JP2003267523A - Warehouse management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To visually and remotely manage the stored conditions of commodities stored in a warehouse to be utilized by many and unspecified consignors while protecting the right of privacy, as if the warehouse would exist before the eyes of the consignors. <P>SOLUTION: The warehouse management system comprises a camera 2, a camera moving mechanism 3, a managing computer 1 for controlling the camera 2 and the camera moving mechanism 3, and client computers 7 connectable to the managing computer 1. The managing computer 1 has moving control signal output means 12 for controlling the camera moving mechanism 3, photographing control signal output means 13 for executing photographing with the camera 2, image data storing means 15 for storing image data for each of the consignors, data reading means 17 for reading the image data for the commodities of the consignors, and data transmitting means 18 for transmitting the image data to the client computers 7 of the consignors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a warehouse management system capable of remotely managing the storage state and inventory of articles stored in a warehouse.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to manage the storage status and inventory of articles stored in a store warehouse or rental warehouse, it is common to visit the warehouse and check the storage status and inventory quantity of the articles. . However, in a warehouse provided in a distribution center of a large store operating nationwide or a rental warehouse used by an unspecified user, a person who should manage individual articles (referred to as a shipper here) ) And the storage location of the article are not necessarily close to each other. To cope with such a situation, various warehouse management systems using computers have been developed and put into practical use.

[0003] For example, a product management database is created in which unique identification information is attached to each item, and the identification information and the information such as the number of stocks of the item, the storage location, and the shipper are associated with each other. One of them is a warehouse management system that enables remote shippers to view the goods management database from their own computers, and remotely manage the status of the goods they should manage. .

However, this type of warehouse management system mainly manages data such as characters and numerical values such as the name of goods and the quantity of stock, and the shipper cannot check the storage status of goods at present with his or her own eyes. . Therefore, the above system is effective when managing the inventory of a store that handles inexpensive products or a store that handles a small amount of products, but when managing the inventory of valuable products or a large amount of products, simply, It is not a satisfactory system because it only allows you to browse data such as item names and inventory quantities.

In order to deal with this, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6
As disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 105316, a warehouse management system has been proposed in which a camera is movably installed in a warehouse, an object in the warehouse is photographed by the camera, and the image data can be viewed by a shipper. There is.

[0006]

However, this type of warehouse management system was developed for inventory management of stores and the like, and in the case of a rental warehouse used by an unspecified number of article managers, it is simply a warehouse. The satisfaction of the shipper is low only by taking an image of the article inside the camera with a camera so that the image can be seen from the side of the shipper. That is, while protecting the privacy of other shippers, according to the request of each shipper,
It is necessary to be able to visually confirm the storage status of the goods.

As described above, in a rental warehouse or the like used by an unspecified number of shippers, the goods deposited by each shipper for each shipper (in the case where there are a plurality of goods deposited by one shipper, all the goods or It is necessary to build a system in which only the specific item that the shipper wants to check is photographed and the image can be viewed by the shipper on his computer.

[0008] Therefore, according to the present invention, the storage condition of articles stored in a warehouse used by an unspecified number of shippers is maintained as if the warehouse exists in front of the shippers while protecting privacy while being in a remote place. It is an object to provide a warehouse management system that can be managed visually.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a warehouse management system of the present invention divides a shelf frame of a warehouse shelf existing in a warehouse to form a plurality of storage units, and a plurality of storage units are formed. In a warehouse management system that stores goods stored by a shipper in a storage unit and manages the stored goods, a camera capable of photographing the goods stored in the storage unit and outputting the image data, And a management computer capable of controlling the camera and the camera movement mechanism and communicating with an external computer via a network. , A computer operated by the shipper,
The management computer includes a client computer that can communicate with the management computer via a network, and the management computer outputs a movement control signal for controlling the camera movement mechanism, and photographing control for executing photographing by the camera. A photographing control signal output means for outputting a signal, an image data storage means for storing image data obtained as a result of photographing by the camera for each shipper, a shipper is specified, and image data of the specified shipper's article is displayed. The warehouse management system is provided with data reading means for reading and data transmitting means for transmitting image data to the client computer of the shipper.

For this reason, the article for each specific shipper is photographed, and the imaged image data is transmitted to the specific shipper at a remote location. Therefore, the shipper can visually confirm that his or her goods are normally stored.
At this time, since the image data of the article of another shipper is not transmitted to the specific shipper, it is possible to secure the protection of privacy.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a camera is capable of photographing each storage unit, and a management computer receives a designation signal for receiving a designation signal for designating an article to be photographed or a storage section in which the article is stored. The movement control signal output means is a warehouse management system that outputs a movement control signal for moving the camera to a storage unit in which the article is stored, based on the designation signal. For this reason, the shipper
It is possible to have the image data of only a specific article out of the stored articles of the user be transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the photographing time and the transmission time and reduce the data capacity.

Further, according to another invention, when the management computer photographs a plurality of the storage units, a plurality of image data obtained by individually photographing the plurality of storage units are converted into one image. The warehouse management system is equipped with image editing means for editing. Therefore, the volume of image data to the shipper can be further reduced. Also, the shipper can more easily confirm the storage status of the goods.

Further, according to another invention, when the image editing means edits the image data of the storage unit storing the articles of a specific shipper and the image data of the other storage units,
The warehouse management system is designed to hide the inside of other storage units. Therefore, no matter which shipper receives a shooting request, it is possible to shoot all the storage units of the warehouse shelves without changing the movement pattern of the camera. At this time, the image of the storage unit containing the article may be hidden so that the article of another shipper is not shown.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the client computer is provided with photographing instruction means for giving a photographing instruction when photographing the article stored in the storage portion with the camera, and the management computer receives the signal of the photographing instruction. The warehouse management system is provided with instruction signal receiving means, and the photographing control signal output means performs photographing with a camera based on the received photographing instruction signal. Therefore, the operation of the shipper can take a picture of the storage unit storing the articles.

According to another aspect of the invention, the client computer comprises an icon creating means for creating an icon for instructing shooting, and the shooting instructing means sends a signal of a shooting instruction from the client computer to the management computer in accordance with the instruction of the icon. It has a warehouse management system to send. Therefore, the photographing operation of the shipper can be further simplified.

[0016] Further, another invention further comprises a cognitive signal receiving means for the management computer to receive a cognitive signal for recognizing a change in the storage condition of one or more articles owned by the shipper. A warehouse control system is provided in which the shooting control signal output means performs shooting based on the reception of the recognition signal. For this reason, the cargo owner can confirm whether or not there is an abnormality in the storage of the article by detecting the entry of a person into the warehouse and then photographing the storage section.

Further, another invention further comprises at least one of a door opening / closing detecting means for detecting opening / closing of a door of a warehouse and an infrared sensor, wherein the recognition signal receiving means is a door opening / closing detecting means or The warehouse management system receives the recognition signal from the infrared sensor. For this reason,
It is possible to confirm the storage state of the article more easily.

According to another aspect of the invention, the management computer further comprises designated article selection means for selecting a designated article designated in advance at the time of photographing by the camera based on the recognition signal, and the movement control signal output means designates the designated article. This is a warehouse management system in which the camera is moved to a storage unit that stores the items selected by the item selection means. For this reason, the shipper does not have to check all the items, but can check only the safety of important items.

Further, another invention is a warehouse management system in which the management computer further comprises a timekeeping means for displaying the date or time at the time of photographing. Therefore, by receiving the image data, the shipper can confirm the storage state on the shooting date or the shooting time added to the image data.

Further, according to another invention, the data transmission means is a warehouse management system for transmitting an electronic mail with image data attached to the client computer. Therefore, even if you do not perform the operation to confirm the safety of the items stored by the shipper, you can receive the image data automatically or periodically by email if you install the email software. Can be done.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the warehouse management system of the present invention is applied to a rental warehouse used by unspecified shippers will be described as an example.

The warehouse management system of the present invention comprises a server 1.
And a camera 2 for taking a picture of the storage situation of the goods of the shipper
And a camera moving mechanism 3 for moving the camera 2.
An infrared sensor 4 for detecting human intrusion, a door opening / closing detecting means 5 for detecting opening / closing of a door of a warehouse, and a server 1.
A server management terminal 6 operated by an administrator who manages a client, a client terminal 7 which is a client computer operated by a shipper, an Internet 8 which is a form of a network between the server 1 and the client terminal 7, and a client terminal In the case where 7 is a personal computer, from the provider server 9 through which the personal computer connects to the Internet 8 and when the client terminal 7 is a mobile phone, the base station 10 through which the mobile phone connects to the Internet 8 It is mainly composed.

The server 1 includes a camera 2 and a camera moving mechanism 3.
It is a management computer capable of controlling the server and communicating with the server management terminal 6 and the client terminal 7. The server 1 includes a control unit 11, a movement control signal output unit 12, a shooting control signal output unit 13, an article management data storage unit 14, an image data storage unit 15, a communication interface 16, and a data reading unit 17. , Data transmitting means 18, designation signal receiving means 19, image editing means 20, shooting instruction signal receiving means 21, door opening / closing recognition signal receiving means 22, infrared sensor recognition signal receiving means 23, and designated article selection means. 24 and a communication interface 25.

The control means 11 is a means for controlling each processing of the server 1, and comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a program. Further, the control unit 11 controls that the instruction signal transmitted from the client terminal 7 and instructing the article to be photographed captures all the articles of the shipper, a specific article registered in advance, or an article input by the shipper. It is a means for determining whether the signal is an instruction signal. Further, the control unit 11 performs a process of determining an article to be imaged, a process of measuring a time during which a recognition signal is turned on, which will be described later, and a process of detecting that a predetermined time has passed. The movement control signal output unit 12 is a unit that outputs a movement control signal for controlling the camera moving mechanism 3, and outputs the movement control signal to the camera moving mechanism 3 in accordance with the information of each coordinate in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. It is a means for transmitting a signal. The shooting control signal output means 13 is means for outputting on / off of shooting by the camera 2. The camera 2 may be provided with a unit for recording the shooting date and time.

The article management data storage means 14 is a data storage means for storing article management data for each shipper. The image data storage unit 15 is a data storage unit that stores image data captured for each storage unit that divides a warehouse shelf in the warehouse and edited image data obtained by editing the image.

The communication interface 16 is a communication interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from the client terminal 7 via the Internet 8. The data reading means 17 specifies the consignor, and from the article management data storage means 14 and the image data storage means 15, the article management data and the image data of the specified consignor (hereinafter, referred to as “manage management data”).
(Including edited image data).

The data transmitting means 18 is means for performing processing for transmitting the data read by the data reading means 17 to the client terminal 7. The transmission is performed by email, but is not limited to this. Designated signal receiving means 1
Reference numeral 9 is means for receiving, via the communication interface 16, from the client terminal 7 a designation signal for specifying the article stored in the storage section or the storage section storing the article.

The image editing means 20 is a means for editing the image data taken by the camera 2, and carries out the processing to combine the image data of a plurality of designated storage sections into one. Also,
As the editing process, a non-display process may be performed in which the image data of the storage unit in which the articles of other shippers are stored is painted in black, for example. Further, the image editing means 20 is provided with a clocking means 20a for adding the shooting date and time to the image data. The timekeeping means 20a may additionally indicate either the shooting date or the shooting time.

The photographing instruction signal receiving means 21 is means for receiving a photographing instruction signal for instructing photographing from the client terminal 7. When the photographing control signal output unit 13 receives the photographing instruction signal from the photographing instruction signal receiving unit 21,
An ON signal for shooting is sent to the camera 2.

The door opening / closing recognition signal receiving means 22 is a recognition signal receiving means for receiving a recognition signal from the door opening / closing detection means 5. The infrared sensor recognition signal receiving means 23 is a recognition signal receiving means for receiving a recognition signal from the infrared sensor 4. The photographing control signal output means 13 described above outputs to the camera 2 after at least one of the door opening / closing recognition signal receiving means 22 and the infrared sensor recognition signal receiving means 23 sends a signal indicating a state in which no human is detected. In response, a signal for instructing shooting is sent. The designated item selection means 24 is a means for selecting data of a previously designated item or storage unit from the item management data storage means 14. The communication interface 25 is an interface for communication between the server management terminal 6 and the server 1.

Incidentally, the control means 11, the movement control signal output means 12, the photographing control signal output means 13, the article management data storage means 14, the image data storage means 15, the communication interface 16, the data reading means 17, the data transmission means 18, Designation signal receiving means 19, image editing means 20, shooting instruction signal receiving means 21, door opening / closing recognition signal receiving means 22,
The infrared sensor recognition signal receiving means 23, the designated article selecting means 24, and the communication interface 25 are a combination of hardware members and software, but at least one of them may be hardware members only or software only.

The client terminal 7 includes a control means 31 and
It is provided with a designation signal output means 32, a photographing instruction means 33, an icon creating means 34, a communication interface 35, an image display means 36, a data receiving means 37, and a transmission requesting means 38.

The control means 31 is means for controlling each process of the client terminal 7. The designated signal output means 32 is
It is a means for an operator of the client terminal 7 to output a designation signal for designating an article to be photographed or a storage unit in which the article is stored. The photographing instruction means 33 is means for transmitting a command instructing photographing to the server 1. The icon creating means 34 is a means for creating the icon 40 for activating the shooting software. The communication interface 35 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data between the client terminal 7 and the server 1.

When the image data of the storage section is sent from the server 1, the image display means 36 automatically executes the drawing software or the browser software installed in the client terminal 7 based on the operator's instruction. It is means for starting and displaying image data. The image display means 36 is also means for displaying an operation screen on the screen of the client terminal 7 based on an input operation for photographing the storage section.

The data receiving means 37 is means for receiving image data and the like transmitted from the server 1. This reception format is for receiving mail, but is not limited to this. The transmission requesting unit 38 is a unit that transmits a command requesting transmission of image data to the server 1. The control unit 31, the designation signal output unit 32, the photographing instruction unit 33, the icon creating unit 34, the communication interface 35, the image display unit 36, the data receiving unit 37,
The transmission requesting unit 38 is a combination of hardware members and software, but at least one of them may be a hardware member only or software only.

Next, with respect to the external appearance and configuration of the warehouse shelves for storing articles to be photographed, the cameras 2 and the camera moving mechanism 3 for photographing the inside of each of the compartments dividing the warehouse shelves,
A description will be given based on FIG.

In this embodiment, the warehouse has a warehouse shelf 41 inside, as shown in FIG. The warehouse shelves 41 are provided with a plurality of storage units 42 by shelf frames formed in a lattice shape. The storage unit 42 stores the articles 45 owned by each shipper. The storage section 42
Do not have to have the same size and rectangular shape as shown in FIG.

A horizontal rail 51 is provided above the front of the warehouse shelf 41 in the warehouse. A vertical rail 52 is connected vertically below the horizontal rail 51 so as to form a T-shape with the horizontal rail 51.
The horizontal rail 51 is fixed by anchors 53, 53 in a state of being suspended from the ceiling of the warehouse. The vertical rail 52 is provided so that the lower end thereof is separated from the floor of the warehouse, and the joint portion 54 of the horizontal rail 51 and the vertical rail 52 serves as a fulcrum toward the one end of the horizontal rail 51.
It is possible to fold it horizontally and fold it horizontally with the horizontal rail 51.

The horizontal rail 51 and the vertical rail 52 are provided with a guide groove 51a and a guide groove 52a, respectively. In the vicinity of the upper end of the vertical rail 52 (in the vicinity of the joint 54 with the horizontal rail 51), a trolley 3b capable of self-propelled in the guide groove 51a of the horizontal rail 51 in the left and right directions is attached. The trolley 3b constitutes a part of the camera moving mechanism 3.

The trolley 3b includes a roller 55 that engages with the guide groove 51a and a motor 5 that applies a rotational force to the roller 55.
6, the roller 55 receives the rotational force of the motor 56 and can travel on the horizontal rail 51.

Further, an elevator 3a to which the camera 2 is attached is attached to the guide groove 52a of the vertical rail 52 so that the guide groove 52a can be moved up and down in both directions.
The elevator 3a constitutes a part of the camera moving mechanism 3,
It has a winch for raising and lowering the elevator 3a and its motor.

As described above, the camera moving mechanism 3 is a mechanism capable of moving the camera 2 vertically and horizontally (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction). Therefore, the camera 2 can take a picture of each storage section 42 of the warehouse shelf 41. The rotation of the motor 56 of the trolley 3b and the moving distance of the elevator 3a are determined by the server 1
It is determined based on the movement control signal from the movement control output means 12 inside.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the article management database 60 in the article management data storage means 14.
The article management database 60 is a database created by an administrator operating the server management terminal 6 and inputting receipt / exit data, and is composed of data sheets 60a, 60b, 60c and the like created for each shipper. Has been done.

Data sheet (hereinafter, data sheet 60a is representatively shown, but data sheets 60b of other shippers,
The same applies to 60c). 61,
The name 62 of the consignor, the number 63 of articles stored, the contact 64 of the consignor, and the storage section No. of the storage section 42 for storing the article 45.
65, an article name 66, a storage date 67, progress information 68 regarding entry and exit, presence / absence of shooting designation 69, and each data of an image 70 of the article 45.

When the consignor previously designates from the client terminal 7 an article desired to be photographed, the designation 69 is "present".
Becomes Further, even if the administrator designates the article desired to be photographed by the shipper from the server management terminal 6, the presence / absence 69 of the designation is “present”. The consignor connects to the server 1 and the data sheet 60a
Etc., the data sheet 60a is selected based on the name 62 of the shipper such as the data sheet 60a.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing image data 70 photographed for each of the storage sections 42 in the warehouse shelf 41. A total of 20 pieces of image data 70 shown in FIG.
The image data 70 is taken for each image. Articles inside 45
There is also the image data 70 of the empty storage section 42 that does not store the. These image data 70 are stored in the image data storage means 15.

In this embodiment, each storage section 42 has
The articles of the shippers A to E are stored. Each storage section 4
The coordinates described under the image data 70 of No. 2 are the coordinates when each storage unit 42 is represented as a two-dimensional coordinate position of x and y. For example, in FIG. 4, the coordinates of the storage unit 42, which is the third from the left and the second from the bottom, are represented as (3, 2).

The shipper A is (2, 2), (3, 3),
An article 45 is stored in each storage unit 42 having five coordinates (4, 2), (4, 3), and (5, 2). The shipper B uses all the five storage sections 42 at the bottom, that is,
An article 45 is stored in each storage unit 42 having coordinates (1,1), (2,1), (3,1), (4,1) and (5,1). Further, the shipper C stores the article 45 in each storage unit 42 having both the coordinates (1,2) and (3,2). Shipper D has (1,3) and (2,3)
The article 45 is stored in each storage unit 42 having both coordinates. Further, the shipper E has the five uppermost storage sections 42, that is, (1, 4), (2, 4), (3, 4), (4,
The articles 45 are stored in the respective storage sections 42 having the coordinates 4) and (5,4).

In this way, the storage section 42 is assigned to each shipper. In addition, when allocating a plurality of storage units 42 to one shipper, it is preferable that the same shipper allocates the adjacent storage units 42. However, depending on the situation, the storage units 42 to be allocated are dispersed even for the same shipper. In some cases. For example, regarding the shipper A, the storage unit 42 of the coordinates (2, 2) assigned to the shipper A is
It is located at a position slightly apart from the other storage section 42 assigned to the shipper A. In the following description, the storage unit 4
When 2 is described as an individual storage unit 42 for each shipper, 2 indicates coordinates, but when the individual storage units 42 are not specified, they are simply described as the storage unit 42.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the form of image data (edited image data) 71 stored in the image data storage means 15 in addition to the image data 70 for each storage section 42 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, 5A is image data 71 that is composed only of the image data 70 of the storage unit 42 that stores the goods 45 of the shipper A. This image data 71 is stored in the server 1
It is the edited image data obtained as a result of the editing process of the image editing means 20. In this way, a plurality of image data 70
By combining them into one image data 71, it is possible to reduce the number of image data to be transmitted and reduce the data capacity to be transmitted.

In FIG. 5, 5B is an article 45 of the shipper A.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing image data 71 in which not only the image data 70 of the storage section 42 storing the image but also the image data 72 of the other storage sections 42 are collected. In this case, in order not to show the articles 45 of other shippers, the image data 72 of the storage sections 42 other than the storage section 42 assigned to the shipper A are set to be black and non-display processing is performed. By this non-display processing, protection of privacy can be secured. Note that the non-display processing may be processing such as blurring other than black painting. Further, under the image data 71, a shooting date / time 71a is also described.

Next, from the client terminal 7 to the warehouse shelf 41
A procedure for photographing the storage portion 42 of will be described with reference to FIG.

The client terminal 7 is preinstalled with software capable of remote photographing operation. The icon creating means 34 creates the icon 40 for activating the software at the time of installation, and displays it on the screen 80 of the client terminal 7. When an operator (for example, a shipper) points this icon 40 with a mouse or the like, a login screen 81 is displayed. When the operator inputs a correct user ID and a correct password in the user ID input field 82 and the password input field 83 on the login screen 81 and confirms the input, the shooting method selection screen 84 is displayed.

On the photographing method selection screen 84, there are two kinds of options, "all photographing" 85 for photographing all the articles 45 stored by the shipper and "partial photographing" 86 for photographing only a part of the article 45. Is displayed. The shipper is "all shooting"
When the option of 85 is instructed, the server 1 specifies the shipper, selects all the storage sections 42 storing the goods of the shipper, and instructs the camera moving mechanism 3 to photograph these storage sections 42. And sends a movement control signal.

On the other hand, when the shipper instructs the option of "partial shooting" 86, the second shooting method selection screen 87 is displayed on the screen 80 of the client terminal 7. On the second shooting method selection screen 87, the goods 45 registered in advance by the shipper
Two types of options are displayed: a “shooting of registered article” 88 for shooting only the object and a “shooting of manually designated article” 89 for shooting by manually specifying the article to be shot.

When the consignor instructs the option of "photographing registered article" 88, the server 1 selects the data sheet 60a of the consignor in the article management data storage means 14, and the like.
A movement control signal for selecting and photographing only the storage section 42 for which "Yes" is input in the designation 69 is sent to the camera movement mechanism 3 to perform photographing.

On the other hand, when the consignor instructs the option of "photographing a manually designated article" 89, the server 1 sends the data sheet 60a of the consignor to the client terminal 7. Then, in the image display means 36 of the client terminal 7, the consignor is in charge of each storage portion N of the data sheet 60a.
o. The storage section selection screen 90 is displayed on the screen 80 of the client terminal 7 in a state in which 65 rows can be selected and instructed.

Then, in order to select the desired storage section 42, the shipper should select each storage section No. The line 65 is designated, and the thin ink display 91 is displayed. After that, when the selection is confirmed, the server 1
Sends to the camera moving mechanism 3 a movement control signal for selecting and photographing only the selected storage section 42 to execute photographing.

Next, the flow of processing from the client terminal 7 transmitting the data requesting the server 1 to take an image, until the consignor acquires the image data 71 of the storage section 42 storing the stored article 45. Will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 7.

First, when the photographing instruction means 33 and the designation signal output means 32 of the client terminal 7 output various signals for requesting photographing to the server 1, the server 1
Receives such a signal (step S101). Then, first, the data reading means 17 of the server 1 identifies the shipper (step S102).

Subsequently, the control means 11 determines whether or not the signal transmitted from the client terminal 7 is a signal indicating that all articles are photographed (step S103). As a result, when the photographing of all articles is not performed, the control means 11
Next, it is determined whether or not the signal indicates the photographing of the designated article (step S104).

As a result, when the designated article is not photographed, the control means 11 acquires the signal of the article 45 input from the client terminal 7 (step S105). On the other hand, in the case of photographing the designated article, under the control of the control means 11, the data reading means 17 selects from the article management data storage means 14 the article 45 designated in advance as the article to be photographed (step). S106).

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S103, if it is determined that the signal indicates the photographing of all the articles, or following step S105 or step S106, the control means 11 carries out a process of determining the article 45 to be photographed. (Step S107). Next, under the control of the control means 11, the movement control signal output means 12 sends a signal indicating the location of the storage section 42 to be photographed to the camera movement mechanism 3 (step S108). Further, under the control of the control means 11, the photographing control signal output means 13 causes the camera 2 to
A signal to be photographed is sent from the storage unit 42 to be photographed (step S109).

After photographing, the image editing means 20 edits the photographed image (step S110), and the edited image data 71
Is stored in the image data storage means 15 (step S1).
11). Next, the data transmission means 18 transmits the edited image data 71 to the client terminal 7 (step S11).
2). In this way, a series of processing is completed.

Next, the storage section 42 is photographed by the infrared sensor 4 or the door opening / closing detecting means 5 in the warehouse, and after photographing,
The flow of processing until the edited image data 71 is transmitted to the client terminal 7 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, the door opening / closing recognition signal receiving means 22 or the infrared sensor recognition signal receiving means 23 determines whether or not there is a recognition signal (step S201). When there is no recognition signal, step S201 is continuously determined.
When there is a recognition signal, the door opening / closing recognition signal receiving means 2
2 or the infrared sensor recognition signal receiving means 23 determines whether or not there is no recognition signal (step S20).
2).

When the recognition signal disappears, the control means 11 determines the article 45 to be photographed (step S2).
03). On the other hand, even when there is a recognition signal, the control means 1
1 recognizes the elapse of a predetermined time (step S20).
4), the process of step S203 is performed. Step S20
The process after 3 is the same as the process from step S108 to step S112 shown in FIG. In this way, a series of processing is completed.

FIG. 9 shows three warehouse shelves 41, 4 in a warehouse.
It is a figure which shows the example in which 1,41 is arrange | positioned.

The warehouse is divided into rooms in which the warehouse shelves 41 are placed. The camera 2 can be moved to each room together with the horizontal rail 51 and the vertical rail 52. In the vicinity of the ceiling of each room, two rails 12 are spread across each room.
1, 121 are arranged. Two rails 121,1
21 is provided with guide grooves 121a and 121a. The rollers (not shown) of the trolley 120 are the guide grooves 1
The horizontal rail 51 is moved between the rooms by rolling and moving 21a and 121a. When moving the camera 2 to the next room, the vertical rail 5
2 is rotated in a direction overlapping the horizontal rail 51, and the folded horizontal rail 51 and vertical rail 52 travel on the two rails 121, 121.

With such a structure, one camera 2 is moved toward the warehouse shelves 41 arranged in each room (this is called movement in the Z-axis direction), and then one camera 2 is moved. A three-dimensional operation of the camera 2 such as moving the camera 2 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions of the warehouse shelf becomes possible.

Further, the warehouse to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the structure described in the above-mentioned embodiment (see FIG. 1) or the structure divided into several warehouse rooms as shown in FIG. Of course, it is not limited to the U-shaped arrangement of warehouse shelves. For example, it can be applied to warehouses of various structures, such as a warehouse in which a large number of warehouse shelves are simply arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of warehouse shelves are provided in a plurality of rows.

Further, although the warehouse management system of the rental warehouse used by unspecified shippers has been described in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the rental warehouse, but may be applied to, for example, a store which is nationwide. Of course, it can also be used as a warehouse management system such as a central warehouse that collectively manages goods.

Further, although the camera 2 is a digital camera in the above-mentioned embodiment, it may be a camera other than a digital camera. The network may be a communication network (LAN) other than the Internet 8. If the image data 70 is data obtained by photographing only one storage unit 42, it may be transmitted to the client terminal 7 without being edited. In addition, after the image data 70 and 71 are stored in the image data storage means 15 after photographing, the client terminal 7
Prior to storage and transmission, instead of sending
The storage process and the transmission process may be performed in parallel after the copy process.

When photographing with the camera 2, the image editing means 20 does not photograph each storage unit 42 but the entire warehouse shelf 41, and then the image editing means 20 causes each of the storage units 42 or a plurality of storage units 4 to operate.
You may make it perform the edit process which divides the image data 71 into two. Further, the camera control signal output means is provided without dividing the movement control signal output means 12 and the shooting control signal output means 13, and a command for instructing the shooting location and a signal for instructing shooting at the location are sent out. Is also good.

The icon creating means 34 may be means for creating an icon for instructing to turn on the shooting, instead of creating the icon 40 for starting the program for remote control. Further, when specifying the storage unit 42 to be photographed from the client terminal 7, the shipper does not instruct the storage unit 42 displayed in the article management database 60, but assigns it to each storage unit 42 of the warehouse shelf 41. The coordinates thus obtained may be input.

Further, although the infrared sensor 4 and the door open / close detecting means 5 are used as the detecting means for detecting the intrusion of a person into the warehouse, either one of the detecting means may be used.
Further, both detecting means 4 and 5 may be used together. Also,
As a detection means other than the detection means 4 and 5, a weight sensor capable of detecting weight on the floor and a microphone device capable of detecting sound are adopted, and the weight signal and the voice signal (cognitive signal) detected by these are used. It may be made recognizable by the recognition signal receiving means.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the door open / close recognition signal receiving means operates to open and close the door on the assumption that the door is opened and closed at least once when a person enters the warehouse. When he / she recognizes the state, he / she automatically gives a shooting instruction. However, there are also cases where the door remains open after a person enters. In that case, there is a risk that the article 45 may remain unknown even if it is stolen. In order to avoid this danger, the shooting instruction may be given only by detecting the open state of the door.

When the infrared sensor 4 is used, photographing can be performed even when an animal other than a human (for example, a cat or a mouse) enters the warehouse. Therefore, in order to reliably detect the intrusion of a person, the door may be opened / closed and the weight may be detected in parallel.

[0079]

According to the present invention, the storage status of articles stored in a warehouse used by an unspecified number of shippers can be maintained at a remote location, while protecting privacy, as if the warehouse exists in front of the shippers. You can manage it visually as you do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a warehouse management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a warehouse shelf, a camera, and a camera moving mechanism in the warehouse management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an article management database in an article management data storage unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing image data taken by each storage unit in the warehouse by the warehouse management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of edited image data in which image data of each storage unit is edited by the warehouse management system shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5A shows only image data of the storage unit which stores articles of a specific shipper. The edit image data consisting of 5B shows the edit image data in which only the storage units storing the articles of a specific shipper are displayed and the storage sections storing the articles of the other shipper are hidden.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen flow of a client terminal that causes the client terminal to perform imaging of a storage unit by the warehouse management system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing from the client terminal requesting the photographing of the storage section to the acquisition of edited image data by the warehouse management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in which the warehouse management system shown in FIG. 1 captures an image of a storage unit by an infrared sensor or door opening / closing detection means in the warehouse and transmits edited image data to a client terminal.

9 is a diagram showing an example including a plurality of warehouse shelves in the warehouse management system shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Server (Management Computer) 2 Camera 3 Camera Moving Mechanism 4 Infrared Sensor 5 Door Opening / Closing Detection Means 6 Server Management Terminal 7 Client Terminal (Client Computer) 8 Internet (Network) 11 Control Means 12 Movement Control Signal Output Means 13 Shooting Control Signals Output means 15 Image data storage means 17 Data reading means 18 Data transmitting means 19 Designating signal receiving means 20 Image editing means 20a Timing means 21 Shooting instruction signal receiving means 22 Door opening / closing recognition signal receiving means (recognition signal receiving means) 23 Infrared sensor recognition Signal receiving means (recognition signal receiving means) 24 Designated article selection means 32 Designated signal output means 33 Shooting instruction means 34 Icon creation means

Continued front page    F term (reference) 3F022 FF01 MM07 MM21 MM51 PP04                       QQ17                 5B057 AA19 BA02 CA12 CA16 CB12                       CB16 CE04 CE08                 5C054 CC05 CF07 CF08 CG02 CH02                       DA06 EA01 EA05 FA09 FC04                       FC12 FF02 GB02 HA01

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of storage sections are formed by dividing a shelf frame of a warehouse shelf existing in a warehouse, articles stored by a shipper are stored in the plurality of storage sections, and the stored articles are managed. In the warehouse management system for performing, a camera capable of photographing an article stored in the storage unit and outputting image data thereof, and a camera capable of moving the camera to any storage unit of the plurality of storage units. While controlling the moving mechanism, the camera and the camera moving mechanism,
The management computer includes: a management computer capable of communicating with an external computer via a network; and a client computer operated by a shipper and capable of communicating with the management computer via the network. Is a movement control signal output means for outputting a movement control signal for controlling the camera movement mechanism, a photographing control signal output means for outputting a photographing control signal for executing photographing by the camera, and a photographing by the camera. Image data storage means for storing the image data obtained as a result for each shipper, data read-out means for specifying the shipper and reading out image data of the specified shipper's articles, and the image for the client computer of the shipper. A data transmission means for transmitting data, and a warehouse characterized by: Management systems. 2. The camera is capable of capturing an image for each of the storage units, and the management computer receives a designation signal for designating an item to be imaged or a storage unit in which the item is stored. 2. The warehouse according to claim 1, wherein the movement control signal output means outputs a movement control signal for moving the camera to a storage part storing the article based on the designation signal. Management system. 3. The management computer, when photographing a plurality of the storage units, image editing means for editing a plurality of image data obtained by individually shooting the plurality of storage units into one image. The warehouse management system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. The image editing means, when editing the image data of a storage unit storing articles of a specific shipper and the image data of other storage units, stores the inside of the other storage units. The warehouse management system according to claim 3, wherein the warehouse management system is a non-display process. 5. The client computer comprises shooting instruction means for giving a shooting instruction when shooting the article stored in the storage portion with the camera, and the management computer receives a signal of the shooting instruction. 5. An instruction signal receiving means is provided, and the photographing control signal output means performs photographing with the camera based on the received signal of the photographing instruction.
The warehouse management system according to any one of 1. 6. The client computer comprises icon creating means for creating an icon for instructing the shooting, and the shooting instructing means, in response to an instruction of the icon, from the client computer to the management computer. The warehouse management system according to claim 5, wherein a signal of a photographing instruction is transmitted. 7. The management computer comprises cognitive signal receiving means for receiving a cognitive signal for recognizing a change in the storage state of one or more of the articles owned by the shipper, and The warehouse management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the photographing control signal output means performs photographing based on reception of the recognition signal. 8. A door opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of a door at the entrance of the warehouse and at least one of an infrared sensor, wherein the recognition signal receiving means is from the door opening / closing detection means or the infrared sensor. 8. The warehouse management system according to claim 7, wherein the recognition signal is received. 9. The management computer comprises a designated article selecting means for selecting a designated article designated in advance when photographing with the camera based on the recognition signal, and the movement control signal output means selects the designated article. 9. The warehouse management system according to claim 8, wherein the camera is moved to the storage unit that stores the articles selected by the means. 10. The warehouse management system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the management computer is provided with a time measuring means capable of displaying a date or time at the time of photographing. 11. The warehouse management system according to claim 1, wherein the data transmitting means transmits an electronic mail with the image data attached to the client computer.