Asset management system and asset management method

Abstract

To provide an asset management system capable of managing assets with high accuracy. [Solution] An asset management system that manages assets attached with tags that can identify individual information, comprising a terminal unit held by a terminal holder, the terminal unit including a tag communication unit that communicates with the tag to read the individual information, and a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information, wherein the location information acquisition unit starts acquiring the location information as information about the asset to which the tag is attached when a first condition is met, and stops acquiring the location information when a second condition is met, the first condition being at least one of a condition that communication between the tag communication unit and the tag is established and a condition that the level of the wireless communication is below a first threshold, and the second condition being at least one of a condition that the communication is not established and a condition that the level of the wireless communication is above a second threshold.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an asset management system and an asset management method. [Background technology]

[0002] A known system for managing the location of assets is one in which tags are attached to the assets, a tag reader is placed in the room where the assets are stored, and the entry and exit of the assets is managed based on the results of the tag reading. Here, the tag may be a readable electronic tag or a QR code asset tag. For example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), beacon, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), two-dimensional QR code, etc. may be used to read the tag.

[0003] However, this method only provides static information about whether or not an asset is present at the location where the tag reader is placed, and does not provide dynamic information about who moved the asset, where it came from, where it went, or what route it took, which poses a problem in terms of the security of asset management.

[0004] Furthermore, with this method, if an asset is moved to a location where there is no device that can read the asset, the system can only detect that the asset has been moved, and as a result, the location of the asset often becomes unknown, which poses a problem in asset management.

[0005] Furthermore, this method requires the installation of a tag reader in each room where assets are stored, which increases the cost burden depending on the number of rooms (number of readers), and it also has the limitation that it cannot be used in locations where readers cannot be installed. Furthermore, this method requires changing the location of the reading device when the layout is changed, which is troublesome in terms of operation.

[0006] Another known method is to place cameras in rooms or corridors where assets are stored, and manage the locations of assets based on images captured by the cameras.

[0007] However, this method has the problem that it is not possible to accurately manage the movement of assets in places that are blind spots of the camera or in environments where there is insufficient light. In order to solve such problems, increasing the number of cameras installed may result in increased costs or may cause privacy issues.

[0008] Furthermore, with this method, if photographs are taken and managed when assets enter and leave a room, it is possible to confirm the entry and exit of assets, but it is not possible to determine where the assets came from, who moved them, and where they were moved to. Furthermore, with this method, if an asset is moved to a location where there is no camera, the system can only detect that the asset has been moved, which often results in the asset's location becoming unknown, creating a problem in asset management.

[0009] Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a host generates asset tracking management information based on location data and asset device descriptions (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-062860 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6783751 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] As mentioned above, the current asset management systems mainly store information about the location of each asset along with time and location information, and the location of assets is made clear by recording past states as still images, such as photographs.

[0012] However, when managing assets using still images, events that occur during location management are not recorded, and there is no history of who moved the assets and how. As a result, there are often unclear areas and accurate management is not possible.

[0013] Patent Document 2 describes a process that uses map information of an area that includes the current location of a user of a portable device (see Patent Document 2), but does not describe a specific example of asset management.

[0014] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an asset management system and an asset management method that are capable of performing asset management with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] One aspect of the present disclosure is an asset management system that manages assets having tags attached thereto that can identify individual information, the asset management system comprising a terminal unit held by a terminal holder, the terminal unit including a tag communication unit that communicates with the tag to read the individual information, and a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information, wherein the location information acquisition unit starts acquiring the location information as information about the asset to which the tag is attached when a first condition is met, and ends acquiring the location information when a second condition is met, the first condition being at least one of a condition that communication between the tag communication unit and the tag is established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is equal to or less than a first threshold, and the second condition being at least one of a condition that the communication is not established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag exceeds a second threshold.

[0016] One aspect of the present disclosure is an asset management method for managing assets having tags attached thereto that can identify individual information, using a terminal unit held by a terminal holder, the asset management method comprising: communicating with the tag using a tag communication unit to read the individual information; acquiring location information using a location information acquisition unit; when a first condition is met, the location information acquisition unit starting to acquire the location information as information about the asset having the tag attached; and when a second condition is met, terminating the acquisition of the location information, wherein the first condition is at least one of a condition that communication between the tag communication unit and the tag is established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is equal to or less than a first threshold, and the second condition is at least one of a condition that the wireless communication is not established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is greater than a second threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the asset management system and asset management method disclosed herein, asset management can be performed with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an asset management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a position information acquisition unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a magnetic position correspondence table according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the terminal unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of an asset management process performed in a terminal unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of asset management in a management area according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of asset management in a management area according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of asset management in a management area according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of asset management in a management area according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a comprehensive asset management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a comprehensive asset management table according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] [Asset Management System] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an asset management system 1 according to an embodiment. The asset management system 1 includes a terminal unit 11 and an asset 12 . FIG. 1 also shows a user 21 carrying the terminal unit 11. The asset management system 1 may be considered to have a configuration that does not include the asset 12.

[0021] The terminal unit 11 includes a position acquisition terminal device 31 and a tag communication terminal device 32. In this embodiment, the position acquisition terminal device 31 and the tag communication terminal device 32 are configured as separate entities, but as another example, they may be configured as an integrated entity. Here, one or both of the location acquisition terminal device 31 and the tag communication terminal device 32 (including the case where they are integrated) may be configured by installing a predetermined program on a general-purpose computer such as a smartphone, or may be configured as a dedicated device.

[0022] The position acquisition terminal device 31 includes a trigger receiving unit 111, a position information acquisition unit 112, and a storage unit 113. The location information acquisition unit 112 may use different techniques for determining location. In this example, location determination based on magnetic fields is described, but other techniques may be used. The position information acquisition unit 112 stores the magnetic position correspondence table 1111, and has a storage unit for storing it. Note that the storage unit may be shared with the storage unit 113. The storage unit 113 stores a management table 1121. The storage unit 113 may store any information.

[0023] The tag communication terminal device 32 includes a tag communication unit 151 and a trigger generation unit 152 .

[0024] Asset 12 has tag 51 attached to it. There are no particular limitations on the method by which tag 51 is attached to asset 12; for example, tag 51 may be attached to asset 12 using adhesive or the like, or tag 51 may be mechanically attached to asset 12. There is no particular limitation on the type of tag. For example, the tag 51 may be a wireless device such as RFID or UWB, an NFC tag, or a BLE tag. As another example, the tag 51 may be a QR code tag, a QR code label, a barcode label, or the like. The tag 51 stores individual information, and may include, for example, a storage unit for storing the individual information.

[0025] Here, the asset 12 is not particularly limited, and may be anything to which a tag 51 can be attached, for example. As specific examples, assets may include computers, projectors, beds, medicines, materials, etc.

[0026] <Tag communication terminal device> The tag communication terminal device 32 will now be described. The tag communication unit 151 communicates with the tag 51 of the asset 12 and reads the individual information stored in the tag 51. In the case of RFID, UWB, NFC, and BLE tags, the tag communication unit 151 can read the individual information stored in the tag 51 by wireless communication. In other cases, for example, the tag communication unit 151 can read the individual information stored in the tag 51 in a visual format by scanning a QR code or a barcode.

[0027] Here, various methods may be used as a method of communication between the tag communication unit 151 for reading the individual information stored in the tag 51 and the tag 51. In this embodiment, when the distance between the tag communication terminal device 32 (tag communication unit 151) and the tag 51 is less than a predetermined threshold, communication is established between the tag communication unit 151 and the tag 51, and when the distance exceeds the threshold, communication is not established between the tag communication unit 151 and the tag 51. For example, for active RFID and NFC tags, the predetermined threshold may be the maximum read width of the particular tag and reader. For QR codes, barcodes, or labels, the predetermined threshold may be the maximum read width of the scanning device. As another example, the predetermined threshold for a BLE tag or a UWB tag can be defined by a user and may be, for example, 0.5 m, 1 m, etc. The distance between the tag communication unit 151 and the tag 51 can be measured by a distance measurement method specific to the type of tag. For example, if a BLE beacon is used as the tag, this distance can be measured based on RSSI, and if it is a UWB tag, it can be measured by time difference of arrival (TDoA) or similar methods.

[0028] When communication with the tag 51 is established by the tag communication unit 151, the trigger generation unit 152 generates a predetermined trigger signal (called a start trigger signal in this embodiment) to the position acquisition terminal device 31. Thereafter, if the tag communication unit 151 fails to establish communication with the tag 51, the trigger generation unit 152 generates a predetermined trigger signal (called an end trigger signal in this embodiment) to the position acquisition terminal device 31. As described above, in this embodiment, the trigger signals include a start trigger signal and an end trigger signal.

[0029] Here, as a method for generating the trigger signal, for example, a method for transmitting the trigger signal to the position acquisition terminal device 31 may be used. The trigger signal may also include, for example, the individual information received from the tag 51 by the tag communication unit 151.

[0030] <Location acquisition terminal device> The position acquisition terminal device 31 will be described. The trigger receiving unit 111 receives a trigger signal transmitted from the trigger generating unit 152 of the tag communication terminal device 32 . Here, the communication between the trigger generating section 152 of the tag communication terminal device 32 and the trigger receiving section 111 of the position acquisition terminal device 31 may be, for example, wireless communication or wired communication.

[0031] The location information acquisition unit 112 starts processing to acquire location information when the trigger receiving unit 111 receives a start trigger signal from the tag communication terminal device 32, and continues this processing. Here, as an embodiment in which the process of acquiring location information is performed continuously, for example, the location information may be acquired at predetermined intervals. The predetermined intervals may be, for example, regular intervals or may be predetermined irregular intervals.

[0032] When the trigger receiving unit 111 receives the end trigger signal from the tag communication terminal device 32, the position information acquiring unit 112 ends the process of acquiring position information. In this manner, in this embodiment, the position information acquisition unit 112 continuously acquires position information from the time it receives the start trigger signal until it receives the end trigger signal.

[0033] The storage unit 113 stores the information on the location (location information) acquired by the location information acquisition unit 112 in the management table 1121. Here, the memory unit 113 may store the individual information received from the tag communication terminal device 32 by the trigger receiving unit 111 in the management table 1121, for example, in association with the location information, and may also store time information (time information) in the management table 1121. The time information may include, for example, information such as year, month, day, hour, minute, and second.

[0034] Here, the position acquisition terminal device 31 may have a function of accepting login information of the user 21 through an operation by the user 21, and identifying the user of the position acquisition terminal device 31 based on the login information. For example, the position acquisition terminal device 31 may be capable of being used by each of a plurality of users, and in this case, for example, the position acquisition terminal device 31 identifies the user based on login information.

[0035] In this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the position acquisition terminal device 31 stores information in the storage unit 113 (for example, information in the magnetic position correspondence table 1111 and information in the management table 1121), but as another example, a configuration in which the information is stored in a device (for example, a database) external to the position acquisition terminal device 31 may be used. In this case, for example, the terminal unit 11 may be able to store information in such an external device and also be able to read out information stored in the external device.

[0036] In the example of Figure 1, the holder (terminal holder) that holds the terminal unit 11 is shown to be a person (for example, a user 21 who is the terminal holder), but as another example, it may be a powered vehicle or a robot that can move independently. There are no particular limitations on the powered vehicle, and for example, a vehicle that is powered by electricity or an engine may be used. In this way, the terminal holder may be various entities. An AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) may be used as the terminal holder.

[0037] Here, when the terminal holder is a powered vehicle or a robot, the function of the terminal unit installed in the terminal holder may, for example, store the identification information of the terminal holder in advance. In this case, the function of the terminal unit may use the identification information of the terminal holder instead of the user ID, for example.

[0038] <Location information acquisition section> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the position information acquisition unit 112 according to the embodiment. For example, the position information acquisition unit 112 may include a magnetic information detection unit 211 (magnetic field information measurement unit), a GPS unit 212, and a DR unit 213. The position information acquisition unit 112 may include sensors such as a magnetometer, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope, which may be built-in or external to the position information acquisition unit 112. The DR unit may provide a pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) function based on measurements from an inertial sensor such as an accelerometer or a gyroscope, or a vehicle dead reckoning (VDR) function based on measurements from an inertial sensor such as a wheel speed sensor or a Doppler sensor and / or a mileage sensor. The magnetic information detection unit 211 of the position information acquisition unit 112 stores a magnetic position correspondence table 1111.

[0039] <Magnetic position correspondence table> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the magnetic position correspondence table 1111 according to the embodiment. The magnetic position correspondence table 1111 stores magnetic field information (magnetic information) and position information (position information) in association with each other. Here, the magnetic information and the position information are determined in advance based on experiments or theory and stored. In this embodiment, position information is set for each piece of magnetic information.

[0040] In the example of Figure 3, the magnetic information is simply represented as "A1," "A2," and "A3," but any information may be used as the magnetic information, such as information regarding magnetic field strength, horizontal and vertical components of the magnetic field, 3D vectors of the magnetic field, waveforms of magnetic signals, etc., which may be used individually or in combination. In the example of Figure 3, the location information is simply expressed as "aaa," "bbb," and "ccc," but any information may be used as the location information, such as latitude and longitude information, or information representing a position on three axes in a three-dimensional space. Altitude or floor number may be used as the third coordinate.

[0041] The magnetic information detection unit 211 detects magnetic information using measurements by a magnetometer. Then, the magnetic information detection unit 211 acquires information on the position (position information) corresponding to the detected magnetic information based on the information in the magnetic position correspondence table 1111.

[0042] In this embodiment, the magnetic information detection unit 211 detects magnetic information due to an environmental magnetic field. The environmental magnetic field includes, for example, the magnetic field due to the earth's magnetic field (geomagnetism). One or more predetermined artificial magnetic anchors may be installed in advance at predetermined positions, and the magnetic information detection unit 211 may detect information about the magnetic field generated by the magnetic anchors.

[0043] It is possible to survey and map the geomagnetism in advance, and then compare the magnetic field data acquired by the magnetic information detection unit 211 with the magnetic map to determine the position (for example, the current location) of the terminal unit 11. The magnetic position correspondence table 1111, which stores the magnetic field information and position information associated with each other, can be one example of a magnetic map.

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment, location may be determined based on the natural geomagnetic field, or based on the magnetic field created by an artificial magnetic anchor, or based on both. For example, when the terminal unit 11 is configured using a device (for example, a smartphone) having a magnetic field detection function, the magnetic field detection function can be used as the magnetic information detection unit 211.

[0045] The GPS unit 212 has a GPS receiver and acquires information on the position (for example, latitude and longitude). Note that the GPS function makes it possible to identify an absolute position.

[0046] Using the measurements of the inertial sensor, the DR unit 213 acquires information about the position from, for example, a Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) device having a PDR function. Note that the PDR function can identify relative positions. In this embodiment, the PDR device may be provided on the belt of the user 21, for example. The DR unit 213 may itself have the function of a PDR device.

[0047] As another example, the DR unit 213 may acquire information about the position from a Vehicle Dead Reckoning (VDR) device having a VDR function, which is capable of identifying a relative position. In this case, the VDR device may be provided in, for example, a mobile object on which the terminal unit 11 is mounted. The DR unit 213 may itself have the function of a VDR device.

[0048] Here, in this embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 112 may determine the location based on at least one of the information acquired by the magnetic information detection unit 211, the information acquired by the GPS unit 212, and the information acquired by the DR unit 213. As an example, when the position information acquisition unit 112 identifies the position based on the measurement result of the magnetic information detection unit 211, the position information acquisition unit 112 may use information acquired by the GPS unit 212 or information acquired by the DR unit 213. In the example of Figure 2, the location information acquisition unit 112 is shown to have a GPS unit 212 and a DR unit 213, but as another example, a configuration in which the location information acquisition unit 112 does not have one or both of the GPS unit 212 and the DR unit 213 may be used. In addition, in a configuration in which position detection based on magnetic information is not performed, the magnetic position correspondence table 1111 does not need to be provided.

[0049] The location information acquisition unit 112 can also determine the location using a Wi-Fi positioning method or a BLE beacon positioning method. As a result, in this embodiment, asset locations can be managed more accurately than when only one positioning method is used. Combining or integrating magnetic positioning with a PDR or VDR can improve positioning accuracy during indoor operation. Meanwhile, combining a PDR or VDR with a GPS can improve positioning accuracy during outdoor operation. Other positioning methods based on Wi-Fi or BLE beacons can also be combined with magnetic-based positioning, GPS, a PDR, or a VDR.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the asset 12 is managed by the terminal unit 11, for example, if the asset 12 is very close to the location of the location information acquisition unit 112, the location determined by the location information acquisition unit 112 can be regarded as an area of ​​a predetermined size surrounding the location determined by the location information acquisition unit 112.

[0051] <Management table> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the management table 1121 according to the embodiment. The management table 1121 stores tag IDs, position information (position information), and time information (time information) in association with each other.

[0052] The terminal unit 11 can collectively manage information relating to a plurality of assets using the information in the management table 1121.

[0053] In the example of FIG. 4, the tag IDs are represented as "T001" and "T002", but any information may be used as the tag ID. In the example of Figure 4, the time information is simply represented as "ααα", "βββ", and "γγγ", but any information such as year, month, hour, minute, and second may be used as the time information. The location information in the example of FIG. 4 is the same as that in the example of FIG.

[0054] <Example of terminal configuration> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal unit 11a according to the embodiment. The terminal unit 11a is an example of the terminal unit 11 shown in FIG. The terminal unit 11a includes a smartphone 31a and an RFID scanner 32a. FIG. 5 also shows an RFID tag 51a.

[0055] Here, the smartphone 31a is an example of the position acquisition terminal device 31 shown in FIG. 1, and the RFID scanner 32a is an example of the tag communication terminal device 32 shown in FIG.

[0056] The smartphone 31a and the RFID scanner 32a are paired with each other by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). For example, when the distance between the RFID scanner 32a and the tag 51a is less than 2 m, the RFID scanner 32a can wirelessly communicate with the tag 51a and read the individual information stored in the tag 51a. In this example, the predetermined threshold is 2 m. Note that a communication method other than RFID may be used.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the terminal unit 11b according to the embodiment. The terminal unit 11b is configured as a smartphone. FIG. 6 shows a BLE tag 51b. The terminal unit 11b performs wireless communication with the tag 51b using BLE, and reads out the individual information stored in the tag 51a.

[0058] Note that instead of BLE communication, communication such as UWB (Ultra Wide Band) may be used.

[0059] <Asset management processing> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the procedure of the asset management process performed in the terminal unit 11 according to the embodiment. In this embodiment, the position acquisition terminal device 31 and the tag communication terminal device 32 are connected for communication in advance by an operation of the user 21 or the like.

[0060] In this example, for example, the terminal unit 11 may have the configuration shown in FIG. Furthermore, as the location information, for example, latitude information and longitude information may be used.

[0061] (Step S1) In the terminal unit 11, the tag communication unit 151 determines whether or not it has come close to the tag 51 of the asset 12 to a predetermined extent. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the tag communication unit 151 has come close to the tag 51 of the asset 12 to a predetermined extent (step S1: YES), the terminal unit 11 proceeds to the processing of step S2. On the other hand, if it is determined that the tag communication unit 151 has not approached the tag 51 of the asset 12 to a predetermined extent (step S1: NO), the terminal unit 11 repeats the process of step S1.

[0062] In this embodiment, when wireless communication with the tag 51 of the asset 12 is established, the tag communication unit 151 determines that it has come within a predetermined distance of the tag 51 of the asset 12.

[0063] (Step S2) In the terminal unit 11, the trigger generating unit 152 generates a start trigger signal. Then, the terminal unit 11 proceeds to the processing of step S3.

[0064] (Step S3) In the terminal unit 11, the location information acquisition unit 112 starts acquiring location information about the asset 12 and continues to acquire the location information. Then, the terminal unit 11 proceeds to the processing of step S4.

[0065] Here, the location information acquisition unit 112 stores the acquired location information in the management table 1121, for example, in real time or when acquisition of the location information is completed (for example, when the processing of this flow is completed).

[0066] (Step S4) In the terminal unit 11, the tag communication unit 151 determines whether or not the terminal unit 11 has moved away from the tag 51 of the asset 12 by a predetermined distance. As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the tag communication unit 151 has moved away from the tag 51 of the asset 12 to a predetermined extent (step S4: YES), the terminal unit 11 proceeds to the processing of step S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that the tag communication unit 151 is not separated from the tag 51 of the asset 12 by a predetermined distance (step S4: NO), the terminal unit 11 repeats the processing of step S4.

[0067] Here, in this embodiment, the tag communication unit 151 determines that it has moved away from the tag 51 of the asset 12 to a predetermined extent when wireless communication with the tag 51 of the asset 12 is no longer established after it was established.

[0068] (Step S5) In the terminal unit 11, the trigger generating unit 152 generates an end trigger signal. Then, the terminal unit 11 proceeds to the processing of step S6.

[0069] (Step S6) In the terminal unit 11, the location information acquisition unit 112 ends the acquisition of location information regarding the asset 12. Then, the processing of this flow is terminated in the terminal unit 11.

[0070] Here, in this embodiment, a state in which wireless communication is established between the tag communication unit 151 of the terminal unit 11 and the tag 51 of the asset 12 is considered to be a state in which the distance between the terminal unit 11 (user 21) and the asset 12 is less than a predetermined distance, and a state in which wireless communication is not established is considered to be a state in which the distance between the terminal unit 11 (user 21) and the asset 12 exceeds the predetermined distance. In this way, this embodiment shows a case where, for example, whether or not wireless communication between the tag communication unit 151 of the terminal unit 11 and the tag 51 of the asset 12 is established is determined depending on the distance between them.

[0071] As another example, a configuration may be used in which the trigger generating unit 152 generates a start trigger signal when the strength of a wireless communication signal (e.g., RSSI) between the tag communication unit 151 of the terminal unit 11 and the tag 51 of the asset 12 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold, and then the trigger generating unit 152 generates an end trigger signal when the strength of the wireless communication signal (RSSI) becomes less than a predetermined second threshold. This configuration is similar to the configuration in the case of wireless communication described above, for example, in the example of BLE, because the RSSI depends on the distance between the tag communication unit 151 of the terminal unit 11 and the tag 51 of the asset 12. Here, the second threshold value may be, for example, the same value as the first threshold value, or may be a different value.

[0072] In the asset management system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, since the user 21 moves the asset 12 while carrying the terminal unit 11, a rule may be established that a user who does not carry the terminal unit 11 is not allowed to move the asset 12. In this way, all movements of the asset 12 are managed. Furthermore, in the asset management system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, a camera may be installed at any location where the asset 12 may be present, and based on the image captured by the camera, monitoring may be performed to prevent users who do not carry the terminal unit 11 from moving the asset 12.

[0073] <Example of asset management in the management area> 8 to 11, an example of asset management in the management area will be shown. The information on the management areas shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 may be considered as, for example, map information on the management areas. In this example, a case will be described in which the user 21 carries the asset 12 from a predetermined location to another predetermined location while carrying the terminal unit 11.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of asset management in the management area 311 according to the embodiment. In this example, the management area 311 is an area having a room A, a room B, a room C, a room D, a room E, and a passageway connecting these rooms A to E.

[0075] In the example of FIG. 8, a user location 331a and an asset location 341a are shown. The user position 331a indicates the position where the user 21 is present, and in this example, the terminal unit 11 is also assumed to be present in the same position. The asset location 341a indicates the location where the asset 12 exists.

[0076] 8, an asset 12 exists in room A. A user 21 approaches the asset 12 from a location far away from the asset 12 and is now in possession of the asset 12. In this case, the terminal unit 11 starts acquiring location information regarding the asset 12. In this way, when the user 21 approaches the asset 12, the tag communication unit 151 of the terminal unit 11 and the tag 51 of the asset 12 are linked through communication between them.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of asset management in the management area 311 according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 9, user location 331b and asset location 341b are shown. User position 331b represents the position to which user position 331a has moved. The asset position 341b indicates the position to which the asset position 341a has been moved.

[0078] 9, the user 21 is present in the passageway and is carrying the asset 12. In this state, the user 21 and the asset 12 are moving together. In this case, the terminal unit 11 continuously acquires location information regarding the asset 12.

[0079] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of asset management in the management area 311 according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 10, a user location 331c and an asset location 341c are shown. User position 331c represents the position to which user position 331b has moved. The asset position 341c indicates the position to which the asset position 341b has been moved.

[0080] The example in Fig. 10 shows a state in which the user 21 has placed the asset 12 in room E. Up until this state, the user 21 and the asset 12 have been moving together. The example of FIG. 10 shows a state in which the user 21 has completed transporting the asset 12.

[0081] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of asset management in the management area 311 according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 11, a user location 331d and an asset location 341d are shown. User position 331d represents the position to which user position 331c has moved. The asset position 341d indicates the position to which the asset position 341c has been moved.

[0082] The example of FIG. 11 shows a state in which the user 21 places the asset 12 in room E and then leaves the asset 12. In this case, the terminal unit 11 ends the acquisition of the location information regarding the asset 12. Here, the terminal unit 11 may consider that the asset 12 is located at a position identified by the position information at the time when acquisition of the position information is completed, for example, with respect to the asset 12. The terminal unit 11 may store the position information in the management table 1121 or the like as information on the position where the asset 12 is located.

[0083] In this way, the asset management system 1 is capable of tracking the location of the asset 12 in real time. The asset management system 1 can also manage information about the user 21 who carries the asset 12. This information may be, for example, identification information of the user 21, or identification information of the terminal unit 11 carried by the user 21. As the identification information of the terminal unit 11, for example, the identification information of the position acquisition terminal device 31 constituting the terminal unit 11 may be used, or the identification information of the tag communication terminal device 32 constituting the terminal unit 11 may be used, or the identification information assigned to the entire terminal unit 11 may be used.

[0084] [Comprehensive asset management system] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a comprehensive asset management system 401 according to an embodiment.

[0085] The integrated asset management system 401 includes a plurality of M terminal units 411-1 to 411-M, a plurality of N assets 431-1 to 431-N, and a server device 421. Here, each of the terminal units 411-1 to 411-M has the same function as the terminal unit 11 shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 12, each of terminal units 411-1 to 411-M has a function as a communication unit that communicates with server device 421.

[0086] <Server device> The server device 421 includes a communication unit 451 and a storage unit 452 . The communication unit 451 has a function of performing communication. The storage unit 452 stores the general asset management table 1131. The storage unit 452 may store any information.

[0087] 12, the communication unit of each of terminal units 411-1 to 411-M wirelessly communicates with communication unit 451 of server device 421. Then, each of terminal units 411-1 to 411-M transmits predetermined information to server device 421. The specified information includes, for example, for each terminal unit 411-1 to 411-M, one or both of a terminal ID and a user ID (terminal ID / user ID), a tag ID, information on the identified location, and information on the time corresponding to the location (for example, the time when the location was identified or a specified time around that time). Here, the terminal ID is, for example, identification information for identifying each of the terminal units 411-1 to 411-M. Furthermore, the user ID is, for example, identification information for identifying the user of each of the terminal units 411-1 to 411-M. Each of terminal units 411-1 to 411-M may use, for example, part or all of the login information received from the user as the user ID. Server device 421 stores and manages the information received from terminal units 411-1 to 411-M in a comprehensive asset management table 1131.

[0088] <Total Asset Management Table> FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the total asset management table 1131 according to the embodiment. The general asset management table 1131 stores a terminal ID and / or a user ID (terminal ID / user ID), a tag ID, location information (location information), and time information (time information) in association with each other.

[0089] In the server device 421, information relating to a plurality of assets 431-1 to 431-N can be collectively managed using information in the comprehensive asset management table 1131.

[0090] In the example of FIG. 13, the terminal ID / user ID are represented as single number information "0001" and "0002", but any information may be used as the terminal ID and user ID, respectively. In the example of FIG. 13, the tag IDs are represented as "T001" and "T002", but any information may be used as the tag ID. The position information and time information in the example of FIG. 13 are the same as those in the example of FIG.

[0091] Here, for example, based on the information in the general asset management table 1131, it is possible to associate the date and time, the total inventory of assets, and the inventory of each of a plurality of rooms (for example, rooms A to E). The date and time indicate the date and time. Note that any time information may be used instead of the date and time. The total inventory represents all inventory, and in this example represents assets 431-1 to 431-N. In each of the columns for Room A to Room E, information about the assets present in the respective rooms is stored.

[0092] Here, information about the asset may include, for example, information about the tag attached to the asset (e.g., individual information), location information obtained about the asset, and information that identifies (specifies) the user carrying the asset. As information for identifying a user, for example, information for identifying each user himself / herself (user ID) may be used, or, when a user and a terminal unit 11 are associated with each other, information for identifying the terminal unit 11 carried by the user may be used.

[0093] [Regarding the above embodiment] As described above, the asset management system 1 according to this embodiment can perform asset management with high accuracy. In the asset management system 1 of this embodiment, the location of the asset 12 is managed dynamically rather than statically, thereby reducing the risk of loss of the asset 12, and the system can be introduced at low cost, enabling safe and flexible asset management operations without location restrictions.

[0094] In the asset management system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, by managing assets 12 in a situation where indoor positioning using geomagnetism or the like is possible, it becomes possible to manage their location in real time, and at the same time, it is possible to manage detailed information such as who moved them, how they were moved, and where they were moved, thereby greatly improving productivity.

[0095] In the asset management system 1 of this embodiment, in addition to linking the asset 12 to its measured position, or instead of linking the asset 12 to the position of a person or a moving powered vehicle (e.g., a forklift or a cart), it is possible to collect real-time movement history for the movement of the asset 12, and it is possible to clearly examine the history of the movement.

[0096] In this embodiment, as a basis for indoor positioning, magnetic data acquired by a terminal unit 11 (for example, a smartphone or dedicated terminal) is compared with a magnetic field map acquired in advance, and the position of a person or a motor vehicle indoors is determined. In addition, an RFID or BLE beacon electronic tag is attached to the asset 12, and when a person or a motor vehicle approaches the asset 12, predetermined information is linked to the indoor positioning position of the person or motor vehicle, etc., and their movement is monitored.

[0097] Furthermore, the asset management system 1 according to this embodiment can be applied to, for example, real-time location tracking, and can manage dynamic information. Furthermore, the asset management system 1 according to this embodiment can be applied indoors where GPS radio waves cannot reach, for example, by using magnetic field information.

[0098] In the asset management system 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to associate the movement of the asset 12 with the movement of the user 21 (or the motor vehicle, etc.). This makes it possible for the asset management system 1 to identify the terminal holder that transferred the asset 12, and for example, to identify the user 21 who transferred the asset 12 and confirm the reason for transferring the asset 12.

[0099] The asset management system 1 according to this embodiment can manage, for example, time, asset quantity, and terminal holder (responder, etc.) in real time even for intermediate areas between each time point. As a specific example, by using the information on the change in the location of each asset and the holder that transported each asset, it is possible to manage the movement of assets such as receiving 100 units of a specific asset, inspecting 98 of them, then storing these 98 units in a warehouse, shipping 50 of them to a warehouse, and returning 48 units.

[0100] For example, the asset management system 1 has a terminal device (location acquisition terminal device 31) that allows a terminal holder (such as a user 21) to acquire its own location information, and a terminal device (tag communication terminal device 32) that can be connected to the location acquisition terminal device 31 and can read the individual information of a tag 51 attached to an asset 12.

[0101] As a specific example, when the terminal holder approaches the asset 12 within a certain distance, the tag communication terminal device 32 held by the terminal holder reads the individual information of the tag 51 of the asset 12, and this serves as a start trigger signal to start continuously acquiring the location information at that time using the location acquisition terminal device 31. Thereafter, when the distance between the terminal holder and the asset 12 increases to a certain extent and the tag communication terminal device 32 can no longer read the information on the tag 51 of the asset 12, an end trigger signal is generated and the last location information acquired by the location acquisition terminal device 31 is recorded as the location information of the corresponding asset 12. Here, other conditions may be used as the conditions for generating the start trigger signal and the conditions for generating the end trigger signal.

[0102] With this configuration, the asset management system 1 can acquire the location of the asset 12 in real time in accordance with the movement of the terminal holder. This allows the asset management system 1 to know who moved the asset 12, when, from where to where, and by what route, enabling safe asset management. Here, "who" can be determined based on login information of the terminal unit 11, for example, when the terminal holder is a user. Furthermore, for example, when the terminal holder is a powered vehicle or a robot, "who" can be determined based on the identification information of the powered vehicle or the identification information of the robot. In this case, the function of the terminal unit 11 (for example, the position acquisition terminal device 31) stores the identification information of the terminal holder instead of the login information.

[0103] Furthermore, the "time" may be determined based on, for example, the time when the location information is acquired. Note that the location information is acquired in real time, for example. Also, "from where to where" and "what route" can be determined based on location information and changes in that location. In the asset management system 1, location information is acquired by the terminal unit 11 held by the terminal holder, so asset location management is possible without location restrictions, and there is no need to install a reading device in each room, for example. Therefore, the asset management system 1 can be introduced at low cost, can easily accommodate layout changes, and can be operated flexibly.

[0104] In the asset management system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, it is possible to identify a location by measuring environmental magnetic field information in real time and referring to magnetic information measured in advance in association with location information. This allows the asset management system 1 to manage asset positions more accurately than, for example, other positioning methods.

[0105] The terminal unit 11 may use a combination of magnetic positioning and / or other positioning methods using PDR. As a result, in this embodiment, asset locations can be managed more accurately than when only the other positioning method is used. The effect of improving positioning accuracy and the effect of improving convenience for other users can be obtained even when the terminal holder is, for example, a person or a freely moving person.

[0106] The same effect can be achieved by combining magnetic and / or other methods with a VDR when determining position at the terminal 11. This allows the present embodiment to manage asset positions more accurately than when only one positioning method is used. This effect is also exhibited when the terminal holder is a powered vehicle or a robot that moves freely, for example.

[0107] The tag 51 is at least one type of tag selected from tags such as RFID, etc. A tag communication terminal device 32 capable of reading information from such a tag 51 is used. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to read the individual information of the tag 51 according to the distance from the terminal holder, and it is possible to manage the asset location more accurately.

[0108] In this embodiment, it is possible to manage the location of all kinds of assets, from heavy objects that need to be transported by a powered vehicle such as a forklift to assets that need to be transported manually.

[0109] In this embodiment, the position acquisition terminal device 31 and the tag communication terminal device 32 may be, for example, different devices, or may be a common device (the same device). For example, by using a common device for these, operation can be performed at lower cost.

[0110] A program for implementing the functions of any of the components of any of the above-described devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and loaded into a computer system for execution. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an operating system or peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and compact discs (CDs) or read-only memories (ROMs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Such volatile memory may be, for example, random access memory (RAM). The recording medium may also be, for example, a non-transitory recording medium.

[0111] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The program may also be a program for implementing some of the functions described above. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file, which can achieve the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in a computer system. A difference file, sometimes called a difference program, indicates the changes between two versions of firmware or software. This file can reduce the amount of data transmitted and the required update process.

[0112] Furthermore, the functions of any of the components in any of the above-described devices may be implemented by a processor. For example, each process in the embodiments may be implemented by a processor operating based on information such as a program and a computer-readable recording medium storing information such as the program. Here, the functions of each unit of the processor may be implemented by, for example, individual hardware, or may be implemented by integrated hardware. For example, the processor may include hardware, and the hardware may include at least one of a circuit for processing digital signals and a circuit for processing analog signals. For example, the processor may be configured using one or more circuit devices mounted on a circuit board, or one or both of one or more circuit elements. An integrated circuit (IC) or the like may be used as the circuit device, and a resistor or a capacitor may be used as the circuit element.

[0113] Here, the processor may be, for example, a CPU. However, the processor is not limited to a CPU, and various types of processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) may be used. The processor may also be, for example, a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor may also be, for example, composed of multiple CPUs, or may be, for example, composed of a hardware circuit such as a multiple ASIC. The processor may also be, for example, composed of a combination of multiple CPUs and a hardware circuit such as a multiple ASIC. The processor may also include, for example, one or more of an amplifier circuit or a filter circuit that processes analog signals.

[0114] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope that do not deviate from the gist of this disclosure.

[0115] [Note] An example configuration is shown below.

[0116] [Configuration example 1] An asset management system that manages assets to which tags capable of identifying individual information are attached, A terminal unit held by a terminal holder is provided, the terminal unit includes a tag communication unit that communicates with the tag to read the individual information, and a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information; the location information acquisition unit starts acquiring the location information as information about the asset to which the tag is attached when a first condition is satisfied, and ends acquiring the location information when a second condition is satisfied; the first condition is at least one of a condition that communication between the tag communication unit and the tag is established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is equal to or less than a first threshold value; the second condition is at least one of a condition that the communication is not established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag exceeds a second threshold. Asset management system.

[0117] Here, if the first condition is that communication between the tag communication unit and the tag is established, the second condition may be that communication is not established, or that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag exceeds a second threshold. Furthermore, if the first condition is that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is less than or equal to a first threshold, the second condition may be that communication is not established, or that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is greater than a second threshold. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be, for example, the same value or different values.

[0118] [Configuration example 2] The asset management system described in [Configuration Example 1], wherein the location information acquisition unit acquires location information corresponding to measurement results of environmental magnetic field information measured in real time by referring to correspondence between environmental magnetic field information and location information prepared in advance.

[0119] Here, the magnetic position correspondence table 1111 shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the correspondence between environmental magnetic field information (magnetic information) and position information when it is generated in relation to the environmental magnetic field. In this case, the measurement results of the environmental magnetic field information measured in real time are used as magnetic information due to the environmental magnetic field.

[0120] [Configuration example 3] The asset management system according to [Configuration Example 1] or [Configuration Example 2], wherein the location information acquisition unit acquires the location information using information from pedestrian autonomous navigation.

[0121] [Configuration example 4] the position information acquisition unit acquires the position information by utilizing information of vehicle autonomous navigation; The asset management system according to any one of [Configuration Example 1] to [Configuration Example 3].

[0122] Note that, for example, either the pedestrian dead-reckoning information or the vehicle dead-reckoning information may be used, or both may be used. In other words, this system can manage some of the assets using the PDR and the remaining assets using the VDR.

[0123] [Configuration example 5] The tag has at least one function of RFID, Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE, NFC, UWB, QR code, or barcode. The asset management system according to any one of [Configuration Example 1] to [Configuration Example 4].

[0124] [Configuration example 6] The terminal holder is a person, a powered vehicle, or a robot capable of autonomous movement. The asset management system according to any one of [Configuration Example 1] to [Configuration Example 5].

[0125] It should be noted that a configuration in which the powered vehicle and the robot are integrated may also be used, in which case the vehicle may be called a powered vehicle, a robot, or any other name.

[0126] [Configuration Example 7] The terminal unit is composed of a position acquisition terminal device having the position information acquisition unit and a tag communication terminal device having the tag communication unit, and these are separate or integrated. The asset management system according to any one of [Configuration Example 1] to [Configuration Example 6].

[0127] For example, it is possible to provide methods (eg, asset management methods) for various processes performed by an asset management system. [Configuration example 8] An asset management method for managing assets using a terminal unit held in a terminal holder to which a tag capable of identifying individual information is attached, comprising: The asset management method includes: a tag communication unit communicating with the tag to read the individual information; acquiring location information by a location information acquisition unit; the location information acquisition unit starts acquiring the location information as information about the asset to which the tag is attached when a first condition is satisfied, and ends acquiring the location information when a second condition is satisfied; the first condition is at least one of a condition that communication between the tag communication unit and the tag is established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is equal to or less than a first threshold value; The second condition is at least one of a condition that the communication is not established or a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag exceeds a second threshold. Asset management methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1...asset management system, 11, 11b, 411-1 to 411-M...terminal unit, 12, 431-1 to 431-N...asset, 21...user, 31...position acquisition terminal device, 31a...smartphone, 32...tag communication terminal device, 32a...RFID scanner, 51, 51a, 51b...tag, 111...trigger receiving unit, 112...position information acquisition unit, 113, 452...storage unit, 151...tag communication unit, 152...trigger generating unit, 211...magnetic information detection unit, 212...GPS unit, 213...DR unit, 311...management area, 331a to 331d...user location, 341a to 341d...asset location, 401...comprehensive asset management system, 421...server device, 451...communication unit, 1111...magnetic position correspondence table, 1121...management table, 1131...comprehensive asset management table

Claims

1. An asset management system that manages assets to which tags capable of identifying individual information are attached, A terminal unit held by a terminal holder is provided, the terminal unit includes a tag communication unit that communicates with the tag to read the individual information, and a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information; the location information acquisition unit starts acquiring the location information as information about the asset to which the tag is attached when a first condition is satisfied, and ends acquiring the location information when a second condition is satisfied; the first condition is at least one of a condition that communication between the tag communication unit and the tag is established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is equal to or less than a first threshold value; the second condition is at least one of a condition that the communication is not established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag exceeds a second threshold. Asset management system.

2. The asset management system according to claim 1 , wherein the location information acquisition unit acquires location information corresponding to measurement results of environmental magnetic field information measured in real time by referring to correspondence between environmental magnetic field information and location information prepared in advance.

3. The asset management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the location information acquisition unit acquires the location information by utilizing information from pedestrian autonomous navigation.

4. the position information acquisition unit acquires the position information by utilizing information of vehicle autonomous navigation; The asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The tag has at least one function of RFID, Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE, NFC, UWB, QR code, and barcode. The asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The terminal holder is a person, a powered vehicle, or a robot capable of autonomous movement. The asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The terminal unit is composed of a position acquisition terminal device having the position information acquisition unit and a tag communication terminal device having the tag communication unit, and these are separate or integrated. The asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. An asset management method for managing assets to which tags capable of identifying individual information are attached, comprising: The terminal unit held by the terminal holder is a tag communication unit communicating with the tag to read the individual information; The location information acquisition unit acquires location information, the location information acquisition unit starts acquiring the location information as information about the asset to which the tag is attached when a first condition is satisfied, and ends acquiring the location information when a second condition is satisfied; the first condition is at least one of a condition that communication between the tag communication unit and the tag is established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag is equal to or less than a first threshold value; the second condition is at least one of a condition that the communication is not established and a condition that the distance between the tag communication unit and the tag exceeds a second threshold. Asset management methods.

Images