Location identification device, location identification method, and recording medium

Abstract

A location identification device according to the present invention comprises a reading unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The reading unit instructs an RFID reader installed in a prescribed space to read an RFID tag on an article. An identification unit identifies the area in which the article is located on the basis of the reading area of an antenna that, of a plurality of antennas connected to the RFID reader, has read the RFID tag. The control unit controls the reading area of an antenna under control. The output unit outputs that the article is in the identified area. The identification unit newly identifies the area in which the article is located on the basis of the identified area and the reading area of the antenna under control. The output unit outputs that the article is in the newly identified area.

Description

Position specifying device, position specifying method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to location determination devices and the like.

[0002] A technique using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag to identify the location of an item is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for identifying the location area where each item is located based on which antenna can read tag information.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-003563

[0004] However, in a large space such as a warehouse, it is still difficult to find an item even if the item has an RFID tag attached to it.

[0005] An example of an object of the present disclosure is to provide a location identification device or the like that facilitates the search for an item.

[0006] A location identification device in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a reading means for issuing a read instruction to an RFID reader installed in a specified space to read an RFID tag attached to an item; a determination means for determining the area in which the item is located based on the reading area of ​​an antenna, among multiple antennas connected to the RFID reader, that can read the RFID tag; a control means for controlling the reading area of ​​an antenna to be controlled; and an output means for outputting a signal that an item is located in the determined area, wherein the determination means newly determines the area in which the item is located based on the determined area and the reading area of ​​the antenna to be controlled, and the output means outputs a signal that the item is located in the newly determined area.

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a location identification method includes a computer executing the following processes: issuing a read instruction to an RFID reader installed in a specified space to read an RFID tag attached to an item; identifying an area where the item is located based on the read area of ​​one of multiple antennas connected to the RFID reader that was able to read the RFID tag; controlling the read area of ​​an antenna to be controlled; and outputting a message that the item is located in the identified area; in the identification process, a new area where the item is located is identified based on the identified area and the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled; and in the output process, outputting a message that the item is located in the newly identified area.

[0008] A program in one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following processes: issue a read instruction to an RFID reader installed in a specified space to read an RFID tag attached to an item; identify the area where the item is located based on the read area of ​​one of multiple antennas connected to the RFID reader that was able to read the RFID tag; control the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled; and output a message that the item is located in the identified area; in the identification process, the area where the item is located is newly identified based on the identified area and the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled; and in the output process, output a message that the item is located in the newly identified area.

[0009] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to facilitate searching for an item.

[0011] 6 is a first block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a positioning device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of a positioning device. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection between a positioning device and another device. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an installation of a plurality of antennas and a plurality of RFID readers. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of one RFID reader and a plurality of antennas connected to the RFID reader. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the read areas of each antenna shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 12 is a second block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a positioning device. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an item tag DB. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of specifying, as a placement area, an overlapping area of ​​read areas of antennas that have been read. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of specifying, as a placement area, an area obtained by excluding the read areas of antennas that have not been read from the read areas of antennas that have been read. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of specifying, as a placement area, an area obtained by excluding the read areas of antennas that have not been read from the overlapping area of ​​antennas that have been read. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of controlling the output intensity of a target antenna that has been read, which is an antenna that has been read. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of specifying a new placement area. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of increasing the size of the read area of ​​an antenna that has not been read. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a new placement area is specified. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing operation example 1 of the position identification device. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a readable antenna is moved. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a new placement area is specified. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which an unreadable antenna is moved. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a new placement area is specified. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operation example 2 of the position identification device. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a drone is moved to the placement area. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the position identification device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a frame representing the placement area is superimposed on a map of a predetermined space. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the LED of the item tag is lit. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer.

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a position identification device, a position identification method, a program, and a non-transitory recording medium for recording the program according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. The present embodiments do not limit the disclosed technology.

[0013] Here, in each embodiment, an item will be described using luggage as an example. For example, an item may be an object capable of carrying one or more items, such as a cart with a basket. For example, identifying an area where an item is located may be interpreted as identifying an area where a cart is located. In each embodiment, the size of the item, the unit of the item, etc. are not particularly limited.

[0014] In each embodiment, the predetermined space is, for example, a space in which an item is placed, and is not particularly limited. For example, the predetermined space may be a warehouse.

[0015] 1 is a first block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a position specifying device 10. The position specifying device 10 includes a reading unit 102, a specifying unit 104, a control unit 106, and an output unit 108.

[0016] The reading unit 102 issues a read instruction to an RFID reader installed in a predetermined space to read an RFID tag attached to an item.

[0017] For example, the positioning device 10 may include an RFID reader, or may be connected to the RFID reader via a communication network or the like. The reading unit 102 instructs the RFID reader to read the information stored in the RFID tag. As an example of attaching an RFID tag to an item, the RFID tag may be attached to the item, or may be included in a tag attached to the item with a string or the like, such as a price tag. In this way, the method of attaching an RFID tag to an item is not particularly limited. An RFID tag attached to an item is also called an item tag.

[0018] For example, the item tag may store item identification information for identifying the item. Alternatively, the item tag may store tag identification information for identifying the item tag. The RFID reader reads the information stored in the item tag via an antenna connected to the RFID reader in response to a read instruction from the reading unit 102. For example, in a predetermined space, multiple antennas may be connected to the RFID tag.

[0019] The identification unit 104 identifies the area where the item is placed based on the read area of ​​the antenna that can read the RFID tag from among the multiple antennas connected to the RFID reader. The area where the item is placed may also be called the placement area. The read area of ​​an antenna is the range in which the antenna can read information from the RFID tag. It is difficult to set the read area of ​​an antenna to an accurate rectangle. In other words, it is difficult to precisely divide the read areas of multiple antennas in a given space. For this reason, when multiple antennas are installed, the read areas of the multiple antennas overlap.

[0020] Therefore, for example, the identification unit 104 identifies an area where the reading areas of the antennas that can read the item tag overlap as an area where the item is placed. Alternatively, for example, the identification unit 104 identifies an area obtained by excluding the reading areas of the antennas that cannot read the item tag from the reading areas of the antennas that can read the item tag as an area where the item is placed.

[0021] The identification unit 104 may combine a process of identifying an overlapping area of ​​the read areas of the antennas that have read the tag with a process of identifying an area obtained by excluding the read areas of the antennas that have not read the tag from the read areas of the antennas that have read the tag. The order of these processes performed by the identification unit 104 is not particularly limited. As a specific example of the combined process, the identification unit 104 may identify, as an area where an item is placed, an area obtained by excluding the read areas of the antennas that have not read the tag from the overlapping area of ​​the read areas of the antennas that have read the tag.

[0022] The control unit 106 controls the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled based on the area identified by the identification unit 104. For example, the antenna to be controlled may be at least one of a plurality of antennas connected to the RFID reader, or may be an antenna different from these antennas. For example, the different antenna may be an antenna provided in an RFID reader mounted on a mobile device. For example, the mobile device may be an automated guided vehicle (AGV), a drone, etc.

[0023] As an example of control, the control unit 106 may perform control to change the size of the read area of ​​the controlled antenna. For example, the control unit 106 changes the size of the read area of ​​the controlled antenna by controlling the output intensity of the controlled antenna. A specific example of changing the size will be described in the second embodiment.

[0024] As another example of control, the control unit 106 may perform control to change the position of the read area of ​​the controlled antenna. For example, the control unit 106 changes the position of the read area of ​​the controlled antenna by moving the controlled antenna that is installed on a rail. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 106 changes the position of the read area of ​​the controlled antenna by moving a mobile device that includes the controlled antenna. A specific example of changing the position will be described in the second embodiment.

[0025] The identifying unit 104 identifies a new area where the article is located based on the identified area and the read area of ​​the target antenna. It is assumed that the reading unit 102 has issued a read instruction to the target antenna.

[0026] For example, the identification unit 104 identifies a new area where the item is placed based on the identified area and the read area of ​​the controlled antenna and the read status of the controlled antenna. For example, if the controlled antenna can read the item tag, the identification unit 104 identifies a new area where the item is placed, which is an area where the identified area overlaps with the read area of ​​the controlled antenna. For example, if the controlled antenna cannot read the item tag, the identification unit 104 identifies a new area where the item is placed, which is an area obtained by excluding the read area of ​​the controlled antenna from the identified area.

[0027] The output unit 108 outputs a signal indicating that an item is located in the area identified by the identification unit 104. Here, the output method is not particularly limited. For example, the output method by the output unit 108 may include audio output, screen display, registration in a database, etc. The output unit 108 may register in a database that an item is located in the area identified by the identification unit 104. The output unit 108 may register in the database position information indicating the position of the area identified by the identification unit 104 as position information of the item. The method of expressing the position information is not particularly limited. The position information may be position information indicating a position such as coordinate values ​​in a specific predetermined space. The position information may be identification information identifying an aisle near the area identified by the identification unit 104 or identification information identifying a shelf located in the area identified by the identification unit 104. For example, the output unit 108 outputs to a user's terminal device a signal indicating that an item is located in the area identified by the identification unit 104.

[0028] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the position identification device 10. The reading unit 102 issues a read instruction to the RFID reader to read an item tag (step S101). The identification unit 104 identifies the placement area of ​​the item (step S102). The control unit 106 controls the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled (step S103).

[0029] The identifying unit 104 identifies a new location area where the item is located based on the identified location area and the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled (step S104). The output unit 108 outputs a signal indicating that the item is located in the identified location area (step S105). The position identifying device 10 then ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 2.

[0030] For example, it is time-consuming for a worker to search for an item with an RFID tag in a very large space using a handheld terminal equipped with an RFID reader. Therefore, it is expected that multiple antennas will be installed to search for the item. However, if the specified space is large, a large number of antennas will be required. The larger the number of antennas, the higher the cost of the antennas. For example, if multiple antennas are fixedly installed, narrowing the reading area of ​​each antenna will require a large number of antennas. On the other hand, if the specified space is large but the number of antennas is reduced, it is expected that the range of the reading area of ​​each antenna will be wide. However, if the area where the identified item is located is too large, it will still be difficult to find the item.

[0031] For example, the positioning device 10 identifies an area where an item is placed based on the read states of the read areas of multiple antennas, and controls the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled based on the identified area.The positioning device 10 then newly identifies an area where the item is placed based on the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled and the identified area.In this way, the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled can be dynamically changed.And the area where the item is placed can be narrowed down.This makes it easier to identify the area where the item is placed.In addition, it makes it possible to reduce the number of antennas in a large space.

[0032] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, an example of searching for an area where an item specified by a user is located will be described in detail. Below, to the extent that the description of the second embodiment is not unclear, descriptions of content that overlaps with the above description will be omitted.

[0033] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection between a position specifying device and another device. The position specifying device 20 may be connected to an RFID reader 22 via a communication network. The RFID reader 22 may be connected to multiple antennas 21. When the position specifying device 20 sends a read instruction to the RFID reader 22, the RFID reader 22 can output radio waves for reading to the multiple antennas 21.

[0034] Here, the RFID reader 22 may be configured to include an antenna 21. For example, the multiple antennas 21 may be n+1 antennas 21, which is the sum of the antenna 21 included in the RFID reader 22 and n antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22. n is an integer equal to or greater than 1. Furthermore, for example, the location identification device 20 may control the output intensity of the antenna 21 connected to the RFID reader 22 via the RFID reader 22. Note that there may be multiple RFID readers 22.

[0035] For example, the multiple antennas 21 may be installed on the ceiling, wall, or floor of a predetermined space, or on a shelf installed in the predetermined space.

[0036] At least some of the multiple antennas 21 may be fixedly disposed. Alternatively, at least some of the multiple antennas 21 may be movably installed. Rails may be installed in a predetermined space, and the multiple antennas 21 may be movably installed on the rails. For example, the rails may be installed on the ceiling of the predetermined space, or on a shelf. The position identification device 20 may be capable of controlling the movement of the multiple antennas 21.

[0037] The position identification device 20 may be connected to a user's terminal device 23 via a communication network. The user may be, for example, a person searching for an item. The user may be, for example, a warehouse worker or warehouse manager. The type of terminal device 23 is not particularly limited, and may be a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet device, or the like. Note that the terminal device 23 may be pre-installed with an application program that can transmit information to the position identification device 20 and output information from the position identification device 20. Alternatively, the terminal device 23 may be able to access a website connected to the position identification device 20 and transmit and receive information to and from the position identification device 20 via the website.

[0038] The position identification device 20 is connected to the drone 24 via a communication network. For example, the drone 24 is equipped with an RFID reader 22 having an antenna 21. The position identification device 20 may control the movement of the drone 24. The position identification device 20 may also control a reading instruction to the RFID reader 22 equipped on the drone 24.

[0039] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of installation of a plurality of antennas 21 and a plurality of RFID readers 22. In FIG. 4, the predetermined space is exemplified by a large warehouse. For example, luggage and the like are stored in the warehouse. For example, the plurality of RFID readers 22 and the plurality of antennas 21 are installed on approximately the same plane, such as on the ceiling.

[0040] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of one RFID reader 22 and a plurality of antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22. In Fig. 5, the RFID reader 22 is connected to a plurality of antennas 21-1 to 21-4.

[0041] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the reading area 31 of each antenna 21 shown in Fig. 5. When multiple antennas are not particularly specified individually, they are referred to as antennas 21. As shown in Fig. 6, the reading areas 31 of the multiple antennas 21 overlap.

[0042] In FIG. 6, for example, a read area 31-1 of the antenna 21-1, a read area 31-2 of the antenna 21-2, a read area 31-3 of the antenna 21-3, and a read area 31-4 of the antenna 21-4 overlap with each other.

[0043] Here, the reading area 31 of each antenna 21 can be identified by the position of the antenna 21 and the output strength of the antenna 21. Note that if the antennas 21 are fixedly disposed and the output strength of the antennas 21 is fixed, the reading area 31 of each antenna 21 may be stored separately for each antenna 21. Also, for example, the size of the reading area 31 of each antenna 21 according to the output strength is stored in advance, and the position identification device 20 can identify the reading area 31 of each antenna 21 based on the position of the antenna 21 and the output strength of the antenna 21.

[0044] 7 is a second block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the position identification device 20. The position identification device 20 includes a reception unit 201, a reading unit 202, an identification unit 204, a control unit 206, an output unit 208, and a determination unit 210.

[0045] For example, the reading unit 202 may have, as a basic function, the function of the reading unit 102 shown in Fig. 1. For example, the identification unit 204 may have, as a basic function, the function of the identification unit 104 shown in Fig. 1. The control unit 206 may have, as a basic function, the function of the control unit 106 shown in Fig. 1. The output unit 208 may have, as a basic function, the function of the output unit 108 shown in Fig. 1.

[0046] The position specifying device 20 may have, for example, an item tag DB (DataBase) 2000. The item tag DB 2000 is, for example, information for managing item tags.

[0047] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the item tag DB 2000. For example, the item tag DB 2000 stores information for associating item tags with items. In FIG. 8, for example, the item tag DB 2000 associates and stores, for each item tag, tag identification information for identifying the item tag and item identification information for identifying the item. In FIG. 8, an item tag ID (Identifier) ​​is given as an example of tag identification information. In FIG. 8, an item ID is given as an example of item identification information. In FIG. 8, a tag identified by a tag ID "T01" is attached to an item identified by an item ID "AAA".

[0048] For example, the position identification device 20 may have an item DB for managing items, and the item DB may manage information about the items for each item. In this case, the item DB may manage the items by item ID. This links the item DB and the item tag DB 2000. For example, if the item is a product, the item information may include the product name and price. For example, if the item is a parcel to be delivered, the parcel information may include the parcel name and parcel destination. Note that the item tag DB 2000 and the item DB may be a single database.

[0049] Next, each functional unit will be described, taking as an example a case where the position specifying device 20 searches for a specified item.

[0050] First, the reception unit 201 receives a designation of an item to be searched for. The reception method may be via an input device or the like, and is not particularly limited to screen input or voice input. For example, the reception unit 201 receives a designation of an item to be searched for through a user's operation on the terminal device 23.

[0051] For example, the terminal device 23 may display a screen including information for specifying an item, and the user may specify the item by operating the screen. The information for specifying an item may include, but is not limited to, information for identifying the item, such as the name of the item, its characteristics, and an image of the item, or a tag ID for identifying a tag attached to the item. For example, the terminal device 23 may display selectable product names, package names, etc., and when the user selects a product name displayed on the screen, the reception unit 201 accepts the product with the selected product name as the item to be searched for. Alternatively, the terminal device 23 may display a screen including an input field for specifying an item, and the user may input information for specifying the item, such as the name of the item, into the input field on the screen. The reception unit 201 then accepts the item identified by the information for specifying the item entered into the input field as the item to be searched for.

[0052] The reading unit 202 issues a read instruction to the RFID reader 22 installed in a predetermined space to read the item tag.

[0053] The RFID reader 22 transmits the results of reading from each antenna 21 to the position specifying device 20 .

[0054] The identification unit 204 identifies the area where the item is placed based on the read area 31 of the antenna 21 that read the item tag from among the multiple antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22. For example, if the item tag stores an item tag ID, the read antenna 21 is the antenna 21 that read the item tag ID of the item tag attached to the specified search target item. That is, for example, if the item tag ID included in the information read from the antenna 21 matches the item tag ID of the item tag attached to the search target item, the identification unit 204 determines that antenna 21 as the antenna that read the item. On the other hand, if the item tag ID included in the information read from the antenna 21 does not match the item tag ID of the item tag attached to the search target item, the identification unit 204 determines that antenna 21 as the antenna that did not read the item.

[0055] Although an example in which the item tag stores an item tag ID has been given, the information stored in the item tag is not particularly limited as long as the item to be searched can be identified using an item DB, an item tag DB, etc. For example, the item tag may store item identification information that identifies the item.

[0056] As described in the first embodiment, there are various methods for the identification unit 204 to identify the area where the article is placed based on the read area 31 of the antenna 21 .

[0057] For example, if multiple antennas 21 can read the item tag, the identifying unit 204 identifies the area where the reading areas 31 of the antennas 21 that can read the item tag overlap as the area where the item is placed.

[0058] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of identifying an overlapping area of ​​the read area 31 of the antenna 21-1 that has been read as a placement area. For example, in FIG. 9, the antennas 21-1, 21-3, and 21-4 can read item tags, but the antenna 21-2 cannot read item tags. Therefore, the identification unit 204 identifies a placement area 41, which is an overlapping area of ​​the read area 31-1 of the antenna 21-1, the read area 31-3 of the antenna 21-3, and the read area 31-4 of the antenna 21-4.

[0059] Furthermore, the specifying unit 204 may specify, as the placement area, an area obtained by excluding the read area 31 of the antenna 21 that could not be read from the read area 31 of the antenna 21 that could be read.

[0060] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of identifying, as the placement area, an area obtained by excluding the read area 31 of the antenna 21 that could not be read from the read area 31 of the antenna 21. In FIG. 10, if the antenna 21-3 can be read and the antennas 21-1, 21-2, and 21-4 cannot be read, the identification unit 204 identifies, as the placement area 42, an area obtained by excluding the read area 31-1 of the antenna 21-1, the read area 31-2 of the antenna 21-2, and the read area 31-4 of the antenna 21-4 from the read area 31-3 of the antenna 21-3.

[0061] In addition, the identification unit 204 may identify an area where the item is placed as an area where the reading area 31 of the antenna 21 that could read the item tag overlaps with the reading area 31 of the antenna 21 that could read the item tag, excluding the reading area 31 of the antenna 21 that could not read the item tag.

[0062] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of identifying an area obtained by excluding the reading area 31 of the antenna 21 that could not be read from the overlapping area of ​​the antenna 21 that could be read as the placement area. For example, in FIG. 9, the antennas 21-1, 21-3, and 21-4 can read item tags, but the antenna 21-2 cannot read item tags. Therefore, the identification unit 204 identifies the placement area 43 as the area obtained by excluding the reading area 31-2 of the antenna 21-2 from the overlapping area of ​​the reading area 31-1 of the antenna 21-1, the reading area 31-3 of the antenna 21-3, and the reading area 31-4 of the antenna 21-4.

[0063] The control unit 206 controls the reading area 31 of the antenna to be controlled based on the placement area identified by the identification unit 204. For example, the antenna to be controlled may be at least one of the multiple antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22, or may be an antenna 21 different from these antennas 21.

[0064] The control unit 206 may control the read area 31 of the antenna to be controlled when the size of the placement area is large. Therefore, the determination unit 210 may determine whether the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size. The predetermined size may be, for example, a size that makes it easy for a user to find an item, and is not particularly limited. The predetermined size may be specified by the user. When the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is equal to or larger than the predetermined size, the control unit 206 may control the read area 31 of the antenna to be controlled. On the other hand, when the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is not equal to or larger than the predetermined size, the output unit 208 may output the placement area. For example, the control unit 206 may repeat control of the read area 31 of the antenna to be controlled until the size of the placement area becomes smaller than the predetermined size.

[0065] Furthermore, as described in the first embodiment, examples of the control unit 206 controlling the reading area 31 of the antenna to be controlled include controlling the output strength of the antenna to be controlled and controlling the position of the antenna to be controlled.

[0066] <Example of Controlling Output Intensity of Antenna 21> First, an example in which the control unit 206 controls the output intensity of an antenna to be controlled will be described.

[0067] The antenna to be controlled may be at least one of the antennas 21 that have been read out of the plurality of antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22. For example, if there are a plurality of antennas 21 that have been read out, the antennas to be controlled may be at least some of the antennas 21 that have been read out.

[0068] For example, if the antenna 21 is the antenna that can be read, the control unit 206 controls the antenna to weaken the output strength of the antenna, thereby reducing the read area 31 of the antenna.

[0069] The identification unit 204 then identifies a new placement area based on the identified placement area and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna. If the controlled antenna can read the item tag after control, the identification unit 204 identifies an area where the already identified placement area and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna overlap as the new placement area. If the controlled antenna cannot read the item tag after control, the identification unit 204 identifies an area obtained by excluding the read area 31 of the controlled antenna from the already identified placement area as the new placement area.

[0070] For example, Fig. 10 shows an example in which antenna 21-3 was able to read information from an item tag. Fig. 12A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the output strength of the antenna to be controlled, which is the antenna 21 that was able to read, is controlled. In Fig. 12A, the antenna to be controlled is antenna 21-3 that was able to read. The control unit 206 weakens the output strength of antenna 21-3 that was able to read. This allows the control unit 206 to reduce the size of the reading area 31 of antenna 21-3.

[0071] 12B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a new placement area is identified. For example, FIG. 12B shows an example in which the antenna 21-3 is read after control. The identification unit 204 identifies the overlapping area between the previously identified placement area 42 and the read area 31 of the antenna 21-3 as a new placement area 43. In this way, it is possible to narrow down the area in which the item is placed.

[0072] Next, for example, in the case of an antenna 21 that could not be read by the controlled antenna, the control unit 206 controls the controlled antenna to increase the output strength of the controlled antenna. The read area 31 of the controlled antenna is enlarged. The identification unit 204 identifies a new placement area based on the placement area already identified and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna. Note that the specific processing method by which the identification unit 204 identifies a new placement area may be the same as in the example in which the controlled antenna is able to read an item tag. For example, if the controlled antenna can read an item tag after control, the identification unit 204 identifies an area where the placement area already identified by the identification unit 204 and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna overlap as a new placement area. If the controlled antenna cannot read an item tag after control, the identification unit 204 identifies an area obtained by excluding the read area 31 of the controlled antenna from the placement area already identified by the identification unit 204 as a new placement area.

[0073] Here, when there are multiple unreadable antennas 21, which of the multiple unreadable antennas 21 is to be designated as the antenna to be controlled is not particularly limited. For example, the antenna to be controlled may be an antenna 21 selected from the unreadable antennas 21 based on the degree of overlap with the reading areas 31 of the readable antennas 21. Here, when the multiple antennas 21 are installed on approximately the same plane, such as a ceiling, the degree of overlap refers to the degree of overlap of the surfaces of the reading areas. When the multiple antennas 21 are installed on approximately the same plane, such as a ceiling, the degree of overlap may be expressed as the area of ​​the surfaces where the reading areas overlap, and the method of expressing the degree of overlap is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 206 may designate, as the antenna to be controlled, an antenna 21 among the multiple unreadable antennas 21 that has a high degree of overlap with the reading areas 31 of the readable antennas 21. For example, the control unit 206 may designate the antenna 21 with the highest degree of overlap as the antenna to be controlled. For example, the control unit 206 may designate a predetermined number of antennas 21 in descending order of the degree of overlap as the antenna to be controlled. The predetermined number may be specified by the user, may vary depending on the size of the identified placement area, and is not particularly limited. For example, the predetermined number may be greater as the size of the identified placement area increases. For example, the control unit 206 may determine antennas 21 whose overlapping degree is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree as antennas to be controlled. For example, the control unit 206 may determine a predetermined number of antennas 21 whose overlapping degree is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree as antennas to be controlled.

[0074] 10 shows an example in which the antenna 21-3 can read the item tag, but the antennas 21-1, 21-2, and 21-4 cannot read the item tag. For example, the antennas 21-1 and 21-4 have a high degree of overlap with the reading area 31 of the antenna 21-3. Here, an example in which the antenna 21-4 is the antenna to be controlled will be described.

[0075] 13A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of increasing the size of the reading area 31 of the antenna 21 that could not be read. For example, the control unit 206 increases the output intensity of the reading area 31 of the antenna 21-4 that could not be read. This allows the control unit 206 to increase the size of the reading area 31 of the antenna 21-4.

[0076] 13B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a new placement area is identified. For example, FIG. 13B shows an example in which the antenna 21-4 cannot be read after control. The identification unit 204 identifies the area obtained by excluding the read area 31-4 of the antenna 21-4 from the previously identified placement area 42 as a new placement area 45. In this way, it is possible to narrow down the area in which the item is placed.

[0077] Here, the control unit 206 may weaken the output strength of the antenna 21 that has been read, while strengthening the output strength of the antenna 21 that has not been read. That is, the control unit 206 may combine the example shown in Fig. 12A and the example shown in Fig. 13A.

[0078] 14 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of the position identification device 20. The reception unit 201 receives a designation of an item to be searched for (step S201). The reading unit 202 reads an item tag attached to the designated item to be searched for (step S202). In step S202, the reading unit 202 instructs the RFID reader 22 to read the item tag.

[0079] Next, the identifying unit 204 identifies the location area of ​​the search target item based on the read area 31 of the antenna 21 that has been read out of the multiple antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22 (step S203).

[0080] The determination unit 210 determines whether the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (step S204). If the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is equal to or larger than the predetermined size (step S204: Yes), the control unit 206 controls the output intensity of the antenna to be controlled (step S205).

[0081] The identifying unit 204 identifies the location area of ​​the search target item based on the location area identified by the identifying unit 204 and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna after control (step S206). Then, the position identifying device 20 returns to step S204.

[0082] If the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is not equal to or larger than the predetermined size (step S204: No), the output unit 208 outputs information indicating that an item is present in the placement area (step S207). Then, the position identification device 20 ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 14.

[0083] <Example of Controlling the Position of the Antenna 21> Here, an example will be described in which the antenna to be controlled is movable and the control unit 206 controls the position of the antenna to be controlled.

[0084] The antenna to be controlled may be at least one of the antennas 21 that have been read out of the plurality of antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22. For example, if there are a plurality of antennas 21 that have been read out, the control unit 206 sets at least some of the antennas 21 that have been read out as antennas to be controlled.

[0085] The antenna to be controlled is any one of the antennas 21 that has been read out of the plurality of antennas 21, and the control unit 206 moves the antenna to be controlled away from the antennas 21 other than the antenna to be controlled out of the plurality of antennas 21. The position of the reading area 31 of the antenna to be controlled moves.

[0086] The identification unit 204 then identifies a new placement area based on the placement area that has already been identified and the read area 31 of the antenna to be controlled. If the moved antenna to be controlled can read the item tag, the identification unit 204 identifies an area where the placement area that has already been identified by the identification unit 204 and the read area 31 of the antenna to be controlled overlap as the new placement area. If the moved antenna to be controlled cannot read the item tag, the identification unit 204 identifies an area obtained by excluding the read area 31 of the antenna to be controlled from the placement area that has already been identified by the identification unit 204 as the new placement area.

[0087] For example, Fig. 10 shows an example in which the antenna 21-3 was able to read the item tag, while the antennas 21-1, 21-2, and 21-4 were unable to read the item tag. Fig. 15A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the antenna 21 that was able to read is moved. In Fig. 15A, the control unit 206 moves the antenna 21-3 so as to move away from at least a portion of the antenna 21 that was unable to read. For example, in Fig. 15A, the antenna 21-3 is moved to a position away from the antennas 21-4 and 21-2.

[0088] The control unit 206 may move the antenna 21-3 away from all of the unreadable antennas 21. The movable range of the antenna 21 varies depending on the installation conditions of the rails and the like, so the movement example of the antenna 21 is not particularly limited.

[0089] 15B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a new placement area is identified. For example, FIG. 15B shows an example in which the antenna 21-3 has been read after being moved. The identification unit 204 identifies the overlapping area between the previously identified placement area 42 and the read area 31-3 of the antenna 21-3 as a new placement area 46. In this way, it is possible to narrow down the area in which the item is placed.

[0090] Furthermore, the antenna to be controlled may be at least one of the antennas 21 that could not be read out of the plurality of antennas 21. The control unit 206 may move the antenna to be controlled so that it approaches the antenna 21 that could be read out. The position of the reading area 31 of the antenna to be controlled moves.

[0091] The control unit 206 may move the antenna to be controlled so as to approach the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 .

[0092] The identification unit 204 identifies a new placement area based on the placement area that has already been identified and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna after it has been moved. Note that the specific processing method by which the identification unit 204 identifies a new placement area may be the same as the example in which the controlled antenna is the antenna 21 that has been read. For example, if the controlled antenna after it has been moved is able to read an item tag, the identification unit 204 identifies an area where the placement area that the identification unit 204 has already identified and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna overlap as the new placement area. If the controlled antenna after control is unable to read an item tag, the identification unit 204 identifies an area obtained by excluding the read area 31 of the controlled antenna from the placement area that the identification unit 204 has already identified as the new placement area.

[0093] Here, when there are multiple antennas 21 that could not be read, which of the multiple unreadable antennas 21 is to be designated as the antenna to be controlled is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 206 may designate, among the multiple unreadable antennas 21, an antenna 21 that has a large degree of overlap with the read area 31 of the readable antennas 21 as the antenna to be controlled. For example, the control unit 206 may designate the antenna 21 with the largest degree of overlap as the antenna to be controlled. For example, the control unit 206 may designate a predetermined number of antennas 21 in descending order of overlap as the antennas to be controlled. The predetermined number may be specified by the user or may vary depending on the size of the specified placement area, and is not particularly limited. For example, the predetermined number may be larger as the size of the specified placement area increases. For example, the control unit 206 may designate any of the antennas 21 whose overlap degree is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree as the antenna to be controlled. For example, the control unit 206 may designate a predetermined number of antennas 21 whose overlap degree is equal to or greater than a predetermined degree as the antenna to be controlled.

[0094] For example, Fig. 10 shows an example in which the antenna 21-3 can read the item tag, but the antennas 21-1, 21-2, and 21-4 cannot read the item tag. Fig. 16A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the antenna 21 that could not be read is moved. An example will be described in which the antenna 21-4 is the antenna to be controlled.

[0095] Next, for example, the control unit 206 moves the antenna 21-4 so that the antenna 21-4 approaches the antenna 21-3, or for example, the control unit 206 moves the antenna 21-4 so that the antenna 21-4 approaches the placement area 42.

[0096] 16B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a new placement area is identified. For example, FIG. 16B shows an example in which the antenna 21-4 cannot be read after it has been moved. The identification unit 204 identifies the area obtained by excluding the read area 31-4 of the moved antenna 21-4 from the placement area 42 as a new placement area 47.

[0097] 17 is a flowchart showing a second operation example of the position identification device 20. The reception unit 201 receives the designation of an item to be searched (step S211). The reading unit 202 reads the item tag attached to the designated item to be searched (step S212). In step S212, the reading unit 202 instructs the RFID reader 22 to read the item tag.

[0098] Next, the identifying unit 204 identifies the location area of ​​the search target item based on the read area 31 of the antenna 21 that has been read out of the multiple antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22 (step S213).

[0099] The determining unit 210 determines whether the size of the placement area identified by the identifying unit 204 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (step S214).

[0100] If the size of the placement area identified by the identifying unit 204 is equal to or larger than the predetermined size (step S214: Yes), the control unit 206 controls the position of the antenna to be controlled (step S215).

[0101] The identifying unit 204 identifies the location area of ​​the search target item based on the location area identified by the identifying unit 204 and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna after control (step S216). Then, the position identifying device 20 returns to step S214.

[0102] If the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is not equal to or larger than the predetermined size (step S214: No), the output unit 208 outputs information indicating that an item is present in the placement area (step S217). Then, the position identification device 20 ends the series of processes shown in FIG. 17 .

[0103] Here, the example of controlling the position of the antenna 21 and the example of controlling the output intensity of the antenna 21 may be used in combination. There is no particular limitation on the way of combination.

[0104] As an example of a combination, the antenna to be controlled in position may be the antenna 21 whose signal has been read, and the antenna 21 whose signal output intensity is to be controlled may be the antenna 21 whose signal has not been read.

[0105] As another example of a combination, the antenna whose position is to be controlled may be the unreadable antenna 21, and the antenna 21 whose output intensity is to be controlled may be the readable antenna 21. The control unit 206 may control the unreadable antenna 21 to move closer to the placement area while weakening the output intensity of the readable antenna 21.

[0106] <Example of Controlling Drone 24> For example, as an application example, an example will be described in which the antenna to be controlled is the antenna 21 mounted on the drone 24. As described with reference to Fig. 3, the antenna 21 is provided in the RFID reader 22 mounted on the drone 24. Note that the drone 24 is an example of a mobile device, and the following description may be replaced with, for example, another mobile device such as an AGV.

[0107] The control unit 206 moves the drone 24 to the placement area identified by the identification unit 204. Specifically, the control unit 206 instructs the drone 24 to move so as to fly to the placement area.

[0108] 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of moving the drone 24 to the placement area. The control unit 206 may move the drone 24 so that the reading area 38 of the antenna 21 mounted on the drone 24 falls within the placement area.

[0109] Then, the identification unit 204 identifies a new placement area based on the placement area and the reading area 38 of the antenna 21 mounted on the drone 24.

[0110] Furthermore, for example, if the output strength of the antenna 21 mounted on the drone 24 is changeable, the control unit 206 may control the output strength of the antenna 21 mounted on the drone 24 based on the placement area identified by the identification unit 204. For example, the control unit 206 may control the output strength of the antenna 21 mounted on the drone 24 so that it is smaller than the placement area.

[0111] In this way, the control unit 206 can search for an item more quickly by controlling the output intensity of the drone 24 while moving the drone 24. This can reduce consumption of resources such as the battery of the drone 24.

[0112] 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the position identification device 20. The reception unit 201 receives the designation of an item to be searched for (step S221). The reading unit 202 reads the item tag of the designated item to be searched for (step S222). In step S222, the reading unit 202 instructs the RFID reader 22 to read the item tag.

[0113] Next, the identifying unit 204 identifies the location area of ​​the search target item based on the read area 31 of the antenna 21 that has been read out of the multiple antennas 21 connected to the RFID reader 22 (step S223).

[0114] The determining unit 210 determines whether the size of the placement area identified by the identifying unit 204 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (step S224).

[0115] If the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (step S224: Yes), the control unit 206 moves the drone 24 (step S225).

[0116] The identifying unit 204 identifies the location area of ​​the search target item based on the location area identified by the identifying unit 204 and the read area 31 of the controlled antenna mounted on the drone 24 (step S226). Then, the position identifying device 20 returns to step S224.

[0117] If the size of the placement area identified by the identification unit 204 is not equal to or larger than the predetermined size (step S224: No), the output unit 208 outputs that an item is present in the placement area (step S227). Then, the position identification device 20 ends the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0118] Furthermore, the example of controlling at least one of the plurality of antennas 21 and the example of controlling the drone 24 may be used in combination. There is no particular limitation on how they are combined.

[0119] Here, an example in which the output unit 208 outputs a placement area will be described. For example, the output unit 208 may highlight the placement area on a map representing a predetermined space. As an example of highlighting, the output unit 208 may superimpose a frame representing the placement area on the map representing the predetermined space. For example, the output unit 208 may output information identifying an aisle close to the placement area identified by the identification unit 204. For example, the output unit 208 may output information identifying a shelf located in the placement area identified by the identification unit 204.

[0120] 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a frame representing an arrangement area is superimposed on a map of a predetermined space. The output unit 208 displays, on the terminal device 23, a frame representing an arrangement area superimposed on the map of the warehouse.

[0121] The output unit 208 displays the aisle number near the placement area and the shelf number in the placement area. In Figure 20, the aisle numbers are A2 and A3, and the shelf number is S2. This allows the worker to find the item more easily.

[0122] The item tag may be an RFID tag equipped with an LED (Light Emitting Diode). For example, after the placement area is identified, the output unit 208 may output a screen that accepts an instruction to turn on the LED of the item tag. Then, upon accepting the instruction to turn on the LED, the reading unit 202 issues an instruction to read the RFID tag item tag. This causes the LED of the item tag to turn on.

[0123] Fig. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the LED of an item tag is lit. In Fig. 21, when the worker presses the light button displayed on the terminal device 23, the reading unit 202 issues a reading instruction to the RFID reader 22. This causes the LED of the item tag to light up. This makes it easier for the worker to find the item.

[0124] FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which multiple antennas 21 are installed on approximately the same plane at approximately the same height, such as on a ceiling. For example, multiple antennas 21 may be installed at different positions in the height direction. For example, multiple antennas 21 may be installed at different positions in the height direction and in the vertical and horizontal directions. When multiple antennas 21 are installed on approximately the same plane, the overlapping degree of the reading areas of the antennas 21 is the degree of overlapping of the surfaces of the reading areas of the antennas 21. On the other hand, when multiple antennas 21 are installed at different positions in the height direction and in the vertical and horizontal directions, the overlapping degree of the reading areas of the antennas 21 is the degree of overlapping of the three-dimensional shapes of the reading areas of the antennas 21. When multiple antennas 21 are installed at different positions in the height direction and in the vertical and horizontal directions, the overlapping degree of the reading areas of the antennas 21 may be expressed by volume, and the method of expressing the overlapping degree is not particularly limited.

[0125] In the second embodiment, the position identifying device 20 identifies, as the placement area of ​​the item, an area where the read areas 31 of the read antennas 21 overlap, thereby making it easier to narrow down the placement area of ​​the item.

[0126] Furthermore, the position identifying device 20 identifies the area where the item is located, which is the area obtained by excluding the read areas 31 of the antennas 21 that could not be read from the read areas 31 of the antennas 21 that could be read. This allows the position identifying device 20 to more easily narrow down the area where the item is located, thereby enabling faster search for the item.

[0127] For example, the antenna to be controlled is one of the antennas 21 that has been read out of the multiple antennas 21. The positioning device 20 controls the antenna to be controlled so as to weaken the output strength of the antenna to be controlled. This allows the positioning device 20 to narrow down the area where the item is located from the identified placement area in more detail. This makes it possible to search for the item more quickly.

[0128] For example, the antenna to be controlled is one of the antennas 21 that could not be read out of the multiple antennas 21. The positioning device 20 controls the antenna to be controlled so as to increase the output strength of the antenna to be controlled. This allows the positioning device 20 to narrow down the already identified placement area to a more detailed area where the item is placed. This makes it possible to search for the item more quickly.

[0129] The antenna to be controlled is any one of the multiple antennas 21 that has been read. The positioning device 20 moves the antenna to be controlled away from the multiple antennas 21 other than the antenna to be controlled. For example, the multiple antennas 21 are installed so that they can move on rails installed in a specified space. This allows the positioning device 20 to narrow down the area where the item is located in more detail from the identified placement area. This makes it possible to search for the item more quickly.

[0130] The antenna to be controlled is any of the multiple antennas 21 that could not be read. The positioning device 20 moves the antenna to be controlled so that it approaches the antenna 21 that could be read. For example, the multiple antennas 21 are installed so that they can move on rails installed in a specified space. This allows the positioning device 20 to narrow down the area where the item is located in more detail from the identified placement area. This makes it possible to search for the item more quickly.

[0131] The positioning device 20 controls the antenna to be controlled when the size of the identified placement area is equal to or larger than a predetermined size. When the size of the identified placement area is smaller than a predetermined size, the positioning device 20 outputs a signal that an item is present in the identified placement area. For example, the placement area may be narrowed down to a range that is easy for the worker to find. This makes it easier for the worker to find the item.

[0132] The antenna to be controlled is provided in an RFID reader 22 mounted on a mobile device. The positioning device 20 moves the mobile device to the identified area and issues a reading instruction to the RFID reader 22 mounted on the mobile device. The positioning device 20 newly identifies an area where the item is located based on the identified area and the reading area 31 of the antenna to be controlled. The mobile device is, for example, a drone 24. This makes it possible to easily narrow down the area where the item is located.

[0133] The position specifying device 20 displays on a map of a predetermined space that the item is located in the specified placement area, thereby making it easier for the user to confirm the placement area.

[0134] The position identifying device 20 outputs position information indicating the position of the identified placement area as position information of the item. For example, the position identifying device 20 registers the position information indicating the position of the identified area in a database that manages position information of the items. This makes it easier to manage the position information of the items.

[0135] The above is the description of each embodiment. The embodiments may be combined or modified.

[0136] The position identification devices 10 and 20 may be configured to include some of the functional units and information. The functional units included in the position identification device 20 are not particularly limited. The position identification devices 10 and 20 may also include other functional units not shown.

[0137] Furthermore, the embodiments are not limited to the examples described above and can be modified in various ways. Furthermore, the configuration of the position identification devices 10 and 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the functional units of the position identification devices 10 and 20 may be implemented by a single device. Alternatively, for example, each functional unit or database of the position identification devices 10 and 20 may be implemented by a different device, and configured as a system. For example, each functional unit of the position identification device 20 may be implemented by multiple servers, and configured as a system. Furthermore, for example, the position identification device 20 may be implemented as a system having a database server including each database and a server having each functional unit of the position identification device 20.

[0138] In addition, in the embodiment, each database may include part of the information described above. Also, each piece of information may include information other than the information described above.

[0139] Furthermore, the process of generating information to be displayed on the terminal device 23 may be performed by a functional unit included in the position identification devices 10 and 20, such as the output unit 208. This process may also be performed by the terminal device 23. That is, the terminal device 23 may generate information for a screen to be displayed on the terminal device 23 based on data received from the position identification devices 10 and 20, and display the screen.

[0140] (Example of Computer Hardware Configuration) Next, an example of a hardware configuration in which each device such as the position specifying devices 10 and 20 and the terminal device 23 is realized by a computer will be described.

[0141] 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer. For example, some or all of the devices can be realized using any combination of a computer 80 and a program as shown in FIG.

[0142] The computer 80 includes, for example, a processor 801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803, and a storage device 804. The computer 80 also includes a communication interface 805 and an input / output interface 806. The components are connected to each other, for example, via a bus 807. The number of each component is not particularly limited, and there may be one or more of each component.

[0143] The processor 801 controls the entire computer 80. The processor 801 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a quantum processor, or a combination thereof, and is not particularly limited.

[0144] The computer 80 also includes a ROM 802, a RAM 803, and a storage device 804. Examples of the storage device 804 include a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD). For example, the storage device 804 stores an operating system (OS) program, application programs, and programs according to the embodiment. Alternatively, the ROM 802 stores application programs and programs according to the embodiment. The RAM 803 is used as a work area for the processor 801.

[0145] The processor 801 also loads programs stored in the storage device 804, ROM 802, etc. The processor 801 then executes each process coded in the program. The processor 801 may also download various programs via the communication network NT. The processor 801 also functions as a part or all of the computer 80. The processor 801 may then execute the processes or instructions in the illustrated flowchart based on the program.

[0146] The communication interface 805 is connected to a communication network NT such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via a wireless or wired communication line. The communication network NT may be composed of multiple communication networks NT. As a result, the computer 80 is connected to external devices and external computers 80 via the communication networks NT. The communication interface 805 serves as an interface between the communication network NT and the inside of the computer 80. The communication interface 805 also controls the input and output of data from external devices and external computers 80.

[0147] Furthermore, the input / output interface 806 is connected to at least one of an input device, an output device, and an input / output device. The connection method may be wireless or wired. Examples of the input device include a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone. Examples of the output device include a display device, a lighting device, and an audio output device that outputs audio. Examples of the input / output device include a touch panel display. Note that the input device, output device, and input / output device may be built into the computer 80 or may be external.

[0148] The hardware configuration of the computer 80 is an example. The computer 80 may have some of the components shown in FIG. 22 . The computer 80 may have components other than those shown in FIG. 22 . For example, the computer 80 may have a drive device or the like. The processor 801 may then read programs and data stored on a recording medium attached to the drive device or the like into the RAM 803. Examples of non-transitory tangible recording media include optical disks, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories. As described above, the computer 80 may have input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The computer 80 may have an output device such as a display. The computer 80 may also have an input device, an output device, and an input / output device.

[0149] The computer 80 may also include various sensors (not shown). The types of sensors are not particularly limited. The computer 80 may also include an imaging device capable of capturing images or videos.

[0150] This concludes the description of the hardware configuration of each device. There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a different computer and program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of each device may be realized by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0151] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by circuits for specific applications. Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by general-purpose circuits such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of circuits for specific applications and general-purpose circuits. These circuits may be a single integrated circuit. Alternatively, these circuits may be divided into multiple integrated circuits. The multiple integrated circuits may be connected via a bus or the like.

[0152] Furthermore, when some or all of the components of each device are realized by a plurality of computers, circuits, etc., the plurality of computers, circuits, etc. may be centrally located or distributed.

[0153] The position identification method described in each embodiment may be realized by being executed by a computer such as the position identification device 10 or 20.

[0154] Each program described in each embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a HDD, SSD, flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or USB memory. Each program is executed by being read from the recording medium by a computer. Each program may also be distributed via a communication network NT.

[0155] The functions of each of the components of the position identification device 10 and the position identification device 20 described above may be realized by dedicated hardware, such as a computer. Alternatively, each component may be realized by software. Alternatively, each component may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0156] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The configuration and details of each of the present disclosures may include embodiments to which various modifications that would be apparent to those skilled in the art are applied within the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may include embodiments in which the features described herein are appropriately combined or substituted as necessary. For example, features described using a particular embodiment may also be applied to other embodiments to the extent that no contradiction occurs. For example, although multiple operations are described in sequence in the form of a flowchart, the order of description does not limit the order in which the multiple operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing the embodiments, the order of the multiple operations may be changed as long as the content is not affected.

[0157] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as follows: However, some or all of the above-described embodiments are not limited to the following.

[0158] (Supplementary Note 1) A location identification device comprising: a reading means for issuing a read instruction to an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader installed in a predetermined space to read an RFID tag attached to an item; a specifying means for specifying an area where the item is located based on a reading area of ​​an antenna that can read the RFID tag out of multiple antennas connected to the RFID reader; a control means for controlling the reading area of ​​an antenna to be controlled; and an output means for outputting a signal that an item is located in the specified area, wherein the specifying means newly specifies an area where the item is located based on the specified area and the reading area of ​​the antenna to be controlled, and the output means outputs a signal that the item is located in the newly specified area.

[0159] (Supplementary Note 2) The position identifying device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the identifying unit identifies an area where the read areas of the antennas that have been read overlap as the area where the item is placed.

[0160] (Supplementary Note 3) The location identification device according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the identification means identifies, as the area where the item is located, an area obtained by excluding the reading area of ​​an antenna that was unable to read the RFID tag from the reading area of ​​an antenna that was able to read the RFID tag.

[0161] (Appendix 4) The location identification device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the antenna to be controlled is any one of the antennas that has been read out among the plurality of antennas, and the control means controls the antenna to be controlled so as to weaken the output strength of the antenna to be controlled.

[0162] (Appendix 5) The location identification device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the antenna to be controlled is any one of the plurality of antennas that has failed to read the RFID tag, and the control means controls the antenna to be controlled so as to increase the output strength of the antenna to be controlled.

[0163] (Supplementary Note 6) The location identification device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the antenna to be controlled is any one of the antennas that has been read out among the plurality of antennas, and the control means moves the antenna to be controlled so as to move away from antennas among the plurality of antennas other than the antenna to be controlled.

[0164] (Supplementary Note 7) The location identification device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the antenna to be controlled is any one of the antennas among the plurality of antennas that has failed to read the RFID tag, and the control means moves the antenna to be controlled so as to approach the antenna that has successfully read the RFID tag.

[0165] (Supplementary Note 8) The position identification device according to Supplementary Note 6 or Supplementary Note 7, wherein the plurality of antennas are movably installed on rails installed in the predetermined space.

[0166] (Supplementary Note 9) The position identification device according to Supplementary Note 5 or Supplementary Note 7, wherein the antenna to be controlled is an antenna selected from among the antennas that could not be read based on the degree of overlap with the read area of ​​the antenna that could be read.

[0167] (Supplementary Note 10) A location identification device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein, when the target antenna can read the RFID tag, the identification means newly identifies an area where the identified area overlaps with the reading area of ​​the target antenna as an area where the item is placed.

[0168] (Supplementary Note 11) A location identification device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 8, wherein, when the target antenna cannot read the RFID tag, the identification means newly identifies an area excluding the reading area of ​​the target antenna from the identified area as the area where the item is located.

[0169] (Supplementary Note 12) The position specifying device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 11, wherein the control means controls the antenna to be controlled when the size of the specified area is equal to or larger than a predetermined size.

[0170] (Supplementary Note 13) The position identifying device according to Supplementary Note 12, wherein the output means outputs information indicating that the item is present in the identified area when the size of the identified area is less than the predetermined size.

[0171] (Appendix 14) A location identification device described in any of Appendices 1 to 13, wherein the controlled antenna is provided in an RFID reader mounted on a mobile device, the control means moves the mobile device to the identified area and issues a reading instruction to the RFID reader mounted on the mobile device, and the identification means newly identifies an area in which the item is located based on the identified area and the reading area of ​​the controlled antenna.

[0172] (Supplementary Note 15) The position determination device according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the mobile device is a drone.

[0173] (Supplementary Note 16) The position specifying device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 15, wherein the output means displays on a map of the predetermined space that the item is in the specified area.

[0174] (Supplementary Note 17) The position specifying device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 16, wherein the output means outputs position information indicating the position of the specified area as the position information of the item.

[0175] (Supplementary Note 18) The position specifying device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 16, wherein the output means registers position information indicating the position of the specified area in a database that manages position information of the item.

[0176] (Supplementary Note 19) A location identification method in which a computer executes a process in which it issues a read instruction to an RFID reader installed in a specified space to read an RFID tag attached to an item, identifies an area in which the item is located based on the read area of ​​an antenna from among multiple antennas connected to the RFID reader that can read the RFID tag, controls the read area of ​​an antenna to be controlled, and outputs a message that the item is located in the identified area, wherein in the identifying process, it newly identifies an area in which the item is located based on the identified area and the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled, and in the output process, it outputs a message that the item is located in the newly identified area.

[0177] (Supplementary Note 20) A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the following processes: issue a read instruction to an RFID reader installed in a specified space to read an RFID tag attached to an item; identify an area where the item is placed based on the read area of ​​an antenna, out of multiple antennas connected to the RFID reader, that can read the RFID tag; control the read area of ​​an antenna to be controlled; and output a message that the item is present in the identified area; in the identifying process, newly identify an area where the item is placed based on the identified area and the read area of ​​the antenna to be controlled; and in the output process, output a message that the item is present in the newly identified area.

[0178] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 18, which are dependent on Supplementary Note 1, may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 19, 20, and 21 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 18. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 19, 20, and 21, but also various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems may be made to be dependent on some or all of the configurations described as Supplements, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0179] 10, 20 Position identification device 21, 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 21-4 Antenna 22 RFID reader 23 Terminal device 24 Drone 31, 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 31-4, 38 Reading area 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47 Placement area 80 Computer 102, 202 Reading unit 104, 204 Identification unit 106, 206 Control unit 108, 208 Output unit 201 Reception unit 210 Determination unit 801 Processor 802 ROM 803 RAM 804 Storage device 805 Communication interface 806 Input / output interface 807 Bus 2000 Item tag DB NT Communication network

Claims

1. A position identification device comprising: a reading means for giving a reading instruction to read an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag attached to an article with respect to an RFID reader installed in a predetermined space; a specifying means for specifying a region where the article is arranged based on a reading region of an antenna that has read the RFID tag among a plurality of antennas connected to the RFID reader; a control means for controlling a reading region of a control target antenna; and an output means for outputting that there is an article in the specified region, wherein the specifying means newly specifies the region where the article is arranged based on the specified region and the reading region of the control target antenna, and the output means outputs that there is an article in the newly specified region.

2. The position identification device according to claim 1, wherein the specifying means specifies a region where the reading regions of the read antennas overlap as the region where the article is arranged.

3. The position identification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specifying means specifies, as the region where the article is arranged, a region obtained by excluding a reading region of an antenna that has not read the RFID tag from the reading regions of the read antennas.

4. The position identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control target antenna is any one of the read antennas among the plurality of antennas, and the control means controls the control target antenna so as to weaken an output intensity of the control target antenna.

5. The position identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control target antenna is any one of the antennas that have not read the RFID tag among the plurality of antennas, and the control means controls the control target antenna so as to increase an output intensity of the control target antenna.

6. The position identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control target antenna is any one of the read antennas among the plurality of antennas, and the control means moves the control target antenna away from the antennas other than the control target antenna among the plurality of antennas.

7. The controlled antenna is any one of the antennas among the plurality of antennas that could not read the RFID tag, and the control means moves the controlled antenna so as to approach the antenna that has read. The position identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The plurality of antennas are installed so as to be movable on a rail installed in the predetermined space. The position identification device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The controlled antenna is an antenna selected according to the degree of overlap with the reading area of the antenna that has read among the antennas that could not be read. The position identification device according to claim 5 or 7.

10. When the controlled antenna reads the RFID tag, the specifying means newly specifies, as the area where the article is arranged, an area where the specified area and the reading area of the controlled antenna overlap. The position identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. When the controlled antenna could not read the RFID tag, the specifying means newly specifies, as the area where the article is arranged, an area obtained by excluding the reading area of the controlled antenna from the specified area. The position identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. The control means controls the controlled antenna when the size of the specified area is equal to or greater than a predetermined size. The position identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The output means outputs that the article is in the specified area when the size of the specified area is less than the predetermined size. The position identification device according to claim 12.

14. The controlled antenna is provided in an RFID reader mounted on a mobile device. The control means moves the mobile device to the specified area and gives a reading instruction to the RFID reader mounted on the mobile device. The specifying means newly specifies the area where the article is arranged based on the specified area and the reading area of the controlled antenna. The position identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The mobile device is a drone. The position identification device according to claim 14.

16. The position specifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the output means displays that the article is in the specified area on a map of the predetermined space.

17. The position specifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the output means outputs position information indicating the position of the specified area as the position information of the article.

18. The position specifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the output means registers position information indicating the position of the specified area in a database that manages the position information of the article.

19. A computer performs a reading instruction to read an RFID tag attached to an article for an RFID reader installed in a predetermined space, identifies the area where the article is placed based on the reading area of the antenna that has read the RFID tag among a plurality of antennas connected to the RFID reader, controls the reading area of the antenna to be controlled, and outputs that there is an article in the identified area. The computer executes a process. In the identifying process, a new area where the article is placed is identified based on the identified area and the reading area of the antenna to be controlled. In the outputting process, it is output that there is an article in the newly identified area. This is a position specifying method.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that records a program for causing a computer to perform a process of performing a reading instruction to read an RFID tag attached to an article for an RFID reader installed in a predetermined space, identifying the area where the article is placed based on the reading area of the antenna that has read the RFID tag among a plurality of antennas connected to the RFID reader, controlling the reading area of the antenna to be controlled, and outputting that there is an article in the identified area. In the identifying process, a new area where the article is placed is identified based on the identified area and the reading area of the antenna to be controlled. In the outputting process, it is output that there is an article in the newly identified area.

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