Product management system, product management method, and product management program

JP7639520B2Active Publication Date: 2025-03-05TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021070366
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-04-19
Publication Date
2025-03-05
Estimated Expiration
2041-04-19

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

【0013】 上記の本発明の一つの実施の形態によれば、情報記憶媒体を用いた製品管理において、記憶媒体の破損を検出しつつ、製品の過不足の判定精度を向上させることができる。

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Abstract

To enhance determination accuracy for excess or deficiency of products while detecting breakage of a storage medium in product management using an information storage medium.SOLUTION: A product management system includes: a first reading unit which generates first identification information containing identification information, for identifying a product to be transported, read from a first information storage medium attached to the product; a second reading unit which generates second identification information containing the identification information and being read from the second information storage medium; an integration unit which generates integrated identification information obtained by extracting the identification information contained in at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information; an acquisition unit which acquires a transported product list containing the identification information of products being scheduled for transportation; a management unit which determines excess or deficiency of the products to be transported by comparing the transported product list and the integrated identification information; and a breakage determination unit which determines possibility of breakage of the first information storage medium and the second information storage medium by comparing the first identification information and the second identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product management system, a product management method, and a product management program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, product management using information storage media has become more common. By reading the information storage medium attached to a product or its packaging, the product can be identified and managed.

[0003] An example of an information storage medium is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier). A user can read information by scanning an RF tag having an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip that stores information with a dedicated reader. With RFID, multiple RF tags can be scanned simultaneously.

[0004] Furthermore, the information storage medium may be, for example, a code medium represented by a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, or a two-dimensional code such as a QR (Quick Response) code. A user can read the code with a camera or the like and read out the stored information.

[0005] Techniques relating to product management using storage media are disclosed in the following prior art documents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-95529 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-168544 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2006-027773 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, there are cases where a user fails to read information from an information storage medium. For example, because RFID uses radio waves to transmit and receive information between a dedicated reader, depending on the state of the radio waves or the situation of obstructions, the reader may not be able to properly receive the radio waves, and the user may fail to obtain the information.

[0008] In addition, since the code medium obtains information from images captured by a camera, depending on the surrounding brightness, shadows from other objects, and shooting angle, it may not be possible to obtain an appropriate image, resulting in failure to obtain information.

[0009] In addition, information storage media may become damaged, making it impossible to read information. For example, the IC chip in an RF tag may be damaged by heat or by bending due to pressure. Code media may also be damaged by dirt or rubbing.

[0010] In product management, for example, when a user is unable to read product information due to some reason, it is difficult for the user to determine whether the product is in short supply or whether the product is not in short supply but the information has failed to be read. In such a case, the user may mistakenly determine that the product is in short supply when in fact there is no shortage.

[0011] Therefore, one disclosure provides a product management system, a product management method, and a product management program that improve the accuracy of determining whether a product is insufficient or insufficient while detecting damage to an information storage medium in product management using the information storage medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The system includes a first reading unit that generates first identification information including identification information for identifying a product read from a first information storage medium attached to the product to be transported, a second reading unit that generates second identification information including the identification information read from a second information storage medium attached to the product, an integration unit that generates integrated identification information by extracting the identification information included in at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information, an acquisition unit that acquires a list of products to be transported including the identification information of products to be transported, a management unit that compares the list of products to be transported with the integrated identification information and determines whether there is a surplus or shortage of products to be transported, and a damage determination unit that compares the first identification information with the second identification information and determines the possibility of damage to the first information storage medium and the second information storage medium. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention described above, in product management using an information storage medium, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether a product is insufficient or excessive, while detecting any damage to the storage medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a product management system 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the product management system 1. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the product management system 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a product management process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing examples of the code identification information L1, the RF identification information L2, and the integrated identification information L3. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flowchart of the excess / deficiency determination process S23. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the integrated identification information L3, the transported product list L4, and the surplus / shortage determination result. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the information storage medium damage determination process S25. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the RF identification information L2, the code identification information L1, and the determination result of the information storage medium damage determination process S25. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] [First embodiment] A first embodiment will be described.

[0016] <Product management system 1 configuration example> 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a product management system 1. The product management system 1 has a management device 100 and a gate 200. The product management system 1 is a system that executes a product management process in which a plurality of products T1 to be managed, collected at a predetermined location, are compared with a product list describing identification information (identification code that uniquely identifies the product) of the products to be collected, to determine whether there is any surplus or deficiency, and to detect any damage to the information storage media M1-M4 attached to the products T1.

[0017] Product T1 has information storage media M1-M4, which store the identification information of each product, attached (attached) to the packaging or the product itself. Although not shown, each of the other products T1 in FIG. 1 also has an information storage medium attached.

[0018] The information storage media M1 to M4 are, for example, media (integrated media) in which two types of storage media are integrated. The integrated medium is, for example, an RF tag (first information storage medium) with a code of a code medium (second information storage medium) such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) printed on the surface (back side of the affixed surface) of the RF tag. The RF tag and the code medium each store product identification information. A user can obtain the product identification information by reading information from any of the information storage media of the integrated medium.

[0019] The information storage media M1 to M4 do not necessarily have to be integrated together, and the RF tag and the code medium may be attached in different locations.

[0020] Gate 200 is a gate through which collected product T1 passes (enters or leaves the warehouse). Gate 200 includes cameras 210-1 to 3 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as cameras 210) and RFID readers 220-1 to 3 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as RFID readers 220). Gate 200 is connected to management device 100 and communicates with it. Gate 200 transmits image data captured by camera 210 and product information read by RFID reader 220 to management device 100.

[0021] The camera 210 is an imaging device that captures images of multiple products T1 located at a predetermined position. The camera 210 captures image data of multiple products T1 located within a predetermined range. The camera 210 captures images of the product T1 from multiple directions and acquires image data of the information storage media M1-M4 attached to the product. The camera 210 captures images, for example, constantly (at short time intervals, for example, one second). The camera 210 may also start capturing images when it detects that the product T1 is located near the gate 200, for example, by a user's instruction or a sensor.

[0022] The RFID reader 220 reads product information from the RF tag of the information storage media M1 to M4 of the product T1 located near the gate 200. For example, if the RF tag is a passive tag, the RFID reader 220 transmits radio waves to the RF tag and waits for the radio waves returned from the RF tag. The RFID reader 220 receives radio waves from the RF tag and acquires the product identification information stored in the RF tag. If the RF tag is an active tab or semi-active tab that transmits radio waves using its own battery as a power source, the RFID reader 220 waits for the radio waves transmitted from the RF tag and acquires the product identification information stored in the RF tag by receiving the radio waves transmitted by the RF tag.

[0023] The management device 100 is a device that performs product management, and is, for example, a computer or a server machine. The management device 100 acquires image data captured by a camera 210 and product identification information read by an RFID reader 220 from a gate 200. The management device 100 also acquires a transported product list from a device (not shown) that manages the transported product list, which includes identification information of the products to be transported.

[0024] The management device 100 reads the code medium from the acquired image data and acquires the identification information. The management device 100 compares the identification information acquired from the code medium, the identification information read by the RFID reader 220, and the identification information in the transported product management list, and determines whether there is a shortage or surplus of products, damage to the information storage medium, etc.

[0025] <Example of hardware configuration for product management system> 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the product management system 1. The product management system 1 includes a management device 100 and a gate 200.

[0026] The management device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a storage 120, a memory 130, and a display 160.

[0027] The storage 120 is an auxiliary storage device that stores programs and data, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage 120 stores a product management program 121 and a data acquisition program 122.

[0028] The memory 130 is an area into which the programs stored in the storage 120 are loaded. The memory 130 may also be used as an area in which the programs store data.

[0029] The CPU 110 is a processor that loads a program stored in the storage 120 into the memory 130, executes the loaded program, configures each unit, and executes each process.

[0030] The display 160 is a display unit that displays images and videos. The display 160 is, for example, a liquid crystal or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence). The display 160 displays, for example, the result of the excess / shortage judgment and the damage state of the information storage medium.

[0031] The CPU 110 performs product management processing by executing the product management program 121. The product management processing is processing for determining whether the amount of transported products is excessive or insufficient, and for determining whether the information storage medium is damaged.

[0032] The CPU 110 performs data acquisition processing by executing the data acquisition program 122. The data acquisition processing is, for example, processing of communicating with the gate 200 and acquiring image data captured by the camera 210 and identification information read by the RFID reader 220. In addition, the data acquisition processing device is, for example, processing of communicating with a device that manages a transported product list and acquiring the transported product list.

[0033] The gate 200 includes a camera 210 and an RFID reader 220 .

[0034] Camera 210 is an imaging device that captures images of products under gate 200 (near the gate). One or more cameras 210 are installed. Furthermore, camera 210 does not necessarily have to be in contact with gate 200. Camera 210 may be installed, for example, at a position a predetermined distance away from gate 200 and capture images of the area around gate 200, including gate 200.

[0035] The RFID reader 220 is a device that receives radio waves transmitted (replying) from an RF tag of an information storage medium attached to a product, and acquires the identification information stored in the RF tag. The RFID reader 220 may be a type that is built into the gate 200, or may be a handheld type.

[0036] <Example of software configuration for product management system> 3 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the product management system 1. The product management system 1 has an imaging unit (second reader) 10, an RFID reader (first reader) 20, and a product management unit (management unit, first reader, integrating unit, damage determination unit, acquisition unit) 30.

[0037] The photographing unit 10 photographs a product and generates image data. The photographing unit 10 is, for example, a camera 210. The photographing unit 10 passes the photographed image data to the product management unit 30.

[0038] The RFID reading unit 20 reads out identification information from an RF tag attached to a product. The RFID reading unit 20 is, for example, an RFID reader 220. The RFID reading unit 20 passes the read out identification information to the product management unit 30. Hereinafter, the identification information read out from the RF tag by the RFID reading unit 20 may be referred to as RF identification information (first identification information).

[0039] The product management unit 30 is a processing unit that manages products. The product management unit 30 has a code reading unit (second reading unit) 31, an information integration unit (integration unit) 32, a product excess / shortage determination unit (management unit) 33, and an information storage medium damage determination unit (damage determination unit) 34.

[0040] The code reading unit 31 detects the code medium from the image data captured by the photographing unit 10, reads the code, and acquires the product identification information. Hereinafter, the identification information read by the code reading unit 31 from the image data captured by the photographing unit 10 may be referred to as code identification information (second identification information).

[0041] The information integration unit 32 generates integrated identification information by integrating the identification information included in the RF identification information and the code identification information. The integrated identification information is a list of identification information included in at least one of the RF identification information and the code identification information, and stores overlapping identification information as a single piece of identification information.

[0042] The product surplus / shortage determination unit 33 determines whether there is a surplus or shortage of products to be transported based on the integrated identification information and the transported product list. The transported product list is a list of identification information for products to be transported (scheduled to be transported), and is obtained, for example, in advance from a device that manages the transported product list, or when the surplus / shortage determination process is executed. Hereinafter, the identification information included in the transported product list may be referred to as list identification information.

[0043] The information storage medium damage determination unit 34 determines whether or not the information storage medium is damaged based on the RF identification information and the code identification information.

[0044] The product management unit 30, the code reading unit 31, the information integration unit 32, the product surplus / shortage determination unit 33, and the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 are constructed, for example, by the CPU 110 of the management device 100 executing a loaded program. The photographing unit 10 is, for example, a camera 210. The photographing unit 10 is constructed, for example, by the CPU 110 of the management device 100 executing a loaded program, and performs each process using the camera 210. The RFID reading unit 20 is, for example, an RFID reader 220. The RFID reading unit 20 is constructed, for example, by the CPU 110 of the management device 100 executing a loaded program, and performs each process using the RFID reader 220.

[0045] <Product management processing> The product management process will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the sequence of the product management process. The photographing unit 10 executes the photographing process S10. The photographing process S10 is a process in which the camera 210 photographs a transported product near the gate 200 and acquires image data. The photographing unit 10 executes the photographing process S10, for example, when it receives a photographing start trigger from a user (pressing a button, turning a switch ON / OFF, etc.), when it detects that a transported product is located near (approaching) the gate 200, or periodically or continuously. The photographing unit 10 passes the image data to a code reading process S12 (S11).

[0046] When the code reading unit 31 acquires the image data, it executes the code reading process S12. The code reading process S12 is a process of detecting a code medium shown in the image data, reading out identification information stored in the detected code medium, and generating code identification information L1 (S13). When multiple code media are detected in the code reading process S12, the identification information of each of the detected code media is read out. The image data may be, for example, one image at a certain timing, or multiple images taken at multiple timings or from multiple angles. The code reading unit 31 passes the code identification information L1 to the information integration process S20 (S14). The code reading unit 31 passes the code identification information L1 to the information storage medium damage determination process S25 (S15).

[0047] On the other hand, the RFID reading unit 20 executes the RFID reading process S16. The RFID reading process S16 is a process in which radio waves are transmitted from the RFID reader 220, a response radio wave including identification information is received from the transported product located near the gate 200, and RF identification information L2 is generated (S17). For example, the RFID reading unit 20 executes the RFID reading process S16 when it receives a trigger to start reading the RF tag by a user (pressing a button, turning a switch ON / OFF, etc.), when it detects that the transported product is located near the gate 200 (approaching), or periodically or continuously. The RFID reading unit 20 passes the RF identification information L2 to the information integration process S20 (S18). The RFID reading unit 20 also passes the RF identification information L2 to the information storage medium damage determination process S25 (S19).

[0048] When the information integration unit 32 acquires the code identification information L1 and the RF identification information L2 (S14, S18), it executes an information integration process S20. The information integration process S20 is a process of generating integrated identification information L3 from the code identification information L1 and the RF identification information L2 (S21). In the information integration process S20, the information integration unit 32 sets a list of identification information included in both or either one of the code identification information L1 and the RF identification information L2 (duplicate identification information is treated as one identification information) as integrated identification information L3.

[0049] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing examples of code identification information L1, RF identification information L2, and integrated identification information L3. Fig. 5(A) shows an example of code identification information L1, Fig. 5(B) shows an example of RF identification information L2, and Fig. 5(C) shows an example of integrated identification information L3.

[0050] As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), the code identification information L1 contains the identification information "1009" (shaded part in Figure 5(A)), but the RF identification information L2 does not contain the identification information "1009." Also, the RF identification information L2 contains the identification information "1010" (shaded part in Figure 5(B)), but the code identification information L1 does not contain the identification information "1010."

[0051] In the information integration process S20, the information integration unit 32 stores "1001" to "1008", which are identification information included in both the code identification information L1 and the RF identification information L2, as integrated identification information L3. Furthermore, in the information integration process S20, the information integration unit 32 stores, as integrated identification information L3, the identification information "1009", which is included only in the code identification information L1, and the identification information "1010", which is included only in the RF identification information L2 (shaded area in FIG. 5(C)). In the information integration process S20, the code identification information L1 including nine pieces of identification information and the RF identification information L2 including nine pieces of identification information are integrated to generate integrated identification information L3 including ten pieces of identification information.

[0052] Returning to the sequence of FIG. 4, the information integration unit 32 passes the integrated identification information L3 to the surplus / deficiency determination process S23 (S22).

[0053] When the product surplus / shortage determination unit 33 acquires the integrated identification information L3 (S22), it executes a surplus / shortage determination process S23. The surplus / shortage determination process S23 is a process for determining whether or not there is a surplus or shortage of the conveyed product.

[0054] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the surplus / shortage determination process S23. In the surplus / shortage determination process S23, the product surplus / shortage determination unit 33 acquires a transported product list (S23-1). The transported product list is, for example, a list of identification information of transported products that pass through the gate 200 and enter or leave the warehouse.

[0055] The product surplus / shortage determination unit 33 compares the identification information in the conveyed product list with the identification information in the integrated identification information (S23-2). If the identification information matches completely (Yes in S23-3), the product surplus / shortage determination unit 33 determines that there is no surplus or shortage of conveyed products (S23-4) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the identification information does not match completely (No in S23-3), the product surplus / shortage determination unit 33 determines that there is a surplus or shortage of conveyed products (S23-5) and ends the process.

[0056] The result of the determination of whether or not there is a shortage or surplus of products is displayed on the display 160 of the management device 100 or output to a file, for example. Furthermore, when it is determined that there is a shortage or surplus, the manager or user may be notified by sound, light, or the like. The manager refers to the result of the determination of whether or not there is a shortage or surplus, and if there is a shortage or surplus, confirms the shortage or surplus of the products by checking the actual products, and replenishes or removes the products so that there is no shortage or surplus of the transported products.

[0057] In the excess / shortage determination process S23, if the identification information of the conveyed product list and the integrated identification information do not completely match, it is determined that there is a shortage of products. In this determination method, for example, if reading of both the RF tag and the code medium of a certain product fails, it is determined that there is a shortage of products even if there is actually no shortage of products. However, the probability of failing to read both the RF tag and the code medium is very small compared to the case of reading one information storage medium. Since the integrated identification information is identification information that is successfully read from at least one of the RF tag and the code medium, the above-mentioned erroneous determination can occur only when reading from both the RF tag and the code medium fails. By providing two information storage media, the RF tag and the code medium, and by setting a complete match as a condition for no excess or shortage in the excess / shortage determination process S23, the accuracy of automatically determining whether there is a shortage or excess of products is improved.

[0058] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the integrated identification information L3, the transported product list L4, and the result of the surplus / shortage judgment. In the surplus / shortage judgment process S23, the product surplus / shortage judgment unit 33 compares the integrated identification information L3 with the identification information in the transported product list L4 (S23-2 in FIG. 6). The product surplus / shortage judgment unit 33 confirms that the identification information "1001" to "1010" exists in both the transported product list L4 and the integrated identification information. However, the product surplus / shortage judgment unit 33 judges that the transported product list L4 and the integrated identification information L3 do not completely match (No in S23-3 in FIG. 6) because the identification information "1011" (shaded portion) in the transported product list L4 does not exist in the integrated identification information L3, and judges that there is a surplus or shortage of transported products (S23-5 in FIG. 6). The product surplus / shortage determination unit 33 determines that there is a shortage of the product (identification information "1011") being transported (entered or removed from the warehouse) because the identification information present in the transported product list L4 is not present in the integrated identification information L3.

[0059] If there is identification information that exists in the integrated identification information L3 but not in the transported product list L4, it is determined that there is a surplus or shortage of products, for example, it is determined that a product that should not be transported is being transported. If there is identification information that exists in the integrated identification information L3 but not in the transported product list L4, and further, there is identification information that does not exist in the integrated identification information L3 but exists in the transported product list L4, and the number of identification information in the integrated identification information L3 and the transported product list L4 is the same, it is determined that there is a surplus or shortage of products, for example, it is determined that the wrong product is being transported.

[0060] Furthermore, when it is determined that there is a shortage or excess and that the wrong product is to be transported, the above-described system configuration cannot determine whether the product is inside or outside gate 200. However, it may take a considerable amount of time for the manager to identify where the product is. Therefore, for example, by configuring the system so that it only reads RFID tags that have passed through gate 200, it is possible to easily identify the location of the product that has been determined to be transported incorrectly.

[0061] A possible configuration for reading only RFID tags passing through gate 200 is, for example, a configuration for extracting only moving tag information. Management device 100 acquires moving tag information from the tag information of multiple RFID tags read by RFID reader 220, and uses the moving tag information to determine whether there is an excess or deficiency. Management device 100 may acquire moving tag information, for example, from an RFID tag filtering device having a moving object detection filter that is installed between gate 200 and management device 100. Note that this configuration is merely an example, and known means may be used.

[0062] 4, when the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 acquires the RF identification information L2 and the code identification information L1 (S19, S15), it executes the information storage medium damage determination process S25. The information storage medium damage determination process S25 is a process for detecting a damaged storage medium.

[0063] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the information storage medium damage determination process S25. In the information storage medium damage determination process S25, the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 compares the RF identification information with the code identification information (S25-1).

[0064] The information storage medium damage determination unit 34 checks whether there is identification information that is present in the RF identification information but not in the code identification information (S25-2). If there is identification information that is present in the RF identification information but not in the code identification information (Yes in S25-2), the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 determines that the code medium of the product with the corresponding identification information may be damaged (S25-3).

[0065] On the other hand, if all of the identification information of the RF identification information is present in the code identification information (No in S25-2), the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 determines that the code medium is not damaged (S25-4).

[0066] The information storage medium damage determination unit 34 checks whether there is identification information that exists in the code identification information but does not exist in the RF identification information (S25-5). If there is identification information that exists in the code identification information but does not exist in the RF identification information (Yes in S25-5), the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 determines that the RF tag of the product with the corresponding identification information may be damaged (S25-6) and ends the process.

[0067] On the other hand, if all of the identification information in the code identification information is present in the RF identification information (No in S25-5), the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 determines that the RF tag is not damaged (S25-7) and ends the process.

[0068] The result of the information storage medium damage determination process S25 is displayed on the display 160 of the management device 100 or output to a file, for example. Furthermore, when it is determined that any information storage medium is damaged, the administrator or user may be notified by sound, light, or the like. The administrator checks the information storage medium of the product determined to be possibly damaged and confirms whether it is really damaged or not. When the administrator detects a damaged information storage medium, for example, he or she replaces the information storage medium.

[0069] In the information storage medium damage determination process S25, a code medium having identification information that is in the RF identification information but not in the code identification information is deemed to be possibly damaged. Also, in the information storage medium damage determination process S25, an RF tag having identification information that is in the code identification information but not in the RF identification information is deemed to be possibly damaged. In this determination method, for example, when both the RF tag and the code medium are damaged, the damage of the information storage medium cannot be detected. However, in the product management system 1, since the information storage medium damage determination process S25 is executed every time the product passes through the gate 200, there is a high possibility that at least one of them will be detected in a damaged state. Also, when both information storage media are damaged, it is determined that there is a shortage of products when compared with the conveyed product list in the excess / shortage determination process S23. However, since the product actually exists, it can be determined that both information storage media have broken down or failed to be read, and damage can be detected.

[0070] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing examples of RF identification information L2, code identification information L1, and a determination result of the information storage medium damage determination process S25. Note that Figs. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing examples of the same RF identification information L2 and code identification information L1, respectively.

[0071] 9A, the identification information "1010" of the RF identification information L2 does not exist in the code identification information L1. Therefore, the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 recognizes that the code medium of the identification information "1010" could not be read, and determines that the code medium of the product corresponding to the identification information "1010" may be damaged.

[0072] 9B, the identification information "1009" of the code identification information L1 does not exist in the RF identification information L2. Therefore, the information storage medium damage determination unit 34 recognizes that the RF tag of the identification information "1009" could not be read, and determines that the RF tag of the product corresponding to the identification information "1009" may be damaged.

[0073] In the first embodiment, the management device 100 can manage the surplus or deficiency of products passing through the gate 200, while also detecting damage to information storage media attached to the products.

[0074] [Other embodiments] The RF tag and the code medium may be other information storage media. As described above, if both information storage media are damaged at the same time, it is difficult to automatically detect the damage, so it is preferable to combine information storage media that are unlikely to be damaged at the same time. In other words, it is preferable to combine information storage media that are damaged by different factors (for example, one is vulnerable to heat and the other is vulnerable to friction).

[0075] Also, more than two types of information storage media may be attached to a product. Furthermore, multiple pieces of the same information storage media may be attached to a product. When the same information storage media are attached to a product, it is preferable to attach them in positions as far apart as possible to avoid simultaneous damage. Furthermore, when the same information storage media are attached to a product, damage can be detected by managing the number of pieces that have been successfully read.

[0076] Furthermore, the RF tag and the code medium do not have to be integrated together, and may be attached to different locations depending on the characteristics of each information storage medium (cause of failure, size, position of the reading device), for example.

[0077] Furthermore, the code medium may be either a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1: Product management system 10: Photography Department 20:RFID reading section 30:Product Management Department 31: Code reading unit 32: Information Integration Department 33:Product excess / deficiency judgment department 34: Information storage medium damage determination unit 100: Management device 110: CPU 120: Storage 121: Product Management Program 122: Data acquisition program 130: Memory 160: Display 200: Gate 210: Camera 220: RFID reader

Claims

1. a first reading unit that generates first identification information including identification information for identifying a product read from a first information storage medium attached to the product to be transported; a second reading unit that generates second identification information including the identification information read from a second information storage medium attached to the product; an integration unit that generates integrated identification information by extracting the identification information included in at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information; An acquisition unit that acquires a list of products to be transported, the list including the identification information of the products to be transported; a management unit that compares the delivery product list with the integrated identification information and determines whether the delivery product is insufficient or excessive; a damage determination unit that compares the first identification information with the second identification information and determines the possibility of damage to the first information storage medium and the second information storage medium, The management unit determines that the product to be transported is incorrect when there is identification information that is present in the integrated identification information but not in the transported product list, when there is identification information that is not present in the integrated identification information but is present in the transported product list, and when the number of identification information in the transported product list is the same as the number of identification information in the integrated identification information. Product management system.

2. The management unit determines that there is no surplus or shortage of products to be transported when all of the identification information in the transported product list is included in the integrated identification information and all of the identification information in the integrated identification information is included in the transported product list. The product management system according to claim 1.

3. The damage determination unit is determining that the second information storage medium attached to a product corresponding to the identification information included in the first identification information but not included in the second identification information may be damaged; It is determined that the first information storage medium attached to the product corresponding to the identification information included in the second identification information but not included in the first identification information may be damaged.

3. The product management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The management unit determines that a product corresponding to the identification information included in the delivery product list but not included in the integrated identification information is missing from the products to be delivered. The product management system according to claim 1.

5. The management unit determines that a product that is not included in the delivery product list but corresponds to the identification information included in the integrated identification information is not the product to be delivered. The product management system according to claim 1.

6. The first information storage medium is an RF tag having an IC chip that stores the identification information, and the second information storage medium is a code medium in which the identification information is included in a printed code. The product management system according to claim 1.

7. The code of the code medium includes a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. The product management system according to claim 6.

8. the first reading unit includes an RFID reader that reads the identification information from the RF tag; The second reading unit includes a photographing device that photographs the code medium, detects the code from image data photographed by the photographing device, and reads out the identification information. The product management system according to claim 6.

9. The cause of the damage to the first information storage medium and the cause of the damage to the second information storage medium are different from each other. The product management system according to claim 1.

10. generating first identification information including identification information for identifying the product read from a first information storage medium attached to the product to be transported; generating second identification information including the identification information read from a second information storage medium attached to the product; generating integrated identification information by extracting the identification information included in at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information; obtaining a list of products to be delivered, the list including the identification information of the products to be delivered; comparing the delivery product list with the integrated identification information to determine whether the delivery product is insufficient or excessive; comparing the first identification information with the second identification information to determine the possibility of damage to the first information storage medium and the second information storage medium; The process of determining whether the product to be transported is insufficient or excessive includes determining that the product to be transported is incorrect when there is identification information that is present in the integrated identification information but not in the transported product list, when there is identification information that is not present in the integrated identification information but is present in the transported product list, and when the number of identification information in the transported product list is the same as the number of identification information in the integrated identification information. Product management methods.

11. A process of generating first identification information including identification information for identifying a product read from a first information storage medium attached to the product to be transported; A process of generating second identification information including the identification information read from a second information storage medium attached to the product; A process of generating integrated identification information by extracting the identification information included in at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information; obtaining a list of products to be delivered, the list including the identification information of the products to be delivered; A process of comparing the delivery product list with the integrated identification information to determine whether the delivery product is insufficient or excessive; comparing the first identification information with the second identification information and determining whether the first information storage medium and the second information storage medium are damaged; The process of determining whether the product to be transported is insufficient or excessive is determined as follows: if there is identification information that is present in the integrated identification information but not in the transported product list, and if there is identification information that is not present in the integrated identification information but is present in the transported product list, and if the number of identification information in the transported product list is the same as the number of identification information in the integrated identification information, the product to be transported is determined to be incorrect. Product Management Program.

Citation Information

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