JP2004280414A - Merchandise information managing method and radio tag reader used for the same and radio tag reader/writer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio tag reader and a radio tag reader/writer for making a reading/writing means proximate to the radio tag of each merchandise only by moving it along the display position of the merchandise of a display rack and a merchandise information managing means using this. <P>SOLUTION: This merchandise information managing method used for the inventory management of merchandise 12 displayed in a merchandise rack 16 is provided by making a radio tag reader 50 read the merchandise information of the merchandise 12 attached with a radio tag 14 recorded with merchandise information including at least the kind of the merchandise 12 . The radio tag reader 50 is provided with a head part 52 mounted with a reading means 60, a gripping part 54 and a sliding part 64, and the radio tag reader 50 is moved along the display rack 16 by butting the sliding part 64 to the display rack 16 so that the merchandise information of the radio tag 50 can be read by the reading means 60. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag reader / writer suitably used in a product information management method of grasping the product name and the quantity of the product displayed on a display shelf in a store by a wireless tag attached to the product, Specifically, the present invention relates to a product information management method capable of managing inventory while products are displayed on a display shelf, and a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag reader / writer used for the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional product information management method used for inventory management and the like, a bar code is associated with information on a product in advance, and a store clerk can directly read the bar code of the product using a bar code reading terminal or use a POS system. Information management.
[0003]
Since barcodes are attached to products in this way, clerks can manage accurate product information simply by reading barcodes without recording product names and quantities. It is now possible. However, in reading barcodes, the scanner must be located close to and opposite to the barcode, and the barcode must be scanned facing the barcode. Must be taken out, and collecting the product information is still a complicated task.
In recent years, management of product information using wireless tags that record product information has been performed. When reading product information using a wireless tag, unlike a bar code, data can be read without approaching and facing each other, so that product information can be obtained without taking out products from the display shelf one by one. It became so.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-24269 discloses a component information reading terminal used for a component information management system using a wireless tag.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-24269 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The component information reading terminal disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-24269 can read information related to a component from a recording medium related to the component in a non-contact manner, and can store the read component information in association with an apparatus to which the component is attached. Although it is possible, it is assumed that the recording medium to be read is mounted at a position where the reading operation is easy.
Even if the technique described in Patent Literature 1 is used for a product information management method such as product inventory management, a recording medium (wireless tag) is not always located at a position where it is easy to read depending on the product display method. For this reason, although a wireless tag can be read and written without contact, depending on the type of wireless tag, the wireless tag may not be in a communicable range with the wireless tag reader. In such a situation, when trying to collect the product information by reading the information of the wireless tag, it is necessary to take out each product from the display shelf and read the information of the recording medium one by one. There is a problem that there is no difference from the method of collecting product information using a barcode.
[0006]
In addition, even if the wireless tag attached to the product displayed on the display shelf is in a position where it is easy to read and write, the wireless tag reader or wireless tag reader / writer must be brought close to each product at a constant speed. There is also a problem that it is necessary to get used to the operation of the tag reader and the like, and not everyone can do it immediately.
Furthermore, depending on the position of the display shelf, the reading operation has to be performed in an unnatural posture, so that there is a problem that physical strength is required to read all the product information of a large number of products in the store.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and has a low degree of fatigue even when a large number of products are displayed and long hours of work is required. Even when the product is located in a position where reading and writing are difficult, a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag reader / writer that can bring reading and writing means close to the wireless tag of each product only by moving along the display position of the product on the display shelf are provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a product information management method using the same.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration.
That is, in a product information management method in which a wireless tag on which product information including at least the type of the product is recorded is attached, and the product information of the product displayed on the display shelf is read by a wireless tag reader and used for product inventory management and the like. Using a wireless tag reader having a head unit to which reading means is attached, a gripping unit, and a sliding contact unit, and displaying the wireless tag reader by bringing the sliding contact unit into contact with the display shelf. A merchandise information management method, wherein the merchandise information of the wireless tag is read by the reading means while being moved along a shelf.
As a result, it is possible to collect product information only by moving the wireless tag reader along the display shelf without taking out the product from the display shelf, thereby greatly improving work efficiency.
[0009]
In another invention, a wireless tag on which product information including at least the type of product is recorded is attached, and the product information of a product displayed on a display shelf is read by a wireless tag reader and used for inventory management of the product and the like. In the wireless tag reader used in the article information management method, a gripping section, a head section having a reading unit capable of reading article information of the wireless tag, and a sliding contact that abuts on the display shelf and slides along the display shelf. A wireless communication device, wherein the reading means can read the product information of the wireless tag by bringing the sliding contact portion into contact with the display shelf and moving along the display shelf. Tag reader.
As a result, it is possible to obtain product information only by moving the wireless tag reader along the display shelf without taking out the product from the display shelf, thereby greatly improving work efficiency.
[0010]
Further, the head portion is formed with an extension portion which enters a gap between the shelf plate of the display shelf and the product when the sliding contact portion is brought into contact with the display shelf, and It is preferable that the reading means is provided at an output portion.
Thereby, even when the wireless tag is not on the front side of the display shelf, the reading means itself can be brought close to the wireless tag, so that the information of the wireless tag can be read without taking out the product. Product information can be easily collected regardless of the mounting position of the wireless tag.
[0011]
Further, it is preferable that a display unit for displaying a communication result between the reading unit and the wireless tag is provided on the grip unit.
According to this, it is possible for the user to perform product information collection work while checking the product information read by the wireless tag reader.
Still further, the head unit and the grip unit may be connected by a connecting unit, and when the head unit is brought into contact with the display shelf, an angle between the head unit and the grip unit may be adjustable. preferable.
According to this, it is possible to collect the product information while easily checking the product information read by the wireless tag reader without changing the posture, thereby improving work efficiency.
[0012]
Further, it is preferable that a roller or a bearing whose rotation speed is regulated is disposed in the sliding contact portion.
Accordingly, when the wireless tag reader is moved while being in contact with the display shelf, the wireless tag reader can be smoothly slid. In addition, since the moving speed of the wireless tag reader is regulated, the communication time between the wireless tag reader and the wireless tag can be set so as not to be shorter than a predetermined time, and the information of the wireless tag can be surely read. Therefore, a communication error with the wireless tag can be prevented.
[0013]
A wireless tag reader / writer according to any one of the above-described wireless tag readers, further comprising a writing unit capable of writing information to the wireless tag.
According to this, since it is possible to write the product data of the wireless tag, it is possible to take out each product and edit the product information such as rewriting the information of the wireless tag. Product information management can be performed.
[0014]
Further, it is preferable that the read signal and / or the write signal in the reading means and / or the writing means have directivity.
Further, it is preferable that the reading means and / or the writing means is provided with a shielding means for shielding a reading signal and / or a writing signal.
As a result, since it is possible to read or write the product information of only the product in the target portion, accurate information management of the wireless tag can be performed, and efficient product information management can be performed.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a product information management system to which the present invention is applied and a wireless tag reader used in the system will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are included in the technical scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0016]
In the present embodiment, a wireless tag is attached to each product in a store where products are arranged in one direction on display shelves, such as a video software, a CD software, a DVD software store and a rental store. A wireless tag reader used when managing product information will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing a state where a product to which a wireless tag is attached is displayed on a display shelf.
The display method of the product 12 when the video software, the CD, the DVD software, or the like is used as the product 12 is such that the product 12 is often arranged in one direction at the display location 16 a of the display shelf 16. Further, in order to prevent the product 12 from dropping off the display shelf 16, the product 12 is displayed such that the front end face of the product 12 is located on the back side of the front end face of the display shelf 16. As a result, the wireless tag 14 attached to the product 12 is also located behind the front end face of the display shelf 16, and the wireless tag attached to the product 12 even when the wireless tag reader 50 is moved along the display shelf 16. As described above, there is a possibility that there is a possibility that communication with the P. 14 may not be possible.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a product information management system using a wireless tag.
The inventory management system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a product 12, information about at least the product name of the product 12, a wireless tag 14 attached to the product 12, a display shelf 16 for displaying the product 12, and a display shelf. A wireless tag reader 50 that reads information such as the product name and quantity of the wireless tags 14 of the 16 products 12 and a stock information database that stores in advance the stock information such as the names and quantities of all the products 12 in stock. 18, a receiving unit 20 for receiving the product information of the wireless tag 14 read by the wireless tag reader 50, a storage unit 22 for storing the product information received by the receiving unit 20, and the inventory information stored in the inventory information database 18. And a comparison means 24 for comparing the product information stored in the storage means 22 with the stock information. Product information management device 30 is constituted by the comparison means 24 and the database 18 and the receiving means 20 and memory means 22.
[0018]
Further, in the product information management device 30, the communication method between the wireless tag reader 50 and the receiving unit 20 is not particularly limited, and is set to be able to perform wired or wireless communication. The comparing means 24 is configured by a CPU provided in the product information management device 30 set to operate based on a program installed in advance.
[0019]
The wireless tag reader 50 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the wireless tag reader.
The wireless tag reader 50 includes a housing 56 composed of a head section 52 and a grip section 54, connecting means 58 for flexibly connecting the head section 52 and the grip section 54, and a wireless tag 14 attached to the product 12. Reading means 60 for reading the recorded information of the wireless tag 14, read data storage means 61 for storing the data of the wireless tag 14 read by the reading means 60, and receiving means of the product information management device 30 for storing the data stored in the read data storage means 61. The wireless tag reader 50 includes a transmitting unit 62 for transmitting the data to the wireless tag reader 20 and a control unit 70 for controlling the operation of each unit of the wireless tag reader 50.
[0020]
The head portion 52 includes a sliding portion 64 for sliding the wireless tag reader 50 against the shelf plate 16b of the display shelf 16 and an extending portion extending from the sliding portion 64 and proximate to the wireless tag 14 attached to the product 12. 66 are formed respectively. A roller 68 is provided in the sliding portion 64 as a sliding means, and is provided so that the contact portion of the wireless tag reader 50 can be easily moved laterally while keeping the contact portion of the wireless tag reader 50 in contact with the shelf board 16b. ing. Further, since the rotation speed of the roller 68 is mechanically regulated and the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 50 can be set to a predetermined speed or less, it is possible to make the reading means 60 perform communication with the wireless tag 14 reliably. it can.
[0021]
The extending portion 66 is formed in a shape capable of entering the gap between the lower surface of the shelf 16b and the upper surface of the product 12 when the sliding portion 64 of the wireless tag reader 50 is brought into contact with the shelf 16b. . That is, the extension 66 is formed to be thinner than the head 52. A reading means 60 is provided at the tip of the extension 66. The power supply to the reading unit 60 is controlled by the control unit 70 so that the reading unit 60 can communicate with the wireless tag 14 of the product 12 every time the roller 68 of the sliding contact portion 64 rotates a predetermined amount. .
[0022]
In addition, there is a possibility that wireless tag information other than the wireless tag 14 of the product 12 to be communicated with may be read due to the type of the wireless tag 14 attached to the product 12 or the influence of magnetic flux leakage or radio wave leakage. In such a case, if the anti-collision function of the wireless tag 14 is used, redundant reading can be prevented. In addition, for the wireless tag 14 outside the target range in the first place, in order to prevent communication as much as possible, in the vicinity of the reading means 60, a material capable of shielding the leakage of the magnetic flux and the radio wave emitted from the reading means 60 is used. By arranging the magnetic flux and the radio wave so as to be emitted in a specific direction, the magnetic flux and the radio wave can have directivity. In the present embodiment, the upper surface and the side surface of the reading means 60 are covered with a shielding material 74 in order to communicate only with the wireless tag 14 of the product 12 displayed on the lower side of the shelf 16b.
[0023]
A display 72 that is a display unit that displays the result of reading the information of the wireless tag 14 by the reading unit 60 is provided on the head unit 52 side of the grip unit 54.
In addition, the head section 52 and the grip section 54 are flexibly connected by a bendable connecting means 58. This makes it possible to freely adjust the angle at which the wireless tag reader 50 is brought into contact with the display shelf 16 and the display angle of the display 72, and appropriately select the usage mode of the wireless tag reader 50 according to the user's physique and preference. This makes it possible to greatly reduce the degree of fatigue in the product information collection work used for inventory management and the like.
[0024]
An article inventory management method using the wireless tag 14 and the wireless tag reader 50 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the steps of a product inventory management method using a wireless tag reader.
When managing the product information of the product 12 using the wireless tag reader 50 in a video, a CD shop, or the like as described above, the sliding portion 64 of the wireless tag reader 50 is moved to the display shelf 16 on which the product 12 is displayed. The information recorded on the wireless tag 14 can be read simply by causing the wireless tag reader 50 to slide in the display direction of the product 12 by bringing the wireless tag reader 50 into contact with the shelf board 16b (S101). Since the extension 66 of the wireless tag reader 50 can enter the gap between the shelf 16b and the product 12, the reading means 60 approaches the wireless tag 14, and the wireless tag 14 is located farther from the front end face of the shelf 16b. Even if it is on the side, it is possible to accurately read the product information.
[0025]
When the wireless tag reader 50 is slid sideways while being in contact with the shelf plate 16b, the roller 68 of the sliding contact portion 64 rotates, and every time the roller 68 rotates by a predetermined amount, the control unit 70 causes the reading unit 60 to rotate. Power is supplied in pieces. Thus, power can be supplied only during communication with the wireless tag 14, so that the power consumption of the wireless tag reader 50 can be reduced.
Further, the rotational speed of the roller 68 of the sliding portion 64 is mechanically restricted. As a result, the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 50 that moves while bringing the roller 68 into contact with the display shelf 16 becomes equal to or lower than a certain speed. Accordingly, the communication time between the wireless tag reader 50 and the wireless tag 14 is secured for a predetermined time, and the information of the wireless tag 14 can be reliably read by the wireless tag reader 50. Since the occurrence is greatly reduced, efficient work becomes possible.
[0026]
In addition, the regulation of the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 50 is not only mechanically restricted, but also measures the rotation amount of the roller 68 to the wireless tag reader 50 at predetermined time intervals to detect the moving speed of the wireless tag reader 50. A detection unit is provided, and when the control unit 70 determines that the wireless tag reader 50 is moving at a predetermined speed or more, a warning is issued on the display 72 or an alarm is generated by an alarm unit (not shown). You can also keep.
[0027]
The information read by the reading means 60 is stored in the read data storage means 61 (S102). By displaying the information stored in the read data storage unit 61 on the display 72, the user can confirm the read result on the spot (S103). The transmission unit 62 transmits the read data to the reception unit 20 of the product information management device 30 (S104).
[0028]
The data transmitted from the transmission unit 62 of the wireless tag reader 50 is stored in the storage unit 22 via the reception unit 20 of the product information management device 30 (S105), and is stored in the inventory information database 18 by the comparison unit 24 in advance. The inventory information of the product 12 is compared with the data stored in the storage unit 22 (S106), and the result is displayed (S107), whereby the inventory management of the product 12 (management of the product information) is performed. In addition, the POS system 80 using the wireless tag 14 or the barcode is introduced, and the sales data of the product 12 is stored in the inventory information database 18 from the POS system 80, and the data read by the wireless tag reader 50 and the inventory information database 18 are stored. If comprehensive merchandise information management is performed based on the pre-stored merchandise inventory information and merchandise sales data from the POS system 80, more detailed merchandise information management can be performed. It is.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, an inventory management (product information management) system that is preferably used in a store and rental store of video software, CD software, and DVD software is assumed. It can also be used as a system for suitably performing inventory work at DVD software retailers. When applying the present invention to inventory, it may be sufficient to know only the amount of assets (total amount of goods). In such a case, the wireless tag reader 50 reads the product price information from the wireless tag 14 and stores the total amount of the price in the read data storage unit 61, so that the wireless tag reader 50 can be used without using the product information management device 30. It is preferable that information required for the inventory work can be quickly obtained with only 50.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the data of the wireless tag 14 read by the wireless tag reader 50 is temporarily stored in the read data storage unit 61 disposed in the wireless tag reader 50. It is a matter of course that the read data may be immediately transmitted to the product information management device 30 without being provided, and the manufacturing cost of the wireless tag reader 50 can be reduced.
Further, the information read by the wireless tag reader 50 is automatically stored in the read data storage unit 61 and then transmitted to the product information management device 30. These processes are selectively executed. If various operation buttons such as a storage process, a transmission process, and a display process are provided so as to be able to perform the operation, it is more preferable because the usability is further improved.
[0031]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the position of the wireless tag 14 is attached to the upper surface side of the product 12 displayed on the display shelf 16, but as shown in FIG. When the wireless tag 14 is attached to the front side, the sliding contact portion 64 and the extending portion 66 are extended so that the extending portion 66 can be bent and then extended in a direction perpendicular to the head portion 52. And a second connecting means 76 which can rotate freely may be provided.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the inventory management method, the wireless tag reader, and the wireless tag reader / writer according to the present invention have the following effects.
In other words, the product information can be read simply by sliding the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer along the surface of the display shelf on which the product is displayed. It is possible to greatly improve, and it is possible to reduce the user's fatigue in the product information management work.
Further, in the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer used for this, since the sliding portion is formed in the head portion, if the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer is brought into contact with the display shelf, the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer is preferably used in the direction in which the products are displayed. The product information management such as inventory management can be performed by a simple operation.
[0033]
Also, the display means for displaying the result of the reading means or the reading / writing means communicating with the wireless tag of the product is provided, so that the contents of the communication can be confirmed on the spot.
Further, the sliding portion is provided with rollers and bearings that allow the wireless tag reader to move sideways while abutting the wireless tag reader on the shelf plate, so that the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer can be placed on the shelf plate of the display shelf. Since it can be easily moved along, it is possible to reduce the work load at the time of data collection in inventory management work.
[0034]
Further, in the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer, the head and the grip are connected by a bendable connecting means, and when the head is brought into contact with the shelf board of the display shelf, the angle between the head and the grip is changed. Since the adjustment is possible, the operation of the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer can be freely adjusted according to the user's physique or preference, and the accumulation of fatigue can be reduced even for long-time work.
[0035]
Furthermore, since a roller or a bearing whose rotation speed is regulated is provided in the sliding contact portion, the moving speed of the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer can be limited to a predetermined speed. Thus, even if the user is not skilled in the operation of the wireless tag reader or the wireless tag reader / writer, communication with the wireless tag can be reliably performed, and anyone can easily operate the wireless tag reader.
[0036]
Further, since the reading means and / or the writing means are provided with shielding means for shielding the read signal and / or the writing signal, the read signal and / or the writing signal have directivity. be able to. As a result, since there is no need to communicate with a wireless tag other than the wireless tag to be read or written, the anti-collision function is not required, so that the facility cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing a state in which a product to which a wireless tag is attached is displayed on a display shelf.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a product information management system using a wireless tag.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wireless tag reader.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing steps of a product information management method using a wireless tag reader.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of another embodiment of a wireless tag reader.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 inventory management system 14 wireless tag 16 display shelf 16b shelf 30 product information management device 50 wireless tag reader 52 head unit 54 grip unit 58 connecting unit 60 reading unit 61 data storage unit 64 sliding contact unit 66 extension unit 68 roller 70 control unit 72 display 74 shielding material

Claims (9)

A wireless tag on which product information including at least the type of product is recorded is attached, and the product information displayed on the display shelf, the product information is read by a wireless tag reader, and a product information management method used for product inventory management and the like.
Using a wireless tag reader having a head unit to which reading means is attached, a gripping unit, and a sliding contact unit,
Product information management, wherein the wireless tag reader reads the product information of the wireless tag by the reading means while moving the sliding portion along the display shelf with the sliding portion abutting on the display shelf. Method. A wireless tag on which product information including at least the type of the product is recorded is attached, and the product information of the products displayed on the display shelf is read by a wireless tag reader and used for a product information management method used for inventory management of the product. In the tag reader,
A gripper,
A head unit having a reading unit capable of reading product information of the wireless tag,
A sliding contact portion that is in contact with the display shelf and is slidable along the display shelf,
The wireless tag reader is characterized in that the reading means can read the product information of the wireless tag by bringing the sliding contact portion into contact with the display shelf and moving along the display shelf. The head portion is formed with an extending portion that enters a gap between the shelf plate of the display shelf and the product when the sliding contact portion is brought into contact with the display shelf, and the extension portion 3. The wireless tag reader according to claim 2, wherein the reading means is provided in the wireless tag reader. The wireless tag reader according to claim 2, wherein a display unit that displays a communication result between the reading unit and the wireless tag is provided on the grip unit. The head unit and the grip unit are connected by connecting means, and when the head unit is brought into contact with the display shelf, an angle between the head unit and the grip unit is adjustable. The wireless tag reader according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The wireless tag reader according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a roller or a bearing whose rotation speed is regulated is provided in the sliding contact portion. The wireless tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a writing unit capable of writing information to the wireless tag. The wireless tag reader / writer according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a read signal and / or a write signal in the read unit and / or the write unit has directivity. 9. The wireless tag reader / writer according to claim 8, wherein said read means and / or said write means are provided with a shielding means for shielding a read signal and / or a write signal.

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