Article management system, detection method, detection tool
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022139623
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-09-02
AI Technical Summary
Conventional lid opening detection methods fail to accurately track the consumption of contents over multiple openings, and adding complex sensors increases costs, making it difficult to monitor consumption timing and frequency of products like granular instant coffee or laundry detergent.
A container system with a lid that includes a communication device and a radio wave shielding member, changing states based on the lid's posture, allowing wireless communication to detect lid removal and consumption timing through a control device.
Enables accurate tracking of consumption timing with a simple configuration, reducing costs by using posture-based detection without complex sensors.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an article management system, a detection method, and a detection tool. [Background technology]
[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are known methods for detecting whether a lid of a beverage container has been opened. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an IC tag label that detects the opening of a lid of a container. This IC tag label includes, on a label substrate, an opening detection unit that detects that the lid has been opened, an antenna coil that enables communication with an external device, and an IC chip electrically connected to them. The opening detection unit includes a slit or weakened line that enables the opening detection unit provided across the pull tab of the container to be broken, and an opening detection wiring that detects that the lid has been opened. This IC tag label is configured such that the IC chip detects that the opening detection unit has been broken. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-187635 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, when a container contains contents that are not used up (consumed) in one go, but are consumed little by little over multiple consecutive times, there is a demand to recognize the timing of consumption each time. For example, when a container contains granular instant coffee, laundry detergent, etc., these contents are consumed continuously over multiple times, and if the timing and frequency of consumption can be recognized, the actual consumption status of consumers for the product can be understood, which is useful for marketing. However, the conventional method of detecting the opening of the lid is based on disconnecting the wiring when the lid is opened, and when the lid is opened multiple times, it is not possible to detect the opening each time. Also, providing a complex sensor to detect when the lid has been removed from the container body increases the cost of the product itself, which is not preferable.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to grasp the timing of consumption of the contents contained in a container body with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an article management system for detecting the removal of a lid from an article having a container body with an opening for inserting or extracting contents, and a lid that is removably connected to the container body and seals the opening when attached to the container body, the system comprising: a detection tool attached to the lid portion and including a communication device and a sheet-like radio wave shielding member that shields radio waves emitted by the communication device when the detection tool is placed in close proximity to the communication device; a wireless device that wirelessly communicates with the communication device; and a control device that acquires a result of whether or not the wireless device can communicate with the communication device, and determines whether or not the lid portion has been removed based on the result of whether or not the wireless device can communicate with the communication device. The detection tool includes: When a first position is defined as the position that the lid attached to the container body takes when the opening of the container body faces upward, and a second position is defined as the position that the lid takes when the lid in the first position is inverted, the detection tool is configured such that when the lid changes from the first position to the second position, the state of the communication device and the radio wave shielding member changes between a spaced-apart state and a close-proximity state. Effect of the Invention
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to grasp the timing for consumption of the contents contained in the container body with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a product management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the product illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 3] 13 is an exploded perspective view of an inversion detection tool built into the lid portion. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inversion detection tool shown in FIG. 3 in a normal state and an inverted state. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of each device of the product management system according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a tag database. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an article management system, an article management method, and an article detection tool of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below are not limited to the drawings described in the brief description of the drawings. A first aspect of the present invention is an article management system that detects the removal of a lid from an article having a container body with an opening for inserting or extracting contents, and a lid that is removably connected to the container body and seals the opening when attached to the container body. In this disclosure, "article" refers to a tangible object such as a product, a finished product, a semi-finished product (a product in an intermediate stage during manufacturing), or a mockup. Examples of products having a container body and a lid include products that contain granular instant coffee, products that contain black tea or tea leaves, and products that contain spices or seasonings.
[0010] This item management system includes the following (1) to (3). (1) A detection tool having a communication device and a sheet-like radio wave shielding member attached to the lid portion and shielding radio waves emitted by the communication device when the communication device comes into close proximity. (2) a wireless device that wirelessly communicates with the communication device; (3) a control device that acquires a result of whether the wireless device can communicate with the communication device and determines whether the cover has been removed based on the result of the communication.
[0011] Here, when the posture of the lid portion attached to the container body when the opening of the container body faces upward is defined as a first posture, and the posture of the lid portion when the first posture is inverted is defined as a second posture, the detection tool is configured such that when the lid portion changes from the first posture to the second posture, the state of the communication device and the radio wave shielding member changes between a separated state and a close state. In this disclosure, "upward" means a direction opposite to the vertical direction. In this system, the communication state (communicable or non-communicable state) between the communication device and the wireless device changes depending on the posture of the lid, so that it is possible to detect whether the lid has been removed from the container body by monitoring the reception state of the wireless device. In this case, the communication state between the communication device and the wireless device may be communicable when the lid is in the first posture and non-communicable when the lid is in the second posture, or conversely, non-communicable when the lid is in the second posture and communicable when the lid is in the first posture. In addition, an electromagnetic shielding material may be a material that changes the frequency of radio waves emitted from a communication device to an unintended frequency that prevents communication with a wireless device, or a material that superimposes noise on the radio waves emitted from the communication device so as to inhibit communication with a wireless device.
[0012] In a second aspect of the present invention, the detection tool is configured such that, when the lid portion changes from the first position to the second position, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member change from a close state to a separated state. As a result, the communication state between the communication device and the wireless device is a communication-incapable state when the lid portion is in the first position, and a communication-enabled state when the lid portion is in the second position. The article is in a storage state, that is, the lid portion is attached to the container body and the lid portion is in the first position for a long time, so that the communication device and the wireless device are unable to communicate for such a long time, and the amount of data communication between them can be reduced.
[0013] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the detection tool includes a movable member to which either the communication device or the radio wave shielding member is attached, and a housing in which a space is formed in which the movable member can be displaced in the vertical direction, and in which the other of the communication device and the radio wave shielding member is disposed. When the cover portion changes from the first position to the second position, the state of the communication device and the radio wave shielding member changes between a state in which they are separated and a state in which they are close to each other according to the displacement of the movable member in the space. The positional relationship between the communication device and the radio wave shielding member is determined according to the position of the movable member that can be changed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the detection tool can be made smaller.
[0014] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the system further includes a reference communication device arranged at a position where radio waves are not blocked by the radio wave shielding member regardless of whether the cover of the article is removed. The wireless device communicates with the reference communication device, and the control device acquires a result of whether the wireless device can communicate with the reference communication device. By providing a reference communication device that can communicate with the wireless device regardless of whether the cover of the article is removed, it is possible to determine whether the system is operating normally.
[0015] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the communication device is a wireless tag having a capacitor that collects surrounding radio waves, converts them into electricity, and stores the electricity. Such a wireless tag is preferable in that it can be used for a long period of time without requiring maintenance.
[0016] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the communication device is a UHF band wireless tag. Such wireless tags are preferable in that they are widely available.
[0017] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the communication device is a HF band wireless tag. Such wireless tags are preferable in that they are widely available.
[0018] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the communication device is a microwave band wireless tag. Such wireless tags are preferable in that they are widely available.
[0019] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for detecting removal of a lid from an article having a container body with an opening for inserting or extracting contents therefrom and a lid that is removably connected to the container body and seals the opening when attached to the container body, the method including the following steps (4) to (8): (4) Attaching a detection tool having a communication device and a sheet-like radio wave shielding member that shields radio waves emitted by the communication device when the detection tool is in close proximity to the communication device to the lid of the object. (5) When the opening of the container body faces upward, the attitude of the lid attached to the container body is defined as a first attitude, and when the lid in the first attitude is inverted, the attitude is defined as a second attitude, and when the lid is in the first attitude, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member are close to each other in the detection tool, thereby shielding radio waves emitted by the communication device. (6) When the cover is in the second position, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member in the detection tool are separated from each other, so that radio waves emitted by the communication device are not shielded. (7) Obtaining a result of whether or not a wireless device can communicate with the communication device. (8) determining whether the cover has been removed based on the result of the communication availability; According to this detection method, it is possible to detect whether the lid has been removed from the container body by monitoring the reception state of the wireless device.
[0020] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a detection tool that is attached to the lid in order to detect whether the lid has been removed in an article having a container body with an opening for inserting or extracting contents, and a lid that is removably connected to the container body and seals the opening when attached to the container body. This detection tool includes the following features (9) to (12). (9) Communication devices (10) A sheet-like radio wave shielding member that blocks radio waves emitted by the communication device when the communication device is placed in close proximity to the communication device. (11) A movable member to which either the communication device or the radio wave shielding member is attached. (12) A housing having a space in which the movable member can be displaced in the vertical direction, the housing having either the communication device or the radio wave shielding member disposed in the space. Here, when the posture of the lid portion attached to the container body when the opening of the container body faces upward is defined as a first posture, and the posture of the lid portion when the lid portion in the first posture is inverted is defined as a second posture, when the lid portion changes from the first posture to the second posture, the state of the communication device and the radio wave shielding member changes between a separated state and a close state depending on the displacement of the movable member in the space. This detection tool can be made relatively compact and is therefore suitable for incorporation into the lid of an article.
[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following explanation, as an example of an article, a product whose contents are consumed in appropriate amounts at the consumer's home is given. The contents are assumed to be solid (including powdered and granular contents) or liquid, such as seasonings and instant coffee (granular contents), coffee beans (solid contents), fabric softener and detergent (for example, liquid or powdered contents), alcoholic beverages (liquid contents), etc. In the following explanation, "consuming a product" means the same as consuming the contents corresponding to the product. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an application example of a product management system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the product management system according to an embodiment is configured so that, when a plurality of products P are stored in a home and a consumer consumes any one of the plurality of products P, information regarding the consumed product P and the time of consumption can be automatically recorded.
[0022] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the product P illustrated in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the lid portion 62 of the product P and the inversion detection tool 3 are shown in cross section. 1 and 2, the product P includes a container body 61 in which an opening 611 for inserting or extracting the contents is formed, and a lid 62 removably connected to the container body 61. When the product P is stored, the fitting portion 612 of the container body 61 is fitted with the fitting portion 622 of the lid 62, thereby closing (sealing) the opening 611. Conversely, when consuming the product P, a consumer releases the fitting portion 612 from the fitting portion 622, removes the lid 62 from the container body 61, and turns the lid 62 over and places it on a horizontal place such as a table 9 (see FIG. 1).
[0023] In one embodiment of the product management system, an inversion detection tool 3 is incorporated in the lid 62 of the product P. The inversion detection tool 3 is configured to detect either the state of the lid 62 connected to the container body 61 when the product P is placed on a horizontal surface as shown in Fig. 2 (referred to as the "steady state"), or the state in which the lid 62 is inverted (referred to as the "inverted state"). In other words, when the consumer is storing the product P, the lid 62 is in the steady state, and when the product P is consumed, the lid 62 is in the inverted state, so it is possible to detect whether the consumer is consuming the product P by detecting whether the lid 62 is in the steady state or the inverted state. The posture that the lid part 62 takes when in the steady state is an example of a first posture, and the posture that the lid part 62 takes when in the inverted state is an example of a second posture. That is, in the steady state, the lid part 62 is in a posture (first posture) that the lid part 62 attached to the container body 61 takes when the opening 611 of the container body 61 faces upward. In the inverted state, the lid part 62 is in a posture (second posture) that the lid part 62 takes when inverted from the first posture.
[0024] 1, a wireless device 2 for wirelessly communicating with an IoT (Internet of Things) tag T (described later) included in an inversion detection tool 3 built into a lid portion 62 is placed near the location where a consumable product P is placed. As will be described later, the wireless device 2 is a gateway device capable of communicating with a tag management server (described later) via a network. The wireless device 2 is placed taking into consideration the radio wave output of the IoT tag T.
[0025] Next, the structure of the inversion detection tool 3 incorporated in the lid portion 62 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the inversion detection tool 3. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the inversion detection tool 3 shown in Fig. 3 in a normal state and in an inverted state.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the inversion detection tool 3 has a first housing portion 31, a second housing portion 32, and a movable member 4. The first housing 31 includes a circular base 311 and a side portion 312 provided along the periphery of the base 311. An IoT tag T (an example of a communication device) is attached to the surface of the base 311 facing the second housing 32. The IoT tag is a wireless tag that collects surrounding radio waves, converts them into electricity, and includes a capacitor that stores the electricity. Such wireless tags are preferable because they can be used for long periods of time without requiring maintenance. Hereinafter, the IoT tag T will be simply referred to as "tag T." A fitting portion 315 (see FIG. 4) for coupling with the second housing portion 32 is formed on the side surface portion 312 of the first housing portion 31. The fitting portion 315 is a threaded portion formed along the periphery of the side surface portion 312.
[0027] The maximum communication distance of the tag T is not limited, but is, for example, in the range of 3 to 10 meters. The tag T is configured to perform wireless communication with low power consumption, and examples of communication protocols include Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (hereinafter, BLE), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and ZigBee (registered trademark). The following describes an example of communication using BLE. When the tag T complies with the BLE standard, the tag T broadcasts a packet at a predetermined interval (for example, every short period of about 1 to 10 seconds). The packet transmitted by the tag T includes a tag ID, which is identification information of the tag. The wireless device 2 shown in FIG. 1 performs BLE communication with the tag T.
[0028] The second housing unit 32 includes a circular base portion 321 , a side portion 322 provided along the periphery of the base portion 321 , and a cylindrical portion 323 provided protruding from the base portion 321 towards the first housing unit 31 . A fitting portion 325 for coupling with the first housing portion 31 is formed on the side surface portion 322 of the second housing portion 32. The fitting portion 325 is a threaded portion formed along the periphery of the side surface portion 322. The fitting portion 315 of the first housing portion 31 and the fitting portion 325 of the second housing portion 32 are fitted together to form the housing of the inversion detection tool 3. The method of connecting the first housing part 31 and the second housing part 32 is not limited to fitting the threaded parts together. The first housing part 31 and the second housing part 32 may be connected by press-fitting.
[0029] The movable member 4 is constructed by attaching a radio wave shielding member SM to a disk-shaped mounting portion 41, for example by adhesion. The mounting portion 41 may be made of resin or metal. The radio wave shielding member SM is a sheet-like member that shields radio waves emitted by the tag T when it comes into close proximity to the tag T. Note that, in the case where the tag T includes a communication antenna and a harvesting antenna as described below, it is preferable that the radio wave shielding member SM shields only the communication antenna. For example, name paper can be used as the radio wave shielding member SM. Name paper is made by laminating a transparent PET film, an aluminum deposition layer (film), and an adhesive in that order, and is attached to the back surface of the base 311 by the adhesive. Note that foil paper may be used instead of name paper. In addition, a metal plate, a radio wave absorbing sheet, or a sheet having a coating film with metal powder or magnetic powder mixed in may also be used. 3, the radio wave shielding member SM is circular to match the shape of the attachment portion 41, but is not limited to this. The shape of the radio wave shielding member SM may be any shape as long as it can shield radio waves from the tag T when it is in close proximity to the tag T, and may be, for example, rectangular or polygonal.
[0030] As shown in Figure 3, when the first housing part 31 and the second housing part 32 are connected, the inversion detection tool 3 is completed by inserting the movable member 4 into the cylindrical portion 323 of the second housing part 32 in a direction in which the radio wave shielding member SM faces the tag T.
[0031] 4, in the inversion detection tool 3, a space SP is formed inside the cylindrical portion 323. In the space SP, the movable member 4 is movable between the base portion 311 and the base portion 321. There may or may not be a gap between the tip of the cylindrical portion 323 and the base portion 311, but if there is a gap, it is a gap that does not allow the movable member 4 to escape from the space SP. 4, in the steady state (the state of the lid 62 connected to the container body 61 when the product P is placed on a horizontal surface), the radio wave shielding member SM of the movable member 4 is in contact with or close to the tag T attached to the base 311 of the first housing unit 31, thereby shielding radio waves from the tag T. On the other hand, in the inverted state (the state in which the lid unit 62 is inverted from the steady state), the radio wave shielding member SM of the movable member 4 is separated from the tag T attached to the base 311 of the first housing unit 31, thereby not shielding the radio waves transmitted from the tag T, and enabling communication with the wireless device 2 (FIG. 1).
[0032] The operation of the product management system according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. When the product P is stored in the home, the inversion detection tool 3 built into the lid 62 of the product P is in a steady state. When the inversion detection tool 3 is in a steady state, the radio wave shielding material SM and the tag T are close to each other as shown in Fig. 4, and therefore the radio waves from the tag T are shielded by the radio wave shielding material SM, and the tag T and the wireless device 2 cannot communicate with each other. When a consumer consumes any of the products P, the lid 62 is removed from the container body 61, inverted, and placed on a horizontal surface such as a table 9, so that the inversion detection tool 3 built into the lid 62 of the product P is in a steady state. When the inversion detection tool 3 is in the inverted state, the radio wave shielding member SM and the tag T are separated as shown in Fig. 4, so that the radio waves emitted from the tag T are not shielded by the radio wave shielding member SM and the wireless device 2 can receive the packet transmitted from the tag T. The packet received by the wireless device 2 includes the tag ID. As will be described later, the tag ID is associated with the product code of the product P, and by receiving the tag ID, it is possible to recognize which product P was consumed and when.
[0033] 1, a reference tag Tref is preferably arranged, for example, in a table 9. The reference tag Tref is a tag for reference and is a device having the same configuration as the tag T. The reference tag Tref may be placed anywhere as long as it can communicate with the wireless device 2 regardless of whether the product P has been consumed. The reference tag Tref is provided to determine whether the wireless device 2 is operating steadily. In particular, when all the products P are stored without being consumed, the wireless device 2 cannot receive radio waves transmitted from the tags T of all the inversion detection tools 3, and therefore, if the reference tag Tref does not exist, it is difficult to determine whether the system is operating steadily. Therefore, by providing a reference tag Tref that can communicate with the wireless device 2 regardless of whether the product P has been consumed, it is possible to determine whether the system is operating steadily.
[0034] Next, the configuration of each device in the product management system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of each device in the product management system 1 of this embodiment.
[0035] 5, the product management system 1 includes a tag T, a wireless device 2, a tag management server 5 (an example of a control device), and a management terminal 8. The wireless device 2 and the tag management server 5 are capable of communicating with each other via a network NW, and the tag management server 5 and the management terminal 8 are capable of communicating with each other via the network NW. The network NW is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a mobile communication network, the Internet, or the like. The wireless device 2 functions as a BLE wireless terminal that receives packets from the tag T and the reference tag Tref through BLE communication. In addition, when the wireless device 2 receives a packet from each tag, it transmits the tag ID included in the received packet to the tag management server 5. In a situation where the tag T and the reference tag Tref can transmit packets steadily, they transmit packets at predetermined intervals, and in response, the wireless device 2 also transmits the tag ID to the tag management server 5 at predetermined intervals. The management terminal 8 is a terminal that acquires and displays information regarding the timing of consumption of each product P detected by the tag management server 5, but is not essential to this system.
[0036] 5, the tag T includes a control unit 11, a communication antenna 12, a harvesting antenna 13, a harvesting unit 14, a voltage control unit 15, and an RF communication unit 16. The control unit 11, the harvesting unit 14, the voltage control unit 15, and the RF communication unit 16 are implemented in an IC chip. Note that, although the configuration of the tag T will be described below, the configuration of the reference tag Tref, not shown in FIG. 5, is the same as that of the tag T.
[0037] The control unit 11 has a microprocessor and a memory 111, and controls the entire tag T. The memory 111 is a RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores a tag ID, which is identification information unique to the tag T, in addition to programs executed by the microprocessor.
[0038] The harvesting unit 14 performs energy harvesting based on radio waves from the surrounding environment (e.g., radio waves from surrounding wireless communication) received by the harvesting antenna 13, and stores the generated power in an internal capacitor 142. In this embodiment, the harvesting unit 14 converts, for example, a wireless signal received by the harvesting antenna 13 into a DC voltage using a voltage multiplier 141, and stores the DC voltage in the capacitor 142. The voltage multiplier 141 is, for example, a Dickson voltage multiplier circuit (charge pump), but is not limited thereto. The capacitor 142 may be configured on a semiconductor chip (i.e., an on-die type capacitor), or may be formed separately from the semiconductor chip.
[0039] The radio waves received by the harvesting antenna 13 for power generation are radio waves in a wide range of different frequency bands. Examples of such radio waves include radio waves generated by wireless communication in the frequency bands used in so-called mobile communication systems such as 3G to 5G, radio waves generated by wireless communication in the frequency bands used in communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark), radio waves generated by wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz band as typified by communication protocols such as ZigBee (registered trademark) and Thread, and radio waves generated by wireless communication in the frequency bands used in RFID (for example, 900 MHz band, 13.56 MHz band). The harvesting antenna 13 is not limited to a single antenna, and may be, for example, a dual antenna compatible with two frequency bands (for example, the 900 MHz band (UHF band) and the 2.4 GHz band).
[0040] The voltage control unit 15 supplies an operating voltage to the control unit 11 and the RF communication unit 16. Preferably, the voltage control unit 15 monitors the voltage of the capacitor 142, and switches the power mode depending on the monitoring result. For example, when the voltage of capacitor 142 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the power mode is set to a first mode in which only a minimum of circuits are operated, and at this time, the control unit 11 and the RF communication unit 16 do not generate packets, transmit wireless signals, etc. When the voltage of capacitor 142 is charged to a predetermined value or higher, the power mode is set to a second mode in which a normal processing routine is executed, and at this time, the control unit 11 and the RF communication unit 16 perform various processes including generating packets and transmitting wireless signals.
[0041] The RF communication unit 16 performs a predetermined digital modulation (e.g., Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK)) on the packet (baseband signal) to be transmitted, then performs quadrature modulation, and transmits a high-frequency signal (a signal in the 2.4 GHz frequency band in the case of BLE) to the communication antenna 12. The communication antenna 12 transmits high-frequency wireless signals (packets) sent by the RF communication unit 16.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless device 2 includes a control unit 21, an antenna 22, an RF communication unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 21 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire wireless device 2. For example, when the control unit 21 acquires a tag ID from a packet received from the tag T, the control unit 21 controls the communication unit 24 to transmit the acquired tag ID to the tag management server 5.
[0043] The RF communication unit 23 detects the radio signal received from the tag T by the antenna 22, converts it to a baseband signal, and performs a predetermined digital demodulation to receive a packet. In addition, in order to transmit a beacon signal from the antenna 22, the RF communication unit 23 performs quadrature modulation on a baseband signal of a predetermined pattern, for example, and sends it to the antenna 22. The communication unit 24 functions as a communication interface for communicating with the tag management server 5.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the tag management server 5 includes, for example, a control unit 51, a storage 52, and a communication unit 53. The control unit 51 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire tag management server 5 . The storage 52 includes a large-scale storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and stores a tag database (tag DB). As shown in Fig. 6, the tag database associates the tag ID of a tag T with a product code of a product having a lid part incorporating an inversion detection tool 3 including the tag T. The storage 52 also stores the tag ID of a reference tag Tref. The communication unit 53 functions as a communication interface for communicating with the wireless device 2 and the management terminal 8.
[0045] The control unit 51 executes the server program, so that when the wireless device 2 receives a packet including a tag ID transmitted by each tag T and the reference tag Tref, the control unit 51 acquires the tag ID included in the packet from the wireless device 2.
[0046] In one embodiment, every time the control unit 51 acquires the tag ID of the reference tag Tref from the wireless device 2, the control unit 51 records the acquired tag ID and the time when the tag ID was acquired in the storage 52 as a tag detection log. As shown in Fig. 1, since the reference tag Tref is never blocked, the tag ID of the reference tag Tref can be acquired at every predetermined interval when the reference tag Tref transmits a packet, unless the wireless device 2 is faulty. If the tag ID of the reference tag Tref cannot be acquired at every predetermined interval, the control unit 51 determines that the wireless device 2 is faulty, and notifies the management terminal 8.
[0047] Every time the control unit 51 acquires the tag ID of each tag T from the wireless device 2, it refers to the tag database to identify the product code corresponding to the acquired tag ID, generates an image showing the identification result, and transmits it to the management terminal 8. The fact that the tag ID has been acquired means that the product corresponding to that tag ID has been consumed.
[0048] The control unit 51 may determine whether or not the product has been consumed based on the frequency with which the tag T transmits a signal (packet). If the tag T is close to the radio wave shielding member SM while a product is being stored but is not in sufficient contact with it, the radio waves emitted from the tag T may not be completely shielded and the wireless device 2 may receive a signal from the tag T. In that case, the tag T will transmit signals infrequently, and therefore the wireless device 2 will receive signals infrequently from the tag T. Thus, if the tag T transmits signals infrequently and, as a result, the frequency at which the tag ID is acquired from the wireless device 2 is lower than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 51 determines that the corresponding product is being stored.
[0049] The management terminal 8 is an information processing terminal used when it is desired to observe the consumption timing and consumption frequency of each product, and is, for example, a PC (personal computer), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The management terminal 8 displays information notified from the tag management server 5 (for example, information indicating that the wireless device 2 is out of order) and images transmitted from the tag management server 5. The images transmitted from the tag management server 5 include, for example, information regarding the timing and frequency of consumption of each product. Although there is no limitation on the communication protocol, the management terminal 8 and the tag management server 5 communicate with each other using HTTPS, for example, and the web browser of the management terminal 8 displays a web page including an image sent from the tag management server 5.
[0050] As described above, the above-mentioned product management system 1 is configured to detect that the lid of a product having a container body and a lid has been removed and turned over, based on whether or not communication is possible between the tag T incorporated in the detection tool and the wireless device 2. Therefore, the consumption status of the contents contained in the container body can be captured in real time. When a fixed amount of the contents is consumed in one go, the remaining amount of the contents can also be predicted based on the number of times (frequency) the contents have been consumed. In addition, since data on the actual consumption situation at a consumer's home can be obtained, the data can be used for various purposes, such as product marketing.
[0051] One embodiment of the detection method (an example of an item management method) is a method for detecting that a lid portion 62 has been removed from a product P having a container body 61 with an opening 611 formed therein for inserting or extracting contents, and a lid portion 62 removably connected to the container body 61, and includes the following steps (a) to (e). (a) A step of attaching an inversion detection tool 3 having a tag T and a sheet-like radio wave shielding member SM that shields radio waves emitted by the tag T when the tag T is placed in close proximity to the tag T to a lid portion 62 of the product P. (b) When the lid portion 62 is in a stationary state, the tag T and the radio wave shielding member SM are brought into close proximity with each other in the inversion detection tool 3, thereby blocking the radio waves emitted by the tag T. (c) When the lid portion 62 is in the inverted state, the tag T and the radio wave shielding member SM are separated from each other in the inversion detection tool 3, so that the radio waves emitted by the tag T are no longer shielded. (d) obtaining a result of whether or not communication with the tag T is possible using the wireless device 2; (e) determining whether the cover 62 has been removed based on the result of the communication being possible or not;
[0052] Although the embodiments of the item management system, the detection method, and the detection tool of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments can be variously improved or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0053] Although the case where the communication device is an IoT tag that collects surrounding radio waves, converts them into electricity, and has a capacitor that stores the electricity has been described, the present invention is not limited to this and may be an RFID tag that operates in the UHF band, HF band, or microwave band. In either case, the RFID tag may be a passive type (one that does not have a built-in battery) or an active type (one that has a built-in battery).
[0054] In the above-mentioned inversion detection tool 3, the case where the movable member 4 includes the radio wave shielding member SM and the tag T is attached to the immovable first housing part 31 has been described, but this is not the only case. Conversely, even if the movable member 4 includes the tag T and the radio wave shielding member SM is attached to the first housing part 31, the tool operates in the same way.
[0055] In the above-described inversion detection tool 3, the tag T and the radio wave shielding member SM are close to each other in the normal state, and the tag ID and the radio wave shielding member SM are separated from each other in the inverted state. However, this is not the only option. The inversion detection tool may be configured so that the tag T and the radio wave shielding member SM are separated in the steady state and the tag ID and the radio wave shielding member SM are close to each other in the inverted state, and in this case, either the steady state or the inverted state can be detected. For example, in the inversion detection tool 3 in Fig. 4, the tag T is attached to the opposite surface of the movable member 4, and the radio wave shielding member SM is attached to the side of the base 321 so as to face the tag T. The above-described configuration of the inversion detection tool 3 has the advantage of being able to reduce the amount of data communication. That is, since the product P is in a storage state, that is, the lid part 62 is attached to the container body 61 and the lid part 62 is in a stationary state for a long time, the tag T and the wireless device 2 cannot communicate with each other for such a long time, and the amount of data communication between them can be reduced.
[0056] As the radio wave shielding member SM, a radio wave absorber that absorbs radio waves emitted from the tag T can also be used. There are no limitations on the radio wave absorber, but examples include a combination of carbon and expanded polystyrene (a radio wave absorber that uses expanded polystyrene as a base material and utilizes the ohmic loss of carbon), a combination of ferrite and an inorganic material (a radio wave absorber that utilizes the magnetic loss of ferrite), a combination of carbon and expanded polyethylene, a combination of a magnetic material and synthetic rubber (for example, a mixture of synthetic rubber with ferrite powder, or a mixture of synthetic rubber with carbonyl iron powder), sintered ferrite, a combination of glass cloth reinforced aluminum foil and a conductive adhesive layer, and a layer of dielectric material. [Explanation of symbols]
[0057] 1. Product management system T…tag Tref...Reference tag 11...Control section 111…Memory 12...Communication antenna 13...Harvesting antenna 14…Harvesting section 141...Voltage multiplier 142…Capacitor 15...Voltage control section 16…RF communication section 2...Wireless device 21...Control unit 22…Antenna 23…RF communication section 24…Communications Department 3…Reverse detection tool 31…First housing section 311...Base 312…Side part 315…Fitting part 32…Second housing section 321...Base 322...Side part 323…Cylindrical section 325…Fitting part 4…Movable member 4 41...Mounting part 5…Tag management server 51...Control unit 52…Storage 53…Communications Department 61...Container body 611...Aperture 612…Fitting part 62...Lid part 622…Fitting part 8. Management terminal 9…Table SP…Space SM: Radio wave shielding material P…Product PL…Label NW…Network
Claims
1. 1. An article management system for detecting the removal of a lid from an article having a container body with an opening for inserting or extracting contents therefrom and a lid that is removably connected to the container body and seals the opening when attached to the container body, comprising: a detection tool attached to the lid portion, the detection tool including a communication device and a sheet-like radio wave shielding member that shields radio waves emitted by the communication device when the detection tool is brought into proximity with the communication device; a wireless device that wirelessly communicates with the communication device; a control device that acquires a result of whether or not the wireless device can communicate with the communication device, and determines whether or not the lid has been removed based on the result of whether or not the wireless device can communicate with the communication device; When a first position is defined as a position that the lid attached to the container body takes when the opening of the container body faces upward, and a second position is defined as a position that the lid takes when the lid in the first position is inverted, the detection tool is configured such that when the lid changes from the first position to the second position, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member change their states between a spaced-apart state and a close-proximity state. Inventory management system.
2. the detection tool is configured such that, when the cover portion changes from the first position to the second position, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member change from a close-together state to a spaced-apart state. The article management system according to claim 1.
3. The detection tool includes: a movable member to which either the communication device or the radio wave shielding member is attached; a housing in which a space is formed in which the movable member can be displaced in a vertical direction, and in which the other of the communication device and the radio wave shielding member is disposed within the space; When the cover portion changes from the first position to the second position, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member change their states between a spaced-apart state and a close-proximity state in accordance with the displacement of the movable member within the space.
3. An article management system according to claim 1 or 2.
4. a reference communication device that is placed in a position where radio waves are not blocked by the radio wave blocking member, regardless of whether the lid of the article has been removed; the wireless device communicates with the reference communication device; the control device acquires a result of whether the wireless device can communicate with the reference communication device; 3. An article management system according to claim 1 or 2.
5. The communication device is a wireless tag that collects surrounding radio waves, converts them into electricity, and includes a capacitor that stores the electricity.
3. An article management system according to claim 1 or 2.
6. the communication device is a UHF band wireless tag; 3. An article management system according to claim 1 or 2.
7. the communication device is a HF band wireless tag; 3. An article management system according to claim 1 or 2.
8. the communication device is a microwave band wireless tag; 3. An article management system according to claim 1 or 2.
9. A detection method for detecting removal of a lid in an article having a container body with an opening for inserting or extracting contents therefrom and a lid that is removably connected to the container body and seals the opening when attached to the container body, comprising: a detection tool including a communication device and a sheet-like radio wave shielding member that shields radio waves emitted by the communication device when the detection tool is placed in proximity to the communication device; and When the posture of the lid attached to the container body when the opening of the container body faces upward is defined as a first posture, and when the posture of the lid in the first posture is inverted, the posture is defined as a second posture. When the cover portion is in the first position, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member in the detection tool are close to each other, thereby shielding radio waves emitted by the communication device; When the cover portion is in the second position, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member in the detection tool are spaced apart, thereby not shielding the radio waves emitted by the communication device; Obtaining a result of whether or not a wireless device can communicate with the communication device; determining whether the cover has been removed based on the result of the communication availability; Detection method.
10. In an article having a container body having an opening for inserting or extracting contents therefrom, and a lid that is detachably connected to the container body and seals the opening when attached to the container body, a detection tool is attached to the lid to detect whether the lid has been removed, A communication device; a sheet-like radio wave shielding member that shields radio waves emitted by the communication device when the member comes close to the communication device; a movable member to which either the communication device or the radio wave shielding member is attached; a housing in which a space is formed in which the movable member is displaceable in a vertical direction, and in which the other of the communication device and the radio wave shielding member is disposed within the space; When the orientation of the lid attached to the container body when the opening of the container body faces upward is defined as a first orientation, and the orientation of the lid attached to the container body when the lid in the first orientation is inverted is defined as a second orientation, when the lid changes from the first orientation to the second orientation, the communication device and the radio wave shielding member change their states between a spaced-apart state and a close-proximity state in accordance with the displacement of the movable member in the space. Detection tools.