JP2002046824A - Storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of inability to correct disagreement between information of an information-system management computer and a storage article within a storage section, caused by a working error. SOLUTION: In this storage system, a mobile body 5 moving along a frontage direction of a storage shelf reads storage section distinction information for distinguishing each the storage section 21 and storage article distinction information for distinguishing the storage article stored in the section 21, and the distinction information is transmitted to a management means 1a via communication means 8, 9 to directly manage a storage state of the storage article.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage system for managing storage items stored in storage sections of storage shelves such as a manual movable shelf, an electric movable shelf, and an independent shelf.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a storage system for managing storage items stored in each storage section of a shelf, an operator operates a motorized movable shelf control system to enter and leave the storage items in each storage section of the storage shelf. The information management computer manages the storage items in each storage section of the electric movable shelf.

[0003] At present, most storage systems are mostly composed of three elements, an information management computer 1, a storage item 2 in a storage section, and a worker 3, as shown in FIG. In general, the information system management computer 1 inputs and outputs storage and retrieval of the storage item 2 and inputs and outputs work information through a medium such as a barcode, and the information matches the storage item 2 in the storage section based on the database. The storage 2 is managed as follows.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned management system, there is a problem that the information handled by the information-based management computer 1 is inconsistent with the storage item 2 in each storage section. Occurs in the process of handling the information or in the process of inputting information to the information system management computer 1. As shown in FIG. 13, a route between the information system management computer 1 and the worker 3, a route between the worker 3 and the storage item 2 in the storage compartment, an entry / exit instruction for the storage item 2, Input / output and work are executed, but the information path connecting the information system management computer 1 and the storage object 2 is missing, so the information handled by the information system management computer 1 and the storage in the storage section due to a work mistake. Even if a mismatch with the object 2 occurs, the mismatch cannot be corrected.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage system capable of correcting inconsistency between information handled by the management means and a stored item in each storage section due to a work error.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage system in which a storage object is stored in each storage section, and the storage section is managed by management means such as a computer. In the system, storage section identification information for identifying each of the storage sections and storage item identification information for identifying a storage item stored in the section are read by a moving body moving along the frontage direction of the storage shelf, and read via communication means. By transmitting the identification information to the management means, the storage state of the stored item can be directly managed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the storage system according to the first aspect, an identification medium in which storage section identification information is recorded on a shelf side and storage item identification information is stored in a storage item, and a radio wave is used on a mobile body side. And a reading means capable of reading from the vicinity in a non-contact manner.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the storage system described above, the moving body that moves along the frontage direction of the storage shelf automatically moves along a path provided in advance using electric power.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
The storage system as described above, wherein the moving means can be moved manually.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
The storage system according to the above, wherein the moving means is configured to be movable between storage shelves regularly arranged in a plurality, so that one moving body reads storage information of a plurality of storage shelves. It is.

The invention according to claim 6 is the storage system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information read by the moving means is temporarily stored in a recording medium, and the recorded information is inputted to the management means offline. Things.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage shelf is an electric movable shelf,
It consists of either a hand-held mobile shelf or a freestanding shelf.

[0013]

FIG. 12 schematically shows an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the information system management computer 1
RFID (Radio Frequency IDenti) as a means for linking the information handled by a with the storage item 2 of each storage section.
fication) By using the device 4 and providing a mechanism for directly detecting storage object identification information for identifying a storage object and storage section identification information for identifying a storage section and inputting the information to the information management computer 1a, System management computer 1
A path of information connecting between the information handled by a and the storage item 2 in the storage section is configured.

Here, the RFID is a kind of data carrier that can read and write data in a non-contact manner by using radio waves, and is said to be a next-generation identification medium replacing a conventional barcode. Some RFIDs can record information that is about 10 times as large as a barcode, and the price has been reduced.
The RFID used in the present embodiment has a communication distance of 20 to 50.
It has the performance of being capable of multi-reading (simultaneous reading) in cm.

The RFID device 4 is provided on a moving body (hereinafter, referred to as an id robot) running along the frontage of the storage shelf, and reads RFID information from near the RFID in a non-contact manner. Be composed. An RFID label recording storage item identification information is attached to each storage item to be stored in each storage section of the storage shelf, and a storage section identification is provided for each storage section of the storage shelf that individually stores storage items. As information, for example, an RFID label recording position information (information indicating the position of each storage section) is attached in units of storage sections.

The id robot reads information from these RFID labels with the RFID device 4 while traveling. Further, the id robot is a moving body that automatically moves on a route provided in advance using electric power, and has a traverse mechanism that traverses (crosses) between storage shelves. The id robot is a system in which one storage shelf in one block is handled by one unit. However, one id robot may be installed for each passage between the storage shelves to share the storage shelf.

The information read by the RFID device 4 is transmitted to a higher-level information system management computer 1 via communication means such as wireless communication.
a. The information system management computer 1a inputs and outputs storage and retrieval instructions for the storage items 2 and inputs and outputs work information, and stores the storage shelves based on the database so that the information matches the storage items 2 in each storage section of the storage shelves. Although the storage items 2 in the storage section are managed, as described above, a mismatch between the information handled by the information management computer and the storage items 2 in the storage section occurs due to a work error. Therefore, in this embodiment, the information management computer 1a corrects the storage object and the information by matching the information with the storage object by correcting the database or using an error message based on the storage section identification information and the storage object identification information from the RFID device 4. And achieve unified management.

RFID device 4 mounted on id robot
Reads information from an RFID label using an antenna. The antennas are provided at positions facing the respective stages of the storage shelf, and simultaneously read information from the RFID labels of the respective stages of the storage shelf. In addition, a method may be employed in which each antenna is repeatedly and reciprocally moved in the vertical direction by the vertically movable mechanism as a single antenna, so that each stage of the storage shelf is repeatedly and sequentially scanned.

In the present embodiment, with the above configuration, it is possible to match the information handled by the information system management computer 1a with the storage item 2 in the storage section of the storage shelf. Further, even if the path between the information system management computer 1a and the worker 3 is omitted, it is possible to match the information handled by the information system management computer 1a with the storage item 2 in the storage section of the storage shelf.
In addition, it is possible to reduce the conventional computer-led rule of “putting in a storage at a location designated by a computer and leaving a storage at a location designated by a computer”. Naturally, the present invention can be effectively applied to periodic “inventory” which is indispensable for the operation of the storage system.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the id robot in this embodiment. The id robot 5 includes a plurality of antennas 51, 52,..., 5n arranged at positions at a height that can oppose each stage of the storage shelf.
A scanner 6, a controller 7 as control means, a wireless device 8 and its antenna 9 constituting communication means, a sensor 10, a battery 11 as a power source, and a drive system 12
And The sensor 10 includes a traveling obstacle sensor 10a for detecting a traveling obstacle of the id robot 5, and an id robot 5
Traverse confirmation sensor 10b for detecting the traverse of the vehicle
And a traveling speed sensor for detecting the traveling speed of the id robot 5.

The drive system 12 is provided in the id robot 5
It comprises a DC motor 12a for rotating a drive mechanism for rotationally driving a wheel portion traveling on a rail, and a pulse detector 12b for detecting the rotation of the DC motor 12a and generating a pulse. Commercially available RFID labels 22, 23, antennas 51 to 5n, and scanner 6 are used. An RFID label 22 on which storage item identification information is recorded is attached to each storage item to be stored in each storage section 21 of the storage shelf, and storage section identification information is recorded on each storage section 21 of the storage shelf. An RFID label 23 is affixed for each storage section.

The controller 7 forms the core of the id robot 5 and has a microcomputer mounted thereon to realize the main functions of the id robot 5. That is, the controller 7 controls the DC motor 12a using the input signal from the traveling obstacle sensor 10a, the traverse confirmation sensor 10b, the traveling speed sensor, and the like, and the pulse from the pulse detector 12b, thereby controlling the idling through the driving mechanism. Robot 5
Control the wheel portion traveling on the rails at
The running of the robot 5 is controlled.

The id robot 5 travels along the storage rack by moving along the rails, and the controller 7
d When the robot 5 runs, the scanner 6 and the antenna 51
Information is written and read to and from the RFID labels 22 and 23 of each stage of the storage shelf via 52... 5n. The scanner 6 is controlled by the controller 7 to scan the antennas 51, 52,.
Connected to the controller 7 and the RFID from the scanner 6
The read information for the labels 22 and 23 is output to the wireless device 8 and transmitted from the antenna 9 to the information system management computer 1a.

The information system management computer 1a receives the information transmitted from the antenna 9 with the antenna 13.
The information system management computer 1a inputs and outputs storage and retrieval instructions for the storage items 2 and inputs and outputs work information. Manages the storage 2
Based on the storage section identification information and storage item identification information received in the above, correct the database and deal with error messages,
Centrally manage archives and information.

Further, the controller 7 exchanges control data for performing a combination operation with the electric movable shelf control system 15 having the antenna 14 via the wireless device 8 having the antenna 9 and the antenna 14. The operator operates the electric movable shelf control system 15 to control the electric movable shelves, which are storage shelves, by the electric movable shelf control system 15 to carry in and out of the storage items in each storage section of the storage shelves. The battery 11 applies a predetermined voltage to each part of the id robot 5, and the controller 7 controls charging of the battery 11 by the charger 16.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of storage shelves 61 to 6
m is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and arranged in a row,
Usually, the storage shelves 61 to 6m are positioned so that the passage between the storage shelves 61 to 6m is closed. Storage shelves 61-6m
It moves so that the passage 60 is formed between any two storage shelves, and storage and retrieval of stored articles from each passage 60 to each storage section is performed.

FIG. 3 shows a storage shelf, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view of the line BB in FIG. 4 viewed in the direction of the arrow. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, each storage section 21 of the storage shelf stores a storage item 2 to which an RFID label 22 recording storage item identification information is attached, and each storage section 21 of the storage shelf has a storage section. An RFID label 23 on which identification information is recorded is attached. .. 5n of the id robot 5 are installed at the same height as the respective stages of the storage shelves 61-6m, and the beams 19 of the antennas 51, 52. RFID
The labels 22 and 23 are scanned. The storage section identification information recorded on the RFID label 23 attached to each storage section 21 is the address of each storage section 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, rails 17 on which the id robot 5 runs are installed on the storage and unloading portions of each of the storage shelves 61 to 6 m and on one side. In the standby state, the id robot 5 stops at the standby position on the side of the storage shelf 61 at the end as shown in FIG. When the id robot 5 scans the RFID labels 22 and 23 of the storage shelves 61 to 6 m and reads information from the RFID labels 22 and 23, the id robot 5
As shown in FIG. 6B, the RFID labels 22 and 23 travel on the rails 17 along the storage shelves 61 in a state where the passage 60 is formed between the storage shelves 61 and 62.
To read information from the RFID labels 22 and 23, traverse to the rail 17 of the storage shelf 62, and travel along the rail 17 along the right side of the storage shelf 62 while performing RF operation.
By scanning the ID labels 22, 23, the RFID labels 22,
Read information from 23.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the id robot 5 travels on the rail 17 along the storage shelf 62 with the passage 60 formed between the storage shelf 62 and the storage shelf 63. While scanning the RFID labels 22 and 23
After reading the information from the labels 22 and 23, the storage shelf 62
Of the RFID labels 22 and 2 while traveling on the rails 17 along the left side of the storage shelf 62.
3 is read to read information from the RFID labels 22 and 23. Thereafter, passages are sequentially formed between the storage shelves 63 to 6 m, and the id robot 5 similarly travels on the rails 17 along the storage shelves 63 to 6 m while receiving the RFID labels 22.
23 is scanned to read information from the RFID labels 22 and 23.

FIG. 7 shows the mode transition of this embodiment. i
The d-robot 5 alternates between the standby mode and the charging mode when the scanning operation is not performed. In the charging mode, the battery 11 is charged by the charger 16. When a scan start request for starting the scan operation is issued from the information system management computer 1a to the id robot 5, i
The d-robot 5 is activated to enter the path movement mode, and transmits a path formation request to the electric moving shelf control system 15.

The electric movable shelf control system 15 controls the storage shelves 61 to 6 m in response to a passage formation request from the id robot 5, and sequentially forms passages between the storage shelves 61 to 6 m, and indicates the operation status as id. Send to the robot 5. The id robot 5
Each time a passage is formed between the storage shelves 61 to 6 m, the RFID label 2 is moved while traveling on the rail 17 as described above.
Information is read from the RFID labels 22 and 23 by scanning the information 2 and 23, and the information is transmitted to the information system management computer 1a. When the scanning operation is completed, the id robot 5 returns to the standby state.

FIG. 8 shows an operation flow of the id robot 5. The controller 7 checks whether a scan start request has been transmitted from the antenna 13 of the information system management computer 1a via the wireless device 8 having the antenna 9, and when the scan start request has been transmitted, the storage shelf 6
A scan operation path is set so as to form a path between the first and the second 62, and a request for forming the set path (a request for connection of an electric movable shelf) is transmitted to the antenna 14 via the radio 8 having the antenna 9. Is transmitted to the electric movable shelf control system 15.

Next, the controller 7 controls the DC motor 12
By controlling a, the id robot 5 is moved to the entrance of the set path. Next, the controller 7 controls the antenna 1
The state of the storage shelf (electrically driven moving shelf) is checked from the operation status received from the electric moving shelf control system 15 having the antenna 4 via the wireless device 8 having the antenna 9 and the storage shelf is in use (busy). If there is an error or an error occurs, the completion of the scanning operation and the completion of the scanning operation are notified via the wireless device 8 having the antenna 9 to the information system management computer 1 a
Report to. The controller 7 controls the DC motor 1
2a to move the id robot 5 to the standby position,
The mode is shifted to the charging mode, and the battery 11 is charged by the charger 16.

The controller 7 controls the DC motor 12a when the formation of the set passage is completed, and
.. 5n while the robot 5 runs on the rail 17 along the storage shelf in the set path.
Scans the RFID labels 22 and 23 to read the stored article identification information and the storage section identification information. The storage item identification information and the storage section identification information are repeatedly and sequentially scanned by the scanner 6 and input to the controller 7.

The controller 7 transmits the storage object identification information and the storage section identification information from the scanner 6 to the information system management computer 1a having the antenna 13 via the radio 8 having the antenna 9. Thereafter, the controller 7 sets the scan operation passage so as to sequentially form the passages between the storage shelves 62 to 6 m, and transmits the set passage formation request to the electric moving shelf control in the same manner as described above. Then, the id robot 5 is moved to the entrance of the set passage to check the state of the storage shelf (electrically driven moving shelf), and when the formation of the set passage is completed, the DC motor 12a is controlled. Then, the id robot 5 travels on the rail 17 along the storage shelf in the set path, and
5n scan the RFID labels 22 and 23 to read the storage object identification information and the storage section identification information from the RFID labels 22 and 23, and store the storage object identification information and the storage section identification information in the information system management computer 1a. Send to

The controller 7 controls all storage shelves 62 to 6
m, the storage device identification information and the storage section identification information are read and transmitted to the information system management computer 1a.
To the information system management computer 1a having the antenna 13 through the control of the DC motor 12a to move the id robot 5 to the standby position, shift to the charging mode, and charge the battery 11 with the charger 16.

FIG. 9 shows an operation flow of the electric movable shelf control system 15. The electric movable shelf control system 15 includes the id robot 5
Receives a request to form a set passage (motor-driven moving shelf connection request) from the antenna 14 to determine whether the passage is in use. If the passage is in use, the antenna 14 is busy to the id robot 5. Make a report. When the passage is not in use, the electric movable shelf control system 15 is a storage shelf that takes in the number of the set passage from the id robot 5 via the antenna 14 and opens the set passage (designated passage). Control the electric moving shelf. Electric moving shelf control system 15
Transmits the path formation completion information from the antenna 14 to the id robot 5 if the formation of the designated path is completed normally, and transmits an error code from the antenna 14 to the id robot 5 if the formation of the specified path is not completed normally. .

FIG. 10 shows an operation flow of the information system management computer 1a. The information system management computer 1a transmits a scan start request from the antenna 13 to the id robot 5 at a predetermined timing, and transmits the id received by the antenna 13
It is checked whether the message from the robot 5 is busy or an error has occurred. Information system management computer 1a
When the scanning operation is completed, the stored storage object information and the storage section identification information are fetched from the id robot 5 from the antenna 13 if no error occurs without being busy. To modify the database of the storage items in the storage section of the management shelf.

According to this embodiment, in the storage system in which the storage items 2 are stored for each storage section 21 and the storage section 21 is managed by the management means 1a such as a computer, the storage sections 21 are identified. The mobile unit 5 moving along the frontage direction of the storage shelves 61 to 6 m reads the storage section identification information to identify the storage section to be stored and the storage article stored in the section, and reads the information via the communication means 8 and 9. By transmitting the identification information to the management means 1a, it is possible to directly manage the storage state of the storage items 61 to 6m. Therefore, due to a work error, the information handled by the management means does not match the storage item in the storage shelf. Can be corrected if it occurs.

According to this embodiment, the shelves 61 to 6
The reading means 51 to 51 are provided with storage medium identification information 22 and 23 in which storage section identification information is recorded on the m side and storage article identification information on the storage object, and can be read from the vicinity of the moving body 5 by radio waves in a non-contact manner. Since 5n is provided, even if a mismatch occurs between information handled by the management means and a stored item in the storage shelf due to a work error, it can be corrected.

According to this embodiment, the storage shelf 6
Since the moving body 5 that moves along the frontage direction of 1 to 6 m automatically moves on a path provided in advance using electric power, identification information can be read efficiently.

According to this embodiment, the moving means 5
Is configured so as to be movable between storage shelves 61 to 6 m regularly arranged in a plurality, so that one moving body 5 reads the storage information of the plurality of storage shelves 61 to 6 m, so that it is efficient. The identification information can be read.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of an id robot 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the above embodiment, the storage shelves 61 to 6m are manually movable shelves. In this embodiment, since the idling robot 5 and the electric moving shelf control system 15 cannot automatically form a passage between the storage shelves because the electric moving shelf control system 15 is not provided, the electric moving shelf control system 15 cannot be used. The moving shelf control system 15 is replaced with a passage operation indicator (control panel) 18 and the controller 7 sends a scan operation passage to the passage operation indicator 18 instead of transmitting a setting passage forming request (motorized moving shelf connection request) by the controller 7. After the passage is manually formed, the passage operation indicator 18 is operated and the passage operation indicator 18 notifies the controller 7 of the completion of the passage formation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the storage shelves 61 to 6m are free standing shelves in the above embodiment. In the present embodiment, the operation cooperation with the electric movable shelf control system 15 is omitted in the present embodiment because the independent shelf does not need to form a passage. According to each of the above-described embodiments, the storage shelf includes one of a manual movable shelf, an electric movable shelf, and a self-supporting shelf. If a mismatch occurs, it can be corrected.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in the above embodiment, the id robot 5 as the moving means can be moved by human power, and is handled by the management means due to a work mistake as in the above embodiment. If a mismatch occurs between the information and the storage items in the storage shelf, it can be corrected.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in the above embodiment, the identification information read by the id robot 5 as the moving means is temporarily stored in a recording medium, and the stored information is managed off-line. The information is input to the information system management computer 1a, and even if there is a mismatch between the information handled by the management means and the storage item in the storage shelf due to a work error as in the above embodiment, it can be corrected.

[0047]

As described above, according to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to correct a mismatch between information handled by the management means and a stored item in the storage shelf due to a work error. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an id robot according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a storage shelf of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

5 is a front view of the BB line portion of FIG. 4 as viewed in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a scan operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mode transition of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the id robot in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the electric movable shelf control system in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the information management computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an id robot according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a Information system management computer 5 id robot 51 to 5n antenna 6 scanner 7 controller 8 wireless device 9, 13, 14 antenna 10 sensor 10a traveling obstacle sensor 10b traverse confirmation sensor 11 battery 12 drive system 12a DC motor 12b pulse detector 15 electric type Moving shelf control system 16 Charger 21 Storage section 22, 23 RFID label 61-6m Storage shelf 17 Rail 18 Passage operation indicator

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A storage system in which storage items are stored for each storage section and management means such as a computer manages the storage sections, storage section identification information for identifying each of the storage sections and storage in the section. The storage object identification information for identifying the storage object is read by a moving object moving along the frontage direction of the storage shelf, and the identification information is transmitted to the management means via a communication unit, whereby the storage state of the storage object is changed. A storage system characterized by direct management. 2. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein an identification medium in which storage section identification information is recorded on a shelf side and storage article identification information is recorded on a storage object, and a non-contact from the vicinity by using a radio wave on the moving body side. A storage system provided with a reading means which can be read by a computer. 3. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the moving body that moves along the frontage direction of the storage shelf automatically moves on a path provided in advance using electric power. Storage system characterized by doing. 4. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein said moving means is movable by human power. 5. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the moving means is configured to be movable between a plurality of storage shelves regularly arranged, so that one moving body has a plurality of storage shelves. A storage system characterized by reading storage information of a shelf. 6. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information read by the moving means is temporarily stored in a recording medium, and the recorded information is inputted to the management means offline. system. 7. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage shelf is one of an electric movable shelf, a manual movable shelf, and an independent shelf.