JP7586396B2 - Confidential waste paper management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a confidential waste paper management system and a management device.

Conventionally, there has been a method for recycling confidential waste paper that uses barcodes to determine the location of confidential waste paper at each stage of collection and recycling (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-024485 A

In the conventional method of recycling confidential waste paper, the location of confidential waste paper is managed by barcodes. However, barcodes must be read one by one with a barcode reader, and when handling large amounts of waste paper, a huge amount of work is required to read the information, making it difficult to manage the information.

Waste paper is also stored and managed in containers such as cardboard boxes, which are sometimes stacked and piled up. If barcodes are affixed to such containers to manage their location, it is very difficult to read them with a barcode reader when they are piled up, so the containers must be moved so that the barcodes affixed to each container can be read, which is a very time-consuming task. Also, for example, if the containers are brought to a melting facility while piled up in the cargo bay of a truck, the space in the truck's cargo bay is limited, so the barcodes must be read as the containers are loaded and unloaded one by one, which is a very time-consuming task.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a confidential waste paper management system and management device that can easily read the unique information written on an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag in order to manage the location of the container.

The confidential waste paper management system according to one aspect of the embodiment of the present invention is a confidential waste paper management system for managing a confidential waste paper collection process and a confidential waste paper dissolution process, and includes a write processing unit that performs a process of writing unique information to an RFID tag attached to a container that contains confidential waste paper, and a management unit that manages the location of the container based on the unique information read by a first RFID reader used in the collection process and a second RFID reader used in the dissolution process.

According to this aspect, it is possible to easily read the unique information written on the RFID tag in order to manage the location of the container.

In a confidential waste paper management system according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the RFID tag may have a plurality of inlays each including an IC chip and an antenna connected to the IC chip, and the write processing unit may write the unique information of the same content to the plurality of IC chips.

According to this aspect, when the RFID tag is attached to the container and is read by an RFID reader, the probability of reading at least one of the multiple antennas is increased, making it possible to read the unique information more reliably.

In a confidential waste paper management system according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the writing processing unit has a radiation unit that radiates radio waves that include the unique information and can be received by the inlay, and a moving mechanism that moves the RFID tag or the radiation unit, and the moving mechanism moves the RFID tag or the radiation unit so that one of the multiple inlays faces the radiation unit, and the radiation unit radiates the radio waves, thereby writing the unique information to the IC chip of each inlay in sequence.

According to this aspect, the unique information can be reliably written to each inlay that receives radio waves emitted from the radiating unit when one of the multiple inlays faces the radiating unit while the relative positions of the RFID tag and the radiating unit are moved by the moving mechanism.

In a confidential waste paper management system according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the RFID tag has a mark provided at a position that is movable relative to the radiating unit in a direction in which the relative position to the radiating unit is moved by the moving mechanism, the writing processing unit further has a mark detection unit that detects the mark, the moving mechanism moves the RFID tag or the radiating unit so that one of the multiple inlays faces the radiating unit based on the moving position when the mark is detected by the mark detection unit when the RFID tag or the radiating unit is moved, the radiating unit emits the radio waves in a state in which one of the multiple inlays faces the radiating unit, and the movement of the RFID tag or the radiating unit by the moving mechanism and the emission of the radio waves by the radiating unit are repeated to write the unique information to the IC chip of each inlay in sequence.

According to this aspect, by detecting the mark with the mark detection unit, the amount of movement required to face each inlay to the radiation unit can be grasped, and the unique information can be reliably written with each inlay facing the radiation unit.

In a confidential waste paper management system according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the mark may be provided at the boundary between multiple areas in which the multiple inlays are respectively arranged on the RFID tag.

According to this embodiment, since there is a mark at the boundary between multiple inlays, it is easy to grasp the position of multiple inlays using the mark as a reference.

In a confidential waste paper management system according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the mark may be a notch provided in the RFID tag, and the mark detection unit may be an optical sensor that outputs light to the RFID tag and detects the notch based on a change in reflectance or transmittance of the light.

According to this aspect, the notch can be easily detected based on the difference between the reflectance or transmittance of the light when the optical sensor outputs light to a portion of the RFID tag other than the notch and the reflectance or transmittance of the light when the optical sensor outputs light to the notch, and the positions of the two inlays can be more easily determined.

In a confidential waste paper management system according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the writing processing unit may write the unique information to the RFID tag and print a barcode representing the unique information on the surface of the RFID tag.

According to this aspect, the same unique information as the unique information written in the RFID tag can be read by a barcode reader, so that, for example, in cases where there is no RFID tag reader but there is a barcode, or when the RFID tag cannot be read for some reason, it is possible to read the same unique information as the unique information written in the RFID tag.

In a confidential waste paper management system according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the unique information written to the RFID tag may be read by a third RFID reader used in a storage facility that temporarily stores the confidential waste paper, and the management unit may manage the location of the container based on the unique information read by the third RFID reader.

According to this aspect, it is possible to easily read the unique information written on the RFID tag in order to manage the location of the contained items in the storage facility.

The management device according to one aspect of the embodiment of the present invention is a management device used in a confidential waste paper management system for managing a confidential waste paper collection process and a confidential waste paper dissolution process, in which unique information is written to an RFID tag attached to a container that contains the confidential waste paper, and the location of the container is managed based on the unique information read by a first RFID reader used in the collection process and a second RFID reader used in the dissolution process.

According to this aspect, it is possible to easily read the unique information written on the RFID tag, and the location of the container can be more reliably managed by the management unit.

It is possible to provide a confidential waste paper management system and management device that allows users to purchase a variety of products, is highly convenient, and enables efficient store operation.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer system 10 used in a confidential used paper management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a confidential used paper management system 500. FIG. 2 is a task diagram showing the process of each part in the confidential used paper management system 500 in chronological order. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing data resulting from the processing in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing data resulting from the processing in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing data resulting from the processing in FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a label 100 according to an embodiment. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7 . FIG. 1 shows a label 100 having a QR code 150. FIG. 1 shows a label 100A. A diagram showing the state in which a label 100A is attached to a cardboard box 5. 1 is a diagram showing a cardboard box 5 loaded in a luggage compartment 6A of a truck 6. FIG. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing the manufacturing process of the label 100 step by step. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing the manufacturing process of the label 100 step by step. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing the manufacturing process of the label 100 step by step. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing the manufacturing process of the label 100 step by step. FIG. 3 shows an issuing machine 30A. 1 is a diagram illustrating a process for issuing a label 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a process for issuing a label 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a process for issuing a label 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a process for issuing a label 100. FIG.

The following describes an embodiment in which the confidential waste paper management system and management device of the present invention are applied.

<Embodiment>
In explaining the confidential waste paper management system and management device of the embodiment, a computer system used in the confidential waste paper management system will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Here, confidential information is information that the owner of the information has decided not to disclose to anyone other than the owner in the future, and waste paper is paper that has been used, for example, paper that can be used as a raw material for recycled paper. Confidential waste paper is waste paper on which confidential information is written.

<Computer System>
1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer system 10 used in the confidential used paper management system of the embodiment. The computer system 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an auxiliary storage device 14, a display device 15, an operation device 16, an I/F (Interface) device 17, and a drive device 18, which are interconnected via a bus 19.

The CPU 11 is a computing device that executes various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 14.

ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory. ROM 12 functions as a primary storage device that stores various programs, data, etc. required for CPU 11 to execute various programs installed in auxiliary storage device 14. Specifically, ROM 12 functions as a primary storage device that stores boot programs such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface).

RAM 13 is a volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). RAM 13 functions as a main memory device that provides a working area in which various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 14 are expanded when they are executed by the CPU 11.

The auxiliary storage device 14 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various programs and information used when the various programs are executed.

The display device 15 is a display device that displays the internal state of the computer system 10, such as an LCD panel.

The operation device 16 is an input device through which a user of the computer system 10 inputs various instructions, such as a keyboard or a mouse.

The I/F device 17 is a communication device that allows the computer system 10 to communicate with external devices via the network 1.

The drive device 18 is a device for setting the storage medium 20. The storage medium 20 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as CD-ROMs, flexible disks, and magneto-optical disks. The storage medium 20 may also include semiconductor memory that records information electrically, such as EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and flash memory.

The various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 14 are installed, for example, by setting the distributed storage medium 20 in the drive device 18 and reading the various programs recorded on the storage medium 20 by the drive device 18. Alternatively, the various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 14 may be installed by downloading them from a network different from the network 1 via the I/F device 17.

<Confidential Waste Paper Management System 500>
2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the confidential wastepaper management system 500. The confidential wastepaper management system 500 is a system for managing the confidential wastepaper collection process and the confidential wastepaper dissolution process, and uses RFID tags to manage the confidential wastepaper.

The confidential waste paper management system 500 includes an administrator PC (Personal Computer) 30, an issuing machine 30A, a first RFID reader 60A, a cloud server 40, a second RFID reader 60B, and a third RFID reader 60C. In addition to the confidential waste paper management system 500, FIG. 2 also shows a client PC 50 and a dissolution processing company PC 70. Of these, the dissolution processing company PC 70 may be included in the confidential waste paper management system 500. The client is an individual or company that requests dissolution processing, and is a customer of the management company that operates the confidential waste paper management system 500. The dissolution processing is an example of a dissolution process.

The administrator PC 30, the cloud server 40, the client PC 50, and the dissolution processing company PC 70 are realized by a computer system 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The administrator PC 30, the cloud server 40, the client PC 50, the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, the third RFID reader 60C, and the dissolution processing company PC 70 can communicate via a network 1.

In the confidential waste paper management system 500, the cloud server 40 has a function as a database that stores data handled by the entire confidential waste paper management system 500, a function as a server that handles web pages, and a function as a mail server for notification mail. In addition, in the confidential waste paper management system 500, a label issuing application that the issuing machine 30A uses when issuing the label 100A, and a handy application that the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, and the third RFID reader 60C use. The label 100A is an example of an RFID tag. The details of the configuration of the label 100A will be described later using Figures 7 to 10, etc., but the label 100A includes two inlays as an example. Each inlay has an antenna and an IC chip for the RFID tag. The same information (unique information) is written in the two IC chips 121. The label issuing application includes a program for issuing the label 100A used in the confidential waste paper management system 500, and enables the issuing machine 30A to issue the label 100A. The handy application is an application used by the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, and the third RFID reader 60C when reading the inlay of the label 100A and when transmitting the read data to the cloud server 40. Different information may be written to the two IC chips 121, and different information may be written to the two IC chips 121 in addition to the same information (unique information).

In addition to the system configuration, FIG. 2 also shows the overall flow, and diagrammatically illustrates the route for attaching a label 100A including an inlay to a cardboard box 5, which is an example of a container that contains confidential waste paper, and transporting the box by truck 6. One label 100A is affixed to each cardboard box 5. This is to identify each cardboard box 5 with unique information.

As an example, a configuration will be described in which there is one transport company, one warehouse company, and one dissolution processing company, and when a request for dissolution processing is received from a client, the transport company that transports the cardboard box 5, the warehouse company that stores the cardboard box 5, and the dissolution processing company that dissolves the confidential waste paper are determined. However, there may be multiple transport companies, warehouse companies, and dissolution processing companies. In this case, the transport company, warehouse company, and dissolution processing company that will be involved with a certain confidential waste paper may be determined in advance, or they may be determined when necessary and identified by IDs or the like assigned to the transport company, warehouse company, and dissolution processing company. A warehouse at a warehouse company is an example of a storage facility.

The administrator PC 30 is a PC for the administrator of the confidential waste paper management system 500, and is an example of a management device. The administrator PC 30 has a management section 31 and a memory 32. The management section 31 is a functional block showing the functions of the program executed by the administrator PC 30 to manage the confidential waste paper management system 500, and the memory 32 is a functional representation of the memory of the computer system 10.

When data is registered in the database 42 or when registered data is updated, the cloud server 40 notifies the administrator PC 30 via the network 1. Therefore, the administrator PC 30 can manage the data collected in the database 42 in the confidential waste paper management system 500 by accessing the cloud server 40 via the network 1 and reading the data registered in the database 42. In other words, the administrator PC 30 can manage the location of confidential waste paper in a series of processes from the application for dissolution to the dissolution process by accessing the cloud server 40 and reading the data registered in the database 42.

Here, the data handled in the confidential waste paper management system 500 is collected in the database 42 of the cloud server 40, and the administrator PC 30 manages the data by reading the data registered in the database 42. However, all data may also be collected in the administrator PC 30. Also, here, the administrator PC 30 manages the location of confidential waste paper as a management device. However, the cloud server 40 may manage the location of confidential waste paper as a management device.

The issuing machine 30A is connected to the administrator PC 30. The issuing machine 30A is an example of a writing processing unit that uses a label issuing application of the confidential waste paper management system 500 to write unique information to the label 100A attached to the cardboard box 5 that contains the waste paper. As will be described in detail later, the issuing machine 30A has an encoder that writes the requester's personal information and information about the confidential waste paper to the IC chip of the inlay, and a printing unit that prints a QR code (registered trademark), which is an example of a two-dimensional barcode, on the label 100A. The requester's personal information is, for example, a requester ID or the requester's name or title, but here, a form in which the requester's unique requester ID is assigned to each requester will be described. The information about the confidential waste paper is information about the collection location and collection date of the confidential waste paper. The process of collecting the confidential waste paper is an example of a collection process.

As an example, the same information is written in the IC chip of the inlay and the QR code. The confidential waste paper management system 500 is premised on using an RFID reader to read the inlay of the label 100A, but in situations where the inlay cannot be read for some reason, or where there is a QR code reader but no RFID reader, a QR code is printed on the label 100A to make the information written on the label 100A readable. Note that the label 100A only needs to have an inlay, and does not need to have a QR code. Furthermore, the information written in the IC chip of the inlay and the information written in the QR code may contain the same information, and either may further contain other information, or each may further contain other information.

The cloud server 40 has a processing unit 41 and a database 42. The processing unit 41 is a functional block showing the functions of the program executed by the cloud server 40 to manage the confidential used paper management system 500, and the database 42 is a functional representation of the memory of the computer system 10 that constitutes the cloud server 40.

The cloud server 40 functions as a database that consolidates and stores data handled by the entire confidential waste paper management system 500 as described above, as a server that handles web pages, as a mail server for notification mails, and as a web API (Application Programming Interface) server, and relays data communicated between the administrator PC 30, the client PC 50, the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, the third RFID reader 60C, and the dissolution processing company PC 70. Such processing is performed by the processing unit 41.

In database 42, customer data, order data, dissolution processing status management data, and dissolution processing data are registered. The customer data used for customer management includes management company and shipper (company) information. Customer data is managed for each management company. Order data includes dissolution application (quantity), scheduled pick-up date, and shipper information. Dissolution processing status management data includes check times at each location, current processing details, etc. Dissolution processing data includes a dissolution processing certificate issuance log.

The web pages include a user page where the requester can input information for procedures such as requesting dissolution processing, checking the dissolution processing status, and issuing a dissolution processing certificate, an administration page used by the administrator for customer management, order management, and system management, and a page for dissolution processing companies where dissolution processing companies can upload the status of the dissolution processing.

As a mail server, the cloud server 40 sends notification mail to the administrator PC 30. The cloud server 40 also functions as a web API server, and exchanges data with the handy applications of the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, and the third RFID reader 60C.

The client PC 50 is a PC of the client, and is used when using the confidential waste paper management system 500 to perform initial registration of personal information, etc., and to apply for the dissolution processing of confidential waste paper. In addition, when the dissolution processing of confidential waste paper is completed, the client PC 50 can access the cloud server 40 to obtain (acquire) a dissolution processing certificate on the web. The confidential waste paper management system 500 uses a dedicated application as an example, and the client PC 50 can use the application to perform initial registration, apply for the dissolution processing of confidential waste paper, and obtain a dissolution processing certificate.

A requester who is a new customer registers as a new user on the user page and obtains a user account and password. The requester can operate the requester PC 50 to enter the user account and password on the user page and log in to the user page to request dissolution processing (dissolution application), check the dissolution processing status, or issue a dissolution processing certificate, etc. The user account includes the requester's name, requester ID, email address, and a setting for whether or not to receive notifications regarding the completion of the dissolution processing. The requester ID is a unique identifier assigned to the requester.

The first RFID reader 60A is an RFID reader used by the carrier. The first RFID reader 60A has an RFID reader function for reading the inlay of the label 100A, a communication function for performing data communication through the network 1, and a QR code reader function for reading the QR code. The first RFID reader 60A is used by the carrier who goes to pick up the cardboard box 5 containing the client's waste paper, and uses a handy application of the confidential waste paper management system 500 to read the inlay of the label 100A at the time of pick-up, and the read information is transmitted to the cloud server 40. When there are multiple cardboard boxes 5 to be picked up, the first RFID reader 60A can read multiple labels 100A attached to the multiple cardboard boxes 5 at once. Note that the first RFID reader 60A does not have to have a QR code reader function for reading the QR code.

The transport company that receives the cardboard box 5 from the client transports it by truck to the warehouse company, where it is stored. Some confidential documents are subject to a storage period of several years (1 to 3 years) stipulated by contract or other regulations, and so may be stored at the warehouse company for several years before being dissolved. Note that waste paper that does not require such long-term storage may be sent directly to a dissolution processing company after being collected from the client, without going through the warehouse company, and immediately dissolved.

The third RFID reader 60C is an RFID reader used by the warehouse company and has the same configuration as the first RFID reader 60A. When the cardboard boxes 5 stored by the warehouse company are removed from the warehouse to be sent to the dissolution processing company, the third RFID reader 60C can use a handy application of the confidential waste paper management system 500 to simultaneously read multiple labels 100A affixed to multiple cardboard boxes 5 and transmit the read data to the cloud server 40.

The dissolving processing company PC 70 is a PC of the dissolving processing company. The dissolving processing company has a dissolving processing site where facilities for performing the dissolving processing are installed, and uses the second RFID reader 60B at the dissolving processing site. The second RFID reader 60B has a configuration similar to that of the first RFID reader 60A. The second RFID reader 60B can use a handheld application of the confidential waste paper management system 500 to collectively read multiple labels 100A that are respectively affixed to multiple cardboard boxes 5 before the dissolving processing is performed, and transmit the read data to the cloud server 40.

<Processing of each part in the confidential used paper management system 500>
Fig. 3 is a task diagram showing the time series of the processing of each part in the confidential used paper management system 500. Figs. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing data generated in the processing in Fig. 3. Here, the process up to when a client obtains a dissolution processing certificate will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6 and Fig. 2.

The requester PC 50 accesses the user page of the cloud server 40 and performs initial registration of personal information, etc. (step S1). The processing unit 41 of the cloud server 40 registers the initial registration data in the database 42 (step S1A). The processing unit 41 also notifies the administrator PC 30 that the data has been registered in step S1A (step S1B). The processing unit 41 also notifies the requester PC 50 that registration is complete (step S1C). The registration completion notification sent to the requester PC 50 includes the user account and password. This allows the requester to obtain a requester ID and login password.

The requester PC 50 logs in to the user page of the cloud server 40 and submits a dissolution request (step S2). The dissolution request includes information such as the requester ID, pick-up location, pick-up date, and number of items (number of cardboard boxes 5).

The processing unit 41 checks the contents of the dissolution application and registers it in the database 42 (step S3). The processing unit 41 checks the contents of the dissolution application from the customer on the application list page, and when the application is confirmed, confirms the acceptance process. When the processing unit 41 confirms the acceptance, it registers the contents of the dissolution application in the database 42.

As a result, information such as the label number, number of items, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date is registered in the database 42, as shown in FIG. 4(A). The label number is a serial number unique to the label 100A. The pick-up location is the address of the location where the cardboard box 5 is to be picked up, but is not limited to an address and may be, for example, an ID indicating a facility or the like registered in advance in the database 42. The pick-up date may be selected to be, for example, morning or afternoon.

The processing unit 41 also sends a completion notification of acceptance to the requester's PC 50 (step S3A). This allows the requester to confirm that the dissolution application has been accepted. The processing unit 41 also notifies the administrator's PC 30 of the application contents (step S3B).

The administrator PC 30 causes the issuing machine 30A to issue the label 100A and mails the issued label 100A (step S4). The issuing machine 30A uses the label issuing application of the confidential waste paper management system 500 to write the label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date in the inlay of the label 100A, and prints a QR code representing the label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date on the label 100A. In this way, the IC chip of the inlay and the QR code contain the same information. Note that instead of or in addition to the requester ID, the requester's personal name or company name may be written in the IC chip of the inlay and included in the QR code. The number of labels 100A issued may be more than the number included in the dissolution application in case additional labels are issued.

On the collection day, the carrier visits the requester and collects the cardboard box 5 filled with confidential waste paper. The carrier uses the first RFID reader 60A to read the inlay of the label 100A. The data that the first RFID reader 60A reads when collecting the confidential waste paper are the label number, the number of items, the requester ID, the collection location, and the collection date.

The first RFID reader 60A compares the read data with data registered in the database 42 of the cloud server 40, and if a match is confirmed, a confirmation button is displayed on the touch panel display, and when the button is pressed, data indicating the confirmation is sent to the cloud server 40 (step S5). At this time, the first RFID reader 60A sends the label number, the time of reading, the number of items, and the carrier ID to the cloud server 40 as pick-up data. If the inlay of the label 100A is read while all the cardboard boxes 5 are loaded in the trunk of the truck, the inlays of multiple labels 100A can be read all at once.

It should be noted that there is no need to check for a match in terms of the number of points; the carrier can simply visually check whether the number of labels 100A read by the first RFID reader 60A matches the number of cardboard boxes 5. This is because the number of cardboard boxes 5 may increase after the request is made.

The processing unit 41 adds the label number, the time of reading, the score, and the carrier ID contained in the pick-up data received from the first RFID reader 60A to the database 42 as shown in FIG. 4(B) (step S5A), and notifies the administrator PC 30 of the data indicating the registration (step S5B).

As an example, let us assume that five cardboard boxes 5 were picked up at the same time. Therefore, the label number is updated to 001-005, and the score is updated to 5. In addition, the time when the inlay of label 100A was read is added to the pick-up date. By registering such data in database 42, the location of the cardboard boxes 5 can be ascertained.

The processing unit 41 also notifies the third RFID reader 60C of the warehouse company of the data registered in the database 42 in step S5A (step S5C). The cardboard box 5 filled with confidential waste paper is delivered to the warehouse company by a carrier. The data notified in step S5C is treated as correct data (authentic data) when the warehouse company accepts the confidential waste paper.

When the cardboard boxes 5 are delivered, the warehouse company reads the inlays of the labels 100A all at once with the third RFID reader 60C at the time of warehousing, and checks whether the label number, number of items, and requester ID indicated by the data notified from the cloud server 40 match the label number, number of items, and requester ID read by the third RFID reader 60C (step S6). If a match is confirmed, the cardboard boxes 5 are stored in the warehouse. If they do not match, a check is performed again to confirm a match with the correct data. Note that at the warehouse company, the cardboard boxes 5 may be stored loaded on a pallet 7 (see Figure 2). In such cases, the inlays of multiple labels 100A can also be read all at once.

When the third RFID reader 60C confirms a match, it transmits the read label number, quantity, and requester ID, the storage location, the date and time when the reading was performed (warehousing date and time), and the warehouse company ID as storage time data to the cloud server 40 (step S6A). The warehouse company ID is a unique identifier assigned to a warehouse company. After the third RFID reader 60C reads the label 100A, the storage location and warehouse company ID are displayed on the third RFID reader 60C by the handy application, and are included in the storage time data when selected by the operator of the third RFID reader 60C.

The processing unit 41 adds the entry location, entry date and time, and warehouse company ID from the received entry data to the database 42 (step S6B) and notifies the manager PC 30 of the registration (step S6C). The data registered to the database 42 in step S6B is the data shown in FIG. 4(B) to which the entry location, entry date and time, and warehouse company ID have been added, as shown in FIG. 5(A). With such data, the location of the cardboard box 5 can be ascertained.

The data indicating the receiving location may be registered in advance in database 42 of cloud server 40 in association with the label number or the requester ID, and may be checked to see if there is a match at the time of receiving the goods, and may be included in the receiving data if there is a match. Also, instead of registering the data indicating the receiving location in database 42 of cloud server 40, data indicating the location of a warehouse company selected by the carrier from among multiple warehouse companies displayed on third RFID reader 60C at the time of receiving the goods may be included in the receiving data as data indicating the receiving location.

Although not shown in FIG. 5(A), the data registered in database 42 includes data indicating the storage period in the warehouse. The warehouse company stores cardboard boxes 5 based on the data indicating the storage period, and when the storage period has elapsed, the boxes are released for dissolution processing.

When the paper is shipped out, the warehouse company reads the inlays of the labels 100A all at once with the third RFID reader 60C (step S7) and transmits the read results to the cloud server 40 as shipping data (step S7A). The shipping data includes the label number, the number of items, the requester ID, the shipping location, and the shipping date and time. The shipping data is treated as correct data (authentic data) when the dissolving processing company accepts the confidential waste paper. Note that the shipping location is the same as the receiving location, but the shipping data may include data indicating the location of the warehouse company selected by the transport company from among the multiple warehouse companies displayed on the third RFID reader 60C at the time of shipping as data indicating the shipping location.

The processing unit 41 registers the data shown in FIG. 5(B) in the database 42 by adding the delivery location and delivery date and time from the received delivery data to the data shown in FIG. 5(A) (step S7B) and notifies the manager PC 30 of the registration (step S7C). The processing unit 41 also notifies the second RFID reader 60B at the melting processing site of the data registered in step S7B (step S7D). The data shown in FIG. 5(B) is the data obtained by adding the delivery location and delivery date and time from the delivery data to the data shown in FIG. 5(A).

At the dissolution processing site, after the cardboard boxes 5 are delivered and before the dissolution processing is performed, the second RFID reader 60B reads the inlays of the labels 100A all at once. The second RFID reader 60B reads the inlays of the labels 100A all at once and checks whether the label number, number, and requester ID represented by the data transmitted from the cloud server 40 match the label number, number, and requester ID read from the inlays of the labels 100A by the second RFID reader 60B (step S8). If a match is confirmed, the dissolution processing is performed. If a match is not confirmed, a confirmation operation is performed again to confirm a match with the correct data notified from the cloud server 40. At the dissolution processing site, the second RFID reader 60B can read the inlays of the labels 100A attached to the cardboard boxes 5 loaded in the cargo compartment of the truck 6 all at once.

When the second RFID reader 60B confirms a match, it transmits the label number, number of items, and client ID read when the label was brought into the dissolution processing site, the location of the dissolution processing company, the date and time when the label was read (the date and time when the label was brought into the dissolution processing company), and the dissolution processing company ID to the cloud server 40 as data at the time of dissolution processing (step S8A). After the second RFID reader 60B reads the label 100A, the location of the dissolution processing company and the dissolution processing company ID are displayed on the second RFID reader 60B by the handy application, and are included in the data at the time of dissolution processing when selected by the operator of the second RFID reader 60B.

Here, when the item is delivered to the dissolution company, it will wait in line before undergoing the dissolution process, so the date and time of delivery to the dissolution company is treated as the date and time of the dissolution process. Note that the date and time of the dissolution process may be included in the data at the time of dissolution process, separate from the date and time of delivery to the dissolution company.

The processing unit 41 registers the received dissolution processing data in the database 42 (step S8B). The data registered in the database 42 at this time is the data shown in FIG. 5(B) to which the location of the dissolution processing company, the date and time of delivery, and the dissolution processing company ID have been added, as shown in FIG. 6.

The processing unit 41 notifies the administrator PC 30 of data indicating that the dissolution processing data has been registered in the database 42 (step S8C). The processing unit 41 also transmits the data registered in step S8B to the dissolution processing company PC 70 (step S8D). The location of the cardboard box 5 can be determined by the data shown in FIG. 6.

The dissolution processing company PC 70 sends a dissolution processing completion notification to the cloud server 40 (step S9). The processing unit 41 registers the dissolution processing completion notification in the database 42 (step S9A) and transfers the dissolution processing completion notification to the administrator PC 30 (step S9B). Note that the dissolution processing company PC 70 may send a dissolution processing certificate with the dissolution processing company's electronic signature stamped to it to the cloud server 40 instead of the dissolution processing completion notification, or may send a dissolution processing certificate printed on paper with the dissolution processing company's seal stamped to it by mail to the management company. In addition, if the requester sets the dissolution processing completion notification when applying for the dissolution processing, when the dissolution processing completion notification is sent to the cloud server 40 in step S9, the processing unit 41 notifies the requester PC 50 that the dissolution processing has been completed.

The administrator PC 30 receives the notification that the dissolution process is complete (step S10) and issues a dissolution process certificate (step S11). The dissolution process certificate issued by the administrator PC 30 is stamped with the electronic signature of the management company. The administrator PC 30 sends the dissolution process certificate stamped with the electronic signature of the management company to the cloud server 40 (step S12), and the processing unit 41 registers the dissolution process certificate in the database 42 (step S12A) and notifies the client PC 50 that the dissolution process certificate has been issued (step S12B). The dissolution process certificate registered in the database 42 by the processing unit 41 becomes available for download when the client PC 50 logs in to the user page.

The client PC 50 receives a notification of the issuance of the dissolution processing certificate (step S13). The client PC 50 downloads and acquires the dissolution processing certificate by logging in to a user page (step S14). The dissolution processing certificate may be made downloadable, for example, as a PDF file. The dissolution processing certificate may also be a file displayed on the web that the client PC 50 can download and print. The dissolution processing certificate may also be configured to allow printing or not depending on the attributes of the file.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, by logging in to the user page on the client's PC 50, the client can check the current location and status of the confidential waste paper for which they have applied to be dissolved. Such a check can be made on the confidential document disposal status confirmation page provided on the user page by the confidential waste paper management system 500. On the confidential document disposal status confirmation page, for example, the label number, number of items, pick-up location, pick-up date, name of the transport company, entry location, entry date and time, name of the warehouse company, exit location, exit date and time, location of the dissolution processing company, date and time of delivery to the dissolution processing company (dissolution processing date and time), and name of the dissolution processing company can be checked.

As described above, the database 42 of the cloud server 40 registers the label number, number of items, pick-up location, pick-up date, name of the carrier, receiving location, receiving date and time, name of the warehouse company, shipping location, shipping date and time, location of the dissolution processing company, date and time of delivery to the dissolution processing company (dissolution processing date and time), and name of the dissolution processing company when the cardboard box 5 is picked up from the requester, when it is stored in the warehouse, when it is shipped out from the warehouse, and when it is melted down at the melting processing plant.

These data can be displayed on the administrator's PC 30 by the management unit 31 of the administrator's PC 30 accessing the database 42, so that the location of the cardboard box 5 can be confirmed and the progress from collection to dissolution processing can be confirmed. In other words, the management unit 31 can manage the location of the confidential waste paper packed in the cardboard box 5 based on the unique information read by the first RFID reader 60A used in the recovery process and the second RFID reader 60B used in the dissolution process.

The management unit 31 can also display customer data using a customer data list function. Furthermore, the management company staff can select customer data they wish to edit and edit the data, and/or select customer data they wish to delete and delete the data, and even if the data is deleted, it can be restored.

Although the above describes a form in which a client applies for dissolution processing on his/her own client PC 50, it is also possible to apply for dissolution processing by calling the management company. In this case, when the staff of the management company enters into the administrator PC 30 what the client has told the staff over the phone, the management unit 31 accesses the cloud server 40 on behalf of the client and has the processing unit 41 register the data in the database 42. In this way, when a dissolution processing application is made by phone, it is possible to register the data required for the dissolution application on behalf of the client. The management unit 31 can also check and edit the administrator account and display a list of operation logs.

Furthermore, the processes that can be executed by the management unit 31 in this way can also be executed by the processing unit 41 of the cloud server 40. Therefore, the processing unit 41 may be treated as the management unit.

<Label 100>
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a label 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 7. In the following, an XYZ coordinate system is defined and described. For ease of explanation, the -Z direction side is referred to as the lower side or bottom, and the +Z direction side is referred to as the upper side or top. A plan view refers to a view from an XY plane. In the following, the thickness and length of each part may be exaggerated to make the configuration easier to understand.

The label 100 is an example of an RFID tag, and includes a sheet 110, an antenna 120, an IC chip 121, an adhesive layer 130, a protective sheet 140, and a notch 105. The protective sheet 140 is an example of a protective layer. The sheet 110 may be any sheet-like member made of an insulating material, and is, for example, a sheet made of paper. The sheet 110 may be made of a material other than paper (for example, a resin sheet), but here, a form made of paper will be described.

Figure 7 is a plan view showing the design of the label 100. The item to which the design relates is an "RFID tag," and a view of the back side is omitted. In the view of the back side, the antenna 120 is visible when the protective sheet 140 is peeled off, and can be represented by a solid line. The adhesive layer 130 is transparent.

The sheet 110 has a main body portion 111, a reserve portion 112, and perforations 113. The main body portion 111 is an example of an inlay area where the inlay of the label 100 is provided. The reserve portion 112 is an example of a writeable area where information can be written by printing or handwriting. The perforations 113 are an example of an intermittent cut portion.

The sheet 110 is provided over the entire label 100 in the X and Y directions. The main body portion 111 is the portion of the sheet 110 on the +Y side of the perforation 113, and extends in the Y1 section. The reserve portion 112 is the portion of the sheet 110 on the -Y side of the perforation 113, and extends in the Y2 section. As an example, Y1 is longer than Y2.

The main body 111 is provided with two antennas 120 and two IC chips, while the copy portion 112 is not provided with an antenna 120 or an IC chip. The adhesive layer 130 is provided on the underside of the main body 111, but not on the copy portion 112. The main body 111 is the portion that is attached to the cardboard box 5 or the like as the label 100A shown in FIG. 2, and the copy portion 112 is the portion that becomes the copy paper for the requester. For this reason, a perforation 113 is formed between the main body 111 and the copy portion 112, so that the copy portion 112 can be easily separated by hand from the main body 111. When the copy portion 112 is separated from the label 100 and the protective sheet 140 is peeled off, the label 100A is obtained. The surface that attaches the label 100A to the cardboard box 5 or the like is the underside in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

The two antennas 120 are antennas for RFID tags formed on the underside of the main body 111 of the sheet 110, and may be antennas capable of receiving and transmitting radio waves in the frequency band allocated for RFID tags. The two antennas 120 are provided one on each of the +X and -X sides of the main body 111, avoiding the center of the width in the X direction. The IC chip 121 is connected between the two terminals of the antenna 120, and has a built-in memory. When the label 100A is used in the confidential used paper management system 500, information such as the label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date described above is written into the memory.

The device in which the antenna 120 and IC chip 121 are formed on the sheet 110 is the inlay 122. As an example, the label 100 includes two inlays 122.

The adhesive layer 130 is formed on the underside of the main body 111 so as to cover the antenna 120 and IC chip 121. It is formed on the entire underside of the adhesive layer 130. That is, the adhesive layer 130 has the same shape as the main body 111 in a plan view. The adhesive layer 130 is formed by applying or printing a transparent adhesive that allows the label 100A to be attached to a cardboard box 5 or the like. The adhesive layer 130 is not formed on the reserve portion 112. A protective sheet 140 is attached to the underside of the adhesive layer 130.

The protective sheet 140 has the same width in the X direction as the sheet 110 and a length longer than the length of the sheet 110 in the Y direction. The protective sheet 140 is rectangular in plan view and is attached to the bottom of the main body 111 of the sheet 110 by the adhesive layer 130. When attached to the bottom of the main body 111, the protective sheet 140 extends in the +Y direction from the end of the +Y direction of the sheet 110 and extends in the -Y direction from the end of the -Y direction of the sheet 110 as shown in FIG. 7. The protective sheet 140 is peeled off from the label 100 when the label 100A is attached to a cardboard box 5 or the like, so it is sufficient that the protective sheet 140 is a sheet member that can be peeled off from the adhesive layer 130. Note that, as an example, in this case, a label in which a plurality of labels 100 are connected in the X direction is divided into individual pieces to produce the label 100 shown in FIG. 7, so that both ends of the protective sheet 140 in the X direction coincide with both ends of the sheet 110 in the X direction. However, if the labels 100 are produced individually as sheets from scratch, rather than being separated from the labels connected in the X direction, the protective sheet 140 may extend beyond the sheet 110 on both sides in the X direction.

The notch 105 is provided at the end of the body 111 of the sheet 110 on the +Y direction side, in the center of the width in the X direction, and is a rectangular cut-out portion of the body 111 of the sheet 110. The notch 105 is an example of a mark. The position of the notch 105 in the X direction is between the two antennas 120. The notch 105 serves as a mark when attaching the label 100A to an object such as a cardboard box 5, and is also used to detect the position of the label 100 in the X direction when the issuing machine 30A writes information to the IC chip of the label 100. These details will be described later.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing a label 100 having a QR code 150. Three QR codes 150 are printed on the top surface of the sheet 110 of the label 100 shown in Figure 9. Two of the three are printed in positions that overlap the antenna 120 on the top surface of the main body 111, and the remaining one is printed on the top surface of the backing portion 112. The two QR codes 150 printed on the top surface of the main body 111 do not have to overlap the antenna 120, but may be located on either side of the cutout 105 in the X direction, similar to the two antennas 120.

When the label 100 is used in the confidential waste paper management system 500, the issuing machine 30A writes the label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date into the memory of the IC chip 121, and prints a QR code 150 representing the same label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date. The three QR codes 150 contain the same information.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing the label 100A. The label 100A shown in Figure 10 is obtained by cutting the copy portion 112 from the label 100 shown in Figure 9 along the perforation 113 and peeling off the protective sheet 140. One QR code 150 is printed on the copy portion 112 shown in Figure 9 in order to leave information on the copy portion 112 indicating the requester's label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date. Since the QR code 150 can be printed on the copy portion 112, information that one wishes to record can be written on the copy portion 112 in addition to the information written on the label 100A. In addition, since the main body 111 and the copy portion 112 can be easily separated along the perforation 113, the copy portion 112 can be carried separately from the cardboard box 5. Note that information may be written by hand on the copy portion 112.

Figure 11 shows the state in which the label 100A is attached to the cardboard box 5. The inlay 122 may not be readable if there is a metal member nearby, as this deteriorates the radiation characteristics of the antenna 120. Also, if multiple inlays 122 are placed close to each other, it may be difficult to read.

Therefore, when attaching the label 100A, the label 100A is attached across two adjacent surfaces of the cardboard box 5 as shown in FIG. 11. One of the two adjacent surfaces is an example of the first surface, and the other is an example of the second surface. The two adjacent surfaces have different orientations.

At this time, the label 100A can be attached so that one inlay 122 (see FIG. 10) is located on one surface of the cardboard box 5 and the other inlay 122 is located on the adjacent surface. Furthermore, when attaching the label 100A to the cardboard box 5 in this manner, the notch 105 can be made to straddle the boundary edge between the two adjacent surfaces. Even more preferably, the label 100A can be attached to the cardboard box 5 so that the four sides of the label 100A are parallel to each side of the cardboard box 5 and the notch 105 straddles the boundary edge between the two adjacent surfaces.

By attaching the label 100A in this manner, there is a high probability that at least one of the two inlays 122 can be read. When the above-mentioned cardboard boxes 5 are picked up, when they are brought into the warehouse, when they are taken out, when they are delivered to the melting processing plant, etc., the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, and the third RFID reader 60C can read the inlay 122 of each label 100A with a high probability even when multiple cardboard boxes 5 are stacked in the cargo compartment of a truck 6 or on a pallet 7.

In addition, since the label 100A is easily bent at the portion where the notch 105 is formed, it is easy to attach the label 100A to the corner portion at the boundary between two adjacent surfaces of the cardboard box 5. When the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, and the third RFID reader 60C read two inlays 122 included in the same label 100A, the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, and the third RFID reader 60C are configured not to double-count the number of labels 100A read based on the fact that the read label numbers are the same. In other words, each reader 60A to 60C can obtain the number of labels 100A (i.e., the number of cardboard boxes 5) rather than the number of inlays 122 read. Each reader 60A to 60C can display or transmit to the outside the fact that the same label number has been read from multiple inlays 122 belonging to one label as a reading result, and can display or transmit to the outside the number of inlays 122 read in a distinguishable manner from the number of labels 100A.

In addition, since two QR codes 150 are printed corresponding to the two inlays 122, even if the inlay 122 cannot be read by the first RFID reader 60A, the third RFID reader 60C, or the second RFID reader 60B, the two QR codes 150 are provided on two adjacent sides of the cardboard box 5, so there is a high possibility that the QR codes 150 can be read.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing cardboard boxes 5 loaded in the cargo room 6A of a truck 6. Here, a preferred method of loading cardboard boxes 5 with labels 100A affixed thereto will be described with reference to Figure 12. The outer wall of the cargo room 6A may be made of metal such as aluminum. When loading cardboard boxes 5 with labels 100A affixed thereto in such a cargo room 6A, if one of the two surfaces to which the labels 100A are affixed faces the outer wall of the cargo room 6A, there is a possibility that the inlay 122 facing the outer wall cannot be read. For this reason, when loading cardboard boxes 5 into the cargo room 6A, it is sufficient to ensure that the two surfaces to which the labels 100A are affixed do not face the outer wall of the cargo room 6A for any of the cardboard boxes 5.

In addition, if the cardboard boxes 5 are stacked with the two surfaces to which the labels 100A are affixed positioned on the top or bottom side of the cardboard box 5, the inlay 122 may be damaged. In particular, since the cardboard boxes 5 containing confidential waste paper are very heavy, if another cardboard box 5 is dragged over the cardboard box 5, if the two surfaces to which the labels 100A are affixed are positioned on the top or bottom side of the cardboard box 5, the inlay 122 may be damaged due to being rubbed under the weight.

In order to prevent such damage to the inlay 122, it is preferable to place the cardboard box 5 so that the two surfaces to which the label 100A is affixed are positioned on the sides of the cardboard box 5. In this way, even if another cardboard box 5 is stacked on top of the cardboard box 5, damage to the inlay 122 is prevented, and the inlay 122 can be read stably.

<Method of manufacturing label 100>
13 to 16 are diagrams showing the manufacturing process of the label 100 in stages. First, a sheet 110 is prepared as shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows the bottom side of the sheet 110. Next, as shown in FIG. 14, two antennas 120 are formed on the bottom surface of the sheet 110, and two IC chips 121 are attached to the bottom surface of the sheet 110. Also, a notch 105 is formed in the center of the width in the X direction at the end of the body 111 of the sheet 110 on the +Y direction side. The antenna 120 may be produced by forming a metal foil such as an aluminum foil by, for example, printing or vapor deposition. The two antennas 120 are formed on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the bottom surface of the sheet 110, avoiding the center in the X direction. Also, each IC chip 121 is attached to the bottom surface of the sheet 110 in a state where it is connected between two terminals of each antenna 120. The notch 105 may be produced by punching or the like in the center of the two antennas 120 in the X direction using a mold or the like, for example. It should be noted that the cutout 105 is not limited to be produced in the process shown in FIG. 14, but may be produced in another process, or a sheet 110 having the cutout 105 formed therein in advance may be prepared in the process shown in FIG. 13.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, an adhesive layer 130 is applied to the underside of the main body 111 in a section of length Y1 on the +Y direction side of the sheet 110 so as to cover the antenna 120 and IC chip 121, and a protective sheet 140 is attached to cover the adhesive layer 130.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, perforations 113 are formed parallel to the X-axis from the +Z direction side at the boundary between the main body portion 111 and the reserved portion 112. This completes the label 100. Note that while the manufacturing method for one label 100 has been described here, if a sheet-like member that will become multiple labels 100 is connected in the X or Y direction, the labels 100 may be manufactured by singulating after the process in FIG. 15 or after the process in FIG. 16.

<Issuing machine 30A and issuing process>
Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the issuing machine 30A. The issuing machine 30A includes an axis 201 that axially views the roll-type label 100R, a cutter 202, and a tray 203. The roll-type label 100R is formed by connecting the labels 100 shown in Figs. 7 and 16 in the X direction and winding them into a roll.

The issuing machine 30A also includes a feed roller 204, an idler roller 205, an upper transport guide 206, a lower transport guide 207, a platen roller 208, an upper transport guide 209, a lower transport guide 210, an optical sensor 220, an encoder 230, and a thermal head 240, which are arranged along the supply path F of the roll-type label 100R from the shaft 201 toward the tray 203. The optical sensor 220 is an example of a mark detection unit. The issuing machine 30A further includes a control unit 30A1.

Here, in the supply path F of the roll-type label 100R from the shaft 201 toward the tray 203, the shaft 201 side is referred to as the upstream side, and the tray 203 side is referred to as the downstream side. In the roll-type label 100R, the labels 100 shown in Figures 7 and 16 are connected in the X direction, so when the roll-type label 100R is sent (fed) along the supply path F, the notch 105 moves along the supply path F.

The feed roller 204 and the idler roller 205 are located on the upstream side of the supply path F and send the roll-type label 100R downstream. An upper transport guide 206 and a lower transport guide 207 are provided downstream of the feed roller 204 and the idler roller 205, and the roll-type label 100R is guided downstream between the upper transport guide 206 and the lower transport guide 207. The feed roller 204 is driven by the control unit 30A1 performing drive control of a motor (not shown), and the idler roller 205 rolls according to the roll-type label 100R supplied between the feed roller 204. That is, the feed of the roll-type label 100R to the downstream side and the backfeed to the upstream side are performed by the feed roller 204. The feed roller 204 is an example of a moving mechanism. The feed roller 204 and the idler roller 205 may also be regarded as an example of a moving mechanism.

A platen roller 208 is provided downstream of the upper transport guide 206 and the lower transport guide 207 at a distance, and an upper transport guide 209 and a lower transport guide 210 are provided downstream of the platen roller 208. The tray 203 is located downstream of the upper transport guide 209 and the lower transport guide 210. The cutter 202 is provided above and between the upper transport guide 209, the lower transport guide 210, and the tray 203.

A thermal head 240 is provided above the platen roller 208, and an optical sensor 220 and an encoder 230 are provided upstream of the thermal head 240. As an example, the optical sensor 220, the encoder 230, and the thermal head 240 are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream on the supply path F. Since the roll type label 100R is a series of labels 100 shown in Figures 7 and 16 arranged in the X direction, when the roll type label 100R is fed along the supply path F, the notch 105 moves along the supply path F relative to the optical sensor 220, the encoder 230, and the thermal head 240.

In addition, in FIG. 17, the portion of the roll-type label 100R that corresponds to one label 100 is shown as label 100P below the optical sensor 220, encoder 230, and thermal head 240. In addition, since the two inlays 122 of label 100P are located on the upstream and downstream sides, the two inlays 122 will be described separately as the upstream inlay 122 and the downstream inlay 122. The area of label 100P where the downstream inlay 122 is located and the area where the upstream inlay 122 is located are examples of multiple areas where multiple antennas are provided, respectively.

The distance between the notch 105 in the label 100P and the antenna 120 of the downstream inlay 122 in the direction of movement of the label 100P in the supply path F (the direction corresponding to the X direction in Figures 7 and 16) is equal to the distance between the notch 105 and the antenna 120 of the upstream inlay 122 in the direction of movement of the label 100P in the supply path F. Spacing data representing these distances is stored in the internal memory of the control unit 30A1 or the memory 32 of the administrator PC 30. Positional relationship data representing the positional relationship between the optical sensor 220, the encoder 230, and the thermal head 240 in the direction of movement of the label 100P in the supply path F is also stored in the internal memory of the control unit 30A1 or the memory 32 of the administrator PC 30.

The optical sensor 220 is a sensor that detects the notch 105 in the roll-type label 100R. The optical sensor 220 outputs light such as infrared light downward in FIG. 17 and can detect the notch 105 based on changes in the reflectance or transmittance of the light. Because the reflectance or transmittance of the light changes when the notch 105 in the roll-type label 100R is present below the optical sensor 220 and when the notch 105 is not present, the optical sensor 220 can detect that the notch 105 is located directly below it.

The encoder 230 is an example of an emitter that emits radio waves that include unique information and can be received by the inlay 122. The encoder 230 writes unique information to the IC chip 121 of the inlay 122 of the roll-type label 100R (see FIG. 7, etc.) by emitting radio waves on which encoded unique information is superimposed. The unique information is the label number and requester ID described above. Since the range in which the encoder 230 can emit radio waves is limited, the encoder 230 cannot write information to multiple inlays 122 at once, and writes information to the multiple inlays 122 included in the roll-type label 100R one by one in order. The encoder 230 may also be configured to output light downward, like the optical sensor 220, and detect the notch 105 based on changes in the reflectance or transmittance of the light.

The thermal head 240 is an example of a printing unit that prints a barcode, and writes (prints) the QR code 150 onto the roll-type label 100R. The platen roller 208 presses the roll-type label 100R against the thermal head 240. Note that the ink ribbon and the ink ribbon winding device are omitted in Figure 17.

Such an issuing machine 30A is controlled by a label issuing application, and based on control commands input from the administrator PC 30, performs a process of writing information to the IC chip 121 of the inlay 122 using the encoder 230, and a process of printing a QR code 150 on the roll label 100R using the thermal head 240.

The issuing machine 30A detects the position of the notch 105 with the optical sensor 220, and controls the feed roller 204 based on the interval data and the positional relationship data to feed the roll-type label 100R downstream or backfeed it upstream, thereby positioning the IC chip 121 of the inlay 122 directly under the encoder 230 to write information, and positioning the inlay 122 directly under the thermal head 240 to print the QR code 150. The control unit 30A1 controls the drive of the feed roller 204 based on the position of the notch 105 detected by the optical sensor 220, the interval data, and the positional relationship data. The control unit 30A1 may also use the pitch between adjacent notches 105 included in the roll-type label 100R when aligning the encoder 230 and the inlay 122 and when aligning the thermal head 240 and the inlay 122.

In addition, if the encoder 230 is configured to be able to detect the notch 105, the issuing machine 30A may use the position detection of the notch 105 by the encoder 230 in addition to the position detection of the notch 105 by the optical sensor 220 when aligning the encoder 230 with the inlay 122 as described above and when aligning the thermal head 240 with the inlay 122.

Now, the issuing process for issuing the label 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 17 to 21. Figs. 18 to 21 are diagrams for explaining the issuing process for the label 100. Figs. 18 to 21 show the issuing machine 30A, as in Fig. 17. Also, below the optical sensor 220, encoder 230, and thermal head 240 in Figs. 17 to 21, label 100P, which is a portion of the roll-type label 100R that corresponds to one label 100, is shown.

First, as shown in FIG. 17, the label 100P is fed so that the downstream inlay 122 of the label 100P is positioned directly under the thermal head 240, and a QR code 150 containing information on the label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date is printed on the downstream inlay 122.

Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the label 100P is backfed so that the inlay 122 on the downstream side of the label 100P is positioned directly below the encoder 230, and the label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date are written to the IC chip 121 of the downstream inlay 122.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the label 100P is fed so that the inlay 122 on the upstream side of the label 100P is positioned directly under the thermal head 240, and a QR code 150 is printed on the upstream inlay 122 and also on the copy section 112. These two QR codes 150 are also QR codes that include information on the label number, the requester ID, the pick-up location, and the pick-up date.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the label 100P is backfed so that the inlay 122 on the upstream side of the label 100P is positioned directly below the encoder 230, and the label number, requester ID, pick-up location, and pick-up date are written to the IC chip 121 of the upstream inlay 122.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 21, the label 100P is fed and positioned in a tray 203, and the boundary between the label 100P and the adjacent label 100P on the upstream side of the label 100P is cut by a cutter 202. This results in one label 100. By repeating the steps shown in FIG. 17 to FIG. 21, the label 100 can be printed.

In this way, the label 100 can be issued by the issuing machine 30A according to the content of the client's dissolution application. Since the inlays 122 of the label 100P are arranged in the transport direction on the transport path R, information can be written separately to each inlay 122 by the encoder 230 by feeding or backfeeding the label 100P with the feed rollers 204. In addition, two QR codes 150 can be printed at positions corresponding to the two inlays 122 by feeding or backfeeding the label 100P with the feed rollers 204.

Note that, although Figures 17 to 21 describe a configuration in which the label 100P moves relative to the optical sensor 220, the encoder 230, and the thermal head 240 under the control of the feed roller 204, the optical sensor 220, the encoder 230, and the thermal head 240 may move relative to the label 100P.

As described above, the confidential waste paper management system 500 includes an issuing machine 30A that performs a process of writing unique information to the label 100 attached to the cardboard box 5 that contains confidential waste paper, and a management unit 31 that manages the location of the cardboard box 5 based on the unique information read by the first RFID reader 60A used in the recovery process and the second RFID reader 60B used in the dissolving process, so that it is possible to easily read the unique information written on the label 100A in order to manage the location of the cardboard box 5.

In addition, in the confidential waste paper management system 500, the label 100A has multiple inlays 122, each including an IC chip 121 and an antenna 120 connected to the IC chip 121, and the issuing machine 30A writes the same unique information to the multiple IC chips 121. As a result, when the label 100A is attached to the cardboard box 5 and is read by the first RFID reader 60A or the second RFID reader 60B, there is a high probability that at least one of the multiple antennas 120 can be read, making it possible to read the unique information more reliably.

The issuing machine 30A also has an encoder 230 that emits radio waves that include unique information and can be received by the inlay 122, and a feed roller 204 that moves the label 100 or the encoder 230. The feed roller 204 moves the label 100 so that one of the multiple inlays 122 faces the encoder 230, and the encoder 230 emits radio waves, thereby writing the unique information to the IC chip 121 of each inlay 122 in sequence. Therefore, the unique information can be reliably written to each inlay 122 that receives the radio waves emitted from the encoder 230 when one of the multiple inlays 122 faces the encoder 230.

The label 100 also has a notch 105 that is provided at a position that allows it to move relative to the encoder 230 in the direction in which its position relative to the encoder 230 is moved by the feed roller 204, and the issuing machine 30A further has an optical sensor 220 that detects the notch 105. The feed roller 204 moves the label 100 so that one of the multiple inlays 122 faces the encoder 230 based on the movement position at which the optical sensor 220 detects the notch 105 when the label 100 is moved, and the encoder 230 emits radio waves when one of the multiple inlays 122 faces the encoder 230. By repeatedly moving the label 100 by the feed roller 204 and emitting radio waves by the encoder 230, unique information is written in sequence to the IC chip 121 of each inlay 122.

Therefore, by detecting the notch 105 with the optical sensor 220, the amount of movement required to make each inlay 122 face the encoder 230 can be determined, and unique information can be reliably written with each inlay 122 and encoder 230 facing each other.

The number of inlays 122 is two, and the notch 105 is provided at the boundary between an area on the label 100 (100P) where one of the two inlays 122, the downstream inlay 122, is arranged, and an area where the other, the upstream inlay 122, is arranged. Since the notch 105 is located at the boundary between the two inlays 122, it is easy to grasp the positions of the two inlays 122 using the notch 105 as a reference.

In addition, the optical sensor 220 outputs light to the label 100 and detects the notch based on changes in the reflectance or transmittance of the light, so that the notch 105 can be easily detected and the positions of the two inlays 122 can be more easily grasped.

The issuing machine 30A writes the unique information to the label 100 and prints a QR code 150 representing the unique information on the surface of the label 100, so that the same unique information as the unique information written on the label 100 can be read with a QR code 150 reader. For example, if there is no RFID reader for the label 100A but there is a QR code 150 reader, or if the label 100A cannot be read for some reason, it is possible to read the same unique information as the unique information written on the label 100A.

In addition, in the confidential waste paper management system 500, the unique information written on the label 100A is read by a third RFID reader 60C used in a warehouse that temporarily stores confidential waste paper, and the management unit 31 manages the location of the cardboard box 5 based on the unique information read by the third RFID reader 60C. Therefore, it is possible to easily read the unique information written on the label 100A in order to manage the location of the cardboard box 5 in the warehouse.

The label 100A also includes a sheet 110 that is affixed to one cardboard box 5, multiple antennas 120 provided on the sheet 110, and multiple IC chips 121 that are provided on the sheet 110 and connected to each of the multiple antennas 120. Therefore, when the label 100A is affixed to an item such as a cardboard box 5 and read with an RFID reader, there is a high probability that at least one of the multiple antennas 120 can be read, and information can be read more reliably.

In addition, since the same information is written to the multiple IC chips 121, by reading at least one of the IC chips 121, the same information written to the multiple IC chips 121 can be read, and the information can be read reliably.

In addition, the sheet 110 has multiple areas in which multiple antennas 120 are respectively provided, and notches 105 provided at the boundaries between the multiple areas, making it easier to grasp the positions of the multiple inlays 122 using the notches 105 as a reference.

The multiple regions of the sheet 110 may also be attached to multiple adjacent surfaces of an article such as a cardboard box 5 that are oriented in different directions. Since multiple inlays 122 are attached to multiple adjacent surfaces of an article such as a cardboard box 5 that are oriented in different directions, the probability of reading one of the multiple inlays 122 increases, and information can be read more reliably. For example, even when multiple articles such as cardboard boxes 5 with multiple labels 100A attached thereto are placed on top of each other, or when an article such as a cardboard box 5 with a label 100A attached thereto is placed near a metal wall, the probability of reading at least one of the multiple inlays 122 increases, and information can be read more reliably.

In addition, the sheet 110 is provided with a cutout 105, which makes it easier to bend the sheet 110 at the cutout 105, and easier to attach to a corner at the boundary between two sides of an article such as a cardboard box 5. The cutout 105 is also easy to create.

The sheet 110 may also have a main body 111 in which multiple antennas 120 and multiple IC chips 121 are provided, and a copy section 112 in which information can be printed or written by hand. Since information can be printed or written by hand in the copy section 112, information that you want to record can be written thereon in addition to the information written on the label 100A.

The sheet 110 may also have a perforation 113 provided at the boundary between the main body portion 111 and the receipt portion 112. Since the main body portion 111 and the receipt portion 112 can be easily separated along the perforation 113, for example, the main body portion 111 can be attached to an item such as a cardboard box 5, and the receipt portion 112 can be carried separately from the item such as the cardboard box 5. For example, the receipt portion 112 can be used as a receipt to be given to a requester who has requested the shipment of an item such as a cardboard box 5 to which the main body portion 111 is attached.

The sheet 110 may further include an adhesive layer 130 formed on the surface on which the multiple antennas 120 and multiple IC chips 121 are provided, and a protective sheet 140 attached to the adhesive layer 130 and removable from the adhesive layer 130. By removing the protective sheet 140, the multiple inlays 122 can be easily attached to an article such as a cardboard box 5 with the adhesive layer 130, making it easy to use.

The sheet 110 may further include a QR code 150 that represents the same information as the information written in the IC chips 121, and is printed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the antennas 120 and IC chips 121 of the sheet 110 are provided. Since the same information as the information written in the label 100A can be read with a QR code 150 reader, for example, when there is a QR code 150 without a label 100A reader, or when the label 100A cannot be read for some reason, the same information as the information written in the label 100A can be read. Since the QR code 150 reader is smaller and easier to carry than the label 100A reader, for example, in a place where items such as multiple cardboard boxes 5 with labels 100A attached are collected, the label 100A reader can read information, and in a situation where a business person or the like picks up the items such as individual cardboard boxes 5, the same information can be read with a QR code 150 reader carried by the business person or the like.

The manufacturing method of the label 100 also includes a step of forming a plurality of antennas 120 on a sheet 110 that is attached to one cardboard box 5, and a step of providing a plurality of IC chips 121 on the sheet 110 that are connected to the plurality of antennas 120, respectively. When the label 100A is attached to an article such as a cardboard box 5 and read by a reader, the probability of reading at least one of the plurality of antennas 120 is increased, so it is possible to provide a manufacturing method of the label 100 that allows information to be read more reliably.

In addition, since the method further includes a step of writing the same information to multiple IC chips 121, the same information written to multiple IC chips 121 can be read by reading at least one of the IC chips, providing a method for manufacturing a label 100 that can reliably read the information.

The sheet 110 also has a number of regions in which a number of antennas 120 are provided, and a notch 115 provided at the boundary between the multiple regions, and further includes a step of forming the notch 115 at the boundary between adjacent regions in the sheet 110. Since there are multiple inlays 122 each composed of an IC chip 121 and an antenna 120, and the notch 105 is provided at the boundary between the multiple inlays 122, it is possible to provide a manufacturing method for the label 100 in which the positions of the multiple inlays 122 can be easily grasped based on the notch 105.

The method may further include a step of forming perforations 113 at the boundary between the inlay area and the writable area of the sheet 110. Since the inlay area and the writable area can be easily separated along the perforations 113, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a label 100 in which the inlay area is attached to an article such as a cardboard box 5 and the writable area can be kept separately from the article such as the cardboard box 5. It is also possible to provide a method for manufacturing a label 100 in which the writable area can be used as a copy to be given to a requester who has requested the shipment of an article such as a cardboard box 5 to which the inlay area is attached.

The method may further include a step of forming an adhesive layer 130 on the surface of the sheet 110 on which the antennas 120 and IC chips 121 are provided, and a step of attaching a protective sheet 140 that can be peeled off from the adhesive layer 130 onto the adhesive layer 130. By peeling off the protective sheet 140, the inlays 122 can be easily attached to an article such as a cardboard box 5 with the adhesive layer 130, so that a method of manufacturing a label 100 that is easy to use can be provided.

The method may further include a step of printing a QR code 150 representing the same information as the information written in the multiple IC chips 121 on the surface of the sheet 110 opposite the surface on which the multiple antennas 120 and multiple IC chips 121 are provided. Since the same information as the information written on the label 100A can be read with a QR code 150 reader, it is possible to provide a manufacturing method for a label 100 that can read the same information as the information written on the label 100A, for example, in cases where there is no reader for the label 100A but there is a QR code 150, or when the label 100A cannot be read for some reason.

In the above, the label 100 includes two inlays 122, but the number of inlays 122 included in the label 100 may be three or more. For example, if the number of inlays 122 is three, the label 100 may be attached so that three inlays 122 are provided on each of the three surfaces of the cardboard box 5. In this case, the first RFID reader 60A, the second RFID reader 60B, and the third RFID reader 60C may be configured so as not to be counted three times. In addition, three QR codes 150 may be printed so as to be located on each of the three surfaces of the cardboard box 5. In addition, two notches 105 may be provided so as to be located between the three inlays 122. In addition, the label 100 includes a QR code 150 printed thereon, but the QR code 150 does not have to be printed.

Although the above describes a form in which the label 100 has the notch 105, a mark indicating the same position as the notch 105 may be provided instead of the notch 105. For example, if a black mark is printed on the surface of the white sheet 110, the optical sensor 220 can detect the position of the mark based on changes in the reflectance or transmittance of light. Also, the position of the label 100 may be detected using a position detection sensor other than the optical sensor 220 that detects the position based on changes in the reflectance or transmittance of light.

Although the label 100 includes an adhesive layer 130 and is attached to the cardboard box 5 by the adhesive layer 130, the label may be attached to the cardboard box 5 by something other than the adhesive layer 130. For example, the label may be attached by adhesive tape or the like. The label 100 may not have the copy section 112. In this case, copy data may be sent to the requester's PC 50, the requester's smartphone, or the like, for example.

Although the above describes a form in which the label 100 is attached to a cardboard box 5, the label 100 can be attached to various items other than a cardboard box 5. When attaching the label 100A to an item, it is sufficient to attach the label 100A so that the two inlays face in different directions, and preferably, it is sufficient to attach the label 100A so that it straddles two adjacent surfaces that face in different directions.

The following aspects are also disclosed.
(Item 1)
A sheet that can be attached to an article;
A plurality of antennas provided on the sheet;
and a plurality of IC chips provided on the sheet and connected to the plurality of antennas, respectively.
(Item 2)
2. The RFID tag according to claim 1, wherein the same information is written to the plurality of IC chips.
(Item 3)
The sheet is
a plurality of regions in which the plurality of antennas are respectively provided;
and one or more marks provided at boundaries of the plurality of regions.
(Item 4)
4. The RFID tag according to item 3, wherein the multiple regions of the sheet are attached to multiple adjacent surfaces of an article in different orientations, respectively.
(Item 5)
5. The RFID tag according to claim 3, wherein the mark is a notch provided in the sheet.
(Item 6)
The sheet is
an inlay area in which the plurality of antennas and the plurality of IC chips are provided;
6. The RFID tag according to any one of items 1 to 5, further comprising: a writeable area in which information can be written by printing or handwriting.
(Item 7)
7. The RFID tag according to claim 6, wherein the sheet further has intermittent cuts provided at the boundary between the inlay area and the writable area.
(Item 8)
an adhesive layer formed on a surface of the sheet on which the antennas and the IC chips are provided, the adhesive layer being formed on the antennas and the IC chips;
8. The RFID tag according to any one of items 1 to 7, further comprising: a protective layer attached on the adhesive layer and peelable from the adhesive layer.
(Item 9)
9. The RFID tag according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a barcode representing the same information as that written to the plurality of IC chips, the barcode being printed on a surface of the sheet opposite to the surface on which the plurality of antennas and the plurality of IC chips are provided.
(Item 10)
forming a plurality of antennas on a sheet that is attached to an article;
providing, on the sheet, a plurality of IC chips each connected to the plurality of antennas, respectively.
(Item 11)
2. The method for manufacturing an RFID tag according to claim 1, further comprising the step of writing the same information to the plurality of ICs.
(Item 12)
the sheet has a plurality of regions in which the plurality of antennas are respectively provided, and one or a plurality of marks provided at boundaries of the plurality of regions,
Item 12. The method for manufacturing an RFID tag according to item 11, further comprising the step of forming a mark at a boundary between adjacent areas of the plurality of areas on the sheet.
(Item 13)
Item 13. The method for manufacturing an RFID tag according to item 12, wherein the mark is a notch formed in the sheet.
(Item 14)
The sheet is
an inlay area in which the plurality of antennas and the plurality of IC chips are provided;
and a writeable area in which information can be written by printing or handwriting.
(Item 15)
Item 15. The method for manufacturing an RFID tag according to item 14, further comprising the step of forming discontinuous cuts at the boundary between the inlay area and the writable area of the sheet.
(Item 16)
forming an adhesive layer on a surface of the sheet on which the antennas and the IC chips are provided, from above the antennas and the IC chips;
16. The method for manufacturing an RFID tag according to any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising the step of attaching a protective layer on the adhesive layer, the protective layer being peelable from the adhesive layer.
(Item 17)
17. The method for manufacturing an RFID tag according to any one of claims 10 to 16, further comprising the step of printing a barcode representing information identical to the information written in the plurality of IC chips on a surface of the sheet opposite to a surface on which the plurality of antennas and the plurality of IC chips are provided.

The confidential waste paper management system and management device of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

30 Administrator PC
30A issuing machine 60A first RFID reader 40 cloud server 50 requester PC
60C Third RFID reader PC 70 Dissolution processing company 60B Second RFID reader 100 Label 105 Notch 110 Sheet 120 Antenna 121 IC chip 130 Adhesive layer 140 Protective sheet 220 Optical sensor 230 Encoder 240 Thermal head

Claims (6)

A confidential waste paper management system for managing a confidential waste paper collection process and a confidential waste paper dissolution process,
a write processing unit that performs processing for writing unique information to an RFID tag attached to a container that contains confidential waste paper;
a management unit that manages the location of the container based on the unique information read by a first RFID reader used in the recovery step and a second RFID reader used in the dissolving step,
the RFID tag has a sheet having a rectangular shape in a plan view and two inlays provided on the sheet, each inlay including an IC chip and an antenna connected to the IC chip;
The two inlays are provided on one side and the other side of the sheet in the first direction,
the sheet has a notch provided at a center in the first direction and at an end in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plan view,
the write processing unit writes the unique information having the same content into the two IC chips;
A confidential waste paper management system in which the RFID tag is affixed to two adjacent surfaces of the container that are oriented in different directions, such that the notch straddles the edge of the boundary between the two surfaces, and one of the two inlays is located on one of the two surfaces and the other of the two inlays is located on the other of the two surfaces . The write processing unit is
A radiation unit that radiates radio waves that include the unique information and can be received by the inlay;
a moving mechanism for moving the RFID tag or the radiating unit,
2. The confidential waste paper management system of claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism moves the RFID tag or the radiating unit so that one of the two inlays faces the radiating unit, and the radiating unit radiates the radio waves, thereby writing the unique information to the IC chip of each inlay in sequence . the first direction is a direction in which a position relative to the radiation unit is moved by the moving mechanism,
the writing processing unit further includes a notch detection unit that detects the notch ,
the moving mechanism moves the RFID tag or the radiating unit so that one of the two inlays faces the radiating unit, based on a moving position at which the notch is detected by the notch detection unit when the RFID tag or the radiating unit is moved;
The radiator radiates the radio wave in a state where one of the two inlays faces the radiator,
The confidential waste paper management system according to claim 2 , wherein the unique information is written in sequence to the IC chip of each inlay by repeatedly moving the RFID tag or the radiator using the moving mechanism and emitting the radio waves using the radiator. The confidential used paper management system according to claim 3 , wherein the notch detection unit is an optical sensor that outputs light to the RFID tag and detects the notch based on a change in reflectance or transmittance of the light. The confidential used paper management system according to claim 1 , wherein the writing processing unit writes the unique information to the RFID tag and prints a barcode representing the unique information on a surface of the RFID tag. The unique information written in the RFID tag is read by a third RFID reader used in a storage facility that temporarily stores the confidential waste paper,
The confidential used paper management system according to claim 1 , wherein the management unit manages the location of the container based on the unique information read by the third RFID reader.

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