Logistics management system

Abstract

To enable use of EPCIS even when using IC tags that do not support EPC writing.SOLUTION: A logistics management system of an embodiment includes storage means, reading means, first acquisition means, and second acquisition means. The storage means stores an article identifier for identifying each individual article in association with a tag identifier for distinguishing a tag attached to the article from other tags. The reading means reads a tag identifier from the tag. The first acquisition means acquires an article identifier stored in the storage means in association with the tag identifier read by the reading means. The second acquisition means queries EPCIS for the article identifier acquired by the first acquisition means and acquires CBV returned by the EPCIS.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a logistics management system. [Background technology]

[0002] EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services) manages the logistics status of each item by associating it with an item identifier that identifies each item. The item identifier used in EPCIS is called an EPC (Electronic Product Code), and its code system is defined by GS1, an international distribution standardization organization. This EPCIS system is based on the premise that wireless tags storing EPC codes are attached to the items to be managed. For this reason, EPCIS cannot be used with tags that do not allow the EPC to be written, such as printed RFID (radio frequency identification) tags. For these reasons, it has been desirable to be able to use EPCIS even when using tags that do not allow EPC writing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-208724 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a logistics management system that enables EPCIS to be used even when an IC tag to which an EPC cannot be written is used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A logistics management system according to an embodiment includes a storage means, a reading means, a first acquisition means, and a second acquisition means. The storage means stores an item identifier for identifying an individual item in association with a tag identifier for distinguishing the tag attached to the item from other tags. The reading means reads the tag identifier from the tag. The first acquisition means acquires the item identifier stored in the storage means in association with the tag identifier read by the reading means. The second acquisition means queries EPCIS for the item identifier acquired by the first acquisition means, and acquires the CBV returned by EPCIS.

[0006] CBVs are defined as follows, and additional ones can be added as desired. ·Business Step: commissioning, creating_class_instance, inspecting, packing, picking, shipping, retail_selling ·Disposition:in_progress, in_transit, expired, recalled, retail_sold, stolen Business Transaction List: Purchase Order (PO), Bill of Lading (BOL), Shipping Advice (DESADV), etc. ·Source List / Destination List: owning_party, possessing_party, location [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a logistics management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the reader in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the conversion server in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a conversion database in FIG. 3. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a first operation example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a second operation example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a logistics management system 100 according to this embodiment. The logistics management system 100 manages logistics using an EPCIS 200. The logistics management system 100 is configured so that a reader 10, a conversion server 20, and a management device 30 can communicate with each other via a communication network 300.

[0009] EPCIS200 is an existing information service for logistics management that is provided, for example, in the form of a cloud service via communication network 300. In response to an inquiry about an EPC via the communication network, EPCIS200 responds with CBV (core business vocabulary) related to the logistics status that is managed in association with the EPC.

[0010] The communication network 300 may be the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), a LAN, a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, either alone or in appropriate combination. As an example, the communication network 300 may be the Internet or a LAN. It is preferable that the reader 10 is wirelessly connected to the communication network 300 via a wireless access point. However, the reader 10 may be connected to the communication network 300 in any manner. For example, the reader 10 may communicate via the communication network 300 via another communication device, such as a smartphone.

[0011] The reader 10 reads the serial code stored in the wireless tag 400. When the wireless tag 400 receives radio waves transmitted from the reader 10 and receives activation power from the radio waves, it activates and transmits a response wave that is modulated by a pre-stored serial code. The serial code is determined so that each of the many wireless tags 400 can be identified. For example, the serial code is written to the wireless tag 400 during manufacture of the wireless tag 400 and is not rewritten thereafter. Thus, the serial code is an example of a tag identifier for distinguishing the wireless tag 400 from other wireless tags 400. In other words, the reader 10 is an example of a reading device that reads a serial code as a tag identifier. The serial code is different from the EPC. An existing device called a printed RFID tag can be used as the wireless tag 400. A randomly determined code or the like can also be used as the tag identifier.

[0012] The conversion server 20 refers to a database in which serial codes and EPCs are associated with each other, and responds to a serial code query with the EPC associated with that serial code. The conversion server 20 is an example of a conversion device. The management device 30 is an information terminal that performs information processing for a manager to manage the status of physical distribution using the results of CBV acquisition by the reader 10 and the like.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the reader 10. The reader 10 includes a processor 11, a main storage unit 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a UI (user interface) unit 14, a communication unit 15, a wireless unit 16, a transmission path 17, and the like.

[0014] The processor 11, the main storage unit 12, and the auxiliary storage unit 13 are connected by a transmission line 17 to form a computer that performs information processing for controlling the reader 10. The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 executes information processing to control each part to realize various functions of the reader 10 in accordance with information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs.

[0015] The main memory unit 12 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory unit 12 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 12 stores part of the information processing program in the read-only memory area. The main memory unit 12 may also store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processes for controlling each part in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 12 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area for the processor 11.

[0016] The auxiliary storage unit 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory) is used as the auxiliary storage unit 13. A hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or any other well-known storage device may also be used as the auxiliary storage unit 13. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes and data generated by the processes in the processor 11. The auxiliary storage unit 13 may also store the information processing program. In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 13 stores a reading program PRA. The reading program PRA is an information processing program that describes information processing procedures for realizing various functions of the reader 10.

[0017] The UI unit 14 performs processing for a user interface for an operator. The UI unit 14 includes, for example, a touch panel. The UI unit 14 may include various well-known operation devices such as buttons and switches, or various well-known display devices such as a liquid crystal display device and an LED (light emitting diode) lamp. The UI unit 14 may also include a sound device that reproduces various sounds and voice messages.

[0018] The communication unit 15 performs processing for communication via the communication network 300. A well-known communication device that complies with the communication method of the communication network 300 can be used as the communication unit 15. In other words, if a wireless connection is made to a LAN included in the communication network 300 via a wireless access point, a communication device for a wireless LAN can be used as the communication unit 15.

[0019] The wireless unit 16 transmits radio waves to provide activation power to the wireless tag 400. When the response wave transmitted from the wireless tag 400 arrives, the wireless unit 16 decodes the serial code from the response wave. In other words, the wireless unit 16 is an example of a reading means. The transmission path 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc., and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components. Note that a wireless transmission path such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used as part of the transmission path 17. In other words, for example, the reader 10 may be made up of multiple units, and these multiple units may be connected by wireless transmission paths.

[0020] The hardware of the reader 10 can be, for example, the hardware of an existing device of the same type that has the function of reading printed RFID tags. The reader 10 is generally transferred with the reading program PRA stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13. However, the hardware may be transferred separately from the reading program PRA without the reading program PRA stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13, or with a different version of the same application program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13. The reader 10 may be configured by writing the reading program PRA to the auxiliary storage unit 13 in response to an operation by an arbitrary operator. The reading program PRA may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the conversion server 20. The conversion server 20 includes a processor 21, a main storage unit 22, an auxiliary storage unit 23, a communication unit 24, a transmission path 25, and the like. The processor 21, the main storage unit 22, and the auxiliary storage unit 23 are connected via a transmission line 25 to form a computer that performs information processing to realize the various functions of the conversion server 20.

[0022] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 21 executes information processing to realize various functions of the conversion server 20 in accordance with information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs.

[0023] The main memory unit 22 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory unit 22 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 22 stores part of the information processing program in the read-only memory area. The main memory unit 22 may also store data necessary for the processor 21 to execute processes for controlling each part in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 22 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area for the processor 21.

[0024] The auxiliary memory unit 23 corresponds to the auxiliary memory portion of the computer. The auxiliary memory unit 23 can be, for example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or any other well-known storage device. The auxiliary memory unit 23 stores data used by the processor 21 when performing various processes and data generated by the processes in the processor 21. The auxiliary memory unit 23 may also store the information processing program. In this embodiment, the auxiliary memory unit 23 stores the conversion program PRB. The conversion program PRB is an information processing program that describes the information processing procedures described below. A portion of the memory area of ​​the auxiliary memory unit 23 is used as an area for storing the conversion database DBA.

[0025] The communication unit 24 executes communication processing for performing data communication via the communication network 300. A well-known communication device that complies with the communication method of the communication network 300 can be used as the communication unit 24. In other words, if the conversion server 20 is connected to the Internet included in the communication network 300, a communication device for the Internet can be used as the communication unit 24. The transmission path 25 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components.

[0026] As described above, the conversion database DBA associates the serial code and the EPC with each other and stores the associated serial code and the EPC. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the conversion database DBA. The serial code stored in the wireless tag 400 attached to the item is stored in association with the EPC for identifying the item from other items in the EPCIS.

[0027] That is, for example, FIG. 4 shows a case where a wireless tag 400 storing a serial code "12345678912300001" is attached to an item identified by an EPC "(01)04569951116179(21)123456789123." In the EPC "(01)04569951116179(21)123456789123," the "(01)" is an application identifier indicating that the "04569951116179" that follows is a GTIN (global trade item number), an international standard product identification code established by GS1. The "(21)" is also an application identifier indicating that the "123456789123" that follows is a serial number. The EPC code system described above is also called an SGTIN (serialized global trade item number). Thus, the auxiliary storage unit 23 that stores the conversion database DBA is an example of storage means that stores the EPC as an item identifier in association with the serial code as a tag identifier.

[0028] For example, as part of the work of attaching a new wireless tag 400 to an item, the worker causes the reader 10 to read the serial code of the wireless tag 400. The worker also inputs the EPC of the item into the reader 10, for example, by performing a predetermined operation on the UI unit 14. The processor 11 in the reader 10 requests the conversion server 20 to register the serial code obtained by the wireless unit 16 and the input EPC, along with the notification. In response to this request, the processor 21 in the conversion server 20 associates the notified serial code with the EPC and stores them in the conversion database DBA. That is, the processor 21 additionally registers the combination of the notified serial code and EPC in the conversion database DBA. Note that the serial code and EPC to be stored in the conversion database DBA may be provided to the conversion server 20 in another appropriate manner, for example, by being input to the management device 30 in an arbitrary manner and notified to the conversion server 20 from the management device 30. In addition, the conversion database DBA may be stored in a storage device external to the conversion server 20, in which case the serial code and EPC may be saved in the conversion database DBA by the management device 30 or by any information processing device not shown.

[0029] The hardware of the conversion server 20 may be, for example, a general-purpose server device. The conversion server 20 is transferred, for example, with the conversion program PRB stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23. However, the conversion program PRB may be transferred separately from the hardware without the conversion program PRB stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23, or with a different version of the same application program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23. The conversion server 20 may be configured by writing the conversion program PRB to the auxiliary storage unit 23 in response to an operator's operation. The conversion program PRB may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0030] Next, the operation of the physical distribution management system 100 configured as above will be described. (First operation example) Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram of the first operation example, showing the sequence of the processing of the processor 11 in the reader 10 based on the reading program PRA and the processing of the processor 21 in the conversion server 20 based on the conversion program PRB.

[0031] When the response wave emitted from the wireless tag 400 reaches the reader 10 and the serial code is decoded from the response wave by the wireless unit 16, the processor 11 in the reader 10 proceeds to ACT11 in FIG. As ACT11, the processor 11 queries the conversion server 20 for the serial code decoded by the wireless unit 16 as described above. Specifically, the processor 11, for example, causes the communication unit 15 to send query data in a predetermined form including the serial code to be queried to a predetermined address of the conversion server 20 over the communication network 300. Thus, the processor 11 executes information processing based on the reading program PRA, and the computer with the processor 11 as its central part functions as a first query means.

[0032] This query data is transmitted to the conversion server 20 via the communication network 300, where it is received by the communication unit 24. The processor 21 then proceeds to ACT21 in response. As ACT21, processor 21 reads out the EPC stored in the conversion database DBA in association with the serial code included in the query data. Thus, processor 21 executes information processing based on the conversion program PRB, and the computer with processor 21 as its central part functions as a reading means. The function of processor 21 as a reading means cooperates with the function of processor 11 as the first query means described above to realize the function of first acquisition means.

[0033] As ACT22, the processor 21 responds to the reader 10 with the EPC thus read. Specifically, the processor 21 causes, for example, the communication unit 24 to send response data in a predetermined form including the EPC read by ACT21 to the communication network 300, addressed to the reader 10 that made the inquiry. Thus, the processor 21 executes information processing based on the conversion program PRB, and the computer with the processor 21 as its central part functions as a first notification means.

[0034] When this response data is transmitted to the reader 10 via the communication network 300, it is received by the communication unit 15 in the reader 10. Then, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT12 in response to this. As ACT12, processor 11 queries EPCIS 200 for the EPC included in the response data. Specifically, processor 11, for example, causes communication unit 15 to send query data in a predetermined form including the EPC to be queried to a predetermined address of EPCIS 200 over communication network 300. Thus, by processor 11 executing information processing based on reading program PRA, the computer with processor 11 as its central part functions as second query means.

[0035] In response to this inquiry data being transmitted to EPCIS200 via the communication network 300, response data including the CBV is sent from EPCIS200, and when this response data is transmitted to the reader 10, it is received by the communication unit 15 in the reader 10. Then, in response to this, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT13.

[0036] As ACT 13, processor 11 saves the CBV included in the response data. That is, processor 11 writes the CBV extracted from the response data to a unit that has been determined in advance as the destination, either main storage unit 12 or auxiliary storage unit 13. Thus, by processor 11 executing information processing based on reading program PRA, the computer with processor 11 as its central part functions as a first notification receiving means.

[0037] In the first operation example, the function as a second acquisition means is realized by cooperation between a first notification means realized by processor 21 executing ACT22 and a second inquiry means and first notification receiving means realized by processor 11 executing ACT12 and ACT13.

[0038] As ACT14, the processor 11 displays a CBV screen on a display device provided in the UI unit 14. The CBV screen is a screen that allows the operator of the reader 10 to confirm the CBV included in the response data. Displaying this CBV screen is one form of CBV output. Thus, by the processor 11 executing information processing based on the reading program PRA, the computer including the processor 11 as its central part functions as a first output means. Note that the CBV output may be performed in any form other than a screen display. For example, the UI unit 14 may play a predetermined voice message in accordance with the CBV included in the response data. Furthermore, the CBV may be output to a device external to the reader 10, such as by sending notification data including the CVV included in the response data to the management device 30.

[0039] (Second operation example) Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of the second operation example, showing the sequence of the processing of the processor 11 in the reader 10 based on the reading program PRA and the processing of the processor 21 in the conversion server 20 based on the conversion program PRB.

[0040] The inquiry by the processor 11 in ACT11 and the reading of the EPC by the processor 21 in ACT21 are the same as in the first operation example. After the processor 21 finishes reading the EPC in ACT21, the processor 21 proceeds to ACT23. As ACT23, processor 21 queries EPCIS200 for the read EPC. Specifically, processor 21, for example, causes communication unit 24 to send query data in a predetermined form including the EPC to be queried to a predetermined address of EPCIS200 over communication network 300. Thus, by processor 21 executing information processing based on conversion program PRB, the computer with processor 21 as its central part functions as a third query means.

[0041] In response to this inquiry data being transmitted to EPCIS200 via communication network 300, response data including the CBV is sent from EPCIS200, and when this response data is transmitted to conversion server 20, it is received by communication unit 24 at conversion server 20. Then, in response to this, processor 21 proceeds to ACT24.

[0042] The processor 21 as the ACT 24 notifies the reader 10 of the CBV included in the response data. Specifically, the processor 21 causes, for example, the communication unit 24 to send notification data in a predetermined form including the EPC included in the response data to the querying reader 10 over the communication network 300. Thus, the processor 21 executes information processing based on the conversion program PRB, and the computer with the processor 21 as its central part functions as a second notification means.

[0043] When this notification data is transmitted to the reader 10 via the communication network 300, it is received by the communication unit 15 in the reader 10. In response to this, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 13 and performs ACT 13 and ACT 14 in the same manner as in the first operation example. Thus, by the processor 11 executing information processing based on the reading program PRA, the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as a second notification receiving means and a second output means.

[0044] In the second operation example, the function as the second acquisition means is realized by cooperation between the third inquiry means and second notification means realized by processor 21 executing ACT23 and ACT24, and the second notification receiving means realized by processor 11 executing ACT13.

[0045] As described above, the logistics management system 100 obtains the EPC associated with the serial code read from the wireless tag 400 from the conversion database DBA, and introduces the EPC to the EPCIS to obtain the CBV. This makes it possible to use the EPCIS even when using a wireless tag 400 that does not allow an EPC to be written.

[0046] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. Instead of the wireless tag 400, another type of tag may be used, such as a type that allows the tag identifier to be read by contact communication via a connector.

[0047] For example, in response to an inquiry about an EPC from the reader 10 or the management device 30, the conversion server 20 may respond with the serial code associated with the EPC in the conversion database DBA.

[0048] The functions realized by processor 11 and processor 21 through information processing can be realized in part or in whole by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, etc. Each of the above functions can also be realized by combining hardware such as the above logic circuit with software control.

[0049] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 100...logistics management system, 200...EPCIS, 300...communication network, 400...wireless tag, 10...reader, 20...conversion server, 30...management device, 11, 21...processor, 12, 22...main memory unit, 13, 23...auxiliary memory unit, 14...UI unit, 15, 24...communication unit, 16...wireless unit, 17, 25...transmission path

Claims

1. a storage means for storing an item identifier for identifying an individual item in association with a tag identifier for distinguishing a tag attached to the item from other tags; reading means for reading a tag identifier from a tag; a first acquiring means for acquiring an item identifier stored in the storage means in association with the tag identifier read by the reading means; a second acquisition means for querying an EPCIS (electronic product code information services) for the item identifier acquired by the first acquisition means and acquiring a CBV (core business vocabulary) returned by the EPCIS; A logistics management system equipped with the above.

2. a conversion device provided with the storage means; a reading device provided with the reading means; Equipped with The first acquisition means a first query means provided in the reading device for querying the conversion device about the tag identifier read by the reading means; a reading means provided in the conversion device for reading from the storage means an item identifier stored in the storage means in association with the tag identifier queried by the first query means; Including, The second acquisition means a first notification means provided in the conversion device for notifying the reading device of the article identifier read by the reading means; a second query means provided in the reading device for querying the EPCIS about the item identifier notified by the first notification means; a first notification receiving means provided in the reading device for receiving a CBV notification from the EPCIS in response to an inquiry by the second inquiry means; Including, The logistics management system according to claim 1 .

3. a first output means provided in the reading device for outputting the CBV that is the subject of the notification received by the first notification receiving means; The logistics management system according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. a conversion device provided with the storage means; a reading device provided with the reading means; Equipped with The first acquisition means a first query means provided in the reading device for querying the conversion device about the tag identifier read by the reading means; a reading means provided in the conversion device for reading from the storage means an item identifier stored in the storage means in association with the tag identifier queried by the first query means; Including, The second acquisition means a third query means provided in the conversion device for querying the EPCIS with the item identifier read by the reading means; a second notification means provided in the conversion device for notifying the reading device of the CBV notified from the EPCIS in response to the inquiry by the third inquiry means; a second notification receiving means provided in the reading device for receiving a notification from the second notification means; The logistics management system according to claim 1 .

5. a second output means provided in the reading device for outputting the CBV that is the subject of the notification received by the second notification receiving means; The logistics management system according to claim 4, further comprising:

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