JP2002284315A - Picking equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide picking equipment capable of judging an article collecting state of the whole of equipment and judging a picking area having a delay in article collection. SOLUTION: Article take-out information to instruct a handy terminal of a worker for every picking area P is controlled, an article collecting state for each picking area P is determined for every sorting destination group, and the article collecting state for every picking area is displayed on a display of terminal equipment 9 in a picking region A. By this constitution, a supervisor can confirm the article collecting state of the whole of picking equipment on the display of the terminal equipment 9 and can confirm the picking area P having the delay in article collection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a picking facility for collectively picking up all orders for each article (commodity) and sorting them for each shipping destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional picking facility is provided with a picking shelf having a plurality of compartments for accommodating articles, and a picking terminal and a sorting destination for instructing information for taking out articles from the compartments of the picking shelf. There is another facility provided with a mobile vehicle equipped with a collection container for collecting articles.

In this equipment, an operator pushes a moving vehicle to move along a picking shelf, takes out an article designated by a picking terminal from a compartment of the picking shelf, and stores it in a collection container of the moving vehicle. By doing so, articles are collected (collective picking) for each group destination (each sorting group) composed of a plurality of shipping destinations registered in advance. Then, when the collection container is filled with the collected articles (more than a certain volume or more than a certain weight), or when the collection for each group destination is completed, the collection containers are further transferred from the group destination to each shipping destination. It pays out to a conveyor device that conveys it to a sorting area where sorting is performed, and picks up empty collection containers to continue the next picking operation.
In the sorting area, goods are sorted from the collection containers paid out from the conveyor device for each shipping destination (secondary sorting),
Packed and shipped.

In a conventional picking facility, picking shelves are divided into a plurality of picking areas, and picking up (collective picking) of articles for the same group is simultaneously performed in the plurality of picking areas, thereby shortening the picking time. I'm trying.

[0005]

However, in a conventional picking facility, when goods are collected for the same group in a plurality of picking areas, the state of the collection of the group is determined. Since it was not clear whether progress was being made in each picking area, it was not possible to determine whether collection at this group was delayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a picking facility capable of judging a picking situation of the entire equipment and judging a picking area where picking is delayed.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention according to claim 1 of the present invention has a plurality of compartments for accommodating articles and is divided into a plurality of picking areas. Picking shelf, instruction means for instructing information on removal of the article from the compartment of the picking shelf, and articles taken out of the compartment of the picking shelf based on the information instructed by the instruction means. Input means for inputting the information of the article, and in accordance with a collection request of the articles of the sorting destination, forming the information to take out the article to be instructed to the instructing means, instructing the instructing means to take out the article to the instructing means, Picking equipment provided with management means for managing the collection status based on article information from
Display means having a display screen, wherein the management means manages information on taking out articles to be instructed to the instructing means for each of the picking areas, and obtains a collection status for each of the picking areas for each of the sorting destination groups. The collection status for each picking area is displayed on the display screen of the display means.

[0010] According to the above configuration, information for taking out articles to be instructed to the instructing means is managed for each picking area,
The collection status for each picking area is obtained for each sorting destination group, and the collection status for each picking area is displayed on the display screen of the display means. Therefore, the entire collection status can be confirmed on the display screen of the display means, and the picking area where collection has been delayed can be confirmed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the management means determines a picking area where collection is delayed from a collection state of each picking area. The present invention is characterized in that a visual display of a display screen showing a collection state of a picking area for prompting that collection is delayed is changed.

According to the above arrangement, the picking area for which the collection is delayed is determined from the collection status for each picking area, and the collection area for the picking area for prompting that the collection is delayed is indicated. The visual display on the display screen is changed. For example, a black display is displayed in red, and a visual display notifies that the collection is delayed.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management means includes:
According to the present invention, information for specifying a picking worker who is in charge of collection is registered in accordance with information on removal of articles specified by the indicating means, and the managing means creates a table of picking workers for each picking area. Things.

According to the above arrangement, the information for specifying the picking worker who is in charge of collection according to the article removal information specified by the indicating means is registered, and a table of picking workers is created for each picking area. You. Therefore,
The picking worker during the picking operation can be confirmed for each picking area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, the management means determines, based on the picking situation of each picking area, a picking area whose collection is delayed and a picking area. Is determined in which picking areas are expected to progress or end quickly, and a table of picking workers is created for each picking area.

According to the above configuration, a picking area where collection is delayed and a picking area where collection is expected to progress or end quickly are determined from the collection status of each picking area, and picking is performed for each of these picking areas. An operator table is created. Therefore, a picking worker can be confirmed for each picking area where collection is delayed and a picking area where collection is likely to progress or end quickly.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the set time of the collected articles approaches or reaches the set time, each of the picking-up items is selected. A picking area in which collection is delayed and a picking area in which collection is expected to progress or end quickly are determined based on the collection status of each area.

According to the above configuration, when the set time of the collected articles approaches or reaches the set time, the picking area and the picking area where the picking is delayed from the picking situation of each picking area are quick. A picking area expected to progress or end is determined, and a picking area whose collection is late can be specified, particularly before the set time.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the management means collects the goods according to the information on the removal of the article specified by the instruction means. Is registered, and the management means determines the picking area where collection is delayed from the collection status of each picking area, and determines the picking area where the collection is delayed. The picking worker is notified of a collection delay.

According to the above configuration, the picking area where collection is delayed is determined from the collection status of each picking area, and the picking worker in the picking area where collection is delayed is notified of the collection delay. Thus, it is possible to recover the collection delay.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of the above-mentioned claims 1 to 6, wherein the managing means collects the goods according to the information on the removal of the article specified by the indicating means. Is registered, and the management means determines a picking area in which collection is likely to proceed or end quickly based on the collection status of each picking area. Alternatively, the picking worker in the picking area expected to be completed is notified of support for the picking area whose collection is delayed.

According to the above configuration, the picking area where collection is likely to progress or end quickly is determined from the collection status of each picking area, and the picking work of the picking area where collection is expected to progress or end quickly is determined. Is notified of support for the picking area where collection is delayed. Therefore, it is possible to recover the collection delay.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the management means determines the output order of the article takeout information to be instructed to each instruction means. It is characterized by being changeable.

According to the above configuration, by changing the output order of the retrieval information of the articles to be instructed to the respective instruction means, the retrieval information of the articles which need to be urgently shipped can be output first.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the management means responds to an urgent collection request of the articles to be sorted. When the retrieval information of the article to be instructed to each instruction means is formed, the retrieval information of this article is instructed to each instruction means in preference to the retrieval information of other articles.

According to the above configuration, when the retrieval information of the article to be instructed to each instruction means is formed in response to the urgent collection request of the article of the sorting destination, the retrieval information of the article is taken out of the other articles. An instruction is given to each instruction means prior to the information, and an urgent shipment is performed.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the management means registers in advance in response to a collection request of the sorting destination articles. It is characterized in that, for each of the sorting destination groups, information for taking out the articles for preparing the articles or information for taking out the articles to be taken out for the single sorting destination is formed.

According to the above configuration, while the picking worker moves along the picking shelf, the picking-out takes out the article from the compartment of the picking shelf in accordance with the instruction of the instruction means, thereby collecting the articles. At this time, the removal information of the article specified by the instructing means may be, according to a collection request of the article of the sorting destination, the removal information of the article that arranges the article for each of the pre-registered sorting destination groups, or the sorting destination unit. First, the article is formed by dividing the article to be taken out information, and is instructed to the instructing means.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein an article display means for identifying the article, attached to the article to be collected, A printing apparatus is provided which issues sorting destination display means for identifying the sorting destination of the collected articles.

According to the above arrangement, the article display means and the sort destination display means are issued by the printing apparatus. The picking worker attaches the article display means to the collected articles, and identifies the sorting destination of the collected articles by the sorting destination display means.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic layout view of a picking facility in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, a picking area (primary sorting area) A, a sorting (secondary sorting) / packing area B, and these picking areas A And a conveyor device C that connects between the sorting / packing areas B.

The picking area (primary sorting area) A is
An operator moves the vehicle along the picking shelf while pushing the mobile vehicle, takes out the articles designated by the handy terminal (terminal) provided on the mobile vehicle from the compartment of the picking shelf, and collects the goods on the mobile vehicle. This is an area in which articles are collected (primarily sorted) for each sorting destination group by being stored in a container.

Sorting (secondary sorting) / Packing area B
Is a sorting area D for sorting the collection containers collected by the sorting destination group in the picking area into the respective sorting destinations of the group, a packing area E for packing the articles sorted in the sorting area D, and a picking area A. And a single order packing area F for packing articles collected in a single sorting destination or articles taken out of a collection container.

In the present embodiment, the sorting destination (shipping destination) is set for each store where the goods to be collected are ordered. The sorting destination (shipping destination) may be classified by user, by area, by item, by transport truck, or the like. [Picking Area A] First, the picking area A will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the picking area is divided into a plurality of (eight in FIG. 1) picking areas P, and as shown in FIGS. A plurality of work zones 4 each composed of a plurality of picking shelves 3 arranged along the travel route 2 facing each other across the route 2 are arranged in parallel. The traveling path 2 has a direction X in which the moving vehicle 1 is moved in the adjacent picking shelf 3 in the opposite direction, and is set so that the moving vehicle 1 can move continuously in the shortest time.

As shown in FIG. 2, the picking shelves 3 are composed of fluid shelves inclined toward the traveling route 2, and each picking shelf 3 has a plurality of compartments 5 for storing articles to be collected. Each of the compartment storage spaces 5 is provided with a label (display means) 6 on which a unique shelf number N and a barcode indicating data (product name, type, etc.) of stored articles are printed. I have. The shelf number N is composed of a unique number (for example, 01 to 99) set for each row and each frontage shown in FIG. 2 and a stage and a serial number set for each frontage. Is "01-12-30
The section storage space 5 of “3” indicates the third section storage space 5 in the third row of the twelfth frontage of the first row.

A radio communication device (an example of information transmitting means) 7 (FIG. 1) for transmitting and receiving data to and from the mobile vehicle 1 is installed at the ceiling of each picking work area P.

The conveyor device C is arranged on one side of the picking area P, and a station 8 in a picking area is provided along the conveyor device C. The station 8 is provided with a terminal device (an example of a display means) 9 having a display (an example of a display screen) and a label printer (printing device) 10 connected to the terminal device 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the moving vehicle 1 is composed of a truck 12 supported by a plurality of wheels 11.
The mounting portion 15 on which the collection container 14 of one box can be placed on each of the upper and lower sides is provided on the 12. Also, the carriage 12 is provided with a handle 16 which is gripped when the worker pushes the moving vehicle 1.
A handy terminal (indicating means and input means, an example of a portable terminal) 18 is attached to an attachment (mounting hardware) 17 sandwiching the portable electronic device 17, and a portable printer device (connected to the handy terminal 18 by an optical signal using infrared rays) An example of a printing apparatus 19 is provided detachably. The collection container 14 is composed of a foldable container.

As shown in FIG. 3, the handy terminal 18 includes a laser scanner 21, a pair of left and right trigger keys 22 of the laser scanner 21, and a touch panel display 23.
, A control key 24, a multi-function key 25, a numeric keypad 26, a function key 27, a built-in wireless communication device (an example of information transmission means) 28 (FIG. 4), and an antenna of the wireless communication device 28. 29 and an optical transceiver (an example of an optical transmission unit and an optical communication unit) for transmitting data necessary for printing to the printer 19 and receiving an abnormal signal from the printer 19 31
(FIG. 4), an output key 32 to the printer 19, these laser scanner 21, a trigger key 22, a touch panel display 23, a control key 24, a multi-function key
25, numeric keypad 26, function key 27, wireless communication device
28, optical transceiver 31, and output key to printer 19
32 is connected and comprises a controller 33 (FIG. 4) for controlling the operation of the handy terminal 18. Control key
24 is composed of keys of “function”, “reverse (backspace)”, “switch” for switching between scanning and input of the laser scanner 21, and “power”, and the multi-function key 25 is displayed on the touch panel display 23. The key is composed of "L" for switching the page to the previous page and "R" for switching the page displayed on the touch panel display 23 to the next page. The ten keys 26 are provided with "clear" and "execute" keys. Also, "F5" of the function key 27 is used as an end key, and "F6" is used as a full key of the collection container 14.

The printer device 19 includes an optical transceiver (an example of an optical receiver and an optical communication unit) that receives data from the optical transceiver 31 of the handy terminal 18 and transmits an abnormal signal.
(FIG. 4), and a mounting tool 65 having an insertion portion 64 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 21. When the printer device 19 is attached to the attachment (mounting fixture) 17, the optical transceiver 31 of the handy terminal 18 and the optical receiver 35 of the printer device 19 are opposed to each other on the optical axis to enable data transmission and reception. I have.

The labels printed out by the printer 19 are shown in FIGS. The label shown in FIG.
Goods picked from the compartment storage space 5 as shown in FIG.
This is a product recognition label (an example of article display means for identifying an article) attached to 41, and two types of labels are printed by the printer device 19. Product recognition label shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 42 denotes a label attached to the articles 41 collected in the collection container 14 in the picking area P and subjected to the secondary sorting in the "sorting / packing area".
(Shelf number N), product name or code of article 41, quantity of articles to be picked, batch No. (Details will be described later)
And the like, and a bar code that encodes the printed information is printed. The product recognition label 43 shown in FIG. 5B is a label that is collected in the picking area P and is attached to the article 41 that is not subjected to the secondary sorting in the “sorting / packing area”.
No. 41 is printed, and the characters "no packing" are printed to indicate that packing is not executed. (Shelf number N), sort destination, product name or code of article 41, quantity of picked article, batch No. , Transportation service, packing No. And the like, and a bar code that encodes the printed information is printed.

The label shown in FIG. 6 is a sorting destination recognition label printed by the printer 19 when the collection into the collection container 14 is completed or when the collection container 14 is full of the collected articles 41. (Example of sorting destination display means) 44, which is attached to the side surface of the collection container 14 as shown in FIG. The batch identification number 44 is displayed on the sorting destination recognition label 44. , Oricon (collection container) No. Further, a bar code for specifying the sorting destination is printed. [Sorting (Secondary Sorting) / Sorting Area D of Packing Area B] The sorting area D will be described in detail. The sorting area D is composed of a plurality (four in FIG. 1) of sorting devices 51 arranged along the conveyor device C.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each sorting device 51 is a collection container transported by a conveyor device C.
The first to read the barcode on the 14 destination recognition labels 44
When it is determined that the barcode reader 52 and the barcode reader 52 are arranged downstream of the conveyor device C from the barcode reader 52 and that the codes read by the barcode reader 52 are sorted by the sorting device 51, the collection container 14 is moved to the conveyor device C. A branching device (an example of branching means) 53 for further branching, a branching conveyor 54 for transporting the collection containers 14 branched by the branching device 53, and an article located at the end point of the branching conveyor 54 and located in the collection container 14 It comprises a second barcode reader 55 for reading the barcode of the product recognition label 42 attached to 41, and a sorting shelf 57 having a section storage space 56 for each sorting destination. The sorting shelf 57 is composed of a flow shelf inclined toward the packing area E, and the loaded articles 41 slide down and move to the packing area E. In addition, each compartment storage space of sorting shelf 57
The 56 is provided with a quantity indicator 58 for displaying the quantity of the articles 41 to be sorted. The quantity indicator 58 is provided with an operation button for inputting the end of sorting.

Next, a secondary sorting operation according to the configuration of the sorting device 51 will be described. When the collection container 14 is conveyed by the conveyor device C, the barcode of the sorting destination recognition label 44 of the collection container 14 is read by the first barcode reader 52, and the read code is used in the sorting device 51 by this read code. If it is determined that the collection container 14 can be sorted,
The collection container 14 is branched from the conveyor device C to the branch conveyor 54 by the branching device 53, and is conveyed to the end of the branch conveyor 54.

The operator operates the collection container 14 which has been conveyed.
The article 41 is then taken out, and the barcode of the commodity recognition label 42 attached to the article 41 is read by the second barcode reader 55. Based on the barcode of the read product recognition label 42, a compartment storage space 56 for sorting the article 41 is provided.
And the storage space where the quantity is determined and sorted
The quantity to be sorted is displayed on each of the 56 quantity indicators 58.

In accordance with the display of the quantity indicator 58, the operator starts to collect each of the compartments 56 of the sorting shelf 57 from the collection container 14.
The article 41 is put into the apparatus (secondary sorting is performed). When the sorting of the articles 41 into each compartment storage space 56 is completed, the quantity indicator 58
Operate the operation buttons of. By this operation, it is determined that the sorting is completed, and the display of the quantity is turned off. [Packing Area E] In the packing area E, the articles 41 put into the respective compartment storage spaces 56 of the sorting shelf 57 are packed together in each of the compartment storage spaces 56, and set in the respective compartment storage spaces 56 in advance. Transported to the shipping destination. [Single Order Packing Area F] In the single order packing area F, unsorted articles 41 and collection containers 14 are conveyed in the respective sorting devices 51 upstream of the conveyor device C. That is, the articles 41 and the collection containers 14 that do not need to be subjected to the secondary sorting operation are conveyed. Also article 41
Is attached with a product recognition label 43 shown in FIG. 5 (b), that is, a label on which the characters "not loaded" are printed indicating that loading is not performed.

In the single order packing area F, the conveyed article 41 is packed and conveyed to a shipping destination (sorting destination) printed on a product recognition label 43 attached to the article 41. [Picking System] The picking system in the picking area (primary sorting area) A will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the picking system includes a handy terminal 18 and a printer 19 which are detachably provided for each of the moving vehicles 1, a radio communication device 7 for each picking area P, and a station 8. Terminal device 9 and label printer (printing device) provided
10 and a shipping computer (an example of management means) 60. The shipping computer 60 stores data of an article registration unit 61, a customer registration unit 62, an operator registration unit 63, and batch processing. A batch data storage unit 64, a picking status data unit 65 in which the collection status of each picking area P is stored for each sorting group (described later), an article registration unit 61, a customer registration unit 62, It comprises a registration unit 63, a batch data storage unit 64, and a picking management unit 66 connected to the picking status data unit 65. The collection status stored in the picking status data section 65 is displayed on the terminal device 9 (display) of the station 8.

The article registration section 61 has a picking area A
The articles 41 stored in the respective compartment storage spaces 5 of the picking shelves 3 therein, and the arrangement of the respective compartment storage spaces 5 (the above shelf number N)
And the picking area P and the zone belonging to are registered in advance.

The customer registration section 62 stores a shipping destination (eg, a store) for sorting and shipping the articles 41 according to the order.
Are registered in advance, transport flights are registered for each shipping destination, and a plurality of (12 in this embodiment) shipping destinations are used to sort a group of destinations depending on the shipping direction, the loading capacity of the trucks carrying the articles 41, and the like. Is formed, and the customer registration unit 62 is
Registered in. This sorting destination group is a unit for performing primary sorting, and batch processing is performed for each sorting destination group.

The worker registration section 63 stores the name of a worker (hereinafter, referred to as a picking worker) who is in charge of collection according to the information on taking out the article 41 specified by the handy terminal 18 and each picking work. An operator-specific code assigned to each worker is registered in advance. "Formation of Batch Processing Data" A method of forming data for batch processing by the picking management unit 66 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The batch processing data formed by the picking management unit 66 is stored in the batch data storage unit 64.

When orders (collection requests) of all stores, that is, all shipment data are collected, the shipment data of one shipment destination, one order and one article (one kind of article, the number of which may be plural) is obtained from each shipment data. The order is classified into one shipping destination, one order and one article and another order (Step-1, Step-2).

In the case of one shipment destination, one order and one article, the article registration unit 61 is searched by the article 41 of the order.
The compartment storage space 5 where the article 41 is stored.
(Shelf number N)}, the customer's registration section 62 is searched by the shipping destination of the order, and the transportation service of the shipping destination is obtained. Further, the picking area P to which the compartment storage space 5 belongs is obtained, and the unique batch is determined. A number and a packaging number are assigned (Step-3, Step-4).

As a result, batch processing data for one shipping destination, one order and one article is formed. That is, the batch processing data is “Batch No. -Picking area P-Outgoing shelf No. (Shelf number N) -picking data ". The picking data includes the product name of the article 41, the quantity to be picked, the transportation service, and the packing number. Formed from The batch processing data includes a product recognition label 43 attached to the article 41 on which the secondary sorting is not performed as shown in FIG.
It is also used as data to be printed on.

In the case of another order, these orders are grouped for each sorting group registered in the customer registration section 62, and a unique batch number is assigned to each group. One of the devices 51 is assigned (Step-5, Step-6).

Next, the goods 41 of each order are
The article registration unit 61 is searched for each item, and the section storage space 5 in which the article 41 is stored, the delivery shelf No. (Shelf number N)｝
Further, a picking area P to which the compartment storage space 5 belongs is determined (step-7).

As a result, the batch processing data becomes the batch N
o. As shown in FIG. 10, the row No. of the picking shelf 3 is set for each store (A, B, C... T) of the sorting group. And the code No. of the article 41 stored in this column. (Corresponding to the shelf number N on a one-to-one basis) and a table of picking quantities is formed. The quantity to be picked (the number of picks) is determined for each (shelf number N), and the “batch number. -Each picking area P-Code No. of article 41 (Shelf number N) -picking data ". The picking data includes the shipping destination, the product name of the article 41, the quantity to be picked, and the number of the sorting device 51. This data is also used as data to be printed on the product recognition label 43 shown in FIG.

Next, in step-4 and step-7, the batch processing data formed above is put together and shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, for each picking area P, “Batch N
o. -Outgoing shelf No. (Shelf number N)-picking data "
Is formed and stored in the batch data storage unit 64 (Step-8, Step-9). The picking data is the quantity of articles 41 to be picked in batch units,
The number of the sorting device 51 is also stored. This data is shown in FIG.
Is also used as print data of the sorting destination recognition label 44 shown in FIG. "Transmission of data at the time of batch processing" Next, a method of transmitting data at the time of batch processing by the picking management unit 66 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 12 and a screen diagram displayed on the touch panel display 23 of the handy terminal 18 of FIG. It will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, Handy Terminal 18
13A, a screen for inputting the code of the picking worker, the number of the picking area in charge of picking, and the number of the zone of the picking area is displayed as an initial screen as shown in FIG.

According to the initial screen, when the picking operator uses the numeric keypad 26 to enter the operator's code and the number of the picking area in charge of collection (the zone number need not be entered), this operation is performed. The data of the user's code and the number of the picking area are transmitted from the handy terminal 18 to the picking management section 66 of the shipping computer 60 via the wireless communication device 7.

The picking management section 66 stores the input worker code and picking area number (step-
1), the batch data storage unit 64 is searched by the number of the picking area P, and as shown in FIG. Are transmitted to the handy terminal 18 via the wireless communication device 7 and displayed (step-2).

According to this display screen, the picking operator uses the ten keys 26 to
o. Is input, the selection data is transmitted from the handy terminal 18 via the wireless communication device 7 to the shipping computer 60.
Is transmitted to the picking management unit 66.

The picking management section 66, based on the input selection data, stores the code of the operator and the batch number to be executed.
Are stored in combination (step-3), and FIG.
As shown in FIG. Is the first outgoing shelves No. in the picking area P assigned to it. Picking data (an example of picking-up information of articles) including (shelf number N) and the quantity to be picked (hereinafter referred to as the number of picks) (in batch units) is transmitted to the handy terminal 18 via the wireless communication device 7 and displayed. (Step-4).

According to this display screen, the picking worker moves the vehicle 1 to the position of the compartment storage space 5 of the shelf number N.
Is moved to take out the articles 41 of the indicated number of picks from the compartment storage space 5 and store them in the collection container 14. Then, one bar code of the picked article 41 is read by the laser scanner 21 of the handy terminal 18. The code of the article 41 read by the laser scanner 21 is transmitted from the handy terminal 18 to the picking management section 66 of the shipping computer 60 via the wireless communication device 7.

The picking management section 66 outputs the output shelf N
o. The code of the article 41 of (shelf number N) and the laser scanner 21
When the code matches the code of the article 41 read in,
Batch N selected in the picking area P in charge
o. No. of outgoing shelves No. It is confirmed whether or not the picking data of (shelf number N) has been completed (step-6). If the picking data still remains, the print data of the product recognition label 42 of the article 41 shown in FIG. Communication device 7
To the handy terminal 18 via
7). If the codes do not match, an error character is displayed on the screen of the handy terminal 18.

The picking worker is the handy terminal 18
Is returned to the attachment 17, and the printer output key 32 is operated while facing the printer device 19. As a result, the print data of the product recognition label 42 shown in FIG. 5A is transmitted from the handy terminal 18 to the printer 19, and the printer 19 prints the product recognition label 42 of the article 41 stored in the collection container 14. publish. The worker attaches the product recognition label 42 to one of the articles 41.

The picking management section 66 then proceeds to the selected batch No. Next to the outgoing shelf No. Picking data of (shelf number N) is handy terminal via the wireless communication device 7
Transmit to 18 for display. While the data of the next batch process remains, a work selection screen shown in FIG. 13B is displayed.

In step -6, the picking management section 66 sets the delivery shelf No. If it is determined that the picking at (shelf number N) has been completed, the batch No. is displayed in order to display the end of retrieval as shown in FIG. The data (which is also the print data of the sorting destination recognition label 44 shown in FIG. 6) including the picking area P where the picking has been performed and the sorting destination (the number of the sorting device 51) is transmitted to the handy terminal 18 via the wireless communication device 7. Then, a leaving end screen is displayed. In the case of batch processing for one article and one order at one shipping destination, the batch No. , Picking area P in which picking was performed, and outgoing shelf No. (Shelf number N), the product name of the article 41, the number of picks, the transportation service, the package No. Fig. 5 consisting of
The data to be printed on the product recognition label 43 attached to the article 41 not subjected to the secondary sorting shown in (b) is transmitted to the handy terminal 18 via the wireless communication device 7 (step-9).

At the end of the retrieval, the picking worker returns the handy terminal 18 to the attachment 17, opposes the printer 19, and operates the printer output key 32.
The print data of the product recognition label 42 shown in FIG.
5 or the print data of the product recognition label 43 shown in FIG. 5B is transmitted from the printer device 19 to the product recognition label 42 of the product 41 stored in the collection container 14. Then, the sorting destination recognition label 44 is printed and issued, or only the product recognition label 43 of the article 41 is printed and issued. The picking worker attaches the product recognition label 42 or 43 to one of the articles 41 and, when the sorting destination recognition label 44 is issued, the sorting destination recognition label 44.
To the collection container 14. The collection container 14 to which the sorting destination recognition label 44 is attached, or the article recognition label 43, that is, the article 41 to which the label "unloading" indicating that packing is not performed is printed. Is placed on the conveyor device C, and the batch processing is completed. As described above, only the product recognition label 43 attached to the product 41 for which the secondary sorting is not performed as shown in FIG.

With the transmission of the batch processing data, the same batch No. is assigned by the picking operator of each picking area P. The picking operation is carried out in parallel, and the collected containers 14 that have been collected are conveyed to the secondary sorting area D by the conveyor device C, collected by the same sorting device 51, and the secondary sorting is performed.

When batch processing is performed on one article at one shipping destination and one order, the article recognition label 43 which is not subjected to the secondary sorting shown in FIG.
It is transported to the single order packing area F without performing the secondary sorting by the sorting device 51. Therefore, in batch processing of one shipment destination, one order and one article, wasteful work of performing secondary sorting can be reduced, that is, wasteful collective picking can be eliminated, and the efficiency of overall sorting work can be improved.

During the batch process, the picking worker fills the collection container 14 with the full article 41 and the next article 41
When it becomes difficult to store the
"F6" (the full key of the collection container 14) is operated. Then, the printing data of the sorting destination recognition label 44 shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted from the picking management unit 66 to the handy terminal 18, and the printing data of the sorting destination recognition label 44 shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted from the handy terminal 18 to the printer 19. Then, the destination recognition label 44 is printed and issued from the printer device 19. The operator attaches the sorting destination recognition label 44 to the collection container 14, places the collection container 14 to which the sorting destination recognition label 44 is attached on the conveyor device C, and prepares an empty collection container 14. Continue with the next picking operation. "Display of the collection status"
4 to 16 are formed by the picking management section 66 and stored in the picking status data section 65.

The data shown in FIG. 14 shows the picking status (an example of the collection status) of all batch processes. And the number of rows of the picking shelf 3 for executing the picking operation for each picking area P indicates that the execution has been completed,
It is formed separately for unexecuted. For example, in FIG. 14, in the fourth batch from the top, in the sixth picking area P, there is one row where execution has been completed, one row being executed, and eight rows not yet executed. It is shown.

When the shipping time (an example of the set time) of the picked article 41 in each batch process approaches, it is confirmed whether there is an unexecuted row, and if there is an unexecuted row, the collection is delayed. The color of the numeral (an example of a visual display) is changed in order to urge this, and is notified to a worker (hereinafter, referred to as a supervisor) supervising the status of the sorting work of the station 8.
At this time, the picking worker who is executing this batch processing is displayed on the screen of the handy terminal 18 that the delay has occurred. Also, a batch process that is being executed, which has a sufficient shipping time for the article 41, is selected, and a request is made to the picking worker who is executing this batch process on the screen of the handy terminal 18 to support the unexecuted row. Is displayed.

[0086] The screen displays "interruption" of batch processing and "release" for inputting release of the interruption. By specifying the number of the batch process and specifying "interrupt", the execution of the batch process can be interrupted. When a batch processing number is designated and "cancel" is designated, execution of this batch processing is permitted.

The picking management section 66 forms the data shown in FIG. 14 as follows. That is, since it is possible to determine whether there is a row for performing the picking operation based on the number of picks in each row of each picking area P shown in FIG. 11, before the picking operation is performed, the batch No. When the number of rows (not yet executed) of the picking shelves 3 for performing the picking operation for each picking area P is obtained and used as the data of the picking status, and the picking operation is started according to the picking status of each row, 1 is subtracted from the number of unexecuted columns, 1 is added to the number of executed columns, and when the picking operation is completed for each column, 1 is subtracted from the number of executed columns, and the number of completed execution columns To form data. These data are stored in the picking situation data section 65 and displayed on the screen of the work terminal device 9 of the station 8. Also, when approaching the shipping time of the articles 41 picked by each batch process, it is checked whether there is an unexecuted row, that is, whether or not the collection is delayed, and when it is checked, the color of the number in the row is changed ( For example, the color is changed from black to red), the delay of collection is notified to the supervisor, and the batch No. FIG. 15 shows the code of the worker and the data stored in combination with the picking area P executing the picking operation.
As shown in (1), a list (table) of picking workers is created for each picking area P whose collection is delayed, and at this time, a batch process that is being executed that has a sufficient shipping time for the article 41 is selected. The picking area P of the batch processing in which the collection is progressing quickly or is likely to be completed is determined, and a list (table) of picking workers is created for each picking area. This list contains the batch numbers. −
Picking area P-work zone-worker's code-worker's name is stored. The data of this list is stored in picking status data section 65 and displayed on the screen of work terminal device 9 of station 8. Then, a signal indicating “delay” is transmitted to the handy terminal 18 of the picking worker who is executing the batch processing in which the picking operation is delayed, the “delay” is displayed on the screen, and the article 41 is displayed.
To the picking worker 18 who is executing the batch processing in progress with sufficient shipping time, and sends a support request signal to the picking area P where collection is delayed, and sends a "support request". Display the screen.

When the picking management section 66 inputs a batch processing number and an operation signal of "interruption", the batch processing number is displayed on the handy terminal 18 so that it cannot be selected. Further, when the batch management number and the operation signal of “cancel” are input, the picking management unit 66 displays the batch processing number on the handy terminal 18 so that the batch processing number can be selected.

As described above, the picking status of all the batch processes is displayed on the work terminal device 9 of the station 8, so that the supervisor can check the collection process status of all the processes, and furthermore, the delay can be further improved. The generated batch and the picking area P can be confirmed. Further, when the shipping time of the article 41 (an example of the set time) approaches, the color of the number of the batch processing in which the delay has occurred is changed, so that the supervisor can more reliably identify the batch and the picking area P in which the delay has occurred. You can check. In addition, the supervisor can check the picking worker who is executing the batch processing with the delay and the worker who is performing the batch processing with a spare time for shipping the article 41 from the list shown in FIG. The supervisor can make a decision on how to support a delayed batch process. In addition, the picking worker who is executing the batch processing with the delay is notified of the delay on the screen of the handy terminal 18, and furthermore, the worker who is executing the batch processing with a sufficient shipping time for the article 41. In this case, a request for support for an unexecuted line is requested on the screen of the handy terminal 18, and the delay of the batch processing can be recovered.

As shown in FIG. 14, columns for designating “collection container No.”, “worker”, and “worker list” are displayed on the screen. When "collection container No." is designated,
A list (an example of a table) shown in FIG. 16A is displayed on the screen of the work terminal device 9. The list includes, in particular, this batch no. This is an effective list (an example of a table) for grasping the number of collection containers 14 used for the collection, and the collection containers 14 whose execution has been started are numbered sequentially (the oricons are sequentially numbered in the column of Oricon). Enters). Further, as shown, the list includes the number of the picking area P and the collection container 14 whose execution has been started.
(The number of collection containers 14 is found),
Worker code, worker name, sorting destination recognition label 44
(This picking area P indicates that the work has been completed), and when this batch processing is completed, "E" is displayed in the picking area P that has been finally processed. You.

The picking management section 66 stores the batch No. executed by the operator as described above. Is selected, each time it is selected, a number is sequentially assigned to the collection containers 14 from which the worker collects, starting from 1, and the number of the picking area P and the collection containers 14
, The data of the number of the worker, the code of the worker, and the name of the worker are formed, and the time when the picking in the picking area P is completed and the sorting destination recognition label 44 is issued is added to the data. When the picking is completed in all the picking areas P, the data of “E” is added to the picking area P for which the processing is finally finished. These data are stored in the picking status data section 65.

When the above “worker” is designated, FIG.
The list (table) specified in 6 (b) is displayed on the screen of the work terminal device 9. This list includes, in particular, each batch No. Is a list (table) for grasping the picking workers for each picking area P in FIG. 1, and includes a number of the picking area P, a code of the worker, and a name of the worker as shown in the figure.

As described above, the picking management section 66 stores the batch No. executed by the operator. Is selected, the number of the picking area P, the code of the worker, and the data of the name of the worker are formed each time it is selected, and stored in the picking status data section 65. This data is stored in station 8
Is displayed on the screen of the work terminal device 9.

By viewing the screens of FIGS. 16A and 16B, the supervisor can confirm the progress status and the operator in each batch process. When the “worker list” is specified, a list (table) specified in FIG. 16C is displayed on the screen of the work terminal device 9. This list is a list (table) for grasping the workers who are engaged in the picking work.
The name of the worker, the number of the picking area P, and the batch N
o. And the number of processed batches.

As described above, the picking management section 66 controls the batch No. executed by the operator. Is selected, the number of the picking area P, the code of the worker, and the data of the name of the worker are formed each time it is selected, and stored in the picking status data section 65.

By viewing the screen shown in FIG. 16C by the supervisor, it is possible to grasp the work status of all the picking workers. "Urgent order processing" and the picking manager 66
The following operation is performed when an urgent order (urgent assortment destination collection request) is input. That is, by searching the article registration unit 61 with the article 41 of this urgent order,
The compartment storage space 5 where the article 41 is stored.
(Shelf number N)}, the customer's registration section 62 is searched by the shipping destination of the order, and the transportation service of the shipping destination is obtained. Further, the picking area P to which the compartment storage space 5 belongs is obtained, and the unique batch is determined. Assign a number and a packaging number.

Thus, urgent order batch processing data is formed. That is, the batch processing data is
“Batch No. -Picking area P-Outgoing shelf No.
(Shelf number N) -picking data ". The picking data includes the product name of the article 41, the quantity to be picked, the transportation service, and the packing number. Formed from This batch processing data is also used as data to be printed on a product recognition label 43 attached to an article 41 on which secondary sorting is not performed as shown in FIG.

Then, the batch processing data of the urgent order is interrupted at the head of the list in FIG. Thus, the batch No. of the batch processing data is displayed at the top of the work selection screen of the handy terminal 18 shown in FIG.
Is displayed, and the picking operation is executed with priority.

As described above, the output order of the batch processing data to be instructed to each handy terminal 18 can be changed, and by giving priority to the instruction, the batch processing data that needs to be urgently shipped can be output first. An urgent order picking operation can be performed. [Attachment] The attachment 17 will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18,
The main body 71 of the attachment 17 includes a terminal holding member 72 (an example of a terminal holding unit) for detachably holding the handy terminal 18 and a printer device attaching member 73 (an example of a printing device attaching unit) for attaching the printer device 19. And

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the terminal holding member 72 is a box having an upper surface opened by a pair of front and rear plates 74 and 75, a pair of left and right side plates 76 and 77, and a bottom plate 78. And a holding space 79 is formed therein. An opening 80 is formed in the front plate 74,
The bottom plate 78 is provided with a communication port 81 through which infrared light (an example of a communication light beam) passes. In addition, each of the plate
A rubber sheet 82 for cushioning is adhered to the inner surfaces of -78.

As shown in FIG. 17, an angle-shaped bracket 83 is provided on a lower outer surface of the rear plate 75, and the printer mounting member 73 is mounted on the bracket 83. As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the printer mounting member 73 has a holding plate 84 protruding downward and to the right of the terminal holding member 72, and a cutout 85 formed from the right end to the left. ing.

As shown in FIG. 17, on the upper outer surface of the rear plate 75 of the terminal holding member 72, a mounting member 87 is provided via a hinge device 86. The mounting member 87
A vertical plate portion 88, a horizontal plate portion 89 provided at an upper end of the vertical plate portion 88, a pair of front and rear sandwiching members 90a and 90b provided below the vertical plate portion 88, and fixing means 91. It is composed of As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the pair of holding members 90a, 90
b, one of the holding members 90a located in the front is rotatably attached to the vertical plate portion 88 via the hinge device 92 in the front-rear direction, and the other holding member 90b located in the rear is connected to the vertical plate portion 90b. 88
Fixed to. Thus, one holding body 90a is configured to open and close with respect to the other holding body 90b.

The holding members 90a and 90b have recesses respectively.
As shown in FIG. 17, when one of the holding members 90a is closed to the closed position S, as shown in FIG.
The concave portion 93 of the carriage 12 and the concave portion 93 of the other
It is configured to sandwich 16. A rubber sheet 94 that is pressed against the handle 16 at the closed position S is provided on the inner surface of the recess 93.

The fixing means 91 is for fixing one of the holding members 90a at the closed position S, and the other of the L-shaped locking members 95b provided at the lower end of the other holding member 90b and the other holding member 95b. And a fixing lever 96 provided at the lower end of one holding body 90a and having a lower end of one holding body 90a. The opening 97 allows the other locking member 95b to enter and exit. The fixed lever 96 is rotatably attached to the front surface of one of the holding members 90a via a support shaft 98 inserted in the front-rear direction. One of the locking members 95a is a fixed lever 96
When the fixed lever 96 is pivoted to one side, one of the locking members 95a is connected to the other of the locking members 95.
b, and the fixed lever 96 is pivoted to the other, so that one locking member 95a is disengaged from the other locking member 95b.

The operation of the structure of the attachment 17 will be described below. By rotating the fixing lever 96 to the other side, the one locking body 95a is disengaged from the other locking body 95b, and in this state, one holding body 90a is opened as shown by a solid line in FIG. The handle 16 of the carriage 12 is inserted between the concave portion 93 of the body 90a and the concave portion 93 of the other holding body 90b. Then, by closing the one holding body 90a to the closed position S, the other locking body 95b is moved to the one holding body 90a as shown in FIG.
From the rear side through the opening 97 to protrude to the near side of one of the holding bodies 90a. After that, the fixing lever 96 is rotated to one side,
By engaging one locking body 95a with the other locking body 95b, one holding body 90a is fixed at the closed position S. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the concave portion 93 of the one holding member 90a and the concave portion 93 of the other holding member 90b sandwich the handle 16 of the carriage 12, so that the attachment 17 is mounted on the handle 16. Is done.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, the operator inserts the insertion portion 64 of the printer device 19 into the holding plate 84 of the printer device mounting member 73 from the right side, so that the printer device 19 is mounted. It is attached to the member 73. Further, when the operator inserts the handy terminal 18 into the holding space 79 in the terminal holding member 72 from above, the handy terminal 18 is
Is held. Thereby, the handy terminal 18 is disposed above the printer device 19.

Thereafter, for example, when performing a picking operation, the operator loads the empty collection container 14 on the mounting portion 15 of the cart 12 and visually observes the operation contents displayed on the display 23 of the handy terminal 18. Picking shelves 3 for carts 12
Move up to Then, the operator operates the display
Picking a predetermined number of articles 41 from the picking shelf 3 according to the work content displayed in 23, and picking the articles
41 into the collection container 14 of the trolley 12, and the handy terminal 18
Is pulled out upward from the terminal holding member 72 and removed, and the laser scanner 21 of the handy terminal 18 reads the barcode of the picked article 41 or the barcode of the label 6 of the picking shelf 3 and then removes the handy terminal 18 from the terminal holding member. Insert into 72.

After the picking is completed, the operator presses the "execute key" of the ten keys 26 of the handy terminal 18, and further presses the output key 32 to the printer device 19. As a result, as shown in FIG.
Infrared rays are transmitted downward from 31 and received by the optical transceiver 35 of the printer device 19 through the communication port 81. As a result, picking information such as a shelf number, a product name, the number, and a sorting destination is transmitted from the handy terminal 18 to the printer 19, and the printer 19 issues various labels 42, 43, and 44 on which the picking information is printed. Then, the worker attaches the issued label 42 or 43 to the article 41,
44 is attached to the collection container 14.

If an error occurs in the printer 19 when the picking information is transmitted from the handy terminal 18 to the printer 19 as described above,
Infrared rays are transmitted upward from the 19 optical transceivers 35 and received by the optical transceiver 31 of the handy terminal 18 through the communication port 81. As a result, a message indicating a printer error is displayed on the display 23 of the handy terminal 18.

As described above, during the operation, the handy terminal 18 is held by the terminal holding member 72 and the
By attaching 19 to the printer attachment member 73,
The positions of the handy terminal 18 and the printer 19 are fixed, and the optical transceiver 31 of the handy terminal 18 faces directly above the optical transceiver 35 of the printer 19. Accordingly, since the optical transceiver 31 of the handy terminal 18 and the optical transceiver 35 of the printer device 19 face each other accurately without being shifted on the infrared optical axis 99, no burden is imposed on the operator for alignment. , Work delay can be prevented.

The inclination angle of the main body 71 with respect to the mounting member 87 can be adjusted via the hinge device 86. Therefore, the operator can handle the handy terminal 18 held by the terminal holding member 72 and the printer mounting member.
The printer device 19 attached to 73 can be easily adjusted to an easily viewable angle.

The attachment 17 is attached to the handle 16 of the carriage 12.
In order to remove the holding member 95a from the other, the one locking body 95a is disengaged from the other locking body 95b by rotating the fixing lever 96 to the other, and in this state, one holding body 90a is opened as shown by a solid line in FIG. The handle 16 may be detached from between the concave portion 93 of one holding member 90a and the concave portion 93 of the other holding member 90b.

When performing a picking operation or the like without using the cart 12, the operator removes the handy terminal 18 and the printer device 19 from the attachment 17, holds the handy terminal 18 in his hand, The operator inserts the waist belt of the operator into the insertion portion 64 of the printer device 19, mounts the printer device 19 on the waist (an appropriate position of the body), performs a picking operation, and, after the picking is completed, the optical transceiver of the handy terminal 18. Various labels 42, 43, 44 may be issued from the printer 19 with the optical transceiver 31 of the printer 19 opposed to the optical transceiver 35 on the optical axis 99. Note that, instead of holding the handy terminal 18 in a hand, optical communication may be performed in a state where the handy terminal 18 is hooked on a part of a worker's body using a string or the like.

Alternatively, when a picking operation or the like is performed without using the cart 12 as described above, the operator places the other printer device 19 on the lower back (body) while leaving the printer device 19 on the attachment 17. At the appropriate position)
After removing the handy terminal 18 from the attachment 17 and holding it by hand, picking work is completed, and after the picking is completed, the optical transceiver 31 of the handy terminal 18 and the optical transceiver 35 of the other printer device 19 mounted on the waist are optically connected. Opposite on the axis 99, the other printer 19
, Various labels 42, 43, 44 may be issued. In the case where one of the printer device 19 held on the attachment 17 of the carriage 12 and another printer device 19 mounted on the waist of the operator is selected and used, the two printer devices 19 are used. Acts in common (similarly), and can issue the various labels 42, 43, 44 from either printer device 19. Further, instead of holding the handy terminal 18 in a hand, optical communication may be performed in a state where the handy terminal 18 is hooked on a part of a worker's body using a string or the like.

As described above, whether or not the picking operation is performed without using the cart 12 can be determined by the picking instruction screen of the display 23 of the handy terminal 18 shown in FIG. 13C. . That is,
When the picking instruction displayed on the picking instruction screen of the display 23 is batch processing data of one sorting destination, one shipping destination, one order and one article (collected in the picking area P, and selected in the “sorting / packing area”, In the case of picking data of the article 41 for which the next sorting is not performed, for example, in the case of batch processing data in which the character “not loaded” printed on the product recognition label 43 is displayed and the articles 41 are sorted for each sorting destination group ( In the picking area P, the picking data of the articles 41 collected in the collecting container 14 and subjected to the secondary sorting in the "sorting / packing area"), for example, the characters "packing available" are displayed. The operator performs the picking operation without using the cart 12 when the character "Unpacked" is displayed on the display 23 of the handy terminal 18, and displays the cart when the character "Packed" is displayed. Use 12 to do the picking work. The operator directly carries the picked article 41 to the conveyor device C without using the cart 12.

In the present embodiment, the picking data of each batch process is formed for each picking area P. However, the picking data of each batch process is formed for each of a plurality of work zones 4 of each picking area P. You may make it. At this time, on the initial screen of the handy terminal 18 shown in FIG. 13A, when the number of the zone is input after the number of the picking area in charge of collection,
The batch No. of the batch process that has not been executed in the work zone 4 of the input picking area P. Is a handy terminal
Transmitted to 18 and displayed. The picking operator performs the picking operation in the selected operation zone.

In the present embodiment, as an example of changing the visual display, the color of the number is changed, but the number is changed to another character or character, or the thickness or inclination of the number or character is changed. Or you can.

In the present embodiment, the set time of the collected articles is set as the shipping time. However, the present invention is not limited to the shipping time, and a predetermined time may be set. Also, when approaching the set time of the article, the picking area where collection is delayed and the picking area where collection is expected to progress or end quickly are determined based on the collection status of each picking area. After reaching
The picking area in which collection is delayed and the picking area in which collection is likely to progress or end may be determined from the collection status of each picking area.

In the present embodiment, the sorting destination display means is formed by the label 44, but may be formed by a plate or a tag. In the present embodiment,
Although the labels 42, 43 and 44 are issued by the portable printer device 19, they may be issued by the label printer 10 provided in the station 9 in the picking area A shown in FIG.

Further, in this embodiment, only one product recognition label 42, 43 is issued by the portable printer device 19, but it is also possible to issue the number corresponding to the number of picks, and furthermore, to sort at the same time. It is also possible to issue a price tag on which the amount of the article 41 according to the earlier (shipping destination) order is printed.

In this embodiment, a fluid shelf is used as the picking shelf 3 and the sorting shelf 57. However, a general shelf in which articles and containers storing the articles do not move may be used.

In this embodiment, a container is used as the collection container 14. However, a cardboard, a bucket, a case, a tray, or the like may be used.
Moreover, the thing with a lid (the thing which can be sealed) may be used.

In this embodiment, a push button switch is used for the quantity indicator 58. However, these switch functions can be replaced by a switch or a foot switch which is turned on by pulling a string. Further, the compartment storage space 5 of the picking shelf 3 may be provided with a supplementary notifying (input) means for notifying (inputting) that there is no longer any article or container to be picked. In addition, the function of the supplement notification (input) means may be provided in the handy terminal 18.

In the present embodiment, the attachment 17
Is attached to the handle 16 of the cart 12, but may be attached to a location other than the handle 16, for example, the end of the mounting portion 15 of the cart body.

In this embodiment, transmission and reception are performed between the two optical transceivers 31 and 35 using infrared rays. However, light rays other than infrared rays may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal holding member 72 and the printer device mounting member 73 are provided integrally, but the two members 72, 73 may be provided separately on the carriage 12.

[0113]

As described above, according to the present invention, the removal information of articles designated to the instruction means is managed for each picking area, and the collection status for each picking area is obtained for each sorting group. By displaying the collection status of each picking area on the display screen of the display means, the supervisor of the picking facility can check the overall collection status on the display screen of the display means, and delay in collection. The picking area that has occurred can be confirmed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of a picking facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of a picking area of the picking equipment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a handy terminal of the picking facility.

FIG. 4 is a control configuration diagram of the picking equipment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a label attached to an article of the picking facility.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a shipping label attached to the collection container of the picking facility.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a sorting device of the picking equipment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic layout diagram of a sorting device of the picking equipment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for forming data of batch processing of the picking facility.

FIG. 10 is a list of data of one batch process of the picking facility.

FIG. 11 is a list of data of all batch processes of the picking equipment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a picking instruction of the picking equipment.

FIG. 13 is a screen view displayed on a handy terminal of the picking facility.

FIG. 14 is a screen view of a collection status displayed on the terminal device of the picking facility.

FIG. 15 is a screen view of a collection status displayed on the terminal device of the picking facility.

FIG. 16 is a sub-screen diagram of a collection status displayed on the terminal device of the picking facility.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the attachment, the handy terminal, and the printer attached to the cart of the picking facility.

FIG. 18 is a front view of an attachment, a handy terminal, and a printer attached to the cart of the picking facility.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the attachment attached to the cart of the picking facility, showing a state in which the handy terminal and the printer have been removed.

FIG. 20 is a sectional front view of a main part of an attachment attached to a cart of the picking equipment.

21 is a view as viewed in the direction of arrows XX in FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a lower portion of an attachment member of the attachment attached to the cart of the picking facility.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the lower part of the attachment member of the attachment attached to the cart of the picking facility.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Picking area B Sorting / packing area C Conveyor device D Sorting area E Packing area F Single order packing area P Picking area 1 Mobile vehicle 2 Travel route 3 Picking shelf 4 Work zone 5 Partition storage space 7 Wireless communication device 8 Station 9 Terminal Device 10 Label printer 14 Collection container 18 Handy terminal 19 Printer device 21 Laser scanner (bar code reader) 31, 35 Optical transmitter 33 Handy terminal controller 41 Article 42, 43 Product recognition label 44 Sorting destination recognition label 52, 55 Bar Code reader 53 Branching device 54 Branching conveyor 57 Sorting shelf 58 Quantity indicator 60 Computer for shipping

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A picking shelf having a plurality of compartments for accommodating articles, divided into a plurality of picking areas, and an instruction for instructing information for taking out the articles from the compartments of the picking shelf. Means, input means for inputting information on articles taken out of the compartments of the picking shelves based on the information instructed by the instructing means, and to the instructing means in response to a collection request for the articles to be sorted. Picking equipment comprising management means for forming removal information of an article to be instructed, instructing the removal information of the article to an instruction means, and managing a collection status based on information of the article from the input means, and a display screen. Display means having the following, wherein the management means manages the removal information of articles to be instructed to the instructing means for each of the picking areas, and for each of the sorting destination groups Seeking collecting goods situation for each picking area, picking facilities, characterized in that to display the current product status of each picking each area on the display screen of the display unit. 2. The management means determines a picking area in which collection is delayed from a collection state in each picking area, and indicates a collection area in the picking area for prompting that the collection is delayed. The picking facility according to claim 1, wherein a visual display of a display screen is changed. 3. The management means has registered therein information for identifying a picking worker who is in charge of collection according to the article removal information specified by the indicating means, and the managing means stores the picking worker's information for each picking area. The picking facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the table is created. 4. The management means judges a picking area in which collection is delayed and a picking area in which collection is expected to progress or finish quickly from the collection status of each picking area, and picking for each of these picking areas. The picking facility according to claim 3, wherein a table of the workers is created. 5. The management means, when the set time of the collected articles approaches or reaches the set time, the picking area whose collection has been delayed from the picking situation of each picking area and the picking up quickly. The picking facility according to claim 4, wherein a picking area expected to progress or end is determined. 6. The management means has registered therein information for specifying a picking worker who is in charge of collection in accordance with the article removal information specified by the instruction means, wherein the management means collects information for each picking area. The picking area in which the collection is delayed is determined from the following, and the picking worker in the picking area in which the collection is delayed is notified of the collection delay. Picking equipment as described. 7. The management means registers information for specifying a picking worker who is in charge of collection in accordance with information on removal of articles designated by the instruction means, wherein the management means collects information for each picking area. From the picking area where collection is likely to progress or end quickly, and inform the picking worker in the picking area where collection is expected to progress or end quickly to support the picking area where collection is delayed. The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. The picking equipment according to claim 1, wherein the management means is capable of changing the output order of the removal information of the articles designated to the respective instruction means. 9. The management means, when forming urging information of an article to be instructed to each instructing means in response to an urgent collection request of an article of an assortment destination, fetches the information of fetching this article from the fetching information of other articles. The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein instructions are given to each instruction means with priority. 10. The management means, in response to a collection request for articles of a sorting destination, information for picking up articles for aligning the articles for each of a group of sorting destinations registered in advance, or an article for picking up the articles for a single sorting destination The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the picking information is formed. 11. A printing apparatus which is attached to an article to be collected, and which has an article display means for identifying the article and a printing apparatus for issuing a sort destination display means for identifying a sort destination of the collected article. The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10.