Method for determining position of goods in space

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for determining the location of a product based on equipment in a space equipped with multiple facilities. More specifically, by generating respective detection timestamps based on tag information received from an anchor tag and a product tag, and analyzing the temporal relationship between the detection timestamps to determine the location of the product based on the anchor tag, the invention reduces location determination errors that may occur when determining the location of a product based on RFID signal overlap or simple signal strength, and enables more accurate determination of the actual facility location to which the product belongs. Furthermore, when the priority difference between candidate anchor tags is not significant, the invention relates to a method for determining the final anchor tag to which the product belongs by considering the product attributes of the products belonging to the candidate anchor tags together with the product attributes of the product to be determined, thereby enabling location correction based on product characteristics and allowing for accurate determination of the facility location to which the product belongs even in an environment where multiple facilities are closely arranged.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for determining the location of a product based on equipment in a space equipped with multiple facilities. More specifically, by generating respective detection timestamps based on tag information received from anchor tags and product tags and analyzing the temporal relationship between detection timestamps to determine the location of the product, the invention reduces location determination errors that may occur when determining the location of a product based on simple signal strength and accurately determines the actual facility location to which the product belongs. Furthermore, when the priority difference between candidate anchor tags is not significant, the invention determines the anchor tag to which the product belongs by considering the product attributes of the products belonging to the candidate anchor tags together with the product attributes of the product to be determined, thereby enabling location correction based on product characteristics and allowing for accurate determination of the facility location to which the product belongs even in an environment where multiple facilities are closely arranged. Background Technology

[0002] In spaces such as clothing stores, where numerous products are distributed across various fixtures (e.g., wall-mounted shelves, tables, hangers, mannequins, etc.) and are continuously moved and rearranged, it is important to identify the precise location of each individual product in real time.

[0003] Furthermore, as clothing stores display a large number of garments and many customers try on or purchase them, managers must continuously and in real-time monitor the inventory status of the clothing.

[0004] In addition, managers must monitor whether clothing displayed on various facilities is arranged according to established regulations to ensure that customers can conveniently try on or purchase the clothes. For example, the display shelves must be arranged according to regulations requiring that the same type of clothing be displayed in all sizes (S, M, L, XL) or that the same type of clothing be displayed in all sizes and colors. However, in an environment where display conditions constantly change due to customer trying on, sales, or re-display, it is very difficult for managers to accurately determine in real time whether the clothing on the facilities is arranged according to regulations.

[0005] Recently, in the retail environment, automated inventory management and location tracking technologies utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) are being widely adopted to increase inventory management efficiency and improve customer convenience.

[0006] However, existing RFID-based location tracking technologies often rely primarily on zone-based location identification or simple signal strength-based estimation methods, which makes it difficult to accurately determine the actual location of a product due to signal overlap between adjacent facilities, simultaneous detection of multiple tags, and shared physical structures between facilities.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for technology that can more accurately determine the facility where a product is actually located by comprehensively utilizing the temporal and spatial characteristics of RFID tag detection information, even in spaces where multiple facilities and products exist. The problem to be solved

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the problems associated with the aforementioned conventional RFID-based product location determination method. The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for generating detection timestamps based on the reception of tag information from an anchor tag and a product tag, respectively, and determining the location of a product based on the generated detection timestamps.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for determining candidate anchor tags by removing noise anchor tags among anchor tags detected overlapping with product tags, and accurately determining the location of a product according to the priority of the determined candidate anchor tags.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for accurately determining the location of a product based on an anchor tag by considering the product attributes of the products belonging to the anchor tag and the attributes of the product whose location is to be determined. means of solving the problem

[0011] To achieve the objective of the present invention, a method according to the present invention for determining the location of a product in a space equipped with a plurality of facilities comprises: receiving tag information from at least one of an anchor tag attached to a facility and providing facility identification information of the facility, and a product tag attached to a product located on or around the facility and providing product identification information; generating a detection timestamp of the anchor tag and a detection timestamp of the product tag based on the reception of tag information; and determining the location of the product by identifying the facility where the product is located from the detection timestamp of the anchor tag and the detection timestamp of the product tag.

[0012] The method for determining the location of a product according to the present invention receives tag information from an anchor tag or a product tag through a tag reader that scans a product located in a facility.

[0013] Here, the detection timestamp of the anchor tag is characterized by the detection start time of the anchor tag determined based on the time when anchor tag information began to be received from the anchor tag, and the detection end time of the anchor tag determined based on the time when the reception of anchor tag information ended, and the detection timestamp of the product tag is characterized by the detection start time of the product tag determined based on the time when product tag information began to be received from the product tag, and the detection end time of the product tag determined based on the time when the reception of product tag information ended.

[0014] Preferably, according to the present invention, the step of determining the location of a product comprises: determining a candidate anchor tag that is detected in overlap with a product tag based on the detection timestamp of an anchor tag and the detection timestamp of a product tag; determining the priority of the candidate anchor tags to determine the priority among the candidate anchor tags; identifying the facility to which the product belongs based on the priority of the candidate anchor tags; and determining that the product is located in the identified facility based on the identified facility.

[0015] Preferably, in the step of determining candidate anchor tags according to one embodiment of the present invention, among anchor tags detected in overlap with product tags, anchor tags whose overlap detection time is less than or equal to a time threshold are excluded from candidate anchor tags.

[0016] Preferably, in the step of determining a candidate anchor tag according to another embodiment of the present invention, the difference between a first midpoint, which is the midpoint of the total time at which the anchor tag was detected, and a second midpoint, which is the midpoint of the total time at which the product tag was detected, is less than or equal to a midpoint threshold, and the anchor tag is determined to be detected by overlapping with the product tag.

[0017] Here, the step of determining the priority of candidate anchor tags is characterized by calculating the priority significantly in proportion to the overlap detection time between the anchor tag and the product tag.

[0018] Here, the overlap detection time is characterized by being normalized by the detection duration of the product calculated from the product detection start time and the product detection end time.

[0019] Preferably, the step of determining the priority of candidate anchor tags according to the present invention comprises: a step of determining whether the priority difference between a first candidate anchor tag having the highest priority and a second candidate anchor tag having the next highest priority is less than or equal to a priority threshold; and, if the priority difference is less than or equal to the priority threshold, a step of determining a candidate anchor tag to which a product having product attributes matching the product attributes among the first candidate anchor tag and the second candidate anchor tag belongs, based on the product attributes belonging to the first candidate anchor tag and the product attributes belonging to the second candidate anchor tag, wherein the candidate anchor tag to which the product having matching product attributes belongs is determined to have the highest priority. Effects of the invention

[0020] The method for determining the location of a product according to the present invention generates respective detection timestamps based on tag information received from an anchor tag and a product tag, and analyzes the temporal relationship between the generated detection timestamps to determine the location of the product based on the anchor tag, thereby reducing location determination errors that may occur when determining the location of a product based on RFID signal overlap or simple signal strength, and more accurately determining the location of the facility to which the product belongs.

[0021] Meanwhile, the method for determining the product location according to the present invention determines candidate anchor tags by removing anchor tags corresponding to noise based on criteria such as overlap detection time and detection offset among anchor tags detected in overlap with the product tag, and calculates the priority of the candidate anchor tags to finally determine the anchor tag to which the product belongs, thereby excluding signal interference between adjacent facilities or unnecessary detection information, and can accurately determine the facility to which the product belongs.

[0022] In addition, the method for determining the product location according to the present invention, when there is not a significant difference in priority between candidate anchor tags, determines the final anchor tag to which the product belongs by considering the product attributes of the products belonging to the candidate anchor tags together with the product attributes of the product to be determined, thereby enabling correction based on product characteristics and allowing for accurate determination of the facility location to which the product belongs even in an environment where multiple facilities are closely arranged. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining a product location determination system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a space in which equipment and products according to the present invention are arranged. Figure 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of an anchor tag placed in a facility placed in a space. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a manager determining the location information of a product in a store space. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for explaining a management server according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a position determination unit according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the location of a product according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a step for determining the product location in the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining a candidate anchor tag in the present invention. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining a candidate anchor tag. Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining an anchor tag that overlaps with a product tag. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining an anchor tag that overlaps with a product tag. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for correcting the position of a product using product attributes in the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] It should be noted that the technical terms used in this invention are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, unless specifically defined otherwise in this invention, the technical terms used in this invention should be interpreted in the sense generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and should not be interpreted in an overly broad or overly narrow sense.

[0025] Furthermore, if a technical term used in this invention is an incorrect technical term that fails to accurately express the concept of the invention, it should be understood as being replaced with a technical term that can be correctly understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0026] Additionally, the singular expressions used in the present invention include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0027] In the present invention, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the invention, and should be interpreted as potentially excluding some of the components or steps, or potentially including additional components or steps.

[0028] In addition, it should be noted that the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate an understanding of the concept of the present invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting the concept of the present invention.

[0030] The method for determining the location of a product according to the present invention will be examined in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining a product location determination system according to the present invention.

[0033] Referring more specifically to FIG. 1, a reader (100), a management server (200), and a terminal (300) are connected to a network (1), and the reader (100), the management server (200), and the terminal (300) can transmit and receive data through the network (1). Here, the network (1) may be a various wired or wireless network depending on the field to which the present invention is applied, and this falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0034] The reader (100) receives and reads anchor tag information from an anchor tag placed on equipment in a space such as a store or warehouse where equipment and products exist, or receives and reads product tag information from a product tag placed on a product.

[0035] Here, "equipment" refers to hangers, mannequins, shelves, etc., on which products are placed, and various types of equipment may be used depending on the field to which the present invention is applied. Equipment of the same type may be arranged in a space, or equipment of different types may be arranged in a space.

[0036] Here, anchor tags are attached to each piece of equipment placed in the space, and these anchor tags store equipment identification information that identifies the equipment. Meanwhile, various products are placed within the equipment, and each product has a product tag attached to it, which stores product identification information that identifies the product.

[0037] The reader (100) transmits anchor tag information received from an anchor tag to a management server (200) via a network (1), or transmits product tag information received from a product tag to a management server (200) via a network (1).

[0038] The management server (200) generates product management information based on the received anchor tag information and product tag information, and stores the generated product management information. Here, the product management information is information used to manage products in a space and includes product location information based on the facility, the type and quantity of products placed in each facility, and the remaining quantity of products in the warehouse.

[0039] Meanwhile, when the management server (200) receives a request for product management information from the terminal (300), it transmits the requested product management information to the terminal (300) via the network (1). Here, the terminal (300) is a terminal carried by a manager who manages the space, and may be a smartphone, PDA, etc., capable of communicating with the management server (200) by connecting to the network (1) using a dedicated application or a general-purpose application.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a space in which equipment and products according to the present invention are arranged.

[0042] Referring to Fig. 2 for a more detailed look, various types of equipment (10, 20, 30) are arranged in the store space where clothing is sold, and various products are arranged in each piece of equipment (10, 20, 30).

[0043] For example, in the clothing store space, equipment such as mannequins (10-1, 10-2), hangers (20-1, 20-2, 20-3), and shelves (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) are arranged, and various types of clothing products are placed on each piece of equipment (10, 20, 30).

[0045] Figure 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of an anchor tag placed in a facility placed in a space.

[0046] Referring to Fig. 3 for a more detailed look, anchor tags are placed on each of the facilities (20, 30).

[0047] For example, the clothes hanger equipment (20-1), clothes hanger equipment (20-2) and clothes hanger equipment (20-3) each have an anchor tag (FT 1-1-1 , FT 1-1-2 ), Anchor Tag (FT 1-2-1 , FT 1-2-2 ) and anchor tags (FT 1-3-1 , FT 1-3-2 ) is arranged, and on the shelf equipment (30-1), shelf equipment (30-2) and shelf equipment (30-3), anchor tags (FT) are respectively installed. 2-1-1 , FT 2-1-2 ), Anchor Tag (FT 2-2-1 , FT 2-2-2 ) and anchor tags (FT 2-3-1 , FT 2-3-2 ) is arranged.

[0048] Here, anchor tags assigned to each facility are placed at locations to distinguish the facilities, and each anchor tag stores facility identification information to identify the facility. For example, anchor tags (FT 1-1-1 , FT 1-1-2 ) is placed at a specific location of the clothes hanger equipment (20-1) to distinguish the clothes hanger equipment (20-1) and stores equipment identification information for identifying the clothes hanger equipment (20-1).

[0049] Here, the physical location information of each facility in the store space, the type of each facility, the identifier of each facility, and the anchor tag identifier assigned to each facility are matched with each other and stored in the management server (200).

[0051] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of how a manager (10) determines the location information of a product in a store space. As shown in FIG. 4, the manager (10) scans the equipment while holding a reader and reads tag information from the anchor tag attached to each piece of equipment and the product tag attached to the product placed in each piece of equipment while moving the reader along the equipment.

[0052] The anchor tag information and product tag information read by the reader are transmitted to the management server via the network, and the management server generates a timestamp from the anchor tag information and product tag information received from the reader, and determines the product's location information based on the facility where the product is located, that is, relative to the facility, based on the generated timestamp.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for explaining a management server according to the present invention.

[0055] Referring more specifically to FIG. 5, the transmitting and receiving unit (310) transmits and receives data with the reader (100) or terminal (300) through the network.

[0056] The control unit (330) controls the determination of the location of a product from the received anchor tag information or product tag information when it receives anchor tag information or product tag information from the reader (100) through the transmission / reception unit (310), or when it receives an administrator request from a terminal (300) through the transmission / reception unit (310), it extracts management information corresponding to the administrator request from the memory unit (390) and provides the extracted management information to the terminal (300) through the transmission / reception unit (310).

[0057] The time stamp generation unit (370) generates a detection time stamp of an anchor tag based on the received anchor tag information when receiving anchor tag information from the reader (100), and generates a detection time stamp of a product tag based on the received product tag information when receiving product tag information.

[0058] The control unit (330) provides the detection time stamp of the anchor tag or the detection time stamp of the product tag generated by the time stamp generation unit (370) to the location determination unit (350), and the location determination unit (350) determines the location information of the product based on the facility based on the detection time stamp of the anchor tag and the detection time stamp of the product tag.

[0059] The control unit (330) matches the products located in each facility based on the location information of the products and stores them in the memory unit (390). Accordingly, the manager can access the management server through a terminal and check the type and quantity of products located in each facility in real time.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a position determination unit according to the present invention.

[0062] Referring more specifically to FIG. 6, the overlap determination unit (351) determines an anchor tag that is detected in overlap with a product tag based on the detection timestamp of the anchor tag and the detection timestamp of the product tag.

[0063] The candidate determination unit (355) determines an anchor tag detected overlapping with a product tag as a candidate anchor tag, and the priority calculation unit (356) calculates the priority of the candidate anchor tag where the product is determined to be located.

[0064] Preferably, a candidate anchor tag can be determined based on the overlap time between the product tag and the anchor tag, wherein the overlap time determination unit (353) determines the overlap time detected in overlap with the product tag during the total detection time of the product tag for the anchor tag detected in overlap with the product tag. The candidate determination unit (355) can determine an anchor tag as a candidate anchor tag that overlaps with the product tag and simultaneously determines an overlap time greater than the overlap time threshold.

[0065] Depending on the field to which the present invention is applied, the overlap time determination unit (353) can determine the overlap ratio during which the product tag and the anchor tag are detected overlapping with each other during the total detection time of the product tag, and the candidate determination unit (355) can determine the anchor tag as a candidate anchor tag that overlaps with the product tag and has an overlap ratio greater than the overlap ratio threshold.

[0066] The priority determination unit (357) determines the priority of candidate anchor tags where the product is expected to be located based on the calculated priority, and the location determination unit (358) identifies the facility to which the product belongs based on the priority of the candidate anchor tags and determines that the product is located in the identified facility.

[0067] Preferably, in the present invention, the attribute determination unit (359) determines the attributes of the product belonging to the candidate anchor tag, and the position determination unit (358) can correct the facility location to which the product belongs by considering not only the priority of the candidate anchor tag but also the attributes of the product belonging to the candidate anchor tag and the product attributes of the product whose location is to be determined.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the location of a product according to the present invention.

[0070] Referring more specifically to FIG. 7, tag information is received from an anchor tag attached to equipment placed in a space and from a product tag attached to a product located in the equipment (S100). Anchor tag information having anchor identification information for identifying an anchor is received from the anchor tag, and product tag information having product identification information for identifying a product is received from the product tag.

[0071] A detection time stamp is generated based on the received tag information (S300). A detection time stamp for the anchor tag is generated based on the anchor tag information received from the anchor tag, and a detection time stamp for the product tag is generated based on the product tag information received from the product tag.

[0072] Here, the detection timestamp for the anchor tag is characterized by the detection start time of the anchor tag determined based on the time when anchor tag information began to be received from the anchor tag, the detection end time of the anchor tag determined based on the time when the reception of anchor tag information ended, and the detection duration of the anchor tag during which the anchor tag was continuously detected.

[0073] Here, the detection timestamp for the product tag is characterized by the detection start time of the product tag determined based on the time when product tag information began to be received from the product tag, the detection end time of the product tag determined based on the time when the reception of product tag information ended, and the detection duration of the product tag that continuously detected the product tag.

[0074] Based on the detection time stamp for the anchor tag and the detection time stamp for the product tag, the location information of the product is determined as to which facility the product is located, and based on the determined product location information, the product identifier is matched with the facility identifier or the anchor tag identifier placed in the facility and stored in the management server (S500).

[0075] When a request command for management information is received from a terminal held by an administrator (S700), the requested management information is searched among the management information stored in the management server, and the searched management information is provided to the terminal (S900).

[0076] Based on product management information received from the management server, the manager monitors product management information in real time, such as the types and sizes of products placed in the store space and the equipment where each product is placed, and must replenish insufficient products in designated equipment or remove duplicate products from equipment if the same product is placed in duplicate.

[0077] For example, if the store management manual states that "Product 1, Product 2, and Product 3 must be placed on the first hanger, and Product 1, Product 2, and Product 3 must be displayed in small, medium, large, and X-large sizes, respectively, one of each color," the manager scans the first hanger using a reader, reads the tag information received from the anchor tag placed on the first hanger and the product tags placed on Product 1, Product 2, and Product 3, and provides it to the management server. The management server generates product management information for Product 1, Product 2, and Product 3 located on the first hanger from the tag information and provides it to the terminal, thereby allowing the manager to easily and accurately check in real time whether the store management manual is being followed.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a step for determining the product location in the present invention.

[0080] Referring more specifically to FIG. 8, a candidate anchor tag is determined that is detected overlapping with the product tag based on the detection timestamp for the anchor tag and the detection timestamp for the product tag (S510).

[0081] The priority of candidate anchor tags is calculated to determine the priority among candidate anchor tags (S530).

[0082] Here, it is characterized by the fact that the higher the overlap detection time when candidate anchor tags and product tags overlap each other, the higher the priority is calculated.

[0083] Here, it is characterized by the fact that the smaller the difference between the detection start time of the candidate anchor tag and the detection start time of the product tag, the higher the priority is calculated.

[0084] Here, it is characterized by the fact that the smaller the difference between the detection end time of the candidate anchor tag and the detection end time of the product tag, the higher the priority is calculated.

[0085] Here, priority parameters used to calculate priority, such as overlapping detection time, difference in detection start time, or difference in detection end time, are characterized by being normalized by dividing by the detection duration of the product tag. Through this normalization of priority parameters, an administrator can accurately calculate the priority regardless of the reader's movement speed when scanning equipment using a reader.

[0086] Based on the priority of candidate anchor tags, the facility to which the product belongs is identified (S550), and it is determined that the product is located in the identified facility (S570).

[0088] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining a candidate anchor tag in the present invention.

[0089] Referring more specifically to FIG. 9, an anchor tag is determined to be detected overlapping each other based on the detection time stamp for the product tag and the detection time stamp for the anchor tag (S513).

[0090] Among the anchor tags detected overlapping each other, a noise anchor tag is determined (S513), and the noise anchor tag is excluded, and the anchor tag detected overlapping each other with the product tag is determined as a candidate anchor tag (S315).

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 10, depending on the physical location between the anchor tag and the reader or obstacles existing between the anchor tag and the reader, there are cases where multiple anchor tags are recognized momentarily even though they are not located in close proximity to the reader. Anchor tags recognized momentarily in this way (FT1, FT2, FT3) are determined to be noise anchor tags rather than anchor tags located in close proximity to the reader and are excluded from candidate anchor tags.

[0093] Preferably, among the anchor tags detected in overlap during the detection time (S1) of the product tag, an anchor tag whose overlap detection time is less than or equal to the overlap time threshold can be determined as a noise anchor tag.

[0094] Preferably, for an anchor tag detected overlapping with a product tag, an anchor tag in which the overlap ratio of the product tag and the anchor tag is detected overlapping with each other during the total detection time (S1) of the product tag is smaller than the overlap ratio threshold can be determined as a noise anchor tag.

[0096] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining an anchor tag that overlaps with a product tag.

[0097] Referring more specifically to FIG. 11, when a product tag is detected overlapping with a plurality of anchor tags (S211), a first midpoint, which is the midpoint of the total time when the anchor tags were detected, and a second midpoint, which is the midpoint of the total time when the product tags were detected, are calculated (S213).

[0098] It is determined whether the offset between the first midpoint and the second midpoint is less than or equal to the offset threshold (S215), and the anchor tag whose offset between the first midpoint and the second midpoint is less than or equal to the offset threshold is determined to be an anchor tag that is detected by overlapping with the product tag (S217).

[0100] As shown in FIG. 12, depending on the physical location between the anchor tag and the reader or an environment that does not interfere with radio waves between the anchor tag and the reader, the anchor tag can be detected even when the anchor tag and the reader are far apart, and the total detection time can be extended. By using the offset between the first midpoint and the second midpoint, the anchor tag that overlaps with the product tag can be distinguished.

[0101] In FIG. 12, the detection time (S1) of the product tag overlaps with the detection time (S2) of anchor tag 1, the detection time (S3) of anchor tag 2, and the detection time (S4) of anchor tag 3. The offsets (OS1, OS2, OS3) between the midpoint of the product tag detection time and the midpoint of the anchor tag detection time are each calculated, and anchor tag 2, whose offset is less than or equal to the offset threshold, is finally determined to be the anchor tag that overlaps with the product tag.

[0103] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for correcting the position of a product using product attributes in the present invention.

[0104] Referring more specifically to FIG. 13, it is determined whether the priority difference between the first candidate anchor tag with the highest priority and the second candidate anchor tag with the next highest priority is less than or equal to the priority threshold (S231).

[0105] If the priority difference is less than or equal to the priority threshold, the candidate anchor tag to which the product having product attributes matching the product attributes among the first candidate anchor tag and the second candidate anchor tag belongs is determined based on the product attributes belonging to the first candidate anchor tag and the product attributes belonging to the second candidate anchor tag.

[0106] Among the first candidate anchor tag and the second candidate anchor tag, the candidate anchor tag to which the product with matching product attributes belongs is determined to have the highest priority (S235).

[0108] Meanwhile, the embodiments of the present invention described above can be written as a program executable on a computer and can be implemented on a general-purpose digital computer that operates said program using a computer-readable recording medium.

[0109] The above computer-readable recording media include storage media such as magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, etc.) and carrier waves (e.g., transmission over the Internet).

[0110] The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0111] 1: Network 100: Reader 200: Management Server 300: Terminal 310: Transmitter / Receiver 330: Control Unit 350: Position determination unit 370: Time stamp generation unit 390: Memory section 351: Nesting determination section 353: Overlap time determination unit 355: Candidate determination unit 356: Priority calculation unit 357: Priority determination unit 358: Position determination unit 359: Attribute determination unit

Claims

Claim 1 A method for determining the location of a product based on said equipment in a space equipped with multiple pieces of equipment, comprising: receiving tag information from an anchor tag attached to said equipment and providing equipment identification information of said equipment, and a product tag attached to a product located in said equipment and providing product identification information; generating a detection timestamp of said anchor tag and a detection timestamp of said product tag based on the reception of said tag information; determining a candidate anchor tag that is detected in overlap with said product tag based on the detection timestamp of said anchor tag and the detection timestamp of said product tag; calculating the priority of said candidate anchor tags to determine the priority among said candidate anchor tags; and determining whether the priority difference between a first candidate anchor tag having the highest priority and a second candidate anchor tag having the next highest priority is less than or equal to a priority threshold. A method for determining a product location, comprising: a step of determining a candidate anchor tag to which a product having product attributes matching the product attributes of the first candidate anchor tag and the second candidate anchor tag belongs, based on the product attributes of the first candidate anchor tag and the product attributes of the second candidate anchor tag, when the priority difference is less than or equal to a priority threshold; a step of identifying a facility to which the product belongs based on the priority of the candidate anchor tag and the product attributes of the product; and a step of determining that the product is located in the identified facility. Claim 2 In claim 1, a method for determining the location of a product, wherein the tag information is received from a tag reader that scans the anchor tag or the product tag. Claim 3 A method for determining a product location according to claim 2, wherein the detection timestamp of the anchor tag is the detection start time of the anchor tag determined based on the time when anchor tag information began to be received from the anchor tag and the detection end time of the anchor tag determined based on the time when the reception of the anchor tag information ended, and the detection timestamp of the product tag is the detection start time of the product tag determined based on the time when product tag information began to be received from the product tag and the detection end time of the product tag determined based on the time when the reception of the product tag information ended. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A method for determining a product location according to claim 1, wherein, in the step of determining the candidate anchor tag, an anchor tag detected in overlap with the product tag has an overlap detection time less than or equal to an overlap time threshold and is excluded from the candidate anchor tag. Claim 6 A method for determining a product location according to claim 1, wherein, in the step of determining the candidate anchor tag, an anchor tag is determined to be detected in overlap with the product tag, wherein the offset between the first midpoint, which is the midpoint of the total time at which the anchor tag was detected, and the second midpoint, which is the midpoint of the total time at which the product tag was detected, is less than or equal to an offset threshold. Claim 7 A method for determining a product location according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the priority of the candidate anchor tag calculates the priority significantly in proportion to the overlap detection time of the anchor tag and the product tag. Claim 8 A method for determining a product location according to claim 7, wherein the overlap detection time is normalized by the detection duration of the product calculated from the product detection start time and the product detection end time. Claim 9 A method for determining product location according to claim 1, characterized by determining the candidate anchor tag to which a product having matching product attributes belongs as having the highest priority.

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