freight handling system

Abstract

A cargo handling system is provided that assists in the unloading process when cargo is loaded onto a vehicle and comprises the following: an RFID reader / writer that sends and receives a radio signal to and from an RFID tag attached to the cargo; a memory that stores a list in which the ID information of the RFID tag is associated with a delivery location; a display device located in the cargo space; and a control device that detects the ID information associated with the delivery location, as well as the radio signal intensity of the RFID tag with the detected ID information from the RFID reader / writer, and, in a case where the detected radio signal intensity exceeds a threshold, controls the display device to show a placement location for undelivered cargo to which the RFID tag is attached.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a cargo handling system. State of the art

[0002] In traditional delivery, the driver loads a cargo, remembers the vehicle delivery location and the cargo loading location, and locates the cargo in the cargo hold based on the loading order or the driver's reminder to deliver the cargo.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-170082 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Literature 1) discloses a cargo delivery destination monitoring system that enables understanding at a remote location from a vehicle that the delivery of cargo has been properly performed without the need to manage loading and unloading of a cargo compartment of the vehicle for each cargo individually by attaching an IC tag to each cargo in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0004] Furthermore, the driver relies on their loading skills and memory to locate cargo in the cargo hold, and therefore locating the cargo is not necessarily efficient. For this reason, training a delivery driver with sufficient skills is time-consuming, and the job is difficult for beginners.

[0005] If the person unloading a load is not the same person loading it, it becomes very difficult to locate the load. This creates the problem of not being able to divide the loading and unloading work, and the burden is allocated to the driver, for example, if they perform both loading and unloading.

[0006] Furthermore, in the system described in Patent Literature 1, a cargo is monitored at a delivery location using an IC tag, thereby achieving the effect of safely delivering cargo in the cargo hold. However, one problem is that the driver cannot be relieved of the burden.

[0007] An object of the present application is to provide a cargo handling system capable of increasing the efficiency of delivery work by reducing the burden on a worker. Solution to the problem

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the cargo handling system according to the present application assists in the unloading of cargo loaded onto a vehicle. The cargo handling system includes: an RFID reader / writer including a plurality of antennas arranged in a cargo compartment, and transmitting and receiving a radio signal to and from an RFID tag of the cargo through each of the plurality of antennas, the RFID tag being attached to the cargo; a memory storing a list linking ID information of the RFID tag to a delivery location; a display device arranged in the cargo compartment;and a control device that retrieves the ID information associated with the delivery location from the memory, further detects a radio signal intensity of the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer, and, in a case where the detected radio signal intensity exceeds a threshold, controls the display device so that the display device displays a placement location for an undelivered cargo, wherein the RFID tag has the detected ID information and the undelivered cargo is a cargo to which the RFID tag is attached.; Advantageous effects of the invention

[0009] According to the present application, it is possible to increase the efficiency of delivery work by reducing the load on a worker. Brief description of the drawings Fig. is a functional block diagram illustrating a cargo handling system in one embodiment of the present application; Fig. schematically shows a cargo space of a vehicle in the embodiment of the present application, viewed obliquely from the right rear side; Fig. shows an example of a list in which ID information from RFID tags is linked to delivery locations; Fig. is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations of the cargo handling system in the embodiment of the present application; and Fig. shows a light-emitting diode or similar on which lighting control is carried out. Description of the embodiments

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Fig. is a functional block diagram illustrating a cargo handling system in one embodiment of the present application. In Fig. the arrows indicate the main data flows, and there may be data flows that are Fig. are not shown. In Fig. Each functional block represents a configuration in functional units and not in hardware units (devices). Fig. The functional blocks shown can therefore be implemented in a single device or distributed and implemented across multiple devices. Data exchange between the functional blocks can be achieved via any means, such as a data bus, a communications network, or similar.

[0012] Fig. shows schematically a cargo compartment of a vehicle in the embodiment of the present application, viewed from the right rear side obliquely from above. In Fig. The transverse direction (left-right) is referred to as the "vehicle transverse direction", the left direction is referred to as the "left side", "left vehicle side" or "one side in the vehicle transverse direction", and the right direction is referred to as the "right side", "right vehicle side" or "the opposite side in the vehicle transverse direction". Furthermore, the vertical direction (top-bottom) is referred to as Fig. referred to as the "height direction" or "vehicle height direction," the "upward direction" as the "top" or "vehicle top," and the "downward direction" as the "bottom" or "vehicle bottom." Furthermore, a direction that is in relation to the right direction in Fig. diagonally upwards or diagonally downwards is referred to as the "front-to-rear direction" or "vehicle front-to-rear direction", the diagonally upward direction is referred to as the "front" or "vehicle front" and the diagonally downward direction is referred to as the "rear" or "vehicle rear".

[0013] The cargo handling system 100 is a system that supports a worker (a driver in a case where the worker is the driver) who unloads a cargo into the cargo hold. It should be noted that the vehicle 1 (see Fig. ) is, for example, a delivery vehicle into which delivery items are loaded as cargo, or a freight car into which cargo is loaded, but is not limited to these vehicles. As in Fig. As shown, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached to the load LD, into which predetermined information is written. In the following description, an RFID tag may be referred to as an "RFID tag." Furthermore, an RFID tag may also be referred to simply as an "RF tag" or "IC tag."

[0014] As in Fig. As shown, the cargo handling system 100 comprises an RFID reader / writer 10, a memory 20, a control device 30, a display device 40 and a second light source 50 (see Fig. ). (RFID reader / writer 10)

[0015] The RFID reader / writer 10 includes a plurality of antennas 12 and transmits and receives a radio signal to and from an RFID tag attached to the cargo LD via each of the plurality of antennas 12.

[0016] Each of the plurality of antennas 12 is arranged in the cargo compartment 2. The inner wall 3 of the cargo compartment 2 includes: a side inner wall 3a located on one side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center part of the cargo compartment 2; a reverse side inner wall 3b located on the other side in the vehicle width direction; a front inner wall 3c located at the front of the vehicle; and a rear inner wall 3d located at the rear of the vehicle. Note that an entrance (not shown) is provided on the rear inner wall 3d to communicate between the interior and exterior of the cargo compartment 2, and a door (not shown) for opening and closing the entrance is provided.

[0017] The antenna 12a is arranged at a front part of the vehicle's side inner wall 3a. The antenna 12b is arranged at a rear part of the vehicle's side inner wall 3a. The antenna 12c is arranged at the front part of the vehicle's opposite inner wall 3b. The antenna 12d is arranged at the rear part of the vehicle's opposite inner wall 3b. Note that each of the antennas 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d is arranged at a position in the central region of the inner wall 3 in the vertical direction. (Display device 40)

[0018] The display device 40 includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes 40L (referred to as "light sources" in the present application), which are arranged corresponding to the antennas 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, respectively. The light-emitting diode 40La is arranged at an upper end portion of the lateral inner wall 3a in the vertical direction, corresponding to the antenna 12a. The light-emitting diode 40Lb is arranged at an upper end portion of the lateral inner wall 3a in the vertical direction, corresponding to the antenna 12b. The light-emitting diode 40Lc is arranged at an upper end portion of the opposite lateral inner wall 3b in the vertical direction, corresponding to the antenna 12c. The light-emitting diode 40Ld is arranged at the upper end portion of the opposite lateral inner wall 3b in the vertical direction, corresponding to the antenna 12d.

[0019] The second light source 50 is arranged outside the cargo compartment and includes the light-emitting diode 50L (corresponding to the "second light source" in the present application). The light-emitting diode 50L can be arranged, for example, on an outer wall of the door for opening and closing the entrance of the cargo compartment 2. (Storage 20)

[0020] The memory 20 is a storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM) that stores a basic input / output system (BIOS) or the like that the control device 30 executes, a random access memory (RAM) that serves as the work area of ​​the control device 30, an operating system (OS), an application program, various information referenced at the time of execution of the application program, and a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD) in which various maps are stored. Note that the control device 30 is installed in a vehicle and is configured integrally or separately from one or more other on-board electronic control units (ECU(s)) that control devices or systems 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 can also be installed outside the vehicle and connected to the RFID reader / writer 10 via a communication network (e.g., a wireless line).

[0021] The memory20 stores a list in which the ID information of an RFID tag is linked to a delivery location. Fig. is a diagram showing an example of such a list. In the Fig. For example, in the list shown, the ID information AAAAAA is linked to the delivery location XXX. Furthermore, the ID information BBBBBB is linked to the delivery location YYY. Furthermore, the ID information CCCCCC is linked to the delivery location ZZZ. (Control Area 31)

[0022] The control section 31 is a processor, such as the central processing unit (CPU) or the graphics processing unit (GPU) of the control device 30, and functions as a detection section 32 and a determination section 33 by executing a program stored in the memory 20. Note that Fig. shows an example in which the control device 30 is configured as a single device. However, the control device 30 may, for example, be executed by a plurality of processors or a computing resource such as memory. In this case, each component forming the control area 31 is executed by at least one processor from the plurality of different processors executing a program.

[0023] The detection area 32 detects the ID information corresponding to a delivery location from the memory 20. Furthermore, the detection area 32 detects the radio signal intensity (radio signal intensity signal) of an RFID tag with the detected ID information from the RFID reader / writer 10.

[0024] Specifically, in a case where the vehicle 1 arrives at the delivery location XXX, for example, the detection section 32 detects ID information AAAAAA associated with the delivery location XXX from the memory 20. Further, the detection section 32 detects the radio signal intensity of an RFID tag having the ID information AAAAAA from the RFID reader / writer 10. At this time, the radio signal intensity of the RFID tag detected by the RFID reader / writer 10 is the radio signal intensity of the radio signal of the RFID tag having the ID information AAAAAA received by each of the antennas 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. Fig. shows the radio signal intensity Wa of the radio signal of the RFID tag with the ID information AAAAAA received by the antenna 12a, the radio signal intensity Wb of the radio signal of the RFID tag with the ID information AAAAAA received by the antenna 12b, the radio signal intensity Wc of the radio signal of the RFID tag with the ID information AAAAAA received by the antenna 12c, and the radio signal intensity Wd of the radio signal of the RFID tag with the ID information AAAAAA received by the antenna 12d.

[0025] The determination section 33 determines whether the detected radio signal intensities Wa, Wb, Wc, and Wd exceed the threshold value Wth. Note that the threshold value Wth is predetermined through experiments or simulations based on the size of the cargo compartment 2, the radio signal intensity of the radio signal of an RFID tag attached to a cargo placed in the cargo compartment 2, the performance of the antennas 12, and the like. Furthermore, the threshold value Wth is a value that can be adjusted after the initial setting.

[0026] The control section 31 controls the light-emitting diodes 40L based on the determination result of the determination section 33. Specifically, in a case where the radio signal intensity exceeds the threshold, the control section 31 performs lighting control of the light-emitting diodes 40L, and in a case where the radio signal intensity does not exceed the threshold, the control section 31 performs extinguishing control of the light-emitting diodes 40L. (Operation of the Cargo Handling System100)

[0027] Hereinafter, the operation of the cargo handling system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. described. Fig. is a flowchart showing exemplary operations of the cargo handling system in the present embodiment. The following description will describe a case where the vehicle 1 has arrived at the delivery location XXX. The control section 31 determines whether the vehicle 1 has arrived at the delivery point based on the position information of the vehicle 1. The present flow begins in a case where the vehicle 1 arrives at the delivery location XXX and the entrance of the cargo compartment 2 is opened.

[0028] First, in step S100, the detection section 32 acquires ID information AAAAAA associated with the delivery location XXX from the memory 20, and further acquires the radio signal intensities Wa, Wb, Wc, and Wd of an RFID tag having ID information AAAAAA from the RFID reader / writer 10.

[0029] Next, in step S110, the determination section 33 determines whether the radio signal intensity Wa exceeds the threshold value Wth. If the radio signal intensity Wa exceeds the threshold value Wth (step S110: YES), the processing proceeds to step S120. If the radio signal intensity Wa does not exceed the threshold value Wth (step S110: NO), the processing proceeds to step S210.

[0030] In step S120, the control section 31 performs lighting control of the light-emitting diode 40La.

[0031] Next, in step S130, the determination section 33 determines whether the radio signal intensity Wb exceeds the threshold value Wth. If the radio signal intensity Wb exceeds the threshold value Wth (step S130: YES), the processing proceeds to step S140. If the radio signal intensity Wb does not exceed the threshold value Wth (step S130: NO), the processing proceeds to step S220.

[0032] In step S140, the control section 31 performs lighting control of the light-emitting diode 40Lb.

[0033] Next, in step S150, the determination section 33 determines whether the radio signal intensity Wc exceeds the threshold value Wth. If the radio signal intensity Wc exceeds the threshold value Wth (step S150: YES), the processing proceeds to step S160. If the radio signal intensity Wc does not exceed the threshold value Wth (step S150: NO), the processing proceeds to step S230.

[0034] In step S160, the control section 31 performs lighting control of the light-emitting diode 40Lc.

[0035] Next, in step S170, the determination section 33 determines whether the radio signal intensity Wd exceeds the threshold value Wth. If the radio signal intensity Wd exceeds the threshold value Wth (step S170: YES), the processing proceeds to step S180. If the radio signal intensity Wd does not exceed the threshold value Wth (step S170: NO), the processing proceeds to step S240.

[0036] In step S180, the control section 31 performs lighting control of the light-emitting diode 40Ld.

[0037] In the next step S190, the control section 31 determines whether the entrance of the cargo compartment 2 is closed. If the entrance is closed (step S190: YES), the current flow is terminated. If the door is not closed (step S190: NO), the processing returns to step S100.

[0038] An example of the operation of the cargo handling system 100 has been described above. Fig. shows a light-emitting diode or similar on which lighting control is carried out. Fig. shows a light-emitting diode 40La on which lighting control is performed. The fact that the light-emitting diode 40La is switched on indicates that the radio signal intensity of the radio signal of an RFID tag received by the antenna 12a arranged corresponding to the light-emitting diode 40La has exceeded the threshold value. In other words, it is indicated that the placement location for a cargo to be delivered (undelivered cargo) at a delivery location is a position near the antenna 12a. Accordingly, it is possible to guide the worker (driver) to the position where the cargo (here, the cargo surrounded by a frame FM with a rectangular shape, as in Fig.shown) is placed near the antenna 12a. In this way, the worker can easily bring the undelivered cargo to the outside of the cargo compartment 2. When the undelivered cargo is brought to the outside of the cargo compartment 2, the radio signal intensity of the radio signal of the RFID tag becomes equal to or less than the threshold value. In this case, the control section 31 performs extinguishing control of the light-emitting diode 40La. A case where undelivered cargo exists at a delivery location has been described above.

[0039] Next, a case will be described where a plurality of undelivered goods exist at a delivery location. Even in this case, when each of the plurality of undelivered cargo items is moved to the outside of the cargo compartment 2, the radio signal intensities of the radio signals of the RFID tags attached to the respective cargo items become equal to or lower than the threshold value. Therefore, the control section 31 performs extinguishing control on the LEDs 40L corresponding to the respective RFID tags. Furthermore, by performing extinguishing control on all LEDs 40L, the worker can easily visually confirm that there is no more undelivered cargo in the cargo compartment.

[0040] Next, a case will be described where the radio signal intensities of the radio signals from RFID tags received by two or more antennas 12 exceed the threshold. In this case, lighting control is performed on LEDs 40L arranged corresponding to two or more antennas 12. However, even in this case, when undelivered cargo is / are moved to the outside of the cargo space 2, the radio signal intensities of the radio signals from RFID tags received by two or more antennas 12 become equal to or lower than the threshold. Therefore, the control section 31 performs extinguishing control of the LEDs 40L corresponding to the respective RFID tags.By performing the extinguishing control on each of the two or more 40L LEDs, the worker is able to easily visually determine that there is undelivered cargo and that there is no more undelivered cargo.

[0041] The cargo handling system 100 in the above-described embodiment supports the unloading work when unloading cargo loaded on the vehicle 1 and includes: a plurality of antennas 12 arranged in the cargo space 2; an RFID reader / writer 10 that transmits and receives a radio signal to and from an RFID tag attached to the cargo through each of the plurality of antennas 12; a memory 20 that stores a list in which ID information of the RFID tag is associated with a delivery location; a display device 40 arranged in the cargo space 2;and a control device 30 that retrieves the ID information associated with the delivery location from the memory 20, further detects the radio signal intensity of the RFID tag associated with the ID information from the RFID reader / writer 10, and, in a case where the detected radio signal intensity exceeds a threshold value, controls the display device 40 such that the display device 40 displays a placement location for undelivered cargo, which is cargo to which the RFID tag is attached.

[0042] According to the configuration described above, the display device 40 displays the location where an undelivered cargo is placed, thereby reducing the time required for the worker to locate the undelivered cargo. Since the worker can easily move the undelivered cargo to the outside of the cargo compartment 2, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the delivery work by reducing the worker's burden.

[0043] Furthermore, in the cargo handling system 100 in the above embodiment, the display device 40 includes a plurality of LEDs 40L each arranged corresponding to the plurality of antennas 12, and the control device 30 performs lighting control on one of the plurality of LEDs 40L arranged corresponding to one of the plurality of antennas 12 that has received a radio signal with a radio signal intensity exceeding the threshold from the RFID tag. Thus, the worker can easily visually recognize that a cargo whose placement location is a position near the antenna 12 arranged corresponding to the LED 40L on which lighting control is performed is undelivered cargo, and thus it is possible to easily move the undelivered cargo to the outside of the cargo compartment 2.

[0044] Note that the cargo handling system 100 of the above embodiment may further include an LED 50L disposed outside the cargo compartment 2, and the control device 30 may perform lighting control for the LED 50L when undelivered cargo is present. Therefore, when the lighting control is performed on the LED 50L, the worker can easily visually recognize from the outside of the cargo compartment 2 that undelivered cargo is present in the cargo compartment 2.

[0045] Note that the cargo handling system 100 in the above embodiment may further include an LED 50L disposed outside the cargo compartment 2, and the control device 30 may perform lighting control for the LED 50L in a case where undelivered cargo exists and the entrance of the cargo compartment 2 is closed. When the lighting control is performed on the LED 50L, the worker can easily visually recognize that undelivered cargo exists in the cargo compartment 2, and thus, it is possible for the worker to open the entrance and easily move the undelivered cargo to the outside of the cargo compartment 2.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cargo handling system 100 is configured such that, in a case where the radio signal intensities of the radio signals from RFID tags received by two or more antennas 12 exceed the threshold value, lighting control is performed on the LEDs 40L arranged corresponding to two or more antennas 12, but the present application is not limited to this. However, the present application is not limited to this. It may be configured such that lighting control is performed on the LED 40L associated with an antenna that has received the greatest radio signal intensity of the radio signal from an RFID tag.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cargo handling system 100 is configured such that the light source is the LED(s) 40L and the second light source is the LED 50L, but the present application is not limited to this. For example, the light source and the second light source may be those whose illumination and extinguishing are visible to the worker (driver).

[0048] Each of the embodiments described above is merely an illustration of an exemplary embodiment for implementing the present application, and the technical scope of the present application is not limited thereby. That is, the present application can be implemented in various forms without deviating from its gist or main features.

[0049] The present application is suitable for use in a vehicle having a cargo handling system required to increase the efficiency of delivery work by reducing the burden on a worker. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle 2 cargo space 3 interior wall 3a Side inner wall 3b Opposite inner wall 3c Front interior wall 3d rear interior wall 10 RFID reader / writer 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d antenna 20 storage 30 Control device 31 Control Area 32 detection range 33 Determination Section 40 display device 40L, 40La, 40Lb, 40Lc, 40Ld LED 50 Second light source 50L LED 100 Cargo Handling System QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2013-170082

[0003]

Claims

[1] Cargo handling system that supports the work of unloading cargo loaded on a vehicle, the cargo handling system comprising: an RFID reader / writer including a plurality of antennas arranged in a cargo compartment and transmitting and receiving a radio signal to and from an RFID tag of the cargo through each of the plurality of antennas, the RFID tag being attached to the cargo; a memory that stores a list linking the ID information of the RFID tag to a delivery location; a display device located in the cargo hold; and a control device that retrieves the ID information associated with the delivery location from the memory, further detects a radio signal intensity of the RFID tag from the RFID reader / writer, and, in a case where the detected radio signal intensity exceeds a threshold, controls the display device such that the display device displays a placement location for an undelivered cargo, wherein the RFID tag has the detected ID information and the undelivered cargo is a cargo to which the RFID tag is attached. [2] Cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein: the display device includes a plurality of light sources each arranged corresponding to the plurality of antennas, and the control device performs lighting control on one of the plurality of light sources, wherein the one of the plurality of light sources is arranged corresponding to one of the plurality of antennas, wherein the one of the plurality of antennas has received a radio signal with the radio signal intensity exceeding the threshold value from the RFID tag. [3] The cargo handling system according to claim 1, further comprising a second light source disposed outside the cargo space, wherein the controller performs the lighting control of the second light source when the undelivered cargo is present. [4] The cargo handling system according to claim 1, further comprising a second light source arranged outside the cargo space, wherein the control device performs the lighting control of the second light source in a case where the undelivered cargo is present and an entrance of the cargo space is closed.

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