JP2001114406A - Physical distribution control method, physical distribution system and data management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a physical distribution control method, a physical distribution system and a data management system that are all easy to maintain on a system basis. SOLUTION: Data management systems 1 are connected to a central system 2 for centralized management of data on transportation objects and to respective controllers 3 for control of carriers 5. If an inconsistency is found between data received from the central system 2 on one hand and from the controller 3 on the other hand, each data management system 1 determines which data are right, and keeps automatic system operations continued without manual recovery and other work.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a physical distribution control method and a physical distribution system, such as an automatic warehouse storage space management system and an unmanned order delivery system, which can automatically carry an object to be transported from a source to a destination. And a data management device, in particular, a distribution control method in which functions are distributed to a plurality of facilities,
The present invention relates to a distribution system and a data management device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many logistics systems have been developed which can realize storage space management in warehouses and unmanned order delivery. In such a logistics system, various data (transfer instruction to a controller that controls the transfer device) necessary to transfer an object to be transferred from a transfer device such as a transfer conveyor such as a receiving conveyor to a transfer destination such as a discharge conveyor. Data management device that manages data related to the position of an object to be conveyed in a physical distribution system. In a logistics system in which functions are distributed to a plurality of facilities located far from each other,
The data management device as described above may be installed for each facility.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-255114 discloses a physical distribution system having such a data management device.
There has been proposed a transport route setting method that realizes a function of automatically determining a transport route that connects a transport source and a destination.
In this transport route setting method, when there are a plurality of transport routes, by assigning priorities to these transport routes, an optimal transport route can be selected according to the situation. In addition, even when a transport device is added or removed, by appropriately updating data on the transport route, it is possible to easily cope with a change in system configuration. Then, by performing a transfer instruction to a controller that controls each transfer device based on the transfer path determined in this way, the transfer of the transfer target is realized.

[0004]

As described above, a conventional distribution system in which functions are distributed to a plurality of facilities is provided with a plurality of data management devices, but these data management devices are used for system maintenance. It was necessary to arrange an operator for operating the apparatus at each facility. As a result, a large number of operators are required, resulting in considerable labor costs,
There was a problem that the maintenance cost of the system became enormous.

[0005] Further, since each data management device does not store data managed by another data management device, it is not possible to grasp the operating status of the system in another facility. Therefore, there has been a problem that it is not possible to perform an appropriate maintenance operation in consideration of the operation state of the system in another facility.

[0006] Further, in the conventional distribution system,
As described above, emphasis is placed on creating a transport plan and controlling each transport device based on the created plan. Therefore, the automatic operation of the system is possible while each transport device is operating normally. However, when an abnormality occurs in the system due to a malfunction of the transport equipment, since there is no means for system maintenance such as system abnormality recovery, the automatic operation must be stopped and manual recovery work must be performed. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has a central device for centrally managing data managed by a plurality of data management devices collectively, and an operator is connected to the central device. A logistics control method, a logistics system, and a logistics control system capable of grasping the operation status of the system without accessing each data management device by simply operating the terminal device, and capable of giving appropriate instructions regarding transportation to the system. It is an object to provide a data management device.

Another object of the present invention is to determine the validity of data relating to the transport of an object to be transported received from a central device and a controller, and to operate a data management device based on the determined data. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a physical distribution control method, a physical distribution system, and a data management device capable of continuing automatic operation even when an abnormality occurs in a system due to a malfunction of a transport device or the like.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a central control device for storing position data indicating a position of an object to be transported, receiving a command to instruct the object to be transported, A data management device is connected to the central device, transmits and receives transport information related to the transport of the transport target with the central device, and manages position data indicating the position of the transport target, and is connected to the data management device, The controller transmits and receives the transport information to and from the data management device, and uses a controller that controls transport equipment.Through the data management device, transmits a transport instruction command received by the central device to the controller. When transporting an object to be transported by controlling the transport device based on the transport instruction command received by the controller, the transport of the object to be transported is performed based on position data indicating the position of the object to be transported. In the physical distribution control method of controlling the central device, the central device transmits position data indicating the position of the transport object stored in the central device to the data management device, and is transported by a transport device controlled by the controller. The controller transmits position data indicating the position of the transport target to the data management device, and the data management device transmits the position data of the transport target received from the central device and the position of the transport target received from the controller. The method is characterized in that the validity of both position data is judged by comparing the data with the data, and the conveyance of the object to be conveyed is controlled based on the position data judged to be valid.

According to the physical distribution control method of the second invention, the central device stores the position data indicating the position of the object to be conveyed, and receives a command for instructing conveyance of the object to be conveyed; A data management device that transmits and receives transport information related to the transport of the transport object between the central device and manages position data indicating a position of the transport object, and a data management device connected to the data management device and the data management device. Sending and receiving the transport information between, and using a controller to control the transport equipment, via the data management device, to the controller to send a transport instruction command received by the central device,
In the physical distribution control method for controlling the transport of the transport target based on position data indicating the position of the transport target when controlling the transport device based on the transport instruction command received by the controller and transporting the transport target, The central device transmits position data indicating the position of the transport target stored in the central device to the data management device, and indicates the position of the transport target transported by the transport device controlled by the controller. The controller transmits the position data to the data management device, and the data management device compares the position data of the transfer target received from the central device with the position data of the transfer target received from the controller. If the position data match, the two position data are determined to be valid.If the two position data do not match, the position data is received from the central unit. Tentatively determining that the received position data is valid, and subsequently receiving position data from the central device or the controller, the validity of the position data provisionally determined to be valid based on the received position data is determined. It is characterized in that the transport of the transport object is controlled based on the position data determined to be legitimate and valid.

According to the physical distribution system of the third aspect, the central device stores the position data indicating the position of the object to be transported, and receives the instruction to instruct the object to be transported generated based on the position data. A data management device that is connected to the central device, transmits and receives transport information regarding transport of the transport object to and from the central device, and manages the transport information;
Connected to the data management device, transmits and receives the transport information to and from the data management device, and transmits a transport instruction command received by the central device to the data management device using a controller that controls transport equipment. In the logistics system, the data management device transmits a transfer instruction command received to the controller, and the controller controls the transport device based on the received transfer instruction command to transfer the transport target, The controller includes means for transmitting, to the data management device, transfer result information indicating a transfer result of the transfer target by the transfer device, and the data management device centralizes the received transfer result information when the transfer result information is received. Means for transmitting to the device,
The central unit, when receiving the transfer result information, based on the received transfer result information, means for updating the position data stored in the central device, and a position update indicating that the position data has been updated Means for transmitting information to a data management device, wherein the data management device further includes, when receiving position update information, means for judging the validity of the position update information and the transport result information; and Means for updating, based on the position update information and / or the transfer result information determined to be valid by the determining means, position data indicating the position of the transfer target managed by the data management device. It is characterized by the following.

According to the distribution system of the fourth aspect, the central device stores the position data indicating the position of the object to be transported, and receives the instruction to transfer the object to be transported generated based on the position data. A data management device that is connected to the central device, transmits and receives transport information regarding transport of the transport object to and from the central device, and manages the transport information;
Connected to the data management device, transmits and receives the transport information to and from the data management device, and transmits a transport instruction command received by the central device to the data management device using a controller that controls transport equipment. In the logistics system, the data management device transmits a transfer instruction command received to the controller, and the controller controls the transport device based on the received transfer instruction command to transfer the transport target, The controller includes means for transmitting, to the data management device, transfer result information indicating a transfer result of the transfer target by the transfer device, and the data management device centralizes the received transfer result information when the transfer result information is received. Means for transmitting to the device,
The central unit, when receiving the transfer result information, based on the received transfer result information, means for updating the position data stored in the central device, and a position update indicating that the position data has been updated Means for transmitting information to a data management device, wherein the data management device further comprises, when receiving the position update information, a means for comparing the position update information and the transport result information, As a result, when the position update information and the transfer result information match, when the position update information and the transfer result information do not match as a result of comparison by the means for determining both information as valid and the comparing means, Means for tentatively determining the position update information as valid, and after the tentative determination, position update information from the central device or transfer result information from the controller. Means for determining, based on the received position update information or transport result information, validity of the position update information determined to be valid by the tentative determination; and the position update information determined to be valid. as well as/
Alternatively, there is provided a means for updating position data indicating the position of the transfer target managed by the data management device based on the transfer result information.

According to the data management device of the fifth invention,
A central device that stores position data indicating the position of the object to be conveyed, and that receives a command to instruct conveyance of the object to be conveyed generated based on the position data; and a controller that controls conveyance devices based on the instruction to convey the object. A data management device connected to the central device and the controller for transmitting and receiving transport information relating to the transport of the transport object, and managing position data indicating the position of the transport object. The position data indicating the position of the object to be transported stored in the apparatus, means for receiving from the central device, and the position data indicating the position of the object to be transported by the transport device controlled by the controller, Means for receiving from the controller, the position data received from the central device, and the position data received from the controller Judging the validity of both the position data by comparing, and updating the position data indicating the position of the transfer object managed by the data management device based on the position data judged to be valid. It is characterized by.

According to the data management device of the sixth aspect,
A central device that stores position data indicating the position of the object to be conveyed, and that receives a command to instruct conveyance of the object to be conveyed generated based on the position data; A data management device connected to the central device and the controller for transmitting and receiving transport information relating to the transport of the transport object, and managing position data indicating the position of the transport object. The position data indicating the position of the object to be transported stored in the apparatus, means for receiving from the central device, and the position data indicating the position of the object to be transported by the transport device controlled by the controller, Means for receiving from the controller, the position data received from the central device, and the position data received from the controller In comparison, if the two position data match, the two position data are determined to be valid, and if the two position data do not match, the position data received from the central device is provisionally determined to be valid, and then the When receiving position data from the central device or the controller,
The validity of the position data provisionally determined to be valid is determined based on the received position data, and the transfer object managed by the data management device is controlled based on the position data determined to be valid. It is characterized in that position data indicating a position is updated.

According to the present invention, when the central device receives a transfer instruction command indicating a transfer instruction of an object to be transferred, the central device transmits the transfer instruction command to the data management device, and the data management device further receives the received transfer instruction. A command is transmitted to a controller that controls various transport devices. Then, the controller controls the transfer device based on the received transfer instruction command, and as a result, transmits transfer result data indicating a result of the transfer of the transfer target object to the data management device. The data management device transmits the received transport result information to the central device.

The central unit updates the position data indicating the position of the object to be conveyed in the physical distribution system managed by the central unit based on the transfer result information received from the data management device, and informs that the position data has been updated. The position update information is transmitted to the data management device.

The data management device is provided with means for comparing the position update information received from the central unit with the transfer result information received from the controller, and judging the validity of the position data of the transfer object included in the information. ing. The data management device updates the position information indicating the position of the transport target in the physical distribution system managed by the data management device, based on the position data determined to be valid by the determination means.

As described above, by providing the central device connected to the data management device, even if the data management device is installed in each facility because the functions are distributed to a plurality of facilities, The system maintenance work can be performed only by operating the central device without directly operating each data management device. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange an operator who operates each data management device for each facility, and the maintenance cost of the system can be reduced.

In addition, since the data managed by each data management device is collectively and centrally managed by the central device, the operating status of the system in a plurality of facilities can be grasped. Therefore, system maintenance work can be performed based on not only the operation status of the system for each facility but also the operation status of the entire distribution system.

Further, the data management device is adapted to match the position data of the object to be received from the central unit with the position data of the object to be received from the controller due to a malfunction of the transfer equipment and a delay of the communication network. Even if it is not possible to determine the correct data, there is a means for determining which data is correct and updating the position data of the transported object based on the determination. , The automatic operation of the system can be continued.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a physical distribution system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 100, 100... Denote delivery centers for loading and unloading various loads L to be transported, and the respective delivery centers 100, 100. In addition, each distribution center 100, 10
0 are provided with data management devices 1, 1..., Respectively, and the data management devices 1, 1,. In FIG. 1, the central device 2 is installed at a location separated from the distribution centers 100, 100,..., But may be installed adjacent to a certain distribution center 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of various devices used in the physical distribution system according to the present invention. 2, each of the data management devices 1, 1... Has a CPU 11, and a storage unit 12 for storing data generated in the CPU 11 and a communication interface 13 for communicating with the outside are connected to the CPU 11. ing.

The data management devices 1, 1,... Are, via a communication interface 13, a central device 2, which centrally manages data on objects to be transported in the entire distribution system, and a controller 3, which controls a plurality of transport devices 5, 5,. And connected to. And the central device 2 and the controller 3
The storage unit 12 stores the position information indicating the position of the object to be transported, based on the data on the transportation of the object to be transported transmitted and received between and.

The central unit 2 has a CPU 21.
A storage unit 22 for storing data generated in the CPU 21 and a communication interface 23 for communicating with the outside are connected to the CPU 21.

The central unit 2 is connected via a communication interface 23 to the data management units 1, 1... And the terminal unit 4 for accessing the central unit 2. Then, position information indicating the position of the transport target is stored in the storage unit 22 based on data relating to transport of the transport target transmitted and received between the data management devices 1, 1,....

The controller 3 has a CPU 31 to which a storage unit 32 for storing data generated by the CPU 31 and a communication interface 33 for communicating with the outside are connected.

The controller 3 includes a communication interface 3
3 and a plurality of transport devices 5, 5,... Such as conveyors and cranes. Each of the transport devices 5, 5,... Is controlled on the basis of the data received from the data management devices 1, 1,.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining each object and each class generated in the storage unit 12 of the data management devices 1, 1,... In FIG. 3,
“Ob” indicates an object.

In this embodiment, the data management devices 1, 1
Are modeled as objects, and the modeled objects exchange messages with each other, so that the data management devices 1, 1... Function. Here, an object refers to an object in the field of so-called object-oriented programming, and is a software module having certain data and a procedure for operating the data. The class in the present embodiment is also a term in the field of object-oriented programming, and refers to a group of objects having a common property among several objects.

When the program is implemented by object-oriented programming as described above, the program can be made into components and reused, so that the cost and period required for development can be reduced. Hereinafter, each class and each object will be described.

In this embodiment, two classes, a storage class C1 and an object class C2, are prepared. The storage class C1 is a class in which properties common to the storage objects are put together and named. The storage here is
In addition to the yard for storing the objects to be transported, it also includes conveyor devices such as conveyors, cranes, trolleys, and trailers, and the yard object is an object that models these yards. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of conveyor objects 201 and 20 are used as the storage objects belonging to the storage class C1.
, A plurality of storage objects such as a plurality of crane objects 202, 202, etc. are generated.

Each yard object stores position information indicating the position of the object to be transported in the yard, and has a function of updating this position information in accordance with a procedure described later. Each storage object has a storage identifier (hereinafter referred to as storage ID) for identifying the storage object.

The transport object class C2 is a class in which properties common to each transport object object are named. Here, the transport target object is an object that models the transport target. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of transport target objects 203 are generated. Each of the transport object objects 203 has a transport object identifier (hereinafter, referred to as a transport object ID) for identifying the transport object objects 203, 203,.

The recycle bin object 204 is an object that models a virtual place. The recycle bin object 204 carries the transport target object IDs of the transport target objects 203, 203,.
The registration table for registering the place ID of the place object that existed immediately before 3, 203... Are registered in the trash box object 204 is stored.

The communication information receiving object 205 is an object having a function of receiving data transmitted from the central unit 2 via the communication interface 13, while the communication information transmitting object 206 is also provided with the function of receiving the data via the communication interface 13. An object having a function of transmitting data to the central device 2. Therefore, the data management devices 1, 1... Transmit and receive various data relating to the transport object to and from the central device 2 by using the communication information reception object 205 and the communication information transmission object 206.

The signal receiving object 207 is an object having a function of receiving data transmitted from the controller 3 via the communication interface 13, while the signal transmitting object 208 is a controller having the function of receiving data via the communication interface 13. 3 is an object having a function of transmitting data to the third object. Therefore, the data management devices 1, 1... Transmit and receive various data relating to the transport object to and from the controller 3 by using the signal receiving object 207 and the signal transmitting object 208.

The storage location movement result object 209
When the transfer of the transfer target object from one place to another place is completed, the transfer result data is transmitted to the communication information transmission object 206 in order to transmit the transfer result data indicating the result of the movement to the central device 2. An object that has the function of sending.

The central apparatus 2 having received the movement result data transmitted from the storage location movement result object 209 updates the position information of the transported object stored in the storage unit 22 based on the movement result data. Are transmitted to the data management devices 1, 1,... As a result, the information communication receiving object 205 receives the position information update data via the communication interface 13 and transmits this data to the position information update object 210.
Send to

The location information update object 210 compares the transport object related to the received location information update data with the transport object registered in the registration unit of the trash can object 204, and performs the comparison according to a procedure described later. Transport object objects 203 and 20 corresponding to the transport objects
3 are objects having a function of updating the position information relating to.

Each time the position of the conveyor moves, the controller 3 transmits a conveyor movement signal indicating that the position has moved to the data management devices 1, 1,. as a result,
The signal receiving object 207 is the communication interface 13
, And transmits this signal to the conveyor control object 211.

The conveyor control object 211 stores tracking information indicating the position of the object to be conveyed on the conveyor, and a difference counter indicating the difference between the current position information of the object to be conveyed and the position information at a fixed time before the present. The object has a function of updating the tracking information according to a procedure described later.

The crane lifting object 212
Is an object having a function of transmitting the lifting signal to the signal transmission object 208 in order to send a crane lifting signal indicating that the object to be transported on the conveyor is lifted to the controller 3 when the object is lifted by the crane. is there.

A message exchange between the objects described above, transmission and reception of data between the data management devices 1, 1...
The operation of the data management devices 1, 1,... Functioning as the data management device according to the present invention will be described in detail, focusing on transmission and reception of data between the controller 1 and the controller 3.

FIG. 4 shows a conveyor (hereinafter referred to as conveyor A).
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the physical distribution system according to the present invention when the position moves. Hereinafter, conveyor objects 201, 201,.
Is represented as a conveyor object 201A.

Each time the position of the conveyor A moves,
The controller 3 that controls the conveyor A sends a conveyor movement signal indicating that the movement has occurred, to the data management devices 1, 1,.
And the signal receiving object 207 receives this conveyor movement signal via the communication interface 13 (T1001).

The signal receiving object 207 which has received the conveyor movement signal transmits a conveyor movement message indicating that the position of the conveyor A has moved to the conveyor control object 211 (T1002).

The conveyor control object 211 that has received the conveyor movement message updates the position of the transport object objects 203, 203... In the above-mentioned tracking information, and increments the value of the difference counter by one (T1003).

As described above, the position information of the object to be conveyed, which is changed according to the position of the conveyor A, is reflected on the data management devices 1, 1,... But is not reflected on the central device 2.

.. Can transmit and receive data between the data management devices 1, 1... And the controller 3 at high speed, whereas the data management devices 1, 1. This is because data transmission and reception between these devices is often slower because they are often located at distant locations and must follow complicated communication procedures. That is, data relating to frequent events such as movement of the position of a conveyor can be transmitted and received between the data management devices 1, 1... And the controller 3, but the data management devices 1, 1,. This is because it is extremely difficult to send and receive data between.

As a result of the processing in T1003, the tracking information stored in the conveyor control object 211 is updated, but the position information stored in the conveyor object 201A is not updated and remains unchanged. Therefore, the position information of the transfer target objects 203, 203,... In the tracking information is different from the position information of the transfer target objects 203, 203,. The difference counter indicates the difference.

Next, an example of the operation of the logistics system according to the present invention when an object to be conveyed (hereinafter, referred to as a conveyed object A) on conveyor A is lifted by a certain crane (hereinafter, referred to as a crane A). Description will be made with reference to the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the transport target objects 203, 203,... Corresponding to the transport target A are referred to as transport target objects 203A. .. Corresponding to the crane A are represented as a crane object 202A.

The operator accesses the central device 2 using the terminal device 4 and inputs a command indicating that the object A on the conveyor A is to be lifted by the crane A. Management device 1, 1
.. (T2001).

In the data management devices 1, 1,..., The communication information receiving object 205
Receives the command, and transmits the received command to the signal transmission object 208 (T2002). The signal transmission object 208 creates a crane lifting command signal based on the received command, and transmits this signal to the controller 3 via the communication interface 13 (T200).
3).

The controller 3 controls the crane A according to the received command signal, and the object A on the conveyor A is lifted by the crane A. In this case, the crane lifting completion signal indicating that the crane has been lifted is sent from the controller 3 to the data management devices 1, 1,.
(T2004), and the signal receiving object 207 receives this crane lifting completion signal (T20).
05).

When receiving the crane lifting completion signal, the signal receiving object 207 transmits a crane lifting completion message to the conveyor object 201A based on the received signal (T2006).

When receiving the crane lifting completion message, the conveyor object 201A inquires of the conveyor control object 211 about the value of the difference counter and acquires the value (T2007). And
Conveyor object 20 that has acquired the value of the difference counter
1A updates the position of the transport target object 203 in the stored position information based on the value of the difference counter (T2008). Note that the value of the difference counter is initialized.

Next, the conveyor object 201A deletes the transport object object 203A from the position information (T2009), and then transmits a registration request message for the transport object object 203A to the trash box object 204 (T2010).

When the recycle bin object 204 receives the registration request message, the recycle bin object 204
03A transport object ID and transport object object 2
The yard ID of the conveyor object 201A, which is the yard where 03A was present just before, is registered in the registration table (T2011).

As described above, when the object to be transported moves from one place to another place, the place object corresponding to the source place is moved from the stored position information to the object to be transported corresponding to the moved object to be moved. Object object 203,2
03 ... is deleted. As a result, the fact that the transported object has disappeared in the source yard is reflected in the data management devices 1, 1,....

However, the transfer object objects 203 and 20 corresponding to the moved transfer object to the position information stored in the storage object corresponding to the destination storage place.
The registration of 3 ... has not been performed yet. Instead, the transfer object objects 203, 203,... Are registered in the registration table of the trash box object 204. The registration of the place object corresponding to the destination place in the position information is performed when the place change information is received from the central device 2 as described later.

After T2011, conveyor object 2
01A is a crane lifting result message indicating that the transport target A has been lifted by the crane A,
Transmit to crane lifting object 212 (T2
012).

The crane lifting object 212 is
When the crane lifting result message is received, the received crane lifting result message is transmitted to the signal transmission object 208 (T2013).

When the signal transmission object 208 receives the crane lifting result message,
A movement result signal indicating that has moved has been transmitted to the controller 3 (T2014).

The conveyor object 201A transmits a movement result message indicating that the object A has been moved from the conveyor A to the crane A to the storage area movement result object 209 (T2015). The storage location movement result object 209 that has received the movement result message transmits the received movement result message to the communication information transmission object 206 (T2016).

The communication information transmitting object 206 receiving the movement result message generates movement result information based on the received movement result message, and transmits the generated movement result information to the central unit 2 via the interface 15. (T2017).

When the central device 2 receives the movement result information from the data management devices 1, 1,..., The central device 2 updates the position information on the transfer object A stored in the storage section 22 based on the received movement result information. , And transmits position update information indicating that the data has been updated to the data management devices 1, 1,... (T201).
8). As a result, the communication information receiving object 205 receives the position update information via the communication interface 13 (T2019).

When receiving the location update information, the communication information reception object 205 transmits a location information update message to the location information update object 210 based on the received location update information (T2020).

When receiving the location information update message, the location information update object 210 makes an inquiry to the recycle bin object 204, and compares the received location information update message with the registration table of the recycle bin object 204 (T2021). Here, the comparison means whether the transport object ID of the transport object object 203A related to the position information update message is registered in the registration table of the trash can object 204, and whether the transport object object 203A exists. This is a process of checking whether or not the storage object IDs of the storage objects match. In this case, the transfer target object ID and the storage place ID of the transfer target object object 203A are registered in the registration table of the trash can object 204 in T2011, and thus, T202
In the comparison of 1, the position information update message and the contents of the registration table of the trash box object 204 match.

When the position information matches in T2021, the position information update object 210 sends a deletion request message for the transport object object 203A to the trash box object 204, and upon receiving this message, the trash box object 204 deletes the transport object object 203A from the registration table. (T2022).

Next, the location information update object 210
A registration request message is transmitted to the crane object 202A corresponding to the crane, which is the destination place, to request registration of the transport target object 203A in the position information (T2023). Upon receiving the registration request message, the crane object 202A registers the transport target object 203A in the stored position information (T
2024).

The change of the location of the transported object A from the conveyor A to the crane A by the above processing is reflected in the data management devices 1, 1,... And the central device 2.

As described above, the position information of the object to be transported received from the controller 3 is stored in the trash box object 204, and when the position information of the object to be transported is received from the central unit 2, the received position information and the trash can object 204 are stored.
Is compared with the stored position information. Here, if these pieces of position information match, the position information is determined to be correct and processed.

As described above, the central device 2 and the controller 3
The causes of the inconsistency in the position information received from each of them include various factors such as a delay in the communication network and a malfunction of the controller 3.

Next, the operation of the physical distribution system according to the present invention when an operation failure of the controller 3, which is one of the causes of the above-mentioned position information mismatch, occurs. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the physical distribution system according to the present invention when the transport target A lifted by the crane A is returned to the conveyor A due to a malfunction of the controller 3 after executing T2017. ,
T2001 to T2017 are as described above.

When the object A is returned to the conveyor A due to a malfunction of the controller 3, the controller 3
Sends a return signal indicating the return to the data management devices 1, 1,... (T3001). As a result, the return signal is received by the signal receiving object 207 via the communication interface 13 (T3002).

When receiving the return signal, the signal receiving object 207 sends a return message indicating that the transport target A has been returned to the conveyor A,
1A (T3003).

The conveyor object 201A, which has received the return message,
3A registration request message to the trash object 204
(T3004).

When the recycle bin object 204 receives the registration request message, the recycle bin object 204
The crane object 202 which is the storage site where the transport object ID 03A and the transport object 203A existed immediately before
Register the yard ID of A in the registration table (T300
5).

Thereafter, the above-mentioned T2018 to T202
1 is executed. In this case, the transport target object ID of the transport target object 203A is registered in the registration table of the trash can object 204 by T3005.
The place ID of the crane object 202A is registered as the place ID for the transport object ID. On the other hand, T
The location information update message generated based on the location update information received from the central device 2 in 2018 includes a transport object ID of the transport object object 203A and a conveyor object as a source storage object of the transport object object 203A. 201A is included. Therefore, as a result of the comparison in T2021, they do not match. In this case, T2022 is not executed and T2023 is not executed.
And T2024.

Further, the conveyor object 201A transmits a movement result message indicating that the transport object A has been returned to the conveyor A to the storage area movement result object 209 (T3006).

The storage location movement result object 209 which has received the movement result message transmits the received movement result message to the communication information transmission object 206 (T
3007).

The communication information transmitting object 206 receiving the movement result message generates movement result information based on the received movement result message, and transmits the generated movement result information via the communication interface 13 to the central unit 2.
(T3008).

When the central unit 2 receives the movement result information from the data management devices 1, 1,..., The central unit 2 updates the position information on the transfer target A stored in the storage unit 22 based on the received movement result information. , And transmits position update information indicating that the update has been performed to the data management apparatuses 1, 1,... (T300).
9). As a result, the communication information receiving object 205 receives the position update information via the communication interface 13 (T3010).

When receiving the location update information, the communication information reception object 205 transmits a location information update message to the location information update object 210 based on the received location update information (T3011).

When receiving the location information update message, the location information update object 210 makes an inquiry to the recycle bin object 204, and compares the received location information update message with the registration table of the recycle bin object 204 (T3012).

As described above, since T2022 has not been executed, the registration table of the recycle bin object 204 is
The content registered in T3005 is held. Therefore, in the comparison of T3012, the location information update message received from the central device 2 in T3010 matches the contents of the registration table of the trash box object 204.

[0107] If the two match in T2021, the location information update object 210 sends a deletion request message for the transport object object 203A to the trash box object 204, and upon receiving this message, the trash box object 204 deletes the transport object object 203A from the registration table. (T3013).

Next, the location information update object 210
To the conveyor object 201A, which is the destination place,
A registration request message requesting that the transfer target object 203A be registered in the position information is transmitted (T30).
14). The conveyor object 201A that has received the registration request message registers the transport target object 203A in the stored position information (T3015).

The return of the transported object A to the conveyor A by the above processing is reflected in the data management devices 1, 1,... And the central device 2.

As described above, if the position information of the object to be transferred received from the controller 3 does not match the position information of the object to be transferred received from the central unit 2, the central unit 2
The position information received from is determined to be correct and processed.
In this case, the information on the object to be transported is stored in the registration table of the trash can object 204 without being deleted. Thereby, when the position information of the transport target is received from the central device 2 thereafter, the validity of the data can be verified.

[0091]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
By having a central device connected to the data management device, even if the data management device is installed in each facility because the functions are distributed to multiple facilities, each data management device can be directly operated The system maintenance work can be performed only by operating the central device without performing the operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange an operator who operates each data management device at each facility, and the system maintenance cost can be reduced. .

Also, since the data managed by each data management device is collectively and centrally managed by the central device, the operating status of the system in a plurality of facilities can be grasped. The system maintenance work can be performed based on not only the operation status of the system but also the operation status of the entire distribution system.

Further, the data management device is capable of matching the position data of the transfer object received from the central unit with the position data of the transfer object received from the controller due to malfunction of the transfer equipment and delay of the communication network. Even if it is not possible to determine which data is correct, there is a means for updating the position information of the transport target based on the determination. Therefore, the present invention has an excellent effect such that the automatic operation of the system can be continued.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a physical distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of various devices used in the distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining each object and each class generated in a storage unit of the data management device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the physical distribution system according to the present invention when the position of the conveyor moves.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation of the physical distribution system according to the present invention when a transport object is lifted by a crane.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the physical distribution system according to the present invention in a case where an object transported by a crane is returned to a conveyor due to a malfunction of a controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Data management apparatus 2 Central apparatus 3 Controller 4 Terminal apparatus 11 CPU 12 Storage part 13 Communication interface

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A central device that stores position data indicating a position of an object to be conveyed and receives a command to instruct conveyance of the object to be conveyed, and an object connected to the central device and connected to the central device. A data management device that transmits and receives transport information related to the transport and manages position data indicating the position of the transport target, and is connected to the data management device, and transmits and receives the transport information between the data management device and the transport device. Using a controller to control the device, via the data management device, to send a transport instruction command received by the central device to the controller, to control the transport device based on the transport instruction command received by the controller In a physical distribution control method for controlling transport of a transport target based on position data indicating a position of the transport target when transporting the transport target, the central device may include The central device transmits position data indicating the position of the transfer target to the data management device, and the controller outputs position data indicating the position of the transfer target transferred by the transfer device controlled by the controller. Transmit to the data management device, the data management device compares the position data of the transfer target object received from the central device and the position data of the transfer target object received from the controller, the validity of both position data A distribution control method, characterized in that the transportation of an object to be transported is controlled based on the determined position data determined as valid. 2. A central device which stores position data indicating a position of an object to be conveyed and receives a command for instructing conveyance of an object to be conveyed, and an object to be conveyed between said central device and said central device. A data management device that transmits and receives transport information related to the transport and manages position data indicating the position of the transport target, and is connected to the data management device, and transmits and receives the transport information between the data management device and the transport device. Using a controller to control the device, via the data management device, to send a transport instruction command received by the central device to the controller, to control the transport device based on the transport instruction command received by the controller In a physical distribution control method for controlling transport of a transport target based on position data indicating a position of the transport target when transporting the transport target, the central device may include The central device transmits position data indicating the position of the transfer target to the data management device, and the controller outputs position data indicating the position of the transfer target transferred by the transfer device controlled by the controller. The data is transmitted to the data management device, and the data management device compares the position data of the transfer target received from the central device with the position data of the transfer target received from the controller. Determines that both position data are valid, and if the two position data do not match, provisionally determines that the position data received from the central device is valid, and then receives position data from the central device or the controller. The validity of the position data provisionally determined to be valid based on the received position data, And controlling the transport of the transport target based on the position data determined to be a physical distribution. 3. A central device that stores position data indicating the position of the object to be conveyed, and that receives a command to instruct the object to be conveyed generated based on the position data, and that is connected to the central device, A data management device that transmits and receives transport information related to the transport of the transport target object to and from the central device and manages the transport information, and is connected to the data management device and transmits and receives the transport information to and from the data management device. And, using a controller to control the transport device, transmitting a transport instruction command received by the central device to the data management device,
In the logistics system, the data management device transmits a transfer instruction command received to the controller, and the controller controls a transfer device based on the received transfer instruction command to transfer the transport target, and The controller includes means for transmitting transfer result information indicating a transfer result of the transfer target object by the transfer device to the data management device, wherein the data management device, when receiving the transfer result information, transfers the received transfer result information to the central device. Means for transmitting to the central apparatus, when receiving the transport result information, means for updating the position data stored in the central apparatus based on the received transport result information; and Means for transmitting position update information to the data management device indicating that the data management device has been updated, the data management device further comprises: Means for determining the validity of the position update information and the transport result information when receiving the location update information; and the position update information and / or the transport result determined to be valid by the means for determining the validity. Means for updating position data indicating the position of the object to be transported managed by the data management device, based on the information. 4. A central device for storing position data indicating a position of the object to be conveyed, receiving a command for instructing conveyance of the object to be conveyed generated based on the position data, and connected to the central device, A data management device that transmits and receives transport information related to the transport of the transport target object to and from the central device and manages the transport information, and is connected to the data management device and transmits and receives the transport information to and from the data management device. And, using a controller to control the transport device, transmitting a transport instruction command received by the central device to the data management device,
In the logistics system, the data management device transmits a transfer instruction command received to the controller, and the controller controls a transfer device based on the received transfer instruction command to transfer the transport target, and The controller includes means for transmitting transfer result information indicating a transfer result of the transfer target object by the transfer device to the data management device, wherein the data management device, when receiving the transfer result information, transfers the received transfer result information to the central device. Means for transmitting to the central apparatus, when receiving the transport result information, means for updating the position data stored in the central apparatus based on the received transport result information; and Means for transmitting position update information to the data management device indicating that the data management device has been updated, the data management device further comprises: Means for comparing the position update information and the transfer result information when receiving the position update information, and when the position update information and the transfer result information match as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, both information are valid. Means for determining that the position update information is correct if the position update information and the transport result information do not match as a result of the comparison by the comparing means; and Later, when position update information is received from the central device or transport result information from the controller, based on the received position update information or transport result information, the validity of the position update information determined to be valid by the provisional determination is determined. The data management device manages the information based on the means for judging the property and the position update information and / or the conveyance result information judged to be valid. Distribution system characterized in that it comprises means for updating the position data indicating the position of the object to be transported. 5. A central device for storing position data indicating the position of the object to be conveyed, receiving a command to instruct the object to be conveyed generated based on the position data, and conveying the object based on the instruction for conveyance. A data management device connected to a controller for controlling equipment, for transmitting and receiving transport information relating to the transport of the transport object between the central device and the controller, and for managing position data indicating the position of the transport object. In the apparatus, means for receiving, from the central device, position data indicating the position of the object to be transported stored in the central device, and indicating the position of the object to be transported by a transport device controlled by the controller. Means for receiving position data from the controller, the position data received from the central device, and the position data received from the controller. The position data indicating the position of the transfer object managed by the data management device is updated based on the position data determined to be valid by comparing the position data with the position data. A data management device characterized by what it does. 6. A central device for storing position data indicating a position of the object to be conveyed, receiving a command to instruct the object to be conveyed generated based on the position data, and conveying the object based on the instruction to carry the object. A data management device connected to a controller for controlling equipment, for transmitting and receiving transport information relating to the transport of the transport object between the central device and the controller, and for managing position data indicating the position of the transport object. In the apparatus, means for receiving, from the central device, position data indicating the position of the object to be transported stored in the central device, and indicating the position of the object to be transported by a transport device controlled by the controller. Means for receiving position data from the controller, the position data received from the central device, and the position data received from the controller. Is compared with the position data, and if both position data match, both position data are determined to be valid,
If the two position data do not match, the position data received from the central device is provisionally determined to be valid, and thereafter, when position data is received from the central device or the controller, based on the received position data, The validity of the position data provisionally determined to be valid is determined, and the position data indicating the position of the transport object managed by the data management device is updated based on the position data determined to be valid. A data management device characterized by what it does.