JP2005306550A - Article management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article management system preparing history information that an article is taken in/out from a storage shelf from management information of an RFID tag attached to the article and informing a management person terminal of article information with low use frequency based on the use frequency of the article obtained when the history information is retrieved to promote efficient usage of a storage place. <P>SOLUTION: The article management system 300 is constituted so as to be provided with the storage shelf (fixture) 40 having an antenna 9 for reading/writing management information recorded in the RFID tag 200 stuck onto a back surface of a holder 30; a reader/writer 100 for performing reading/writing of the management information relative to the RFID tag 200; a control PC (control means ) 50 for controlling the reader/writer 100; a management PC (information processing device) 51 for managing a group of holders stored on the storage shelf 40; and a network 52 for connecting the control PC 50 and the management PC 51. The antennas 9, 9a provided in the storage shelf 40 and the reader/writer 100 are connected by a cable 44. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an article management system, and more specifically, notifies an administrator terminal of information for changing the storage location based on the usage frequency of the article obtained when searching for history information of the article. The present invention relates to an article management system that promotes the efficient use of the product.

Traditionally, in institutions and facilities that manage and store large amounts of documents, such as government offices, companies, etc., in order to automatically manage and store files for organizing and storing documents accurately and without human error, Attempts have been made to automate file management by attaching an RFID tag to each file and recording the management information of the file on the RFID tag. In this file management system, information on lending and returning files is automatically recorded in the system as history information. However, this history information is mainly for managing when, when, and when a file stored in a storage shelf is rented and returned, and the storage period and frequency of use of the files stored in the storage shelf It was not made to manage. Therefore, an unnecessary file whose storage period has expired or a file that has never been used cannot be found and left in the storage shelf. The wasteful and uneconomical state in which these unused files continue to occupy the storage space of the storage shelf has been generated, thereby hindering the effective use of the storage shelf.
In addition, as a conventional technique, a technique for automatically deleting a program file whose storage period has expired from a server storage device or informing the terminal of a related person to that effect has been proposed, but is stored in a management shelf. No technology has been proposed to inform the storage period and usage frequency of goods.

As described above, in the conventional file management system, the storage deadline and usage frequency of the files stored in the storage shelves were not managed, so that the unused files occupy the storage shelves. There is a problem that the shelf has not been effectively used.
In view of such a problem, the present invention creates history information such as the frequency, date, and user name of an article that has been put in and out of a storage shelf based on management information of an RFID tag attached to the article. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article management system that prompts efficient use of a storage place by contacting an administrator terminal with article information that is less frequently used on the basis of the use frequency of articles obtained when searching.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides an RFID tag that is attached to an article and records management information related to the article, and a reader / writer that reads and writes the management information from and to the RFID tag. Control means for controlling the reader / writer, and a fixture having an antenna for receiving and receiving radio waves for reading and writing management information recorded in the RFID tag and storing the article, Storage means for recording history information about the articles stored in the fixture, and controlling the reader / writer to store management information recorded in the RFID tag as part of the history information in the storage means An object that is recorded and searched for history information recorded in the storage means at a predetermined cycle, and does not satisfy a predetermined frequency of use based on the history information as a result of the search When detecting, and transmits the management information on the article on the information processing apparatus for managing the fixture.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in companies and the like, in order to manage files automatically, RFID tags are attached to each file and the article is managed. That is, in the conventional file management system, information on lending and returning files is automatically stored in the storage unit of the system as history information. However, this history information is primarily for managing when, when, and when a file stored in a storage shelf is lent to and returned, and the storage period and frequency of use of the files stored in the storage shelf It was not made to manage. Therefore, in the present invention, history information is searched at a predetermined cycle (for example, once every six months), and information about an article that does not satisfy a predetermined number of uses is transmitted to the information terminal.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when information related to an article whose usage frequency does not satisfy a predetermined number of times is transmitted to an information processing apparatus that manages the fixture, management information related to an article that has been stored in the fixture is also transmitted. It is characterized by doing.
Each item stored in the storage shelf has a storage deadline. For example, official documents have a storage deadline by law. Therefore, when sending information related to articles whose usage frequency is less than the predetermined number of times from the history information to the information processing device that manages the fixture, if there are other articles whose storage deadlines have exceeded, At the same time, it is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus can arbitrarily set the predetermined usage frequency.
The number of uses for determining whether or not to move the storage location of stored articles from the storage shelf differs depending on the location where the storage shelf is installed. In other words, if there are enough places to install storage shelves, it is possible to store items that are not frequently used as they are. It is necessary to use the storage shelf effectively by moving the storage location of the following items.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the history information stores at least a date when an article is lent out from the fixture and a storage time limit relating to the article.
In the article management system of the present invention, when an article is taken out from the fixture, the user name and the lending date are stored in the history information corresponding to the article. In order to know the number of loans lent within a predetermined period from this information, it is possible to count the rent date within that period. Whether or not the storage deadline has passed can be determined based on whether the storage deadline of the article is before or after the inventory date based on the inventory date.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means records the management information recorded in the RFID tag by the reader / writer in the storage means as a part of the history information, and the history information is recorded at a predetermined cycle. Search for. As a result of the search, if there is history information of an article that does not satisfy the predetermined number of times of use in the history information, control is performed so that information on the article is transmitted to the information processing device that manages the fixture. New articles can be found regularly, and the storage shelf can be used efficiently.
Further, in claim 2, when information related to an article whose usage count is less than a predetermined number is transmitted from the history information recorded in the memory, the article information whose storage period stored in the fixture has exceeded By transmitting together, it is possible to prevent an article whose storage deadline has been exceeded from being stored wastefully.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the information processing apparatus can arbitrarily set the predetermined number of times of use, the threshold value of the number of times of use can be changed according to the situation of the place where the storage shelf is installed, and the system is flexible. Can be given.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the history information recorded in the memory is controlled so as to store at least the date when the article is lent out from the furniture and the storage time limit for the article, the usage frequency can be determined from the minimum information. At the same time, it is possible to search for articles whose storage deadline has passed on the inventory date.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an RFID tag reader / writer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The RFID tag reader / writer 100 transmits / receives data to / from an external computer 50 by transmitting / receiving data to / from an external reader / writer 100 and controlling the entire system. Device 1, control device 2 that controls the operation of reader / writer 100 as a whole, firmware that records the procedure for operating control device 2, memory device 3 that stores the read data, and data from control device 2 as a carrier wave A modulator 4 that carries and modulates, an input device 5 that inputs an operation command, a display device 6 that displays information controlled by the control device 2, a power supply signal that is an AC signal from the control device 2, and modulation A power amplifier 7 for amplifying the write command from the device 4 and a binary signal from the carrier wave received from the loop antenna 9. A detection demodulator 8 for converting the data is configured by a loop antenna 9 for transmission and reception of electric power carrier wave and data with the IC tag (not shown).
Next, before describing the operation of the reader / writer 100 according to this configuration, the configuration of the paired RFID tags will be described first. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RFID tag according to the embodiment of the present invention. The RFID tag 200 of the present embodiment receives a loop antenna 20 that transmits and receives data using a power carrier wave from the reader / writer 100, a transmission / reception circuit 21 that generates a write command read command, and a power carrier wave from the loop antenna 20. A power generation circuit 22 that rectifies and converts it into DC power, a memory device 23 that manages storage of control firmware and data, a modulator 24 that modulates a transmission command from the control circuit 26 with a carrier wave, It comprises a detector 25 for converting carrier wave data from the transmission / reception circuit 21 into binary data, and a control circuit 26 for controlling the entire operation of the RFID tag 200.

Next, each operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 together. When a power supply (not shown) is turned on, the reader / writer 100 starts an operation according to a program stored in the memory device 3 after the initial operation of the control device 2. First, initialization is performed. Next, the control device 2 alternately transmits a power supply signal supplied to the RFID tag 200 and a polling signal from the power amplifier 7. The signal is radiated to the outside from the loop antenna 9 as an electromagnetic wave. Next, when the RFID tag 200 comes close to the reader / writer 100, the loop antenna 20 receives the power supply signal, rectifies the carrier wave by the power generation circuit 22 and converts it into DC power, and all the circuits in the tag To supply. When power is supplied and the control circuit 26 is driven, control is started in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 23.
Next, the control circuit 26 first demodulates the command from the transmission / reception circuit 21 by the detector 25, converts it to a binary signal, and analyzes the command. As a result, when it is recognized that it is called, the response is modulated by the modulator 24 and transmitted from the loop antenna 20 via the transmission / reception circuit 21. The reader / writer 100 receives this response with the loop antenna 9, converts it into a binary code with the detector demodulator 8, analyzes it with the control circuit 2, and recognizes that the RFID tag 200 is a tag conforming to the standard. Thereby, polling is performed between the reader / writer 100 and the RFID tag 200 thereafter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the holder and the RFID tag used in this embodiment. In FIG. 3A, for example, a name tag 32 on which the name of the holder 30 is written is pasted on the front surface of the holder 30 for storing the document 31 so that it can be visually confirmed. An RFID tag 200 for recording information is attached. FIG. 3B is an example in which the RFID tag 200 a is also attached to the document 31. Of course, management information for each document is recorded in the RFID tag 200a. Accordingly, the reader / writer that reads and writes the information of the RFID tag in a lump can manage the holder 30 and the documents in the holder 30 in a lump.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the article management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The article management system 300 includes a storage shelf (furniture) 40 having an antenna 9 for reading and writing management information recorded on the RFID tag 200 attached to the back of the holder 30, and management information for the RFID tag 200. A reader / writer 100 that reads / writes, a control PC (control means) 50 that controls the reader / writer 100, a management PC (information processing device) 51 that manages a group of holders stored in the storage shelf 40, and a control PC 50 And the network 52 for connecting the management PC 51, and the antennas 9 and 9 a provided in the storage shelf 40 and the reader / writer 100 are connected by a cable 44. In this example, the plurality of holders 30 are stored in the upper part of a shelf 41 that divides the storage shelf 40 from the upper and lower sides, and information recorded on the RFID tag 200 attached to the back of the holder 30 is provided on the back of the storage shelf 40. The antenna 9 is configured to read. A plurality of files 43 are stored in the lower part. An RFID tag (not shown) is attached to the side surface of the file 43 so that information can be read and written by the antenna 9a. In addition, the door 46 can be locked and unlocked by a key 46.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the outline operation | movement of the accommodation state which concerns on the article | item management system 300 of this invention is demonstrated. In this description, a case will be described in which a document stored in the holder 30 and not attached with an RFID tag is inventoried. First, the user brings an ID card such as an employee card close to the reader / writer 100 in order to take out the desired holder 30 from the storage shelf 40. When the reader / writer 100 authenticates the ID code recorded on the ID card, the reader / writer 100 unlocks the locking / unlocking device 46 provided on the door 45 of the storage shelf 40. Thereby, the user opens the door 45 and takes out the desired holder 30 from the inside. The reader / writer 100 reads information recorded on the RFID tag 200 attached to the back surface of the holder 30 by the antenna 9 provided on the back surface of the storage shelf 40, and stores it as history information in the memory of the control PC 50 (for details). Will be described later). Then, when a predetermined time (for example, stocktaking time, initial period, end of period) comes, the control PC 51 searches the history information stored in the memory, for example, information on holders and files that have never been rented, Information on the holder and file whose storage time limit has passed is selected and transmitted to the management PC 51 via the network 52. The administrator who has seen the screen of the management PC 51 moves the corresponding holder and file in the storage shelf 40 to another storage location based on the information. Thereby, an unnecessary holder and a file can be discovered regularly and the storage shelf 40 can be used efficiently.
If the RFID tag 200a is also attached to the document 31 as shown in FIG. 3B, the information of the RFID tag attached to the holder 30 and the document 31 is collectively read, so that the document unit is read. Unnecessary documents can be found.

  FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart when the usage status is invented by the article management system 300 of the present invention. This will be described with reference to FIG. The article described in the flowchart indicates a holder or a file. First, the reader / writer 100 monitors whether or not an article has been taken out from the storage shelf 40 (S1). When it is detected that the article has been taken out (YES in S1), the rental date of the article is stored in the memory of the control PC 50. (S2). If it is not detected in step S1 (NO route in S1), step S2 is skipped and it is monitored whether a usage status inventory command is issued from the control PC 50 (S3). NO route at S3), return to step S1 and repeat. When a usage status inventory command is issued in step S3 (YES route in S3), the control PC 50 searches the history information in the memory, selects an item that has never been lent (S4), and The article names are listed (S5). Next, it is searched from the history information whether there is an article whose storage deadline has passed (S6), and the article name is listed (S7). Then, the listed article name is transmitted to the management PC 51 via the network 52 (S8). The administrator who confirmed the screen moves the listed items to the secondary storage shelf (S9).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing history information stored in a memory in the control PC 50 constituting the article management system 300 of the present invention. For example, the case where the usage status is invented on December 28, 2004 will be described. In order to simplify the description, the article names will be described by paying attention to four types of “AAA”, “BBB”, “CCC”, and “DDD”. This history information stores “article name” 60, “borrower name” 61, “lending date” 62, “return date” 63, “retention date” 68 on the horizontal axis, and lending date in time series on the vertical axis. Stored in order. It is assumed that the article of interest is lent out in units of 64, 65, and 66. For example, the article name “AAA” is lent to the borrower name “a”, the lending date is “2004.4.1”, the return date is “2004.4.5”, and the storage period is “2005.1.31”. ". Similarly, “BBB”, “CCC”, “AAA”, and “DDD” are recorded in the article name 60. Here, it can be seen that items other than the article name “CCC” of reference numeral 67 are once rented and returned. In addition, it can be seen that the item names “BBB” and “DDD” are rented to the reference numeral 65 again. In addition, it is understood that the article names “AAA”, “DDD”, and “BBB” are lent out to the reference numeral 66 again. As a result of taking inventory of the usage status on December 28, 2004, the article “CCC” with reference numeral 67 has not been lent out within this period. For example, the article has not been lent out within the inventory period. Alternatively, if it is determined in advance that an article whose storage deadline has passed will be reported to the management PC 51, the article “CCC” of reference numeral 67 is listed as an unused article name. Further, the storage deadline is as of December 28, 2004, except for the article “DDD” 69, since 2005 is the storage deadline. Since it is already expired, it is listed as an expired article name.

  FIG. 7 shows a list of unused article names or expired article names from the list of FIG. Taking FIG. 6 as an example, “CCC” is listed as the article name in the unused article name 70, and the article “DDD” is listed as the expired article name 71. In this example, there is one each, but when there are a plurality, a plurality are listed. This information is transmitted to the management PC 51 via the network 52, and the manager looks at the list and takes measures to move the articles “CCC” and “DDD” from the storage shelf 40 to another storage shelf or storage warehouse. In this example, the criterion for determining an unused article name is never used. However, the administrator may change the criterion from the management PC 51 as appropriate.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the reader / writer for RFID tags of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the RFID tag of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the relationship between the holder and RFID tag which are used for this embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of an article management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart at the time of performing an inventory of a utilization condition by the article | item management system 300 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the log | history information memorize | stored in the memory in control PC50 which comprises the article | item management system 300 of this invention. It is the figure which listed up the unused article name or the expired article name from the list of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  9, 9a antenna, 30 holder, 40 storage shelf (furniture), 41 shelf, 43 file, 44 cable, 45 door, 46 key, 50 control PC, 51 management PC, 100 reader / writer, 200 RFID tag, 300 article management system

Claims (4)

An RFID tag that is attached to an article and records management information related to the article, a reader / writer that reads / writes the management information from / to the RFID tag, a control unit that controls the reader / writer, and the article And a fixture having an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves for reading and writing management information recorded in the RFID tag,
The control means includes storage means for recording history information regarding an article stored in the fixture, and controls the reader / writer to control information recorded on the RFID tag as part of the history information. When the history information recorded in the storage means and recorded in the storage means at a predetermined cycle is searched, and an article that does not satisfy the predetermined usage frequency is detected based on the history information as a result of the search, An article management system that transmits management information about an article to an information processing apparatus that manages the fixture.   When transmitting information related to an article whose usage frequency does not satisfy a predetermined number of times to the information processing apparatus that manages the fixture, management information relating to an article that has been stored in the fixture that has expired is also transmitted. The article management system according to claim 1.   The article management system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus can arbitrarily set the predetermined usage frequency.   4. The article management system according to claim 1, wherein the history information stores at least a date when an article is lent out from the fixture and a storage deadline related to the article.

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