wireless communication device 20: First reader/writer 30: Second reader/writer 40: External server 110: First RF tag 111: First RF circuit section 112: First control circuit 113: First memory 114: First input/output section 120: Second RF tag 121: Second RF circuit section 122: Second control circuit 123: Second memory 124: Second input/output section 130: Control section 140: Notification section 140a: LED lamp 140b: Display 211: First RF communication section 212: First communication section 213: First control section 214: First memory section 311: Second RF communication section 312: Second communication section 313 : Second control unit 314 : Second storage unit

Claims (4)

A first tag includes a first memory that stores first identification information for identifying an item, and is used in a first process for performing an operation on the item based on the first identification information;
a second tag including a second memory for storing second identification information for identifying the one item and used in a second process for performing the work;
a control unit that controls the first memory and the second memory,
when the first identification information in the first memory is updated, the control unit updates the second identification information in the second memory based on the updated first identification information ;
the first tag further comprises a first communication device that communicates with a first communication medium device in the first process;
the second tag further includes a second communication device that communicates with a second communication medium device in the second process;
the first communication device communicates first work information related to the work from the first communication medium device in the first process;
the second communication device communicates second work information related to the work from the second communication medium device in the second process;
The work includes a picking work in which a worker picks up the one item,
the first tag receives, in the first communication device, picking instruction information from the first communication medium device, as the first work information, the picking instruction information instructing a start of the picking operation for the one item corresponding to the first identification information;
A tag device in which the second tag transmits, in the second communication device, completion information indicating the completion of the picking operation for the one item corresponding to the second identification information to the second communication medium device as the second work information . Further comprising an alarm unit that notifies the position of the one article,
The first tag receives notification unit control information that causes the notification unit to notify the position of the one item as the picking instruction information,
The tag device according to claim 1 , wherein the second tag reads out the second identification information in the second memory as the end information in the second communication device and transmits the second identification information to the second communication medium device. the first tag is a first RF tag that transmits and receives an RF signal to and from the first communication medium device;
The tag device according to claim 1 , wherein the second tag is a second RF tag that transmits and receives an RF signal to and from the second communication medium device. A tag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A picking management device,
The picking management device includes:
A picking management system that transmits the picking instruction information to the first tag via the first communication medium device and receives the completion information from the second tag via the second communication medium device.

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