Container management system, container management device, and container management method

Abstract

A container management system, a container management device, software for container management, and a container management method are provided that make it possible to easily identify containers when a plurality of containers are stored in one storage cabinet. [Solution] A cable-shaped RFID antenna (20) whose output radio waves are strongest at the tip (21) and weaken as it approaches the terminal (22) is installed horizontally within a storage facility (10) relative to the positions of a first RFID tag attached to a first container (11) and a second RFID tag attached to a second container (11). The RFID antenna (20) compares the strength of the radio waves received from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag, and determines that the RFID tag with the stronger received radio wave strength is located at the tip (21) of the RFID antenna (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container management system, a container management device 、 and a container management method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, gas containers filled with gas circulate among gas filling factories, stores, and users. Gas users are required to appropriately manage gas containers in accordance with relevant laws and regulations such as the High Pressure Gas Safety Act. In Patent Document 1, a system for managing gas containers in a user's facility has been proposed. In Patent Document 2, a storage for managing gas containers using a cable-type antenna has been proposed. In Patent Document 3, a device for managing articles using a cable-type antenna has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a user's facility, there may be cases where a plurality of gas containers are stored in a single storage. For example, when using one gas container, it may be necessary to store filled or used gas containers side by side. When the remaining amount of the gas container in use decreases to a specified value, connection work of the supply line is required to supply gas from the filled gas container.

[0005] In situations where gas supply cannot be stopped even for a moment, such as when manufacturing products using gas, a device is used to instantly switch from a gas cylinder that was in use to an unused gas cylinder. When such an automatic switch occurs, the unused gas cylinder becomes a gas cylinder in use, and at the same time, the gas cylinder that was in use becomes a used gas cylinder. For this reason, it is not easy to determine from the outside whether a gas cylinder stored in a storage facility is in use, unused, or used, and careful verification is required when removing used gas cylinders to avoid misidentifying them as gas cylinders in use.

[0006] This invention has been proposed in view of the above conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a container management system, a container management device, container management software, and a container management method that can easily identify containers when multiple containers are stored in a single storage unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A container management system comprising: a storage unit for storing containers to which RFID tags are attached; a cable-shaped RFID antenna whose output radio waves are strongest at the tip and weaker as it approaches the terminal side; and software that determines which containers to which RFID tags are attached based on data received from the RFID antenna, wherein the storage unit is capable of storing a first container to which a first RFID tag is attached and a second container to which a second RFID tag is attached; the RFID antenna is installed horizontally within the storage unit with respect to the position of the first RFID tag attached to the first container and the position of the second RFID tag attached to the second container; and the software has a function of comparing the received radio wave intensity received by the RFID antenna from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag and determining that the RFID tag with the stronger received radio wave intensity is on the tip side of the RFID antenna. [2] A container management device in a storage unit for which containers with RFID tags attached are stored, comprising: a cable-shaped RFID antenna whose output radio waves are strongest at the tip and weaker as it approaches the terminal side; and software that determines which container has the RFID tag attached based on data received from the RFID antenna, wherein the storage unit is capable of storing a first container with a first RFID tag attached and a second container with a second RFID tag attached, the RFID antenna is installed horizontally in the storage unit with respect to the position of the first RFID tag attached to the first container and the position of the second RFID tag attached to the second container, and the software has a function of comparing the received radio wave intensity received by the RFID antenna from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag and determining that the RFID tag with the stronger received radio wave intensity is on the tip side of the RFID antenna. [3] Container management software for a storage unit in which containers with RFID tags attached are stored, wherein the container management software determines which containers have RFID tags attached based on data received from a cable-shaped RFID antenna whose output radio waves are strongest at the tip and weaker as it approaches the terminal side, the storage unit is capable of storing a first container with a first RFID tag attached and a second container with a second RFID tag attached, the RFID antenna is installed horizontally in the storage unit with respect to the position of the first RFID tag attached to the first container and the position of the second RFID tag attached to the second container, and the software has a function of comparing the received radio wave intensity received by the RFID antenna from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag and determining that the RFID tag with the stronger received radio wave intensity is on the tip side of the RFID antenna. [4] A container management method in a storage unit that stores containers with RFID tags attached, comprising: an RFID antenna in the shape of a cable, where the tip is the strongest and the output radio waves weaken as it approaches the terminal side; and software that determines which container has the RFID tag attached based on data received from the RFID antenna, wherein the storage unit is capable of storing a first container with a first RFID tag attached and a second container with a second RFID tag attached, the RFID antenna is installed horizontally in the storage unit with respect to the position of the first RFID tag attached to the first container and the position of the second RFID tag attached to the second container, and the software has a function of comparing the received radio wave intensity received by the RFID antenna from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag and determining that the RFID tag with the stronger received radio wave intensity is on the tip side of the RFID antenna. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when multiple containers are stored in a single storage unit, it is possible to easily identify the containers using a single RFID antenna without having to provide an antenna for each container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the first example of the RFID antenna installation configuration. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing a second example of the RFID antenna installation. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the installation status of the RFID antenna. [Figure 4] This is an external view diagram showing an example of an RFID tag. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the drawings may schematically show key features for clarity. The number and dimensional ratios of each component may not be the same as in reality. Furthermore, the materials, dimensions, etc., exemplified in the following description are examples only, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to them. It can be implemented with appropriate modifications without changing the essence of the invention.

[0011] Figures 1 to 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the installation state of the RFID antenna. In Figure 1, the tip 21 of the RFID antenna 20 is positioned on the left and the terminal 22 is positioned on the right, while in Figure 2, the tip 21 of the RFID antenna 20 is positioned on the right and the terminal 22 is positioned on the left. Figure 3 shows the situation in which information is received from the RFID antenna 20 by the software 30.

[0012] As shown in Figure 4, the RFID tag 14 is held in the RFID tag holder 12. By attaching the RFID tag holder 12, which holds the RFID tag 14, to the container 11, the container 11 with the RFID tag 14 attached is formed. Although not specifically shown, it is also possible to attach the RFID tag 14 directly to the container 11. The presence of the RFID tag holder 12 makes it easier to handle the RFID tag 14.

[0013] The container management system of this embodiment includes a storage unit 10 in which containers 11 with RFID tags 14 attached are stored, an RFID antenna 20, and software 30 for determining the containers 11. The software 30 used in the container management system is the same as the container management software described later. The container management system may include a computer on which the software 30 is run. The computer may be capable of running programs other than the software 30. A computer on which the software 30 is installed may be used alone to manage multiple storage units 10.

[0014] The container management device of this embodiment is a container management device in a storage 10 that houses a container 11 with an RFID tag 14 attached, and includes the above-described RFID antenna 20 and software 30. The container management device may be provided for the purpose of being used in combination with the storage 10 with the RFID antenna 20. The software 30 used in the container management device is the same as the container management software described later. The container management device may include a computer that operates the software 30. When the container management device does not include a computer, the container management device may be provided for the purpose of being used in combination with a computer with the software 30. The computer on which the software 30 is installed may be used alone to manage a plurality of storages 10.

[0015] The container management software of this embodiment is software 30 that determines the container 11 in a storage 10 that houses a container 11 with an RFID tag 14 attached. This software 30 may be software for causing a computer to execute the container management method described later.

[0016] The container management method of this embodiment is a container management method in a storage 10 that houses a container 11 with an RFID tag 14 attached, and uses the above-described RFID antenna 20 and software 30 in the storage 10. This container management method may be used in the above-described container management system or container management device.

[0017] The storage 10 can store a first container 11 with a first RFID tag 14 attached and a second container 11 with a second RFID tag 14 attached. The storage 10 is not particularly limited, and examples include a metal cabinet. The container 11 is not particularly limited, and examples include a gas container filled with a gas such as high-pressure gas. The gas container in the illustrated example is a cylinder, and an RFID tag holder 12 is attached to its neck. <S

[0018] The RFID antenna 20 used in this embodiment is a cable-shaped RFID antenna in which the tip side 21 is the strongest and the output radio wave becomes weaker as it approaches the terminal side 22. The terminal side 22 is, for example, the side to which the RFID antenna 20 is connected to the communication line 23. The tip side 21 is the side opposite to the terminal side 22 in the RFID antenna 20.

[0019] This RFID antenna 20 is horizontally installed in the storage 10 with respect to the positions of the first RFID tag 14 attached to the first container 11 and the second RFID tag 14 attached to the second container 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the RFID antenna 20 may be installed on a jig 24 attached to the back plate 15 of the storage 10.

[0020] The RFID antenna 20 in the storage 10 is preferably installed linearly. When the RFID antenna 20 is likely to bend, it is preferable to use a cable storage tool (not shown) such as a resin molded product to maintain the shape of the RFID antenna 20.

[0021] The length of the RFID antenna 20 only needs to be longer than the length that reaches both RFID tags 14 attached to each container 11. The height of the RFID antenna 20 may be an appropriate height at which stable communication with the RFID tag 14 is possible. When the RFID tag 14 is attached to the upper part of the metal container 11, it is preferable to attach the RFID antenna 20 at a position higher than the RFID tag 14 in order to avoid the influence of the metal of the container 11.

[0022] The distance between the RFID antenna 20 and the RFID tag 14 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a short distance, for example, about 10 cm. Here, as the short distance, for example, it is preferably shorter than the center-to-center distance between adjacent containers 11, and more preferably shorter than the diameter of each container 11.

[0023] Software 30 is a program or the like stored in the storage medium of a control device (not shown), such as a computer or controller. Software 30 may also include data necessary for processing. The operation of software 30 is performed by an arithmetic unit (not shown), such as a processor, in the control device.

[0024] The software 30 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The software 30 may also be transmitted and received via telecommunications lines.

[0025] The example shown in Figure 3 illustrates a configuration in which communication with the software 30 is performed via a communication line 23 connected to the RFID antenna 20. The communication method in this embodiment is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. The RFID antenna 20 may be connected to a communication device (not shown) via the communication line 23, and communication between the communication device and the software 30 may be performed using a method other than the communication line 23.

[0026] The storage unit 10 can be installed, for example, at a user-side facility (such as a factory) that uses gas. The control device for operating the software 30 can be installed in a management device (not shown) that manages the container 11. The management device may be installed at the user-side facility, or it may be installed at another facility that remotely manages the storage unit 10. Some functions of the management device may be installed at the user-side facility, and other functions of the management device may be installed at the management facility. The management facility where the management device is installed may be a different facility from the user-side facility, and may be a facility on the administrator's side.

[0027] In the example shown in Figure 3, only the communication between the RFID antenna 20 and the software 30 is illustrated. Although not specifically shown, other communications necessary for managing the storage unit 10, container 11, etc., can also be performed. The communication method required for these communications is not particularly limited, and any appropriate method such as wired or wireless can be used.

[0028] The software 30 determines which container 11 has an RFID tag 14 attached based on the information received from the RFID antenna 20. More specifically, the software 30 compares the received radio wave intensity received by the RFID antenna 20 from the first RFID tag 14 and the second RFID tag 14.

[0029] When comparing the received radio wave strength, the software 30 has a function to determine that the RFID tag 14 with the stronger received radio wave strength is located at the tip side 21 of the RFID antenna 20. In other words, the software 30 has a function to determine that the RFID tag 14 with the weaker received radio wave strength is located at the terminal side 22 of the RFID antenna 20.

[0030] When the RFID antenna 20 emits radio waves 25, the RFID tag 14 attached to the container 11 receives the radio waves 25 and emits radio waves containing information according to the content of the radio waves 25. For example, a method in which the identification (ID) information of the RFID tag 14 is received by the RFID antenna 20 as a reflected wave by the RFID antenna 20 (passive tag) is preferred. In this case, the RFID tag 14 does not require a power supply, so it is inexpensive, but the communication range tends to be short.

[0031] The RFID antenna 20 transmits the information received from the RFID tag 14 to the software 30. The information contained in the RFID tag 14 is not particularly limited, but the type of gas filled in the container 11, the filling date, the manufacturing date, etc., can be recorded in association with the ID information of the RFID tag 14. In this case, recording to the RFID tag 14 can be done each time the container 11 is filled with gas. Note that information other than the ID information may not be recorded in the RFID tag 14 but may be recorded in another database, etc. In this case, after obtaining the ID information, the necessary information can be obtained by referring to the other database, etc.

[0032] By attaching an RFID tag 14 to the container 11, the information contained in the RFID tag 14 is associated with the container 11. For example, the same RFID tag 14 is continuously attached to the same container 11 from the time the gas-filled container 11 is transported from the filling plant through the distribution route such as a retail store to the storage facility 10, and then retrieved from the storage facility 10 after the gas has been used. In this case, it is sufficient to continuously attach the RFID tag holder 12 that holds the RFID tag 14 to the same container 11.

[0033] The RFID tag 14 is preferably installed on the side of the RFID tag holder 12. This makes it easier to receive radio waves 25 from the RFID antenna 20 installed at the same height (horizontally). The RFID tag holder 12 shown in Figure 4 is an annular body with a slit in a part of its circumference. A tag insertion part 13 into which the RFID tag 14 can be inserted is formed on its outer surface.

[0034] Although not specifically shown in the figures, an identical RFID tag holder 12 can have multiple tag insertion sections 13 in the circumferential direction. For example, the tag insertion sections 13 may be arranged at three equal intervals (approximately 120°) around the circumference. It is preferable to insert RFID tags 14, each recording the same ID information, into each of the multiple tag insertion sections 13. This ensures that even if the container 11 or the RFID tag holder 12 rotates, at least one of the multiple RFID tags 14 will be positioned close to the RFID antenna 20.

[0035] Since the RFID tag holder 12 is formed from an elastic resin or the like, it can be attached to the neck of the container 11 by opening the gap in the slit. After the RFID tag holder 12 is attached, the gap in the slit closes, preventing it from falling off the container 11. Furthermore, even if the dimensions of the neck of the container 11 differ within a predetermined range, the RFID tag holder 12 can still be attached. Note that the shape and structure of the RFID tag holder 12 are not limited to the illustrated example, and it can be designed as appropriate, such as an annular body without circumferential slits.

[0036] When a first container 11 and a second container 11 are stored in the same storage unit 10, normally one of the containers 11 is in use, and the other container 11 is unused and waiting to be replaced. If the storage unit 10 is equipped with an automatic container 11 switching function, when the remaining amount of gas in the container in use decreases and reaches the threshold value requiring replacement, the container 11 used for gas supply is switched. Information regarding the switch in container 11 is also transmitted to the management facility, and the collection of the used container 11 and the replenishment of the unused container 11 are requested.

[0037] Upon receiving the aforementioned request, the management facility can dispatch workers from the retailer or other location to perform the container replacement work. At this time, only the used containers 11 need to be collected from the multiple containers 11 stored in the storage facility 10. In order to more reliably and quickly identify the containers 11 that need to be replaced at the storage facility 10 site, it is desirable to make the location information of the containers 11 that need to be replaced in the storage facility 10 available for communication in accordance with the aforementioned request.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, the RFID antenna 20 is used to generate information that allows for the identification of the location of the container 11 that needs to be replaced among the multiple containers 11 stored in the storage unit 10. Specifically, the RFID antenna 20 transmits the received radio wave strength from each RFID tag 14, along with the information received from each RFID tag 14 attached to the multiple containers 11, to the software 30.

[0039] The software 30 distinguishes between the container 11 at the tip 21 of the RFID antenna 20 and the container 11 at the terminal 22 of the RFID antenna 20 by comparing the received radio wave strength. More specifically, as described above, the tip 21 and the terminal 22 can be distinguished based on the strength of the received radio wave strength, according to the strength characteristics of the output radio wave of the RFID antenna 20.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, in the case of a storage compartment 10 where the tip side 21 is on the left and the terminal side 22 is on the right, it can be determined that the RFID tag 14 with the stronger received radio signal strength is on the left side of the storage compartment 10, and the RFID tag 14 with the weaker received radio signal strength is on the right side of the storage compartment 10. As shown in Figure 2, in the case of a storage compartment 10 where the tip side 21 is on the right and the terminal side 22 is on the left, it can be determined that the RFID tag 14 with the stronger received radio signal strength is on the right side of the storage compartment 10, and the RFID tag 14 with the weaker received radio signal strength is on the left side of the storage compartment 10.

[0041] The placement of the RFID antenna 20 relative to the storage unit 10 is recorded when the RFID antenna 20 is installed in the storage unit 10 and can be saved for use by the software 30. Since there is no need to replace the RFID antenna 20 even when the container 11 is replaced, the information on whether the tip side 21 is on the left (terminal side 22 is on the right) or the tip side 21 is on the right (terminal side 22 is on the left) does not need to be updated for a long period of time corresponding to the lifespan of the RFID antenna 20, making management easier.

[0042] In contrast, if one were to identify a container 11 that needs replacing without using this embodiment, one could, for example, record the ID information of the RFID tag 14 attached to the container 11 and associate it with the left or right side of the storage unit 10 when storing the container 11 in the storage unit 10. In this case, the information on whether the container 11 is on the left or right side of the storage unit 10 would need to be updated each time the container 11 is replaced, making management complicated. Also, if antennas are installed to correspond one-to-one with each container 11, multiple antennas would be required in the storage unit, increasing costs.

[0043] In the storage facility 10 where this embodiment is used, the frequency of replacing the containers 11 may be high depending on the amount of gas used, and it is desirable to reduce the work associated with replacing the containers 11 as much as possible. According to this embodiment, the location of the containers 11 in the storage facility 10 can be determined according to the reception characteristics of the RFID antenna 20, so it is not necessary to individually record the location information of the containers 11 in the storage facility 10. As long as the arrangement of the RFID antennas 20 in the storage facility 10 is not changed, the preconditions necessary for determining the location of the containers 11 do not change, so container management operations can be carried out stably.

[0044] Although not specifically shown in the diagram, if only one container 11 is stored in the storage unit 10, then only RFID tags 14 attached to that one container 11 will be placed in the storage unit 10. In this case, since the storage unit 10 distinguishes between the side with a container 11 and the side without a container 11, it becomes possible to determine the location of the container 11 by detecting its presence. In the software 30, only the received radio wave strength received from one RFID tag 14 is input, so it becomes possible to determine that only one container 11 is stored in the storage unit 10.

[0045] Even in general RFID-based location tracking, received radio wave strength is sometimes used. The strength of the radio waves received by the antenna from the tag is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, so a stronger received radio wave strength indicates that the tag is closer to the antenna. However, since the storage unit 10 for gas containers etc. includes a metal casing, radio waves are scattered within the metal casing, and the received radio wave strength may change unexpectedly, making it difficult to reliably determine distance based on received radio wave strength.

[0046] According to this embodiment, a cable-type RFID antenna 20 can be used to position the RFID antenna 20 near the RFID tag 14 attached to the container 11. This reduces the intensity of the radio waves 25 emitted from the RFID antenna 20, thereby reducing the effects of reflection within the metal casing. Due to the characteristics of the cable-type antenna, the output radio waves gradually weaken from the tip end 21 to the terminal end 22. Therefore, the strength received from the RFID tag 14 near the tip end 21 is stronger than the strength received from the RFID tag 14 near the terminal end 22, and this can be used to identify the container 11 in the storage unit 10.

[0047] When multiple containers 11 are stored in the storage unit 10, it is possible to identify whether the container 11 to be worked on is stored on the left or right side of the storage unit 10. As a result, it is also possible to determine whether the status of the multiple containers 11 is in use or on standby. It is possible to identify individual containers 11 that are empty and need to be replaced. As a result, when replacing a container 11, the container 11 that needs to be replaced can also be identified on the screen display at the management facility. By promoting the systematization of container management, it is possible to reduce the amount of handwritten forms (ledgers, slips, and other documents).

[0048] In the above example, a storage unit 10 equipped with an automatic container switching function was illustrated, but this embodiment can also be applied to a storage unit 10 that does not have an automatic switching function. When an automatic switching function is provided, the worker recognizes that a used container 11 needs to be collected and retrieves it from the storage unit 10. In this case, both the used container 11 and the container 11 in use are connected to the supply line and visual confirmation may be difficult, but the work can be made easier by checking the used container 11 while referring to the output information of the software 30.

[0049] If the storage unit 10 does not have an automatic switching function, when the time for replacement is determined by detecting the remaining amount of the container 11 in use, a worker will need to replace the container 11 in use with an unused one. In this case, the worker will recognize the container 11 in use as one that needs replacing, remove it from the supply line, connect the unused container 11 to the supply line, and then retrieve the used container 11 from the storage unit 10. Even in this case, the work can be made easier by checking the container 11 in use while referring to the output information of the software 30.

[0050] When the management facility requests the dispatch of workers, the information communicated to the workers may be converted to an easily understandable format when the management facility refers to the output information of the software 30, indicating whether the container is on the right or left side of the storage unit 10. The management system that obtains ID information from the output information of the software 30 may perform such information conversion. In this case, as described above, it is preferable that a record is stored indicating whether the tip side 21 or the terminal side 22 of the RFID antenna 20 is on the right or left side of the storage unit 10.

[0051] Examples of the software 30 in this embodiment include the following. The software may be a program that causes a computer to perform the following steps (1) to (4). The software may be applied to the management computer of the storage unit 10 equipped with the RFID antenna 20 described above. The correspondence between the container 11 and the RFID tag 14 may be processed by other software in the management computer.

[0052] (1) A step of obtaining the received radio signal strength received from multiple RFID tags 14 as input information for the software 30. Preferably, the input information in this case includes the ID information and received radio signal strength of each RFID tag 14. The received radio signal strength (RSSI) when reading the RFID tag 14 can be measured by a receiver connected to the RFID antenna 20 or the like.

[0053] (2) A step of comparing the received radio wave strengths of multiple RFID tags 14 acquired in (1). The method of comparing the received radio wave strengths is not particularly limited, but an appropriate comparison routine can be used depending on the format of the input values.

[0054] (3) Based on the comparison results obtained in (2), determine whether the RFID tag 14 with the stronger received radio signal strength is located on the tip side 21 of the RFID antenna 20, or whether the RFID tag 14 with the weaker received radio signal strength is located on the terminal side 22 of the RFID antenna 20. In this case, the determination function may be both a function to determine the tip side 21 and a function to determine the terminal side 22, or it may be just a function to determine the tip side 21, or just a function to determine the terminal side 22.

[0055] (4) A step in which the software 30 outputs information that identifies the RFID tag 14 whose location was determined in (3) as output information. The information that identifies the RFID tag 14 can be appropriately selected from the information that can be obtained when reading in (1), but it may also be the ID information of the RFID tag 14. In this case, the output information may include information that identifies whether the RFID tag 14 whose location was determined is the tip side 21 or the terminal side 22. If the system that receives the output information from the software 30 has a predetermined understanding that the output information is either the tip side 21 or the terminal side 22, then the distinction between the tip side 21 and the terminal side 22 does not need to be included in the output information. [Examples]

[0056] The effects of the present invention will be explained below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of these examples. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a single cable-type antenna was installed in a metal storage unit containing two metal containers. Using this cable-type antenna, tags attached to the two containers were read, and the received signal strength was compared to the transmitted signal strength.

[0057] [Table 1]

[0058] [Table 2]

[0059] Table 1 shows the received signal strength when the antenna tip is positioned on the left side of the storage compartment (L (tip side) and R (terminal side)). Table 2 shows the received signal strength when the antenna tip is positioned on the right side of the storage compartment (L (terminal side) and R (tip side)). In both cases, the received signal strength at the tip side is stronger than that at the terminal side, confirming that the tip and terminal sides can be reliably determined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10...Storage compartment, 11...Container, 12...RFID tag holder, 13...Tag insertion section, 14...RFID tag, 15...Back plate, 20...RFID antenna, 21...Tip side, 22...Terminal side, 23...Communication line, 24...Jig, 25...Radio waves, 30...Software.

Claims

1. A storage unit where containers with RFID tags attached are stored, An RFID antenna with a cable shape where the output radio waves are strongest at the tip and weaker as you approach the terminal, Software that determines the container to which the RFID tag is attached based on the data received from the RFID antenna, Equipped with, The storage unit is capable of storing a first container to which a first RFID tag is attached, and a second container to which a second RFID tag is attached. The RFID antenna is installed horizontally within the storage compartment with respect to the position of the first RFID tag attached to the first container and the position of the second RFID tag attached to the second container. The container management system is characterized in that the software has a function to compare the received radio wave intensity received by the RFID antenna from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag, and to determine that the RFID tag with the stronger received radio wave intensity is located at the tip of the RFID antenna.

2. A container management device in a storage facility where containers with RFID tags attached are stored, An RFID antenna with a cable shape where the output radio waves are strongest at the tip and weaker as you approach the terminal, Software that determines the container to which the RFID tag is attached based on the data received from the RFID antenna, Equipped with, The storage unit is capable of storing a first container to which a first RFID tag is attached, and a second container to which a second RFID tag is attached. The RFID antenna is installed horizontally within the storage compartment with respect to the position of the first RFID tag attached to the first container and the position of the second RFID tag attached to the second container. The container management device is characterized in that the software has a function of comparing the received radio wave intensity received by the RFID antenna from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag, and determining that the RFID tag with the stronger received radio wave intensity is located on the tip side of the RFID antenna.

3. A method for managing containers in a storage facility where containers with RFID tags attached are stored, An RFID antenna with a cable shape where the output radio waves are strongest at the tip and weaker as you approach the terminal, Software that determines the container to which the RFID tag is attached based on the data received from the RFID antenna, The storage unit is made using the above-mentioned storage unit. The storage unit is capable of storing a first container to which a first RFID tag is attached, and a second container to which a second RFID tag is attached. The RFID antenna is installed horizontally within the storage compartment with respect to the position of the first RFID tag attached to the first container and the position of the second RFID tag attached to the second container. The container management method is characterized in that the software has a function of comparing the received radio wave intensity received by the RFID antenna from the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag, and determining that the RFID tag with the stronger received radio wave intensity is located on the tip side of the RFID antenna.

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