Inventory management system, inventory management method

Abstract

To improve the accuracy of tracking product storage locations. [Solution] The container is provided with multiple openings capable of accommodating tagged articles. The device includes an acquisition unit that acquires reading results from readers positioned at locations corresponding to each of these openings, indicating that the tags of the articles stored in the openings have been read; an operation opening acquisition unit that acquires detection results for operation openings, indicating which opening of the container the operation of the article is directed to; an accommodation opening determination unit that determines whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading results matches the acquired operation opening; and an estimation unit that estimates which opening the article is stored in, based on the determination results.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an article management system and an article management method.

Background Art

[0002] In a warehouse, a large number of products are stored in shelves and storage containers. When the products are received, they are put into shelves, storage containers, etc., and when they are shipped, the necessary products are picked up from the place where the products are stored. At least one of a barcode or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is attached to the products managed in the warehouse, and the storage location and the products are associated with each other. Thus, it is possible to grasp where the products are stored. In order to grasp the relationship between the storage location and the articles, an RFID tag is attached to the articles, an RFID reader is provided on the shelf where the articles are stored, and based on the result of reading the RFID tag by the RFID reader, a system is provided for managing which articles are stored on the shelf (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, in a system for managing products, a sensor is provided at the opening of a storage container having a plurality of frontages, the position where an operation of putting a product into the frontage is performed is detected, and by recognizing which frontage the product has been put into based on the detected position, there is also a system for managing which frontage the product is stored in.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when a sensor detects which opening of a container has been operated, the product may be placed in an opening different from the one that was operated. For example, depending on the operator's hand movements and the product's orientation, the product may be mistakenly placed in a different opening after the operated opening has been detected by the sensor. Also, even if the opening operated by the operator matches the opening in which the product is placed, depending on the way the product is placed in the opening, if the product overlaps and spills into an adjacent opening, the product may be placed in a different opening. In such cases, the opening where the operation was detected does not match the opening where the product is stored, which reduces the accuracy of determining the product's storage location.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an item management system and an item management method that can improve the accuracy of knowing the storage location of goods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is an article management system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a reading result of the tags of articles stored in an opening from a reader that reads at a position corresponding to each of the openings of a container provided with a plurality of openings capable of accommodating articles with tags attached; an operation opening acquisition unit that acquires a detection result of an operation opening that has been detected to determine which opening of the container the article is being operated on; an accommodation opening determination unit that determines whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result matches the acquired operation opening; and an estimation unit that estimates which opening the article is stored in according to the determination result.

[0007] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a computer-based article management method, which includes obtaining a reading result from a reader that reads at a position corresponding to each of the openings of a container having multiple openings capable of accommodating tagged articles, obtaining a detection result of an operation opening that indicates which opening of the container the article is being operated on, determining whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result matches the obtained operation opening, and estimating which opening the article is contained in according to the determination result. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As explained above, this invention makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determining the storage location of goods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a warehouse workspace viewed from above, to which an item management system according to one embodiment of this invention is applied. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the spatial relationship between sensor SE and container CN. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view representing the container CN. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing container CN viewed from above in a plan view. [Figure 5] This is a schematic system configuration diagram showing the configuration of the inventory management system S. [Figure 6] This is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating the functions of the inventory management device 1. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the item management device 1 when an item receiving operation is performed. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of item storage data stored in the memory unit 102. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the item management device 1 when managing read data. [Figure 10] This is a view showing the container CN when viewed from the side. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the article management device 1 when managing read data. [Figure 12] This is a view showing the relationship among the frontage designation data, the operation data, and the tag read data for the same tag ID. [Figure 13] This is a view showing an example of a screen representing the frontage accommodated on the product inquiry screen according to the degree. [Figure 14] This is a view showing another example of a screen representing the frontage accommodated on the product inquiry screen according to the degree.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an article management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a work space of a warehouse to which an article management system according to an embodiment of this invention is applied, as viewed from above. In the warehouse, operations performed by the operator OP include warehousing, picking, and inventory taking. Warehousing is an operation of storing a product at any frontage of a shelf. Picking is an operation of taking out a product from any frontage of a container. Inventory taking is a process of reading the tag identification information (hereinafter, tag ID) of each RFID tag attached to each product stored on the shelf and collating it with a product list registered as inventory. Here, the case of article management when a warehousing operation is performed in the work space will be described. Also, the case where the article is a product will be described, but it may not be a product, and for example, it may be a collection in an art museum or a museum.

[0011] A workbench SD2 is arranged near the workbench SD1. Near the center in the longitudinal direction of the workbench SD1, a container CN into which the goods to be stored are placed is mounted, and a screen SC is installed at a position adjacent to the container CN. The projector PJ is provided above the workbench SD1 (for example, on the ceiling or wall surface, etc.), and projects various images based on the video signal supplied from the upper device (for example, the upper system 2 described later). The projected images are, for example, information for assisting the operations related to warehousing performed by the operator OP, and there are an operation instruction list, a guide image for guiding the frontage of the operation target, etc. The operation instruction list may include the name of the product to be operated, the number of the products to be operated, the operation content, etc. The operation content may include frontage designation information for designating the frontage of the opening into which the product is to be inserted. The projector PJ may project the operation instruction list on the screen SC and project the guide image onto the frontage of the operation target of the container CN.

[0012] The screen SC displays the images projected from the projector PJ. The screen SC may be installed on the workbench SD1, but instead of installing the screen SC, at least a part of the upper surface of the workbench SD1 may be used as the screen SC by directly projecting the projector PJ onto a part of the upper surface of the workbench SD1.

[0013] The container CN has an area on its inner peripheral side that can accommodate goods. The position and orientation of the container CN installed on the workbench SD1 are predetermined, and the operator OP installs the container CN for warehousing on the workbench SD1 according to the determined position and orientation. On the side surface of the container CN, a barcode for individually identifying the container is attached. The attachment of the barcode may be carried out by attaching a printed medium with the barcode printed thereon to the container CN via an adhesive, or by attaching an electronic paper displaying the barcode to the container CN. Also, the barcode may be directly printed on the container CN for attachment.

[0014] Container CN is divided into multiple areas by partition plates PP on its inner circumference. These divided areas are also called openings. In this example, container CN is divided into two vertically and two horizontally when viewed from above, forming a total of four openings. The number of divisions in container CN can be any number; for example, depending on the size of the container and the size of the goods to be placed inside, the number of divisions may be three (three openings), or it may be five or more (five or more openings). Because the position and orientation of the container CN relative to the workbench SD1 are predetermined, the projector PJ can project a guide image onto the area of ​​the container CN corresponding to the opening into which the product W will be inserted, while preventing the projection of a guide image onto openings that are not intended for insertion. Alternatively, the position and orientation of the container CN installed on the workbench SD1 may be detected, and the target opening may be determined based on the detection result, and a guide image may be projected accordingly. In this way, the projector PJ can individually project guide images onto the openings into which the product will be inserted, among the multiple openings.

[0015] The barcode scanner BS1 reads the barcode attached to container CN, which is placed on the workbench SD1.

[0016] Workbench SD2 is where the goods W to be stored in container CN are placed. Workbench SD2 is where the goods W are placed before being received into storage.

[0017] Product W is accompanied by a barcode and an RFID tag. The barcode represents product identification information that individually identifies product W. The RFID tag stores the product identification information. The barcode may be attached by attaching a printed medium with the barcode to the bag or case containing product W using an adhesive. The RFID tag may be attached to the bag or case containing product W using an adhesive, or it may be connected to product W via a string-like component. The product identification information of the barcode attached to a single product and the product identification information stored in the RFID tag are either the same or correspond to each other.

[0018] The work leader RW is located near the workbench SD2 and reads the RFID tag attached to the product W being processed at position P1. Position P1 is set to be one of the locations along the path taken by the worker OP from picking up the product W from the workbench SD2 to placing it into the opening for processing. At position P1, the RFID tag of product W is read by the work leader RW, allowing for individual detection of which product W is being placed into the opening before it is placed in container CN.

[0019] Worker OP stands near workbenches SD1 and SD2 and performs tasks related to receiving goods. These tasks include, for example, taking product W from workbench SD2, reading the RFID tag attached to product W with work reader RW, and then placing the read product W into one of the openings of container CN. Here, the operator (OP) may decide which opening to use for input, or the higher-level system (2) may determine which opening to use based on the product identification information read by the work leader (RW). Based on the decision, the input target mark (TG) is projected onto the input target opening by the projector (PJ). Here, the operator (OP) understands that product W should be input into the opening where the input target mark (TG) is projected, and inputs the product according to that mark (TG). As a result, product W is placed into the opening of container (CN). Here, the work details are projected onto the screen SC. The worker OP can then check the work details projected onto the screen SC before placing the product W into the opening.

[0020] The sensor SE is installed above the workbench SD1 and detects which opening the worker OP used to place the product W into the container CN based on the worker OP's actions toward the opening, and outputs the ID of the target opening according to the detection result. Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the arrangement of sensor SE and container CN. This diagram shows container CN viewed from above in a plan view. The detection area DA of the sensor SE is set to surround the outer perimeter of the container CN. When it is detected that any of the items W, the worker OP's hand, the worker OP's arm, etc. have touched any position within this detection area DA, the sensor SE determines the detected coordinates within the detection area DA and, based on the position indicated by those coordinates, detects which opening was operated on. Here, rule data representing the correspondence between the detected position within the detection area DA and the opening identification information (hereinafter referred to as opening ID) is pre-stored in the sensor SE or the storage unit 102. By referring to this rule data, the sensor SE can recognize the target opening ID corresponding to the detected position. For example, if the sensor SE detects that an operation has been performed on position Pm1, it detects that the operation is on opening M1, and if it detects that an operation has been performed on position Pm2, it detects that the operation is on opening M2.

[0021] The sensor SE may use, for example, a laser sensor, a 3D sensor, or the like. The laser sensor irradiates laser light in both the vertical and horizontal directions of the surface represented by the detection area DA, and detects, in both the vertical and horizontal directions, the position where the light reflected from an object that has entered the detection area DA was first received, thereby recognizing the position manipulated by the operator OP. The 3D sensor sets a certain spatial threshold, and when it detects that an object has come into contact with that threshold, it recognizes the position manipulated by the operator (OP) based on the detected position.

[0022] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the container CN and the read gate GA. Container CN is divided by partition plates PP, creating four openings: openings M1, M2, M3, and M4. The side panels, base panels, and partition panels (PP, etc.) of the container CN may be made of materials that transmit electromagnetic waves (e.g., plastic) or materials that do not transmit electromagnetic waves (e.g., metal). Alternatively, the side panels, base panels, and partition panels (PP, etc.) may be made of materials that transmit electromagnetic waves, with materials that do not transmit electromagnetic waves attached to them to prevent electromagnetic wave transmission. The reading gate GA is composed of a ceiling portion GAa and side portions GAb and GAc that extend from the end of the ceiling portion GAa. The reading gate GA can be moved relative to the container CN by passing through an opening, which is the space between the opposing side portions GAb and GAc. Tag readers RE1, RE2, RE3, and RE4 are installed on the lower surface SU of the ceiling section GAa. Tag leaders RE1 and RE3 are positioned spaced apart along the direction of movement DI in which container CN moves relative to it, and tag leaders RE2 and RE4 are also positioned spaced apart. Tag leaders RE1 and RE2, and tag leaders RE3 and RE4 are positioned spaced apart from each other in directions perpendicular to the direction of movement DI in which container CN moves relative to it. These tag readers RE1, RE2, RE3, and RE4 are positioned at locations corresponding to each opening M1, M2, M3, and M4 of the container CN as it passes through. Furthermore, it is predetermined which side of the container CN should pass through the reading gate GA. As a result, when the center of the container CN reaches approximately the center in the transport direction of the container CN, the reading gate GA can read the tags from opening M1 by tag reader RE1, opening M2 by tag reader RE2, opening M3 by tag reader RE3, and opening M4 by tag reader RE4. Whether the center of container CN has reached approximately the center of the reading gate GA in the direction of transport of container CN may be detected by a position sensor or the like. Based on the timing detected by the position sensor, each tag reader (tag reader RE1, tag reader RE2, tag reader RE3, tag reader RE4) may perform a read. Alternatively, when the center of container CN reaches the reading position of the reading gate GA, the operator OP may press a button or the like to instruct the reader to perform the read. Such a reading gate GA may be installed, for example, on one end of the workbench SD1 in the longitudinal direction. This allows the container CN to be transported along the main surface of the workbench SD1 to the reading gate GA and passed through once the loading of goods W into the container CN is complete. Furthermore, while this explanation describes the case where each tag reader is installed on a reading gate GA, each tag reader may be supported by a shape other than a gate, as long as it is supported in a way that allows it to read from a corresponding opening among the multiple openings of the container CN. For example, each tag reader may be mounted on the top surface of a box-shaped enclosure with a door that can be opened and closed on the side. In this case, each tag reader may perform a read when the door is opened, the container CN to be read is placed inside the box-shaped enclosure, and the closing of the door is detected.

[0023] Figure 4 is a top-down, plan view of the arrangement between the container CN and each tag reader when the center of the container CN reaches approximately the center of the reading gate GA in the transport direction of the container CN. Each tag reader is assigned its own unique reader identification information (hereinafter referred to as "reader ID"). Tag reader RE1 is assigned "A01", tag reader RE2 is assigned "A02", tag reader RE3 is assigned "A03", and tag reader RE4 is assigned "A04". When the center of container CN reaches approximately the center of the reading gate GA in the transport direction of container CN, each tag reader can read the RFID tag at a position corresponding to each opening of container CN. That is, tag reader RE1 reads the RFID tag at opening M1. Tag reader RE2 reads the RFID tag at opening M2. Tag reader RE3 reads the RFID tag at opening M3. Tag reader RE4 reads the RFID tag at opening M4. This makes it possible to determine which tag reader read the RFID tag, and thus identify which opening the RFID tag was placed in. Furthermore, each tag reader RE1, RE2, RE3, and RE4 transmits to the item management device 1 the tag ID obtained from the RFID tag it read, the received signal strength (RSSI) when it received the tag ID from the RFID, and the reader ID assigned to itself as the reading result.

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic system configuration diagram showing the configuration of the inventory management system S. The item management system S includes an item management device 1, a higher-level system 2, a barcode scanner BS1, a container CN, tag readers RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4, a sensor SE, a projector PJ, a screen SC, a work reader RW, and a network NW.

[0025] The network (NW) includes at least one of wired or wireless connections.

[0026] The item management device 1 is connected to the higher-level system 2, barcode scanner BS1, tag reader RE1, tag reader RE2, tag reader RE3, tag reader RE4, sensor SE, projector PJ, and work reader RW via a network NW, enabling communication between them.

[0027] The higher-level system 2 transmits to the warehouse managed by the inventory management device 1 information such as receiving information (information about goods being received) and shipping information (information about goods being shipped from the warehouse) to the inventory management device 1. The higher-level system 2 also transmits, for example, an operation instruction list to the inventory management device 1. When the higher-level system 2 receives product order data from an external transaction server, it generates an operation instruction list based on the order data, which lists the products to be shipped out of the warehouse, and transmits it to the inventory management device 1. In addition, when the higher-level system 2 receives receiving data from an external transaction server, which indicates that goods have been delivered from the manufacturer, it generates an operation instruction list based on the receiving data, which lists the products to be received and placed on shelves, and transmits it to the inventory management device 1.

[0028] The barcode scanner BS1 reads the barcode attached to the container CN and transmits the result to the item management device 1 via the network NW. Tag readers RE1, RE2, RE3, and RE4 each transmit the reading result corresponding to the RFID tag they have read to the item management device 1 via the network NW.

[0029] The sensor SE detects the operator OP's movements and transmits the target doorway ID based on the detection result to the item management device 1 via the network NW.

[0030] The projector PJ projects operation instruction lists, guide images, etc., based on instructions from the higher-level system 2. The work leader RW transmits the RFID tag reading results to the item management device 1 via the network NW.

[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the functions of the item management device 1. The item management device 1 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, a doorway designation information output unit 103, an acquisition unit 104, an extraction unit 105, an operation doorway acquisition unit 106, a storage doorway determination unit 107, an estimation unit 108, a data management unit 109, and a control unit 110. The communication unit 101 communicates with the upper-level system 2, barcode scanner BS1, tag reader RE1, tag reader RE2, tag reader RE3, tag reader RE4, sensor SE, projector PJ, and work reader RW via the network NW.

[0032] The storage unit 102 stores various types of data. The storage unit 102 is composed of a storage medium, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access read / write Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or any combination of these storage media. For example, non-volatile memory can be used for this storage unit 102.

[0033] The opening designation information output unit 103 outputs opening designation information that specifies which opening of the object to be stored in is understandable to the worker handling the item. The opening designation information output unit 103 may output the opening designation information by displaying it on a display screen such as a display or tablet terminal, by projecting the opening designation information using a projector, or by transmitting the opening designation information to another device. The opening specification information output unit 103 outputs opening specification information by projecting a guide image using a projector PJ so that it overlaps with the opening of the target to be loaded, and displays in a different manner from the other openings of the container CN. As for the different display manner, the image may be projected so that it overlaps with the opening of the target to be loaded and no image is projected onto openings that are not the target to be loaded, or an image that makes the opening of the target to be loaded brighter and a darker image than the opening of the other openings to be loaded. Furthermore, the opening specification information output unit 103 only needs to be able to output opening specification information. For example, it may project an image representing which opening the object to be loaded is on the screen SC, or on the workbench SD1, onto the area opposite the screen SC to the container CN, along with the identification information assigned to the opening, or an image representing the opening of the object to be loaded. Furthermore, when the width specification information output unit 103 displays width specification information on a display, the display may be installed in a position near the workbench SD1 where it can be seen by the worker OP.

[0034] Here, the opening specification information may be generated by the opening specification information output unit 103 selecting the opening to accommodate the goods and generating the information based on that selection result, or the opening specification information may be generated in the higher-level system 2 and transmitted from the higher-level system 2 to the opening specification information output unit 103.

[0035] The method for generating frontage specification information may be based on arbitrary rules. For example, it may be specified based on one of the following methods (1) to (3). The method to be followed may be predetermined.

[0036] (1) Prioritize selecting openings that do not currently contain goods as targets for input. In this case, the concentration of multiple items in one opening compared to other openings is reduced, making it easier to identify which item to retrieve from a given opening when the target opening is specified during retrieval. For example, if only one item is stored in an opening, only that one item needs to be retrieved. Therefore, for the operator, once the target opening is determined, it is also clear which item to retrieve, making retrieval easier. Furthermore, even if there are multiple items in an opening, they are distributed among the openings, minimizing the number of items stored in a single opening and narrowing down the options for selecting items from that opening.

[0037] (2) Identify based on the attribute information of the goods already stored in the entrance and the attribute information of the goods to be stored there. In this case, the opening designation information output unit 103 refers to the item storage data stored in the storage unit 102 to identify the items already stored in each opening of the container CN based on their tag IDs, identifies the attribute information of the items corresponding to the identified tag IDs by referring to the product data stored in the storage unit 102, and identifies the attribute information of the items to be stored by referring to the product data stored in the storage unit 102. The opening designation information output unit 103 may then select items of the same category to be placed in the same opening, even if there are differences in other items such as product number or size, based on the attribute information of the items already stored in the opening and the attribute information of the items to be stored. Furthermore, if a product whose attribute information includes an expiration date is stored in a particular opening, the opening designation information output unit 103 may select to store the product to be put in next in the same opening if the expiration date of that product is within a certain period. Alternatively, if there is little correlation between the attribute information of the product currently stored in an opening and the attribute information of the product to be put in next, the opening designation information output unit 103 may select to store the product in a different opening (for example, an open opening).

[0038] (3) Identify based on the shipping frequency of goods already stored in the storefront and the shipping frequency of the goods to be stored therein. Shipping frequency refers to the number of times goods have been shipped in a certain period in the past (e.g., one month, three months, etc.). The opening designation information output unit 103 selects the opening to be used if the value indicating the shipping frequency of goods already stored in that opening falls within a predetermined range, and selects a different opening if the value indicating the shipping frequency of the goods to be stored falls within that range. The control unit 110 may calculate such shipping frequencies for each product when the aggregation period arrives and store them in the storage unit 102. In this embodiment, the case where the opening to which the product W will be placed is specified when receiving the product, but the opening may be selected arbitrarily by the worker OP without specifying an opening. In this case, the worker OP only needs to decide which of the multiple openings of the container CN can accommodate the product W picked up from the workbench SD2. For example, the worker OP may determine which opening has sufficient volume to accommodate the product W and place it into the opening corresponding to that determination. Even if the worker OP determines the opening to which the product W will be placed and places it in, the relationship between the opening to which the product is placed can be understood by associating the opening to which the product is placed (operation target opening ID) detected by the sensor SE with the result read by the tag reader and storing it in that association. When the worker OP arbitrarily selects an opening to place the product, the opening specification information output unit 103 does not need to output the opening specification information via a display or projector. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a display or projector for outputting the opening specification information.

[0039] The acquisition unit 104 acquires the reading results of the tags of the items stored in the openings from readers that are read at positions corresponding to each opening of a container that has multiple openings capable of accommodating items with tags attached.

[0040] The extraction unit 105 extracts the reading results of the reader that received the signal with an RSSI (Received Signal Strength, hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "Received Strength") greater than a predetermined first reference value from among the multiple readers. The first reference value may be predetermined according to the reception intensity obtained when each RFID tag is read by the tag reader while the RFID tags are placed in an opening where the tag reader is installed. More specifically, the first reference value may be determined according to the reception intensity at which the RFID tag can be read with a reception intensity sufficient to estimate that a product is placed in the opening that the tag reader is reading. In other words, if the reception intensity is lower than the first reference value, it can be said that the RFID tag may be placed in an adjacent opening. The extraction unit 105 extracts the reading result of the reader with the highest received signal strength when there are multiple readers that have received signals with a received signal strength greater than the first reference value. The extraction unit 105 extracts the reading results of a predetermined number of readers from among the plurality of readers, in order from the one with the strongest received signal.

[0041] The operation opening acquisition unit 106 acquires an operation target opening ID from the sensor SE, which indicates the detection result of the operation opening for which the operation of the item is being performed on one of the openings of the container.

[0042] The storage opening determination unit 107 determines whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result matches the acquired operating opening. The storage opening determination unit 107 determines whether the opening based on the reading results extracted by the extraction unit 105 matches the acquired operating opening when the tag ID of the RFID tag attached to the product is acquired from multiple different tag readers based on the results acquired by the acquisition unit 104.

[0043] Furthermore, if the difference in reception intensity of the extracted reading results is greater than or equal to a predetermined second reference value, the accommodation opening determination unit 107 determines whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result with the greatest reception intensity matches the acquired operating opening. The accommodation opening determination unit 107 determines whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result matches the acquired operating opening and the opening based on the opening specification information.

[0044] The estimation unit 108 estimates which opening the item was placed in, based on the determination result. The estimation unit 108 estimates that an item is stored in the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result if the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result does not match the acquired operating opening. The estimation unit 108 estimates that an item is contained in the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result with the strongest reception intensity if the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result with the strongest reception intensity does not match the acquired operating opening. The estimation unit 108 estimates that the acquired operating opening is the opening into which the item was stored if the difference in reception intensity of the extracted reading results is less than the second reference value.

[0045] The data management unit 109 performs various operations such as writing to and reading data from the storage unit 102.

[0046] The communication unit 101, the entrance designation information output unit 103, the acquisition unit 104, the extraction unit 105, the operation entrance acquisition unit 106, the entrance capacity determination unit 107, the estimation unit 108, the data management unit 109, and the control unit 110 may be composed of a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated electronic circuit. Furthermore, the item management device 1 may be a physical server, or at least one of the functions provided in the item management device 1 may be provided on a server device connected to the item management device 1 via a communication network. In this case, the server device may be a physical server or a cloud server provided by a cloud computing service.

[0047] ≪In stock≫ <Preparation stage> When an operation related to receiving goods is performed, multiple goods to be received are transported from an external source and placed on the workbench SD2. Furthermore, a list of operation instructions for sorting and placing the multiple goods placed on the workbench SD2 into the openings of the container CN is generated in the higher-level system 2 and transmitted to the goods management device 1.

[0048] 〈Receiving operation〉 Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the item management device 1 when an item receiving operation is performed. The communication unit 101 of the inventory management device 1 receives a list of operation instructions related to receiving inventory from the higher-level system 2.

[0049] When the inventory management device 1 receives a list of operation instructions related to receiving goods, it executes processing based on the goods received. Operator OP places the container CN to be received onto the workbench SD1. The container CN placed on the workbench may be empty with no goods W inside, or it may already contain some goods W. When adding goods W to a container CN that already contains goods W, the new goods W can be added to any available space in the opening of the container CN where additional goods W can be added. When container CN is placed on workbench SD1, barcode scanner BS1 reads the barcode attached to container CN and transmits the container identification information (hereinafter referred to as container ID) represented by the barcode to item management device 1. The data management unit 109 of item management device 1 acquires the container ID (step S101) and stores it in storage unit 102 as the container ID of container CN to be received. Operator OP picks up one item from among several items placed on the workbench SD2 and brings the RFID tag of the picked-up item close to the work reader RW, allowing the work reader RW to read the tag ID stored in the RFID tag. The work reader RW reads the tag ID from the RFID tag that has been brought within reading distance and transmits it to the item management device 1. The acquisition unit 104 of the item management device 1 acquires the tag ID (step S102).

[0050] The opening designation information output unit 103 reads the opening designation information corresponding to the tag ID of the RFID tag read by the work reader RW from the storage unit 102 and projects a guide image onto the opening of the container CN into which the goods will be inserted using the projector PJ (step S103). In this case, the guide image is projected onto one of the four openings of the container CN into which the goods W will be inserted. This allows worker OP to confirm that after the RFID tag has been read by the work leader RW, the product W should be placed into the opening onto which the guide image is projected, and the product can then be inserted into that opening.

[0051] Operator OP carries product W while holding it to the vicinity of the opening onto which the guide image is projected, and then places product W into the opening to secure it. The sensor SE detects the operator OP's action of placing the product into the opening, detects the position where the hand holding the product was inserted (the opened opening that was operated), and detects the operated opening ID that indicates which opening corresponds to the detected position (step S105). The sensor SE transmits the detected operated opening ID to the item management device 1.

[0052] When the data management unit 109 of the item management device 1 receives the target opening ID transmitted from the sensor SE via the communication unit 101, it stores the opening ID and the tag ID obtained in step S102 together with the container ID of the container CN as item storage data in the storage unit 102 (step S106). Here, Figure 8 shows an example of item storage data stored in the storage unit 102. Item storage data is data that associates container ID, operation data, and tag reading data. Operation data includes the target entry point ID and tag ID. Tag reading data includes the entry point ID and tag ID. Here, operation data is written when an operation is detected by the sensor SE. For example, if product W with tag ID "T01" is placed into container ID "C001", and the sensor SE detects that the target opening ID is "M1", then the target opening ID "M1" and tag ID "T01" are stored in association with container ID "C001".

[0053] In this receiving operation, after placing container CN on workbench SD1, multiple items W placed on workbench SD2 can be sequentially loaded into the opening of container CN. Each time an item W is loaded, the processes from steps S102 to S106 described above are executed, and operation data from the item storage data is sequentially written. Then, once a certain number of goods W have been placed into container CN, the container CN is moved from workbench SD1 to another location, and a new container CN is placed on workbench SD1. Then, the process from step S101 described above is executed on the newly installed container CN.

[0054] ≪Data Management: When using the first reference value≫ Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the item management device 1 when managing read data. This process is executed each time a container CN passes through the read gate GA. Operator OP transports the containers CN after the loading process is complete, passing them through the reading gate GA. Here, the barcode attached to the container CN is read by the barcode scanner BS1, allowing the operator to identify which container CN should be read by the reading gate GA. When the center of container CN reaches approximately the center of the reading gate GA in the transport direction of container CN, each tag reader of the reading gate GA reads an RFID tag (step S201), and transmits the read tag ID, its reception strength, and the reader ID as the reading result to the item management device 1. The acquisition unit 104 of the item management device 1 acquires the reading results transmitted from each tag reader (step S202).

[0055] The acquisition unit 104 determines whether there is a difference between the tag ID included in the acquired reading result and the tag ID that has already been read in the previous step (step S203). If there is no difference (step S203-NO), the process proceeds to step S201 after a certain waiting time has elapsed. If there is no difference, it indicates that no new product W has been put into the opening. For example, if the worker OP has not put any new product W into the opening since the time when each tag reader last read the RFID tag, the tag ID of the RFID tag of the product already stored in the opening will be read, and since the same ID as the tag ID obtained by at least one of the tag readers during the previous reading will be read, it is determined that there is no difference.

[0056] On the other hand, if there is a difference (step S203-YES), the acquisition unit 104 extracts the reading result including the tag ID that represents the difference. Here, if worker OP puts a new product W into the opening after the time when each tag reader last read the RFID tag, the tag ID of the RFID tag attached to this newly put-in product W is extracted. Here, a single tag ID may be read by one tag reader, but it may also be read by multiple tag readers.

[0057] Here, Figure 10 shows a view of container CN from the side. This figure shows the view from the side where tag readers RE1 and RE2 are side by side. Preferably, the reading range of each tag reader (RE1, RE2 in this case) is defined to cover only the inner circumference of the opening of the object it is reading. However, depending on various conditions such as the specifications of the tag reader, the height and material of the partition plate PP, and the relative position of the tag reader to the container CN, a portion of the reading range may extend into an adjacent opening. For example, a portion of the reading range of tag reader RE1 may extend into a portion of opening M2. Similarly, a portion of the reading range of tag reader RE2 may extend into a portion of opening M1. In such cases, even if the RFID tag with tag ID "T01" is placed in opening M1, tag ID "T01" may be read by both tag reader RE1 and tag reader RE2. In addition, there are cases where RFID tags located in adjacent or nearby openings to the opening being read by the tag reader may be read, such as when a portion of the reading range of tag reader RE1 extends into opening M3 or opening M4, or when a portion of the reading range of tag reader RE3 extends into at least one of openings M1, M2, or M4.

[0058] Returning to Figure 9, the extraction unit 105 extracts reading results that include a received intensity greater than the first reference value from the reading results, which include the difference tag ID acquired by the acquisition unit 104 (step S204). The storage opening determination unit 107 determines, based on the extraction results from the extraction unit 105, whether or not only one reading result was extracted for a single tag ID (step S205). If only one result was extracted (step S205-YES), it identifies the opening corresponding to the reader ID included in the extracted reading data (step S206). For example, if the received signal strength when tag reader RE1 reads tag ID "T01" is "○○ dBm", and the received signal strength when tag reader RE2 reads tag ID "T01" is "×× dBm", and tag reader RE1 is the one that was able to read the tag ID above the first reference value, then because the received signal strength value of tag reader RE1 is stronger than that of tag reader RE2, it can be estimated that the IC tag with tag ID "T01" is contained in the opening M1 that tag reader RE1 is reading. The data management unit 109 associates the extracted read data with the identified entryway ID and stores it as tag read data in the item storage data of the storage unit 102. Here, the tag ID included in the tag read data may be associated with the tag ID included in the operation data and stored accordingly. For example, as shown by reference numeral 80 in Figure 8, the tag ID in the operation data may be associated with the tag ID included in the tag read data and stored accordingly. Then, the accommodation opening determination unit 107 compares the operated target opening ID with the opening ID identified based on the extracted read data (step S207).

[0059] The accommodation opening determination unit 107 determines whether the opening IDs match in the matching result (step S208). If the opening IDs match (step S208-YES), the estimation unit 108 estimates that the manipulated opening ID is correct (step S209). For example, in the item storage data shown in Figure 8, reference numeral 80, the operation target entrance ID detected by the sensor SE and the entrance ID read by the tag reader match in the operation data and tag reading data where the same tag ID is obtained. In this case, it can be estimated that product W is stored in the operated entrance. This means that instead of simply identifying the entrance where the product is stored based on the sensor SE's detection result (operation target entrance ID), the accuracy of determining the storage location of the product can be improved by referring to the tag reader's detection result as well, and basing the determination on the tag reader's detection result and the sensor SE's detection result.

[0060] In this case, the data management unit 109 may leave the records used for verification among the item storage data stored in the storage unit 102 as they are without updating them, or it may add data indicating that the determination result of the entrance ID in step S208 matched, or the result of which was determined to be correct (for example, code 81), to the record and store it.

[0061] On the other hand, if the openings do not match (step S208-NO), the estimation unit 108 estimates that the opening ID corresponding to the reader ID included in the reading result detected by the tag reader is correct (step S210). For example, in the item storage data shown in Figure 8, reference numeral 82, the ID of the target opening detected by the sensor SE and the ID of the opening from which the RFID tag was read by the tag reader do not match in the operation data and tag reading data where the same tag ID is obtained. However, since the received signal strength read by the tag reader is at a level exceeding the first reference value, it can be estimated that there is a very high probability that product W is stored in the opening from which the RFID tag was read. In this case, it can be estimated that product W is stored in an opening other than the one that was operated on, so by considering the opening ID from which the RFID tag was read by the tag reader as correct, rather than the ID of the target opening that was operated on, the accuracy of determining the storage location of product W can be improved.

[0062] In this case, the data management unit 109 may update the record used for verification among the item storage data stored in the storage unit 102, indicating that product W is stored in the opening indicated by the opening ID from which the RFID tag was read by the tag reader (step S211). Alternatively, data indicating that the opening ID determination result in step S208 did not match, or the result of determining that the opening ID from which the RFID tag was read was correct (e.g., code 83), may be added to the record and stored.

[0063] On the other hand, if there is more than one extracted tag ID in step S205 (step S205-NO), the estimation unit 108 estimates that the manipulated entrance ID is positive (step S209). In this case, if the number of tag IDs extracted in step S211 is 0, it means that no tag reader has obtained a reception strength equal to or greater than the first threshold value. Therefore, the probability that product W is contained in the opening where the RFID tag was read is not necessarily at a sufficient level, so the target opening ID is set to positive. In this case, it may be difficult to distinguish whether the reception strength is reduced because a large number of products are contained in the opening, even though the tag reader in the opening where the product is contained is reading it, or because part of product W is made of metal, even though the tag reader in the opening where the product is contained is reading it, or whether the tag ID of the RFID tag of a product contained in an adjacent opening is being read. Therefore, by setting the target opening ID to positive, the accuracy of determining the storage location of product W is less likely to decrease.

[0064] Furthermore, in step S205, there may be cases where two or more read data are obtained for a single tag ID, or where no data is obtained at all. In such cases, the manipulated entrance ID is determined to be correct (step S209). One example of a case where two or more read data can be obtained for a single tag ID is when a single RFID tag is read by multiple tag readers, and each tag reader obtains a reception strength of at least the first reference value (see, for example, Figure 8, reference numeral 84). More specifically, if a large number of goods are already stored in at least one of the adjacent openings, and these goods are stacked up to a height near the top edge of the PP divider, and a newly inserted product is placed on top of the already inserted products, the PP divider may not adequately block the reading. In this case, it is possible that the RFID tag of the product in question will be read by each tag reader in the adjacent opening with a reception strength of at least the first reference value. In addition, in cases where no results are obtained, it may be because a reading result containing the difference tag ID was extracted, but the received strength was below the first threshold value. In these cases, it is difficult to determine which of the corresponding entry points the product W is stored in based solely on the tag reader's reading; therefore, the entry point ID that was manipulated is considered correct (Figure 8, reference numeral 85). This helps to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of determining the storage location of product W.

[0065] In this way, by managing data using received signal strength, it is possible to estimate the location of products with RFID tags attached, taking into account not only the target entrance ID detected by the sensor SE, but also the entrance where the RFID tag is located.

[0066] ≪Data Management: When using the second reference value≫ Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the item management device 1 when managing read data. This process is executed each time a container CN passes through the read gate GA. Each tag reader reads the RFID tags at the opening of the container CN passing through (step S301), and transmits the read tag ID, its reception strength, and the reader ID to the item management device 1 as the reading result. The acquisition unit 104 of the item management device 1 acquires the reading results transmitted from each tag reader (step S302).

[0067] The acquisition unit 104 determines whether there is a difference between the acquired reading result and the tag IDs that have already been read in previous steps (step S303). If there is no difference (step S303-NO), the process proceeds to step S301 after a certain waiting time has elapsed. In this case, if the operator OP has not placed any new product W into the opening since the last time each tag reader read an RFID tag, the tag ID of the RFID tag of a product already placed in the opening will be read. Since the same ID as the tag ID obtained by at least one of the tag readers during the previous reading will be read, it will be determined that there is no difference.

[0068] On the other hand, if there is a difference (step S303-YES), the acquisition unit 104 acquires the reading result including the tag ID that represents the difference.

[0069] The extraction unit 105 determines whether the reading result obtained as a difference has been obtained from multiple tag readers (step S304). If reading results have been obtained from multiple tag readers (step S304-YES), it extracts the two reading results from the top in order of highest received signal strength (step S305). Here, a single tag ID may be read by one tag reader, or it may be read by multiple tag readers. If a single tag ID has been obtained by multiple tag readers, the two with the highest received signal strengths are obtained.

[0070] The storage opening determination unit 107 determines, based on the extraction result from the extraction unit 105, whether the difference in reception intensity between the two extracted reading results is within a second reference value (step S306). If it is within the second reference value (step S306-YES), it estimates that the target opening ID is positive (step S310). In this case, since the reception intensity between the two extracted reading results is within the second reference value and there is no difference large enough to distinguish which opening the RFID tag is stored in, the target opening ID is prioritized over the tag reading result and is considered positive.

[0071] On the other hand, in step S306, if the difference in reception intensity between the two extracted reading results is not within the second reference value (step S306-NO), i.e., exceeds the second reference value, the reading result with the higher reception intensity among the two extracted reading results is selected. The accommodation opening determination unit 107 identifies the opening corresponding to the reader ID included in the reading data extracted by the extraction unit 105 (step S307).

[0072] Then, the storage opening determination unit 107 compares the operated opening ID with the opening ID identified based on the extracted read data (step S308).

[0073] The storage opening determination unit 107 determines whether the opening IDs match in the matching result (step S309). If the opening IDs match (step S309-YES), the estimation unit 108 estimates that the operated opening ID is correct (step S310). In other words, even if one RFID tag is read by multiple tag readers, there is a difference in reception strength sufficient to distinguish which opening the RFID tag is stored in, making it possible to identify the opening in which the product with the read tag ID is stored. Furthermore, since the target opening ID detected by the sensor SE matches the opening ID from which the RFID tag was read by the tag reader, it can be estimated that product W is stored in the operated opening. This improves the accuracy of determining the storage location of the product by not only identifying the opening in which the product is stored based on the sensor SE's detection result (target opening ID), but also by referring to the tag reader's detection result to determine which opening the product is actually stored in, and by combining the tag reader's detection result with the sensor SE's detection result. In this case, the data management unit 109 may leave the records used for verification among the item storage data stored in the storage unit 102 as they are without updating them, or it may add data indicating that the determination result of the entrance ID in step S309 matched, or the result of which was determined to be correct, to the record and store it.

[0074] On the other hand, if the openings do not match (step S309-NO), the estimation unit 108 estimates that the opening ID corresponding to the reader ID included in the reading result detected by the tag reader is correct (step S311). In other words, the door ID detected by the sensor SE does not match the door ID read by the tag reader when the RFID tag is scanned. However, the tag reader's reading results show a difference in signal strength sufficient to distinguish which door the RFID tag is stored in. Therefore, it can be estimated that there is a very high probability that product W is stored in the door read by the tag reader. In this case, since it can be estimated that the product is stored in a different door than the one that was operated on, the accuracy of determining the storage location of product W can be improved by considering the door ID read by the tag reader as correct, rather than the door ID of the door that was operated on. In this case, the data management unit 109 may also update the record used for verification among the item storage data stored in the storage unit 102, indicating that product W is stored in the opening indicated by the opening ID from which the RFID tag was read by the tag reader. Alternatively, data indicating that the opening ID determination result in step S309 did not match, or the result that the opening ID from which the RFID tag was read was determined to be correct, may be added to the record and stored.

[0075] On the other hand, if a reading result is obtained from one tag reader in step S304 (step S304-NO), the process proceeds to step S308, where the target entrance ID is compared with the entrance ID identified based on the read data. The subsequent processing is the same as steps S309 and onward described above.

[0076] In the embodiment described above, the storage opening determination unit 107 estimates the opening into which the goods are stored based on the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result and the acquired operating opening. However, it may also estimate the opening based on the opening specification data. For example, the storage opening determination unit 107 may determine whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result, the acquired operating opening, and the opening based on the opening specification data match. Figure 12 shows the relationship between the entry point specification data, operation data, and tag reading data for the same tag ID. The storage opening determination unit 107 determines that it has made a successful determination if the openings match in the opening specification data, operation data, and tag reading data, and can use the target opening ID as correct (reference numeral 120). The storage opening determination unit 107 can use the tag reading data as correct if only the target opening ID differs between the opening specification data, the operation data, and the tag reading data. In this case, it is possible that the product was stored in an opening other than the one that was operated on due to an input error or the like (reference numeral 121). The storage opening determination unit 107 may, if only the tag reading data differs from the opening specification data and the operation data, determine which opening to consider correct based on the received strength of the tag reading data (reference numeral 122). If the received strength is greater than a predetermined standard value, the tag reading data may be considered correct; if it is less than the predetermined standard value, the operation data may be considered correct. The storage opening determination unit 107 can use the operation data as correct if, among the opening specification data, operation data, and tag reading data, only the opening specification data is different. In this case, it is possible that the operation was performed on an opening different from the opening specified by the opening specification data, and that the goods were stored in the operated opening (reference numeral 123).

[0077] The storage opening determination unit 107 can use either the operation data or the tag reading data as the correct one if the opening specified in the opening designation data, the operation data, and the tag reading data all indicate different openings. In this case, it is possible that the product was stored in an opening that was operated on and read by the tag reader, and that the operation was performed on an opening different from the opening specified in the opening designation data (reference numeral 123). Alternatively, as described above, the unit may determine which opening to consider as correct based on the reception strength of the tag reading data. If the reception strength is greater than a predetermined standard value, the tag reading data may be considered correct; if it is less than the predetermined standard value, the operation data may be considered correct.

[0078] Furthermore, the generated item storage data, as described above, can also be used in product inquiries to check which storefront an item is located at when verifying the status of incoming goods, checking items during picking, and checking items during inventory. In this case, the product inquiry result may be output assuming that the product is stored in the opening designated as "correct" based on the above processing, or the system may indicate which of the multiple openings the product is located in based on the combination of operation data and tag reading data. For example, Figure 13 shows an example of a screen in the product inquiry screen that displays the degree to which items are accommodated. Here, the case where the degree is expressed as a probability is illustrated. Here, it is shown that for a product with tag ID "T01", there is an 80% probability that it is located in opening M1 and a 20% probability that it is located in opening M2. For example, as in steps S210 and S311 above, if the openings do not match between the operation data and the tag reading data, but the opening obtained from the tag reader is deemed correct, the probability of the correct opening may be output as higher than the probability of the incorrect openings. This allows the product to be searched for starting with the opening with the highest probability, and if the product is not located in the opening with the highest probability, it is possible to find the product by searching for it in the opening with the lowest probability.

[0079] Figure 14 shows another example of a screen that displays the degree of the available space in the product inquiry screen. Here, the diagrams representing each space are shown in different display modes depending on the degree. For example, the openings with a high degree of occupancy may be displayed in a darker color, and the color may become lighter as the degree of occupancy decreases. In this diagram, which shows a container divided into 3 vertically and 4 horizontally, the degree of occupancy is highest at opening 140, followed by openings 141 and 142 in descending order. In this way, the item management device 1 displays on the display device, in a display manner corresponding to the degree of occupancy, which indicates which opening the item with the target tag ID is stored in, making it possible to intuitively understand which opening the item is stored in.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, even if the operated opening and the opening into which the goods are actually placed are different, this can be recorded as a log in the goods storage data. Therefore, even if the operator (OP) has placed the goods into the wrong opening, they do not need to correct the situation by rearranging the goods so that they are placed into the correct opening. This eliminates the man-hours required for rearranging, thus preventing an increase in the workload related to receiving operations. Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explained the case where the number of openings in the container CN is 4, any number of openings other than 4 is acceptable. In this case, tag readers corresponding to the number of openings may be provided on the top surface of the reading gate GA or box-shaped housing so that they are positioned at locations corresponding to the openings in the container CN.

[0081] The item management device 1 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented using a computer. In that case, the program for implementing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system that acts as a server or client in such a case. Furthermore, the above-mentioned program may be for implementing a part of the above-mentioned function, or it may be a program that can implement the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or it may be implemented using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0082] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Article management device 2. Higher-level system 101 Communications Department 102 Storage section 103 Frontage specification information output unit 104 Acquisition Department 105 Extraction part 106 Operation width acquisition unit 107 Enclosure width determination section 108 Estimation part 109 Data Management Department 110 Control Unit BS1 Barcode Scanner CN container NW Network PJ Projector RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4 Tag Leader RW Work Leader S Item Management System SC Screen SD1, SD2 Workbench SE Sensor W products

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires the reading result of the tags of items stored in an opening from readers that read at positions corresponding to each opening of a container that has multiple openings capable of accommodating items with tags attached, An operation width acquisition unit that acquires the detection result of the operation width detected to determine which opening of the container the operation of the article is performed on, A storage opening determination unit that determines whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result matches the acquired operating opening, An estimation unit that estimates which opening the article was housed in, based on the determination result. An item management system having

2. The system includes an extraction unit that extracts the reading results of readers that have received signals with a reception strength greater than a predetermined first reference value from among the plurality of readers. The storage opening determination unit determines whether the opening based on the reading results extracted by the extraction unit matches the acquired operating opening when tag identification information identifying the tag of the item is obtained from multiple different readers in the results obtained by the acquisition unit. The article management system according to claim 1.

3. The extraction unit extracts the reading result of the reader with the highest received signal strength when there are multiple readers that have received signals with a signal strength greater than the first reference value. The article management system according to claim 2.

4. The estimation unit, If the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result does not match the acquired operating opening, it is presumed that the item is contained in the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result. The article management system according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. The system has an extraction unit that extracts the reading results of a predetermined number of readers from among the multiple readers, in order from the one with the strongest received signal. The aforementioned accommodation opening determination unit is, If the difference in reception intensity of the extracted reading results is equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference value, it is determined whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result with the greatest reception intensity matches the acquired operating opening. The article management system according to claim 3.

6. The estimation unit, If the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result with the highest received signal strength does not match the acquired operating opening, It is presumed that the item is housed in the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result with the highest received signal strength. The article management system according to claim 5.

7. The estimation unit, If the difference in reception intensity of the extracted reading results is less than the second reference value, the acquired operating opening is presumed to be the opening into which the article was stored. The article management system according to claim 5 or claim 6.

8. The system has an output unit that outputs opening designation information, which specifies which opening of the object containing the said article is to be stored, in a manner that can be understood by the worker operating the said article. The aforementioned accommodation opening determination unit is, It is determined whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result, the acquired operating opening, and the opening based on the opening specification information match. The article management system according to claim 1.

9. A method of managing items by computer, A container has multiple openings capable of accommodating tagged items, and a reader is positioned at each of these openings to read the tags of the items stored in the openings. The detection result of the detected operating opening is obtained to determine which opening of the container the operation of the article is performed on. It is determined whether the opening corresponding to the reader based on the reading result matches the acquired operating opening. Based on the above determination result, it is estimated which opening the item was placed in. A method of managing goods, including the following.

Images