Information acquisition system

Abstract

An information acquisition system capable of efficiently reading data from a wireless tag is provided. The present invention is an information acquisition system in which a data acquisition device moves near a plurality of wireless tags, and the data acquisition device acquires information from the wireless tags. The information acquisition system includes: a storage unit that stores position data about objects to which the plurality of wireless tags are attached, respectively; an identification unit that identifies a communication range of each of the plurality of wireless tags on the basis of the position data about the wireless tags stored in the storage unit; a creation unit that creates, on the basis of the communication range of each of the wireless tags identified by the identification unit, a route along which the data acquisition device should move; and a drive unit that drives an actuator for moving the data acquisition device along the route created by the creation unit.

Description

Information Acquisition System

[0001] The present invention relates to an information acquisition system.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technique for reading identification information of an object using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. For example, in Patent Literature 1, a wireless tag is attached to a box-shaped object, and a tag reader device is flown by a drone or the like to read the identification information from the wireless tag.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-035276

[0004] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to read identification information from a wireless tag attached to a box-shaped item using a tag reader device. However, depending on the object to which the wireless tag is attached, a moving tag reader device may collide with the object, and there is room for improvement in efficiently reading identification information from the wireless tag.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information acquisition system that can efficiently read data from a wireless tag.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, an information acquisition system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information acquisition system in which a data acquisition device moves in the vicinity of a plurality of wireless tags and the data acquisition device acquires information from the wireless tags, and includes: a memory unit that stores position data regarding objects to which each of the plurality of wireless tags is attached; an identification unit that identifies the communication range of each of the plurality of wireless tags based on the position data of the wireless tags stored in the memory unit; a creation unit that creates a route along which the data acquisition device should move based on the communication range of each of the wireless tags identified by the identification unit; and a drive unit that drives an actuator to move the data acquisition device along the route created by the creation unit.

[0007] It is preferable that the storage unit of the wireless tag further stores position data of the object, and the creation unit creates a route that does not pass through the position of the object.

[0008] The wireless tag preferably has an identification information storage unit that stores identification information, a communication unit that transmits the identification information, and a sensor that detects the temperature of the object and outputs temperature data corresponding to the temperature, and the communication unit transmits the temperature data output by the sensor and the identification information.

[0009] It is preferable that the device further includes an input unit for inputting the position data, and the storage unit stores the position data input by the input unit.

[0010] It is preferable that the apparatus further includes an arm for moving the data acquisition device along the path created by the creation unit, and that the arm is operated by an actuator driven by the drive unit.

[0011] According to the information acquisition system of the present disclosure, data can be read efficiently from wireless tags.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information acquisition system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a monitored object to which a wireless tag is attached. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of wireless tags with respect to machine components in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a communication range of a wireless tag. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information acquisition system. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of position data indicating the position of a wireless tag. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of position data indicating the position of a monitored object. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information acquisition system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an information acquisition system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information acquisition system according to the second embodiment.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of each embodiment, components that are identical or equivalent to those in other embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be simplified or omitted. The present invention is not limited to each embodiment. Furthermore, the components of each embodiment include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical. The configurations described below can be combined as appropriate. Omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Note that, from the second embodiment onwards, descriptions of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and differences will be mainly described. In particular, similar effects resulting from similar configurations will not be mentioned in each embodiment.

[0014] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an information acquisition system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 1, the information acquisition system 100 includes a wireless tag 10, a tag reader device 20, and a monitoring terminal device 30. The wireless tag 10 is provided as a target for information acquisition by the information acquisition system 100. The tag reader device 20 can acquire data from the wireless tag 10. The tag reader device 20 can also write data to the wireless tag 10. The tag reader device 20 corresponds to a data acquisition device of the present disclosure.

[0015] (Wireless Tag) The wireless tag 10 includes an antenna 11, a sensor 12, a control unit 13, and a power supply unit 14. The control unit 13 has a communication unit 131 and a storage unit 132. The wireless tag 10 is, for example, an RFID tag.

[0016] The antenna 11 is a transmitting and receiving antenna, i.e., the antenna 11 functions as both a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna.

[0017] The sensor 12 detects a physical quantity related to the object to which the wireless tag 10 is attached. The sensor 12 is, for example, a temperature sensor that detects temperature. The following describes a case where the sensor 12 is a temperature sensor. The sensor 12 detects the temperature of the object to which the wireless tag 10 is attached. The temperature detected by the sensor 12 is stored as temperature data in the memory unit 132 of the control unit 13. In other words, the sensor 12 outputs temperature data corresponding to the temperature. In this example, the monitored object is a bearing device that supports a roller. In other words, the wireless tag 10 is attached to the bearing device, which is the monitored object.

[0018] The communication unit 131 can receive data wirelessly via the antenna 11. The communication unit 131 can transmit data wirelessly via the antenna 11.

[0019] The storage unit 132 stores identification information 1320 for identifying the wireless tag 10 itself. The storage unit 132 also stores the temperature detected by the sensor 12 as temperature data. The data stored in the storage unit 132 can be read out.

[0020] The power supply unit 14 supplies power to each component within the wireless tag 10. The power supply unit 14 is, for example, a primary battery. Because power is supplied from the power supply unit 14, the wireless tag 10 can detect temperature using the sensor 12 and store the temperature data in the memory unit 132.

[0021] When a data read signal is transmitted from tag reader device 20, wireless tag 10 reads the data stored in memory unit 132 and transmits it to tag reader device 20. At this time, communication unit 131 of wireless tag 10 associates the temperature data with identification information 1320 and transmits it to tag reader device 20.

[0022] (Tag Reader Device) The tag reader device 20 includes an antenna 21, a control unit 22, a power supply unit 23, an input unit 24, and motors 25 and 26.

[0023] The antenna 21 is a transmitting and receiving antenna, i.e., the antenna 21 functions as both a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna.

[0024] The control unit 22 has a communication unit 221, a storage unit 222, a reading unit 223, and a writing unit 224. The communication unit 221 of the control unit 22 can wirelessly transmit and receive data to and from the wireless tag 10 via the antenna 21. The communication unit 221 can also transmit and receive data to and from the monitoring terminal device 30 via the network NW. The tag reader device 20 can transmit temperature data detected by the sensor 12 of the wireless tag 10 to the monitoring terminal device 30.

[0025] The memory unit 222 stores data acquired by the communication unit 221. The memory unit 222 stores the data acquired by the communication unit 221 in association with the identification information 1320. The memory unit 222 also stores various data necessary for the operation of the tag reader device 20. The memory unit 222 stores position data 2220, position data 2221, and route data 2222. The position data 2220 is data indicating the position of an object. The position data 2221 is data indicating the position of the wireless tag 10. The position data 2221 and 2222 are, for example, coordinate values ​​based on a predetermined origin, i.e., coordinate values ​​in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. The route data 2222 is data indicating the route along which the tag reader device 20 should move.

[0026] The reading unit 223 can receive data transmitted from the wireless tag 10 using the antenna 21 and the communication unit 221, and can read data stored in the wireless tag 10. This allows the tag reader device 20 to acquire data from the wireless tag 10.

[0027] The reading unit 223 can simultaneously communicate wirelessly with multiple wireless tags 10, and can simultaneously acquire temperature data from multiple wireless tags 10. At this time, the temperature data is acquired in a state in which it is associated with the identification information 1320. Therefore, the tag reader device 20 acquires data from each sensor of the multiple wireless tags 10 in a relatively short time. The tag reader device 20 transmits the temperature data detected by each of the multiple sensors 12 to the monitoring terminal device 30.

[0028] The writing unit 224 can transmit data to the wireless tag 10 using the antenna 21 and the communication unit 221. This allows the tag reader device 20 to write data to the wireless tag 10.

[0029] The identification unit 225 identifies the communication range of each of the multiple wireless tags 10 based on the position data 2221 of the wireless tags 10 stored in the storage unit 222. The communication range of the wireless tag 10 is the range in which the tag reader device 20 can wirelessly acquire the data stored in the storage unit 132 of the wireless tag 10.

[0030] The creation unit 226 creates a route along which the tag reader device 20 should travel, based on the communication ranges of each wireless tag 10 identified by the identification unit 225. When creating this route, the creation unit 226 creates a route that does not pass through the locations of any objects. That is, the creation unit 226 creates a route that avoids the objects and passes through the communication ranges of each wireless tag 10. The created route is a route that does not collide with any objects and allows data to be acquired efficiently from each wireless tag 10 in a short amount of time. The tag reader device 20 stores the route created by the creation unit 226 in the memory unit 222 as route data 2222. By reading and using the route data 2222 from the memory unit 222, the tag reader device 20 can be moved along the same route from the next time onwards.

[0031] The driving unit 227 drives the motors 25 and 26. The motors 25 and 26 correspond to the actuators of the present disclosure. That is, the driving unit 227 drives the actuators for moving the tag reader device 20 along the path created by the creation unit 226.

[0032] The power supply unit 23 supplies power to each unit in the tag reader device 20. The power supply unit 23 is, for example, a primary battery.

[0033] The input unit 24 is a part for inputting data relating to the position of an object. The input unit 24 is, for example, a keyboard. The tag reader device 20 stores the data input by the input unit 24 in the storage unit 222 as position data 2220.

[0034] As will be described later, motor 25 is a power source for moving an arm that supports antenna 21. Motor 26 is a power source for rotating wheels provided on the base of tag reader device 20.

[0035] (Monitoring Terminal Device) The monitoring terminal device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, and a power supply unit 34. The communication unit 31 can transmit and receive data to and from the tag reader device 20 via the network NW. The monitoring terminal device 30 may be provided near the tag reader device 20, or may be provided in a remote location.

[0036] The memory unit 32 stores data acquired by the tag reader device 20 from the wireless tag 10. The control unit 33 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an input interface, and an output interface (not shown). The CPU, ROM, and RAM are connected via an internal bus (not shown). The ROM stores programs such as a BIOS. The CPU uses the RAM as a work area and executes programs stored in the ROM or the memory unit 32 to realize various functions. The control unit 33 can perform editing, such as classification and rearrangement, of the data stored in the memory unit 32. The power supply unit 34 supplies power to each component of the monitoring terminal device 30.

[0037] (Example of Object) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a monitored object to which a wireless tag 10 is attached. Fig. 2 shows a case where a bearing device of a mechanical device 200 is the monitored object.

[0038] 2, the machine 200 is, for example, a roller conveyor that transports industrial products (not shown) along a transport direction. The machine 200 includes a support base 70 and a plurality of roller devices 60-1 to 60-5. Hereinafter, the roller devices 60-1 to 60-5 may be collectively referred to as "roller devices 60." In this embodiment, the number of roller devices 60 is five, but is not limited to this number.

[0039] The roller device 60-1 includes a roller member 50-1, a pair of mechanical components 40-1 and 40-2, and a shaft member 41-1. The pair of mechanical components 40-1 and 40-2 are provided at both ends of the roller member 50-1. The shaft member is cylindrical and extends along the central axis. The roller member 50-1 is cylindrical and is disposed on the circumferential side of the shaft member 41-1, and rotates integrally with the shaft member 41-1. Both ends of the shaft member 41-1 are exposed from the roller member 50-1.

[0040] The pair of mechanical components 40-1, 40-2 support the roller member 50-1 so that it can rotate relative to one another. Specifically, the pair of mechanical components 40-1, 40-2 support both ends of the shaft member 41-1 so that it can rotate relative to one another. The mechanical components 40-1, 40-2 are, for example, plummer blocks. The mechanical components 40-1, 40-2 are fixed to the support base 70, for example, by bolts (not shown).

[0041] Similarly, the roller devices 60-2 to 60-5 include roller members 50-2 to 50-5 and pairs of mechanical components 40-3 to 40-10. The mechanical components 40-3 to 40-10 are provided on both ends of the roller members 50-2 to 50-5. The mechanical components 40-3 to 40-10 support the roller members 50-2 to 50-5 so that they can rotate relative to each other.

[0042] Hereinafter, the roller members 50-1 to 50-5 in Fig. 2 may be collectively referred to as "roller members 50." Hereinafter, the mechanical components 40-1 to 40-10 in Fig. 2 may be collectively referred to as "mechanical components 40."

[0043] The tag reader device 20 is provided near the roller device 60. The tag reader device 20 includes an antenna 21, an arm 27, a base portion 29, and wheels 28a and 28b. The base portion 29 includes a motor 26.

[0044] Arm 27 supports antenna 21 of tag reader device 20. Arm 27 is rotationally driven by motor 25. This allows arm 27 to move as shown by arrow 80. As a result, movement of arm 27 allows the position of antenna 21 in the Z-axis direction, i.e., the height, to be changed.

[0045] Wheels 28a and 28b provided on base portion 29 of tag reader device 20 are driven by motor 26. By rotating wheels 28a and 28b, tag reader device 20 can be moved as shown by dashed arrows 81, 82, and 83. This allows the position of antenna 21 of tag reader device 20 to be changed in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0046] Motor 26 rotates, for example, an axle (not shown) provided on base 29 of tag reader device 20, causing wheels 28 a and 28 b to rotate, thereby changing the position of antenna 21 of tag reader device 20 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0047] The position of the monitored object to which each wireless tag 10 is attached is stored as position data 2220 in the memory unit 222 of the tag reader device 20. For example, with the origin P as the reference, coordinate values ​​in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction that indicate the position of the monitored object are stored as the position data 2220 in the memory unit 222.

[0048] The position of each wireless tag 10 is stored as position data 2221 in the storage unit 222 of the tag reader device 20. For example, with the origin P as the reference, coordinate values ​​in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction indicating the position of the wireless tag 10 are stored as the position data 2221 in the storage unit 222.

[0049] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of wireless tags relative to the machine components in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the communication range of the wireless tag 10. Hereinafter, the wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10 in Fig. 2 may be collectively referred to as "wireless tags 10". Hereinafter, the shaft members 41-1 to 41-10 may be collectively referred to as "shaft member 41". Hereinafter, the bearings 42-1 to 42-10 in Fig. 2 may be collectively referred to as "bearings 42".

[0050] 3, the mechanical component 40 has a bearing 42. The bearing 42 has a through hole into which an end of a shaft member 41 of a roller member (see FIG. 2) is inserted. The shaft member 41 is provided to extend in the Y-axis direction. The bearing 42 rotatably supports the shaft member 41. As shown in FIG. 3, in this example, the wireless tag 10 is attached to the side surface of the mechanical component 40.

[0051] If the mechanical component 40 is made of a conductive material such as metal, attaching the wireless tag 10 to the mechanical component 40 creates a range in which it is difficult to exchange data with the tag reader device 20 (see FIG. 2 ). That is, in the space blocked by the mechanical component 40, it is difficult to exchange data between the wireless tag 10 and the tag reader device 20. For example, the range of angle θ in FIG. 3 is an angle range in which the communication distance is longer, and ranges other than angle θ are ranges in which it is difficult to exchange data with the tag reader device 20. In this example, a communication range in which the communication distance between the wireless tag 10 and the tag reader device 20 can be set longer is set as the path along which the antenna 21 of the tag reader device 20 moves. For example, the tag reader device 20 moves while driving the arm 27 so that the antenna 21 passes above each wireless tag 10. By setting the path in this manner, it is possible to obtain data from all monitored objects while maintaining a large distance from the bearing device.

[0052] 4, when the mechanical part 40 is not provided, the communication range H of the wireless tag 10 is, for example, a substantially spherical range centered on the wireless tag 10. In Fig. 4, the communication range H is viewed from the Y-axis direction, so the communication range H is circular. In contrast, the space blocked by the mechanical part 40 is excluded from the communication range H, so the communication range C of the wireless tag 10 is, for example, a range that is approximately ¼ of the sphere as shown in Fig. 4.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 2 , communication ranges C1 to C10 are created for each of the wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10. When the antenna 21 of the tag reader device 20 is within the communication range C1, the tag reader device 20 can acquire data from the wireless tag 10-1. Similarly, for the other communication ranges C2 to C10, the tag reader device 20 can acquire data from the wireless tags 10-2 to 10-10 when it is within the communication ranges C2 to C10. Therefore, by moving the tag reader device 20 so that the antenna 21 passes through the communication ranges C1 to C10, the data from the wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10 can be acquired efficiently. Specifically, the motor 26 rotates the wheels 28a and 28b, moving the tag reader device 20 in the direction of the dashed arrow 81, then in the direction of the dashed arrow 82, and further in the direction of the dashed arrow 83. As the tag reader device 20 moves along the path in this manner, the motor 25 drives the arm 27 to adjust the height of the antenna 21. In this way, by controlling the two motors 25 and 26, which are actuators, the moving antenna 21 can pass through the communication ranges C1 to C10 in order. In other words, by adjusting the height of the antenna 21 while the tag reader device 20 moves along the route, data from the wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10 can be efficiently acquired.

[0054] If the positions of the wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10 in the Z-axis direction, i.e., in the height direction, are the same, the positions of the communication ranges in the Z-axis direction are the same. In this case, tag reader device 20 can be moved while arm 27 is fixed at a constant height.

[0055] On the other hand, if the positions of wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10 in the Z-axis direction are not the same, the positions of the communication ranges in the Z-axis direction will be different. In this case, as described above, arm 27 is driven by motor 25 to adjust the position of antenna 21 in the Z-axis direction, i.e., the height, while tag reader device 20 is moved. By moving tag reader device 20 while adjusting the height of antenna 21 in this way, data from wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10 can be acquired efficiently.

[0056] Furthermore, when tag reader device 20 is moved, it is necessary to ensure that parts of tag reader device 20, such as antenna 21, do not collide with mechanical components 40-1 to 40-10. In this example, position data 2220 indicating the positions of mechanical components 40-1 to 40-10 is stored in advance in storage unit 222. Then, creation unit 226 creates a route for tag reader device 20 to move so as not to collide with mechanical components 40-1 to 40-10, and moves tag reader device 20 along that route. Regardless of the locations of mechanical components 40-1 to 40-10, creation unit 226 can create an appropriate route by storing the positions of each mechanical component 40 in advance and using that information. Even if the position of a mechanical component 40 is changed, creation unit 226 can create an appropriate route by storing and using the changed position.

[0057] Furthermore, a wireless tag 10 is attached to the mechanical component 40. The wireless tag 10 is provided, for example, on the side surface of the mechanical component 40. The wireless tag 10 is attached, for example, with adhesive tape, to the surface of the mechanical component 40. As described above, the wireless tag 10 has the sensor 12 (see FIG. 1 ). Temperature data detected by the sensor 12 is stored in the memory unit 132 within the wireless tag 10, and the temperature data is transmitted to the tag reader device 20 together with identification information 1320.

[0058] 2, one tag reader device 20 is provided for one mechanical device 200. One mechanical device 200 has five roller members 50-1 to 50-5, and wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10 are attached to a total of ten mechanical components 40-1 to 40-10 provided at both ends of each of the roller members 50-1 to 50-5. By moving in the directions of dashed arrows 81, 82, and 83, the tag reader device 20 can acquire identification information 1320 and temperature data from each of the ten wireless tags 10-1 to 10-10.

[0059] It is also possible to provide a wireless tag 10 on one of the mechanical components 40 at both ends of the roller member 50, and not provide a wireless tag 10 on the other mechanical component 40. Wireless tags 10 may be provided on only some of the multiple mechanical components 40 provided in the mechanical device 200, and these may be monitored.

[0060] (Example of Operation) Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information acquisition system. Fig. 5 shows preparation processing before information acquisition by tag reader device 20.

[0061] 5 , first, position data 2220 indicating the position of an object and position data 2221 of each wireless tag 10 are input via input unit 24 of tag reader device 20 (step S21). Tag reader device 20 stores the input position data 2220 and 2221 in storage unit 222 (step S22). Identification unit 225 of tag reader device 20 identifies the communication range of each of the multiple wireless tags 10 based on the position data 2221 stored in storage unit 222 (step S23).

[0062] The creation unit 226 creates a route along which the tag reader device 20 should travel (step S24) based on the communication range of each wireless tag 10 identified by the identification unit 225 and the position data 2220 of each target object. The route created by the creation unit 226 is stored in the storage unit 222 as route data 2222 (step S25).

[0063] 6 is a diagram showing an example of location data 2221 indicating the location of the wireless tag 10. In FIG. 6, the location data 2221 in this example includes wireless tag identification information 1320 (rfid0001, rfid0002, ...) and coordinate values ​​indicating the installation location of the wireless tag. The coordinate values ​​indicating the installation location of the wireless tag are coordinate values ​​in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction (X, Y, Z, ...) based on the origin P in FIG. 2.

[0064] 7 is a diagram showing an example of position data 2220 indicating the position of a monitored object. In Fig. 7, the position data 2220 in this example includes information (J0001, J0002, ...) that identifies the bearing that is the object, and coordinate values ​​that indicate the installation position of the bearing. The coordinate values ​​that indicate the installation position of the bearing are coordinate values ​​(x, y, z, ...) in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction, based on the origin P in Fig. 2.

[0065] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information acquisition system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0066] 8, steps S101 to S106 show an example of the operation of the wireless tag 10, steps S200 to S204 show an example of the operation of the tag reader device 20, and steps S301 to S302 show an example of the operation of the monitoring terminal device 30.

[0067] In FIG. 8, the wireless tag 10 acquires temperature data from the sensor 12 in advance (step S101) and stores the data in the storage unit 132 (step S102).

[0068] Tag reader device 20 starts moving along the route (step S200). At this time, arm 27 adjusts the height of antenna 21. When tag reader device 20 transmits a data read signal to wireless tag 10 (step S201), wireless tag 10 receives the read signal (step S103). Wireless tag 10 then acquires temperature data from sensor 12 (step S104) and reads identification information 1320 stored in memory unit 132 (step S105). Wireless tag 10 transmits the temperature data together with the identification information (step S106), and tag reader device 20 receives it (step S202).

[0069] The tag reader device 20 stores the received temperature data and identification information 1320 in the storage unit 222 (step S203). The tag reader device 20 then transmits the temperature data and identification information 1320 (step S204), which the monitoring terminal device 30 receives (step S301). The monitoring terminal device 30 stores the received temperature data and identification information 1320 in the storage unit 32 (step S302). Through the above process, the monitoring terminal device 30 can acquire the temperature data and identification information 1320 and can perform editing, such as categorizing and rearranging, on the data stored in the storage unit 32. By utilizing the data stored in the storage unit 32, the monitoring target can be monitored.

[0070] According to the information acquisition system of the first embodiment, tag reader device 20 moves along the route created, and data can be acquired efficiently without colliding with monitored objects.

[0071] Second Embodiment Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an information acquisition system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 9, the information acquisition system 100a according to the second embodiment differs from the information acquisition system 100 according to the first embodiment in that the information acquisition system 100a includes a wireless tag 10a that does not include a power supply unit. The wireless tag 10a operates using power based on electromagnetic waves transmitted by a tag reader device 20. That is, when the antenna 11 of the wireless tag 10a receives electromagnetic waves transmitted from the tag reader device 20, a current flows due to induction by the received electromagnetic waves. The wireless tag 10a operates using this current as a power source.

[0072] In the information acquisition system according to the first embodiment described above, the temperature detection by the sensor 12 of each wireless tag 10 is performed, for example, at a predetermined cycle and is sequentially stored in the storage unit 132. Then, when a data read signal is transmitted from the tag reader device 20 to the wireless tag 10, the stored temperature data and identification information 1320 are transmitted from the wireless tag 10 to the tag reader device 20.

[0073] In contrast, in the information acquisition system 100a according to the second embodiment, when a data read signal is transmitted from the tag reader device 20 to the wireless tag 10a, the temperature is detected by the sensor 12. That is, the wireless tag 10a operates using power based on the electromagnetic waves of the read signal, and the temperature is detected by the sensor 12. Other operations of the information acquisition system 100a are similar to those of the information acquisition system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0074] (Operation Example) Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the information acquisition system 100a according to the second embodiment. Fig. 10 shows the operations of the wireless tag 10a, tag reader device 20, and monitoring terminal device 30 of the information acquisition system 100a.

[0075] 10, steps S103 to S106 show an example of the operation of the wireless tag 10a, steps S200 to S204 show an example of the operation of the tag reader device 20, and steps S301 to S302 show an example of the operation of the monitoring terminal device 30.

[0076] 10, when a data read signal is transmitted from tag reader device 20 to wireless tag 10a (step S201), wireless tag 10a receives the read signal (step S103). Wireless tag 10a then acquires temperature data from sensor 12 (step S104) and reads the temperature data and identification information 1320 stored in memory unit 132 (step S105). Wireless tag 10a transmits the temperature data together with the identification information 1320 (step S106), which is received by tag reader device 20 (step S202).

[0077] The subsequent operations are the same as those of the information acquisition system 100 described with reference to FIG. 8 . That is, the tag reader device 20 stores the received temperature data and identification information 1320 in the storage unit 222 (step S203). Thereafter, the tag reader device 20 transmits the temperature data and identification information 1320 (step S204), and the monitoring terminal device 30 receives it (step S301). The monitoring terminal device 30 stores the received temperature data and identification information 1320 in the storage unit 32 (step S302). Through the above processing, the monitoring terminal device 30 can acquire the temperature data and identification information 1320 and can perform editing, such as classification and rearrangement, on the data stored in the storage unit 32. By utilizing the data stored in the storage unit 32, the monitoring target can be monitored.

[0078] According to the information acquisition system of the second embodiment, tag reader device 20 moves along the route created, and data can be acquired efficiently without colliding with monitored objects.

[0079] (Modification) In the above, the case where the physical quantity detected by the sensor 12 is temperature has been described, but other physical quantities may be detected. The sensor 12 may be, for example, an acceleration sensor that detects vibration. By detecting vibration, bearing defects can be detected early.

[0080] Furthermore, although the above uses rectangular coordinate values ​​with the origin P as a reference as the position data, polar coordinate values ​​with the origin P as a reference may be used instead as the position data.

[0081] (Summary) According to the information acquisition system 100 of the first embodiment or the information acquisition system 100a of the second embodiment, data can be efficiently acquired and production equipment can be monitored without a maintenance inspector having to go directly to the vicinity of the machinery at a production facility such as a factory site. Specifically, it is possible to predict abnormalities associated with temperature changes and identify the associated bearings. For example, temperature can be monitored and processed in a remote control room. While the above embodiments have focused on bearings as the monitoring target, this is not a limitation, and other monitoring such as thermal axial elongation and motor rated operation can also be performed.

[0082] 10, 10a Wireless tag 11, 21 Antenna 12 Sensor 13, 22, 33 Control unit 14, 23, 34 Power supply unit 20 Tag reader device 24 Input unit 25, 26 Motor 27 Arm 28a, 28b Wheel 29 Base unit 30 Monitoring terminal device 31, 131, 221 Communication unit 32, 132, 222 Memory unit 40-1 to 40-10 Machine parts 41-1 to 41-10 Shaft member 42-1 to 42-10 Bearing 50-1 to 50-5 Roller member 60-1 to 60-5 Roller device 70 Support base 100, 100a Information acquisition system 200 Mechanical device 223 Reading unit 224 Writing unit 225 Identification unit 226 Creation unit 227 Driving unit 1320 Identification information 2220, 2221 Position data 2222 Route data C, C1 to C10, H Communication range

Claims

1. An information acquisition system in which a data acquisition device moves in the vicinity of a plurality of wireless tags and acquires information from the wireless tags, comprising: a memory unit that stores position data relating to objects to which each of the plurality of wireless tags is attached; an identification unit that identifies the communication range of each of the plurality of wireless tags based on the position data of the wireless tags stored in the memory unit; a creation unit that creates a route along which the data acquisition device should move based on the communication range of each of the wireless tags identified by the identification unit; and a drive unit that drives an actuator to move the data acquisition device along the route created by the creation unit.

2. The information acquisition system according to claim 1, wherein the memory unit of the wireless tag further stores position data of the object, and the creation unit creates a route that does not pass through the position of the object.

3. The information acquisition system of claim 2, wherein the wireless tag has an identification information memory unit that stores identification information, a communication unit that transmits the identification information, and a sensor that detects the temperature of the object and outputs temperature data corresponding to the temperature, and the communication unit transmits the temperature data output by the sensor and the identification information.

4. An information acquisition system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an input unit for inputting the location data, wherein the storage unit stores the location data inputted by the input unit.

5. An information acquisition system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an arm for moving the data acquisition device along the path created by the creation unit, the arm being operated by an actuator driven by the drive unit.

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