Cargo handling system

Abstract

This cargo handling system assists cargo handling work when cargo loaded on a vehicle is unloaded, and is provided with: an RFID reader / writer that has a plurality of antennas disposed in a cargo compartment, and that transmits and receives radio waves to and from an RFID tag attached to the cargo via each of the plurality of antennas; a storage unit that stores a list in which the ID information of the RFID tags is associated with the delivery locations; a display device disposed in the cargo compartment; and a control device that acquires ID information associated with the delivery location from the storage unit, acquires the radio wave intensity of the RFID tag having the acquired ID information from the RFID reader / writer, and controls the display device so as to show the placement position of the undelivered goods when the acquired radio wave intensity exceeds a threshold value, and controls the display device so as to display the placement position of the undelivered goods when the acquired radio wave intensity exceeds the threshold value. The undelivered goods are goods to which the RFID tag is attached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to cargo handling systems. Background Art

[0002] In previous deliveries, the goods were loaded by the driver, who memorized the delivery location of the vehicle and the loading position of the goods. The driver worked hard on the loading sequence and relied on his memory to find the goods in the cargo compartment for delivery.

[0003] As a system for delivering goods in a cargo compartment, for example, a cargo delivery destination monitoring system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2013-170082 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1). According to this system, even if IC tags are not attached to each cargo in the cargo compartment of the vehicle to individually manage the loading and unloading of the cargo relative to the cargo compartment, it is possible to remotely detect whether the delivery of the cargo has been properly carried out in the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0004] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0005] However, in the past, the cargo in the cargo compartment was found by the driver's loading skills or memory, which did not necessarily mean that the cargo could be found efficiently. Therefore, it took time to train a delivery driver with sufficient skills, and delivery was a difficult job for beginners.

[0006] In addition, if the person who unloads the goods is not the same person as the person who loads the goods, it becomes quite difficult to find the goods. Therefore, the two operations of loading and unloading cannot be separated. For example, when both operations are performed by a driver, there is a problem that the burden is concentrated on the driver.

[0007] In addition, in the system described in Patent Document 1, since the cargo at the delivery destination is monitored based on the IC tag, the cargo in the cargo compartment can be delivered reliably, but there is a problem that, for example, the burden on the driver cannot be reduced.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a cargo handling system capable of improving the efficiency of delivery work by reducing the burden on workers.

[0009] Solutions to the problem

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the cargo handling system of the present invention assists the unloading operation when unloading the cargo loaded on the vehicle, and the cargo handling system comprises:

[0011] The RFID reader / writer has a plurality of antennas disposed in the cargo compartment, and transmits and receives radio waves with the RFID tags attached to the cargo via the plurality of antennas;

[0012] A storage unit storing a list in which the ID information of the RFID tag is associated with the delivery location;

[0013] A display device is disposed in the cargo compartment; and

[0014] The control device obtains the ID information associated with the delivery location from the storage unit, and obtains the radio wave strength of the RFID tag having the obtained ID information from the RFID reader / writer, and controls the display device to show the placement location of the following undelivered goods, which are goods attached with the RFID tag, when the obtained radio wave strength exceeds a threshold value.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the efficiency of the delivery work can be improved by reducing the burden on workers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram functionally showing a cargo handling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram schematically showing a cargo room of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the upper right side of the rear side.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of a list in which ID information of RFID tags and delivery locations are associated with each other.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the cargo handling system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing light emitting diodes and the like whose lighting is controlled.

[0022] Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 1: Vehicle;

[0024] 2: cargo compartment;

[0025] 3: Inner wall;

[0026] 3a: inner wall on one side;

[0027] 3b: inner wall on the other side;

[0028] 3c: anterior inner wall;

[0029] 3d: posterior inner wall;

[0030] 10: RFID reader / writer;

[0031] 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d: antenna;

[0032] 20: storage unit;

[0033] 30: control device;

[0034] 31: Control unit;

[0035] 32: Acquisition Department;

[0036] 33: Judgment Department;

[0037] 40: display device;

[0038] 40L, 40La, 40Lb, 40Lc, 40Ld: light emitting diodes;

[0039] 50: second light source;

[0040] 50L: light emitting diode;

[0041] 100: Cargo handling system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 1 is a functional block diagram of a cargo handling system functionally representing an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 In the figure, arrows indicate the main data flow, and there may also be Figure 1 The data flow is not shown in Figure 1 In the example, each functional block does not show a structure in units of hardware (devices), but shows a structure in units of functions. Figure 1 The functional blocks shown may be installed in a single device or may be installed in a plurality of devices. Data transmission and reception between the functional blocks may be performed by any method such as a data bus or a communication network.

[0044] Figure 2 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cargo box of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the upper right side of the rear side. Figure 2 In the text, the left and right directions are referred to as the "vehicle width direction", the left side is referred to as the "left side", "the left side of the vehicle" or "one side in the vehicle width direction", and the right side is referred to as the "right side", "the right side of the vehicle" or "the other side in the vehicle width direction". Figure 2 In the description, the up-down direction is referred to as the "height direction" or the "vehicle height direction", the "upper" is referred to as the "upper side" or the "vehicle upper side", and the "lower" is referred to as the "lower side" or the "vehicle lower side". Figure 2, the oblique upward direction or oblique downward direction relative to the left and right direction is called the "front and rear direction" or the "vehicle front and rear direction", the oblique upward direction relative to the left and right direction is called the "front side" or the "vehicle front side", and the oblique downward direction relative to the left and right direction is called the "rear side" or the "vehicle rear side".

[0045] The cargo loading and unloading system 100 is a system for assisting an operator (a driver if the operator is a driver) who is performing the unloading operation of cargo in a cargo compartment. Figure 2 ) For example, a delivery vehicle carrying delivery items or a truck carrying goods, but not limited to these vehicles. Figure 1 As shown, an RFID (Radio Frequency identification) with predetermined information written therein is attached to the cargo LD. In the following description, the RFID is sometimes referred to as an "RFID tag". In addition, it is sometimes simply referred to as an "RF tag" or an "IC tag".

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the cargo handling system 100 includes: an RFID reader / writer 10, a storage unit 20, a control device 30, a display device 40, and a second light source 50 (see Figure 2 ).

[0047] (RFID reader / writer 10)

[0048] The RFID reader / writer 10 includes a plurality of antennas 12 , and transmits and receives radio waves to and from the RFID tags attached to the goods LD via the plurality of antennas 12 .

[0049] A plurality of antennas 12 are respectively arranged in the cargo compartment 2. The inner wall 3 of the cargo compartment 2 includes: a side inner wall 3a located at one side in the vehicle width direction relative to the central portion of the cargo compartment 2, another side inner wall 3b located at the other side in the vehicle width direction, a front side inner wall 3c located at the front side of the vehicle, and a rear side inner wall 3d located at the rear side of the vehicle. It should be noted that an entrance (not shown) for connecting the inside and outside of the cargo compartment 2 is provided on the rear side inner wall 3d, and a door (not shown) for opening and closing the entrance is provided.

[0050] An antenna 12a is arranged on the vehicle front side of one inner wall 3a. An antenna 12b is arranged on the vehicle rear side of one inner wall 3a. An antenna 12c is arranged on the vehicle front side of the other inner wall 3b. An antenna 12d is arranged on the vehicle rear side of the other inner wall 3b. It should be noted that the antennas 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are arranged at the center of the inner wall 3 in the vertical direction, respectively.

[0051] (Display device 40)

[0052] The display device 40 has a plurality of light emitting diodes 40L (corresponding to the "light source" of the present invention) arranged corresponding to the antennas 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, respectively. At the upper end of the inner wall 3a on one side, the light emitting diode 40La is arranged in the vertical direction corresponding to the antenna 12a. At the upper end of the inner wall 3a on one side, the light emitting diode 40Lb is arranged in the vertical direction corresponding to the antenna 12b. At the upper end of the inner wall 3b on the other side, the light emitting diode 40Lc is arranged in the vertical direction corresponding to the antenna 12c. At the upper end of the inner wall 3b on the other side, the light emitting diode 40Ld is arranged in the vertical direction corresponding to the antenna 12d.

[0053] The second light source 50 is disposed outside the cargo compartment and is composed of a light emitting diode 50L (corresponding to the “second light source” of the present invention). For example, the light emitting diode 50L may be disposed on the outer wall of a door that opens and closes the entrance of the cargo compartment 2 .

[0054] (Storage Unit 20)

[0055] The storage unit 20 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of a computer realizing the control device 30, a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a working area of ​​the control device 30, and a storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a SSD (Solid State Drive) for storing OS (Operating System), application programs, and various information and various mappings referred to when executing the application programs. It should be noted that the control device 30 is provided in the vehicle and is integrally or separately constituted with one or more other vehicle-mounted ECUs (Electronic Control Units) for controlling devices and systems equipped in the vehicle. The control device 30 is connected to the RFID reader / writer 10 via a communication line (e.g., a wired line). On the other hand, the control device 30 may also be provided outside the vehicle and connected to the RFID reader / writer 10 via a communication network (e.g., a wireless line).

[0056] The storage unit 20 stores a list in which the ID information of the RFID tag and the delivery destination are associated with each other. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a list. Figure 3In the list shown, for example, ID information AAAAAA is associated with delivery location XXX. In addition, ID information BBBBBB is associated with delivery location YYY. In addition, ID information CCCCCC is associated with delivery location ZZZ.

[0057] (Control Unit 31)

[0058] The control unit 31 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) of the control device 30, and functions as an acquisition unit 32 and a determination unit 33 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 20. It should be noted that Figure 1 The example in which the control device 30 is composed of a single device is shown. However, the control device 30 may also be implemented by computing resources such as multiple processors and memories. In this case, each part constituting the control unit 31 is implemented by executing a program by at least one processor among the multiple different processors.

[0059] The acquisition unit 32 acquires the ID information corresponding to the delivery location from the storage unit 20. In addition, the acquisition unit 32 acquires, from the RFID reader / writer 10, the radio wave intensity (radio wave intensity signal) of the RFID tag having the acquired ID information.

[0060] Specifically, when the vehicle 1 arrives at the delivery location XXX, for example, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the ID information AAAAAA associated with the delivery location XXX from the storage unit 20. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the radio wave strength of the RFID tag having the ID information AAAAAA from the RFID reader / writer 10. At this time, the radio wave strength of the RFID tag acquired from the RFID reader / writer 10 is the radio wave strength of the radio wave of the RFID tag having the ID information AAAAAA received by the antennas 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d respectively. Figure 4 In the figure, the radio wave strength of the radio wave of the RFID tag with ID information AAAAAA received by antenna 12a is shown as Wa, the radio wave strength of the radio wave of the RFID tag with ID information AAAAAA received by antenna 12b is shown as Wb, the radio wave strength of the radio wave of the RFID tag with ID information AAAAAA received by antenna 12c is shown as Wc, and the radio wave strength of the radio wave of the RFID tag with ID information AAAAAA received by antenna 12d is shown as Wd.

[0061] The determination unit 33 determines whether the acquired radio wave strengths Wa, Wb, Wc, and Wd exceed a threshold value Wth. It should be noted that the threshold value Wth is predetermined by experiments or simulations based on the size of the cargo compartment 2, the radio wave strength of the radio wave of the RFID tag attached to the cargo arranged in the cargo compartment 2, and the performance of the antenna 12. In addition, the threshold value Wth is a value that can be adjusted after the initial setting.

[0062] The control unit 31 controls the light emitting diode 40L based on the determination result of the determination unit 33. Specifically, the control unit 31 controls the light emitting diode 40L to light up when the radio intensity exceeds the threshold, and controls the light emitting diode 40L to light down when the radio intensity does not exceed the threshold.

[0063] (Operation of Cargo Handling System 100)

[0064] Next, refer to Figure 4 The operation of the cargo handling system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 4 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the cargo handling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the situation when the vehicle 1 arrives at the delivery location XXX is described. The control unit 31 determines whether the vehicle 1 has arrived at the delivery location based on the position information of the vehicle 1. This process starts when the vehicle 1 arrives at the delivery location XXX and the door of the entrance and exit of the cargo compartment 2 is opened.

[0065] First, in step S100 , the acquisition unit 32 acquires the ID information AAAAAA associated with the delivery location XXX from the storage unit 20 , and acquires the radio wave intensities Wa, Wb, Wc, and Wd of the RFID tag having the ID information AAAAAA from the RFID reader / writer 10 .

[0066] Next, in step S110, the determination unit 33 determines whether the radio intensity Wa exceeds the threshold value Wth. If the radio intensity Wa exceeds the threshold value Wth (step S110: Yes), the process moves to step S120. If the radio intensity Wa does not exceed the threshold value Wth (step S110: No), the process moves to step S210.

[0067] In step S120 , the control unit 31 controls the light-emitting diode 40La to light up.

[0068] Next, in step S130, the determination unit 33 determines whether the radio intensity Wb exceeds the threshold value Wth. If the radio intensity Wb exceeds the threshold value Wth (step S130: Yes), the process moves to step S140. If the radio intensity Wb does not exceed the threshold value Wth (step S130: No), the process moves to step S220.

[0069] In step S140 , the control unit 31 controls the light-emitting diode 40Lb to light up.

[0070] Next, in step S150, the determination unit 33 determines whether the radio intensity Wc exceeds the threshold value Wth. If the radio intensity Wc exceeds the threshold value Wth (step S150: Yes), the process moves to step S160. If the radio intensity Wc does not exceed the threshold value Wth (step S150: No), the process moves to step S230.

[0071] In step S160 , the control unit 31 controls the light-emitting diode 40Lc to light up.

[0072] Next, in step S170, the determination unit 33 determines whether the radio intensity Wd exceeds the threshold value Wth. If the radio intensity Wd exceeds the threshold value Wth (step S170: Yes), the process moves to step S180. If the radio intensity Wd does not exceed the threshold value Wth (step S170: No), the process moves to step S240.

[0073] In step S180 , the control unit 31 controls the light-emitting diode 40Ld to light up.

[0074] Next, in step S190, the control unit 31 determines whether the door of the entrance and exit of the cargo compartment 2 is closed. If the door is closed (step S190: Yes), this process ends. If the door is not closed (step S190: No), the process returns to before step S100.

[0075] An example of the operation of the cargo handling system 100 has been described above. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing light emitting diodes and the like whose lighting is controlled. Figure 5 , which indicates the light-emitting diode 40La that is being controlled to light up. The light-emitting diode 40La being turned on means that the radio wave intensity of the radio wave of the RFID tag received by the antenna 12a configured corresponding to the light-emitting diode 40La exceeds the threshold value. In other words, it means that at the delivery location, the goods to be delivered (undelivered goods) are placed near the antenna 12a. Therefore, by controlling the light-emitting diode 40La to light up, the operator (driver) can be guided to the goods (here, by the antenna 12a) located near the antenna 12a. Figure 5The undelivered goods are placed in the cargo compartment 2. Thus, the operator can easily move the undelivered goods outside the cargo compartment 2. By moving the undelivered goods outside the cargo compartment 2, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave of the RFID tag becomes below the threshold. In this case, the control unit 31 controls the light emitting diode 40La to turn off. The above describes the situation where there is an undelivered cargo at the delivery location.

[0076] Next, the case where there are multiple undelivered goods at the delivery location is described. In this case as well, by moving the multiple undelivered goods outside the cargo compartment 2, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave of the RFID tag attached to each of the goods becomes below the threshold. As a result, the control unit 31 controls the light-emitting diodes 40L corresponding to these RFID tags to turn off the lights. Moreover, by controlling all the light-emitting diodes 40L to turn off the lights, the operator can easily visually confirm that there are no undelivered goods in the cargo compartment.

[0077] Next, the case where the radio wave intensity of the radio wave of the RFID tag received by each of the two or more antennas 12 exceeds the threshold value is described. In this case, the light-emitting diodes 40L respectively configured corresponding to the two or more antennas 12 are all controlled to light up. However, in this case as well, by moving the undelivered goods outside the cargo compartment 2, the radio wave intensity of the radio wave of the RFID tag received by each of the two or more antennas 12 becomes below the threshold value. Thus, the control unit 31 controls the light-emitting diodes 40L corresponding to these RFID tags to turn off respectively. Moreover, by controlling the light-emitting diodes 40L to turn off respectively, the operator can easily visually confirm that there was one undelivered cargo and that there is no undelivered cargo now.

[0078] The cargo loading and unloading system 100 of the above-mentioned embodiment assists in the unloading operation when unloading the cargo loaded on the vehicle 1, and the cargo loading and unloading system comprises: an RFID reader / writer 10, having a plurality of antennas 12 arranged in the cargo compartment 2, and transmitting and receiving radio waves between the RFID tags attached to the cargo via the plurality of antennas 12; a storage unit 20, storing a list in which the ID information of the RFID tag is associated with the delivery location; a display device 40, arranged in the cargo compartment 2; and a control device 30, which obtains the ID information associated with the delivery location from the storage unit 20, and obtains the radio wave strength of the RFID tag associated with the ID information from the RFID reader / writer 10, and when the obtained radio wave strength exceeds a threshold value, controls the display device 40 to indicate the placement location of the following undelivered cargo, which is cargo attached with the RFID tag.

[0079] According to the above structure, since the display device 40 shows the placement location of the undelivered goods, the time required for the operator to find the undelivered goods is shortened. As a result, the operator can easily move the undelivered goods outside the cargo compartment 2, thereby improving the efficiency of the delivery operation by reducing the burden on the operator.

[0080] In addition, in the cargo handling system 100 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the display device 40 has a plurality of light emitting diodes 40L respectively arranged corresponding to the plurality of antennas 12, and the control device 30 controls the light-on of the light emitting diodes 40L arranged corresponding to the antennas 12 that receive radio waves with radio wave strength exceeding the threshold value from the RFID tags. Thus, the operator can easily visually confirm that the cargo placed near the antenna 12 arranged corresponding to the light emitting diodes 40L controlled to light up is undelivered cargo, and thus the undelivered cargo can be easily moved outside the cargo compartment 2.

[0081] It should be noted that the cargo handling system 100 of the above embodiment may also include a light emitting diode 50L disposed outside the cargo compartment 2, and when there is undelivered cargo, the control device 30 controls the light emitting diode 50L to light up. Thus, by controlling the light emitting diode 50L to light up, the operator can easily visually confirm the presence of undelivered cargo in the cargo compartment 2 from outside the cargo compartment 2.

[0082] It should be noted that the cargo handling system 100 of the above embodiment may also include a light emitting diode 50L disposed outside the cargo compartment 2, and the control device 30 controls the light emitting diode 50L to light up when there is undelivered cargo and the door of the entrance and exit of the cargo compartment 2 is closed. Thus, by controlling the light emitting diode 50L to light up, the operator can easily visually confirm that there is undelivered cargo in the cargo compartment 2, so the operator can easily open the door of the entrance and exit and move the undelivered cargo outside the cargo compartment 2.

[0083] In addition, in the cargo handling system 100 of the above-mentioned embodiment, when the radio wave intensity of the radio wave of the RFID tag received by each of the two or more antennas 12 exceeds the threshold value, the light-emitting diodes 40L respectively arranged corresponding to the two or more antennas 12 are controlled to light up, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the light-emitting diode 40L arranged corresponding to the antenna that receives the largest radio wave intensity of the radio wave of the RFID tag to be controlled to light up.

[0084] In the cargo handling system 100 of the above embodiment, the light source is the light emitting diode 40L and the second light source is the light emitting diode 50L, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the light source and the second light source can be any light source that the operator (driver) can visually confirm is on or off.

[0085] The above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of specific implementations of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited by these embodiments. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or main features thereof.

[0086] The present invention can be suitably used in a vehicle equipped with a cargo handling system which is required to improve the efficiency of delivery work by reducing the burden on workers.

Claims

1. A cargo handling system for assisting in unloading cargo loaded on a vehicle, wherein the cargo handling system comprises: The RFID reader / writer has a plurality of antennas disposed in the cargo compartment, and transmits and receives radio waves with the RFID tags attached to the cargo via the plurality of antennas; A storage unit storing a list in which the ID information of the RFID tag is associated with the delivery location; A display device is arranged in the cargo compartment; as well as The control device obtains the ID information associated with the delivery location from the storage unit, and obtains the radio wave strength of the RFID tag having the obtained ID information from the RFID reader / writer, and controls the display device to show the placement location of the following undelivered goods, which are goods attached with the RFID tag, when the obtained radio wave strength exceeds a threshold value.

2. The cargo handling system of claim 1, wherein: The display device includes a plurality of light sources arranged corresponding to the plurality of antennas, respectively. The control device controls lighting of the light source disposed corresponding to the antenna that receives the radio wave having a radio wave intensity exceeding a threshold value from the RFID tag.

3. The cargo handling system of claim 1, wherein: It also has a second light source located outside the cargo compartment. In the case where the undelivered goods exist, the control device controls the second light source to light up.

4. The cargo handling system of claim 1, wherein: It also has a second light source located outside the cargo compartment. When the undelivered cargo exists and the door of the entrance and exit of the cargo compartment is closed, the control device controls the second light source to light up.

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