Detection sheet body

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a highly useful shipping / opening detection system.　[Solution] A sensing sheet body 10 is attached to a shipment. At the time of shipping, first sheet wiring 6 of the sensing sheet body 10 is broken. As a result, shipping data are transmitted from a wireless transmission circuit 3 of the sensing sheet body 10. The shipping data are recorded in a management server device 35. A recipient who receives the shipment breaks second sheet wiring 7 of the sensing sheet body 10. As a result, opening data are transmitted from the wireless transmission circuit 3 of the sensing sheet body 10. The opening data are recorded in the management server device 35. A user can therefore access the management server device 35 from a user terminal device 40 to understand the status of shipping and opening.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for detecting shipping and opening. [Background technology]

[0002] Systems have been proposed for detecting package openings to determine whether a package has been opened by an unauthorized person or whether a package has been opened by an authorized person.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a unit for detecting whether the package has been opened using RFID. When the pattern of the unit is connected due to opening, the data transmitted from the RFID changes, which makes it possible to determine whether the package has been opened or not.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a system in which contents are packaged in a package, the presence or absence of the contents is determined by a capacitance sensor, and the determination result is transmitted to a server device via wireless communication. By accessing the server device via the Internet, a user can find out whether the package has been opened and the contents have been removed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2018-169851 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-124838 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above-described conventional techniques for detecting opening of a package have the following problems.

[0007] The technology of Patent Document 1 uses RFID, which is a short-range communication technology, and therefore requires the user to prepare an RFID reader, which makes it difficult to use.

[0008] In contrast, in Patent Document 2, the presence or absence of contents determined by a capacitance sensor is transmitted wirelessly to a server device, so that if you have a smartphone or PC that can connect to the Internet, you can know whether the package has been opened or not. However, the capacitance sensor must be constantly running to detect whether the package has been opened, which consumes a lot of battery power.

[0009] In addition, the start switch must be pressed when the device is in use to prevent the battery from being consumed when not in use, but there are problems in that if the start switch is forgotten to be pressed, it is not possible to detect whether the device has been opened or not, and there is no mechanism in place to prevent the start switch from being forgotten to be pressed while easily turning the device on.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a highly useful technique for detecting whether a package has been opened. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] Several independently applicable features of the present invention are listed below.

[0012] (1) The detection sheet body of this invention comprises a wireless transmission circuit provided on a breakable thin plate substrate and transmitting a status signal to a mobile communication base station; a control circuit provided on the thin plate substrate and controlling the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating dispatch in response to a voltage applied to a first terminal, and to control the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating opening in response to a voltage applied to a second terminal; a battery provided on the thin plate substrate for supplying voltage to the wireless transmission circuit and the control circuit; a first sheet wiring provided on the thin plate substrate and connecting the first terminal and the battery; a second sheet wiring provided on the thin plate substrate and connecting the second terminal and the battery; a first breaking structure provided on the thin plate substrate for changing the voltage of the first terminal by cutting the first sheet wiring; and a second breaking structure provided on the thin plate substrate for changing the voltage of the second terminal by cutting the second sheet wiring.

[0013] Therefore, shipping and opening can be detected with a simple operation. In addition, since detection is performed by physical rupture, the state can be easily grasped by appearance.

[0014] (2) The detection sheet body of this invention is characterized in that the thin plate substrate is a synthetic resin film or paper, the first sheet wiring and the second sheet wiring are printed wiring formed by printing on the synthetic resin film or paper, and the first breaking structure and the second breaking structure are perforations provided in the paper and the printed wiring.

[0015] Therefore, the breaking structure can be broken without requiring any special equipment, and handling is easy.

[0016] (3) The detection sheet according to the present invention is characterized in that the printed wiring is formed wide in the extension direction of the perforations in the vicinity of the perforations.

[0017] Therefore, there is no risk that the conductivity of the printed wiring will be reduced due to the perforations.

[0018] (4) The detection sheet body according to the present invention is characterized in that an electrode connected to ground is formed on the thin plate substrate that is separated by the first breaking structure and on the thin plate substrate that is separated by the second breaking structure.

[0019] Therefore, when breaking the thin film substrate, even if a finger or the like touches it, noise is unlikely to be generated, and malfunction can be prevented.

[0020] (5) The detecting sheet according to the present invention is characterized in that the electrodes connected to the ground are configured in a linear pattern.

[0021] Therefore, the influence on the antenna can be reduced, and noise can be prevented.

[0022] (6) The detection sheet according to the present invention is characterized in that a code coated with a symbol for identifying the detection sheet is printed on the thin plate substrate that is separated by the first breaking structure.

[0023] Therefore, the separated code can be attached to the delivery item for management.

[0024] (7) The detection sheet body of this invention is arranged in a different direction from the perforation structure, which is a first breaking structure, and the perforation structure, which is a second breaking structure, and at least one end of the perforation structure, which is the second breaking structure, does not reach the end of the paper, but is configured to reach a new end created by removing a part of the paper by the perforation structure, which is the first breaking structure.

[0025] Therefore, the second breaking structure is difficult to break, and it is easy to know if the product has been used incorrectly, such as when it was shipped without breaking the first breaking structure.

[0026] (8) In the envelope according to the present invention, the detection sheet body is fixed so that the tear structure for opening overlaps the perforated structure, which is the second tear structure of the detection sheet.

[0027] Therefore, when the envelope is opened, the second breaking structure is simultaneously broken, making it possible to detect the opening.

[0028] (9) In the container according to the present invention, the detection sheet body is fixed so that the perforated structure, which is the second tearing structure of the detection sheet, is torn when the lid is opened.

[0029] Therefore, when the container is opened, the second breaking structure is simultaneously broken, making it possible to detect the opening.

[0030] (10) The detection sheet body of the present invention is characterized in that the first terminal and the second terminal are hardware interrupt terminals, and the control circuit is configured to only monitor the hardware interrupt terminal until a predetermined signal is input to the hardware interrupt terminal.

[0031] This reduces battery consumption and enables long-term operation.

[0032] (11) The detection sheet body of the present invention is characterized in that the control circuit controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating that the detection sheet body is operating at a predetermined time interval after transmitting the status signal indicating the shipment, at least until transmitting the status signal indicating the opening.

[0033] Therefore, after delivery, it is possible to check whether the detection sheet is operating correctly.

[0034] (12) The detection sheet body of the present invention is characterized in that the control circuit controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal used to estimate the current position of the detection sheet body at a predetermined time interval after transmitting the status signal indicating the shipment, at least until transmitting the status signal indicating the opening.

[0035] Therefore, after delivery, it is possible to know the position of the detection sheet.

[0036] (13) The detection sheet body of the present invention further includes a sensor that measures the environment surrounding the detection sheet body, and the control circuit controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating the measurement result by the sensor at a predetermined time interval after transmitting the status signal indicating the shipment, at least until transmitting the status signal indicating the opening.

[0037] Therefore, the surrounding environment during shipping can be detected.

[0038] (14)(15) A status detection system according to the present invention is a status detection system including a detection sheet body housed in or fixed to a container and having a wireless transmission circuit, and a server device capable of directly or indirectly acquiring a status signal from the wireless communication circuit, The detection sheet is provided on a breakable thin plate substrate and includes a wireless transmission circuit for transmitting a status signal to a mobile communication base station, and a control circuit for controlling the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating dispatch in response to a voltage applied to a first terminal and to transmit a status signal indicating opening in response to a voltage applied to a second terminal, and for transmitting a status signal used to estimate the current position of the detection sheet at predetermined time intervals after transmitting the status signal indicating dispatch, at least until transmitting the status signal indicating opening. a control circuit for controlling a wireless transmission circuit; a battery provided on the thin plate substrate for supplying voltage to the wireless transmission circuit and the control circuit; a first sheet wiring provided on the thin plate substrate for connecting the first terminal and the battery; a second sheet wiring provided on the thin plate substrate for connecting the second terminal and the battery; a first breaking structure provided on the thin plate substrate for varying the voltage of the first terminal by cutting the first sheet wiring; and a second breaking structure provided on the thin plate substrate for varying the voltage of the second terminal by cutting the second sheet wiring, The server device comprises a shipping recording means which, upon receiving a status signal indicating shipping, records in a recording unit that the detection sheet is in a shipping state together with the date and time associated with the detection sheet; a transport recording means which, after receiving the status signal indicating shipping, records in a recording unit that the detection sheet is in a transport state together with the date and time associated with the detection sheet, the current position estimated based on the status signal used to estimate the current position, based on the status signal used to estimate the current position; an opening recording means which, upon receiving a status signal indicating opening, records in a recording unit that the detection sheet is in an opened state together with the date and time associated with the detection sheet; and a transmission means which transmits the state of the detection sheet recorded in the recording unit to a terminal device.

[0039] Therefore, with a simple operation, the time of delivery, the current location, and the time of opening can be known.

[0040] The concept of "device" includes not only what is constituted by one computer, but also what is constituted by multiple computers connected via a network, etc. Therefore, when the means of the present invention (or even a part of the means) is distributed among multiple computers, these multiple computers correspond to the device.

[0041] The term "program" is a concept that includes not only programs that can be executed directly by a CPU, but also programs in source format, compressed programs, encrypted programs, and programs that work in conjunction with an operating system to perform their functions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a condition detection system using a detection sheet 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] The hardware configuration of the control circuit 4 of the detection sheet 10 is as follows. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a detection sheet 10. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the detecting sheet 10. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the detection sheet 10 attached to an envelope 70. [Figure 6] 1 shows the hardware configuration of a management server device 35. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a state detection process. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of transmission data. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining position detection using LPWA radio waves. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing recorded status data. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of a state detection process. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a state detection process. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing recorded status data. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing recorded status data. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the structure of the detecting sheet 10 according to another example. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing how the detection sheet 10 is attached to a cardboard box. FIG. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the structure of the detecting sheet 10 according to another example. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the structure of the detecting sheet 10 according to another example. [Figure 19] 10 shows details of the circuit pattern of the detection sheet 10. [Figure 20] 10 is a diagram showing a cover PPS attached to a circuit portion of the detection sheet 10. FIG. [Figure 21] In this example, the detection sheet 10 is attached to a cardboard box. [Figure 22] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of use of the detection sheet 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] 1. System Configuration 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a delivery opening detection system using a detection sheet 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The detection sheet 10 is attached to an opening portion of an envelope or container containing an item to be delivered.

[0044] After storing the item to be shipped, the user breaks the first breaking structure 6 to cut the first sheet wiring 5. This causes a fluctuation in the voltage at the first terminal of the control circuit 4. In response to this voltage fluctuation, the control circuit 4 commands the wireless communication circuit 3 to send a status signal indicating that the item has been shipped. The wireless communication circuit 3 then sends the status signal indicating that the item has been shipped.

[0045] This status signal is received by the mobile radio base station 20 and recorded in the tracking server device 30. The management server device 35 acquires the data recorded in the tracking server device 30. Therefore, the management server device 35 determines that the detection sheet 10 attached to the envelope or container containing the item to be shipped has entered a shipping state, and records this.

[0046] When an envelope or container containing an item to be shipped is delivered to a destination by a delivery company or the like and the recipient opens it, the second breaking structure 8 of the detection sheet 10 breaks. This breaks the second sheet wiring 7, causing a fluctuation in the voltage at the second terminal of the control circuit 4. In response to this voltage fluctuation, the control circuit 4 commands the wireless communication circuit 3 to send a status signal indicating that the item has been opened. The wireless communication circuit 3 then sends a status signal indicating that the item has been opened.

[0047] This status signal is received by the mobile radio base station 20 and recorded in the tracking server device 30. The management server device 35 acquires the data recorded in the tracking server device 30. Therefore, the management server device 35 determines that the detection sheet 10 attached to the envelope or container containing the delivery object has been opened, and records this.

[0048] The status signal recorded in the management server device 35 in this manner can be accessed and viewed from the user terminal device 40. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm that the package has been shipped and opened.

[0049] In this embodiment, two locations are provided for breaking the thin plate substrate, one for shipping and the other for opening. Therefore, the simple act of breaking the substrate is sufficient for both shipping and opening, and it is also easy to confirm that the substrate has been physically broken.

[0050] 2. Hardware configuration and structure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the wireless transmission circuit 3 and the control circuit 4. A memory 52, a non-volatile memory 54, an interrupt control circuit 56, an I / O port 58, and the wireless communication circuit 3 are connected to a CPU 50 of the control circuit 4. In this embodiment, a wireless communication circuit conforming to the LPWA standard such as Sigfox (trademark) is used.

[0051] The nonvolatile memory 54 stores firmware (control program) 58. This firmware 58 is written via an I / O port 58 using terminals Q1 to Q5.

[0052] The first terminal T1 of the interrupt control circuit 56 is supplied with the battery voltage via a resistor R1 and is connected to ground. Similarly, the second terminal T2 is supplied with the battery voltage via a resistor R2 and is connected to ground. Therefore, the terminals T1 and T2 are held at ground potential (L). When the patterns to ground are cut by the breaking structures 6 and 7, the voltages at the terminals T1 and T2 change to the battery voltage (H).

[0053] When the voltages at the first terminal T1 and the second terminal T2 change from L (low voltage) to H (high voltage), the interrupt control circuit 56 sends an interrupt signal to the CPU 50. When the CPU 50 receives the interrupt signal, it suspends the operation mode and processing it was in and executes a predetermined process (hardware interrupt). In this embodiment, when the interrupt signal is received, the CPU 50, which was in sleep mode, enters normal mode and executes a predetermined process.

[0054] Figure 3 shows the structure of the detection sheet 10. Antennas AN1 and AN2, a negative electrode pad G, a positive electrode pad V, and a circuit pattern are printed with conductive ink on a thin paper substrate 11. A button battery 2 is placed on top of the negative electrode pad G so that the negative electrode is in contact with it. The positive electrode of this button battery 2 is connected to the positive electrode pad V with adhesive tape, the adhesive surface of which is conductive, and this secures the button battery 2 to the thin plate substrate 11.

[0055] In this embodiment, a module 15 (IFS-M01 by Innovation Farm) is used, which incorporates a control circuit 4 and a wireless communication circuit 3. The terminals of the module 15 and the circuit pattern are electrically connected and fixed with a conductive adhesive.

[0056] A ground pattern GP extends from the negative electrode pad G and branches into a ground pattern GP1, which is the first sheet wiring, and a ground pattern GP2, which is the second sheet wiring. The ground pattern GP1 is connected to the interrupt terminal U1TX of the module 15, which is the first terminal, via margin patterns AP1, AP2, and AP3. In the figure, R0 is a conductor that spans the patterns.

[0057] The interrupt terminal U1TX is also connected to the positive electrode of battery 2 via a power supply pattern VP extending from positive electrode pad V and resistor R1. Perforations 6, which are a first breaking structure, are formed by zipper processing along margin patterns AP1 and AP2 so as to straddle ground pattern GP1. Margin patterns AP1 and AP2 are formed along perforations 6 and are wider than ground pattern GP1, preventing poor conductivity due to perforations 6.

[0058] Therefore, as shown in the circuit diagram in Figure 4, unless perforation 6 is torn, interrupt terminal U1TX is kept at "L". If perforation 6 is torn and ground pattern GP1 is cut, battery voltage is applied via resistor R1, and interrupt terminal U1TX becomes "H".

[0059] Ground pattern GP2 is connected to the second terminal, interrupt terminal U1RX of module 15, via margin patterns AP5 and AP4. The positive terminal of battery 2 is also connected to this interrupt terminal U1RX via power supply pattern VP extending from positive pad V and resistor R2. Perforation 7, which is a second breaking structure, is formed by zipper processing along margin patterns AP3, AP4, and AP5 so as to straddle ground pattern GP2. Margin patterns AP3, AP4, and AP5 are formed along perforation 7 and wider than ground pattern GP2, preventing poor conductivity due to perforation 7.

[0060] In this embodiment, the directions of the perforations 6 and 7 are different. The perforations 7 are formed up to the point where they contact the perforations 6, but do not extend beyond the perforations 6. This allows the perforations 6 to remove a portion of the thin film substrate 11, so that the ends of the perforations 7 appear on the outer periphery of the thin film substrate 11. This is to encourage cutting the perforations 7 after cutting the perforations 6.

[0061] As shown in the circuit diagram in Figure 4, if perforation 7 is not torn, interrupt terminal U1RX is kept at "L". If perforation 7 is torn and ground pattern GP2 is cut, battery voltage is applied via resistor R2, and interrupt terminal U1RX becomes "H".

[0062] Antennas AN1 and AN2 are also formed as printed patterns. Antenna AN1 is connected to a ground pattern GP, ​​and antenna AN2 is connected to the antenna terminal ANT of module 15 (which is connected to the antenna terminal of the radio transmitting circuit 3). A capacitor C2 is provided between the ground pattern GP to which antenna AN1 is connected and the pattern to which antenna AN2 is connected.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a zippered envelope 70 with a detection sheet body 10 attached. This envelope 70 has a zipper 72 for the recipient to open. As shown in the figure, the zipper 72 is made up of discontinuous cuts, allowing the envelope to be easily opened from the left side along the cuts. The detection sheet body 10 is attached so that the perforations 7 of the detection sheet body 10 are aligned with the cuts of the zipper 72. Note that the triangular region 61 formed by the perforations 6 is not attached to the envelope 70 so that it can be peeled off.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows the hardware configuration of the management server device 35 described in Fig. 1. Connected to the CPU 350 are a memory 352, a communication circuit 354, an SSD 356, and a DVD-ROM drive 358. The communication circuit 354 is a circuit for connecting to the Internet.

[0065] An operating system 360 and a management program 362 are recorded on the SSD 356. The management program 362 performs its functions in cooperation with the operating system 360. These programs were originally recorded on a DVD-ROM 364 and were installed on the SSD 356 via a DVD-ROM drive 358.

[0066] The tracking server device 30 has substantially the same hardware configuration. In this embodiment, a server device provided on the Internet by Sigfox is used as the tracking server device 30.

[0067] A normal PC that can connect to the Internet can be used as the user terminal device 40. The basic hardware configuration is the same as that shown in Fig. 6, but it is preferable that it is equipped with a display, mouse, keyboard, etc.

[0068] 3. Status detection process The state detection process using the envelope 70 shown in FIG. 5 will now be described.

[0069] 3.1 Processing up to shipping Before attaching it to the envelope 70, the terminals of the module 15 with the firmware 60 written on it are attached to the paper (thin board 11) on which the pattern is printed using conductive adhesive. Then, a button battery 2 is connected using conductive adhesive and a conductive seal. This supplies power to the circuit.

[0070] 7 shows a processing flowchart of the firmware 60 after the button battery 2 is installed and power is supplied. When the CPU 50 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as the control circuit 4) of the detection sheet 10 starts the firmware 60 by power supply, it controls the wireless transmission circuit 3 and commands it to transmit power-on data and test data (step S1). In response to this, the wireless transmission circuit 3 transmits the power-on data and test data. In this embodiment, the radio waves of the LPWA wireless communication are modulated by the transmission data and then transmitted.

[0071] FIG. 8 shows the structure of the transmission data sent from the wireless transmission circuit 3. The ID is an identification code uniquely assigned to the detection sheet 10 and is pre-recorded in the module 15 at the time of manufacture. The event is data indicating the state of the detection sheet, and as shown in the event correspondence table, a state is associated with each of 0 to 7. The battery voltage is data indicating the voltage of the button battery 2 detected by a sensor built into the module 15.

[0072] The LPWA radio waves transmitted from the wireless transmission circuit 3 are received by one of the base stations installed in various locations that is closest to the detection sheet 10. Figure 9 shows the relationship between the detection sheet 10, base stations B1 to B4, and tracking server device 30. The radio waves from the wireless transmission circuit 3 of the detection sheet 10 are received by base stations B1, B2, B3, and B4. Each of the base stations B1 to B4 demodulates the data from the received radio waves and transmits it to the tracking server device 30 together with the radio wave intensity at the time of reception.

[0073] The tracking server device 30 receives this data (ID, event, battery voltage, reception date and time, etc.) and transmits it to the management server device 35 (step S31). At this time, the tracking server device 30 also calculates the position and position accuracy (error radius) of the detection sheet body 10 based on the radio wave intensity received at base stations B1 to B4, and transmits this as well to the management server device 35. The accuracy of the calculated position varies depending on the number of base stations used in the calculation. That is, if the estimation is based on the radio wave intensity from many base stations, the position accuracy will be high, and if the estimation is based on the radio wave intensity from a few base stations, the position accuracy will be low.

[0074] In this way, the accuracy determined by the number of base stations, etc. is calculated as the error radius. It can be said that the correct position is generally within the error radius centered on the calculated position.

[0075] The CPU 350 of the management server device 35 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as the management server device 35) receives the ID, reception date and time, event, battery voltage, and location from the tracking server device 30 and records them as status data in the SSD 356 (step S51).

[0076] Fig. 10A shows the recorded status data. For each detection sheet 10 (i.e., for each ID), the type of event, the date and time of occurrence (the date and time received by the tracking server device 30), the location, and the battery voltage are recorded. In Fig. 10A, the power-on data and the test data transmission are recorded as events.

[0077] The manufacturer can access the management server device 35 via the Internet using a manufacturer terminal device (not shown) and view this status data. Therefore, if the power-on data or test data events are not recorded or the battery voltage is lower than a predetermined value even though the button battery 2 is installed, the manufacturer can know that there is a problem with the module 15.

[0078] After transmitting the data in step S1, the control circuit 4 of the detection sheet 10 enters a low power consumption mode (sleep mode) (step S2). In the low power consumption mode, the CPU 50 does not actually execute any processing other than accepting interrupts, thereby reducing consumption of the button battery 2.

[0079] The detection sheet 10 with the button battery 2 thus installed is attached to an envelope 70 by the user or the manufacturer, as shown in FIG.

[0080] 3.2 Processing from shipping to opening After placing documents or other contents in the envelope 70, the user seals it, cuts the detection sheet 10 along the perforations 6, and removes the triangular area (removal area) 61. Because the triangular area 61 has been removed, a person can easily visually confirm that the item has been sent.

[0081] This disconnects the ground pattern GP1, and the first terminal T1 (terminal U1TX) changes from "L" to "H." The interrupt control circuit 56 in Fig. 2 detects this and issues an interrupt instruction to the CPU 50 via the terminal T1.

[0082] A flowchart of the interrupt process by terminal T1 is shown in Figure 11. When an interrupt instruction is issued by terminal T1 (terminal U1TX), the CPU 50 exits the low power consumption mode and enters the normal operation mode. Then, it commands the wireless transmission circuit 3 to transmit the delivery data (step S3). In response to this, the wireless transmission circuit 3 transmits the delivery data (see Figure 8) with the event set to "2" via LPWA wireless radio waves.

[0083] The tracking server device 30 acquires the shipping data via the base station, adds the date, time, location, and error radius, and transmits it to the management server device 35 (step S32). The management server device 35 receives this and records it in the SSD 356 (step S52). Figure 10B shows the recorded shipping data. The date, time, location, etc. are recorded along with the event indicating the shipping.

[0084] As described above, after the user cuts the perforation 6, the envelope 70 is transported to its destination by a carrier as mail, parcel, or the like.

[0085] When the control circuit 4 of the detection sheet body 10 transmits the radio wave carrying the dispatch data, it enters a low power consumption mode (sleep mode) (step S4). Even in this low power consumption mode, the CPU 50 does not execute any processing other than accepting interrupts, thereby reducing consumption of the button battery 2. However, in the interrupt processing via terminal T1, in addition to accepting the interrupt processing via terminal T2, the CPU 50 measures time using an internal timer and performs a timer interrupt every time a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0086] When a predetermined time (here, 24 hours) has elapsed since the sending of the shipping data, the CPU 50 executes processing by timer interrupt (although the flowchart shows branch processing for ease of understanding, it is actually executed by interrupt processing). This interrupt causes the CPU 50 to return from low power consumption mode to normal mode. Then, it commands the wireless transmission circuit 3 to transmit status data with the event set to "4," i.e., alive / dead monitoring data (step S6). In response, the wireless transmission circuit 3 transmits the alive / dead monitoring data with the event set to "4" via LPWA wireless radio waves.

[0087] The tracking server device 30 acquires the shipping data via the base station, adds the date, time, and location, and transmits it to the management server device 35 (step S33). The management server device 35 receives this and records it in the SSD 356 (step S53). Figure 10C shows the recorded shipping data. The date, time, location, etc. are recorded along with the event indicating the shipping.

[0088] After transmitting the alive monitoring data, the CPU 50 again enters the low power consumption mode (step S4). Then, a timer interrupt is used to control transmission of the alive monitoring data at predetermined intervals (24 hours in this case). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10C, after the perforation 6 is cut, the position of the detection sheet 10 is tracked every 24 hours and recorded in the management server device 35. The status data recorded in the management server device 35 can be viewed from the user terminal device 40 via the Internet. Therefore, the user can know the current location of the mailed envelope. When viewing the status data, the management server device 35 may provide a display screen that displays the location of the detection sheet 10 on a map based on latitude and longitude.

[0089] 3.3 Processing after opening Next, when the envelope 70 arrives at the delivery destination and the recipient opens the zipper 72 to remove the contents, the perforation 7 of the detection sheet 10 is simultaneously cut, as shown in FIG.

[0090] This disconnects the ground pattern GP2, and the second terminal T2 (terminal U1RX) changes from "L" to "H." The interrupt control circuit 56 in Fig. 2 detects this and issues an interrupt instruction to the CPU 50 via the terminal T2.

[0091] A flowchart of the interrupt process by terminal T2 is shown in Figure 12. When an interrupt instruction is issued by terminal T2 (terminal U1RX), the CPU 50 exits the low power consumption mode and enters the normal operating mode. Then, it commands the wireless transmission circuit 3 to transmit the opening data (step S7). In response to this, the wireless transmission circuit 3 transmits the transmission data (see Figure 8) with the event set to "3" via LPWA wireless radio waves.

[0092] The tracking server device 30 acquires the opening data via the base station, adds the date, time, and location, and transmits it to the management server device 35 (step S34). The management server device 35 receives this and records it in the SSD 356 (step S54). Figure 13A shows the recorded opening data. The date, time, location, etc. are recorded along with the event "3" indicating opening. Therefore, the user can access the management server device 35 using the user terminal device 40 and confirm that the envelope 70 has not only arrived but has also been opened by the recipient.

[0093] When the control circuit 4 of the detection sheet body 10 transmits the radio wave carrying the opening data, it enters a low power consumption mode (sleep mode) (step S8). Even in this low power consumption mode, the CPU 50 does not execute any processing other than accepting interrupts, thereby reducing consumption of the button battery 2. However, in the interrupt processing via terminal T2, the CPU 50 measures time using an internal timer that measures time, and executes a timer interrupt after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0094] When a predetermined time (here, one minute) has elapsed since the CPU 50 transmitted the unsealing data, the CPU 50 executes processing by timer interrupt. This interrupt causes the CPU 50 to return from low power consumption mode to normal mode. Then, the CPU 50 commands the wireless transmission circuit 3 to transmit status data with the event set to "5," i.e., data one minute after the unsealing detection (step S11). In response, the wireless transmission circuit 3 transmits the data one minute after the unsealing detection with the event set to "5" via LPWA wireless radio waves.

[0095] The tracking server device 30 acquires the shipping data via the base station, adds the date, time, and location, and transmits the data to the management server device 35 (step S35). The management server device 35 receives the data and records it in the SSD 356 (step S55).

[0096] When the CPU 50 transmits the data one minute after the detection of the opening, it again enters the low power consumption mode S8 (step S8).

[0097] Next, when a predetermined time (here, four minutes) has elapsed since the CPU 50 transmitted the data one minute after the detection of the opening, the CPU 50 executes processing by timer interrupt. This interrupt causes the CPU 50 to return from low power consumption mode to normal mode. Then, the CPU 50 commands the wireless transmission circuit 3 to transmit status data with the event set to "6," i.e., data five minutes after the detection of the opening (step S11). In response to this, the wireless transmission circuit 3 transmits the data five minutes after the detection of the opening with the event set to "6" via LPWA wireless radio waves.

[0098] The tracking server device 30 acquires the shipping data via the base station, adds the date, time, and location, and transmits the data to the management server device 35 (step S35). The management server device 35 receives the data and records it in the SSD 356 (step S55).

[0099] After transmitting the data five minutes after the opening detection, the CPU 50 again enters the low power consumption mode S8 (step S8). After that, the alive monitoring data after the opening detection is transmitted every predetermined time (here, every hour) by a timer interrupt (step S11). This data is also recorded in the management server device 35 via the tracking server device 30.

[0100] The status data recorded in this manner is shown in Figure 14. The reason why the status data continues to be sent even after the opening data has been sent is so that even if the opening data is not received for some reason, it will be possible to know that the item has been opened by receiving subsequent data.

[0101] Furthermore, by recording where the envelope 70 goes after it has been opened, it is possible to know the consumer's disposal behavior, which can be used for waste disposal and marketing related to disposal behavior.

[0102] Thereafter, the transmission of the status data continues until the button battery 2 of the detecting sheet 10 runs out or the detecting sheet 10 is destroyed and the detecting sheet 10 stops operating.

[0103] In this way, it is possible to easily detect shipping and opening, and it is also possible to detect the shipping time and place, the shipping time and place, the delivery status, the opening time and place, etc. using the detection sheet 10 alone.

[0104] If perforation 6 is forgotten during shipping, the package can be opened by cutting perforation 7, which will detect the opening after shipping. As shown in Figure 3, even if perforation 6 is not cut, the pattern is designed so that the first terminal will always become "H" before the second terminal becomes "H" regardless of whether the package is torn from the left or right direction, as there are cut points for the first terminal on both sides of the cut point for the second terminal.

[0105] Therefore, the operation will be performed even if the perforation 6 is forgotten to be cut at the time of shipping. However, since the time difference between shipping and opening is recorded to be extremely small, it is possible to know that the perforation 6 was forgotten to be cut at the time of shipping and that the actual shipping time was earlier than the recorded date and time.

[0106] 3.4 Firmware Flashing In the above description, it is assumed that the firmware 60 has already been written to the control circuit 4. The process of writing the firmware 60 will now be described.

[0107] It is preferable to write the firmware 60 to the module 15 alone. When writing, a voltage is applied between the power supply terminal M3V3 and the ground terminal GND shown in FIG. 4, and a clock signal is supplied from the terminal SWCLK and firmware 60 data is supplied from the terminal SWDIO. This causes the firmware 60 to be written to the nonvolatile memory 54 of the control circuit 4. Note that when the written firmware 60 is to be deleted, a signal is supplied to the reset terminal NRST.

[0108] As described above, it is preferable to write the firmware 60 to the module 15 alone, but there may be cases where the firmware 60 needs to be modified after the module 15 is attached to the detection sheet 10. For such cases, terminals Q1 (SWCLK), Q2 (SWDIO), Q3 (NRST), Q4 (M3V3), and Q5 (GND) are provided, as shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the firmware 60 can be rewritten using these terminals.

[0109] 4.Other (1) In the above embodiment, LPWA radio is used. However, other radio systems such as ordinary mobile radio communication may also be used.

[0110] (2) In the above embodiment, location information is also detected. However, it is also possible to detect only that the package has been shipped and opened.

[0111] (3) In the above embodiment, the position data after shipping is detected at a predetermined time interval. This is to avoid the problem of post-shipment tracking being hindered due to the consumption of the button battery 2 if position data before shipping is acquired. However, if the button battery 2 has sufficient capacity, position data before shipping may also be acquired. This makes it possible to know the route taken by the detection sheet body 10 to reach the user, which can be used for marketing purposes, etc.

[0112] Furthermore, even if the breaking process of the first breaking structure 6 is forgotten at the time of shipping, the position data has been acquired, so it is possible to estimate the time of shipping based on the position data.

[0113] (4) In the above embodiment, the cut-out portion (triangular area 61 in the above example) is discarded at the time of shipping, but a unique number (which may be associated with the ID of the detection sheet body 10) may be printed on this portion, and the user may keep this as a shipping receipt.

[0114] (5) In the above embodiment, paper is used as the thin plate substrate 11. However, a thin plate plastic material or the like may be used as long as the material allows the breakable structure to be easily broken.

[0115] (6) In the above embodiment, the detection sheet 10 and the envelope 70 are configured as separate bodies and attached to each other. However, a pattern may be formed on a part of the envelope 70 as the detection sheet body, and the two may be configured as an integrated body.

[0116] (7) In the above embodiment, the tracking server device 30 and the management server device 35 are configured as separate servers. However, they may be configured as a single server device.

[0117] (8) In the above embodiment, the detection sheet 10 is provided on the envelope 70. However, the present invention is not limited to envelopes, and can be applied to general containers used for delivery, such as cardboard boxes. That is, the detection sheet 10 may be provided on the container so that the second breaking structure breaks when the container is opened.

[0118] 15 shows the structure of a detection sheet 10 configured for use in a cardboard box. The circuit diagram is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

[0119] The ground pattern GP1 is cut by the perforation 6, which is the first breaking structure, and the ground pattern GP2 is cut by the fragile portion 7, which is the second breaking structure. A sticker 76 is provided at the end of the fold line 78. The sticker 76 is configured to be removable, and when the sticker 76 is removed, the adhesive material is revealed. The fragile portion 7 has a notch or cavity so that it will break from this portion when a pulling force is applied in the direction of arrow A. Note that it is preferable that the fold line 78 be printed with a line as a guide for folding and not perforated. The fold line 78 may be configured to be easier to fold using perforations or the like, but it is preferable that the fold line 78 has a higher breaking strength than the fragile portion 78.

[0120] 16A shows the process of shipping a package using this detection sheet 10. The detection sheet 10 is attached to the inside of a cardboard box 90. At this time, the folding line 78 and the folded portion of the flap 92 are aligned.

[0121] The detection sheet 10 may be attached to the cardboard box 90 when the package is shipped, or the cardboard box 90 may be prepared with the detection sheet 10 attached in advance.

[0122] In the state shown in FIG. 16A, the contents are packed into the cardboard box 90, and then the perforation 6 is broken. This causes the shipping data to be transmitted. Next, the flaps 92, 94, 96, and 98 are closed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16B, the seal 76 is peeled off and the detection sheet body 10 is attached to the upper surface of the flap 94.

[0123] Once a package is dispatched, vitality monitoring data is sent at predetermined intervals to track its location.

[0124] When the package arrives and is opened, the detection sheet 10 is attached to the upper surface of the flap 94, so when the flap 94 is opened, a force is applied in the direction of arrow A in Figure 15, causing the fragile portion 7 to break. This causes the opening data to be transmitted.

[0125] As described above, sending and opening can be detected in the same way as with envelopes.

[0126] (9) In the above embodiment, information such as shipping, opening, and location is transmitted. However, instead of or in addition to any of these, environmental information (temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc.) may be acquired by a sensor and transmitted.

[0127] For example, a temperature sensor can be provided on the detection sheet 10, and the detection data can be transmitted at predetermined time intervals after shipping (for example, when transmitting alive monitoring data). This makes it possible to detect the temperature of packages during transportation, which can be used for transport management of fresh foods and the like.

[0128] FIG. 17 shows the structure of the detection sheet 10 provided with a temperature sensor 95. If the output data of the temperature sensor 95 is an analog signal, it must be A / D converted and captured as digital data. The module 15 (IFS-M01, Innovation Farm) used in the above embodiment is equipped with an internal A / D converter, and when an analog signal is applied to the input terminal GP, the CPU 50 can obtain the digitized data by the A / D converter. Therefore, the CPU 50 can transmit this data via the wireless transmission circuit 3.

[0129] (10) In the above embodiment, even if the perforation 6 is forgotten to be cut at the time of shipping, the package can be opened by hand. However, by configuring the thin plate substrate 11 to have a strength that would not tear if there were no perforation, it is possible to prevent the triangular area 61 in Figure 3 from being torn by hand even if the perforation surface 7 is cut when opening the package, as long as the perforation 6 is not cut at the time of shipping. In the case of a product that is purchased on the condition that the recipient knows the shipping date, the recipient can return the product without opening it.

[0130] (11) Figure 18 shows another example of a detection sheet 10. In this example, a synthetic resin (e.g., polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) resin) is used as the thin-film substrate of the detection sheet 10. A perforation 6 that breaks upon activation is provided on the right side, and a perforation 7 that breaks upon opening is provided on the left side. Mesh-shaped ground patterns GM1 and GM2 (connected to ground) are provided on the outside of the perforations 6 and 7 (i.e., on the thin-film substrate that is cut off by the tearing). This makes it less likely that noise will be generated even if a finger or other object touches the perforations 6 and 7 when the sheet is torn, preventing malfunctions due to noise. In addition, a barcode BC containing a code that identifies the detection sheet 10 is printed in the area 63 that is cut off by the perforation 6 upon activation.

[0131] The reason why the antennas are configured with a linear pattern (mesh) is that if they were solid patterns, the pattern area would become large and would have an adverse effect on the antennas AN1 and AN2.

[0132] In this embodiment, even if the potential of the terminal T1 in Fig. 2 becomes H, the CPU 50 does not immediately start the process in Fig. 11. This is because there is a possibility that the potential of the terminal T1 becomes H due to noise.

[0133] Therefore, in this example, even if the potential of terminal T1 becomes H and an external interrupt occurs, the CPU 50 does not immediately execute the process of Fig. 11. As will be described below, after the external interrupt occurs, a predetermined time is elapsed and a predetermined number of times it is determined whether the potential of terminal T1 is H, and if it is H all the predetermined number of times, the process of Fig. 11 is executed.

[0134] When the potential of terminal T1 becomes H and an external interrupt occurs, the device confirms this and enters sleep mode. After a predetermined time (for example, 100 ms) has elapsed, the device returns from sleep mode via a timer interrupt and detects the potential of terminal T1. After confirming the potential of terminal T1, the device enters sleep mode again. After another predetermined time (for example, 100 ms) has elapsed, the device detects the potential of terminal T1.

[0135] The above process is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), and if the potential of terminal T1 is H all the predetermined number of times, the process of Fig. 11 is executed. If the potential is not H even once among the predetermined number of times, it is determined to be noise and the device enters sleep mode.

[0136] In this example, the circuit pattern is surrounded by a ground pattern GP as shown in Fig. 19. This reduces the influence of noise.

[0137] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, a polypropylene cover (PPS) is provided on the central circuit pattern area. The four sides of the cover (PPS) are adhered to the board, protecting the central circuit area.

[0138] An example of how this detection sheet body 10 is used is shown in FIG. 21. For example, a case where a product is stored in a cardboard box and shipped will be described as an example. At the time of shipping, the product is stored in the cardboard box and the inner lid is closed. In this state, the protective sticker on the back surface of the detection sheet body 10 is peeled off to expose the adhesive surface, and the detection sheet body 10 is attached so that it matches the boundary line BD of the inner lid, as shown in FIG. 21A.

[0139] Thereafter, the perforation 6 is broken and the region 63 is separated, thereby activating the detection sheet 10. A barcode (identifier) ​​BC for identifying the detection sheet 10 is printed in the region 63. Therefore, this is affixed near the barcode PBC for identifying the product that is printed or attached to the cardboard (FIG. 21B). In this way, it is easy to associate the product with the detection sheet 10 by reading both barcodes BC and PBC with a barcode reader or the like. Furthermore, even if the product barcode is not attached to the cardboard box, affixing the barcode BC makes it easy to manage which detection sheet 10 is being used. Thereafter, the lid of the cardboard box is closed and the product is shipped.

[0140] When the cardboard box arrives at the destination and the inner lid is opened, the perforation 7 is broken, and the detection sheet 10 can confirm that the box has been opened.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 22, any structure can be applied as long as the perforation 7 must be broken to remove the product.

[0142] (12) In the above embodiment, the sending data and the unsealing data are transmitted by hardware interrupt processing. However, the sending data and the unsealing data may be transmitted by normal judgment processing. The same applies to timer interrupts.

[0143] (13) In the above embodiment, a fragile portion having perforations or holes is used as the breaking structure. However, other breaking structures, such as continuous cuts extending to about halfway along the thickness, may be used as long as they are breakable.

[0144] (14) In the above embodiment, the container has a breaking structure. However, the breaking structure may be provided in the packaging (such as plastic packaging) that encases the container.

[0145] (15) The above-described modifications can be implemented in combination with each other.

Claims

1. a wireless transmission circuit provided on the breakable thin plate substrate for transmitting a status signal to a mobile communication base station; a control circuit provided on the thin plate substrate, which controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating dispatch in response to a voltage applied to a first terminal, and controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating opening in response to a voltage applied to a second terminal; a battery provided on the thin plate substrate for supplying voltage to the wireless transmitting circuit and the control circuit; a first sheet wiring provided on the thin plate substrate and connecting the first terminal and a battery; a second sheet wiring provided on the thin plate substrate and connecting the second terminal and a battery; a first break structure provided on the thin plate substrate for changing a voltage of the first terminal by cutting the first sheet wiring; a second break structure provided on the thin plate substrate for changing a voltage of the second terminal by cutting the second sheet wiring; A detection sheet body comprising:

2. The detection sheet of claim 1, the thin plate substrate is a synthetic resin film or paper, the first sheet wiring and the second sheet wiring are printed wiring formed by printing on a synthetic resin film or paper, The detection sheet body is characterized in that the first and second breaking structures are perforations provided in the paper and printed wiring.

3. The detection sheet according to claim 2, The detection sheet body is characterized in that the printed wiring is formed wide in the extension direction of the perforations in the vicinity of the perforations.

4. The detection sheet according to claim 2 or 3, A detection sheet body, characterized in that an electrode connected to ground is formed on the thin plate substrate separated by the first breaking structure and the thin plate substrate separated by the second breaking structure.

5. The detection sheet according to claim 4, The detecting sheet is characterized in that the electrode connected to the ground is configured in a linear pattern.

6. The detection sheet according to claim 2 or 3, A detection sheet characterized in that a code coated with a symbol for identifying the detection sheet is printed on the thin plate substrate that is separated by the first breaking structure.

7. The detection sheet according to claim 2 or 3, The perforation structure that is the first breaking structure and the perforation structure that is the second breaking structure are provided in different directions, A detection sheet body characterized in that at least one end of the perforation structure, which is the second breaking structure, does not reach the end of the paper, and is configured to reach a new end created by removing a portion of the paper by the perforation structure, which is the first breaking structure.

8. An envelope comprising the detection sheet of claim 2 or 3 and having a tear structure for opening, An envelope in which a detection sheet body is fixed so that the tear structure for opening overlaps with the perforated structure, which is the second tear structure of the detection sheet body.

9. A container comprising the detection sheet body according to claim 2 or 3 and a lid, A container in which a detection sheet body is fixed so that the perforated structure, which is the second tearing structure of the detection sheet body, is torn when the lid is opened.

10. The detection sheet of claim 1, the first terminal and the second terminal are terminals for hardware interrupts; The detection sheet body is characterized in that the control circuit is configured to execute only monitoring of the hardware interrupt terminal until a predetermined signal is input to the hardware interrupt terminal.

11. The detection sheet of claim 1, The detection sheet body is characterized in that the control circuit controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating that the detection sheet body is operating at a predetermined time interval after transmitting the status signal indicating the shipment, at least until transmitting the status signal indicating the opening.

12. The detection sheet of claim 1, The detection sheet body is characterized in that the control circuit controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal used to estimate the current position of the detection sheet body at a predetermined time interval after transmitting the status signal indicating the dispatch, at least until transmitting the status signal indicating the opening.

13. The detection sheet of claim 1, Further provided is a sensor that measures the environment around the detection sheet, The control circuit controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating the measurement result by the sensor at a predetermined time interval after transmitting the status signal indicating the shipment, at least until transmitting the status signal indicating the opening.

14. a detection sheet body that is housed in or fixed to a container and has a wireless transmission circuit; a server device capable of directly or indirectly acquiring a status signal from the wireless transmission circuit; In a condition detection system comprising: The detection sheet body is a wireless transmission circuit provided on the breakable thin plate substrate for transmitting a status signal to a mobile communication base station; a control circuit provided on the thin plate substrate, which controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating dispatch in response to a voltage applied to a first terminal, controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal indicating opening in response to a voltage applied to a second terminal, and controls the wireless transmission circuit to transmit a status signal used to estimate the current position of the detection sheet at predetermined time intervals after transmitting the status signal indicating dispatch, at least until transmitting the status signal indicating opening; a battery provided on the thin plate substrate for supplying voltage to the wireless transmitting circuit and the control circuit; a first sheet wiring provided on the thin plate substrate and connecting the first terminal and a battery; a second sheet wiring provided on the thin plate substrate and connecting the second terminal and a battery; a first break structure provided on the thin plate substrate for changing a voltage of the first terminal by cutting the first sheet wiring; a second break structure provided on the thin plate substrate for changing a voltage of the second terminal by cutting the second sheet wiring; The server device a delivery recording means for receiving a status signal indicating delivery and recording in a recording unit that the detection sheet is in a delivery state together with a date and time in association with the detection sheet; a transport recording means for recording in a recording unit, in association with the detection sheet, the fact that the detection sheet is in a transport state, together with a current position estimated based on the status signal used to estimate the current position and a date and time, from when the detection sheet receives a status signal indicating dispatch until when the detection sheet receives a status signal indicating opening; an opening recording means for receiving a status signal indicating opening and recording in a recording unit that the detection sheet is in an opened state together with a date and time in association with the detection sheet; a transmitting unit that transmits the state of the detection sheet recorded in the recording unit to a terminal device.

15. a delivery recording means for receiving a status signal indicating delivery from the detection sheet via a mobile communication base station, and for recording in a recording unit that the detection sheet is in a delivery state together with a date and time in association with the detection sheet; a transport recording means for recording in a recording unit, in association with the detection sheet, the fact that the detection sheet is in a transport state, together with a current position estimated based on the status signal used to estimate the current position and a date and time, from when the detection sheet receives a status signal indicating dispatch from the detection sheet via a mobile communication base station until when the detection sheet receives a status signal indicating opening via the mobile communication base station; an opening recording means for receiving a status signal indicating opening from the detection sheet via a mobile communication base station, and for recording in a recording unit that the detection sheet is in an opened state together with a date and time in association with the detection sheet; a transmitting means for transmitting the state of the detection sheet recorded in the recording unit to a terminal device; A server device comprising:

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