JP2004210430A - Cargo management system and managing device in warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cargo management system and a managing device capable of easily setting location information indicating zones and a storage position in the zone in a warehouse and allotting the location information to distinguishing bodies arranged in the warehouse easily. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of ID tags T having inherent distinguishing number are arranged at a predetermined interval in a floor surface of the warehouse S. A manager of the warehouse S operates the managing device 21 for managing the cargo W in the warehouse S to set zones A to H in the warehouse S in accordance with kind of the cargo W to be stored. The managing device 21 determines a storage position of the cargo W in each set zone A to H, sets the location information indicating the set zones A to H and the storage position automatically, and allots the location information to respective ID tags T automatically based on arrangement positions of the ID tags T and the storage position in the zones A to H. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, the warehouse is divided into zones according to the mode of the package to be stored, and the location information indicating the storage location of the package in the zone and the zone is assigned to an identification object arranged on the floor of the warehouse, so that the location of the package is determined. And a management device constituting the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, indoor and outdoor warehouses are divided into zones according to the mode of the packages, and the packages are stored at predetermined storage positions in each zone. And, in order to manage the position of the package stored in the warehouse, an identifier having unique identification information for identifying each position (zone and storage location in the zone) where the package is stored; A system including a management device for managing the identification information of the identification body for each package is adopted. Note that the mode of the package is, for example, the type, size, packing style, quantity, lot number, etc. of the package. As a system as described above, Patent Document 1 described below discloses a barcode having a unique identification code for identifying a zone and a storage position, and a management device for managing the identification code of the barcode for each package. Are described. The barcode of this system is affixed to a shelf bar and is read by a hand-held barcode reader when a forklift operator loads or unloads goods from the shelf. The hand-held bar code reader transmits the identification code obtained by reading the bar code to the management device via a wireless LAN or the like.
[0003]
It should be noted that, as described above, the zone and the location information indicating the storage position in the zone are assigned in advance to the identification code of the barcode as described later, and this identification code and the location information assigned to the zone are managed. It is stored in the memory of the device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in this memory. In FIG. 10, the left side shows a simplified barcode identification code, and the right side shows location information assigned to each identification code. For example, “A010101” is assigned to the barcode BC1 as location information, which indicates that the package is stored in the first row of the first row of the storage location in the A zone. I have. Such location information indicating the zone and the storage location is set by the warehouse manager ascertaining the form of the package stored, measuring the dimensions of the package or pallet, and creating a layout diagram of the package in the warehouse. are doing. The assignment of the set location information to the identification code is performed by the administrator manually inputting the location information to the management device one by one so as to correspond to the identification code on a one-to-one basis.
[0004]
By allocating location information to the identification code of each barcode as described above, the management device that has received the identification code read by the handheld barcode reader compares the number with the storage content of the memory, By extracting the location information, it is possible to obtain information on the zone where the forklift has performed the loading operation or the loading operation and the storage position. Then, the management device stores the location information together with the package number (or pallet number) of the package to be stored. This allows the management device to manage where the package is stored in the warehouse for each package, and enables inventory management and entry / exit management of the package.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-706
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional system, when setting location information indicating a zone in a warehouse and a storage position in the zone, an administrator creates a layout diagram of the package in the warehouse based on the dimensions of the package and pallets. There is a problem that the setting takes time and effort because of the setting. Further, when assigning the set location information to the barcode identification code, the manager manually inputs and assigns the location information to the management device one by one so as to correspond to the barcode. There is a problem that it takes time and effort.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object the location information indicating a zone in a warehouse and a storage position in the zone can be easily set, and this location information is arranged in the warehouse. It is an object of the present invention to provide a luggage management system that can be easily assigned to the identified objects and a management device that configures the same.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention arranges a plurality of identification objects having unique identification information at predetermined intervals on a floor of a warehouse, and the management device determines the unique identification information of the identification object and the arrangement position of the identification object in the warehouse. Storage means for storing the storage, zone setting means for dividing the warehouse into zones according to the mode of the load, storage position determining means for determining the storage position of the load in each zone set by the zone setting means, and storage means Based on the stored arrangement position of the identification object, the zone set by the zone setting means, and the storage position determined by the storage position determination means, location information indicating the zone and the storage position is assigned to each of the identification objects. It comprises an allocating means and a communication means for transmitting the location information allocated to each of the identification objects by the allocating means to the forklift. Here, the “warehouse” includes both indoor and outdoor objects. The “location information” is location information indicating a zone where the package is stored and a storage position in the zone.
[0009]
In this way, when the manager sets the zone by the zone setting means according to the mode of the baggage, the management device determines the storage position of the baggage in the set zone, and sets the zone and the storage position. The location information is automatically set from the above, and this location information is automatically assigned to a plurality of identifiers arranged on the floor of the warehouse. Therefore, the administrator can easily set the location information and assign the location information to the identification object without any trouble.
[0010]
In addition, the management device according to the present invention includes updating means for updating location information assigned to each of the identification objects based on the change of the set zone, and the allocating means is updated by the updating means. Preferably, location information is automatically assigned to a plurality of identifiers.
[0011]
In this way, when the administrator changes the zone by the zone setting means, the management device changes the storage position of the package in the zone, and automatically updates the location information from the changed zone and storage position. Automatically assigns the updated location information to a plurality of identifiers. Therefore, the administrator can easily update the location information and update the assignment to the plurality of identification objects without any trouble.
[0012]
In the management device according to the present invention, the forklift lifts or loads the luggage at the storage position based on the zone set by the zone setting means and the storage position determined by the storage position determination means. Sometimes, a reading area for reading identification information from an identification object is automatically set adjacent to a zone, and location information indicating a zone and a storage position is allocated to each of the identification objects arranged in the reading area by an allocation means. Preferably.
[0013]
In order for the forklift to read the location information of the storage location of the luggage from the identification information of the identification body at the time of loading or unloading, a reading area for reading the identification body is set in an area where the forklift advances toward the storage location of the luggage. However, it is necessary to assign location information to the identifiers in this area, but by performing the above, the administrator can set the reading area and assign the location information to a plurality of identifiers in this area. This can be easily performed without such a problem.
[0014]
Further, in the management device according to the present invention, it is preferable to provide a display unit for displaying a layout diagram of the warehouse in the zone set by the zone setting unit.
[0015]
By doing so, the administrator can confirm the zone setting state in the warehouse by looking at the layout diagram, so that a plurality of zones can be easily set in the warehouse according to the mode of the package. In addition, the zone can be set without making useless space in the warehouse, and the warehouse can be used effectively.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining a package management system in a warehouse according to the present invention. 1 is a side view of a forklift and luggage, FIG. 2 is an overall view of a warehouse, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a luggage management system.
[0017]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a forklift, and in this embodiment, a counterbalance type forklift on which an operator rides is shown. Reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle body of the forklift 100, and a traveling tire 2 is attached to a lower portion of the vehicle body 1 so as to be in contact with a floor GR of a warehouse and roll to run the vehicle body 1. A mast 3 is provided upright at a front portion (in the direction F) of the vehicle body 1, and a lift bracket 4 is connected to the front of the mast 3 so as to be able to move up and down along the mast 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a pair of forks connected to the lift bracket 4. The fork 5 is inserted into the insertion port Pa of the pallet P on which the load W is loaded when the vehicle body 1 advances in the F direction, and By ascending along the mast 3 together with 4, the pallet P and the load W are unloaded from the floor GR.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the warehouse S is divided into zones A to H (E and F are not shown) according to the mode of the package W, and the package W is stored at a predetermined storage position in each of the zones A to H. Stored together with the pallet P. Here, the warehouse includes both those indoors and those outdoors. Note that the mode of the package is, for example, the type, size, packing style, quantity, lot number, etc. of the package. In the present embodiment, the pallet P loaded with the load W is placed directly on the floor GR and stored. However, a shelf or a loading tray is installed in a warehouse, and the pallet P is placed and stored on these. Good.
[0019]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an ID tag antenna installed on the bottom surface of the vehicle body 1 via a support member 11a, and detects an ID tag T embedded in the floor GR. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of ID tags T are buried at predetermined intervals on the floor surface GR of the warehouse S, and coils (not shown) for generating an induced electromotive force are provided. And an IC circuit (not shown) for storing the identification numbers of the above. In order to detect the ID tag T, a current of a predetermined value is supplied to the antenna 11 to generate a magnetic field toward the floor GR. For this reason, an induced electromotive force is generated in a coil built in the ID tag T by a magnetic field generated by the antenna 11, and the IC circuit is driven by the induced electromotive force, and the identification number stored in the IC circuit is converted into an electric signal. The signal is transmitted to the antenna 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes an ID tag repeater installed in the driver's seat of the vehicle body 1, amplifies a signal transmitted from the ID tag T to the antenna 11, and transmits the amplified signal to the ID tag controller 14 installed in the upper part of the vehicle body 1. . The controller 14 decodes the signal amplified by the repeater 13 and reads the identification number of the ID tag T. Further, the controller 14 supplies a predetermined current to the antenna 11 from a power supply (not shown) installed in the vehicle body 1.
[0020]
By providing such an antenna 11 and the ID tag T, when the luggage W is unloaded or stored in the warehouse S, when the forklift 100 travels toward the luggage W, the ID of the antenna 11 embedded near the luggage W At the time of passing, the antenna 11 detects the ID tag T to pass over the tag T, receives the signal transmitted by the ID tag T, and sends the signal to the repeater 13. The repeater 13 amplifies this signal and sends it to the controller 14. Then, the identification number of the ID tag T is read from the signal received by the controller 14. Further, since the time required from the detection of the ID tag T by the antenna 11 to the reading of the identification number of the ID tag T by the controller 14 is very short, the antenna 11 is passed while the forklift 100 is running in the warehouse S. The identification number can be read for each ID tag T to be executed. Note that the ID tag T constitutes an identification body in the present invention. The antenna 11, the repeater 13, and the controller 14 constitute an ID tag reader 10 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0021]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a bar code reader installed in front of the vehicle body 1, which reads a bar code 16 attached to a side surface of the load W facing the forklift 100. The bar code 16 is attached to the side surface of the package W by sticking or the like, and has a unique identification code of the package W. In addition, baggage information of baggage W is allocated to this identification code. Note that the baggage information is, for example, information on the type of baggage, product name, lot number, quantity, warehousing source, warehousing destination, and the like. In order to read the barcode 16, the barcode reader 15 is connected to the lift bracket 4 so as to be located at substantially the same height as the barcode 16 when the fork 5 is inserted into the insertion port Pa of the pallet P. I have.
[0022]
By providing such a barcode reader 15 and a barcode 16, when the luggage W is unloaded or stored in the warehouse S, when the forklift 100 advances toward the luggage W to load the luggage W with the fork 5, When the bar code reader 5 is inserted into the insertion port Pa of the pallet P and the bar code reader 15 and the bar code 16 approach a predetermined distance, the bar code reader 15 reads the identification code from the bar code 16. In addition, since the time required for reading the barcode 16 by the barcode reader 15 is very short, the identification code can be read from the barcode 16 while the forklift 100 moves forward toward the load W.
[0023]
Reference numeral 20 denotes a terminal device installed in the driver's seat of the vehicle body 1, which includes a control unit 20a, a memory 20b, and a communication unit 20c shown in FIG. 3 inside, and a display unit 20d externally visible to an operator. . The location information assigned to each ID tag T is transmitted to the terminal device 20 from the management device 21 shown in FIG. 2 together with the identification number of the ID tag T as described later. The location information is location information indicating zones A to H in which the package W is stored and storage positions in the zones A to H. Then, when receiving the identification number of the ID tag T and the location information from the management device 21, the terminal device 20 stores the information in the memory 20b. Further, the identification number read from the ID tag T is transmitted from the controller 14 to the terminal device 20. For this reason, the terminal device 20 compares the identification number of the ID tag T received from the controller 14 with the identification number of the ID tag T transmitted from the management device 21 and stored in the memory 20b by the control unit 20a. By extracting the location information assigned to the identification number, it is possible to obtain information on the zones A to H for storing the package W and the storage positions in the zones A to H. In addition, the extracted location information is displayed on the display unit 20d, and becomes visible to the operator.
[0024]
Also, the management apparatus 21 transmits the package information assigned to the barcode 16 of each package W together with the identification code of the barcode 16 to the terminal device 20. These pieces of information are stored in the memory 20b similarly to the location information. The identification code read from the barcode 16 is transmitted from the barcode reader 15 to the terminal device 20. Therefore, the terminal device 20 checks the identification code of the barcode 16 received from the barcode reader 15 with the identification code of the barcode 16 transmitted from the management device 21 and stored in the memory 20b by the control unit 20a. Extracts the package information assigned to this identification number. In addition, the extracted luggage information is displayed on the display unit 20d and becomes visible to the operator.
[0025]
The management device 21 is, for example, a personal computer, and is installed in a management room M adjacent to the warehouse S as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a control unit 21a, a memory 21b, and a communication unit 21c shown in FIG. A display unit 21d and an operation unit 21e are provided outside. When the manager of the warehouse S operates the operation unit 21e while watching the display unit 21d as described later, the management device 21 divides the warehouse S into zones A to H according to the type of the package W to be stored. At the same time, the storage position of the package W in each of the zones A to H is determined. Then, the location information indicating the set zones A to H and the storage positions in the zones A to H is assigned to the identification numbers of the plurality of ID tags T belonging to the zones A to H, respectively, and the assigned location information is assigned the identification numbers. With the terminal device 20. When the administrator operates the operation unit 21e while looking at the display unit 21d to input the baggage information of the baggage W to be stored, the management device 21 assigns this information to the identification code of the barcode 16 and assigns the information. The package information is transmitted to the terminal device 20 together with the identification code. The management device 21 and the terminal device 20 communicate with each other via a wireless LAN system.
[0026]
Further, when the package W stored in the warehouse S is unloaded, the management device 21 sets out the location information indicating which zone the storage location of the unloaded package W is, and the type of the package W to be unloaded. It sends out the outgoing luggage information indicating whether there is any to the terminal device 20 and gives an outgoing instruction. Further, when the package W is stored in the warehouse S, the management device 21 transmits, to the terminal device 20, storage location information indicating a location in the warehouse S where the package W to be stored is stored, and gives a storage instruction. Note that the information relating to the above-described exit instruction or entry instruction transmitted to the terminal device 20 is displayed on the display unit 20d of the terminal device 20 and becomes visible to the operator. Then, when the unloading operation and the receiving operation are completed by the forklift 100, the management device 21 receives information reporting the completion of the operation from the terminal device 20, registers the information in the memory 21b, and manages each luggage W. , And manages the inventory and the incoming / outgoing of the package W in the warehouse S.
[0027]
Next, the electrical configuration of the package management system will be described. In FIG. 3, the luggage management system includes a device of each unit included in the forklift 100 and a management device 21. In the forklift 100, an ID tag reader 10 includes the ID tag antenna 11, the ID tag repeater 13, and an ID tag controller 14 including a CPU and a memory. The ID tag reader 10 reads the identification number from the ID tag T embedded in the floor G of the warehouse S as described above, and transmits the ID number from the controller 14 to the terminal device 20. The bar code reader 15 includes a CPU and a memory in addition to the optical reading element, reads an identification code from the bar code 16 attached to the package W as described above, and transmits the identification code to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 includes a control unit 20a including a CPU, a memory 20b including a ROM and a RAM, a communication unit 20c including a wireless device such as a spread spectrum communication system, and a display unit 20d such as an LCD. As described above, the control unit 20a collates the identification number of the ID tag T transmitted from the controller 14 with the identification number of the ID tag T stored in the memory 20b, and extracts location information. Further, as described above, the control unit 20a collates the identification code of the barcode 16 transmitted from the barcode reader 15 with the identification code of the barcode 16 stored in the memory 20b to extract the package information. The communication unit 20c receives the location information assigned to each ID tag T from the communication unit 21c of the management device 21 together with the identification number of each ID tag T, and stores the baggage information assigned to each bar code 16 in each bar. Received together with the identification code of code 16. Further, the communication unit 20c receives the delivery location information, the delivery baggage information, and the storage location information from the communication unit 21c of the management device 21 when the luggage W is unloaded or stored, and releases the luggage W to the communication unit 21c of the management device 21. Sends information that reports the completion of work and receiving work. In addition, the communication part 20c comprises the communication means of the forklift 100 in this invention. The display unit 20d displays the above information.
[0028]
On the other hand, the management device 21 includes a control unit 21a including a CPU, a memory 21b including a ROM and a RAM, a communication unit 21c including a wireless device such as a spread spectrum communication system, a display unit 21d such as an LCD, a mouse and a keyboard. And an operation unit 21e. When the administrator operates the operation unit 21e while looking at the display on the display unit 21d to categorize the warehouse S according to the mode of the package W, the control unit 21a determines the storage position of the package W in the zones A to H. Then, location information indicating the zones A to H and the storage positions in the zones A to H is assigned to the respective identification numbers of the ID tags T belonging to the zones A to H. The control unit 21a also assigns the baggage information of the baggage W to the identification code of the barcode 16 for each baggage W. The memory 21b stores the identification numbers of the plurality of ID tags T, the arrangement positions of the plurality of ID tags T in the warehouse S, and the location information assigned to each identification number. The communication unit 21c transmits the location information assigned to the ID tag T to the communication unit 20c of the terminal device 20 together with the identification number of each ID tag T, and transmits the baggage information assigned to the bar code 16 to each bar code 16 Sent with the identification code of. Further, the communication unit 21c transmits the exit location information, the exit luggage information, and the exit location information at the time of departure or entry of the package W, and reports the completion of the exit operation, the exit operation, etc. from the communication unit 20c of the terminal device 20. To receive information. The display unit 21d displays the information received by the communication unit 21c, and also displays information related to inventory management and warehouse management of the warehouse S. The operation unit 21e is operated by the administrator when inputting necessary data when zoning the warehouse S or when switching the display of the display unit 21d. The memory 21b constitutes a storage unit in the present invention, and the display unit 21d constitutes a display unit in the present invention. The display unit 21d, together with the operation unit 21e, constitutes a zone setting unit in the present invention. The control unit 21a constitutes a storage position determining unit, an allocating unit, and an updating unit in the present invention. The communication unit 21c forms a communication unit of the management device 21 in the present invention.
[0029]
Next, in the management device 21 described above, the procedure in which the manager divides the warehouse S into zones and the management device 21 assigns location information indicating the zone and the storage location to each of the plurality of ID tags T is described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG. 4 to 7 are diagrams illustrating examples of the display screen of the display unit 21d in the management device 21 according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents stored in the memory 21b in the management device 21 according to the present invention.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is an initial screen for setting location information to be assigned to the ID tag T of the warehouse S. First, the administrator specifies a warehouse S to be set. Here, warehouse No. Specify 202. If the designated warehouse S is a previously set warehouse, the warehouse No. Is registered in the memory 21b of the management device 21. When the "search" button is pressed, a list of warehouses registered in the memory 21b is displayed, and the warehouse S to be set can be designated from this list. Then, when the "close" button is pressed, the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG.
[0031]
FIG. 5 is a setting screen for dividing the warehouse S into zones and setting the storage position of the package W in each of the zones A to H. First, the warehouse number is entered in the input box next to “202: warehouse”. Enter the vertical and horizontal dimensions of 202. For example, here, the length is 2000 cm and the width is 2000 cm. At this time, the area size of the “read area” is also input. Note that the reading area is an area in which the forklift 100 advances toward the luggage storage position in order to read the identification number from the ID tag T and inform the management device 21 when the luggage W is loaded or unloaded, so as to notify the management device 21 of the current position. Yes, when zones A to H are set, they are automatically set adjacent to zones A to H. Therefore, the luggage W is not stored in the reading area. For example, here, the reading area is input as 250 cm.
[0032]
Next, information about the zone is input to each section of the zone input column Z. First, a zone name is entered in “zone No.”. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, zones are defined using alphabets from A to H, and thus, for example, A is input here. Then, the start positions of the zones A to H in the warehouse S are input to “zones X and Y”. Note that X and Y indicate coordinate positions in the warehouse S. In this embodiment, the lower left of the warehouse S shown in FIG. 2 is the origin O, the right direction from the origin O is the X direction, and the upward direction is the Y direction. And For example, since the start position a of zone A in FIG. 2 is X40 cm and Y70 cm, these values are input. When the start positions of the zones A to H are input, the start numbers of the lines are input to the “start line No.” in order to store the packages W in a plurality of lines in the zones A to H. Note that the start line No. Is set to "01" by default, but it is not always necessary to allocate the data from the 01st line. Can be allocated from Further, the "number of rows", "pitch", and "number of frontage" of the luggage W stored in the zones A to H are respectively input. The number of rows is the number of arrangements of the packages W in the Y direction, and the number of frontage is the number of arrangements of the packages W in the X direction. The pitch is the length and width of the package W and the pallet P to be stored. For example, in the zone A of FIG. 2, the number of rows is 7, the height of the pitch is 100 cm, the width of the pitch is 100 cm, and the number of frontage is 2, and thus these values are input. Then, the direction in which the reading area is adjacent to the zones A to H is set by “securing the reading area”. For example, zone A in FIG. 2 has a reading area only on the right side, and is therefore set on the right side. After inputting all of the above items, pressing the “setting” button completes the setting of the zone A and registers it in the memory 21b. In the same procedure, the other zones are set in order. In the present embodiment, eight zones A to H are set.
[0033]
When the “zone display” button is pressed after the setting of the zones A to H is completed, a layout diagram of the zones A to H in the warehouse S is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. M is a reading area adjacent to each of the zones A to H, and V is a passage on which the forklift 100 travels. When any of the zones A to H is pressed and selected on the screen, the zone No. is displayed in the margin next to the “zone”. Is displayed. FIG. 6A shows an example in which after the setting of the zones A to H is completed, the “zone display” button shown in FIG. 5 is pressed to display the zones A to H. After each setting, the "zone display" button may be pressed to display the set zone. Pressing the "close" button at the lower left of the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG.
[0034]
When it is desired to change the set zones A to H, the user inputs the zones A to H to be changed to "Zone No." in the zone input box Z in FIG. At this time, when the "search" button is pressed, a list of the zones A to H that have already been set is displayed. When a zone A to H to be changed is selected from this list, the zone is automatically set to "zone No." Will be entered. Then, after rewriting the item to be changed in the zone input field Z, when the "update" button is pressed, the updated content is registered in the memory 21b. To delete the set zones A to H, enter the zones A to H to be deleted in the "Zone No." and read the already set contents, and press the "Delete" button to delete the input zone. Is registered in the memory 21b. When the "zone display" button is pressed again after the update and the deletion, the layout diagram of the updated zones A to H in the warehouse S is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 6B. In FIG. 6B, zone B is deleted and zone A is expanded. Further, the zone G is reduced and the zone H is expanded.
[0035]
As described above, when the administrator sets each of the zones A to H by inputting each item of the zone input box Z using the operation unit 21e while viewing the screen of the display unit 21d, the control unit 21a sets the zones A to H In addition to automatically determining the storage position of the package W in the car, the location information indicating the zone and the storage position is automatically set. Then, the control unit 21a determines each of the ID tags T based on the set zones A to H, the luggage storage position in the zone, and the coordinate positions of the plurality of ID tags T stored in the memory 21b in advance. Assigns location information to the identification number. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the identification number of the ID tag T stored in the memory 21b of the management device 21 and the location information assigned to this identification number. In FIG. 8, X and Y are coordinate positions of the ID tag T in the warehouse S. This coordinate position is the position where the ID tag T is arranged when the origin O is at the lower left of the warehouse S shown in FIG. 2, the X direction is rightward from the origin O, and the Y direction is upward. . Based on the coordinate positions X and Y of the ID tag T in the warehouse S, location information indicating zones A to H to which the respective ID tags T belong and storage positions in the zones A to H are assigned. For example, the ID tag T2 having the identification number T0002 has a coordinate position of X50 cm and Y1200 cm, and the location information PL is A010201. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It belongs to. The ID tag T42 having the identification number T0042 has a coordinate position of X250 cm and Y1200 cm, and the location information is A010201, which is the same as the ID tag T2. However, as shown in FIG. It does not belong to the first row of the second frontage, but belongs to the reading area M for the forklift 100 to read the location information of this storage position. Note that the location information PL is not assigned to the tags T1 and T21 whose identification numbers are T0001 and T0021, which indicates that the ID tags T1 and T21 do not belong to the zones A to H or the reading area M. I have.
[0036]
A list screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 21d based on the contents stored in the memory 21b. Note that this screen is displayed by pressing a “list display” button shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, U is an allocation list in which location information is allocated to each ID tag T. Each square in the allocation list U corresponds to each ID tag T arranged on the floor of the warehouse S, and the numbers 1, 2, 3,... ., And the vertical numbers 1, 2, 3,... At the left part represent the rows in the Y direction in FIG. For example, the cell in the first column and second row corresponds to the ID tag T2 in FIG. Note that FIG. 7 shows only one column to ten columns and only one row to 13 rows, but has the same number of columns and rows as the ID tag T shown in FIG. Columns and rows that are not displayed are displayed by operating a keyboard or the like constituting the operation unit 21e. What is displayed in the square is the location information PL of FIG. 8 assigned to the ID tag T, and the first column, the second column, the seventh column, and the eighth column are IDs belonging to the zones A to D. The location information PL of the tag T is shown, and the third to sixth columns show the location information of the ID tag T belonging to the reading area M adjacent to the zones A to D. Nothing is displayed in the square because the ID tag T does not belong to the zones A to H or the reading area M but belongs to the passage V or the like, and therefore no location information is assigned. It is shown that. When each cell is pressed and selected, the identification number of the ID tag T corresponding to the selected cell is displayed in “ID TAG No.” below the list U, and is assigned to the identification number of the ID tag T. The location information PL is displayed in the “set location”. For example, in FIG. 7, “ID TAG No.” is displayed as “T0002”, and “Setting Location” is displayed as “A010201”. This indicates that the identification number of the ID tag T2 in the first column and second row is T0002, and the assigned location information PL is the first row of the second row of the A zone. .
[0037]
Further, the location information PL displayed in the “set location” can be rewritten. After rewriting this, when the “SET” button is pressed, the display of the corresponding cell in the list U is changed. Then, when the "update" button is pressed, the location information PL of the memory 21b is updated with the rewritten content. At this time, the zones A to H already set and the storage positions in the zones A to H are also automatically updated.
[0038]
As described above, the location information PL assigned to the identification number of each ID tag T by the management device 21 is transmitted from the communication unit 21c of the management device 21 to the communication unit 20c of the terminal device 20 together with the identification number. The data is stored in the memory 20b by the control unit 20a. Thereafter, when the forklift 100 unloads or loads the luggage W, the identification number of the ID tag T detected by the antenna 11 and read by the controller 14 is transmitted from the controller 14 to the control unit 20a. The unit 20a compares the identification number of the ID tag T received from the controller 14 with the identification number of the ID tag T stored in the memory 20b, and determines the location information assigned to the identification number of the ID tag T received from the controller 14. Read PL.
[0039]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit 20d provided in the terminal device 20, and illustrates a display screen at the time of leaving the warehouse. The location information PL read from the identification number of the ID tag T by the control unit 20a as described above is displayed on the display unit 20d, and is visible to the operator of the forklift 100. Here, the location “A020101” is displayed as the location information PL. Thus, the operator can know the zone where the luggage W to be taken out is stored (here, zone A) and the storage position in this zone (here, the first row of the first row in the second row). Note that OL is the above-mentioned delivery location information, and OW is the above-mentioned delivery baggage information. PW is the above-mentioned luggage information, and is luggage information read by the barcode reader 15 from the barcode 16 attached to the luggage W.
[0040]
In the manner described above, when the administrator operates the operation unit 21e and sets the zones A to H while viewing the display unit 21d of the management device 21 according to the type of the baggage W, the zone A to H The storage position of the package W is automatically determined, the location information PL is automatically set from the zones A to H and the storage position, and the location information PL is a plurality of IDs arranged on the floor GR of the warehouse S. It is automatically assigned to each of the tags T. Therefore, the administrator can easily set the location information PL and assign the location information PL to the ID tag T without trouble. Further, when the size of the set zones A to H is changed or the set contents are updated by deleting the set zones A to H, the location information PL is automatically obtained from the updated zones A to H and the storage position. And the updated location information PL is automatically assigned to each ID tag T. For this reason, the administrator can easily update the location information PL and update the assignment to the ID tag 12 without trouble.
[0041]
When the administrator sets zones A to H, the reading area M is automatically set adjacent to the zones A to H, and the location information PL is automatically assigned to the ID tag T belonging to the reading area M. Therefore, the administrator can easily set the reading area M and assign the location information PL to the ID tags T in this area without trouble. Further, a layout diagram of the warehouses S of the zones A to H is displayed on the display unit 21d of the management device 21 so that the setting state of the zones A to H can be confirmed. It can be easily set. Further, the zones A to H can be set without making useless space in the warehouse S, and the warehouse S can be used effectively.
[0042]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ID tag T is used as a plurality of identification objects for allocating location information and the ID tag reader 10 is used as a reading unit of the ID tag T is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It does not do. In addition to the identification body and its reading means, a bar code and a bar code reader, a color mark and a camera such as a CCD for detecting the mark as an image, a reflector such as a mirror and a reflection type photoelectric sensor, a magnet, etc. May be used. In other words, a plurality of identification bodies are arranged in the warehouse S, each of which need to have unique identification information, and the means for reading them only needs to be able to read the unique identification information of each identification body.
[0043]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the management device 21 transmits the location information assigned to the ID tag T to one forklift 100, and causes the warehouse S to perform the unloading operation and the unloading operation of the luggage W. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the location information may be transmitted to the plurality of forklifts 100 to cause the warehouse S to perform the work of unloading and storing the luggage W. In this case, each of the forklifts 100 may include a communication unit that receives the location information PL transmitted from the management device 21.
[0044]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the counterbalance type forklift 100 on which the operator is mounted is taken as an example of the forklift, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to an unmanned forklift or a reach type forklift. Can be applied.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the manager sets the zone by the zone setting means according to the mode of the baggage, the management device determines the storage position of the baggage in the zone, and the location information is determined from the set zone and the storage position. Automatically, and automatically assigns this location information to multiple identifiers placed on the floor of the warehouse, so the administrator has trouble setting the location information and assigning this location information to the identifier. This can be easily performed without such a problem.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a package management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall view of a warehouse to which the package management system is applied.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the package management system.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the management device according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing storage contents of a memory in the management device according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a retrieval display in the package management system.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in a memory in a conventional management device.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Terminal device
20c communication unit
21 Management device
21a control unit
21b memory
21c Communication unit
21d display
21e Operation unit
100 forklift
A to H zone
GR floor
M reading area
PL location information
S warehouse
T ID tag
W Luggage
List of U allocation
X ID tag coordinate position
Y ID tag coordinate position
Z zone input field

Claims (5)

A luggage management system that is stored in a warehouse and manages luggage that is entered or exited by a forklift with a management device,
On the floor of the warehouse, a plurality of identifiers having unique identification information are arranged at predetermined intervals,
The management device,
Storage means for storing the unique identification information of the identification object and the arrangement position of the identification object in the warehouse,
Zone setting means for zoning the warehouse according to the mode of the package,
Storage position determining means for determining the storage position of luggage in each zone set by the zone setting means,
Based on the arrangement position of the identification object stored by the storage means, the zone set by the zone setting means, and the storage position determined by the storage position determination means, a zone and a Allocating means for allocating location information indicating a storage location;
A communication unit for transmitting the location information allocated to each of the identification objects by the allocation unit to the forklift,
The cargo management system in a warehouse, wherein the forklift includes communication means for receiving the location information transmitted from the management device. A management device that manages luggage that is stored in a warehouse and is entered or exited by a forklift,
Storage means for storing unique identification information of an identification object arranged at a predetermined interval on the floor of a warehouse and an arrangement position of the identification object in the warehouse,
Zone setting means for zoning the warehouse according to the mode of the package,
Storage position determining means for determining the storage position of luggage in each zone set by the zone setting means,
Based on the arrangement position of the identification object stored by the storage means, the zone set by the zone setting means, and the storage position determined by the storage position determination means, a zone and a Allocating means for allocating location information indicating a storage location;
A management unit for transmitting the location information allocated to each of the identification objects by the allocation unit to a forklift that performs a loading / unloading operation of a package in a warehouse. The management device according to claim 2,
Updating means for updating the location information assigned to each of the identification objects based on that the set zone has been changed,
The management device, wherein the allocating means automatically allocates the location information updated by the updating means to a plurality of identification objects. The management device according to claim 2 or 3,
Based on the zone set by the zone setting means and the storage position determined by the storage position determination means, the forklift lifts the identification information from the identification body when loading or unloading luggage at the storage position. A reading area for reading is automatically set adjacent to the zone, and location information indicating the zone and the storage position is allocated to each of the identification objects arranged in the reading area by the allocation unit. A management device, characterized in that: The management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A management device comprising a display unit for displaying a layout diagram of a zone in a warehouse set by the zone setting unit.

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