JP6905246B2 - Informationized container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention typically relates to a container using the IoT (Internet of Things).

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made remarkable progress in recent years, and devices connected to networks such as the Internet are not limited to conventional information processing devices such as personal computers and smartphones, but are also used in various things. It has spread. Such a technology trend is called "IoT (Internet of Things)", and various technologies and services are being proposed and put into practical use. In the future, a world is envisioned in which billions of people on Earth and tens or trillions of devices are connected at the same time. In order to realize such a networked world, it is necessary to provide a solution that is simpler, safer, and more freely connected.

As one of the application examples of such IoT technology, a distribution site, a manufacturing site, or the like is assumed.

Conventionally, as one of the labor-saving methods at the distribution site, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-041612 (Patent Document 1) has a technique for reducing the labor of inspection at the time of arrival of the goods to be transported loaded in the distribution container. It is disclosed. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the physical distribution is performed by comparing the shipping weight indicated by the information input by the shipping information input means with the received weight indicated by the information input by the receiving information input means. It is possible to reduce the labor of inspection when the goods to be transported loaded in the container arrive.

JP-A-2016-041612

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the inspection is performed based on the difference in the weight of the entire package, and the inspection is not performed on the individual products that have arrived.

It is required to realize management for individual products by using IoT technology without constructing a large-scale system.

An information-oriented container according to an aspect of the present invention includes a main body for holding or supporting an arbitrary object, and an information processing unit arranged in association with the main body. The information processing unit has a unique network address, a communication unit capable of independent communication, a storage unit that stores instructions that specify processing for an object held or instructed in the main body unit, and an external request. In response to, an output means for outputting an instruction stored in the storage unit is included.

Preferably, the output means outputs a signal indicating an instruction stored in the storage unit by short-range wireless communication.

Preferably, the output means includes a display unit that displays a code indicating an instruction stored in the storage unit.

Preferably, the information processing unit responds to an information acquisition unit for acquiring at least one of the state information of the information processing unit itself and the state information around the information processing unit, and a request specifying a unique network address from the outside. Then, the state information response means for responding to the state information acquired by the information acquisition unit is further included.

According to a certain form of the present invention, it is possible to realize management for individual products without constructing a large-scale system by using IoT technology.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the appearance of the container according to this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the apparatus configuration of the information processing unit mounted on the container shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st use form of the container according to this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing procedure which concerns on the 1st use form of the container which follows this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of the processing procedure which concerns on the 1st use form of the container which follows this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 2nd use form of the container according to this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the customer order information shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the modification of the 2nd use form of the container according to this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 3rd use form of the container according to this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the processing procedure which concerns on the 3rd use form of the container which follows this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining some implementation example for realizing each usage form of the container according to this embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

<A. Overview>
According to this embodiment, an information-oriented container using IoT technology is provided.

As used herein, a "container" includes a configuration having a main body for holding or supporting an arbitrary tangible object, in addition to a container in a narrow sense, that is, an object having a function of storing some tangible object. It is a concept that broadly includes items such as pallets, trays, and breads that are used for transporting or transporting arbitrary tangible objects by holding or storing them in any way. The term "container" as used herein does not limit the shape of the portion in contact with the tangible object, the presence or absence of a lid on the portion that stores the tangible object, and the like. A container can be a container having an arbitrary shape or function depending on the target tangible object and the processing of the tangible object.

In the present specification, the term "informatized container" is a term that includes a general container using information and communication technology.

<B. Container device configuration>
Next, an example of the device configuration of the information-oriented container according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the appearance of the container 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, the container 1 includes a storage unit 2 for storing some tangible object (hereinafter, also referred to as a “transported object”) and a lid portion 3 for covering the opening of the storage unit 2. .. The storage unit 2 corresponds to a main body unit for holding or supporting an arbitrary object to be transported. Any tangible object to be transported is arranged inside the storage portion 2 and is transported with the opening closed by the lid portion 3. FIG. 1 shows a container 1 in which the storage portion 2 and the lid portion 3 are opened and closed by using a hinge or the like, but any configuration such as a slide type or a separable type can be adopted.

An information processing unit 100 as described later is arranged inside the lid portion 3. The information processing unit 100 may be arranged at any position as long as it is arranged in association with the storage unit 2 corresponding to the main body unit. The information processing unit 100 may have a display unit 114, and in that case, the display unit 114 may be arranged so as to be exposed on the surface of the lid portion 3.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of the device configuration of the information processing unit 100 mounted on the container 1 shown in FIG. The information processing unit 100 includes at least a communication function for exchanging data with other devices and devices, a processing function for executing various processes, a data storage function for holding various data, and the like.

More specifically, with reference to FIG. 2, the information processing unit 100 includes a processor 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, a flash memory 106, a local communication interface 112, a display unit 114, and a GPS ( It includes a Global Positioning System) module 116, various sensors 118, a communication module 120, a wireless module 128, a short-range wireless communication module 130, and a battery 140.

The processor 102 is a processing subject that executes various processes in the information processing unit 100. The processor 102 expands and executes a program and various instructions stored in the flash memory 106 in the RAM 104. Further, the processor 102 realizes a communication function between the information processing unit 100 and the external device or the external device by exchanging internal commands with the communication module 120. Further, the processor 102 acquires information measured from the GPS module 116, various sensors 118, the short-range wireless communication module 130, and the like. The RAM 104 is a storage device that temporarily holds programs and various data executed by the processor 102, and is composed of, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

The flash memory 106 is a storage device that non-volatilely holds programs and various data executed by the processor 102. The flash memory 106 is provided with a free area 108 whose contents can be rewritten by access from an external device, an external device, or the like, and a restricted area 110 in which addition / change / deletion of data is restricted. That is, the free area 108 corresponds to a storage area that can be read and written, and the restricted area 110 corresponds to a storage area that can only be read. Further, the flash memory 106 may be further provided with a storage area (secure area) that requires some kind of authentication processing in order to access the stored data.

The local communication interface 112 is an interface for exchanging data with an external device such as a personal computer or a smart device and / or with a removable storage medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) memory card. The local communication interface 112 is composed of, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a memory card reader / writer, or the like.

The display unit 114 is a device for presenting various kinds of information to the outside, and for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like is used. Alternatively, as the display unit 114, a device such as electronic paper, which requires extremely small power to maintain the display state or does not require power, may be used. Further, as the display unit 114, any light emitting device such as a matrix-arranged LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be used.

The GPS module 116 can receive a positioning signal from a GPS satellite or the like and acquire information indicating the current position of the information processing unit 100 (that is, the container 1). Further, the GPS module 116 can also acquire the current time and the like based on the time information included in the positioning signal from the GPS satellite or the like.

The various sensors 118 correspond to an information acquisition unit that acquires the state information of the information processing unit 100 (that is, the container 1) itself, the state information around the information processing unit 100 (that is, the container 1), and the like. Any sensing device can be used as the various sensors 118, and examples thereof include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a gyro sensor, and an illuminance sensor. It should be noted that it is not always necessary to arrange various sensors 118, and necessary sensors may be appropriately arranged according to the requirements and costs for the container 1.

The communication module 120 provides a function for communicating with another device or device. The communication module 120 functions as a kind of ISP (Internet Service Provider), has a unique network address (typically, an IP (Internet Protocol) address), and transmits or forwards a packet to a specified network address. Etc. are possible. In this way, the communication module 120, when combined with the wireless module 128, has a unique network address and corresponds to a communication unit capable of independent communication.

More specifically, the communication module 120 has a communication logic 122, an authenticated ID 124, and authentication information 126. Communication logic 122 sends, receives, or forwards packets to and from other devices or devices according to a predetermined protocol. The authenticated ID 124 is a kind of identification information preset for each communication module 120, and for example, 128-bit data strings unique to each other may be used. Typically, the authenticated ID 124 may be used as it is as an IP address. The authentication information 126 includes information necessary for identifying each communication module 120, and is used when routing a packet to or from another device or device. Specifically, the authentication information 126 is composed of a mathematically meaningful data string for specifying the authenticated ID 124, and the communication module 120 is specified by exchanging all or a part of the authentication information 126. You can do it.

The wireless module 128 provides the ability to exchange signals with other devices or devices. As an example, the wireless module 128 provides the physical layer and data link layer functions of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model. For the wireless module 128, for example, a device equipped with a wireless access method such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), W-CDMA ((Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA2000, WiMAX, wireless LAN (Local Area Network)) shall be adopted. Can be done.

In addition to the wireless module 128 or in addition to the wireless module 128, a wired module capable of realizing wired access may be arranged.

The short-range wireless communication module 130 typically provides a short-range wireless communication function such as an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier). More specifically, the short-range wireless communication module 130 includes a reader / writer function 132 and an emulating function 134. The reader / writer function 132 can read data stored in a non-contact manner from a storage medium such as an RF tag, and can write arbitrary data to a storage medium such as an RF tag. Since the short-range wireless communication module 130 itself functions as an RF tag, the emulation function 134 responds to an inquiry from another reader / writer with a signal indicating predetermined data.

The battery 140 is a power source that supplies electric power to each part constituting the information processing unit 100. If power is supplied to the container 1 to which the information processing unit 100 is mounted by some method, the battery 140 may not be mounted.

Hereinafter, some usage forms of the container 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
<C. First usage of container>
As a first usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment, tracking of a transported object (baggage tracking) will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 3, for example, it is assumed that a container 1 containing some object to be transported is transported by a truck 20.

A user who wants to check the transportation status of the container 1 (for example, an orderer of a package or a sender of a package) operates an information terminal 200 such as a personal computer or a tablet to store the target object to be transported. Send an inquiry message to. The information processing unit 100 mounted on the container 1 has a unique network address. At the time of shipping the transportation object, it is assumed that the identification information of the transportation object is associated with the network address assigned to the information processing unit 100 of the container 1 that stores the transportation object.

Therefore, when the user specifies an arbitrary transport object, the container 1 (that is, the information processing unit 100) associated with the designated transport target is specified. Then, an inquiry message specifying the network address of the specified information processing unit 100 is transmitted from the information terminal 200. Typically, this inquiry message is received by the designated information processing unit 100 by some wireless access method.

When the information processing unit 100 receives the inquiry message addressed to its own unit, the information processing unit 100 sends a response message including information stored in advance and / or information collected at that time according to the content of the inquiry message. Reply to the sender of the message.

The information terminal 200 displays the state of the designated container 1 (information processing unit 100) to the user based on the response message from the information processing unit 100. As the display content on the information terminal 200, the position of the designated container 1 may be displayed on the map, and the history of the processing performed on the designated container 1 may be displayed.

Since the information processing unit 100 mounted on the container 1 according to the present embodiment has a unique network address, it is possible to directly transmit an inquiry message from the information terminal 200 to the target container 1. can. By such direct communication between the information terminal 200 and the information processing unit 100, tracking of the transported object (baggage tracking) can be realized without the need for a large-scale server device or the like. At this time, the state information acquired by the various sensors 118 may be combined and responded.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the first usage mode, the information processing unit 100 responds to a request for designating a unique network address from the outside, and the GPS module 116 and / or various sensors 118 (information acquisition unit). ) May have a state information response function that responds to the state information acquired by.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing procedure according to the first usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a process of transmitting an inquiry message from the information terminal 200 to the container A (information processing unit 100) having the network address A.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the information processing unit 100 of the container A has a GPS module 116, various sensors 118, and a short-range radio for each predetermined cycle or each predetermined event occurrence. Information is collected from the communication module 130 and the like (step S100). Then, the information processing unit 100 stores the collected information (step S102).

On the other hand, when the user operates the inquiry message for the container A in the information terminal 200 (step S104), the inquiry message corresponding to the operation of the inquiry message is transmitted to the information processing unit 100 (step S106). .. Specifically, the network address A is specified as the destination of the inquiry message, and the specification of the network address A causes the inquiry message to be transferred on the network to the information processing unit 100 of the container A. ..

When the information processing unit 100 receives the inquiry message, it collects necessary information according to the content of the received inquiry message (step S108), and from the collected information and the information collected in advance, the question is asked. A response message corresponding to the content of the message is created (step S110), and the created response message is replied to the information terminal 200 (step S112).

When the information terminal 200 receives the response message from the information processing unit 100, the information terminal 200 displays the response content generated from the received response message on a display or the like (step S114).

By the above processing procedure, tracking (baggage tracking) of the transported object as shown in FIG. 3 is realized.

In the process of transmitting a message from the information terminal 200 to the destination information processing unit 100, one or more other information processing units 100 may transfer the message. Hereinafter, a main part of processing when another information processing unit 100 transfers a message will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the processing procedure according to the first usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a process of transmitting an inquiry message from the information terminal 200 to the container A (information processing unit 100) having the network address A. In the process of transmitting the inquiry message, the case where the container B having the network address B and the container C having the network address C sequentially transfer the inquiry message is shown.

When the user operates the inquiry message for the container A in the information terminal 200 (step S104), the information processing unit 100 receives the inquiry message in which the network address A is specified as the destination in response to the operation of the inquiry message. Is transmitted toward (step S106).

Assuming that the inquiry message from the information terminal 200 first arrives at the information processing unit 100 of the container C, the information processing unit 100 of the container C routes based on the destination (network address A) of the received inquiry message. To determine the transfer destination of the inquiry message (step S120). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the information processing unit 100 of the container C transmits the previously received inquiry message addressed to the network address A to the information processing unit 100 of the container B (step S122). This example shows a case where the information processing unit 100 of the container A is determined to belong to the node to which the information processing unit 100 of the container B belongs.

When the information processing unit 100 of the container B receives the inquiry message from the information processing unit 100 of the container C, the information processing unit 100 performs routing based on the destination (network address A) of the received inquiry message, and transfers the inquiry message. The destination is determined (step S124). In the example shown in FIG. 5, since the information processing unit 100 of the container B is in a state of being able to directly communicate with the information processing unit 100 having the network address A, the inquiry message addressed to the network address A from the container B is sent. It is transmitted to the information processing unit 100 of the container A (step S126).

The inquiry message from the information terminal 200 is transmitted to the information processing unit 100 of the container A by the transfer procedure as shown in steps S120 to S126.

When the information processing unit 100 receives the inquiry message, it collects necessary information according to the content of the received inquiry message (step S108), and from the collected information and the information collected in advance, the question is asked. A response message corresponding to the content of the message is created (step S110), and the created response message is replied to the information terminal 200 (step S112).

The response message transmitted from the information processing unit 100 of the container A is transmitted to the information terminal 200 according to a transfer procedure reverse to the transfer procedure as shown in steps S120 to S126 described above.

That is, when the information processing unit 100 of the container B receives the response message from the information processing unit 100 of the container A, the information processing unit 100 performs routing based on the destination (network address of the information terminal 200) of the received response message, and the response message. (Step S130). Then, the information processing unit 100 of the container B transmits the response message to the information processing unit 100 of the container C (step S132).

Similarly, when the information processing unit 100 of the container C receives the response message from the information processing unit 100 of the container B, the information processing unit 100 performs routing based on the destination (network address of the information terminal 200) of the received response message, and the response. The transfer destination of the message is determined (step S134). Then, the information processing unit 100 of the container C transmits the response message to the information terminal 200 (step S136).

When the information terminal 200 receives the response message from the information processing unit 100, the information terminal 200 displays the response content generated from the received response message on a display or the like (step S114).

Even if it is not possible to directly send and receive messages between the information terminal 200 and the information processing unit 100 of the destination container A by the above processing procedure, tracking of the transported object (baggage) as shown in FIG. Tracking) can be realized.

<D. Second usage of container>
As a second usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment, a configuration in which the information processing unit 100 mounted on the container 1 autonomously gives an instruction for performing various processes to an external device will be illustrated.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a second usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 6, for example, at a distribution site such as a distribution sensor, it is assumed that a product according to an order from a customer is stored in a container 1 and shipped by a truck 20.

As shown in FIG. 6A, first, the customer order information 30 is input to an arbitrary container 1. The customer order information 30 is stored in the information processing unit 100 mounted on the container 1. More specifically, for example, when a wireless signal indicating customer order information 30 is given to the information processing unit 100 by short-range wireless communication, the short-range wireless communication module 130 of the information processing unit 100 receives the wireless signal. It is stored in the flash memory 106. At this time, the information processing unit 100 responds with its own network address 32.

The customer order information 30 given to a certain container 1 and the network address 32 returned from the container 1 are associated with each other and stored in a database (DB) (not shown). The set of information of the customer order information 30 and the network address 32 stored in this database identifies the contact container 1 in the tracking (baggage tracking) of the transported object as shown in FIG. 3 described above. May be used for.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the customer order information 30 shown in FIG. With reference to FIG. 7, the customer order information 30 is described using a markup language as an example. The customer order information 30 includes, for example, customer information 302, product information 304, customer preference information 306, and other information 308. The customer information 302 includes a customer name, a zip code, an address, location information, and the like. The product information 304 includes an identification number and the like for identifying the product ordered by the customer. The customer preference information 306 includes information such as the arrival time of the product specified by the customer. Other information 308 includes any information that does not belong to the above categories.

When the container 1 is transported to the packing site with reference to FIG. 6 again, the customer order information 30 is read by the scanner 50 from the information processing unit 100 of the container 1 as shown in FIG. 6 (B). Based on the read customer order information 30, the pickup robot 52 picks up the ordered product 40 and arranges it in the container 1.

In this way, by using the container 1 according to the present embodiment, the processing device such as the pickup robot 52 may read the information necessary for the processing from the container 1 to be processed and perform the processing, so that the customer's order can be placed. The equipment itself can be made compact by eliminating the need for a server device that is centrally managed.

Further, the container 1 in which the product has been packed is transported to the shipping line as shown in FIG. 6 (C). The container 1 transported to the shipping line is transported to a predetermined shipping port by conveyors 64 and 66 and the like. The scanner 60 arranged in this transport process reads the customer order information 30 stored in the information processing unit 100 of the container 1. Based on the read customer order information 30, the conveyor controller 62 drives a route changing mechanism 68 provided on the conveyor to sequentially switch the transport route of the container 1 in the direction corresponding to the destination of each container 1. As a result, each container 1 is distributed to a truck or the like heading in a direction according to the customer at the delivery destination.

The scanners 50 and 60 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C are devices such as an RFID reader / writer that exchange signals with the short-range wireless communication module 130 of the information processing unit 100. It may be a device that acquires information by an optical method such as a camera or a barcode reader. Of course, a device that exchanges wireless information via the wireless module 128 of the information processing unit 100 may be adopted. When a device such as a camera or a bar code reader that acquires information by an optical method is used as a scanner, a two-dimensional code (for example, a bar code) indicating necessary information is displayed on the display unit 114 of the information processing unit 100. ) Or a three-dimensional code (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)) or the like may be displayed.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 6D, the trucks are loaded and shipped according to the customer order information 30 stored in the information processing unit 100 of each container 1. Each container 1 shipped by this truck or the like can be tracked (baggage tracking) in the process of being transported to the customer, as described in the first usage mode described above.

In the second usage mode described above, the flash memory 106 corresponds to a storage unit that stores an instruction that defines processing for a transported object that is held or instructed by the storage unit 2 that corresponds to the main body unit. Further, at least one of the local communication interface 112, the display unit 114, the communication module 120 and the wireless module 128, and the short-range wireless communication module 130 is stored in the flash memory 106 in response to an external request. Corresponds to the output function that outputs the command.

As described above, as a typical output function, a signal indicating an instruction stored in the flash memory 106 may be output by short-range wireless communication. Alternatively, as an output function, a two-dimensional code or a three-dimensional code indicating an instruction stored in the flash memory 106 may be displayed on the display unit 114.

According to the second usage pattern described above, even in a distribution site where a large amount of containers 1 flow, a large-scale server that controls the entire distribution process is not required, and a compact system with reduced costs is realized. can.

<E. Modification example of the second usage form of the container>
In the second usage pattern shown in FIG. 6 described above, an application example when applied to a distribution site such as a distribution sensor is shown, but it can also be applied to a manufacturing site such as an arbitrary factory. Hereinafter, an example of a usage pattern when the container according to the present embodiment is applied to the manufacturing site will be described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the second usage form of the container according to the present embodiment. As an example, FIG. 8 assumes a manufacturing process in which parts are attached to a work 70 arranged on a pallet-shaped container 1 # according to manufacturing information specified in advance. The pallet, which is container 1 #, corresponds to a main body for holding or supporting an arbitrary object to be transported. As an example, the information processing unit 100 is arranged in association with the side surface of the pallet corresponding to the main body portion.

As shown in FIG. 8A, first, the manufacturing information 80 is input to the arbitrary container 1 #. The manufacturing information 80 is stored in the information processing unit 100 mounted on the container 1 #. More specifically, for example, when a radio signal indicating manufacturing information 80 is given to the information processing unit 100 by short-range wireless communication, the short-range wireless communication module 130 of the information processing unit 100 receives the wireless signal and flashes. It is stored in the memory 106. At this time, the information processing unit 100 responds with its own network address 82.

The manufacturing information 80 given to a certain container 1 # and the network address 82 returned from the container 1 # are associated with each other and stored in a database (DB) (not shown). The set of information of the manufacturing information 80 and the network address 82 stored in this database may be used for tracking (traceability) of the manufacturing process of the work 70.

As shown in FIG. 8B, when the work 70 arranged on the container 1 # is transported to the assembly site, the manufacturing information 80 is read from the information processing unit 100 of the container 1 #. A command is given to the assembly robot 74 based on the read manufacturing information 80. The assembly robot 74 arranges the designated part 72 at the designated position of the work 70 according to the information (command or command) specified in the manufacturing information 80. Then, the information on the arrangement of the parts 72 with respect to the work 70 by the assembly robot 74 is output as the manufacturing record 84, and the manufacturing record 84 is stored in the database for manufacturing management together with the network address 82 of the information processing unit 100 of the container 1 #. Will be done.

Note that FIG. 8 illustrates only one manufacturing process, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of manufacturing processes may be continuously arranged.

Since the other processes and functions of the modified example of the second usage mode are the same as those of the second usage mode described above, the detailed description will not be repeated.

In this way, by using the container 1 # according to the present embodiment, if the manufacturing information 80 is given to the target information processing unit 100 in advance, the work 70 arranged on the container 1 # can be in any process. Even if the information is transported to, the processing equipment such as the assembly robot 74 arranged in each process only needs to read the information necessary for processing from the container 1 # to be processed and perform the processing, so that the entire manufacturing process is controlled. The equipment itself can be made compact by eliminating the need for a server device that manages the information.

<F. Third form of use of container>
As a third usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment, a mode in which another container is arranged in the container will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a third usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 9, for example, it is assumed that the small containers 1B and 1C are arranged in the large container 1A. As shown in FIG. 9, when a plurality of containers (information processing units 100) are arranged close to each other, as described with reference to FIG. 5 described above, the information processing units 100 are among the plurality of information processing units 100. Processes such as sequentially transferring various messages may be performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a specific information processing unit 100 may represent the communication of another information processing unit 100 according to the master-slave relationship of the stored state. For example, the information processing unit 100A mounted on the large container 1A may respond on behalf of the information processing units 100B and 100C mounted on the containers 1B and 1C stored in the container 1A, respectively.

As an example, when an inquiry message about the details of the container stored in the container 1A is sent to the container 1A, the information processing unit 100A of the container 1A is the information processing unit 100B of the containers 1B and 1C. Container 1A may create and send a response message based on the information exchanged with and from 100C.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing procedure according to a third usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 10, an inquiry message is transmitted from the information terminal 200 to the container A (information processing unit 100A) in a state where the container B and the container C are stored in the container A as shown in FIG. Indicates processing.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 10, when the information processing unit 100A of the container A receives the notification that the storage of the container B and the container C is completed (step S200), the information processing unit 100B of each container is received. , Exchange information with 100C. That is, the information processing unit 100A of the container A exchanges data with the information processing unit 100B of the container B (step S202). Then, the information processing unit 100A of the container A updates the information about the stored container based on the information acquired from the information processing unit 100B of the container B (step S204). Similarly, the information processing unit 100A of the container A exchanges data with the information processing unit 100C of the container C (step S206). Then, the information processing unit 100A of the container A updates the information about the stored container based on the information acquired from the information processing unit 100C of the container C (step S208).

After that, when the user operates the inquiry message to the container A in the information terminal 200 and the information processing unit 100A of the container A receives the inquiry message (step S210), the information processing unit 100A receives the inquiry. A response message is created according to the content of the message (step S212), and the created response message is replied to the information terminal 200 (step S214). The response message may include the information of the container B and the container C collected in steps S204 and S208.

Further, it is assumed that the user operates the inquiry message for the container B in the information terminal 200 and sends the inquiry message addressed to the information processing unit 100B of the container B (step S216). At this time, it is assumed that the information processing unit 100A receives the transmitted inquiry message addressed to the information processing unit 100B. Then, the information processing unit 100A exchanges data with the information processing unit 100B of the container B (step S218), creates a response message including the information obtained by the exchange (step S220), and creates the response message. The response message is replied to the information terminal 200 (step S222).

When the user operates the inquiry message to the container C and sends the inquiry message to the information processing unit 100C of the container C in the information terminal 200, the same processing as in steps S216 to S222 is executed. Will be done.

As described above, when the container A responds to the inquiry for one or more containers stored in the container A on behalf of the container A, the amount of communication can be reduced and a management advantage can be obtained.

<G. Implementation example>
Next, an implementation example for realizing the above-mentioned first to third usage modes will be described.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating some implementation examples for realizing each usage mode of the container 1 according to the present embodiment. Typically, as shown in FIG. 11, a program and / or data required for the flash memory 106 of the information processing unit 100 is stored and executed by the processor 102 to perform processing according to the above-mentioned usage pattern. May be realized.

As in the implementation example shown in FIG. 11A, the application program 1102 for realizing the processing unique to the application destination is stored in the limited area 110 of the flash memory 106, and the information processing unit 100 is mounted. Various setting information 1082 (for example, customer order information 30 and manufacturing information 80) may be stored in the free area 108 according to the lot assigned to the container 1 and the like.

By setting the setting information 1082 stored in the free area 108 in the application program 1102, the processor 102 can realize individual processing according to the lot or the like assigned to each container 1.

By adopting the implementation example as shown in FIG. 11A, since the application program 1102 is stored in the flash memory 106 of the information processing unit 100 in advance, the setting information 1082 is provided according to the purpose of the container 1. All you have to do is update or add. As a result, even when the container 1 is applied to an arbitrary application, the amount of information exchanged with the information processing unit 100 can be reduced and the processing speed can be increased.

As in the implementation example shown in FIG. 11B, the custom application program 1084 that reflects the settings according to the lot or the like assigned to the container 1 in which the information processing unit 100 is mounted is stored in the free area 108. You may do it. The same custom application program 1104 may be stored in the limited area 110 of the flash memory 106.

The custom application programs 1104 and 1084 are programs individually created according to the application destination of the container 1 in which the information processing unit 100 is mounted. By adopting the implementation example as shown in FIG. 11B, it is possible to realize detailed processing according to the application destination by using the custom application program according to the application destination of the container 1.

As in the implementation example shown in FIG. 11C, a plurality of custom application programs 1106A, 1106B, ... Are stored in advance in the restricted area 110 of the flash memory 106, and the information processing unit 100 is mounted in the container 1. The required custom application program may be selectively executed according to the application destination. This selective execution may be realized by storing the selection information 1086 in the free area 108.

For example, the selection information 1086 includes information such as which custom application program is to be executed according to the application destination of the container 1, and the processor 102 is designated based on the information included in the selection information 1086. Run your custom application program. The selection information 1086 may further include various setting information included in the setting information 1082 of FIG. 11A.

By adopting the implementation example as shown in FIG. 11C, the program necessary for realizing detailed processing can be stored in the flash memory 106 in advance, and when it is actually used, it can be stored. Since it is only necessary to give information such as which one should be selected as the custom application program according to the application destination of the container 1, the processing speed is increased without increasing the amount of information exchanged with the information processing unit 100. Can be converted.

<H. Advantages>
According to the present embodiment, since an information processing unit having a unique network address is mounted on each container, direct communication from an external device or an external device to a specific information processing unit, as well as , Transfer of data (packets, frames, etc.) between information processing units can be realized without a server.

According to the present embodiment, the information processing unit implemented in each container stores an instruction for designating a process related to the container, and the processing device that handles each container is stored in each container. Necessary processing can be performed based on the command being issued. That is, since each container can hold all the information necessary for processing, it is not necessary to arrange a server device that manages one or more containers. Since no server device is required, the entire system can be made compact.

According to the present embodiment, for the information processing unit mounted on each container, it is possible to freely determine an instruction that defines processing for each container. So to speak, the information processing unit implemented in each container can be treated as a kind of unique application. This makes it possible to apply the container to various fields.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be exemplary and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1,1 #, 1A, 1B, 1C container, 2 storage, 3 lid, 20 trucks, 30 customer order information, 32,82 network address, 40 products, 50,60 scanner, 52 pickup robot, 62 conveyor controller, 64 Conveyor, 68 Route change mechanism, 70 work, 72 parts, 74 assembly robot, 80 manufacturing information, 84 manufacturing record, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C information processing unit, 102 processor, 104 RAM, 106 flash memory, 108 free area , 110 Restricted area, 112 Local communication interface, 114 Display, 116 GPS module, 118 Various sensors, 120 communication module, 122 communication logic, 124 authenticated ID, 126 authentication information, 128 wireless module, 130 short-range wireless communication module , 132 Reader / Writer function, 134 Emulate function, 140 Battery, 200 Information terminal, 302 Customer information, 304 Product information, 306 Customer preference information, 308 Other information, 1082 Setting information, 1084, 1104, 1106A, 1106B Custom application program, 1086 selection information, 1102 application program.

Claims (3)

A main body for holding or supporting any object,
It is equipped with an information processing unit arranged in association with the main body.
The information processing unit
A communication unit that has a unique network address and is capable of independent communication,
A storage unit that stores instructions that specify processing for an object held or instructed in the main body unit.
An output means that outputs an instruction stored in the storage unit in response to an external request, and an output means .
An information acquisition unit for acquiring at least one of the state information of the information processing unit itself and the state information around the information processing unit, and
An informatized container including a state information response means that responds to a request for specifying the unique network address from the outside and responds to the state information acquired by the information acquisition unit. The informatized container according to claim 1, wherein the output means outputs a signal indicating an instruction stored in the storage unit by short-range wireless communication. The informatized container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output means includes a display unit that displays a code indicating an instruction stored in the storage unit.

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