Location specifying device, location specifying method, and recording medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a location specifying device comprising: an image acquiring means that acquires a captured image of a loading area where a plurality of RFID-tagged packages are loaded; an RFID tag information acquiring means that acquires identifiers of the plurality of RFID tags read in the loading area and the time when each of the plurality of RFID tags was read; a location specifying means that specifies location information representing the location of a first package in the loading area, on the basis of the difference between a first image captured at the moment when a first RFID tag attached to the first package was read and a second image captured at the moment when a second RFID tag read next after the first RFID tag was read; and an outputting means that outputs the location information for the first package.

Description

Position specifying device, position specifying method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a location determination device, a location determination method, and a program.

[0002] There is a technology for identifying the location of luggage placed on a cart or shelf to facilitate tasks such as loading and unloading, searching, and picking up luggage.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a logistics system that detects the order in which delivery items are loaded into a box based on the communication history of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, and estimates the location of each delivery item loaded into the box based on the size and shape of the delivery items and the loading order.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-019586

[0005] However, in the logistics system described in Patent Document 1, a three-dimensional model is generated, and then multiple branching patterns that represent the loading positions of the cargo are generated using the three-dimensional model, and then one or more loading patterns that are likely to be correct are stored, making it difficult to identify the location of the cargo.

[0006] An example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that facilitates identifying the location of luggage.

[0007] A location identification device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes an image acquisition means for acquiring an image of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded; an RFID tag information acquisition means for acquiring identifiers of multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read; a location identification means for identifying location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time a first RFID tag attached to the first piece of luggage is read and a second image taken at the time a second RFID tag read after the first RFID tag is read; and an output means for outputting the location information of the first piece of luggage.

[0008] A location identification method in one aspect of the present disclosure acquires an image of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded, acquires the identifiers of the multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read, and identifies location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time the first RFID tag attached to the first piece of luggage was read and a second image taken at the time the second RFID tag read after the first RFID tag was read, and outputs the location information of the first piece of luggage.

[0009] A location identification program in one aspect of the present disclosure acquires an image of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded, acquires the identifiers of the multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read, and determines location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time the first RFID tag attached to the first piece of luggage was read and a second image taken at the time the second RFID tag read after the first RFID tag was read, and causes a computer to execute a process of outputting the location information of the first piece of luggage.

[0010] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0011] One example of the effect of the present disclosure is that it facilitates the identification of the location of luggage.

[0012] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application of a position specifying device. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a position specifying device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of a position specifying device. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the time progression of loading luggage. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of position information. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen for position information. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a position specifying device. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of a position specifying device. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a list of position information. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of a position specifying device. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of a position specifying device. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen for position information and a pick-up order. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of a position specifying device. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration for realizing a position specifying device in the present disclosure by a computer and its peripheral devices.

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The present disclosure relates to a technology for assisting in locating luggage loaded into a predetermined loading area. A location identification device, a location identification method, and a recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a location identification process according to the present disclosure identify the location of the luggage using images captured when the luggage is loaded with an RFID tag and the RFID tag information read from the images.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of application of a position specifying device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0016] 1 , the positioning device 100 is communicably connected to a camera C1 and a reading antenna A1. At least when luggage is being loaded into the loading area, the positioning device 100 acquires an image of the loading area captured by the camera C1 and RFID tag information read in the loading area by the reading antenna A1. One or more cameras C1 and reading antennas A1 are provided for each loading area. The positioning device 100 may be connected to multiple cameras C1 and multiple reading antennas A1. Furthermore, there may be multiple loading areas in which the positioning device 100 identifies the location of luggage.

[0017] Here, the term "luggage" refers to items loaded into the loading area. Examples of items loaded into the loading area include, but are not limited to, cardboard boxes packed with items or containers containing items. Each piece of luggage is provided with an RFID tag for identifying it. The luggage may be packaged in a single type of package, such as a single size and shape, as shown in FIG. 1 , or may be packaged in a variety of types of packages, such as a single size and shape.

[0018] The loading area is a predetermined area where luggage is loaded. As described above, the loading area is equipped with the camera C1 and the reading antenna A1. The loading area is a transport tool for loading and transporting multiple luggage items, or a loading location for loading luggage items. Examples of the transport tool include a cart, a unit load device (ULD) that collects air cargo into a certain unit and loads it into the cargo hold of an aircraft, or the bed of a truck. The loading location may be, for example, a shelf provided in a warehouse, a store, or the like, or a loading location where a transport tool such as a movable cart is temporarily placed to load luggage items. Therefore, the camera C1 and the reading antenna A1 may be installed on the transport tool or the loading location, respectively.

[0019] The camera C1 photographs the loading area. As an example, the camera C1 is installed so as to photograph luggage loaded into the loading area, and photographs the loading area. The camera C1 photographs at least the loading area during loading of luggage into the loading area. For example, the camera C1 may be installed in the loading area so as to be able to photograph the lateral, vertical, and depth directions of the loading surface that a worker faces when loading luggage. Note that images of the lateral, vertical, and depth directions of one loading area may be photographed by multiple cameras C1. For example, the loading area may be photographed by a camera C1 installed above the loading area and photographing the lateral and depth directions of the loading area, and a camera C1 installed opposite the loading surface of the loading area and photographing the height of the loading area.

[0020] The reading antenna A1 is installed so that its reading range covers the loading area, and reads information from RFID tags within the loading area. Alternatively, for example, the reading antenna A1 may be installed so that its reading range covers the loading surface of the loading area, and read information from RFID tags passing through the loading surface of the loading area. The reading antenna A1 reads RFID tags in the loading area or on the loading surface when cargo is loaded into the loading area. The reading antenna A1 is connected to the positioning device 100 via a reader. The reader may be included in the positioning device 100. For example, when the reader receives a read instruction, the reading antenna A1 reads the RFID tag under the control of the reader. The reading antenna A1 transmits a carrier wave and receives a reflected wave reflected from the RFID tag under the control of the reader. The reflected wave includes information stored in the RFID tag.

[0021] The worker who loads the luggage into the loading area may be a person or a robot such as an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle).

[0022] Next, the configuration of the position specifying device 100 will be described.

[0023] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the position specifying device 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the position specifying device 100 includes an image acquiring unit 101, an RFID tag information acquiring unit 102, a position specifying unit 103, and an output unit 104.

[0024] 2, the image acquisition unit 101 is an example of an image acquisition means for acquiring an image of a loading area where a plurality of packages with RFID tags attached are loaded. The image acquisition unit 101 acquires, from the camera C1, an image captured by the camera C1. The image acquisition unit 101 also acquires at least an image captured when the packages are being loaded into the loading area.

[0025] The timing at which the image acquisition unit 101 acquires images is not particularly limited. For example, the image acquisition unit 101 may acquire images captured by the camera C1 in real time. Furthermore, for example, when loading of luggage in a loading area is completed, the image acquisition unit 101 may acquire images from the time the loading of luggage starts to the time the loading is completed. Note that the timing at which the camera C1 captures images is not limited to the timing at which the image acquisition unit 101 acquires images. Examples of the timing at which the image acquisition unit 101 acquires images and the timing at which the camera C1 captures images will be described later.

[0026] The RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 is an example of an RFID tag information acquisition means that acquires identifiers of multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read. The identifiers of the multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read constitute a reading history of RFID tags in the loading area. The RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 acquires, from the reading antenna A1, RFID tag information read by the reading antenna A1. The RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 also acquires at least the reading history of RFID tags read when luggage is loaded into the loading area. Here, the RFID tag information is information stored in each RFID tag. The RFID tag stores, for example, the RFID tag identifier and identification information of the object to which the RFID tag is attached. The object to which the RFID tag is attached is luggage. The object to which the RFID tag is attached may also be a worker, a shelf in the loading area, or a movable transport tool. In this case, for example, an RFID tag attached to a shelf or a movable transport tool that is a loading area may be used to identify a plurality of loading areas.

[0027] The timing at which the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 acquires RFID tag information is not particularly limited, similar to the timing at which the image acquisition unit 101 acquires an image. For example, the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 may acquire, in real time, RFID tag information read by the reading antenna A1 and the time at which the RFID tag information was read. Furthermore, for example, when loading of luggage in the loading area is completed, the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 may acquire RFID tag information read from the start time of loading of luggage to the end time of loading of luggage and the time at which the RFID tag information was read. Note that the timing at which the reading antenna A1 reads an RFID tag is not limited to the timing at which the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 acquires a reading history. Examples of the timing at which the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 acquires a reading history and the timing at which the reading antenna A1 reads an RFID tag will be described later.

[0028] Next, an example of the timing of processing by the image acquisition unit 101, the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102, the camera C1, and the reading antenna A1 will be described.

[0029] For example, the camera C1 and the reading antenna A1 may continuously capture and read images, respectively. In this case, the image acquisition unit 101 and the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 may acquire images and read histories in real time, respectively. Alternatively, in this case, the image acquisition unit 101 and the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 may acquire images and read histories at predetermined time intervals, respectively.

[0030] Furthermore, for example, the camera C1 and the reader antenna A1 may take an image and read an RFID tag, respectively, at least when the luggage is being loaded into the luggage loading area. The processing in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the position identification device 100A. The position identification device 100A is another example of the configuration of the position identification device 100. In addition to the configuration of the position identification device 100, the position identification device 100A includes a determination unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The storage unit 13 will be described later in the description of the position identification unit 103.

[0032] The determination unit 11 determines whether loading of luggage into the loading area has started or ended. The determination method of the determination unit 11 will be described below along with an example of the processing flow of the determination unit 11 and the control unit 12.

[0033] The control unit 12 controls the operation of at least one of the camera C1 and the reading antenna A1 according to the determination result of the determination unit 11. In other words, the control unit 12 may control the camera C1 to start and stop photographing the loading area. The control unit 12 may also control the reading antenna A1 to start and stop reading RFID tags in the loading area. The control to end the operation of the camera C1 and the reading antenna A1 may include control to cause them to transmit images to the image acquisition unit 101 and control to cause them to transmit reading histories to the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102, respectively.

[0034] An example of the processing flow of the determination unit 11 and the control unit 12 will be described. For example, the determination unit 11 determines that loading of luggage into a loading area has started or ended based on an input from a worker loading the luggage. The input by the worker may be made, for example, on a terminal device used by the worker. The terminal device is communicably connected to the position identification device 100A. For example, when the worker inputs that loading work will start or end, the determination unit 11 determines that loading work has started or ended, respectively, in accordance with the input. In this case, the control unit 12 controls the camera C1 and the reading antenna A1 to start or end operation, depending on the determination result.

[0035] Another example of the processing flow of the determination unit 11 and the control unit 12 will be described. For example, the determination unit 11 may determine whether the loading operation has started or ended based on images captured by the camera C1. For example, the determination unit 11 may determine whether the loading operation has started or ended by detecting people or objects from the images using known image recognition processing technology. At this time, the camera C1 continuously captures images and transmits the images to the position identification device 100A in real time. For example, the determination unit 11 may determine that the worker has started the loading operation when it detects from the images that a worker has appeared, that a movable conveyance has appeared, or that luggage has been loaded. Alternatively, the determination unit 11 may determine that the worker has ended the loading operation when it detects from the images that a worker has not appeared for a predetermined period of time, that a movable conveyance has not been detected, or that no new luggage has appeared for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the control unit 12 controls the start or end of the operation of the reading antenna A1 depending on the determination result.

[0036] Another example of the processing flow of the determination unit 11 and the control unit 12 will be described. For example, the determination unit 11 may detect that a worker has started or finished loading work based on RFID tag information read by the reading antenna A1. At this time, the reading antenna A1 continuously reads RFID tags and transmits the read history to the position identification device 100A in real time. For example, the determination unit 11 may determine that loading work has started when the RFID tag attached to the worker, the RFID tag attached to the movable conveyance tool, or the RFID tag attached to the luggage becomes readable. Alternatively, the determination unit 11 may determine that loading work has finished when the RFID tag attached to the movable conveyance tool becomes unreadable or when the RFID tag attached to the worker or the RFID tag attached to the luggage becomes unreadable for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the control unit 12 controls the camera C1 to start or end operation depending on the determination result.

[0037] Furthermore, the camera C1 may capture a first image when a first RFID tag attached to a first piece of luggage is read, and a second image when a second RFID tag is read by the reading antenna after the first RFID tag, as described below, in response to the reading of the RFID tags. In this case, the control unit 12 may cause the camera C1 to capture an image of the loading area when the reading antenna A1 reads an RFID tag attached to a piece of luggage during loading work. In this case, the position identification device 100 can reduce the processing load of sending, receiving, and storing images.

[0038] The position identification unit 103 is an example of a position identification means that identifies position information representing the position of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image captured when the first RFID tag attached to the first piece of luggage is read and a second image captured when the second RFID tag, which is read by the reading antenna after the first RFID tag, is read. In other words, the position identification unit 103 identifies the position of any piece of luggage to be loaded into the loading area based on two images of the loading area identified using the times when the RFID tags were read. Here, the first piece of luggage is any piece of luggage to be loaded into the loading area. The first piece of luggage may also be a search piece of luggage that is a piece of luggage to be searched, as described below. In other words, the terms "first piece of luggage" and "second piece of luggage" indicate that the two pieces of luggage are loaded consecutively.

[0039] An example of the processing of the position identification unit 103 will be described. For example, the position identification unit 103 identifies the first image based on the time when the first RFID tag was read. Furthermore, the position identification unit 103 identifies the second image based on the time when the second RFID tag, which was read after the first RFID tag, was read. Then, the position identification unit 103 identifies the difference between the first image and the second image. At this time, the difference between the first image and the second image is assumed to indicate whether or not the first package is placed. In other words, the difference between the first image and the second image indicates the position of the first package in the image captured of the loading area. Therefore, the position identification unit 103 can identify the position information of the first package based on the difference between the first image and the second image. The type of information that the position information is will be described later.

[0040] A specific example of the loading area and the luggage over time whose positions are identified by the position identifying unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the loading area over time when luggage is being loaded into the loading area. In FIG. 4 , luggage is being loaded onto a cart in the loading area. At time T1, an operator loads luggage N1, causing the luggage N1 to enter the loading area. Therefore, the reading antenna A1, whose reading range is the loading area, reads the RFID tag of luggage N1 at time T1. After time T1, the worker places luggage N1 in the loading area. Once luggage N1 is placed in the loading area, the worker leaves the loading area and picks up luggage N2 to be loaded next. Then, at time T2, similar to time T1, the worker loads luggage N2, causing luggage N2 to enter the loading area. Therefore, the reading antenna A1, whose reading range is the loading area, reads the RFID tag of the baggage N2 at time T2.

[0041] In FIG. 4 , images A and B taken around time T1 show the loading area just before luggage N1 is placed. In other words, luggage N1 is not placed in the loading area around time T1, so luggage N1 does not appear in images A and B taken around time T1. In contrast, images C and D taken around time T2 show the loading area after luggage N1 has been placed in the loading area and just before luggage N1 is placed. In other words, luggage N1 has been placed around time T2, but luggage N2, which is to be loaded next, has not been placed. Therefore, images C and D taken around time T2 show luggage N1 but not luggage N2. Therefore, the difference between image A or image B and image C or image D is luggage N1, and the position of luggage N1 can be identified using this difference.

[0042] 4, package N1 is an example of a first package, and package N2 is an example of a second package. Also, in FIG. 4, images A and B are examples of a first image, and images C and D are examples of a second image. The first image is captured when the first RFID tag attached to the first package is read, which occurs around time T1. The second image is captured when the second RFID tag, read by the reading antenna after the first RFID tag, is read, which occurs around time T2.

[0043] Here, the time around the time when the RFID tag is read may be set so as to capture an image of the loading area in a state where a certain piece of luggage with a read RFID tag is not placed and a piece of luggage loaded before the certain piece of luggage is placed. In other words, the time around the time when the RFID tag is read is the time from after a piece of luggage with an RFID tag read before the RFID tag read at a certain time is placed until before the piece of luggage with the read RFID tag is placed. For example, the time around the time when the RFID tag is read may be from just before to just after the RFID tag is read, but may be set appropriately depending on the interval between loading of luggage. The time between time T1 and time T2, which is the interval between loading of luggage, is, for example, about 10 seconds. In this case, the time around the time when the RFID tag is read may be set to, for example, 3 seconds, but is not limited to this example. The intervals between loading cargo may be set according to conditions, as they vary depending on the distance between the location where the cargo is placed and the loading area, the working speed of the worker, and other factors.

[0044] The first and second images used by the position identifying unit 103 to identify the position of the first luggage may be identified using the times at which the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag are read from images continuously taken by the camera C1 while the loading operation is being performed. As described above, the first and second images may be images taken by the camera C1 at times around the times at which the first and second RFID tags are read.

[0045] Furthermore, if the first item is the last item to be loaded in the loading area, the second item is not present. In this case, the second image may be, for example, an image taken at the time when the loading operation is completed. The time when the loading operation is completed may be determined by the processing of the determination unit 11 as described above.

[0046] Next, a description will be given of the location information identified by the location identification unit 103. As described above, the location information is information that indicates the location of the luggage in the loading area.

[0047] The location information may represent the location of the first package by, for example, highlighting the difference in the second image. In this case, the location identification unit 103 may, for example, detect areas that are different from the first image using known technology. Then, the location identification unit 103 may process the second image to highlight the detected differences by, for example, surrounding them with lines or adding color. Furthermore, the location identification unit 103 may generate a video that highlights areas in the second image that are different from the first image by blinking them. The location information represented by highlighting in the image is expected to be easily recognized by, for example, a human worker.

[0048] Furthermore, the position information may represent the position of the first luggage using coordinates in the loading area, which indicate the position of the difference between the first image and the second image. In this case, the position identification unit 103 may use known technology to detect the loading area and the difference from the image of the loading area and identify coordinates representing the position of the luggage in the loading area. For example, the position identification unit 103 may detect the loading area from the image and represent the position of the difference using coordinates with a certain point in the loading area as the origin. The origin of the coordinates in the loading area may be set appropriately and is not particularly limited. For example, if it is expected that luggage will be loaded into the loading area from the rear left, the origin of the loading area may be set to the rear left. Furthermore, the numerical values ​​representing the coordinates may be set according to, for example, the size of the luggage. Furthermore, for example, the coordinate in the horizontal direction relative to the loading surface of the loading area may be set to 1, which is the width of the luggage to be loaded into the loading area.

[0049] The output unit 104 is an example of an output means that outputs the location information of the first package identified by the location identification unit 103. For example, the output unit 104 may store the identified location information in the memory unit 13 as part of the location information output process. Here, the memory unit 13 is an example of a storage means that stores a list of location information for each of a plurality of RFID tags or a plurality of packages. Note that the memory unit 13 may be provided in the location identification device 100A as shown in FIG. 3, or in the location identification device 100 shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the memory unit 13 may be provided in another device that is communicatively connected to the location identification device 100.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, the output unit 104 may transmit the identified location information to a terminal device as part of the process of outputting the location information. The terminal device may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, or other terminal device used by a worker who loads or unloads luggage into or from a loading area, or by a manager who manages luggage and workers.

[0051] An example of output when the output unit 104 stores location information in the storage unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . FIG. 5 is an example of a list of location information for each of a plurality of RFID tags stored in the storage unit 13. For example, the output unit 104 associates the location information of the luggage to which the RFID tag is attached with the identifier of the RFID tag and stores the associated information in the storage unit. As shown in FIG. 5 , the output unit 104 may store both the coordinates of the difference and an image highlighting the difference in the storage unit 13. Note that the location information stored in the storage unit 13 by the output unit 104 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 5 . For example, the output unit 104 may associate the location information with identification information of the luggage to which the RFID tag is attached instead of the RFID tag identifier in FIG. 5 , or may further associate the information in FIG. 5 with identification information of the luggage to which the RFID tag is attached. Furthermore, when the storage unit 13 stores location information for a plurality of loading areas, the identification information of the loading area may be further associated. The identification information of the loading area may be specified by, for example, an RFID tag attached to the loading area, or may be specified by input by the worker.

[0052] Next, an example of an output when the output unit 104 transmits location information to a terminal device will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an output screen when a user, such as a worker, searches for the location of a piece of luggage in a loading area and transmits location information of the searched piece of luggage to a terminal device. The process of accepting a search for a piece of luggage will be described later. In FIG. 6 , the output screen includes the searched piece of luggage number, which is identification information of the searched piece of luggage, the searched piece of luggage delivery destination, location information of the searched piece of luggage represented by an image, and location information of the searched piece of luggage represented by coordinates. The location information of the searched piece of luggage represented by an image is an image in which the difference between a first image taken when the RFID tag of the searched piece of luggage is read and a second image taken when the RFID tag of the searched piece of luggage is read next is emphasized in the second image. Furthermore, the location information of the searched piece of luggage represented by coordinates is text information indicating "third row from the bottom, second row from the back, third from the left" to make the coordinates (3, 2, 3) indicating the difference position easier for the user to understand. In this case, the coordinates of the loading area are, for example, coordinates with the origin at the bottom left rear of the loading surface of the loading area.

[0053] The process of accepting the searched luggage when searching for luggage will be described below. The output unit 104 in Figure 11 uses the information input to specify the searched luggage to output the location information of the luggage to be searched for from the location information stored in the memory unit 13 as in Figure 5 to the user's terminal device as in Figure 6.

[0054] The operation of the position specifying device 100 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0055] The image acquisition unit 101 acquires an image of a loading area where a plurality of packages with RFID tags attached thereto are loaded (step S101).

[0056] Next, the RFID tag information acquisition unit 102 acquires the identifiers of the RFID tags read in the loading area and the time when each of the RFID tags was read (step S102).

[0057] Next, the location identification unit 103 identifies location information representing the location of the first luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time when the first RFID tag attached to the first luggage is read and a second image taken at the time when the second RFID tag read by the reading antenna after the first RFID tag is read (step S103).

[0058] Then, the output unit 104 outputs the position information identified in step S103 (step S104).

[0059] This completes the series of operations of the position identification device 100. The order of the processes of steps S101 and S102 is not limited. For example, the process of step S101 may be performed after step S102, or steps S101 and S102 may be performed simultaneously. The process of step S103 may be performed as a process for the searched baggage when the reception unit receives the searched baggage. The process of step S103 may be performed as a process for the baggage to which the RFID tag acquired in step S102 is attached, triggered by the processes of steps S101 and S102.

[0060] The position identification device according to the present embodiment includes an image acquisition unit, an RFID tag information acquisition unit, a position identification unit, and an output unit. The image acquisition unit acquires an image of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage with RFID tags attached are loaded. The RFID tag information acquisition unit acquires identifiers of multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read. The position identification unit identifies position information representing the position of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image captured at the time a first RFID tag attached to the first piece of luggage is read and a second image captured at the time a second RFID tag read by the reading antenna after the first RFID tag is read. The output unit then outputs the position information of the first piece of luggage.

[0061] As a result, the location identification device of this embodiment can easily identify the location of a package. For example, the location identification device can identify the location of a package by comparing two images using the time when the RFID tag was read, so the location of the package can be easily identified.

[0062] [Modification 1] Next, a modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Below, the description of the present embodiment will be omitted to the extent that it does not make the description unclear.

[0063] 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the position specifying device 200. The position specifying device 200 includes a loading order specifying unit 205 in addition to the configuration of the position specifying device 100.

[0064] The loading order specifying unit 205 is an example of a loading order specifying means for specifying the loading order, which is the order in which each of a plurality of packages was loaded into a loading area, based on the time at which each of a plurality of RFID tags was read. For example, the loading order specifying unit 205 specifies the loading order for each of a plurality of RFID tag identifiers or a plurality of packages to which RFID tags are attached, in order of the earliest time at which each of the RFID tags was read.

[0065] 9 shows an example of data when the loading order identified by the loading order identification unit 205 is associated with the RFID tag identifiers and location information and stored in the storage unit 13. As shown in FIG. 6, the loading order identification unit 205 associates the loading order with each RFID tag identifier.

[0066] Here, the loading order of luggage in the loading area is information related to the position of luggage in the loading area. Generally, luggage is loaded from bottom to top. Furthermore, when luggage is loaded, the position at which luggage is loaded in the loading area may be roughly determined by the worker, for example, from back to front or from left to right relative to the worker's working position. Therefore, the loading order can be used to at least grasp the approximate height of the luggage in the loading area.

[0067] Furthermore, when workers load luggage, the loading order may be used to specify the exact location of the luggage. For example, the loading order may specify the following: arrange the luggage from the far left to the right; if the luggage cannot be arranged to the right, arrange the luggage from the front of the luggage that was loaded first to the right; if the luggage cannot be arranged to the front, arrange the luggage from the far left to the right on top of the luggage that was loaded. When such loading instructions are given and the luggage to be loaded has the same box shape, the loading order may be used to specify the location of the luggage.

[0068] Next, a process using the loading order identified by the loading order identification unit 205 will be described.

[0069] For example, the position identifying device 200 may perform a process of outputting information indicating the positional relationship of the luggage based on the loading order. In this case, for example, the position identifying unit 103 may further identify positional relationship information indicating the positional relationship between any luggage among the plurality of luggage and the first luggage based on the loading order. Then, the output unit 104 may further output the positional relationship information.

[0070] A method for the position identification unit 103 to identify the positional relationship information will be described. First, the positional relationship information is information that allows the user to grasp the approximate position of the first piece of luggage in the loading area. Here, the first piece of luggage is, for example, the searched piece of luggage. The given piece of luggage when identifying the positional relationship with the first piece of luggage is, for example, the piece of luggage that was last loaded into the loading area. In this case, the position identification unit 103 may identify, as the positional relationship, the loading order of the last loaded piece of luggage, i.e., the stage in the loading order of the searched piece of luggage relative to the number of pieces of luggage in the loading area. The stage in the loading order relative to the number of pieces of luggage in the loading area represents the height in the loading area. The stage may be, for example, two stages, i.e., the lower half and the upper half, or three stages, i.e., the bottom, middle, and top. For example, if the loading order of the last loaded luggage is 50th, i.e., the number of luggage loaded into the loading area is 50, and the loading order of the searched luggage is 10th, the position identification unit 103 may identify, for example, that the searched luggage is in the lower half or the lower third as positional relationship information.

[0071] Furthermore, for example, when determining the positional relationship with the first piece of luggage, the arbitrary piece of luggage is, for example, a piece of luggage whose RFID tag is read by the user at will in the loading area. For example, the user reads a piece of luggage in a position that is easily within the user's reach in the loading area as the arbitrary piece of luggage. In this case, the position determination unit 103 may determine the relationship between the loading order of the searched piece of luggage and the loading order of the arbitrarily read pieces of luggage as the positional relationship. The loading order relationship may be, for example, information indicating whether the searched piece of luggage is above or below the arbitrary piece of luggage, information indicating how many pieces of luggage are separated in loading order, or a combination of these. Note that the positional relationship information is not limited to these examples and may be any information that allows the user to grasp the approximate location of the searched piece of luggage.

[0072] Furthermore, the positional relationship information may be used as information for determining the approximate height of a piece of luggage when it is not possible to determine which level a piece of luggage is located on from an image of the loading area. For example, when the height direction of the loading area cannot be captured in an image captured by the camera C1, the position identifying unit 103 may identify the positional relationship information. In this case, the position identifying unit 103 may identify the horizontal coordinates of the piece of luggage as position information from an image captured from above the loading area, and may identify the approximate height direction coordinates of the piece of luggage from the positional relationship information using the loading order. As a result, even when the height direction of the loading area cannot be captured by the camera C1, for example, when the location where the camera C1 can be installed is limited, the approximate height can be identified from the positional relationship information, making it easier to identify the position of the piece of luggage.

[0073] Furthermore, for example, the position identification unit 103 may record the position at the time of reloading based on the loading order. First, reloading will be described. For example, after loading is completed in a loading area, a certain piece of luggage may be removed. When removing a certain piece of luggage, at least the pieces of luggage loaded above the certain piece of luggage must be temporarily removed from the loading area. Furthermore, for example, pieces of luggage in front of the certain piece of luggage may also be temporarily removed from the loading area. When a certain piece of luggage is removed, these pieces of luggage temporarily removed from the loading area are loaded back into the loading area. The loading operation in this case is called reloading.

[0074] The processing in this case will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the position specifying device 200A. The position specifying device 200A further includes a baggage specifying unit 206 in addition to the configuration of the position specifying device 200.

[0075] The luggage identification unit 206 is an example of a luggage identification means that identifies the identifiers of the RFID tags of items removed from the loading area and loaded into the loading area after the items are removed.

[0076] A method for the parcel identification unit 206 to identify items to be removed will now be described. The parcel identification unit 206 may, for example, identify the searched parcel received by the reception unit 307 (described later) and parcels estimated to be removed to retrieve the searched parcel as parcels to be removed. The parcels estimated to be removed to retrieve the searched parcel may, for example, be parcels whose coordinates are higher than the searched parcel and closer to the worker than the searched parcel. In this case, the parcel identification unit 206 may identify the RFID tag identifier of the parcel to be removed using information identifying the searched parcel received by the reception unit 307 and a list of location information. Furthermore, for example, the parcel identification unit 206 may identify, as the parcel to be removed, parcels with RFID tags that can no longer be read by the reading antenna A1 that reads RFID tags in the loading area. In other words, the parcel identification unit 206 identifies the identifier of the RFID tag of the parcel to be removed that can no longer be read by the reading antenna A1 that reads RFID tags in the loading area.

[0077] For example, when identifying the searched baggage and the baggage estimated to be removed to retrieve the searched baggage as items to be removed, the baggage identification unit 206 may identify the baggage estimated to be removed to retrieve the searched baggage as loaded baggage that was loaded into the loading area after the items to be removed were removed. In this case, the baggage identification unit 206 may use the information identifying the searched baggage received by the reception unit 307 and the list of location information to identify the RFID tag identifier of the baggage estimated to be removed to retrieve the searched baggage as the RFID tag identifier of the loaded baggage. Furthermore, for example, the baggage identification unit 206 may identify, as the item to be removed, a baggage that has an RFID tag that becomes readable after an RFID tag that became unreadable by the reading antenna A1 that reads RFID tags in the loading area. In other words, the baggage identification unit 206 identifies, as the RFID tag identifier of the loaded baggage, the RFID tag identifier of the RFID tag that becomes readable after an RFID tag that became unreadable by the reading antenna A1 that reads RFID tags in the loading area.

[0078] Here, the loaded luggage refers to, for example, luggage that is temporarily removed in order to remove the searched luggage, and that is loaded again after the searched luggage has been removed. Such loaded luggage is, for example, luggage that is assumed when some luggage is removed from multiple luggage in a loading area and delivered. Alternatively, the loaded luggage may be luggage that is newly loaded into a loading area after the searched luggage has been removed. Such loaded luggage is, for example, luggage that is assumed when organizing luggage among multiple carts in a location where multiple carts are present, or when luggage is delivered and collected. The identifier of the RFID tag of the luggage that is newly loaded into the loading area may be identified by reading the RFID tag with the above-mentioned reading antenna A1 or by input by a worker.

[0079] The loading order specification unit 205 specifies the loading order of the items to be removed identified by the luggage specification unit 206 as the loading order of the luggage to be loaded. In other words, in a list in which RFID tag identifiers or luggage identification information, loading order, and location information are associated, the loading order specification unit 205 updates the RFID tag identifiers of the items to be removed or the identification information of the luggage to be loaded to the RFID tag information of the luggage to be loaded or the identification information of the luggage to be loaded. When there are multiple items to be removed, the loading order specification unit 205 updates the RFID tag identifiers of the items to be removed to the RFID tag identifiers of the luggage to be loaded earliest in the order in which the items to be removed were loaded. The order in which the luggage to be loaded is reloaded may be the order in which the RFID tags are read at the time of reloading, or the order in which the luggage is estimated to be reloaded. The order in which the luggage is estimated to be reloaded may be the order in which the original loading order was earliest or the order in which the luggage was removed latest. The order of removal may be the order in which the RFID tags become unreadable when the packages are removed, or may be the order of removal determined by the determination unit 308, which will be described later in a second modified example.

[0080] In this way, the loading order identification unit 205 updates the loading order when reloading, so that when any luggage is removed from the loading area, the location information of the luggage can be identified even after the luggage has been removed.

[0081] [Modification 2] Next, another modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Below, the description of the present embodiment will be omitted to the extent that it does not make the description unclear.

[0082] 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the position specifying device 300. The position specifying device 300 includes a receiving unit 307 and a determining unit 308 in addition to the configuration of the position specifying device 100.

[0083] The reception unit 307 receives the designation of a searched parcel, which is a parcel that the user wishes to search for, inputted into the terminal device by the user. The input information input to designate the searched parcel may be, for example, the identification information of the searched parcel, the identifier of an RFID tag attached to the searched parcel, or the delivery destination of the searched parcel. When the input information is the delivery destination of the searched parcel, the reception unit 307 may refer to the parcel information and accept the identification information of the searched parcel associated with the delivery destination of the searched parcel or the identifier of the RFID tag attached to the searched parcel as the designation of the searched parcel. The parcel information is a list in which the identification information of the parcel is associated with the delivery destination of the parcel. The parcel information may also include the identifier of the RFID tag attached to the parcel. The parcel information may also be stored in a storage unit provided inside or outside the position determination device 300.

[0084] The determination unit 308 is an example of a determination means for determining the order in which searched packages are to be removed based on the position information of multiple packages in the loading area. The searched packages are the packages received from the user by the reception unit 307. For example, the determination unit 308 may determine the order in which packages that are above the searched package and packages that are closest to the worker working in the loading area are removed in order from top to bottom, or in order from front to back if the packages have the same height coordinate, but the method for determining the order in which packages are removed is not limited to this example.

[0085] The determination unit 308 may determine the removal order when there is a request from the user to output the removal order, or may generate the removal order when the reception unit 307 receives the searched luggage from the user.

[0086] The output unit 104 outputs to the terminal device the removal order determined by the determination unit 308. The output unit 104 may output to the terminal device the removal order together with the position information of the searched baggage.

[0087] FIG. 12 is an example of an output screen for the order of removal. In FIG. 12, the output screen highlights the parcels to be temporarily removed and the searched parcel in an image. In this case, the image may be an image showing the highlighted parcel, and multiple images may be used as shown in FIG. 12. In addition, in FIG. 12, the order of removal is indicated by the highlight color (type of hatching in FIG. 12) in the image showing the parcels to be removed. In addition, in FIG. 12, the output screen includes the number and delivery destination of the searched parcel as information about the searched parcel. Note that the method of outputting the order of removal is not limited to the example of FIG. 12; for example, the order of removal may be indicated using coordinates.

[0088] By showing the order of removal, it may be easier to estimate the order of reloading of temporarily removed luggage and the location of reloading. Also, by showing the user an efficient order of removal, it may be possible to improve the user's work efficiency.

[0089] Note that Modification 1 and Modification 2 may be combined. The functional configuration of a position determining device 300A in this case is shown in Fig. 13. Compared to position determining device 100, position determining device 300A includes a loading order determining unit 205, a baggage determining unit 206, a receiving unit 307, and a determining unit 308. In position determining device 300A, for example, the determining unit 308 may generate a pick-up order such that baggage above the searched baggage and baggage closer to the worker working in the loading area are loaded in descending order of their loading order.

[0090] [Hardware Configuration] Some or all of the components of the devices or systems in the embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure described above are realized by any combination of an information processing device 1000 and a program, for example, as shown in Fig. 14. The information processing device 1000 includes, as an example, the following configuration.

[0091] - CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001 - ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 - RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003 - Program 1004 loaded into RAM 1003 - Storage device 1005 for storing program 1004 - Drive device 1007 for reading and writing from and to recording medium 1006 - Communication I / F 1008 for connecting to communication network 1009 - Input / output I / F 1010 for inputting and outputting data - Bus 1011 for connecting each component. Note that I / F is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0092] Each component of each device or system in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 1001 acquiring and executing a program that realizes the function of that component. The program that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in the storage device 1005 or RAM 1003 in advance, for example, and is read by the CPU 1001 as needed. The program 1004 may be supplied to the CPU 1001 via a communication network, or may be stored in the recording medium 1006 in advance, and the drive device 1007 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 1001.

[0093] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device or system may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 1000 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components included in each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 1000 and a program.

[0094] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device or system may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits (circuitry) including a processor or the like, or a combination of these. Examples of circuits include a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing LSI (Large Scale Integration). These may be configured by a single chip or by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and a program.

[0095] When some or all of the components of each device or system are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in which they are connected via a communication network.

[0096] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0097] For example, the position specifying device 100, the position specifying device 200, the position specifying device 200A, the position specifying device 300, and the position specifying device 300A may include at least one of the determination unit 11, the control unit 12, and the storage unit 13. Furthermore, for example, the position specifying device 300 may include the loading order specifying unit 205, but the configurations and functions of the position specifying devices may be combined as appropriate.

[0098] Furthermore, although the operations are described in a sequential order in the form of a flowchart, the order of the description does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the order of the operations may be changed as long as it does not affect the content.

[0099] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0100] [Supplementary Note 1] A location identification device comprising: an image acquisition means for acquiring an image of a loading area where a plurality of pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded; an RFID tag information acquisition means for acquiring identifiers of the plurality of RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the plurality of RFID tags was read; a location identification means for identifying location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time a first RFID tag attached to the first piece of luggage is read and a second image taken at the time a second RFID tag read next to the first RFID tag is read; and an output means for outputting the location information of the first piece of luggage.

[0101] [Supplementary Note 2] The position identification device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the position information indicates the position by highlighting the difference in the second image.

[0102] [Supplementary Note 3] The position specifying device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the position information indicates the position by coordinates of the difference in the loading area.

[0103] [Supplementary Note 4] The location identification device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, further comprising a loading order identification means for identifying a loading order, which is the order in which each of the plurality of packages was loaded into the loading area, based on the time at which each of the plurality of RFID tags was read.

[0104] [Appendix 5] The location identification device according to Appendix 4, further comprising a luggage identification means for identifying the identifiers of the RFID tags of the items to be removed from the loading area and the luggage loaded into the loading area after the items to be removed, wherein the loading order identification means identifies the loading order of the items to be removed as the loading order of the luggage.

[0105] [Appendix 6] The position identification device described in Appendix 4 or 5, wherein the position identification means further identifies positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between any one of the plurality of pieces of luggage and the first piece of luggage based on the loading order, and the output means further outputs the positional relationship information.

[0106] [Appendix 7] A location identification device as described in any of Appendices 3 to 6, further comprising: a reception means for receiving a designation of a searched baggage to be searched; and a determination means for determining the order in which the searched baggage will be removed based on the location information of the plurality of baggage in the loading area.

[0107] [Supplementary Note 8] The position identification device according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the determination means determines the order of removal as the order of removal of luggage that is located above the coordinates of the position information of the searched luggage and in front of the loading surface in the loading area.

[0108] [Supplementary Note 9] A location identification method in which a computer acquires an image of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded, acquires identifiers of the multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read, identifies location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time a first RFID tag attached to a first piece of luggage is read and a second image taken at the time a second RFID tag read immediately after the first RFID tag is read, and outputs the location information of the first piece of luggage.

[0109] [Supplementary Note 10] The position specifying method according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the position information represents the position by highlighting the difference in the second image.

[0110] [Supplementary Note 11] The position specifying method according to Supplementary Note 9 or 10, wherein the position information indicates the position by coordinates of the difference in the loading area.

[0111] [Supplementary Note 12] The location identification method described in any one of Supplementary Notes 9 to 11, wherein the computer determines a loading order, which is the order in which the luggage was loaded into the loading area, for each of the multiple luggage based on the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read.

[0112] [Supplementary Note 13] The location determination method described in Supplementary Note 12, wherein the computer identifies the identifiers of the RFID tags of the items removed from the loading area and the load luggage loaded into the loading area after the items were removed, and identifies the loading order of the items as the loading order of the load luggage.

[0113] [Supplementary Note 14] The location determination method described in Supplementary Note 12 or 13, wherein the computer further determines location relationship information indicating a location relationship between any one of the plurality of pieces of luggage and the first piece of luggage based on the loading order, and further outputs the location relationship information.

[0114] [Appendix 15] A location identification method described in any of Appendices 11 to 14, wherein the computer accepts a designation of a searched baggage to be searched, and determines an order in which the searched baggage is to be removed based on the location information of multiple bags in the loading area.

[0115] [Supplementary Note 16] The location identification method described in Supplementary Note 15, wherein the computer determines the order of removal as the order in which to remove luggage that is located above the coordinates of the location information of the searched luggage and in front of the loading surface in the loading area.

[0116] [Supplementary Note 17] A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: acquiring an image of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded; acquiring identifiers of the multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the times at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read; identifying location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time when a first RFID tag attached to a first piece of luggage is read and a second image taken at the time when a second RFID tag read after the first RFID tag is read; and outputting the location information of the first piece of luggage.

[0117] [Supplementary Note 18] The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 17, wherein the position information indicates the position by highlighting the difference in the second image.

[0118] [Supplementary Note 19] The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 17 or 18, wherein the position information indicates the position by coordinates of the difference in the loading area.

[0119] [Supplementary Note 20] The recording medium according to any one of Supplementary Notes 17 to 19, storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process of identifying a loading order, which is the order in which each of the plurality of packages was loaded into the loading area, for each of the plurality of packages based on the time at which each of the plurality of RFID tags was read.

[0120] [Appendix 21] A recording medium according to appendix 20, storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process of identifying the identifiers of the RFID tags of items removed from the loading area and of cargo loaded into the loading area after the items were removed, and identifying the loading order of the items as the loading order of the cargo.

[0121] [Appendix 22] The recording medium according to appendix 20 or 21, storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of further identifying positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between any one of the plurality of pieces of luggage and the first piece of luggage based on the loading order, and further outputting the positional relationship information.

[0122] [Appendix 23] A recording medium according to any one of Appendices 19 to 22, storing a program that causes a computer to execute the following process: accept a designation of a searched baggage to be searched; and determine an order in which the searched baggage is to be removed based on the position information of the plurality of bags in the loading area.

[0123] [Supplementary Note 24] The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 23, storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of determining, as the pick-up order, the order in which luggage whose coordinates are before and above the coordinates of the location information of the searched luggage is picked up.

[0124] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Position identification device 101 Image acquisition unit 102 RFID tag information acquisition unit 103 Position identification unit 104 Output unit 100A Position identification device 11 Determination unit 12 Control unit 13 Storage unit 200 Position identification device 205 Loading order identification unit 200A Position identification device 206 Baggage identification unit 300 Position identification device 307 Reception unit 308 Determination unit 300A Position identification device 1000 Information processing device 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 Program 1005 Storage device 1006 Recording medium 1007 Drive device 1008 Communication I / F 1009 Communication network 1010 Input / output I / F 1011 Bus

Claims

1. A location identification device comprising: an image acquisition means for acquiring an image of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded; an RFID tag information acquisition means for acquiring identifiers of the multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read; a location identification means for identifying location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time a first RFID tag attached to a first piece of luggage is read and a second image taken at the time a second RFID tag read next to the first RFID tag is read; and an output means for outputting the location information of the first piece of luggage.

2. The position identification device according to claim 1, wherein the position information represents the position by highlighting the difference in the second image.

3. The position identification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position information indicates the position by coordinates of the difference in the loading area.

4. A location identification device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a loading order determination means for determining the loading order, which is the order in which each of the multiple pieces of luggage was loaded into the loading area, based on the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read.

5. The location determination device according to claim 4, further comprising a luggage identification means for identifying the identifiers of the RFID tags of the items removed from the loading area and the loaded luggage loaded into the loading area after the items were removed, and the loading order identification means identifies the loading order of the items as the loading order of the loaded luggage.

6. A position determining device as described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the position determining means further determines positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between any one of the plurality of pieces of luggage and the first piece of luggage based on the loading order, and the output means further outputs the positional relationship information.

7. A location determination device as described in any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising: a reception means for receiving a designation of a searched piece of luggage to be searched; and a determination means for determining the order in which the searched pieces of luggage are to be removed based on the location information of the multiple pieces of luggage in the loading area.

8. The position determination device according to claim 7, wherein the determination means determines as the removal order the order in which luggage that is higher than the coordinates of the position information of the searched luggage and in front of the loading surface in the loading area is removed.

9. A location identification method in which a computer acquires an image taken of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded, acquires identifiers of the multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read, identifies location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time a first RFID tag attached to a first piece of luggage is read and a second image taken at the time a second RFID tag read next to the first RFID tag is read, and outputs the location information of the first piece of luggage.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the location information represents the location by highlighting the difference in the second image.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the position information indicates the position by coordinates of the difference in the loading area.

12. A location determination method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the computer determines, for each of the plurality of packages, a loading order, which is the order in which the packages were loaded into the loading area, based on the time at which each of the plurality of RFID tags was read.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the computer: identifies RFID tag identifiers of the removed items from the loading area and the loaded luggage loaded into the loading area after the removed items are removed; and identifies the loading order of the removed items as the loading order of the loaded luggage.

14. The position determination method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the computer further determines positional relationship information indicating a positional relationship between any one of the plurality of pieces of luggage and the first piece of luggage based on the loading order, and further outputs the positional relationship information.

15. A location determination method as described in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the computer accepts a specification of a searched piece of luggage to be searched for, and determines the order in which the searched piece of luggage is to be removed based on the location information of multiple pieces of luggage in the loading area.

16. The location determination method according to claim 15, wherein the computer determines the order in which to remove luggage whose coordinates are higher than the coordinates of the location information of the searched luggage and are in front of the loading surface in the loading area as the removal order.

17. A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process of acquiring an image of a loading area where multiple pieces of luggage each having an RFID tag attached thereto are loaded, acquiring identifiers of the multiple RFID tags read in the loading area and the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read, determining location information representing the location of the first piece of luggage in the loading area from the difference between a first image taken at the time a first RFID tag attached to a first piece of luggage is read and a second image taken at the time a second RFID tag read next to the first RFID tag is read, and outputting the location information of the first piece of luggage.

18. The recording medium according to claim 17, wherein the position information represents the position by highlighting the difference in the second image.

19. The recording medium according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the position information indicates the position by coordinates of the difference in the loading area.

20. A recording medium as described in any one of claims 17 to 19, which stores a program that causes a computer to execute a process of determining, for each of the multiple pieces of luggage, the loading order, which is the order in which the pieces were loaded into the loading area, based on the time at which each of the multiple RFID tags was read.

Images