Item management device, program, and item management system

Abstract

To provide an article management device, a program, and an article management system for realizing display capable of easily visually recognizing a management situation of an article.SOLUTION: An article management device 30 provided in an article management system 100 comprises: a registration unit (control unit 31) for associating information written in an IC chip 112 of an RFID tag 11 attached to an article 10 being a management object with an image related to the article 10, and registering it as registration information; an acquisition unit (control unit 31) for acquiring the information written in the IC chip 112 of the RFID tag 11 attached to the article 10; a generation unit (control unit 31) for generating the image related to the article 10 in which the article 10 whose information written in the IC chip 112 can be acquired and the article 10 whose information written in the IC chip 112 cannot be acquired are discriminated from each other, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; and a display control unit (control unit 31) for displaying the image generated by the generation unit on a display unit 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an item management device, a program, and an item management system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an item management system that uses a wireless authentication technology called RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification).

[0003] In relation to this, Patent Document 1 describes a management device that reads management information from an RFID tag attached to paper media or electronic media, and manages the lending, return status, location, or frequency and time of use of paper media or electronic media based on the read management information and pre-registered management information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-3318 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the lending and return status of paper and electronic media is simply displayed on the screen as "on loan" or "not yet loaned," making it difficult to visually recognize when there are a large number of media.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an item management device, a program, and an item management system that can realize a display that allows the management status of items to be visually recognized with ease. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the article management device of the invention described in claim 1 is: a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; Equipped with 、 The generating unit generates an image by combining a captured image of the article from which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and a processed captured image in which a captured image of the article from which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired is processed into a specific color. do.

[0009] Claim 2 The invention described in claim 1 to In the item management device described, a first determination unit that determines, when a predetermined time has elapsed, whether or not there is an article for which information written in the IC chip could not be acquired based on the registration information; When the first determination unit determines that there is an article for which the information written in the IC chip could not be acquired, the display control unit causes the display unit to display that effect. The article management device of the invention described in claim 3 is a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; a first determination unit that determines, when a predetermined time has been reached, whether or not there is an article for which information written in the IC chip could not be acquired based on the registration information; Equipped with When the first determination unit determines that there is an article for which the information written in the IC chip could not be acquired, the display control unit causes the display unit to display that effect.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is the article management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The registration unit registers the articles into a plurality of groups, a second determination unit that determines whether information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed by the acquisition unit has been acquired, When the second judgment unit determines that information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been obtained, the display control unit displays this on the display unit. The article management device of the invention described in claim 5 is a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; Equipped with The registration unit registers articles into a plurality of groups, A second determination unit is further provided for determining whether information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed by the acquisition unit has been acquired, When the second judgment unit determines that information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been obtained, the display control unit displays this on the display unit.

[0011] Claim 6 The invention described in claim 1 5 In the article management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The article is a tool.

[0012] Claim 7 The program described in Computer, a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; an acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; Function as 、 The generating unit generates an image by combining a captured image of the article from which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and a processed captured image in which a captured image of the article from which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired is processed into a specific color. do. The program according to claim 8 comprises: Computer, a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; an acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; a first determination unit that determines, when a predetermined time has been reached, whether or not there is an article for which the information written in the IC chip could not be acquired based on the registration information; Function as a When the first determination unit determines that there is an article for which the information written in the IC chip could not be acquired, the display control unit causes the display unit to display that effect. The program according to claim 9, Computer, a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; an acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; Function as a The registration unit registers articles into a plurality of groups, causing the computer to function as a second determination unit that determines whether information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed by the acquisition unit has been acquired; When the second judgment unit determines that information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been obtained, the display control unit displays this on the display unit.

[0013] Claim 10 The article management system described in An RFID tag attached to the item; A reader that reads information written in the IC chip of the RFID tag and transmits the information to an external device; The information is acquired from the reading device according to claim 1. 6 An article management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Equipped with The reading device includes a sheet antenna having a sheet-like shape, and the article is placed on the sheet antenna. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The article management device, the program, and the article management system of the present invention can realize a display that allows the article management status to be visually recognized easily. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an article management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 10 is a flowchart showing an article registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a color image of an article in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a white-filled image of an article in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 13 is an example of a correspondence table between item IDs, variables, item images, and Bitmaps. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a correspondence table between bitmaps, position coordinates, and magnifications. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an item management process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of an RFID reader according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] 11 is a diagram showing an example in which all articles are placed on a sheet antenna on a display screen in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8B] 11 is a diagram showing an example in which an article that is not placed on the sheet antenna is present on the display screen in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an item management process in Modification 1 of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an item management process in a second modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0017] (Inventory management system) An embodiment and a modification of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. First, Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of an item management system 100 of the present invention.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, an item management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes items 10a, 10b, 10c, etc. (hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as RFID tags 11a, 11b, 11c, etc.), an RFID reader 20 which is a reading device, and an item management device 30.

[0019] (RFID tag) The RFID tag 11a will be described below. Note that the configurations of the RFID tags 11b and 11c, etc. are the same as those of the RFID tag 11a, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0020] The RFID tag 11a is a passive RFID tag that does not incorporate a battery, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes an antenna unit 111a and an IC chip 112a. The antenna unit 111a receives a first radio wave RW1 transmitted from a sheet antenna 22 (described later) of the RFID reader 20. Then, the antenna unit 111a converts the received first radio wave RW1 into power and supplies the power to the IC chip 112a. The IC chip 112a has an internal memory that stores an item ID, which is a unique identification number, and upon receiving the first radio wave RW1, the IC chip 112a controls the antenna unit 111a to radially transmit a second radio wave RW2 including information on the item ID. The second radio wave RW2 is received by the RFID reader 20, which then transmits the received information on the item ID to the item management device 30.

[0021] (RFID reader) The RFID reader 20 includes a reader body 21 and a sheet antenna 22 that communicates with the RFID tag 11, and the reader body 21 and the sheet antenna 22 are connected by a communication cable 23. The communication cable 23 is, for example, a coaxial cable. The reader body 21 reads the information of the article ID from the second radio wave RW2 acquired by the sheet antenna 22. The reader main body 21 also includes a communication unit 211 that communicates with the article management device 30. The communication between the communication unit 211 and the article management device 30 is performed, for example, by USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication. Other communication methods may also be used for the communication between the communication unit 211 and the article management device 30. The sheet antenna 22 is, for example, rectangular (sheet-shaped) and is large enough to allow the article 10 to be placed on the sheet antenna 22. When the user uses the article 10, the user takes the article 10 placed on the sheet antenna 22 and returns the article 10 to the sheet antenna 22 after use. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the RFID reader 20 includes one sheet antenna 22. However, the RFID reader 20 may include a plurality of sheet antennas 22.

[0022] (article management device) The item management device 30 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a display unit 33, an operation reception unit 34, and a communication unit 35.

[0023] The control unit 31 is a part that controls the operation of the item management device 30, and specifically, is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and controls each part of the item management device 30 through cooperation between the CPU and the ROM expanded in the working area of ​​the RAM and a computer program stored in the memory unit 32. Furthermore, the control unit 31 associates information (item ID) written in the IC chip 112 of the RFID tag 111 provided on the item 10 to be managed with an image related to the item 10, and registers the information in the storage unit 32 as registration information. Here, the control unit 31 functions as a registration unit. The image related to the item 10 is a captured image and a processed captured image, which will be described in detail later. Furthermore, the control unit 31 acquires information (item ID) written in the IC chip 112 of the RFID tag 111 provided on the item 10 from the RFID reader 20. Here, the control unit 31 functions as an acquisition unit. Furthermore, the control unit 31 generates an image related to the article 10 in which the article 10 was able to acquire the information written in the IC chip 112 and the article 10 in which the information written in the IC chip 112 was not acquired based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information. Here, the control unit 31 functions as a generation unit. The image related to the article 10 in which the article 10 was able to acquire the information written in the IC chip 112 and the article 10 in which the information written in the IC chip 112 was not acquired (composite image 337 described later) is an image obtained by combining the captured image and the processed captured image. Furthermore, the control unit 31 causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on the display unit 33. Here, the control unit 31 functions as a display control unit. Furthermore, when a predetermined time has been reached, the control unit 31 determines, based on the registration information, whether there is any article 10 for which the information written in the IC chip 112 could not be acquired. Here, the control unit 31 functions as a first determination unit. The control unit 31 also determines whether the information written in the IC chip 112 of the article 10 that belongs to a group other than the group targeted for display by the acquisition unit has been acquired. Here, the control unit 31 functions as a second determination unit.

[0024] The storage unit 32 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a semiconductor memory, etc., and is a storage unit to which data and programs can be written and read. The storage unit 32 also stores a program 32a and the like. The programs 32a include various system programs executed by the control unit 31, application programs, and a management application program for managing the item 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a management application). The storage unit 32 also stores registration information. Specifically, the storage unit 32 stores the article ID of the RFID tag 11 provided on the article 10 to be managed in the article management system 100. The storage unit 32 also stores the captured image and processed captured image of the article 10, which are images related to the article 10, in association with the article ID.

[0025] The display unit 33 is configured with a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc. The display unit 33 displays various screens according to instructions of a display control signal input from the control unit 31.

[0026] The operation reception unit 34 includes, for example, a keyboard having character input keys, number input keys, and other keys associated with various functions, a pointing device such as a mouse, and the like, and receives operation input from a user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 31. Note that the operation reception unit 34 may be a touch panel or the like formed integrally with the display unit 33.

[0027] The communication unit 35 performs data communication with the RFID reader 20 and external devices using a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit 31. Specifically, the communication unit 35 is a communication interface having a communication IC (Integrated Circuit), a communication connector, and the like.

[0028] (Item registration processing) Next, a description will be given of an item registration process for registering an item 10 to be managed by a management application running in the item management device 30. The control unit 31 of the item management device 30 executes the item registration process shown in Fig. 2 when a predetermined condition is met (for example, when a registration screen (not shown) in the management application is displayed by the user).

[0029] In the article registration process, first, the control unit 31 of the article management device 30 accepts input of the article ID of the RFID tag 11 equipped on the article 10 to be managed, a color image which is a captured image of the article 10, and a whitened image which is a processed captured image via the operation reception unit 34 (step S1). The whitened image is an image in which the part of the captured image in which the article 10 is painted white is used. Here, Fig. 3A shows an example of a color image of a tool, which is the article 10. The color image of the article 10 is an image obtained by cutting out the part of the article 10 according to the shape of the article 10 from a captured image of the article 10. Also, Fig. 3B shows an example of a white-washed image of the tool, which is the article 10. The white-washed image of the article 10 is an image obtained by cutting out the part of the article 10 according to the shape of the article 10 from a captured image of the article 10, outline the outline of the article 10 with a solid line, and paint the inside white. Next, the control unit 31 associates the color image and the whitened image of the item 10 with the item ID of the item 10 received in step S1, and stores them in the storage unit 32 (step S2), thereby registering them as registration information. FIG. 4 shows an example of a correspondence table of item IDs, variables, color images or white-washed images of item 10, and bitmaps. Column A in FIG. 4 shows the correspondence between the background image used in the composite image 337 and the bitmap. In the example shown in FIG. 4, column B shows the white-washed image of a hammer with an item ID of "1111", its variables, and bitmap correspondence. Column C shows the color image of a hammer with an item ID of "1111", its variables, and bitmap correspondence. Column D shows the white-washed image of a wrench with an item ID of "2222", its variables, and bitmap correspondence. Column E shows the color image of a wrench with an item ID of "2222", its variables, and bitmap correspondence. Next, the control unit 31 receives settings of the position coordinates indicating the position of each of the color images or white-out images of the articles 10 in the composite image 337 and the magnification, stores the settings in the storage unit 32 (step S3), and ends this process. Fig. 5 shows an example of a correspondence table of bitmap, position coordinates, and magnification of the article 10. In the example shown in Fig. 5, column F shows the correspondence between the bitmap of a color image of a hammer, its position coordinates, and magnification, with the position coordinates being (0,0) and the magnification being 620,868. Column G shows the correspondence between the bitmap of a white-painted image of a hammer, its position coordinates, and magnification, with the position coordinates being (0,0) and the magnification being 620,868.

[0030] (Item management processing) Next, a description will be given of an article management process for displaying management status information of the article 10 to be managed by a management app running in the article management device 30. The control unit 31 of the article management device 30 executes the article management process shown in Fig. 6 when a predetermined condition is met (for example, when a setting screen 331 shown in Fig. 7 in the management app is displayed by the user).

[0031] In the article management process, first, the control unit 31 of the article management device 30 accepts settings of the RFID reader 20 by the user on the setting screen 331 via the operation acceptance unit 34 (step S11). For example, in a setting field 332 of a setting screen 331 shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 31 accepts a user's selection of a COM port (COMmunication Port) which is a communication port of the communication unit 35 to which the RFID reader 20 is connected. Furthermore, the control unit 31 accepts, in a setting field 333, a setting by the user of the output level of the first radio wave RW1 outputted by the sheet antenna 22 of the RFID reader 20 connected to the communication unit 35. The output level of the first radio wave RW1 may be set to a level that can be received by the article 10 placed on the sheet antenna 22. In addition, when the RFID reader 20 is equipped with multiple sheet antennas 22, the control unit 31 accepts a user selection in the setting field 334 as to which sheet antenna 22 the management status information, which is the presence or absence of an item 10 on the sheet antenna 22, is to be displayed. Furthermore, when the user presses the "Cancel" button 335, the control unit 31 closes the setting screen 331. Furthermore, when the user presses the "Next" button 336, the control unit 31 shifts the process to step S12.

[0032] Next, the control unit 31 acquires, from the sheet antenna 22 of the RFID reader 20 selected in the setting field 334 of the setting screen 331 in step S11, the article ID of the article 10 placed on the sheet antenna 22 (step S12). Next, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the item ID stored in the storage unit 32, that is, registered in the management application, has been acquired (step S13). For the article 10 for which the article ID has been acquired (step S13; YES), the control unit 31 acquires a color image of the article 10 associated with the article ID from the storage unit 32 (step S14). Furthermore, for an item 10 for which an item ID could not be acquired (step S13; NO), the control unit 31 acquires a whitened image of the item 10 associated with the item ID from the storage unit 32 (step S15). The control unit 31 performs steps S13 to S14 or step S15 for each of all item IDs registered in the management app. Next, the control unit 31 generates a composite image 337 shown in FIG. 8A or 8B by combining the color image of the item 10 acquired in step S14 and the white-painted image of the item 10 acquired in step S15, and displays it on the display unit 33 (step S16).

[0033] 8A and 8B show an example of a display screen 338 that displays a composite image 337. In the example shown in Fig. 8A and 8B, the articles 10a to 10e are tools. 8A shows an example in which all registered articles 10 are placed on the sheet antenna 22. In the example shown in Fig. 8A, color images of the articles 10a to 10e are displayed in the composite image 337. This is the case in which the article IDs of the articles 10a to 10e have been acquired in step S12, that is, the articles 10a to 10e are placed on the sheet antenna 22. 8B shows an example in which, among the registered articles 10, there is an article 10 that is not placed on the sheet antenna 22. In the example shown in FIG. 8B, a white-painted image of the article 10a is displayed in the composite image 337. This is a case in which the article ID of the article 10a cannot be acquired in step S12, that is, the article 10a is not placed on the sheet antenna 22. Furthermore, color images of the articles 10b to 10e are displayed in the composite image 337. This is a case in which the article IDs of the articles 10b to 10e have been acquired in step S12, that is, the articles 10b to 10e are placed on the sheet antenna 22. 4. Moreover, the background image in FIGS. 8A and 8B is “bmpBack” shown in column A of FIG. Moreover, the item 10a in the example shown in Figures 8A and 8B is a hammer. That is, in the example shown in Figure 8A, the image of the item 10a is "bmpHammerColor" in column F of Figure 5, the position coordinates are (0,0), and the magnification is 620,868. Moreover, in the example shown in Figure 8B, the image of the item 10a is "bmpHammerWhiteout" in column G of Figure 5, the position coordinates are (0,0), and the magnification is 620,868. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, for items 10 that are not placed on the sheet antenna 22, a white image is displayed, and for items 10 that are placed on the sheet antenna 22, a color image is displayed, so that the user can easily visually recognize the management status of the items 10 placed on the sheet antenna 22.

[0034] Here, it is preferable that the magnification of the article 10 in the composite image 337 is set to a size ratio of the actual article 10. This allows the user to easily visually recognize whether or not each article 10 is placed on the sheet antenna 22.

[0035] Next, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the management application has been terminated by the user (step S17). If the management application is not terminated (step S17; NO), the control unit 31 waits for a predetermined time (step S18) and transitions the process to step S12. That is, the management status information is updated and displayed on the display unit 33 until the management application is terminated. Moreover, if the management application is terminated (step S17; YES), the control unit 31 terminates this process.

[0036] (Variation 1) Next, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described. 9 is a flowchart showing an item management process of this modified example. The following mainly describes the differences from the above embodiment. The configuration of the item management system 100 of this modified example is the same as that of the item management system 100 of the above embodiment.

[0037] In the article management process of this modified example, first, the control unit 31 of the article management device 30 performs steps S21 to S26 similar to steps S11 to S16 of the article management process of the above embodiment. Next, the control unit 31 judges whether or not a predetermined time, which is a preset time, has been reached (step S27). Here, the preset time may be set to the closing time of the workplace, for example, when the article management system 100 is installed in the workplace of a worker who uses the article 10. If the predetermined time has arrived (step S27; YES), the control unit 31 determines whether or not there is any item ID that could not be acquired in step S22 among the item IDs registered in the management application (step S28). If there is an item ID that could not be obtained among the registered item IDs, that is, if there is an item 10 that has not been returned on the sheet antenna 22 (step S28; YES), the control unit 31 displays on the display unit 33 that there is an item 10 that has not been returned (step S29) and transitions the process to step S30.

[0038] Furthermore, if there are no registered item IDs that could not be obtained, that is, if all registered items 10 have been returned onto the sheet antenna 22 (step S28; NO), the control unit 31 transitions the process to step S30. Moreover, if the predetermined time has not been reached (step S27; NO), the control unit 31 shifts the process to step S30. Next, the control unit 31 performs steps S30 and S31 similar to steps S17 and S18 of the item management process of the above embodiment, and ends this process.

[0039] In the above-described present modified example, when the set time arrives, a message indicating that there is an item 10 that has not been returned is displayed on the sheet antenna 22, thereby preventing the user from forgetting to return the item 10.

[0040] (Variation 2) Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described. The following will focus on the differences from the above embodiment. In the item management system 100 of this modified example, the RFID reader 20 includes a plurality of sheet antennas 22 . Furthermore, in the article registration process of this modified example, the control unit 31 groups the article IDs of the articles 10 placed on each sheet antenna 22 and the color images and whitened images of the articles 10 for each sheet antenna 22, and stores them in the storage unit 32. That is, the articles are registered for each group as registration information. Specifically, for example, in a factory, sheet antennas 22 are installed on assembly lines A, B, C, etc., and for each sheet antenna 22, the item ID of the item 10 and a color image and a whitened image of the item 10 are grouped and registered. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an item management process according to this modified example.

[0041] In the article management process of this modified example, first, the control unit 31 of the article management device 30 executes steps S41 and S42 similar to steps S11 and S12 of the article management process of the above embodiment. Next, the control unit 31 sets the sheet antenna 22 of the RFID reader 20 selected in the setting field 334 of the setting screen 331 in step S41 as the sheet antenna 22 to be displayed, and determines in step S42 whether or not the item IDs belonging to the group of items 10 placed on the sheet antenna 22, i.e., the group to be displayed, have been obtained (step S43). Next, the control unit 31 performs steps S44 and S45 similar to steps S14 and S15 of the item management processing of the above embodiment. The control unit 31 performs steps S43 to S44 or step S45 for all item IDs belonging to the group to be displayed. Next, the control unit 31 determines whether or not an item ID belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed in step S42 has been acquired (step S46). If an item ID belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed is acquired, that is, if an item 10 belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been mistakenly placed on the sheet antenna 22 to be displayed (step S46; YES), the control unit 31 displays on the display unit 33 that an item 10 belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been mistakenly placed on the sheet antenna 22 to be displayed (step S47). Next, the control unit 31 performs steps S48 to S50 similar to steps S16 to S18 of the goods management process of the above embodiment.

[0042] Moreover, when an item ID belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed is not acquired (step S46; NO), the control unit 31 shifts the process to step S48.

[0043] In the above-described modified example, if an item 10 belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed is mistakenly placed on the sheet antenna 22 to be displayed, a message to that effect is displayed so that the user can notice that the item 10 has been returned to the wrong location.

[0044] (effect) The item management device 30 provided in the item management system 100 described above in the above embodiment includes a registration unit (control unit 31) that associates information (item ID) written in the IC chip 112 of the RFID tag 11 provided on the item 10 to be managed with an image related to the item 10 and registers it as registration information, an acquisition unit (control unit 31) that acquires the information written in the IC chip 112 of the RFID tag 11 provided on the item 10, a generation unit (control unit 31) that generates an image (synthetic image 337) related to the item 10 from which the information written in the IC chip 112 was acquired and the information written in the IC chip 112 was not acquired based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information, and a display control unit (control unit 31) that displays the image generated by the generation unit on the display unit 33. Therefore, a display that allows the management status of the items to be visually recognized easily can be realized.

[0045] In addition, in the item management device 30 provided in the item management system 100 described in the above embodiment, the generation unit generates an image that is a composite of an image captured of an item 10 from which the information written in the IC chip 112 could be obtained and a processed image in which an image captured of an item 10 from which the information written in the IC chip 112 could not be obtained is processed into a specific color. Therefore, for items 10 that are not placed on the sheet antenna 22, a white image is displayed, and for items 10 that are placed on the sheet antenna 22, a color image is displayed, so that the user can easily visually recognize the management status of the items 10 placed on the sheet antenna 22.

[0046] In addition, the item management device 30 provided in the item management system 100 described in the above embodiment has a first judgment unit (control unit 31) that judges, when a specified time is reached, based on the registration information, whether there is an item 10 for which the information written in the IC chip 112 could not be obtained, and when the first judgment unit judges that there is an item 10 for which the information written in the IC chip 112 could not be obtained, the display control unit displays this on the display unit 33. Therefore, when the set time arrives, a message indicating that there is an item 10 that has not been returned is displayed on the sheet antenna 22, thereby preventing the user from forgetting to return the item 10.

[0047] Furthermore, in the item management device 30 provided in the item management system 100 described in the above embodiment, the registration unit registers the items 10 into multiple groups, and is provided with a second judgment unit (control unit 31) that judges whether information written in the IC chip 112 of an item 10 belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed by the acquisition unit has been acquired, and when the second judgment unit judges that information written in the IC chip 112 of an item 10 belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been acquired, the display control unit displays this on the display unit 33. Therefore, if an item 10 belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed is mistakenly placed on the sheet antenna 22 to be displayed, this fact is displayed so that the user can notice that the item 10 has been returned to the wrong location.

[0048] In the article management device 30 included in the article management system 100 described in the above embodiment, the article 10 is a tool. Therefore, a display that allows the tool management status to be visually recognized easily can be realized.

[0049] Furthermore, the item management system 100 described in the above embodiment comprises an RFID tag 11 attached to an item 10, a reading device (RFID reader 20) that reads information written in the IC chip 112 of the RFID tag 11 and transmits the information to an external device, and an item management device 30 that acquires information from the reading device, and the reading device comprises a sheet antenna 22 having a sheet-like shape, and the item 10 is placed on the sheet antenna 22. Therefore, the RFID reader 20 can easily read the item ID of the item 10 .

[0050] As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] For example, in step S1 of the item registration process in the above embodiment, the control unit 31 of the item management device 30 accepts input of the item ID of the RFID tag 11 provided on the item 10 to be managed, and a color image and a whitened image of the item 10 via the operation reception unit 34, but this is not limited to this. Instead of accepting input of the color image and whitened image of the item 10, an image of the item 10 may be accepted, and the control unit 31 may generate a color image and a whitened image from the image. In addition, the processed captured image is a white-washed image, but is not limited to this. It may be an image processed by cutting out the part of the article 10 according to the shape of the article 10 in the captured image of the article 10, outlining the outline of the article 10 with a solid line, and painting the inside of the cutout with another color. In addition, in the processed captured image, the solid line outlining the outline of the article 10 may be omitted. In addition, in the item registration process, instead of the color image as the captured image and the whitened image as the processed captured image, another image may be registered in association with the item ID. The other image may be any image that allows easy visual identification of an item 10 for which an item ID can be obtained and an item 10 for which an item ID cannot be obtained.

[0052] The item management system 100 may also include a control device that controls one or more item management devices 30. The item management devices 30 transmit management status information indicating whether an item 10 is on or off the sheet antenna 22 of the RFID reader 20 to the control device via the communication unit 35. The control device displays the management status information received from each item management device 30 on a display unit included in the control device. This makes it possible to collectively recognize management status information of the items 10 managed by multiple item management devices 30.

[0053] In addition, in the above embodiment and modified examples, the article 10 is a tool, but this is not limited thereto. The article 10 may be anything that can be equipped with an RFID tag 11. Specifically, the article 10 may be a part, a medical instrument, or the like.

[0054] In addition, in the above embodiment and modified examples, the sheet antenna 22 of the RFID reader 20 is sheet-shaped, and the article 10 can be placed on the sheet antenna 22, but this is not limited thereto. The shape of the sheet antenna 22 may be other than a sheet shape, and if the article 10 cannot be placed on the sheet antenna 22, the article 10 may be placed within a predetermined distance from the sheet antenna 22. The predetermined distance may be a distance at which the first radio wave RW1 and the second radio wave RW2 can be transmitted and received between the article 10 and the sheet antenna 22.

[0055] Furthermore, in step S29 of the item management process in the first modified example of the above embodiment, if there is an item ID that could not be acquired among the registered item IDs, that is, if there is an item 10 that has not been returned on the sheet antenna 22, the control unit 31 displays on the display unit 33 that there is an item 10 that has not been returned. Here, it may also be configured to notify the administrator of the item management system 100 that there is an item 10 that has not been returned. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100 Inventory Management System 10 Goods 11, 11a to 11c RFID tags 111a~111c Antenna section 112a~112c IC chip 20 RFID reader (reading device) 21 Reader body 211 Communications Department 22 Sheet Antenna 23 Communication Cables 30 Article management device 31 Control unit (registration unit, acquisition unit, generation unit, display control unit, first judgment unit, second judgment unit, computer) 32 Storage section 32a Program 33 Display section 34 Operation reception section 35 Communications Department

Claims

1. a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; Equipped with The generation unit is an item management device that generates an image by combining an image captured of the item from which the information written in the IC chip could be obtained and a processed image captured of the item from which the information written in the IC chip could not be obtained, and processed the image captured of the item from which the information written in the IC chip could not be obtained into a specific color.

2. a first determination unit that determines, when a predetermined time has elapsed, based on the registration information, whether there is an article for which information written in the IC chip could not be acquired; The item management device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit, when the first judgment unit determines that there is an item for which information written in the IC chip cannot be obtained, displays that fact on the display unit.

3. A registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item to be managed with an image related to the item and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; a first determination unit that determines, when a predetermined time has been reached, whether or not there is an article for which information written in the IC chip could not be acquired based on the registration information; Equipped with The display control unit is an item management device that, when the first judgment unit determines that there is an item for which information written in the IC chip could not be obtained, displays that fact on the display unit.

4. The registration unit registers articles into a plurality of groups, a second determination unit that determines whether information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed by the acquisition unit has been acquired, The item management device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit, when the second judgment unit determines that information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been obtained, displays that fact on the display unit.

5. A registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item to be managed with an image related to the item and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; Equipped with The registration unit registers articles into a plurality of groups, a second determination unit that determines whether information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed by the acquisition unit has been acquired, The display control unit is an item management device that, when the second judgment unit determines that information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been obtained, displays this fact on the display unit.

6. The article management device according to claim 1 , wherein the article is a tool.

7. Computer, a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; Function as a The generation unit is a program that generates an image by combining an image captured of the item from which the information written in the IC chip could be obtained and an image captured of the item from which the information written in the IC chip could not be obtained, and a processed image in which the image captured of the item from which the information written in the IC chip could not be obtained is processed into a specific color.

8. A computer comprising: a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; a first determination unit that determines, when a predetermined time has been reached, whether or not there is an article for which the information written in the IC chip could not be acquired based on the registration information; Function as a The display control unit is a program that, when the first judgment unit judges that there is an item for which the information written in the IC chip could not be obtained, displays that fact on the display unit.

9. A computer comprising: a registration unit that associates information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag provided on an item to be managed with an image related to the item, and registers the information as registration information; An acquisition unit that acquires information written in an IC chip of an RFID tag attached to an item; a generation unit that generates an image related to the article, which is identified as the article for which the information written in the IC chip can be acquired and the article for which the information written in the IC chip cannot be acquired, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the registration information; a display control unit that causes the image generated by the generation unit to be displayed on a display unit; Function as a The registration unit registers articles into a plurality of groups, causing the computer to function as a second determination unit that determines whether information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed by the acquisition unit has been acquired; The display control unit is a program that, when the second judgment unit determines that information written in the IC chip of an item belonging to a group other than the group to be displayed has been obtained, displays this fact on the display unit.

10. An RFID tag attached to an item; A reader that reads information written in the IC chip of the RFID tag and transmits the information to an external device; The article management device according to claim 1 , which acquires the information from the reading device; Equipped with The reading device is equipped with a sheet antenna having a sheet-like shape, and the item is placed on the sheet antenna.

Images