JPS61229703A - Parts case - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve inventory accuracy by providing a sensor for detecting the amount of parts, and radio transmitting an output of the sensor to a computer in a part case for classifying plural kinds of parts and storing same. CONSTITUTION:When serial data is transmitted from a master device 5 to daughter devices mounted on the respective storing cases 2, the daughter devices carry out processing according to a designated procedure and send out information on battery alarm corresponding to the serial data input to the master device 5, weight of stored goods detected by a pressure sensor, and the state of a confirmation switch as an answer back signal. The master device 5 receives the answer back signal to be transferred to a host computer 9, and the battery state of the daughter device and the total stock of parts are calculated and memoried. Thus, the total stock can be always grasped correctly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a parts container that can manage the remaining quantity of one part, and is used, for example, as a parts container for storing inventory parts.

(Prior art) Conventionally, in parts bins that store inventory parts, a large number of parts are stored in parts boxes, etc. at predetermined positions with markings, and the necessary parts are taken out from the parts box and placed there. The remaining quantity was managed by recording the amount taken out on a slip, etc.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in this type of parts storage, errors may occur when writing the name of the parts taken out and the amount taken out on the slip. Furthermore, if the two parts are liquids, accurate inventory management may not be possible due to measurement errors in the amount taken out.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention is a parts container that separately stores multiple types of parts, and is provided with a detection sensor for detecting the remaining quantity of the parts, and an output signal of the detection sensor is provided. This is a parts container equipped with a transmitter that wirelessly transmits data to a computer that processes data, and uses optical communication, for example, for wireless transmission.

(Function) The remaining quantity of parts is monitored by a detection sensor, and the output signal of this detection sensor is wirelessly transmitted via a transmitter to a computer that processes data, providing inventory management data at all times.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a parts container 1 for storing inventory parts.

The parts storage box 1 consists of parts storage boxes 2, 2, . . . that separately store multiple types of inventory parts.
Each of 2... is provided with a handset with a built-in automatic response system. The handset is a low power consumption type digital optical space communication device that is powered by a battery and configured by a microcomputer.

The automatic response system is a system that allows a worker to identify a parts storage box designated by the master unit 5, which will be described later, and also transmits a signal corresponding to the operating status of the slave unit and the remaining quantity of parts.

Further, each of the nine component storage boxes 2,2, .

The master unit 5 is a device that performs digital optical space communication with the slave unit to select the slave unit in the parts storage box 2 in which desired parts are stored, and has a display unit consisting of a keyboard 6 as an operation unit and an LCD. 7 and a buzzer 8.

The keyboard 6 is used to input an address number that distinguishes the handset, and the 0 display section 7, which is made up of hexadecimal keys, displays the contents of the keys pressed on the keyboard 6, and also displays the answer back from the handset. Display the code. A buzzer 8 is used to assist the information on the display section 7, and is used to urgently notify the user of abnormalities in the handset 9, for example.

On the other hand, a host computer 9 that performs data processing is connected to the base unit 5, and the host combiator 9 sends an external code to the base unit 5 and instructs it to select a specific slave unit. , collects the serial data sent by the handset, and processes the data into a format that can be used, for example, for inventory management, quality control, labor management, etc.

FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the base unit 5. As shown in FIG.

Digital optical space communication is performed between handsets.

The transmitting side consists of high-output infrared LED II.

The receiving side is composed of a highly sensitive photodiode 12. The serial data received by the photodiode 12 is input to the input/output interface circuit 14 via the filter amplifier 13.

The signal is output onto the data bus according to a command from the arithmetic processing section 16. On the other hand, this input/output interface circuit 14 controls an LED driver circuit 15 that drives the infrared LED II.

In the figure, 17 is a storage unit consisting of ROM and RAM.

18 is a power supply section; 19 is an R3-232C serial interface that interfaces with the host computer 9; In addition, in this example.

The processing results processed by the host computer are externally recorded by a printer 20.

Next, the operation procedure of the base unit 5 will be explained along the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

In step (2), the selection code of the slave unit attached to the parts storage box 2 in which the desired parts are stored is input. This selection code is made up of various control codes in addition to the address number of the slave device.

This selection code is input by the keyboard 6 of the base unit, and the 0 selection code input by the host computer 9 is decoded in step ① and the LED of the slave unit is
A command code (one of the control codes mentioned above) that commands the lighting of No. 3 is included.

In step (2), bit Φ of the transmission serial data is turned ON. On the other hand, if the selection code includes a command code that instructs to turn off the LED 3 of the slave unit, the bit
Turn Φ OFF. These steps ■, ■ bitΦ
When the processing is completed, the address number and other control codes of the handset are transmitted in the form of serial data in step (3).

Then, the applicable slave unit receives such serial data, and after one worker takes out the part, turns on the 'Ia recognition switch 4, and sends an answerback signal containing its own address number to the base unit 5. and send.

Base unit 5 receives this answerback signal in step (2), and determines whether or not the same address number as the address number transmitted in step (2) has been returned.

If they match, the content of the answerback signal is displayed on the display unit 7 in step (2), and it is determined whether this content needs to be transferred to the host computer 9 in step [phase]. If so, the data is transferred to the host computer 9. on the other hand.

If the address number specified in step (2) and the address number answered back do not fail, abnormality processing is performed in step (2).

Return to step (2) and transmit the serial data again, or return to step (2) and set the device in a standby state where it can receive answerback signals from other handsets again.

Next, the operation of the slave device will be explained along the flowchart shown in FIG.

At step 0, the serial data sent from the base unit 5 is received. Next, the confirmation switch 4 of the slave unit is turned to OFF.
Check if it is N with step @ and select 1! If the authorization switch is turned on.

Turn off the LED 3 in step ◎, turn off the confirmation flag in step [phase], and return to step ■. on the other hand.

If the confirmation switch is OFF in step @, step ■
Then, it is compared and determined whether the address number transmitted from the base unit 5 matches the address number of the slave unit. If they do not match, the child device in question has not been selected, and the process returns to step (2); if they match, the child device in question has been selected from the parent device 5.

The process moves to steps [phase] to step [phase] shown below.

In step [phase], the serial data sent from the base unit 5 is latched, and in step O, bttΦ is ON or OFF.
Determine whether it is F. If it is ON, the LED 3 is requested to be lit, so the process moves to step [phase] and the LED 3 is lit. On the other hand, if bit Φ is OFF in step O, step [phase] is skipped and the process moves to step [phase]. Step [phase] is a step of creating an answerback signal, in which battery alarm 21. Pressure sensor to measure the weight of inventory parts 22. Three pieces of information of a confirmation flag 23 indicating the state of the confirmation switch 4 are inputted via a data latch circuit. The data input in step [phase] is converted into serial data in step [phase], and after being transmitted to the base unit 5, the slave unit returns to step 0.

These serial data sent to the master unit 5 are transferred to the host computer 9, and the remaining quantity of the battery status 9 components of the slave unit is calculated and stored. That is, the host computer 9 utilizes the fact that the information from the pressure sensor 22 corresponds to the remaining quantity of the parts in stock to determine the remaining quantity by dividing in advance by the pressure value corresponding to one part.

If a liquid level detection sensor is used instead of the pressure sensor 22, the amount remaining in the medicine bottle can be accurately determined at all times.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to intensively manage the remaining quantity of parts in stock, and the credibility of inventory management can be improved.

There is no need for complicated work such as measuring the amount taken out and filling out slips.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of a parts holder according to the present invention, and
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a parts case; FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a master unit and a host computer; and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the master unit. FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the parent device, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the slave device. 1... Parts compartment 3... LED 4... Confirmation switch 5... Base unit 22... Pressure sensor and 1 other person Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 4 Fig. 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A parts container that separately stores multiple types of parts, which is provided with a detection sensor that detects the remaining quantity of the parts, and sends an output signal of the detection sensor to a computer that processes data. A parts case characterized by being provided with a transmitter for wireless transmission. 2) The parts container according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor is a pressure sensor that measures the weight of the parts. 3) The component case according to claim 1, wherein the component is a liquid and the detection sensor is a liquid level detection sensor.