Warehousing / dispatching management system, warehousing / dispatching management device, warehousing / dispatching management method, and program

Abstract

To accurately manage the location of a management object distributed between bases.SOLUTION: A first reading unit installed in an entrance area of a base and a second reading unit installed in an exit area wirelessly read management target identification information from an information recording medium included in a management target at every reading time interval. At each determination time interval, the determination unit determines that there is a read when at least one of the number of storage-area reads in which the first read unit has read the managed object identification information within a predetermined time and the number of exit-area reads in which the second read unit has read the managed object identification information within a predetermined time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and determines that there is no status change because there is no read when both are less than the threshold value. The determination unit determines the status of the management target to be warehousing to the base when there is reading and the warehousing area reading count is greater than the shipping area reading count, and determines the status of the management target to be shipping from the base when there is reading and the shipping area reading count is greater than the warehousing area reading count.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an incoming / outgoing management system, an incoming / outgoing management device, an incoming / outgoing management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are systems that use RFID and the like to determine the location of an item, etc. For example, there is a technology in which a reader repeatedly acquires identification information from an RFID, and when it is determined that the number of acquisitions has reached a predetermined number, the RFID tag corresponding to the identification information acquired immediately before is identified as an RFID tag located in the vicinity of the reader (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This prevents the location from being recognized incorrectly even if the identification information is read simply by passing near the reader. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-67094 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In factories, manufactured products are stored in designated logistics containers and delivered to the next factory or customer. Empty logistics containers are then received from other factories or customers for reuse. Such factories use a large number of logistics containers, making it difficult to manage how many logistics containers are available at each location. If logistics container management were possible, it would be possible to determine whether empty logistics containers can be ordered from other locations and used when there are few empty logistics containers at a certain location, or whether additional logistics containers must be purchased because there are not enough empty logistics containers at all locations. Therefore, attaching RFID tags to logistics containers and applying the above-mentioned conventional technology to manage their location could be considered. However, the readable range of RFID tag readers is limited, and it is not practical to install multiple readers in a large space such as a factory to ensure that no readings are missed and manage the location of logistics containers.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an inventory management system, an inventory management device, an inventory management method, and a program that can accurately manage the location of monitored items circulating between bases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a first reading unit is installed in an entrance area of ​​a base and wirelessly reads management target identification information, which is identification information of the management target, from an information recording medium possessed by the management target at predetermined read time intervals; a second reading unit is installed in an exit area of ​​the base and wirelessly reads the management target identification information from the information recording medium possessed by the management target at the read time intervals; and a receiving area read count, which is the number of times the first reading unit, installed in a front entry area of ​​the base, reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time, and a delivery area read count, which is the number of times the second reading unit, installed in the delivery area of ​​the base, reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time, at a determination time interval longer than the read time intervals, is equal to or greater than a threshold. a read determination process that determines that a read has occurred if there is a read, and determines that no status change has occurred if the number of times the entry area has been read and the number of times the delivery area has been read are less than the threshold value; and a status determination process that determines that a read has occurred in the read determination process and the number of times the entry area has been read is greater than the number of times the delivery area has been read, and determines that the status of the managed object is an entry to the base where the number of entry area reads has been obtained, if the read determination process determines that a read has occurred and the number of times the delivery area has been read is greater than the number of entry area reads.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a receiving unit receives the management target identification information read by a first reading unit that is installed in an entrance area of ​​a base and that wirelessly reads management target identification information, which is identification information of the management target, from an information recording medium possessed by the management target at predetermined reading time intervals, and a second reading unit that is installed in an exit area of ​​the base and that wirelessly reads the management target identification information from the information recording medium possessed by the management target at the reading time intervals, and a receiving unit receives the management target identification information read by each of the first reading unit and a second reading unit that is installed in an exit area of ​​the base and that wirelessly reads the management target identification information from the information recording medium possessed by the management target at the reading time intervals, and a receiving unit that receives the management target identification information read by each of the first reading unit and the second reading unit that is installed in the exit area of ​​the base at predetermined reading time intervals, the receiving unit receiving the management target identification information read by each of the second reading unit and the second reading unit that is installed in the entrance area of ​​the base at predetermined reading time intervals, the receiving unit receiving the management target identification information read by each of the second reading unit and the second reading unit that is installed in the exit area of ​​the base at the reading time intervals, the receiving unit receiving the management target identification information read by each of the second reading unit and the second reading unit that is installed in the entrance area of ​​the base at the ... and a status determination process for determining that a read has occurred in the read determination process and the number of times the entry area has been read is greater than the number of times the exit area has been read, and determining that the status of the managed object is an entry to the base where the number of entry area reads has been obtained, if the read determination process determines that a read has occurred in the read determination process and the number of times the exit area has been read is greater than the number of times the entry area has been read, and determining that the status of the managed object is an exit from the base where the number of times the exit area has been read is obtained, if the read determination process determines that a read has occurred in the read determination process and the number of times the exit area has been read is greater than the number of times the entry area has been read.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned inventory management device, further comprising a memory unit that stores status information indicating the status of the managed object, and the judgment unit updates the status information based on the status judged for the managed object in the status judgment process.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned inventory management device, wherein the determination unit does not change the status of the managed object if a predetermined time has not passed since the status was changed.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned inventory management device, wherein when a sensor detects that the transport device of the managed object is present in an area outside the managed area of ​​the base, the determination unit does not change the status of the managed object identified by the managed object identification information read by the first reading unit or the second reading unit.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned inventory management device, wherein a plurality of the first reading units are installed in the inventory area and a plurality of the second reading units are installed in the inventory area, and the determination unit does not change the status of the managed object identified by the read managed object identification information if a first reading unit among the plurality of first reading units that is closer than a predetermined distance to the non-managed area reads the managed object identification information and other first reading units do not read the managed object identification information, or if a second reading unit among the plurality of second reading units that is closer than a predetermined distance to the non-managed area reads the managed object identification information and other second reading units do not read the managed object identification information.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention includes a first reading step in which a first reading unit installed in an entrance area of ​​a base wirelessly reads management target identification information, which is identification information of the management target, from an information recording medium possessed by the management target at predetermined reading time intervals; a second reading step in which a second reading unit installed in an exit area of ​​the base wirelessly reads the management target identification information from the information recording medium possessed by the management target at the reading time intervals; and an entry / exit management device, for each determination time interval longer than the reading time interval, determines an entry area reading count, which is the number of times the first reading unit installed in a front entry area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within the predetermined time, and an exit area reading count, which is the number of times the second reading unit installed in the exit area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within the predetermined time. a read determination process for determining that a read has occurred if at least one of the entry area read count and the delivery area read count is equal to or greater than a threshold, and for determining that no read has occurred and therefore no status change has occurred if the entry area read count and the delivery area read count are less than the threshold; and a status determination process for determining that a read has occurred in the read determination process and the entry area read count is greater than the delivery area read count, and for determining that the status of the managed object is an entry to the base where the entry area read count has been obtained, if the read determination process determines that a read has occurred and the delivery area read count is greater than the entry area read count, and for determining that the status of the managed object is an exit from the base where the delivery area read count has been obtained.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention includes a receiving step of receiving management object identification information read by a first reading unit that is installed in an entrance area of ​​a base and that wirelessly reads management object identification information, which is identification information of the management object, from an information recording medium possessed by the management object at predetermined reading time intervals, and a second reading unit that is installed in an exit area of ​​the base and that wirelessly reads the management object identification information from the information recording medium possessed by the management object at the reading time intervals, and a receiving step of receiving management object identification information read by each of the first reading unit and that wirelessly reads the management object identification information from the information recording medium possessed by the management object at the reading time intervals, and a receiving area reading count that is the number of times the first reading unit installed in a front entry area of ​​the base reads the management object identification information within a predetermined time at a determination time interval that is longer than the reading time interval, and a shipping area reading count that is the number of times the second reading unit installed in the exit area of ​​the base reads the management object identification information within a predetermined time at a determination time interval that is longer than the reading time interval. a read determination process in which it is determined that a read has occurred if at least one of the number of times the entry area has been read and the number of times the delivery area has been read is equal to or greater than a threshold, and it is determined that no read has occurred and therefore no status change has occurred if the number of times the entry area has been read and the number of times the delivery area has been read are less than the threshold; and a status determination process in which it is determined that a read has occurred in the read determination process and the number of times the entry area has been read is greater than the number of times the delivery area has been read, and it is determined that the status of the managed object is an entry to the base where the number of entry area reads has been obtained, if it is determined that a read has occurred in the read determination process and the number of times the delivery area has been read is greater than the number of entry area reads.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the above-described inventory management device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to accurately manage the location of managed objects circulating between bases. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a warehousing / shipping management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a base according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a warehousing / shipping management device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of reader management information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of managed object attribute information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of reading history information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of status management information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the inventory management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing changes in the status of a logistics container according to a common technique. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing changes in the status of a physical distribution container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a warehouse management system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of sensor installation according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a storage area and a non-management area according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the inventory management device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the inventory management device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to first and second embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of an incoming / outgoing management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The incoming / outgoing management system 1 includes an incoming / outgoing management device 2 and multiple readers 3. The readers 3 are installed at each of the locations L1, L2, ..., LN (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1). The incoming / outgoing management device 2 is connected to each reader 3 via a network 7. The locations L1, L2, ..., LN are collectively referred to as location L, or when no specific location is specified. Each of the locations L1 to LN has a factory. Each location Ln (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than or equal to N) receives empty physical distribution containers 5, stores manufactured products such as parts manufactured at the factory in the received physical distribution containers 5, and then delivers the products to a destination such as another location Ln' (n' is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than or equal to N, n' ≠ n) or a customer. At the delivery destination, the parts are removed from the logistics container 5 and the empty logistics container 5 is returned to the base Ln, or if the delivery destination is another base Ln', it is stored at that base Ln', and the parts manufactured in the factory are stored there and then shipped out.

[0019] A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 6 is attached to a physical distribution container 5 that is the object of management by the inventory management system 1. The RFID tag 6 is a recording medium that stores a tag ID. The tag ID is identification information that is different for each RFID tag 6. The tag ID stored in the RFID tag 6 attached to the physical distribution container 5 is used as information that identifies the physical distribution container 5, i.e., as identification information to be managed. Hereinafter, the tag ID stored in the RFID tag 6 attached to the physical distribution container 5 will be referred to as the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5.

[0020] The readers 3 are installed in the receiving area and the shipping area for the physical distribution containers 5 at each base L. The reader 3 installed in the receiving area is referred to as reader 3a, and the reader 3 installed in the shipping area is referred to as reader 3b. The readers 3a and 3b have antennas and wirelessly read tag IDs from the RFID tags 6 at predetermined reading time intervals and notify the incoming / outgoing management device 2. The incoming / outgoing management device 2 manages the status of the physical distribution containers 5 based on the tag IDs read by the readers 3a and 3b at each base L. The status indicates whether the physical distribution container 5 is in an incoming state (IN) from the time it is received at the base L until it is shipped out, or in an outgoing state (OUT) after it has been shipped out from the base L.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a base L. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the base L as seen from above. The base L has a receiving area A, a factory F, and a shipping area B. The base L may also include an area E that is not subject to management. Multiple bases may also be located on the same site or in the same building.

[0022] An empty logistics container 5 arriving at base L is transported to factory F via receiving area A. Factory F places manufactured parts into the transported logistics container 5 and transports it to outgoing area B. The logistics container 5 containing the parts is delivered from outgoing area B to another base L or to a customer. An empty logistics container 5 that has been used is again transported from receiving area A to one of the bases L. A logistics container 5 in receiving area A or factory F has the status of received (IN), while a logistics container 5 in outgoing area B or outside base L has the status of outgoing (OUT). Let M be the shorter of the shortest work time required for a logistics container 5 to be performed at factory F or the shortest time it takes for a logistics container 5 that left base L to be used at the delivery destination and then re-entered at the same base L. Here, M is the shortest work time at factory F.

[0023] One or more readers 3a are installed in the receiving area A, and one or more readers 3b are installed in the outgoing area B. FIG. 2 shows an example in which one reader 3a is installed in the receiving area A and one reader 3b is installed in the outgoing area B. No readers are installed in the factory F. This is because it is not realistic to install readers 3 throughout the large factory F. The non-management area E is a place where logistics containers 5 that have been temporarily stored are stored. The logistics containers 5 placed in the non-management area E are not subject to inbound and outbound shipments at the base L. No readers 3 are installed in the non-management area E, but instead, sensors are installed in the second embodiment described below.

[0024] Reader 3a wirelessly reads the RFID tag 6 of a logistics container 5 brought into receiving area A from outside site L, and reader 3b wirelessly reads the tag ID from the RFID tag 6 of a logistics container 5 brought out of factory F to shipping area B. In some cases, receiving area A and shipping area B are close to each other. Furthermore, high wireless output power is set for readers 3a and 3b to read the RFID tags 6 of logistics containers 5 stacked in receiving area A and shipping area B, respectively. Therefore, reader 3a may misread the RFID tag 6 of a logistics container 5 in shipping area B, and reader 3b may misread the RFID tag 6 of a logistics container 5 in receiving area A. Furthermore, readers 3a and 3b may misread the RFID tag 6 of a logistics container 5 in factory F or miss a logistics container 5 below. Even when such misreadings or miss-readings occur, the inventory management system 1 accurately manages the status of each logistics container 5.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the inventory management device 2. In FIG. 3, only functional blocks related to this embodiment are shown. The inventory management device 2 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server device. The inventory management device 2 includes a memory unit 21, a communication unit 22, an input unit 23, a display unit 24, and a processing unit 25.

[0026] The storage unit 21 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 21 stores various data including data used by the processing unit 25. The storage unit 21 stores, for example, reader management information, management target attribute information, reading history information, and status management information.

[0027] The reader management information indicates the base at which each reader 3 is set and whether the reader 3 is installed in receiving area A or shipping area B. The managed attribute information indicates attribute information such as the type of each physical distribution container 5. The reading history information indicates the history of the tag ID of each physical distribution container 5 being read by the reader 3. The status information indicates the status of each physical distribution container 5 determined at each time.

[0028] The communication unit 22 is a communication device. The communication unit 22 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 22 communicates data with other devices via the network 7. The communication unit 22 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0029] The input unit 23 is a keyboard, a mouse, a button, a touch panel, or the like, and receives information input by user operation.

[0030] The display unit 24 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 24 may be an interface for connecting the image display device to the inventory management device 2. In this case, the display unit 24 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the device itself. The display unit 24 may be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 23.

[0031] The processing unit 25 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (main storage device). The processing unit 25 functions as an information acquisition unit 251, a determination unit 252, and an information output unit 253 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the processing unit 25 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)), as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0032] The information acquisition unit 251 acquires information received by the communication unit 22. The information acquisition unit 251 acquires read information received from each reader 3. The read information indicates the tag ID read by the reader 3. The information acquisition unit 251 updates the read history information stored in the memory unit 21 based on the received read information.

[0033] The determination unit 252 determines the status of each physical distribution container 5 based on the read history information stored in the storage unit 21, and updates the status management information stored in the storage unit 21 based on the determined status. The determination unit 252 performs a read determination process and a status determination process at predetermined determination time intervals.

[0034] In the read determination process, the determination unit 252 performs the following process. First, the determination unit 252 references the read history information and obtains the number of times the receiving area has been read and the number of times the delivering area has been read for each tag ID. The number of times the receiving area has been read is the number of times that the reader 3a installed in the receiving area A has read the target tag ID within a determination time interval. The number of times the delivering area has been read is the number of times that the reader 3b installed in the delivering area B has read the target tag ID within a predetermined time period. The determination unit 252 determines a tag ID for which at least one of the number of times the receiving area has been read and the number of times the delivering area has been read is equal to or greater than a threshold value as a tag ID that has been read, and determines a tag ID for which both the number of times the receiving area has been read and the number of times the delivering area has been read as a tag ID that has not been read. The determination unit 252 does not perform status determination process for a tag ID that has been determined not to have been read, and determines that there is no change in status.

[0035] In the status determination process after the reading determination process, the determination unit 252 performs the following process. If the number of entry area reads for a tag ID determined to have been read in the reading determination process is greater than the number of exit area reads, the determination unit 252 determines that the status of the physical distribution container 5 identified by that tag ID is that it has been entered at the location L having the entry area A for which the entry area read count was obtained. The determination unit 252 writes the fact that the physical distribution container 5 is in an entry state at the location L into the status management information in the storage unit 21. Furthermore, if the number of exit area reads for a tag ID determined to have been read in the reading determination process is greater than the entry area read count, the determination unit 252 determines that the status of the physical distribution container 5 identified by that tag ID is that it has been shipped from the location L having the exit area B for which the exit area read count was obtained. The determination unit 252 writes the fact that the physical distribution container 5 is in an exit state from the location L into the status information in the storage unit 21.

[0036] The information output unit 253 displays various information on the display unit 24. The information output unit 253 counts the number of logistics containers 5 currently in stock at each location L by referring to the status management information stored in the memory unit 21, and displays the count on the display unit 24. Alternatively, the information output unit 253 displays the status and attributes of each logistics container 5 on the display unit 24 based on the status management information and managed object attribute information stored in the memory unit 21. The information on the location L for which the number of logistics containers 5 in stock is to be displayed and the information on the logistics containers 5 for which the status is to be displayed may be input by the user via the input unit 23.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of reader management information. The reader management information consists of records including reader identification information, installation base information, and reader type for each reader 3. The reader identification information is information that uniquely identifies the reader 3. The installation base information indicates the base L where the reader 3 is installed. The reader type indicates whether it is a reader 3a installed in receiving area A or a reader 3b installed in outgoing area B. Furthermore, if there are multiple readers 3a in the same receiving area A, information indicating the number of the reader 3a in that area (#1, #2, ...) is added to the reader type. Similarly, if there are multiple readers 3b in the same outgoing area B, information indicating the number of the reader 3b in that area (#1, #2, ...) is added. Here, it is assumed that numbers are assigned to the readers 3a and 3b in ascending order, starting with the reader closest to the non-management area.

[0038] 5 is a diagram showing an example of managed object attribute information. The managed object attribute information consists of records that associate the tag ID of each logistics container 5 with the name, type, size, purchase date, and base where the logistics container 5 was purchased of the logistics container 5. The user can arbitrarily register attribute information of the logistics container 5 using the input unit 23.

[0039] 6 is a diagram showing an example of reading history information. The reading history information is information that associates the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5 with the reading time and reading reader information. The reading time indicates the time when the reader 3 read the tag ID. The reading reader information indicates the reader identification information of the reader 3 that read the tag ID.

[0040] 7 is a diagram showing an example of status management information. The status management information is information that associates the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5 with the status determination time and status information. The status information indicates the location L where the physical distribution container 5 is stored or shipped, and the status type, whether the physical distribution container 5 is in an in-stock state (IN) from when it is stored at the location L until it is shipped, or in an out-stock state (OUT) after it is shipped from the location L.

[0041] Next, we will explain the operation of the inventory management system 1. The readers 3a and 3b at each base L read the tag ID from the RFID tag 6 of each physical distribution container 5 at a predetermined reading time interval, such as once per second, and then transmit read information, which includes the reader identification information of the reader 3a and 3b, the read tag ID, and the read time, to the inventory management device 2 as needed.

[0042] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram showing an example of processing by the inventory management device 2. The inventory management device 2 performs the processing shown in Fig. 8 for each tag ID at a determination cycle of a predetermined determination time interval, such as four minutes. The tag ID to be processed is referred to as the processing target tag ID.

[0043] The information acquisition unit 251 of the inventory management device 2 starts reading the tag ID to be processed (step S105). The communication unit 22 receives read information from each of the readers 3a and 3b at each of the bases L1 to LN via the network 7 at a read time interval, for example, every second. The information acquisition unit 251 acquires read information in which the tag ID to be processed is set, from the read information received by the communication unit 22. The information acquisition unit 251 adds the acquired read information to the read history information stored in the storage unit 21. Note that the reader 3 does not set the read time in the read information, and the information acquisition unit 251 may add the reception time of the read information to the read information as the read time. When the judgment time interval of four minutes has elapsed, the information acquisition unit 251 of the inventory management device 2 instructs the judgment unit 252 to perform a read judgment process (step S110).

[0044] The determination unit 252 reads the read information of the target tag ID received between steps S105 and S110 from the read history information, and counts the number of reads by each reader 3. The determination unit 252 determines whether the number of reads for each reader 3 is equal to or greater than a threshold N (step S115). The threshold N can be set for each combination of base L and reader 3. For example, the reader 3a installed in the receiving area A of base Ln is called reader A, and the two readers 3b installed in the unloading area B of base Ln are called reader B1 and reader B2. Assume that the number of reads for reader A is 200, the number of reads for reader B1 is 12, and the number of reads for reader B2 is 0. Also assume that the threshold N for reader A is 170, the threshold N for reader B1 is 170, and the threshold N for reader B2 is 2. In this case, the determination unit 252 determines that the number of reads by reader A is equal to or greater than the threshold N because the number of reads by reader A exceeds the threshold N.

[0045] If the determination unit 252 determines in step S115 that the number of reads by any of the readers 3 does not exceed the threshold N (step S115: NO), it ignores the read information received between steps S105 and S110 (step S120). The determination unit 252 ends the process without updating the status management information of the logistics container 5 with the tag ID to be processed.

[0046] On the other hand, if the determination unit 252 determines in step S115 that the number of reads by any of the readers 3 exceeds the threshold N (step S115: YES), it determines whether or not a minimum time of M minutes has elapsed since the previous status determination for the target tag ID (step S125). Specifically, the determination unit 252 reads the latest status determination time associated with the target tag ID from the status management information, and determines whether or not M minutes have elapsed since the read status determination time. If the determination unit 252 determines that M minutes have not elapsed (step S125: NO), it ignores the read information received between steps S105 and S110 (step S120). The determination unit 252 ends the process without updating the status management information for the logistics container 5 associated with the target tag ID. Note that the determination unit 252 may perform the determination in step S125 before step S115.

[0047] If the determination unit 252 determines that M minutes or more have passed since the previous status determination for the target tag ID (step S125: YES), the determination unit 252 obtains the number of times the target tag ID has been read by each reader 3a, which is the storage area read count, and the number of times the target tag ID has been read by each reader 3b, which is the output area read count, based on the read information for the target tag ID received between steps S105 and S110. The determination unit 252 determines whether the number of times the target tag ID has been read by each reader 3a is greater than the number of times the target tag ID has been read (step S130). Note that if the number of times the target tag ID has been read by multiple readers 3a, the determination unit 252 uses the largest number of times the target tag ID has been read among them for comparison. Similarly, if the number of times the target tag ID has been read by multiple readers 3b, the determination unit 252 uses the largest number of times the target tag ID has been read among them for comparison.

[0048] Furthermore, if multiple readers 3a are installed in the receiving area A, the determination unit 252 may count the number of receiving area reads for each receiving area A. For example, if at least one of the multiple readers 3a installed in the receiving area A reads a tag to be processed at a certain time, this is counted as one read. Similarly, if multiple readers 3b are installed in the outgoing area B, the determination unit 252 may count the number of outgoing area reads for the outgoing area B. For example, if at least one of the multiple readers 3b installed in the outgoing area B reads a tag to be processed at a certain time, this is counted as one read. In this case, the determination unit 252 compares the number of receiving area reads for the receiving area A with the number of outgoing area reads for the outgoing area B. Note that information on the readers 3a in the receiving area A and the readers 3b in the outgoing area B at each base L is obtained by referring to the reader management information.

[0049] If the determination unit 252 determines that the number of times the receiving area has been read is greater than the number of times the shipping area has been read (step S130: YES), it determines that the status of the physical distribution container 5 with the target tag ID is that the container has been received at the base L where the reader 3a for which the number of times the receiving area has been read used for comparison in step S130 is installed (step S135). The determination unit 252 reads information about the base where the reader 3a is installed from the reader management information stored in the storage unit 21. The determination unit 252 identifies the status management information stored in the storage unit 21 using the target tag ID, writes the status determination time and status information indicating the state of entry at the base L into the identified status management information, and ends the process.

[0050] If the determination unit 252 determines that the number of times the receiving area was read is less than the number of times the shipping area was read (step S130: NO), it determines that the status of the physical distribution container 5 with the target tag ID is that the container has been shipped from the base L where the reader 3b is installed, for which the number of times the shipping area was read used for comparison in step S130 was obtained (step S140). The determination unit 252 reads information about the base where the reader 3b is installed from the reader management information stored in the storage unit 21. The determination unit 252 identifies the status management information stored in the storage unit 21 using the target tag ID, writes the status determination time and status information indicating the shipping status from the base L into the identified status management information, and ends the process.

[0051] 8, the processing unit 25 of the inventory management device 2 repeats the processing from step S105 again. Furthermore, when the user inputs information indicating the location L via the input unit 23, the information output unit 253 refers to the status management information stored in the memory unit 21, counts the number of physical distribution containers 5 in a warehoused state at the input location L, and displays the count on the display unit 24.

[0052] FIG. 9 shows the status change of a physical distribution container 5 according to a general technique, and FIG. 10 shows the status change of a physical distribution container 5 determined by the incoming / outgoing management device 2 of this embodiment. FIGS. 9 and 10 cover the process from when a physical distribution container 5 to be managed passes through receiving area A (IN passage) from a truck, is carried into a production line in factory F, where parts are stored, to when it is transported out of the factory from receiving area B. These figures show the correct status of the physical distribution container 5 every minute, whether the reader 3a in receiving area A and the reader 3b in outgoing area B have read the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5 (◯) or not (×), and the status determined by the system. In these figures, the actual location of the physical distribution container 5 indicates the actual location of the physical distribution container 5, with receiving area A marked as IN and outgoing area B marked as OUT.

[0053] In FIG. 9, at time t3 while the physical distribution container 5 is passing through receiving area A, readers 3a and 3b read the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5. As a result, the status changes from received (IN) to unread (OUT). At time t4, the status returns to received (IN). After the physical distribution container 5 is carried into the production line of factory F, reader 3b misreads the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5 at time t6, causing the status to change from received (IN) to unread (OUT). Thereafter, the unread status (OUT) is maintained because no further readings are made by reader 3. At time t14 while the physical distribution container 5 is being transported to unreading area B, reader 3a misreads the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5, causing the status to change to received (IN). At time t17 while the physical distribution container 5 is passing through unreading area B, reader 3a again misreads the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5, causing the status to change to received (IN).

[0054] On the other hand, the inventory management system 1 of this embodiment performs the process shown in FIG. 8 at a 4-second determination cycle, and therefore does not change the status even if readers 3a and 3b read the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5 at time t3 while the physical distribution container 5 is passing through the receiving area A. Even if reader 3b misreads the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5 at time t6, the inventory management system 1 does not change the status because time M has not elapsed since the previous status determination. Even if reader 3a misreads the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5 at time t14, the inventory management system 1 does not change the status because the number of times reader 3a reads the tag ID within a predetermined time is equal to or less than threshold N. Even if reader 3a misreads the tag ID of the physical distribution container 5 at time t17, the inventory management system 1 keeps the status as outgoing (OUT) because the number of times reader 3b reads the tag ID is high during the determination cycle.

[0055] According to the inventory management system 1 of this embodiment, by installing readers 3 in the receiving area A and the shipping area B of the base L, it is possible to accurately manage whether the logistics container 5 is inside or outside the base L, without installing a reader in the factory F, even when the readers 3 in the receiving area A and the shipping area B have not read the RFID tag 6.

[0056] (Second embodiment) When an area subject to RFID tag reading, such as a receiving area or a shipping area, is adjacent to an area not subject to management, a reader in the reading area may erroneously read the tag ID of a logistics container 5 placed in the area not subject to management. In the second embodiment, even when a tag ID is read from a logistics container 5 in an area not subject to management, the status is not changed. The second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of an incoming / outgoing management system 1a according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same components as those in the incoming / outgoing management system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The incoming / outgoing management system 1a shown in FIG. 11 differs from the incoming / outgoing management system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that it is provided with a sensor 4 at each base. The sensor 4 detects the transport device of a physical distribution container 5 that has entered an area not subject to management. The transport device of the physical distribution container 5 is, for example, a forklift. The configuration of the incoming / outgoing management device 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of installing sensor 4 in non-managed area E. In FIG. 12, the area to be read, which is storage area A or shipping area B, is adjacent to non-managed area E. Sensor 4 is installed on the ceiling above non-managed area E. When only forklifts enter non-managed area E, a sensor that detects objects by reflected laser light can be used as sensor 4. Sensor 4 may also be a sensor that detects forklifts by image. Alternatively, sensor 4 may be a pressure sensor installed on the floor of non-managed area E.

[0059] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the adjacent receiving area A and non-management area E as seen from above. P (P is an integer equal to or greater than 2) readers 3a are installed in receiving area A. The pth (p is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than P) reader 3a from the closest to the non-management area E is referred to as reader 3a-p. If, among the readers 3a, only reader 3a-1 reads a tag ID and the other readers 3a-2 to 3a-P do not read the tag ID, the inventory management device 2 determines that the tag ID of a physical distribution container 5 in the non-management area E has been misread, and does not change the status.

[0060] Next, the operation of the inventory management system 1a will be described. As in the first embodiment, the readers 3a and 3b at each base L transmit read information at a predetermined read time interval, such as once per second, to the inventory management device 2. Furthermore, when the sensor 4 at each base L detects an object in the sensor detection area, it transmits sensor detection information indicating that an object has been detected to the inventory management device 2. Note that the sensor 4 may also transmit sensor detection information indicating whether or not an object has been detected in the sensor detection area at predetermined time intervals.

[0061] Fig. 14 is a flow diagram showing an example of processing by the inventory management device 2 according to the second embodiment. When the inventory area A and the non-management area E are adjacent to each other, the inventory management device 2 performs the processing shown in Fig. 14. In the figure, the same processes as those performed by the inventory management device 2 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 8 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted. The inventory management device 2 performs the processing shown in Fig. 14 for each tag ID at a determination cycle of a predetermined determination time interval, such as four minutes.

[0062] The information acquisition unit 251 of the inventory management device 2 starts reading the tag ID to be processed (step S105). The information acquisition unit 251 acquires read information in which the tag ID to be processed is set from the read information received by the communication unit 22 from the readers 3a, 3b at each of the bases L1 to LN. The information acquisition unit 251 adds the acquired read information to the reading history information stored in the memory unit 21. When the judgment time interval of four minutes has elapsed, the information acquisition unit 251 instructs the judgment unit 252 to perform a reading judgment process (step S110).

[0063] The determination unit 252 reads the read information of the tag ID to be processed received between steps S105 and S110 from the read history information, and counts the number of reads by each reader 3. The determination unit 252 determines whether the number of reads for each reader 3 is equal to or greater than a threshold N (step S115). If the determination unit 252 determines that the number of reads by any reader 3 does not exceed the threshold N (step S115: NO), it ignores the read information received between steps S105 and S110, and ends the process without updating the status management information (step S120).

[0064] On the other hand, if the determination unit 252 determines in step S115 that the number of reads by any of the readers 3 exceeds the threshold N (step S115: YES), it refers to the status determination time of the processing target tag ID set in the status management information and determines whether or not the minimum time M minutes or more has passed since the previous status determination for the processing target tag ID (step S125). If the determination unit 252 determines that M minutes have not passed (step S125: NO), it ignores the read information received between steps S105 and S110 and ends the process without updating the status management information (step S120). Note that the determination unit 252 may perform the determination of step S125 before step S115.

[0065] If the determination unit 252 determines that M minutes or more have passed since the previous status determination for the target tag ID (step S125: YES), the determination unit 252 obtains the number of times the target tag ID has been read from the receiving area and the number of times the target tag ID has been read from the delivering area based on the read information for the target tag ID received between steps S105 and S110. The determination unit 252 determines whether the number of times the target tag ID has been read from the receiving area is greater than the number of times the target tag ID has been read from the delivering area (step S130).

[0066] If the determination unit 252 determines that the number of times the receiving area has been read is greater than the number of times the delivering area has been read (step S130: YES), it determines whether the target tag ID has been read only by the reader 3a-1 that is closest to the non-management area E (step S205). Information on the reader 3a-1 that is closest to the non-management area E in each receiving area A can be obtained by referring to the reader management information. If the determination unit 252 determines that the target tag ID has been read only by the reader 3a-1 and that the readers 3a-2 to 3a-P have not read the target tag ID (step S205: YES), it performs the determination process of step S210. That is, the determination unit 252 determines whether sensor detection information indicating that an object has been detected in the sensor detection area has been received from the sensor 4 at the time when reading started in step S105 (step S210). If the judgment unit 252 determines that sensor detection information for object detection has been received (step S210: YES), it ignores the read information received between steps S105 and S110 and terminates the processing without updating the status information of the logistics container 5 with the tag ID to be processed (step S120).

[0067] If the determination unit 252 determines in step S205 that the target tag ID has been read by one or more of the readers 3a-2 to 3a-P other than the reader 3a-1 (step S205: NO), or if it determines in step S210 that sensor detection information indicating object detection has not been received from the sensor 4 at the time reading started (step S210: NO), it determines that the status of the logistics container 5 with the target tag ID is stored at the location L where the reader 3a that obtained the storage area read count used for comparison in step S130 is installed (step S135). The determination unit 252 identifies the status management information stored in the memory unit 21 using the target tag ID, writes the status determination time and status information indicating the storage status at the location L into the identified status management information, and ends the process.

[0068] If the determination unit 252 determines in step S130 that the number of times the receiving area was read is less than the number of times the shipping area was read (step S130: NO), it determines that the status of the logistics container 5 with the tag ID to be processed is that it has been shipped from the base L where the reader 3b that obtained the number of times the shipping area was read used for comparison in step S130 is installed (step S140). The determination unit 252 identifies the status management information stored in the memory unit 21 using the tag ID to be processed, writes the status determination time and status information indicating the shipping status from the base L into the identified status management information, and ends the process.

[0069] Fig. 15 is a flow diagram showing another example of processing by the inventory management device 2 according to the second embodiment. The inventory management device 2 performs the processing shown in Fig. 15 when the outgoing area B and the non-management area E are adjacent to each other. In the figure, the same processes as those of the inventory management device 2 shown in Fig. 14 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted. The inventory management device 2 performs the processing shown in Fig. 15 for each tag ID at a determination cycle of a predetermined determination time interval, for example, four minutes.

[0070] The processing from step S105 to step S130 is the same as in Fig. 14. If the determination unit 252 determines that the number of times the receiving area has been read is greater than the number of times the shipping area has been read (step S130: YES), it determines that the status of the physical distribution container 5 with the tag ID to be processed is that it has been received at the base L where the reader 3a from which the number of times the receiving area has been read used for comparison in step S130 is installed (step S135). The determination unit 252 identifies the status management information stored in the memory unit 21 using the tag ID to be processed, writes the status determination time and status information indicating the receiving status at the base L into the identified status management information, and ends the processing.

[0071] If the determination unit 252 determines that the number of times the leaving area has been read is greater than the number of times the receiving area has been read (step S130: NO), it determines whether the tag ID to be processed has been read only by the reader 3b that is closest to the non-management area E (step S305). Information on the reader 3b that is closest to the non-management area E in each leaving area B can be obtained by referring to the reader management information. If the determination unit 252 determines that the tag ID to be processed has been read only by the reader 3b that is closest to the non-management area E (step S305: YES), it performs the determination process of step S310. That is, the determination unit 252 determines whether sensor detection information indicating that an object has been detected in the sensor detection area has been received from the sensor 4 at the reading start time in step S105 (step S310). If the judgment unit 252 determines that object detection sensor detection information has been received (step S310: YES), it ignores the read information received between steps S105 and S110 and terminates the processing without updating the status information of the logistics container 5 with the tag ID to be processed (step S120).

[0072] If the determination unit 252 determines in step S305 that the target tag ID has been read by a reader 3b other than the reader 3b closest to the non-management area E (step S305: NO), or if it determines in step S310 that sensor detection information indicating object detection has not been received from the sensor 4 at the time reading started (step S310: NO), it determines that the status of the logistics container 5 with the target tag ID is that it has been shipped from the base L where the reader 3b that obtained the receiving area read count used for comparison in step S130 is installed (step S140). The determination unit 252 identifies the status management information stored in the memory unit 21 using the target tag ID, writes the status determination time and status information indicating the shipping status from the base L into the identified status management information, and ends the process.

[0073] In addition, if the non-managed area E is adjacent to both the receiving area A and the shipping area B, the judgment unit 252 judges NO in step S130 of the processing of Figure 14, and then executes the processing of steps S305 and S310 of Figure 15 before processing of step S140.

[0074] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 90 applied to the first and second embodiments. The information processing device 90 includes a processor 91, a main memory device 92, a communication interface 93, an auxiliary memory device 94, an input / output interface 95, and an internal bus 96. The processor 91, the main memory device 92, the communication interface 93, the auxiliary memory device 94, and the input / output interface 95 are communicably connected to each other via the internal bus 96. The information processing device 90 may be applied to, for example, an inventory management device 2. In this case, for example, the communication unit 22 may be configured using the communication interface 93. For example, the memory unit 21 may be configured using the auxiliary memory device 94. Furthermore, the processing unit 25 may be configured using the processor 91 and the main memory device 92.

[0075] The inventory management device 2 may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices. For example, the inventory management device 2 may be implemented using a device such as a cloud. In this case, it is possible to arbitrarily determine which information processing device implements which functional unit. The same functional unit may also be realized by a plurality of information processing devices. For example, in the inventory management device 2, the memory unit 21 and the processing unit 25 may be implemented in different information processing devices, and the information acquisition unit 251 and the determination unit 252 may be implemented in different information processing devices, and the information output unit 253 may also be implemented in different information processing devices. Furthermore, for example, the memory unit 21 of the inventory management device 2 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of information processing devices.

[0076] According to the above-described embodiment, the inventory management system uses RFID tags to manage the arrival and departure of logistics containers, such as parts boxes, at base stations. To this end, RFID tags that store tag IDs are attached to logistics containers, and readers are installed in the arrival and departure areas of each base station. A threshold for the number of reads is also set for each area. The inventory management system aggregates the reader read results obtained by each tag ID at predetermined intervals, and if the number of reads in each area does not reach the threshold, it considers that no reads have been made. This makes it possible to prevent the status from changing if a logistics container momentarily passes near a reader or if the logistics container is located in a factory where it would not normally be read by a reader. On the other hand, if the number of reads in any area reaches the threshold, the status is compared with the previous status, and if the status changes, the arrival or departure status is recorded.

[0077] Furthermore, the shorter of the minimum time required from entry to exit and the minimum time required from exit to entry is set as the minimum time between areas. Even if the entry / exit management system determines that the status is different from the previously recorded status, it will not change the status unless the minimum time has elapsed.

[0078] In addition, an object sensor may be installed in the non-reading area, and if a forklift or the like enters the non-reading area and the object sensor reacts, the status of the physical distribution container may not be changed. Alternatively, multiple readers may be installed in the receiving area or shipping area near the non-reading area, and only the reader closest to the non-reading area may read the tag ID, and if the object sensor reacts, the status of the physical distribution container may not be changed.

[0079] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to accurately manage the status of logistics containers that are repeatedly used to store parts manufactured in factories and distribute them between multiple locations, customers, etc.

[0080] According to the embodiment described above, the inventory management system includes a first reading unit, a second reading unit, and a determination unit. For example, the first reading unit corresponds to reader 3a in the embodiment, and the second reading unit corresponds to reader 3b in the embodiment. The first reading unit is installed in an entry area of ​​a base station and wirelessly reads management target identification information, which is identification information of the management target, from an information recording medium possessed by the management target at predetermined read time intervals. The second reading unit is installed in an exit area of ​​the base station and wirelessly reads management target identification information from an information recording medium possessed by the management target at predetermined read time intervals. For example, the management target corresponds to logistics container 5 in the embodiment, and the information recording medium corresponds to RFID tag 6 in the embodiment. The determination unit performs a read determination process at every determination time interval longer than the read time interval, in which at least one of an entry area read count, which is the number of times a first reading unit installed in the entry area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time, and an exit area read count, which is the number of times a second reading unit installed in the exit area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time, is equal to or greater than a threshold, in which the determination unit determines that a read has occurred and therefore no status change has occurred if the entry area read count and the exit area read count are less than the threshold.The determination unit performs a status determination process in which, in the read determination process in which it is determined that a read has occurred and the entry area read count is greater than the exit area read count, the determination unit determines that the status of the management target is entry to the base where the entry area read count was obtained, in which case the determination unit determines that a read has occurred and the exit area read count is greater than the entry area read count, in which case the determination unit determines that the status of the management target is departure from the base where the exit area read count was obtained

[0081] The determination unit may be provided in, for example, the inventory management device. In this case, the inventory management device includes a receiving unit that receives the management object identification information read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit. The receiving unit corresponds to, for example, the communication unit 22 in the embodiment.

[0082] The inventory management system may further include a storage unit that stores status information indicating the status of the managed object. The determination unit updates the status information based on the status determined for the managed object in the status determination process.

[0083] The determining unit may also be configured not to change the status of a managed object if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the status was changed.

[0084] In addition, when the sensor detects that a transport device under management is present in an area outside the management area of ​​the base, the judgment unit may not change the status of the managed object identified by the managed object identification information read by the first reading unit or the second reading unit.

[0085] A plurality of first reading units may be installed in the receiving area, and a plurality of second reading units may be installed in the outgoing area. If one of the plurality of first reading units that is closer than a predetermined distance to the non-managed area reads the management target identification information and the other first reading units do not read the management target identification information, or if one of the plurality of second reading units that is closer than a predetermined distance to the non-managed area reads the management target identification information and the other second reading units do not read the management target identification information, the determination unit does not change the status of the management target identified by the management target identification information.

[0086] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1...Inventory management system, 2...Inventory management device, 3a, 3b...Reader, 4...Sensor, 5...Logistics container, 6...RFID tag, 7...Network, 91...Processor, 92...Main memory device, 93...Communication interface, 94...Auxiliary memory device, 95...Input / output interface, 96...Internal bus

Claims

1. a first reading unit that is installed in a receiving area of ​​the base and wirelessly reads management target identification information, which is identification information of the management target, from an information recording medium possessed by the management target at predetermined read time intervals; a second reading unit that is installed in a delivery area of ​​the base and wirelessly reads the management target identification information from the information recording medium owned by the management target at each read time interval; At each determination time interval longer than the reading time interval, if at least one of the number of times the first reading unit installed in the front entry area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time period (i.e., the number of times the second reading unit installed in the delivery area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time period) is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is determined that a read has occurred, and if the number of times the second reading unit installed in the delivery area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time period, it is determined that a read has not occurred and therefore no change in status has occurred. a determination unit that performs a read determination process to determine whether a read has occurred in the read determination process and the number of times the receiving area has been read is greater than the number of times the delivering area has been read, and a status determination process that determines whether the status of the managed object is an entry to the base where the number of times the receiving area has been read is obtained, and that determines whether the status of the managed object is an exit from the base where the number of times the delivering area has been read is obtained, when the read determination process determines whether a read has occurred and the number of times the delivering area has been read is greater than the number of times the receiving area has been read; A warehouse management system equipped with the above.

2. a receiving unit that receives the management target identification information read by a first reading unit that is installed in an entry area of ​​a base and that reads, by wireless at predetermined read time intervals, management target identification information, which is identification information of the management target, from an information recording medium owned by the management target, at the management target management target information receiving unit, and a second reading unit that is installed in an exit area of ​​the base and that reads, by wireless at the read time intervals, the management target identification information from the information recording medium owned by the management target; At each determination time interval longer than the reading time interval, if at least one of the number of times the first reading unit installed in the front entry area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time period (i.e., the number of times the second reading unit installed in the delivery area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time period) is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is determined that a read has occurred, and if the number of times the second reading unit installed in the delivery area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time period, it is determined that a read has not occurred and therefore no change in status has occurred. a determination unit that performs a read determination process to determine whether a read has occurred in the read determination process and the number of times the receiving area has been read is greater than the number of times the delivering area has been read, and a status determination process that determines whether the status of the managed object is an entry to the base where the number of times the receiving area has been read is obtained, and that determines whether the status of the managed object is an exit from the base where the number of times the delivering area has been read is obtained, when the read determination process determines whether a read has occurred and the number of times the delivering area has been read is greater than the number of times the receiving area has been read; A storage and retrieval management device comprising:

3. a storage unit for storing status information indicating a status of the managed object; the determination unit updates the status information based on the status determined for the managed object in the status determination process. The inventory management device according to claim 2.

4. the determination unit does not change the status of the managed object if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the status was changed; The inventory management device according to claim 2.

5. when a sensor detects that the transport device of the management target is in a non-management area of ​​the base, the determination unit does not change the status of the management target identified by the management target identification information read by the first reading unit or the second reading unit. The inventory management device according to claim 2.

6. A plurality of the first reading units are installed in the storage area, A plurality of the second reading units are installed in the delivery area, the determination unit does not change the status of the managed object identified by the read management object identification information when a first reading unit, among the plurality of first reading units, that is closer than a predetermined value to the non-managed area reads the management object identification information and another first reading unit does not read the management object identification information, or when a second reading unit, among the plurality of second reading units, that is closer than a predetermined value to the non-managed area reads the management object identification information and another second reading unit does not read the management object identification information. The inventory management device according to claim 2.

7. a first reading step in which a first reading unit installed in a receiving area of ​​a base wirelessly reads management target identification information, which is identification information of the management target, from an information recording medium possessed by the management target at predetermined reading time intervals; a second reading step in which a second reading unit installed in a delivery area of ​​the base wirelessly reads the management target identification information from the information recording medium owned by the management target at every reading time interval; The storage / shipping management device determines that a read has occurred if at least one of a storage area read count, which is the number of times the first reading unit installed in the front storage area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time, and a shipping area read count, which is the number of times the second reading unit installed in the shipping area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time, is equal to or greater than a threshold value at each determination time interval that is longer than the read time interval, and determines that a read has occurred if the storage area read count and the shipping area read count are less than the threshold value, and determines that a read has not occurred and does not change the status. a determination step of performing a read determination process to determine that a read has been made and that the number of times the receiving area has been read is greater than the number of times the delivering area has been read, and a status determination process to determine that the status of the managed object is an entry to the base where the number of times the receiving area has been read, when it is determined that a read has been made in the read determination process and that the number of times the delivering area has been read is greater than the number of times the receiving area has been read, and to determine that the status of the managed object is an exit from the base where the number of times the delivering area has been read, when it is determined that a read has been made and that the number of times the delivering area has been read is greater than the number of times the receiving area has been read; A method for managing incoming and outgoing goods.

8. a receiving step of receiving the management target identification information read by a first reading unit, which is installed in an entrance area of ​​a base and reads, by wireless at predetermined intervals of reading time, management target identification information, which is identification information of the management target, from an information recording medium owned by the management target, and a second reading unit, which is installed in an exit area of ​​the base and reads, by wireless at the reading time intervals, the management target identification information from the information recording medium owned by the management target; At each determination time interval longer than the reading time interval, if at least one of the number of entry area reads, which is the number of times the first reading unit installed in the front entry area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time, and the number of delivery area reads, which is the number of times the second reading unit installed in the delivery area of ​​the base reads the management target identification information within a predetermined time, is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is determined that a read has occurred, and if the number of entry area reads and the number of delivery area reads are less than the threshold, it is determined that no read has occurred and therefore no status change has occurred. a determination step of performing a read determination process in which a read is made in the read determination process and the number of times the receiving area is read is greater than the number of times the delivering area is read, and a status determination process in which, when a read is made in the read determination process and the number of times the receiving area is read is greater than the number of times the delivering area is read, the status of the managed object is determined to be an entry into the base where the number of times the receiving area is read is obtained, and when a read is made in the read determination process and the number of times the delivering area is read is greater than the number of times the receiving area is read, the status of the managed object is determined to be an exit from the base where the number of times the delivering area is read is obtained; A method for managing incoming and outgoing goods.

9. Computer, A program for causing the incoming / outgoing management device according to any one of claims 2 to 6 to function as such.

Images