Tag device

Abstract

To provide a tag device which offers superior maintainability.SOLUTION: A tag device provided herein comprises a back face portion to be fixed to an installation target, a front face portion configured to allow given information to be visible from the outside of a device body, and a notification member provided between the back face portion and the front face portion to notify the given information, where the front face portion is attached to the back face portion to be rotatable with a given position on the back face portion as a fulcrum.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tag device capable of wireless communication.

Background Art

[0002] In factories, warehouses, etc., workers perform picking operations to pick items stored on storage shelves. Conventionally, a picking system for improving the efficiency of the picking operation has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the picking system, a plurality of storage shelves, tag devices (communication tags having a communication function) installed on each storage shelf, and a controller for controlling the plurality of tag devices are arranged in a work area. The controller transmits a lighting command or the like to the tag device of the storage shelf where the item to be picked is stored, and lights a lamp (LED) mounted on the tag device. The worker picks the target item from the storage shelf with the lit lamp.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The tag device used in the picking system is equipped with components such as a display unit (LCD) for displaying information, a lamp (LED) for lighting, a control board, and a battery (such as a cell). In a conventional tag device, when a malfunction occurs, the tag device has to be removed from the storage shelf for replacing, repairing, etc. of the components, which is time-consuming and has poor maintainability.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tag device with high maintainability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The tag device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a tag device that notifies predetermined information based on a notification instruction received by wireless communication, and includes a back surface portion fixed to an installation target, a front surface portion configured to be visible from the outside of the device body for the predetermined information, and a notification member disposed between the back surface portion and the front surface portion for notifying the predetermined information. The front surface portion is rotatably attached with a predetermined position of the back surface portion as a fulcrum.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a tag device with high maintainability can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 10

Figure 11A

Figure 11B

Figure 12A

Figure 12B

Figure 13A

Figure 13B

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are an example of embodying the present invention and do not have the character of limiting the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 10 includes a management server 1, a controller 2, and a tag device (hereinafter referred to as tag Tg). The communication system 10 is introduced, for example, into a work site (such as a factory or a warehouse) where an operator (user) picks a target item from a storage shelf 3 (see FIG. 2) for storing items. The items are not particularly limited and include items in various fields such as parts, retail products, drugs, books, documents, and sundries. In the present embodiment, as an example of the items, parts used in the assembly work of a predetermined product (such as a vehicle or an electric appliance) are taken as an example. That is, the communication system 10 in the present embodiment is introduced into a facility F1 (such as a factory) where an operator picks a target part from a storage shelf 3 for storing parts.

[0011] The management server 1 and the controller 2 are connected to each other via the network N1. The network N1 is a communication network such as the Internet, LAN, WAN, or public telephone line, and is, for example, a wired LAN within the facility F1. The controller 2 and the tag Tg are connected by wireless communication using radio waves. The tag Tg is installed in each storage shelf 31 (see FIG. 2) of the storage shelf 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the tag Tg includes a display unit (LCD) for displaying component names and the like, a lamp button B1 that lights up, blinks, and turns off in a plurality of colors, and a control board 47 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) on which communication devices for communicating with the controller 2 are mounted. Further, the lamp button B1 has a button function as a user interface. The tag Tg can display predetermined information on the display unit or turn the lamp button B1 on or off according to an instruction (transmission data) transmitted from the controller 2. That is, the lamp button B1 lights up when the instruction (notification instruction) is received, and turns off when the operator presses the lit lamp button B1. The operator picks the components on the storage shelf 31 where the tag Tg with the lit lamp button B1 is installed. The tag Tg notifies the controller 2 wirelessly that the lamp button B1 has been pressed, and the controller 2 notifies the management server 1. If the tag Tg corresponds to the correct component, the management server 1 notifies, via the controller 2 by wireless communication, a signal for operating the lamp button B1 to light up at a predetermined cycle to the tag Tg corresponding to the component to be taken out next. In FIG. 2, the state where the upper left tag Tg is lit is illustrated. The management server 1 collectively controls each controller 2 and outputs an instruction to transmit transmission data (such as a lighting instruction for the tag Tg) to a predetermined controller 2 based on the information on the picking target.

[0012] Inside the facility F1, a plurality of storage shelves 3 are arranged. A plurality of controllers 2 are dispersed and installed inside the facility F1, and the plurality of controllers 2 communicate with the tags Tg of the plurality of storage shelves 3 arranged inside the facility F1. In this way, the communication system 10 constructs the picking system of the facility F1 by controlling the plurality of tags Tg arranged inside the facility F1 with the plurality of controllers 2. Specifically, the communication system 10 is a system that manages so that radio communication between the plurality of controllers 2 and the plurality of tags Tg is performed at a predetermined cycle.

[0013] The management server 1 functions as a mediation station that manages and controls the controller 2, the controller 2 functions as a host device (parent station), and the tag Tg functions as a slave device (child station). The specific configuration of the tag Tg will be described later.

[0014] [Management Server 1] The management server 1 may be an information processing device such as a personal computer, or may be configured as a cloud server.

[0015] The management server 1 is connected to the network N1 and performs data communication with the controller 2 via the network N1 according to a predetermined communication protocol. In addition, the management server 1 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays various types of information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel, a mouse, or a keyboard that accepts operations.

[0016] In addition, the management server 1 stores and manages information about the tag Tg (tag information), information indicating the correspondence relationship between the tag Tg and the controller 2 (association information), and the like.

[0017] For example, the management server 1 stores tag information regarding all tags Tg arranged in the facility F1. Specifically, the tag information includes information such as a tag ID, location information, and part name. The tag ID is identification information of the tag Tg. The location information is the location information of the location where the tag Tg is installed, for example, information such as the location of storage shelf 3, the shelf number of storage shelf 3 (storage shelf 31), and the coordinates on the map of the facility F1. The part name is the name of the part stored in the storage shelf 31 where the tag Tg is installed.

[0018] The tag information is registered, for example, by the administrator of the facility F1. Also, the tag information may be stored in a server different from the management server 1.

[0019] In addition, the management server 1 stores association information regarding tags Tg associated with each of the plurality of controllers 2. Specifically, the association information includes information such as a controller ID and a tag ID. The controller ID is identification information of the controller 2, and the tag ID is identification information of the tag Tg. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of tags Tg are associated with one controller 2. Each controller 2 can communicate with a plurality of tags Tg, and each tag Tg can communicate with one controller 2. For example, controller A can communicate with the tag Tg within the communication area AR1, and controller B can communicate with the tag Tg within the communication area AR2.

[0020] In addition, the management server 1 may store picking information including the order of taking out parts. The picking information is registered with information such as a tag ID, location information, and picking status associated with each part to be picked. The management server 1 registers the information of the picking target in the picking information based on a picking instruction. Note that the management server 1 may obtain the picking instruction from a server that manages the manufacturing process of the product, or may generate the picking information based on the manufacturing process.

[0021] In addition, the management server 1 executes a process of associating each of the plurality of tags Tg with any one of the plurality of controllers 2. For example, the management server 1 associates the tag Tg with the controller 2 that has the most stable communication for the tag Tg.

[0022] In addition, the management server 1 assigns each of the plurality of controllers 2 to each of a plurality of time segments (time slots) obtained by time-division of a predetermined period in a predetermined channel. In each of the plurality of time segments, the management server 1 causes the controller 2 and the plurality of tags Tg associated with the controller 2 to communicate within the time segment.

[0023] For example, the management server 1 outputs a transmission instruction for transmission data to the controller A in a predetermined time segment. The transmission data is, for example, a beacon.

[0024] Here, the transmission data includes information of a command (command information) for causing the tag Tg to execute a predetermined process (for example, lighting process) and identification information (destination information) for identifying the tag Tg for which the command is to be executed. Specifically, the transmission data includes the destination information of each of a predetermined number of tags Tg and the command information for causing each of the predetermined number of tags Tg to execute a predetermined command. For example, the management server 1 outputs a transmission instruction for transmission data including, as destinations, five tags Tg associated with five parts to be picked among the plurality of tags Tg associated with the controller A, to the controller A.

[0025] When the controller A acquires the transmission instruction from the management server 1, the controller A transmits the transmission data to all the tags Tg associated with the controller A.

[0026] When each tag Tg associated with controller A receives the transmission data, it checks the destination included in the transmission data and executes a predetermined process if a command addressed to itself is included. For example, when tag Tg receives the transmission data that includes a command addressed to itself to turn on lamp button B1 (see FIG. 3), it turns on lamp button B1.

[0027] As described above, management server 1 causes controller 2 and a plurality of tags Tg associated with the controller 2 to communicate within each of a plurality of time segments. Further, management server 1 outputs an instruction to transmit the transmission data to each of the plurality of controllers 2 in the order of the time segments. Thereby, for example, each of the controllers 2 communicates with the tag Tg controlled by each controller 2 in the order of the time segments.

[0028] [Schematic Configuration of Tag Tg] Next, the specific configuration of tag Tg will be described. Tag Tg notifies predetermined information based on the transmission data (an example of the notification instruction of the present invention) received by wireless communication. For example, when tag Tg receives a lighting command transmitted from controller 2 associated with tag Tg, it turns on lamp button B1.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, tag Tg includes a back surface portion 42 fixed to storage shelf 3, a front surface portion 41 configured to be able to visually recognize predetermined information from the outside of the tag body (corresponding to the apparatus body of the present invention), and a notification member disposed between the back surface portion 42 and the front surface portion 41 (inside the tag body) for notifying the predetermined information. Further, tag Tg includes a left side plate portion 43L disposed at the left end of the tag body and a right side plate portion 43R disposed at the right end of the tag body. Storage shelf 3 is an example of the installation target of the present invention.

[0030] The front part 41 includes a top plate 41a which is the top surface of the tag body, and a front plate 41b on the front (frontal) side of the tag body. A solar panel (photovoltaic panel) may be mounted on the top plate 41a. Note that the solar panel is an example of the power supply unit of the present invention. An opening for the LCD is formed in the front plate 41b forward so that an operator can visually recognize the display content displayed on the LCD. Further, an opening for the lamp button B1 is formed in the front plate 41b forward so that an operator can visually recognize the lighting state of the lamp button B1. The front part 41 functions as an exterior cover of the tag body and is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0031] Further, the front part 41 is rotatably attached with a predetermined position of the back part 42 as a fulcrum. FIG. 5A shows a rear perspective view of the state where the front part 41 is locked to the back part 42 (locked state), and FIG. 5B shows a rear perspective view of the state where the front part 41 is unlocked from the back part 42 (unlocked state). Further, FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the unlocked state.

[0032] Specifically, the back part 42 includes a back plate 42a fixed to the storage shelf 3, and a left side plate portion 43L and a right side plate portion 43R extending forward from the back plate 42a. An opening 431L for communicating the outside and the inside of the tag body is provided in the left side plate portion 43L, and an opening 431R for communicating the outside and the inside of the tag body is provided in the right side plate portion 43R.

[0033] Further, a first stopper member 44L for locking (connecting) the front part 41 and the back part 42 is provided at the left end portion of the front part 41, and a first stopper member 44R for locking the front part 41 and the back part 42 is provided at the right end portion of the front part 41. The first stopper members 44L and 44R have a shape that tapers toward the outside in the left-right direction of the tag body (taper shape), and the main body bends inward when the tip receives a pressing force from the outside to the inside. The first stopper members 44L and 44R are made of, for example, a resin material.

[0034] When the first stopper member 44L fits into the opening 431L of the left side plate portion 43L and the first stopper member 44R fits into the opening 431R of the right side plate portion 43R, the front portion 41 and the back portion 42 are in a locked state (see Fig. 5A).

[0035] When the front portion 41 and the back portion 42 are in a locked state (see Fig. 5A), the first stopper members 44L and 44R are pushed in the left - right inner direction (direction d1 in Fig. 5A) from the outside of the tag body by an operator. As a result, the first stopper member 44L comes out of the opening 431L of the left side plate portion 43L, the first stopper member 44R comes out of the opening 431R of the right side plate portion 43R, and the locked state of the front portion 41 and the back portion 42 is released (see Figs. 5B and 6). For example, when the operator releases the locked state of the front portion 41 and the back portion 42, the operator puts fingers into the left - right openings 431L and 431R and pushes the first stopper members 44L and 44R inward (direction d1) of the tag body. Thereby, the first stopper member 44L comes out of the opening 431L of the left side plate portion 43L, the first stopper member 44R comes out of the opening 431R of the right side plate portion 43R, and the locked state of the front portion 41 and the back portion 42 is released (see Figs. 5B and 6).

[0036] The front portion 41 is attached to the upper part of the tag body so as to be openable and closable with a predetermined position in front of and below the left side plate portion 43L and the right side plate portion 43R as a fulcrum (see Fig. 6). Therefore, when the locked state of the front portion 41 and the back portion 42 is released, the front portion 41 rotates in the d3 direction (see Figs. 5A and 5B) with a predetermined position in front of and below the left side plate portion 43L and the right side plate portion 43R as a fulcrum, and the upper part of the tag body is opened. Since the front portion 41 is attached to the left side plate portion 43L and the right side plate portion 43R so as to be rotatable 180 degrees with the said predetermined position as a fulcrum, by rotating the front portion 41 180 degrees, the internal space of the tag body is opened (see Fig. 6).

[0037] Here, on the front part 41, there are mounted notification members such as an LCD (see FIG. 3), a lamp button B1 (see FIG. 3), a battery 45 (see FIG. 6), and a control board 47 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). Although details will be described later, for example, the LCD, the lamp button B1, and the battery 45 are attached to the back side of the front part 41 (see FIG. 6). These notification members are subject to maintenance such as replacement and repair when a defect or the like occurs in the tag Tg.

[0038] In this regard, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, by releasing the locked states of the front part 41 and the back part 42 and rotating the front part 41, the internal space of the tag body is opened (see FIG. 6), so that the above-mentioned notification members can be easily maintained. For example, since the internal space of the tag body is opened by rotating the front part 41 (see FIG. 6), an operator can easily replace the battery 45. That is, the operator can perform maintenance without removing the tag Tg from the storage shelf 3. The battery 45 is an example of the power supply unit of the present invention.

[0039] [Detailed Configuration of Tag Tg] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the detailed configuration of the tag Tg will be described. FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of the state where the locked states of the front part 41 and the back part 42 are released (see FIG. 6), and FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the locked states of the front part 41 and the back part 42 (see FIG. 3).

[0040] The back surface portion 42 includes a back plate 42a that extends in the vertical direction (up and down direction) and is fixed to the storage shelf 3, a left side plate 424L that extends forward from the left end portion of the back plate 42a, and a right side plate 424R that extends forward from the right end portion of the back plate 42a. The back plate 42a, the left side plate 424L, and the right side plate 424R are integrally formed of a metal material. In this way, the back surface portion 42 is integrally formed in a U-shaped cross-sectional shape when viewed from above. Further, a left cover 430L made of a resin material is attached to the outside of the left side plate 424L, and a right cover 430R made of a resin material is attached to the outside of the right side plate 424R. Openings are formed in the left side plate 424L and the left cover 430L, and the openings 431L (see FIG. 6) of the left side plate portion 43L are configured by the respective openings. Similarly, openings are formed in the right side plate 424R and the right cover 430R, and the openings 431R (see FIG. 6) of the right side plate portion 43R are configured by the respective openings.

[0041] Also, an opening through which the support member 423L is inserted is formed in front of and below the left side plate 424L, and an opening through which the support member 423R is inserted is formed in front of and below the right side plate 424R. The support member 423L is inserted into the left receiving portion 411L of the front surface portion 41 disposed between the left side plate 424L and the right side plate 424R, and the support member 423R is inserted into the right receiving portion 411R of the front surface portion 41 disposed between the left side plate 424L and the right side plate 424R.

[0042] Thereby, the front surface portion 41 is rotatably supported by the support members 423L and 423R around the rotation axis C1. In this way, the front surface portion 41 is rotatably sandwiched between the left side plate 424L and the right side plate 424R of the back surface portion 42.

[0043] The front part 41 includes a front cover 41C, a control board 47, and a back cover 46. The control board 47 is mounted with an LCD, a lamp button B1, electronic components (control devices, communication devices), etc. The electronic components execute processes such as receiving the transmission data (such as the lighting command of the tag Tg) transmitted from the controller 2 and lighting the lamp button B1, and transmitting a signal indicating that the pressing operation has been received to the controller 2 when the lamp button B1 is pressed by an operator.

[0044] An opening is formed in the front cover 41C, and the LCD and the lamp button B1 are configured to be visible from the outside through the opening. A battery 45 is mounted on the back cover 46. Further, the battery 45 is installed in a battery holder 45h on the surface of the back cover 46 opposite to the surface facing the front cover 41C.

[0045] In addition, a first stopper member 44L is provided at the left end of the back cover 46, and a first stopper member 44R is provided at the right end of the back cover 46. The first stopper members 44L and 44R are arranged to protrude outside the left and right ends of the front cover 41C.

[0046] In the front part 41, since the front cover 41C is rotatably supported by support members 423L and 423R, the front cover 41C will not be removed during maintenance when the tag Tg is installed on the storage shelf 3. In contrast, the control board 47 and the back cover 46 are detachably attached to the front cover 41C, and an operator can remove the control board 47 and the back cover 46 during maintenance. For example, the operator can remove the back cover 46 from the front cover 41C to repair or replace the control board 47. Also, the operator can repair or replace the back cover 46.

[0047] In addition, since the battery 45 is installed on the surface of the rear cover 46 opposite to the surface facing the front cover 41C, when the front part 41 rotates 180 degrees with the rotation axis C1 as the fulcrum, the battery 45 faces the front direction (see FIGS. 6 and 7A). Therefore, the operator can replace the battery 45 in front of himself / herself.

[0048] Also, according to the above configuration, when the front part 41 and the rear part 42 are in the locked state, the control board 47 is housed in the rear part 42 made of a U-shaped metal material. In this way, since the rear part 42 has a shielding structure, it is possible to block noise generated from the direction of the storage shelf 3. In addition, by adopting a U-shaped configuration, the antenna directivity can be enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to improve and stabilize the antenna performance of radio wave transmission and reception in the tag Tg.

[0049] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the configuration of the control board 47. FIG. 8A shows a front perspective view of the control board 47, and FIG. 8B shows a rear perspective view of the control board 47. On the front side surface of the control board 47, two antenna members 471 are provided on the left and right. Each antenna member 471 is formed to extend left and right. By providing the antenna member 471, the antenna performance of radio wave transmission and reception can be further improved.

[0050] As another embodiment, the front part 41 may be attached to be able to open and close the upper part of the tag body with a predetermined position behind and above the left side plate part 43L and the right side plate part 43R as the fulcrum. In this configuration, when the operator releases the locked state of the front part 41 and the rear part 42, the operator can open the internal space of the tag body by lifting and rotating the front part 41 upward.

[0051] Also, as another embodiment, the control board 47 and the rear cover 46 may be fixed to the rear part 42. In this case, the front part 41 is composed only of the front cover 41C, and the front cover 41C is rotatably supported by the rear part 42.

[0052] [Mounting Structure of Tag Tg] Next, with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10, a structure for attaching the tag Tg to the storage shelf 3 will be described. FIG. 9A is a top view of the tag Tg attached to the storage shelf 3, and FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the tag Tg attached to the storage shelf 3. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the state where the tag Tg is attached to the storage shelf 3.

[0053] The tag Tg includes a connecting portion 5 that connects the back surface portion 42 and the storage shelf 3 to each other. The tag Tg is fixed to the mounting bar 32 of the storage shelf 3 via the connecting portion 5.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 5 includes an upper connecting portion 51a and a lower connecting portion 51b having the same shape, and fastening portions 52a, 52b (for example, clamp bolts) that fasten the upper connecting portion 51a and the lower connecting portion 51b to each other. The fastening portions 52a, 52b may be an integral bolt.

[0055] Here, as shown in FIG. 6, an upper opening 432a and a lower opening 432b are formed in the back plate 42a of the back surface portion 42. Each of the upper opening 432a and the lower opening 432b is formed in a horizontally long shape at approximately the center in the left-right direction on the back plate 42a. Further, the upper opening 432a and the lower opening 432b are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction.

[0056] In addition, a cylindrical mounting bar 32 (see FIG. 2) extending in the left-right direction is provided at the front end of each storage shelf 31 of the storage shelf 3. As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of protruding portions 321 protruding outward are formed around the mounting bar 32.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, one end of the upper connecting portion 51a is inserted into the upper opening 432a and hooked on the back plate 42a, and one end of the lower connecting portion 51b is inserted into the lower opening 432b and hooked on the back plate 42a. Further, the other end of the upper connecting portion 51a is hooked on the upper side of the protruding portion 321, and the other end of the lower connecting portion 51b is hooked on the lower side of the protruding portion 321. In this state, when the fastening portions 52a and 52b are fastened, the upper connecting portion 51a and the lower connecting portion 51b are tightened so as to approach each other. As a result, one end of the connecting portion 5 is locked to the tag Tg by sandwiching the back plate 42a, and the other end of the connecting portion 5 is locked to the mounting bar 32 by sandwiching the protruding portion 321, whereby the tag Tg is fixed to the storage shelf 3.

[0058] Here, the fastening portions 52a and 52b are fastened by, for example, a fastening tool (fastener). For this reason, for example, an operator inserts the fastener into the fastening portion 52a from above to perform a fastening operation, or the operator inserts the fastener into the fastening portion 52b from below to perform a fastening operation.

[0059] In order to facilitate the above-described fastening operation, the tag Tg according to the present embodiment is provided with a notch portion 421 for accessing the fastening portion 52a near the center of the upper part of the back surface portion 42, as shown in FIG. 6. The notch portion 421 appears when the locked state of the front surface portion 41 is released and the upper part of the tag Tg is opened. For example, when attaching the tag Tg to the mounting bar 32, the operator rotates the front surface portion 41 to open the upper part of the tag Tg, and inserts the fastener downward from above the notch portion 421 to access the fastening portion 52a. When the operator fastens the fastening portion 52a with the fastener to fix the tag Tg to the mounting bar 32, the operator rotates the front surface portion 41 upward to lock it to the back surface portion 42.

[0060] According to the above configuration, the operator can easily perform operations such as attaching the tag Tg to the storage shelf 3, removing the tag Tg from the storage shelf 3, and changing the attachment position of the tag Tg in front of his / her own front (front of the storage shelf 3).

[0061] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the tag Tg is configured such that the upper surface plate 41a of the front portion 41 covers above the connecting portion 5. Specifically, the rear end portion of the upper surface plate 41a is provided so as to extend rearward of the rear surface plate 42a. For this reason, a stepped portion 42b (see FIGS. 6 and 10) that extends rearward is formed at the upper portion of the rear surface plate 42a so as to support the rear end portion of the upper surface plate 41a. According to the above configuration, it is possible to increase the area of the solar panel mounted on the upper surface plate 41a while narrowing the depth of the tag Tg protruding forward from the storage shelf 3.

[0062] Also, according to the above configuration, since the fastening portions 52a and 52b and the connecting portion 5 can be accessed only when the front portion 41 is unlocked and rotated, it is possible to prevent the tag Tg from being unnecessarily removed in the locked state. In addition, the appearance of the storage shelf 3 on which the tag Tg is installed can be improved.

[0063] By the way, according to the above mounting structure, the tag Tg can be mounted at an arbitrary position in the left - right direction on the mounting bar 32 of the storage shelf 3. For this reason, for example, a plurality of tags Tg can be arranged at narrow intervals in the left - right direction. Here, when the interval between adjacent tags Tg is narrow, the operation of releasing the locked state shown in FIG. 5A may become difficult. For example, when tags Tg are arranged adjacent to both sides, the fingers of the operator cannot be inserted into the openings 431L and 431R, and the first stopper members 44L and 44R cannot be pushed in, so that the front portion 41 cannot be unlocked and rotated.

[0064] In this regard, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6, the tag Tg according to this embodiment includes second stopper members 441L and 441R. One end of the second stopper member 441L is fixed (connected) to the first stopper member 44L, and the other end is configured to protrude rearward from the back plate 42a behind the tag body when the front surface portion 41 and the back surface portion 42 are in a locked state (see FIG. 5A). Similarly, one end of the second stopper member 441R is fixed (connected) to the first stopper member 44R, and the other end is configured to protrude rearward from the back plate 42a behind the tag body when the front surface portion 41 and the back surface portion 42 are in a locked state (see FIG. 5A). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the front surface portion 41 and the back surface portion 42 are in a locked state, the tip of the second stopper member 441L protrudes rearward from the opening 422L of the back plate 42a, and the tip of the second stopper member 441R protrudes rearward from the opening 422R of the back plate 42a.

[0065] The first stopper member 44L and the second stopper member 441L may be integrally formed of a resin material (see FIG. 6). Similarly, the first stopper member 44R and the second stopper member 441R may be integrally formed of a resin material.

[0066] In the state shown in FIG. 5A, the operator moves the second stopper members 441L and 441R inward in the left-right direction (direction d2 in FIG. 5A), whereby the first stopper members 44L and 44R are pushed inward (direction d1) of the tag body in conjunction with the second stopper members 441L and 441R. As a result, the first stopper member 44L is disengaged from the opening 431L of the left side plate portion 43L, the first stopper member 44R is disengaged from the opening 431R of the right side plate portion 43R, and the locked state of the front surface portion 41 and the back surface portion 42 can be released (see FIGS. 5B and 6).

[0067] According to this configuration, in a situation where it is difficult to use the first stopper members 44L and 44R, the locked state of the front surface portion 41 and the back surface portion 42 can be released by using the second stopper members 441L and 441R.

[0068] As another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, in each of the left side plate portion 43L and the right side plate portion 43R, notch portions 433L and 433R having a predetermined width in the left-right direction may be formed. The notch portions 433L and 433R may be formed at the upper portions of the left side plate portion 43L and the right side plate portion 43R, or may be formed at positions other than the upper portions. For example, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, an operator can insert a finger into the notch portions 433L and 433R from above and push the first stopper members 44L and 44R inward to release the lock of the front surface portion 41 and rotate it.

[0069] [Configuration of Plate] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the tag Tg may include a plate 6. The plate 6 may be capable of accommodating, for example, an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag that performs NFC. For example, when the tag Tg receives the transmission data (such as a lighting command for the tag Tg) transmitted from the controller 2 and lights the lamp button B1, and the operator picks up the target part, instead of pressing the lamp button B1, the operator touches the communication terminal held by the operator to the NFC tag. Thereby, the NFC tag transmits the information of the touch operation to the controller 2.

[0070] As another embodiment, the plate 6 may be a sign that displays the identification information of the tag Tg or the information of the parts stored in the storage shelf 3.

[0071] The tag Tg according to the present embodiment has a configuration that enables the plate 6 to be easily attached or replaced.

[0072] Figures 13A and 13B show the configuration for attaching the plate 6. Specifically, an attachment hook 461 is provided on the back cover 46 of the front portion 41. The attachment hook 461 extends rearward from the back cover 46 and is formed to rise upward from the rear end. An opening 61 for hooking onto the attachment hook 461 is formed in the plate 6. The operator releases the locked state of the front portion 41 and rotates it forward, inserts the plate 6 into the gap between the front portion 41 and the back portion 42, and hooks the opening 61 of the plate 6 onto the attachment hook 461. Then, the operator rotates the front portion 41 and locks it to the back portion 42.

[0073] According to the above configuration, the operator can easily attach or replace the plate 6 to the tag Tg.

[0074] In addition, the tag device according to the present invention can also be configured by freely combining the above-described embodiments within the scope of the invention described in each claim, or by appropriately modifying or partially omitting each embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0075] 1: Management server 2: Controller 3: Storage shelf 5: Connecting portion 6: Plate 10: Communication system 32: Attachment bar 41: Front portion 41C: Front cover 41a: Upper panel 41b: Front panel 42: Back portion 42a: Back panel 42b: Step portion 43L: Left side plate portion 43R: Right side plate portion 44L: First stopper member 44R: First stopper member 45: Battery 46: Back cover 47: Control board 51a: Upper connection part 51b: Lower connection part 52a: Fastening part 52b: Fastening part 61: Opening 321: Protrusion 411L: Left receiving part 411R: Right receiving part 421: Notch part 422L: Opening 422R: Opening 423L: Support member 423R: Support member 424L: Left side plate 424R: Right side plate 430L: Left cover 430R: Right cover 431L: Opening 431R: Opening 432a: Upper opening 432b: Lower opening 433L: Notch part 433R: Notch part 441L: Second stopper member 441R: Second stopper member 461: Mounting hook 471: Antenna B1: Lamp button C1: Rotation axis Tg: Tag

Claims

1. A tag device that notifies predetermined information based on a notification instruction received by wireless communication, comprising: a back surface portion including a back plate fixed to an object to be installed and left and right side plate portions extending forward from the back plate; a front surface portion configured to be visible from the outside of the device body for the predetermined information; a notification member disposed between the back surface portion and the front surface portion, provided on the front surface portion, and configured to notify the predetermined information; and the front surface portion is rotatably attached about a predetermined position in front of and below the left and right side plate portions and is configured to open and close the upper portion of the device body. Tag device.

2. First stopper members for locking the front surface portion and the back surface portion to each other are provided at the left and right ends of the front surface portion. When the front surface portion and the back surface portion are in a locked state, the first stopper member fitted into the opening of the side plate portion from the inside of the side plate portion is pushed inward in the left-right direction from the outside of the device body by a user, thereby releasing the locked state between the front surface portion and the back surface portion. The tag device according to claim 1.

3. At the left and right ends of the front surface portion, a second stopper member is provided, one end of which is fixed to the first stopper member and the other end of which protrudes rearward from the back plate of the device body when the front surface portion and the back surface portion are in a locked state. When the front surface portion and the back surface portion are in a locked state, the second end portion is pushed inward in the left-right direction of the device body by a user, so that the first stopper member comes off from the opening of the side plate portion and the locked state between the front surface portion and the back surface portion is released. The tag device according to claim 2.

4. A connecting portion for connecting the back surface portion and the object to be installed is provided. The connecting portion includes an upper connecting portion having one end inserted into the upper opening of the back plate and the other end locked to the object to be installed, a lower connecting portion having one end inserted into the lower opening of the back plate and the other end locked to the object to be installed, and a fastening portion for fastening the upper connecting portion and the lower connecting portion to each other. A notch portion for accessing a fastener to the fastening portion is provided at the upper portion of the back plate. The tag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In the back surface portion, the back plate and the left and right side plate portions are integrally formed of a metal material. The tag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The back surface part is integrally formed in a U-shaped cross-sectional shape when viewed from above. The tag device according to claim 5.

7. An antenna member is provided on the back plate. The tag device according to claim 5 or claim 6.

8. The notification member includes a display unit that displays the predetermined information, a lamp that lights up, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the display unit and the lamp. The tag device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The lamp lights up when the notification instruction is received. When the user presses the lit lamp, the lamp goes out. The tag device according to claim 8.

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