JP2000272716A - Commodity storage and management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide more efficient work for carrying commodities in and out of shelves by using free location management in which there is no fixed storage locations in the shelves in containers. SOLUTION: When a container storing a plurality of commodities is carried in a storage section R, one of empty storage locations where no containers are stored in the storage sections R are selected as a container storage location corresponding to set selective conditions for executing free location management to store the container in the selected storage location.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a conveying means for conveying a container capable of storing a plurality of articles between a receiving section for accepting lending and returning of articles and a storage section for storing a plurality of the containers, While managing the storage position of each container stored in the storage unit and the identification data of the article stored in each container, the management unit that executes the transfer operation of the transfer unit and manages lending and return of the article is performed. The present invention relates to an article storage management system provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In such an article storage management system, a large number of articles are intensively stored in a storage section such as a shelf to reduce a storage space, while receiving articles stored in a shelf or the like by a transport means. It is conveyed to and from a department to save labor for lending and returning articles. As a conventional example of such a system, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-285621 discloses a system for storing and managing books as articles. In this book storage management system, a container storing a plurality of books is stored on a shelf. In the storage form, the storage position of each book is managed based on the storage position of each container on the shelf and the information of the book stored in the shelf, and the storage position when storing the book on the shelf for each container is fixed. When the container at the storage position is unloaded, the container is managed so as to be stored at the same storage position.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, since the storage position on the shelf is fixed for each container, for example, containers that are frequently stored in and out of the reception unit are far from the reception unit. In some cases, containers that are stored at a location and cannot be transported to the receiving unit in a short time, but containers that hardly enter or leave are stored at a position close to the receiving unit.As a result, the efficiency of loading and unloading work is reduced. There was a problem of lowering. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art by managing the storage positions of the containers on shelves so as not to be fixed. The point is to improve work efficiency as much as possible.

[0004]

According to the invention described in claim 1, in the article storage management system described at the beginning, when the management means stores the container in the storage unit, As the storage position, a storage position corresponding to the set selection condition is selected from the empty storage positions in which the containers are not stored in the storage unit, and the container position free location management to be stored in the selected storage position is performed. Is configured. Therefore, when there are a plurality of empty storage positions where containers are not stored in the storage unit, set an appropriate selection condition on which of the empty storage positions to store containers to be stored in the storage unit, Since the container is stored by selecting the storage position corresponding to the setting selection condition, if the storage position of the shelf is fixed for each container as in the conventional technology, for example, when the storage and retrieval results differ greatly depending on the container. In addition, the efficiency of the loading / unloading operation can be improved as much as possible, as compared with the case where appropriate operations such as selecting a storage position according to the loading / unloading results cannot be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In the above, the setting selection condition is a condition for selecting an empty storage position that can transfer an article to the reception unit in the shortest time. Therefore, the container to be stored in the storage unit is stored in the empty storage position at the position where the transfer of the article to the reception unit can be performed in the shortest time, so that the storage position of the shelf is set for each container as in the related art. If the container is fixed, containers that are frequently moved in and out of the reception unit are stored at a position far from the reception unit and cannot be transported to the reception unit in a short time, but are hardly moved in and out. Compared to the possibility that containers may be stored at a position near the reception unit, the containers that are frequently stored and unloaded are stored at the position where the goods can be transported to the reception unit in the shortest time, The improvement in efficiency can be reliably realized, and the preferable means of claim 1 can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
Or in 2, wherein, when the management unit stores the article in the storage unit, a container capable of storing the article is selected from the containers stored in the storage unit, and the article to be stored in the container is selected. It is configured to execute storage free location management. Therefore, for example, selecting a container at a storage position as close as possible to the reception unit, or appropriately setting conditions such as selecting a container according to the type of article, selecting a container capable of storing articles to be stored, The article can be stored in an appropriate state in the storage section, and the preferable means of claim 1 or 2 can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 4, according to claim 3,
Wherein the management means manages the filling rate of the articles in each container stored in the storage section and can store the articles to be stored in the storage section based on information on the filling rate of the articles in each container. It is configured to select a container. Therefore, it is accurately determined from the information on the filling rate of the article in each container whether or not the received article is a container capable of storing the article, and the container capable of storing the received article is selected. The inconvenience that the article cannot be stored in the container can be avoided more reliably, and the preferable means of claim 3 can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 5, according to claim 4,
, A plurality of types of containers having different sizes are provided, and the management means is configured to manage the filling rate of the articles in each container based on the size information of each container. Therefore, since the filling rate of the articles in the container is managed based on the sizes of the plural types of containers having different sizes,
It is possible to more appropriately select a container that can store the stored articles, and thus the preferable means of claim 4 is obtained.

According to the invention of claim 6, according to claim 5,
, The management means is configured to select a container capable of storing the article according to the size of the article to be stored in the storage unit. Therefore, it is possible to increase the storage efficiency of the container by storing articles of a size corresponding to each container size in a plurality of types of containers having different sizes, and the preferable means of claim 5 is provided. can get.

According to the invention described in claim 7, according to claim 2,
7. In any one of ~ 6, the management means separates each of the articles into normal articles and special articles, manages the normal articles as the articles for the article storage free location, and Among the containers stored in the storage unit, it is configured to be managed as an article for a fixed location to be stored in the same container. Therefore, it is necessary to properly select containers that can be stored for normal articles and to quickly and efficiently enter and leave them, and to fix special articles, fix the containers to be stored (special containers, etc.) and store them in an appropriate storage state. Can be obtained, so that claims 2 to 6
The preferred means of any one of the above is obtained.

According to the invention of claim 8, according to claim 7,
, The article is a book, and the management means is configured to manage books of the same series as the special article. Therefore, books of the same series such as whole collections and newspapers / magazines are stored as special articles in the same container and stored in the storage unit, and are managed.
If the books of the same series are stored in different containers and stored in the storage unit, the books of the same series may be separated and may not be properly managed. Thus, it is possible to centrally store and manage the books of the same series of books, thereby obtaining the preferable means of claim 7.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a reception unit K for accepting lending or return of a book as an article, a shelf R as a storage unit for storing a plurality of containers Y capable of storing a plurality of books, and various operations. Work station S,
A transport unit TP for transporting the containers Y between the receiving unit K and the shelf R and between the work station S and the shelf R; a storage position of each container Y stored in the shelf R; Means for executing the transport operation of the transport means TP while managing the identification data of the book to be managed and managing the lending and return of the book (see FIG. 12). Book storage management system to be configured. That is, the management means P determines the identification information (container number) of each container Y stored in the shelf R, the storage position (shelf position number), and the book stored in each container Y as the storage position of each book. Manages identification data (book numbers). Specifically, a container number and a book number of books stored in the container are managed as a set, or
A shelf position number and a book number of a book stored in a container stored in the shelf position are managed as a set.

The book storage management system according to the present embodiment is a so-called closed-type book storage unit (the above-described closed-type book storage unit), in which a book is transferred between a user and a librarian in a reception unit K and is automatically stored and retrieved. The library is provided in a library having a so-called open-type storage shelf OR, which is provided with shelves R and the like, and in which users can enter and leave books and store them in a state where they can be directly used and used. That is, the shelf R and the work station S are installed in the basement of a building constituting a library, and the reception unit K and the open-type storage shelf OR are provided on the first floor of the building.

In this embodiment, basically, A
Books such as 4, A5, B5, and B6, newspapers of A2 size, and books of other irregular sizes are handled as books. And as container Y,
A plurality of types having different sizes are provided. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when stored in the shelf R, the width L and the height H along the shelf width direction are different from each other, and the width W along the shelf depth direction is the same. Two types, a large container YL and a small container YS, are prepared.
Each container Y is provided with a barcode indicator BC that displays a container number, which is identification information for separating the containers Y, as a barcode. By the way, on this barcode display body BC, the container number is described in a numerically visible manner. The large container YL basically stores A2 size newspapers (see FIG. 9A) and A4 size and B5 size books (see FIG. 9B). Basically, books of A5 size and B6 size (see FIGS. 10A and 10B) and books of other irregular sizes (see FIG. 10C) are stored. .

The management means P is configured to manage the filling rate of books in each container Y stored in the shelf R based on the size information of each container Y. For this reason, each container Y
The storage of books, newspapers, and books to the US is also defined,
The filling rate is managed. More specifically, in the large container YL, newspapers are sequentially stacked and stored (see FIG. 9A) or a book of A4 or B5 is placed in a vertical position.
The vertical placement mode (see FIG. 9 (b)) to be arranged in a row is selected,
In addition, in the small container YS, the A4 or B5 books are arranged in a row in a horizontal portrait orientation (see FIG. 10A).
A vertical placement mode (see FIG. 10B) in which books A5 and B6 are arranged in two rows in a vertical position, and a flat storage mode in which books are sequentially stacked and stored (see FIG. 10C) are selected. You.
When a book is stored by selecting a vertical arrangement in which the books are arranged in two rows in a vertical posture, the partition M is set at the center of the container Y. In each storage mode, the maximum size in the direction in which newspapers, books, and books are arranged, that is, the maximum size in which books can be stored is set in advance, and the empty space obtained by sequentially subtracting the thickness of books from the maximum size. The smaller the size, the higher the filling rate. In the present embodiment, the empty space is referred to as an empty space.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 and FIG.
Indicates that a plurality of row-shaped rack portions are arranged in the depth direction of the shelf (8 in the figure).
And two rack groups R1 and R2 arranged side by side.
In each of the rack groups R1 and R2, a rack portion located between the rack portions at both ends is configured to be able to be driven and moved in the depth direction of the shelf, and the moving passage T of the stacker crane 2 is selectively provided between adjacent rack portions. Is formed. Further, a traverser 3 for carrying the stacker crane 2 thereon is provided so as to travel along one end of the shelf R. The aisle numbers i1 to i8 are assigned to the passages T formed as described above from the near side in the direction in which the rack groups are arranged (see FIG. 1). Then, a large container Y is provided at the back of the moving passage T in each rack.
A shelf RL for a large container storing the small container L is provided, and a shelf RS for a small container storing the small container YS is provided in a portion other than the back side of the moving path T. The large container shelves RL and the small container shelves RS are provided with storage portions 40 for containers Y in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.
As shown in FIG. 11, a pair of left and right container support portions 40A
Is configured to support the container Y. Although not shown, the stacker crane 2 is provided with a single-type fork for transferring containers that takes the containers Y in and out of the storage unit 40.

In the present embodiment, ordinary books (ordinary articles) such as ordinary books are sorted and stored in containers Y that can be stored according to size, and the storage position of each container Y on the shelf R is appropriately changed. And keep them in storage. Therefore, in a normal book or the like, a so-called free-location type storage form is used in both the relationship between the containers Y to be stored and the relationship between the containers Y and the storage position of the shelf R. Specifically, a container Y having a filling rate close to 100% when the book is stored is selected, taken out of the storage, and stored, and the container Y is transported to the receiving unit K at the position where the transport time is the shortest. Warehousing and storage. Here, the aisle number is small in each of the rack groups R1 and R2,
Further, in the moving path T of each aisle number, the closer to the traverser 3 side, the shorter the transport time to the receiving unit K. In other words, when the management means P stores the container Y in the shelf R, the storage position of the container Y is a storage position corresponding to the set selection condition among the empty storage positions where the container Y is not stored in the shelf R. Is selected so that the container position free location management to be stored in the selected storage position is executed, and the setting selection condition is that the book to the reception unit K in the empty storage position is This is a condition for selecting one that can be transported in the shortest time.

On the other hand, for a special book which is an irregular product (special article) such as a series, a complete collection, and a newspaper, a container Y to be stored for each series, complete collection, and newspaper is determined.
As additional books are sequentially registered in the same series or the like, they are stored in the same container Y. (If one container Y is full, the next container Y is set. Each container Y is stored and stored in a position where it can be easily carried out to the reception unit K in the same manner as described above. That is, regarding the special book, a fixed location type storage form is used in relation to the container Y to be stored,
A free location type storage mode is used in relation to the storage position of each container Y and the shelf R. Therefore, the container to be stored when one of the series or the like stored in one container Y is returned after being taken out for lending is the original container.

That is, when the management means P separates each book into normal books (normal articles) and special books (special articles) and stores the normal books on the shelf R, each of the books stored on the shelf R A container Y capable of storing the book is selected from among the containers Y, and the article storage free location management for storing the book in the container Y is executed (normally, the book is managed as an article for the article storage free location). Have been. Specifically, a container capable of storing books to be stored in the shelf R is selected based on information on the filling rate of books in each container Y managed as described above, and the size of the book to be stored in the shelf R Is configured to select a container Y capable of storing the book according to. Further, the management means P manages the books of the same series as special books and manages the special books as fixed location articles to be stored in the same container Y among the containers Y stored in the shelf R. It is configured. Whether each book is a regular book or a special book is classified based on data input when each book is newly registered, as described later, and the classification information is a barcode of each book. It is managed in association with the identification data displayed by the display BB.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the receiving unit K
Is a service counter K1 for the librarian to exchange books with the user, a service station T1 provided adjacent to the service counter K1 for relaying the transfer of books to the shelf R, and a reference counter K.
2, and a reference station T2 that is provided adjacent to the reference counter K2 and that relays the transport of books to the shelf R, similarly to the service station K2. The service counter K1 and the reference counter K2 can basically perform the same operation, but usually the service counter K1 is mainly used. When the work amount of the service counter K1 is too large, the work is assisted or when the service counter K1 or the service station T is used.
In the case where the work is continued when performing the first maintenance work, the reference counter K2 and the reference station T2 are used.

The transfer means TP will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a conveyor 5 for forming a U-shaped work station is installed corresponding to a work station S provided under the building. Then, the stacker crane 2 transfers the container Y to the conveyor 5, that is, carries out the container Y. When the traverser 3 is located at a position corresponding to the work station S, a transfer conveyor 3A for receiving the container Y unloaded from the work station forming conveyor 5 is provided. The transfer of the container Y to the transfer conveyor 3A, that is, the transfer of the container Y is performed.

A vertical high-speed lifter 6 is provided from the basement of the building to the vicinity of the service station T1 on the first floor. As shown in FIG. 8, a conveyor corresponding to the basement of the high-speed lifter 6 and an intermediate part between the upper and lower parts are provided with a conveyor 7 for entering the shelf R and a conveyor 8 for exiting from the shelf R.
And is installed. The stacker crane 2 moves the container Y to the storage conveyor 7 and the storage conveyor 8.
Is to be transferred.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a conveyor 4 for forming a square-shaped service station is connected to a portion corresponding to the first floor of the high-speed lifter 6. Conveyor part 4 to change the direction of
A is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, a portion corresponding to the underground of the high-speed lifter 6 and the upper end thereof has a first
A relay conveyor 9 is provided. The first relay conveyor 9 includes an unloading conveyor unit 9A and an unloading conveyor unit 9B for transferring the container Y to and from the track-type transfer cart 10. The track-type transport cart 10 is provided at a second position below the reference station T2.
The transfer between the relay conveyor 11 and the first relay conveyor 9 connected to the high-speed lifter 6 is performed. Similarly to the first relay conveyor 9, the second relay conveyor 11 includes an unloading conveyor unit 11A and an in-feed conveyor unit 11B for transferring the container Y to and from the track-type transport cart 10. As shown in FIG. 4, a lifter 13 for vertical transport is provided between the second relay conveyor 11 and a reference station forming conveyor 12 provided corresponding to the reference station T2.

Referring to the service station T1, as shown in FIG. 3, the conveyor 4 is covered with a cover except for a place where a librarian works. A bar code reader CR for reading the body BB is embedded and installed, and a first setting device U1 having a display screen is installed,
A handy type barcode reader CR is provided above the first setting device U1. Here, the embedded barcode reader CR can be read by placing a barcode indicator BB of the book on the upper side thereof, and the handy type barcode reader CR is held on the conveyor 4 by hand. (Hereinafter referred to as service station T2)
The same applies to the bar code reader CR of the work station S). In addition, a signal tower 15 for notifying various kinds of information by the color of light is installed behind the work location. For example, while driving, green is displayed and container Y
Turns blue when it arrives at the front side (right side) of the work place and stops, and turns red when an abnormality occurs (the same applies to the signal tower 15 installed in the service station T2 and the work station S hereinafter). ).

Referring to the service station T2, as shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor 12 is covered with a cover except for a work place where a librarian works, and on the right side of the work place, a bar code display BB of a book is provided. A bar code reader CR for reading the information is embedded and installed, and a second setting device U2 having a display screen is installed.
A handy-type barcode reader CR is provided above the setting device U2, similarly to the service station T1. In addition, the signal tower 1
5 are installed.

Referring to the work station S, as shown in FIG. 7, the conveyor 5 is covered with a cover on both sides of a place where a librarian works, and a book bar is provided on the upper right side of the work place. A bar code reader CR for reading the code display body BB is embedded and installed, and a third setting device U3 having a display screen is installed,
The third setting device U3 has a handy bar code reader C
R is provided. Further, an automatic measuring machine J for measuring the size and thickness of books is installed at a position on the right side of the third setting device U3, and the signal tower 15 is installed above the automatic measuring machine J.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7,
Transport of books between the open-type storage rack OR and the closed-type book storage unit, transport of books between the service counter K1 and the service station T1, transport between the reference counter K2 and the reference station T2. ,
In addition, there are provided a large number of hand-held trolleys D used for transporting books in the library, such as transporting books newly stored in the library.

The management means P will be described. FIG.
As shown in the figure, a host controller P1 for managing storage information and the like of the entire library including a closed-type book storage unit and an open-type storage shelf OR; A system controller P2 that manages the operation of the storage unit is communicably connected to each other, and a management unit P is configured by the two controllers P1 and P2.
The host controller P1 includes a first terminal 21 installed at the service counter K1, a second terminal 22 installed at the reference counter K2, a third terminal 23 installed at the work station S, a library management room. And a number of terminals such as a fourth terminal 24 installed on the service floor of the user and a fifth terminal 25 installed on the service floor of the user.

The fourth terminal 24 stores information relating to the newly received book, such as the book title of the book newly received in the library and the distinction between general books and special books, into the host controller P1.
Is used to register (initial registration) as a book managed by the library, and is a bar as a data display unit for displaying identification data (book number in this embodiment) for identifying the book to be stored. An issuing machine 24A for issuing a code display body BB is provided. On the bar code display BB, the book number is displayed as a bar code, and in addition, the book number is written as a number so as to be visible. Then, the issued barcode display body BB is attached to a predetermined mark position of the book bk to be stored by pasting or the like (see FIG. 13). Also, the book on which the barcode display BB is attached, that is, the book registered in the host controller P1, is transported to various places using the cart D. Then, when the storage is managed in the fully enclosed storage unit (shelf R), the storage is transported to the underground work station S. The work at the work station S will be described later as “size / thickness registration work”.

The fifth terminal 25 is used for retrieving books that the user wants to borrow, and lends printed with information of the books to be borrowed, that is, various information such as book names and book numbers for identifying the books. Printer 2 that outputs request form
5A. When borrowing a book stored in the closed-type storage unit, the lending request is transferred to a librarian at the service counter K1.

The first to third terminals 21 to 23 search for books stored and managed in the library, search for management information of the host controller P1 such as book lending status, and lend registered books. The first and second terminals 2 are used for inputting various information to the host controller P1, such as information on the return of a book, information on removing registration of a registered book, and the like.
Reference numerals 1 and 22 each include a barcode reader BR for reading a barcode display BB attached to a book and a printer RT for outputting various information.

The system controller P2, like the first and second terminals 21 and 22, searches for management information of the host controller P1 such as searching for books stored and managed in the library and renting books. , Which is also used for inputting various information to the host controller P1, such as information on lending or return of registered books and information for removing registration of registered books. Like the second terminals 21 and 22, the barcode reader includes a barcode reader BR and a printer RT.

In addition, the system controller P
2 includes a first setting device U1 installed at the service station T1, a second setting device U2 installed at the reference station T2, and a third setting device U2 installed at the work station S.
A setting device U3, the automatic measuring machine J installed at the work station S, a monitoring terminal U4 installed near the work station S and used to monitor the operation status of the transport means TP, the stacker crane 2
A shelf management controller U5 that manages the operation of the shelf R configured as a movable shelf provided with the traverser 3 and a transport controller U6 that manages the operation of the transport unit TP are connected. The transport controller U6 is composed of a number of controllers installed corresponding to the high-speed lifter 6 and conveyors, respectively.

Each of the first to third setting devices U1 to U3 includes a barcode reader CR for reading the barcode display BC of the container Y and the barcode display BB of the book. , Information for specifying the container Y for storing and retrieving books and information for specifying the book for storing and retrieving books can be input.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the automatic measuring machine J includes a rectangular mounting table 30 used as a measurement point for books, and a positioning body 31 erected at the right end of the mounting table 30. A thickness detection sensor 32 using an ultrasonic sensor or the like installed above the mounting table 30, a size detection sensor 33 for width and height detection using a reflective photoelectric sensor or the like, and a barcode reader 34 for reading a barcode indicator BB of the bk. The size detection sensor 33 is mounted on the mounting table 3 from below the mounting table 30.
Each sensor performs a detection operation through each opening formed at 0, and is spaced apart from one sensor Z provided at the right back corner of the mounting table 30 to detect the width of a rectangular book. And seven sensors a to f arranged at intervals to detect the height of the book. Each sensor is turned on when light is blocked by a book, and turned off when light is not blocked. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, in each of the width direction and the height direction of the book, the position of the sensor light-shielded by the book (the light-shielded state is represented by 1 and the non-light-shielded state is represented by 0).
, The size of the book is determined by plates such as A4, B4, A5, and B5. In the example of FIG. 15, since the sensors Z, A, and a are turned on and the other sensors are turned off, the book is determined to be a B5 size book bk. Here, the determination results in the width direction and the height direction are as follows. If they are different (for example, A4 is determined in the width direction and B5 is determined in the height direction), the book is measured as a book having the larger size (A4 in this case) of the two determination results. . The barcode reader 34 is arranged to read a barcode display BB attached to a book from below the mounting table 30 through an opening 30 a formed in the mounting table 30.

Then, the lower short side of the rectangular book bk is brought into contact with the positioning body 31, and the long side of the rectangular book bk is placed on the mounting table 30.
Is placed on the mounting table 30 in a state where the bar code reader is pressed against the back wall of the device, and a command to read the size is issued.
Reads the book bar code display BB to recognize the book number, and the thickness detection sensor 32 measures the thickness of the book by measuring the distance from its own installation position to the top surface of the book, Further, the size detection sensor 33 measures the size of the book such as A4, B4, A5, B5 as described above. Then, the automatic measuring machine J inputs the size and thickness data of the book together with the book number to the system controller P2. Here, as the above-mentioned book, for example, when a plurality of books managed as separate entities such as a magazine are bound into one book, the bound book is taken as one book.
Measurement data obtained by measuring the size and thickness by the automatic thickness measuring machine J is input to the system controller P2.

The system controller P2 determines the classification data of each container Y (display data of the bar code display BC).
And the identification data of the book stored in each container Y (the book number displayed by the barcode display body BB) and the measurement data of the size and thickness of each book are stored in association with each other, and based on the stored information, Then, while managing the filling rate of books in each container Y, each book is sorted according to size and managed so as to be stored in the container Y. When the magazine or the like is bound, the system controller P2 manages the filling rate of the articles in each container Y based on the measurement data as one book. Note that the measurement of the size and thickness of the book is basically performed on the book specified to be managed by the closed book storage unit among the books registered by the host controller P1. .

Further, the system controller P2
Executes the management of the filling rate of two types of containers YL and YS having different dimensions based on the size information of each container YL and YS. In other words, taking the case of a normal book as an example, in the large container YL, the A4 and B5 books are arranged vertically in two rows in a vertical posture (see FIG. 9B). The filling rate is managed by an empty dimension obtained by subtracting the total thickness of the stored A4 and B5 books from the maximum storage dimension. In the small container YS, the A4 and B5 books are arranged in a row in a horizontal portrait orientation (FIG. 10A).
(See FIG. 10 (b)), or a vertically placed form in which books A5 and B6 are arranged in two rows in a vertical position (see FIG. 10 (b)). If the stored book is A5 or B6, it is determined that the book is in the vertical position, and the stored A4 or B5 (or A5)
And B6), the filling rate is managed by the empty size obtained by subtracting the total thickness of the book. Also, the system controller P2
Selects the size of the container Y for storing the book according to the size of the book such as A4, A5, B5, B6, etc. and manages to store the articles. Specifically, A4 size and B5
In the case of size, either the large container YL or the small container YS is selected, and in the case of A5 size and B6 size,
The small container YS is selected.

The operation of the book storage management system will be described below. As the work of this system, there are "normal stock", "free space designated stock", "off-line stock", "new container stock" etc. as the stocking work, and as the stocking work, "normal stock", "sharing stock" , "Shelf-specified shelving,""Empty container shedding," etc. Other auxiliary tasks include "Refilling,""Collectioncheck,""Relocation,"
There are operations such as “size / thickness registration”. Hereinafter, each operation will be described. The selection of which of these operations is to be performed is made by the first to third setting devices U1 to U3 and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
Since the main menu is first displayed on the display screens 1 to U3, each work shown in FIG. 18 can be executed by pressing a screen location (for example, a leaving setting) of the work to be executed. The size and thickness registration is an operation that can be performed only by the automatic measuring machine J. FIG. 17 shows a third setting device U3.
And the screens of the first and second setting devices U1 and U2 do not display the registration cancellation and the relocation.
Although these operations can be performed in various places, in the following description, mainly the portions to be executed will be specified and described.

[Normal Warehousing Work] The normal warehousing work is a work corresponding to the “container call setting (reading book No.)” in the main menu, and is mainly performed by the service station T.
1 is performed. First, the first of the service counter K1
The barcode reader BR provided in the terminal 21 reads the barcode display BB of the returned book returned from the user, and inputs identification information of the returned book, that is, the book number. Next, the books to be returned are placed on the trolley D as required, and transported to the service station T1. “Container call setting (read book No.)” on the first setting unit U1
Is set, the barcode reader CR reads the barcode indicator BB of the returned book, and inputs the identification information of the book to be returned, that is, the book number (if there are a plurality of books, a plurality of books are read). Are sequentially input), as shown in FIG. 19, the number, name, version, etc. of the book to be stored are displayed. When the input of the book number is completed, the setting is input. At this time, the number of set materials (books) and the number of containers to be stored (number of allocated containers) are displayed. In response to the input of the setting, the system controller P2 searches for a container Y capable of storing the set book, and issues a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the service station T1 with the shelf management controller U5 or the transport controller. U6 will be commanded. Then, the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 operate to carry out the specified container Y, and the target container Y
Is transported to the service station T1.

When the container Y arrives just before the work site at the service station T1, the signal tower 15 changes from green to blue.
The operator pushes the "enter OK button" on the display screen 1 to transport the container Y to the work site. Then, the barcode display BC of the container Y is read using the handy type barcode reader CR. Next, the barcode display BB of the book to be returned is read by the barcode reader CR, and the user inputs that the book is stored in the container Y, and then stores the book in the container Y.
When all the books that can be stored in the container Y are stored, the completion is input. As the completion is input, the system controller P2 sends the container Y in which the books have been stored to the shelf R in order to carry the container Y into the shelf R.
Command. And the shelf management controller U
5 and the transport controller U6 operate to carry the commanded container Y to the shelf R, and the target container Y
It is carried in. At this time, the system controller P2
Determines whether the book instructed to enter remains remains, and if so, searches for a container Y for storing the remaining book in the same manner as described above. The subsequent procedure is the same as described above.

[Empty Space Designated Warehousing Operation] This empty space designated warehousing operation is a work corresponding to the "container call setting (empty space designation)" of the main menu, and is mainly performed at the service station T1. First, in the same manner as the normal warehousing operation, the first of the service counter K1 is performed.
The bar code reader BR of the terminal reads the bar code display BB of the book to be returned and inputs the book number of the book to be returned. Then, the book to be returned in which the input of the book number has been completed is loaded on the trolley D and transported to the service station T1 as necessary. Next, after setting “container call setting (designation of empty space)” in the first setting device U1, it is subsequently necessary to set the container setting based on the content displayed on the display screen of the first setting device U1 shown in FIG. Enter information. That is, select the type of book to be stored (general book / irregular product), enter the selection of the type of container Y based on the size of the book, and enter the desired empty space and the required number of containers. Then, the completion of the setting is input by operating the setting button. Here, as the empty space,
In the case of a flat container, it can be selected from the empty container up to 30 cm. In the case of a horizontal single-row container, it can be selected from the empty container up to 60 cm. In the case of a vertical two-row container (example in the figure)
Can be selected in the range from an empty container to 120 cm. By the way, on the display screen, beside the selection of the space, the number of containers currently existing corresponding to each space is displayed.

In response to the input, the system controller P2 searches for the set container Y, and searches the set container Y.
Is sent to the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6, and the commanded container Y is transported to the service station T1. When the container Y arrives, the signal tower 15 changes to blue in the same manner as in the “normal warehousing work”.
To transport the container Y to the work site. Then, the barcode display BC of the container Y is read using the handy type barcode reader CR. Next, after reading the barcode indicator BB of the book to be returned with the barcode reader CR, the book is stored in the container Y. When all the books that can be stored in the container Y are stored, the completion is input. As the completion is input, the system controller P2 issues a command to the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the container Y in which books are stored into the shelf R, and the container Y It is carried into shelf R. At this time,
The system controller P2 determines whether or not the instructed container Y remains, and if it remains, searches for the remaining container Y in the same manner as described above. The same is true.

[Out-of-line warehousing work] This out-of-line warehousing work is to collect and return a large number of returned books by using containers Y which have been previously taken out of the service station T1 and stored by "empty container warehousing work" described later. The service station T1 is mainly used when
This is performed using First, the book to be returned is placed on the cart D and transported to the service station T1, and the first setting device U1
Then, after selecting "work guidance" in the main menu, "out-of-line warehousing work" is set therein. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the number, name, etc. of the books to be stored are displayed. After the container Y temporarily placed at the service station T1 is placed on the conveyor, a hand-held type provided in the first setting device U1 is provided. When the identification information of the container Y is input by the barcode reader CR, the container number is displayed. Next, the bar code display BB of the book is changed to a bar code reader C.
After reading in R, the book is stored in the container Y, and when all the books that can be stored in the container Y are stored, the setting is input.
As the setting is input, the system controller P2
However, in order to carry the container Y in which books have been stored into the shelf R,
Work is commanded to the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6, and the container Y is carried into the shelf R.
At this time, the system controller P2 further determines whether or not an out-of-line warehousing instruction has been issued, and if so, performs the same processing as described above for the next container Y.

[New Container Receiving] This new container receiving operation is a process of storing books in the shelf R using a new container Y not registered as a container stored in the shelf R.
It is mainly performed at the work station S using the screen for the out-of-line warehousing work. The new container Y is
It is assumed that the work station S has already been carried.
First, the books stored in the new container Y are placed on the cart D and transported to the work station S, and the "out-of-line storage work" is set by the third setting device U3 as described above (FIG. 21).
22), a container No. input screen is displayed at the center of the screen as shown in FIG. 22, so that a new container Y is placed on the conveyor, and then a hand-held bar code reader CR provided in the third setting device U3. Enter the identification information of container Y at
The container number is displayed. Here, if Cancel is pressed, the input of the container identification information can be set again. Next, after reading the bar code display BB of the book with the bar code reader CR, the book is stored in the container Y, and when all the books that can be stored in the container Y are stored, the setting is input. As the settings are input, the system controller P2 moves the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 so that the container Y in which books have been stored is carried into the shelf R.
, And the container Y is carried into the shelf R. At this time, the system controller P2 further determines whether or not a new container entry command has been issued, and if so, performs the same processing as described above for the next container Y.

[Normal Outgoing Work] The normal outgoing work is performed by passing the above-mentioned loan request form to a librarian at the service counter K1. The librarian sets the “ship setting” in the main menu of the first setting device U1, and then inputs the book number described in the loan request (if there are a plurality of books, the book is written for all books) 23, the book number and book name of the input book, the container number of the container storing the book, the book type, and the like are displayed as shown in FIG.
When the input of the book identification information is completed, the user inputs the settings.

In accordance with the input of the setting, the system controller P2 searches the storage position of the container Y for storing the input book, and stores the searched container Y in the service station T.
A work command for unloading to 1 is issued to the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6. Then, the shelf controller U5 and the transport controller U6 operate to carry out the instructed container Y, and the target container Y is transported to the service station T1. When the container Y arrives, the signal tower 15 changes to blue, so that the "entry OK button" on the display screen of the first setting device U1 is pressed, and the container Y is transported to the work site. Then, when the bar code display BC of the container Y is read using the handy type bar code reader CR, the book number of the book to be taken out from the container Y and the book name are displayed on the display screen of the first setting device U1. Therefore, when the displayed book is taken out of the container Y and the barcode indicator BB of the book is read by the barcode reader CR, the book corresponding to the book whose barcode has been read out of the displayed books is displayed. The part is changed to a color different from other parts, such as red, to clearly indicate that the book is taken out.

When all the books have been taken out of the container Y, the completion is input. As the completion is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the container Y from which the books have been taken out to the shelf R,
The container Y is carried into the shelf R. At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether the instructed container Y remains or not, and if so, searches for the remaining container Y in the same manner as described above. Is the same as above. When all the books described in the lending request have been taken out, the librarian inserts the lending request in one of the books. If necessary, the retrieved book is placed on the cart D and the service counter K1 is set.
To be delivered to the user.

[Collaborative garage entry work] This shared garage entry work is a book that is returned from the user when performing the above-mentioned "normal garage retrieval work", and there is a book that can be stored in the unloaded container Y. Is to store the books in the container Y and enter the warehouse, and in the "normal unloading work", when all the books for the container Y have been taken out,
Instead of inputting “completion”, the process is started by setting “carpooling” on the work screen. Then, in this carpooling and warehousing operation, similarly to the normal warehousing operation, the barcode display BC of the container Y is read using the handy type barcode reader CR, and then the barcode display BB of the book to be stored is displayed. Barcode reader CR
Then, the book is stored in the container Y while reading the book and confirming the book name displayed on the display screen. When all the books have been stored, enter the settings. With the input of the setting, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry out the work to the shelf R in order to carry the completed container Y to the shelf R. It is carried in. At this time, the system controller P
2 determines whether or not the container Y instructed for delivery remains, and if it remains, searches for the remaining container Y in the same manner as described above. Is the same as

[Shelf-Specified Outgoing Work] In this shelf-designated outgoing work, the container number (container No.) of the container Y or the storage position (shelf position No.) of the shelf R is specified, and the container Y in which the container number is specified is specified. Alternatively, this is an operation of unloading the container Y stored at the designated storage position, and is performed at the work station S, for example. First, the third setting device U3
Set "Shelf-specified delivery setting" in the main menu of.
At this time, if "collection check" and "location", which will be described later, are being executed, "shelf-specified delivery setting" cannot be set. After setting the "shelf designation delivery setting", on the display screen shown in FIG. 24, first, designation of designation of a shelf position No. or designation of a container No. is performed. When No is input, the input shelf position N
o or the container number is displayed. Then, input the settings.

In accordance with the input of the setting, the system controller P2 searches for a shelf position for storing the container Y of the designated container No.
To the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6. Then, the shelf controller U5 and the transport controller U6 operate to carry out the instructed container Y, and the target container Y is transported to the work station S.

When the container Y arrives, the signal tower 15
Changes to blue, the "entering OK button" on the display screen of the third setting device U3 is pressed, and the container Y is transported to the work site. Then, when the bar code display BC of the container Y is read using the handy type bar code reader CR, the book number of the book in the container Y and the book name are displayed on the display screen of the third setting device U3. Therefore, for example, when a target book is taken out of the container Y, when the barcode display body BB of the book is read by the barcode reader CR,
In the displayed book, a portion corresponding to the book from which the barcode has been read changes to a color different from other portions such as red to clearly indicate that the book is a retrieved book. When the processing for the container Y is completed, the completion is input. As the completion is input, the system controller P
2 instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the processed container Y to the shelf R, and the container Y is carried to the shelf R. Then, the system controller P2 next determines the shelf position No or the container N
The process waits until o is specified, and then the same processing is performed for the specified container Y.

[Empty Container Discharge Work] This empty container discharge work is used when the empty container Y in the shelf R is previously discharged for the aforementioned “out-of-line storage operation”. The setting is mainly performed using the service station T1 using the setting screen of “container call setting (designation of empty space)”. First, when "container call setting (designation of empty space)" is set in the first setting device U1, the same display (see FIG. 20) is displayed on the display screen of the first setting device U1, and the display contents are displayed. Enter the necessary items based on.
That is, the selection of the type of the container Y to be taken out and the selection of the empty container are input, the required number of containers is input, and the setting completion is input by operating the setting button. By the way, in the above display screen, beside the selection of empty space,
The number of empty containers that currently exist is displayed.

In response to the input, the system controller P2 searches for an empty container Y, and issues a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the service station T1 to the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6. The commanded container Y is transported to the service station T1. Here, when there are a plurality of containers Y meeting the input conditions, for example, the passage T of each rack group R1, R2
Is searched for the container Y near the exit side (traverser 3 side). When the container Y arrives, the signal tower 15 changes to blue, so that the "entry OK button" on the display screen of the first setting device U1 is pressed, and the container Y is transported to the work site.
Then, while reading the barcode display BC of the container Y using the handy type barcode reader CR, the user presses the “empty container removal button” and then takes out the container Y. If there is the next container Y, the "enter OK button" is pressed to transport the container Y to the work site, and the container Y is similarly removed. Thereafter, the above procedure is repeated until the set number of containers Y is taken out. Then, the removed empty containers are temporarily stored in the service station T1 and stored.

[Refilling Operation] In this refilling operation, in order to create an empty container Y, the books are refilled so as to increase the filling rate of the containers Y by refilling the books. This is performed at the work station S. That is,
After setting “refill setting” in the third setting device U3 provided in the work station S, subsequently, based on the content displayed on the display screen of the third setting device U3 shown in FIG.
Enter the required information. First, a delivery setting method is selected. As the leaving setting method, there are a leaving container number setting for specifying the total number of containers Y to be discharged, and a created empty container number setting for designating the number of containers to be created by the refilling operation, and one of these is selected. Incidentally, in the case of setting the number of outgoing containers, the number of empty containers to be created as a result of the refilling operation is unknown, but it is easy to grasp the amount of work. Next, the book type (general book / irregular product),
Then, the type of the container Y is selected, the number of containers is continuously input, and the setting is input. By the way, when the type of the container Y is selected, the entire state including the current filling rate of the type of the container Y is displayed, and is used as a guide for setting the number of containers.

As the above settings are input, the system controller P2 searches for the set container Y, and
A work command for unloading the searched container Y to the work station S is sent to the shelf management controller U5 or the transfer controller U6.
, And the commanded container Y is transported to the work station S. When the container Y arrives, the signal tower 15 changes to blue, so that the "entry OK button" on the display screen of the third setting device U3 is pressed to transport the container Y to the work place. Then, when the barcode display BC of the container Y is read by the handy type barcode reader CR, all the books currently stored in the container Y are displayed on the display screen of the third setting device U3. The number and book name are displayed. Next, there are a take-out operation for taking out a book to empty the container Y and a storing operation to store a book to fill the container Y. If the taken-out book exists, For example, any of them can be arbitrarily selected. First, the extracting operation will be described.

After the identification information of the container Y is inputted, the book is taken out from the container Y, and the bar code display BB of the book is read by the bar code reader CR. Along with this reading, a portion of the book information displayed on the display screen corresponding to the book whose barcode has been read changes to a color different from other portions, such as red, and is the extracted book. It is clearly indicated. After taking out all the books from the container Y and moving them to the trolley D, as the setting is input, the system controller P2 loads the empty container Y from which all the books have been taken out to the shelf R. Then, the work is commanded to the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6, and the container Y is carried into the shelf R. Subsequently, the system controller P
2 is to search for the container Y to be transported next to the work station S, and instruct the shelf management controller U5 and the transfer controller U6 to carry out a work command to unload the searched container Y to the work station S in the same manner as described above. , And the commanded container Y is transported to the work station S.

In the storing operation, after inputting the identification information of the container Y, first, the storage setting processing is performed on the display screen of the third setting device U3. Following the setting of the storage, the book to be stored is determined by reading the barcode display body BB of the book to be stored by the barcode reader CR, and then the book is stored in the container Y. In this way, books are sequentially stored until the container Y is full, and when the container Y is full, completion is input. As the completion is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf controller U5 or the transport controller U6 to carry out the work to the shelf R in order to carry the work completed container Y to the shelf R. It is carried in. At this time, the system controller P
2 judges whether or not the container Y to be taken out remains,
If it remains, the remaining container Y is searched for as described above, and the subsequent procedure is the same as above.

As described above, the refilling operation is basically performed in such a manner that after taking out the work, the books taken out by the taking out work are stored in the container Y by the storing work. The unloading operation and the storing operation are usually performed manually, but may be automatically performed by a robot or the like. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, since the shelf R is configured in the moving shelf format, the container Y handled in the refilling operation is a container Y having a lot of empty space among the rack portions of the shelf R. It is desirable to preferentially select a rack portion that exists a lot, and to store and unload the containers Y in the rack portion in a concentrated manner. The moving passage T of the stacker crane 2 is selectively formed. And the container Y is carried out. Further, among the containers Y stored in the rack portion selected in such a manner, the container Y having no delivery record is given priority over the container Y having the delivery record, and in each case where there is no or no delivery record. It is preferable that the container Y having more empty space has higher priority, and in this embodiment,
The system controller P2 selects the container Y to be taken out based on the priority relationship.

[Book Collection Inspection Work] In this book collection inspection work, books stored in the container Y are read by the system controller P.
2 is for checking whether or not 2 is as stored, and is mainly performed at the work station S. That is, after "collection check" is set by the third setting device U3 provided in the work station S, the necessary items are subsequently set based on the contents displayed on the display screen of the third setting device U3 shown in FIG. Enter First, the type of the container Y is selected (in the figure, the small container YS is selected). Next, among the shelves RL or RS corresponding to the type of the selected container Y (the large container YL or the small container YS), the rack part to be worked is selected by the aisle number of 1 to 8 (FIG. 1), enter the number of containers to be inspected from the ten keys, and finally enter the settings. here,
The number of books stored in the rack part of each aisle number is displayed. That is, the third setting device U3 can indicate the type of the container Y to be inspected out of the plurality of types of containers YL and YS to be inspected (collection book inspection) in the inspection garage operation. , A storage area to be inspected, that is, each rack portion indicated by an aisle number, and the number of containers Y to be inspected can be indicated.

In accordance with the input of the setting, the system controller P2 searches for the set container Y, and issues a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the work station S to the shelf management controller U5 or the transport controller U6. Thus, the commanded container Y is transported to the work station S. When the container Y arrives, the signal tower 15 changes to blue, so that the "entry OK button" on the display screen of the third setting device U3 is pressed to transport the container Y to the work place. Then, when the bar code display BC of the container Y is read using the handy type bar code reader CR, the display screen of the third setting device U3 displays all the books currently stored in the container Y on the display screen. The number and book name are displayed. When this display is performed, all the books in the container Y are temporarily removed from the container Y, for example, by being transferred to the cart D. When the retrieval is completed, the barcode display BB of the retrieved book is displayed on the barcode reader C.
After reading at R and inputting information for determining the book to be stored again, the book is stored in the container Y. Here, a bar code reader CR for reading the bar code display BB of the book is provided in the work station S, and corresponds to the confirmation information input means for inputting the confirmation information of each book carried out to the work station S.

Along with the above reading, a portion of the book information displayed on the display screen corresponding to the book from which the barcode has been read is inverted to a color such as red, and is stored before. It is specified that the book is stored again. In this way, the work of storing all the books taken out of the container Y in the container Y is performed. When all the books have been stored, all the book information displayed on the display screen should change to a color such as red. If there is a book to be described later, it is displayed in reverse blue. Therefore, if the display does not change to red even when the barcode B is read, or if blue is displayed, the system controller P2 does not properly manage the storage of books. By checking this collection,
A book that is not properly managed is, for example, a shelf R
Books that are not registered in the file as books to be stored in the book (this is called a “discovered book”) or books that should be stored in another container Y in the registered data (this is called a “container difference book”)
If the item is managed as an item to be stored in the container Y but is not actually stored in the container Y, the book is unknown unless it is being rented out (including browsing in the library). Becomes It should be noted that the information on the collection inspection result can be displayed on a display screen of the third setting device U3 or the like as shown in FIG. In other words, a book that is managed as a book stored on the shelf R but has not been checked by the barcode reader CR and that has not been rented out is managed as an unknown book and stored on the shelf R. A book in which the confirmation information has been input without being managed as a book is managed as a found book.

As processing for unknown books or discovered books revealed by the above-mentioned book collection inspection processing, for unknown books, the third setter U3 sends selection information as to whether or not to delete the data of the unknown books. When a screen for inputting is displayed, if the user presses YES, the data is deleted from the management data of the system controller P2, and if the user presses NO, the book is left as an unknown book in the management data. For example, unknown items that are clearly not stored on the shelf R due to a data entry error at the time of registration, or unknown items that are unnecessary and are not scheduled to be purchased and replenished in the future are deleted. I do. on the other hand,
If an unknown book that will be purchased and replenished in the future is left as an unknown book, and is found at the time of replenishment, or when it is found in the shelving operation at the open-type storage shelf OR,
The data is stored on the shelf R side, and accordingly, the data is changed from an unknown book to a regular stored book. Similarly for the found book, the third
A screen for inputting selection information as to whether or not the found book is a stock book is displayed on the setter U3. If YES is pressed, the book is registered in the management data of the system controller P2 and N
When O is pressed, it is left in the management data as a found book as it is. For example, if the found book is not a book to be stored in the open storage shelf OR and is of a type that can be stored in the shelf R, new registration data is created. It is registered and stored in the container Y. On the other hand, in the case of books to be stored in the open storage shelf OR, as described below,
It is stored in the storage shelf OR and is deleted from the data of the found book on the shelf R. That is, the third setting device U3 can instruct whether or not to delete the unknown book from the articles stored in the shelf R. With the instruction to delete the unknown book, the unknown book is stored in the shelf R. Deleted from archived books. Further, the third setting device U3 can indicate whether or not to register the found book as an article stored in the shelf R. With the registration of the found book being instructed, the found book becomes the shelf R It is registered as a book stored in.

When the completion is input along with the completion of the work for one container Y, the system controller P2
A command is sent to the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the container Y for which the collection inspection has been completed to the shelf R, and the container Y is carried to the shelf R. At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether or not the next container Y to be transported remains in the work station S, and if so, searches for the next container Y, and searches in the same manner as described above. A work command for unloading the container Y to the work station S is issued to the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6, and the commanded container Y is transferred to the work station S. The subsequent procedure is the same as described above.

This collection check operation is performed every set period (for example, six months or one year). Then, only books that have been subjected to entry / exit processing for lending or returning after the last collection check are targeted. In other words, it manages for each book whether or not there is a result of entry / exit to the reception unit K after the previous inspection work before the set period, and entry / exit to the reception unit K after the previous inspection work. Only books with a proven track record are moved into and out of the work station S as targets of this inspection work. Specifically, the container Y that stores the book to be checked is moved into and out of the work station S as the container Y to be checked. Then, for the containers that arrive and leave before and after the period during the above period, the containers are taken out in order from the container that has entered and exited first, and the collection inspection is performed. In other words, among the books to be checked, the books that have been moved in and out after the previous check operation are moved into and out of the work station S in preference to the books that have been moved in and out later. Is done.

The books of the containers that have been subjected to “relocation” described later are not subject to the collection check, but the books of the containers that have been subjected to the “refilling operation” are subject to the collection check. In other words, the container Y that has been rearranged by “relocation” as having no entry / exit record is not the container Y to be inspected / retrieved in the inspection operation, and the container Y entered / exited by “refilling operation” is: It is the container Y to be inspected and received in and out of the inspection operation.

[Relocation] In this relocation operation, the results of entry / exit to / from the reception unit K are managed for each container Y within a set period such as six months or one year, and the container Y having the entry / exit record is entered / exited. It is intended to rearrange the containers Y so as to be located in a storage position where the books can be unloaded to the reception unit K in a shorter time than the containers Y having no track record. 3 setting device U3
After setting "Relocation" in,
An operation is performed based on the content displayed on the display screen of the third setting device U3 shown in FIG. First, press "Update the display to the latest information" on the screen, and then press "Display detailed information".
The current state of each container Y is displayed. In the figure, the small container YS is selected, the presence / absence of entry / exit record in each aisle, the number of empty containers, the number of containers whose relocation is not completed, and the like are displayed. Then, when "Relocation start" is pressed, the rearrangement work is started.

Specifically, the system controller P2
Indicates the aisle numbers 1 to 8 in each of the rack groups R1 and R2 as group 1 (isles 1 and 5), group 2 (isles 2 and 6), group 3 (isles 3 and 7), and group 4
(Isle 4 and 8) divided into four groups, each container Y
Is classified as a container to be stored in any of the rack portions of the above four aisle groups. That is, containers with a large number of times of entry and exit and large empty space are made to correspond to the racks of group 1, containers with a small number of times of entry and exit and small empty space are made to correspond to group 4, and containers with an intermediate number of times of entry and exit and empty space. Correspond to groups 2 and 3. Then, for example, if the containers to be stored in the group 1 are stored in the group 4, the containers to be stored in the group 4 are searched for in the group 1, and the two containers are exchanged. If there is no container to be stored in the group 4 in the group 1, the container to be stored in the group 4 in the group 2 or 3 is searched and replaced with the container.

As described above, when the container Y is rearranged, the containers Y having a high possibility of being moved in and out of the rack groups R1 and R2 (the container Y having a large number of times of loading and unloading and having a large empty space). ) Is arranged closer to the entrance conveyor 7 and exit conveyor 8 than the container Y (the container Y having a small number of entrances and exits and a small empty space) which is unlikely to be moved in and out. The efficiency of loading and unloading work performed via the stacker crane 2 and the traverser 3 can be improved. To stop the relocation work halfway after starting the relocation work, press Cancel Relocation on the screen.

In order to locate the book in the storage position where the books can be unloaded to the reception unit K in a shorter time, the containers stored in the rack of each aisle have a large number of times of loading and unloading and a large empty space. The container Y may be rearranged so as to be located closer to the traverser 3 side (the doorway side) than the container Y having a small number of times of entry and exit and a small empty space. Further, in order to classify the containers as containers to be stored in the above four aisle groups, it may be possible to judge only the presence / absence of the entry / exit results as the entry / exit results of the container Y within the set period.

[Size / Thickness Registration Work] As described above, this size / thickness registration work is performed for a book newly registered by the host controller P1 and designated to be managed by the closed book storage management system. And is executed mainly by the automatic measuring machine J of the work station S. That is, the data of the book subjected to the registration processing is sent to the automatic measuring machine J of the work station S, and when “size / thickness registration” is set, based on the content displayed on the display screen shown in FIG. The user will proceed while inputting necessary items. On the display screen,
From the host controller P1 to the system controller P2
"Registered book information" transmitted via is displayed. Further, as described in the description of the fourth terminal 24, the registered book is placed on the cart D and transported to the work station S in advance.

The operator sets the displayed registered book at the measurement position of the automatic measuring machine J, and instructs the start of the measurement of the automatic measuring machine J by using the “read size” button on the display screen. Measuring machine J is a bar code display BB of books
Is read by the barcode reader 34, and the plate (size) and thickness of the book are measured. When the measurement is completed, the measurement result and the registration date are displayed. That is, the version and thickness of the book such as A4 and B4 are displayed, and the registration date is displayed. At this time, a portion corresponding to the measured book among the books to be registered displayed on the display screen changes to an inverted display state, and it can be confirmed that the book is set correctly. By the way, when the measurement fails, the registered data can be corrected by specifying the “size input / change” button on the display screen. Thus, the registration of the book size and thickness is sequentially performed, and when the registration of the book is completed, the completion of the setting of the display screen is designated.

As the setting completion is input, the measurement data is transmitted from the automatic measuring machine J to the host controller P1 via the system controller P2. Further, the system controller P2 searches for the container Y that stores the registered book, and issues a work command to carry out the searched container Y to the work station S to the shelf management controller U5.
And the transfer controller U6. Then, the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6
Operates to carry out the commanded container Y, and the target container Y is transported to the work station S. When the container Y arrives, the container Y is read using the barcode reader CR.
For example, the identification information of the container Y is input by reading the barcode display BC of the above. Then, the bar code display BB of the book stored in the container Y is read by the bar code reader CR, and inputting that the book is stored in the container Y is input, and then the book is stored in the container Y. When all the books that can be stored in the container Y are stored, the completion is input. As the completion is input, the system controller P2 instructs the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 to carry the container Y in which the books have been stored into the shelf R. Then, the shelf management controller U5 and the transport controller U6 operate to carry the designated container Y to the shelf R, and the target container Y is carried to the shelf R.
At this time, the system controller P2 determines whether there is a book that has been initially registered and needs to be stored, and if so, searches for a container Y that stores the remaining book. . The subsequent procedure is the same as described above.

[Another Embodiment] Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the case of a book as an article has been described, but various articles other than books (for example,
CD cassette, tape cassette, etc.).

In the above embodiment, the setting selection condition when executing the container position free location management is such that the book can be transported to the reception unit K in the shortest time among the empty storage positions on the shelf R as the storage unit. Although the description has been given of the case where the condition is a condition for selecting one, the setting selection condition is not limited to this, and may be a setting selection condition as exemplified below. (1) Containers with a low frequency of entry / exit are stored in an empty storage position far from the reception unit K, and containers with a high frequency of entry / exit are close to the reception unit K, based on past entry / exit results (number of times of entry / exit). Store in an empty storage location. (2) When there are many requests for storage and retrieval for the shelf R, the storage is performed at an empty storage position near the reception unit K. When there are few requests for storage and retrieval for the shelf R, the storage is performed at an empty storage position far from the reception unit K. . (3) For each rack part corresponding to each aisle number i1 to i8 of the shelf R, a storage position in each rack part is selected, for example, an empty storage position close to the traverser 3, while a container Y to be stored is determined. And store.

In the above embodiment, except for special books and the like, ordinary articles such as general books are sorted by size and stored in the container Y, and the storage position of each container Y on the shelf R is appropriately changed. In the relation between each article and the container and the relation between each container and the storage position of the shelf, a so-called free-location type storage form is used. Alternatively, a fixed location type storage mode may be used in which the containers storing the articles are fixed and the storage positions of the containers on the shelf R are fixed.

In the above embodiment, when a plurality of types of containers Y having different sizes are provided, two types of containers YL and YS are used.
Is provided, but not two, but three or more types, or conversely, one type may be used. Further, as another form of the container Y, a large container for transportation can store a plurality of sub-containers, and the sub-container is configured to store articles to be managed (books and the like). Good. Further, as a storage device for storing a plurality of articles, a pallet-type storage device may be used instead of the container Y of the above-described embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the storage unit R is configured as the movable rack type shelf R that forms the passage for the stacker crane 2 by moving the racks arranged side by side in the arrangement direction, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, a fixed rack type shelf in which a passage for the stacker crane 2 is fixedly formed for each rack portion may be used. It may be a rotating rack type shelf that is moved to the loading / unloading section.

In the above embodiment, the transport means TP is constituted by various conveyors, lifters, stacker cranes and the like, but depending on the form and arrangement of the storage section R, the receiving section K, the inspection work site S, etc. Can be changed as appropriate. In the above embodiment, the inspection work location, the refill work location, and the like are configured by the underground work station S.
Alternatively, for example, the service station T1 of the reception unit K on the first floor may be used.

In the above embodiment, each of the storage sections 4 of the shelf R
0, and a single fork for transferring containers is provided on the stacker crane 2 side. In addition, two containers Y in the depth direction of each storage section 40 are provided. May be arranged side by side, and a double-reach fork capable of transferring two containers on the front side and the back side may be provided on the stacker crane 2 side. Further, according to the size of the container Y, as the storage portion 40,
Although two large and small types (for the large shelf RL and for the small shelf RS) are provided, for example, one type of storage unit 40 may be used.

In the above embodiment, in order to display the separation data of each container Y and the identification data of each article, each container Y
And each article is provided with a bar code display BC, BB, and the bar code display BC, BB is provided with a bar code reader CR,
I read it with BR, but instead of a barcode,
An IC chip (IC card) type display may be provided on each container Y or each article, and the display information may be read by communication.

In the above embodiment, ordinary articles such as general books,
And any special articles such as a series book are taken out of the storage unit (shelf R) for lending and returned when returned.
However, as an operation mode other than this, for example, a special article is returned to the shelf R and stored. Instead of returning to the shelf R, it may be moved to the open-type storage shelf OR for storage.

In the above embodiment, the librarian operates the entry / exit operation for the shelf R. However, a general user may operate the entry / exit operation directly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire book storage management system.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of a reception unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire reception unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of another reception unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the entirety of another reception unit.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing shelves and work stations.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a work station.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing shelves and transport means.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a storage state of the container.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a storage mode of another container.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a storage unit of the shelf.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control configuration.

FIG. 13 is a perspective bottom view of a main part showing a measurement state.

FIG. 14 is a front view and a side view showing an automatic measuring machine.

FIG. 15 is a perspective top view of a main part showing a measurement state.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a determination table for size measurement.

FIG. 17 shows a display screen.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the correspondence between items on the display screen and each task.

FIG. 19 shows a display screen.

FIG. 20 shows a display screen.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display screen.

FIG. 22 shows a display screen.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display screen.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display screen.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display screen.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a display screen.

FIG. 27 shows a display screen.

FIG. 28 shows a display screen.

FIG. 29 shows a display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 K reception unit P management unit R storage unit TP transportation unit Y container

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Miwa Jun 2-3-10 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Inside Maruzen Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Morita Yukio 3-2-1 Motejima, Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Shares (72) Inventor Hironobu Kawabe 3-2-11 Moundoshima, Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term (reference) 3F022 AA11 AA12 CC02 EE05 FF01 FF24 FF33 FF35 JJ09 LL02 LL12 LL19 LL31 MM11 MM11 MM13 MM22 MM23 MM24 MM26 MM27 MM28 MM32 MM35 MM59 MM61 PP01 PP04 QQ13 QQ20

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A transporting means for transporting a container capable of storing a plurality of articles between a receiving unit for accepting lending and returning of the articles and a storage unit for storing a plurality of the containers, and the container is stored in the storage unit. An article storage management system comprising: a management unit for executing the transport operation of the transport unit while managing the storage position of each container and the identification data of the article stored in each container, and managing lending and return of the article. In the system, when the management unit stores the container in the storage unit, a storage position of the container corresponds to a setting selection condition among empty storage positions where no container is stored in the storage unit. An article storage management system configured to select an item to be stored and to execute a container position free location management for storing the selected item in the selected storage position. 2. The article storage management system according to claim 1, wherein the setting selection condition is a condition for selecting one of the vacant storage positions that can transfer the article to the reception unit in the shortest time. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the management unit selects a container capable of storing the article from among the containers stored in the storage unit and stores the article in the container when storing the article in the storage unit. 3. The article storage management system according to claim 1, wherein the article storage management system is configured to execute article storage free location management. 4. The management means manages a filling rate of an article in each container stored in the storage section, and stores an article to be stored in the storage section based on information on the filling rate of an article in each container. The article storage management system according to claim 3, wherein the article storage management system is configured to select a container that can be stored. 5. A plurality of types of containers each having a different size are provided as said containers, and said management means is configured to manage a filling rate of articles in each container based on size information of each container. The article storage management system according to claim 4. 6. The article storage management system according to claim 5, wherein the management unit is configured to select a container capable of storing the article according to the size of the article to be stored in the storage unit. 7. The management unit separates each of the articles into a normal article and a special article, and manages the normal article as an article for the article storage free location,
The article storage according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the special article is configured to be managed as a fixed location article to be stored in the same container among the containers stored in the storage unit. Management system. 8. The article storage management system according to claim 7, wherein the article is a book, and wherein the management unit is configured to manage books of the same series as the special article.