JP2007070099A - Sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting system capable of reducing the number of meters and responding to various types and a large number of sorting destinations by a small number of carriages. <P>SOLUTION: This sorting system is provided with an article inspection means determining whether or not a type of an article input from a type input means is one to be distributed to a sorting destination and outputting the inspection result; a counting means obtaining information on the type of the article from the type input means when the article is taken out from a meter, and counting article quantities based on a relationship between unit weight of the articles stored in a unit weight storing part and change of a weighing value weighed by the meter; and a number inspection means determining whether or not the number of the articles counted by the counting means corresponds to the number of articles in regard to the sorting destination set by the type input means out of destinations related to the articles stored in a sorted article storing part, and outputting the result of number inspection. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting system.

  For example, in a product distribution center for a supermarket or a convenience store, a collection operation is performed in which a required number of products of the requested type are collected in response to a request for a product from each store. As collection methods used for this type of work, there are sorting and picking.

  Sorting is the introduction of the requested number of products of the requested type for each store, and can be compared to sowing. In sorting, products are loaded on a cart in advance. The worker pushes the cart loaded with the products to the collection place set for each store, and places the products for each store. Therefore, at the end of sorting, the sorting cart becomes empty.

  On the other hand, picking means collecting products from each stock location at each store, and can be compared to picking. In picking, the cart is empty at the start. The worker goes around the inventory location of the product while pushing the cart, and picks up the product at each delivery destination store. Therefore, when a predetermined product is loaded on the sorting cart, the picking is substantially finished.

In Patent Document 1 below, a plurality of measuring instruments are arranged on a picking cart, container containers for each store are loaded for each measuring instrument, and a product picked by a computer mounted on the cart is instructed. A system is disclosed that sorts products to be delivered into a predetermined group by putting them into a container.
In Patent Documents 2 and 3, as in Patent Document 1, a plurality of measuring devices are arranged for each container container in the picking cart, and the quantity of the product is inspected by weighing the picking or sorting product, A method and system for accurate picking and sorting are disclosed.
JP 11-043211 (Abstract) JP-A-11-292225 (Abstract) JP 2000-040221 (summary)

Problems to be solved by the invention:
However, in the conventional picking cart, since it is necessary to provide an expensive instrument for each container container in which products are accumulated, an increase in cost is inevitable.
Moreover, the container container can provide only the number corresponding to a measuring device. For this reason, when there are a wide variety of products, there is a problem that the number of carts is insufficient even though the number of products is small.
Such a problem also occurs in the sorting system.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system that can reduce the number of measuring instruments and can handle a wide variety and a large number of sorting destinations with a small number of carts.

Means to solve the problem:
In order to achieve the above object, the sorting system is a sorting system for placing a plurality of types of products on a measuring instrument mounted on a carriage and sorting the products for each sorting destination. A unit storage unit for storing the unit weight, a sorted product storage unit for storing the type of the product to be sorted and the number of the product for each sorting destination, means for displaying the work content, and the measuring instrument When the product is taken out from the product, the type of the product can be input and the classification destination setting input is possible, and the type of the product input from the type input unit is the sorted product storage unit. Among the sorting destinations stored in the category input means, it is determined whether the goods should be distributed to the sorting destination set by the type input means, the checking means for outputting the inspection result, and the goods from the measuring instrument. The relationship between the unit weight obtained from the type input means and the unit weight stored in the unit storage unit for the product and the change in the measured value measured by the measuring instrument is obtained Counting means for counting the quantity of goods based on the classification, and the number of goods counted by the counting means is the sorting set by the type input means among the sorting destinations stored in the sorted goods storage unit for the goods There is provided a counting means for determining whether or not it matches the number of products for the destination and outputting the counting result.

The invention's effect:
According to this sorting system, since it is possible to mount a plurality of types of products on one scale, the number of expensive measuring instruments is reduced.
In the present invention, “single weight” indicates the weight per product.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention:
In this sorting system, the placed product storage unit that stores the product placed on the weighing instrument for each weighing device, and the placed product storage unit described above for the weighing instrument when the product is placed on the weighing device. It is preferable to further comprise weight comparing means for determining whether or not there is another type of product having the same or approximate weight as the product stored in the product.
According to this aspect, it is possible to sort different types of products such as CDs and drinking water bottles having the same or similar weight.

  The present invention can be applied to various systems as long as it is a system that procures merchandise from a sorting destination. In the following description, a system that sorts merchandise into a store will be described as an example.

  In this sorting system, as shown in FIG. 1, first, a plurality of types of products Mi stored in advance in the product shelf 2 are loaded onto the cart 1A. After that, as shown in FIG. 2, sorting is performed by distributing the requested number of the products Mi loaded on the cart 1A to the collection location Si corresponding to each store as a sorting destination.

  This system includes a product shelf 2, a collection site Si, a host computer 3, and a cart 1A with a computer. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described.

Product shelf 2:
A large number of product shelves 2 shown in FIG. 1 are provided, and an operator loads the products while passing between the product shelves 2 while pushing the cart 1A.
The product shelf 2 is provided with a large number of storage locations, and each storage location stores the same type of product Mi in advance. In each storage location, a shelf lamp Li is provided for each storage location.

Collection location Si corresponding to the store:
As shown in FIG. 2, an accumulation space (input opening) is provided for each store in the collection location Si of the sorting destination corresponding to each store. The accumulation place Si is provided with a store barcode B2 for specifying a store and a store confirmation lamp Pi. One or a plurality of containers may be placed at the collection location.

Host computer 3:
The system includes a host computer 3. To the host computer 3, a shelf lamp Li of the product shelf 2, a store confirmation lamp Pi at the collection location Si, and the like are connected via a signal line (not shown). The host computer 3 is provided with a wireless transceiver, and can communicate with the carriage 1A via the wireless transceiver 10 (FIG. 3) provided on the carriage 1A.

Dolly 1A:
The cart 1A shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a main body frame 11 extending in the vertical direction. For example, two upper and lower loading platforms 12 a and 12 b are fixed to the main body frame 11. Meters 13a and 13b are attached to the upper surfaces of the cargo beds 12a and 12b, respectively.

Containers C1 to C3 are placed on the upper first measuring instrument 13a. On the other hand, containers C4 to C6 are placed on the lower second measuring instrument 13b. Therefore, when the product Mi is put into the container Ci, the weight is weighed by the weighing device 13a (13b).
Each container Ci is assigned a container barcode B1 for specifying the container Ci.

  Container instruction lamps 14a to 14f are attached to the loading platforms 12a and 12b at positions corresponding to the containers Ci, respectively. The container instruction lamps 14a to 14f are lamps for instructing the container Ci containing the product Mi to be inserted.

Wheels 15 for movement are attached to the lower loading platform 12b.
The main body frame 11 is provided with a work table 16 extending in a direction opposite to the loading platforms 12a and 12b. A handle bar 17 for moving the carriage 1A is attached to the tip of the work table 16.

Equipment configuration:
As shown in FIG. 3A, a microcomputer (microcomputer) 4 is mounted on the cart 1A, for example. The microcomputer 4 includes a handy type barcode reader 7, a label printer 8, an operation display means 9, a wireless transmitter / receiver 10, weighing devices 13a and 13b, container indicating lamps 14a to 14f, and the like via an interface (not shown). It is connected. In addition, the operation display means 9 consists of a liquid crystal panel, for example.

  The bar code reader 7 reads bar codes attached to merchandise, containers Ci, and collection locations Si. The bar code reader 7 and the operation display unit 9 constitute a type input unit that can input the type of the product and can input the setting of the sorting destination.

The operation display means 9 is composed of a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various contents such as work instructions and warnings.
The wireless transceiver 10 is connected to an antenna 10a (FIG. 1). The wireless transceiver 10 can transmit and receive various data between the microcomputer 4 and the host computer 3 by performing transmission and reception with the host computer 3.

The microcomputer 4 includes a CPU 5 and a memory 6.
Memory 6:
The memory 6 is provided with a sorted product storage unit 6a, a total product storage unit 6b, a single weight storage unit 6c, and a placed product storage unit 6d.

As shown in FIG. 3 (b), in the sorted product storage unit 6a, the type and number of products to be distributed are stored in association with each other for each store number as a sorting destination.
As shown in FIG. 3C, the total product number storage unit 6b stores the total number of products to be loaded on the cart 1A for each product type.
As shown in FIG. 3 (d), the unit weight storage unit 6c stores in advance, for each type of product, the unit weight, which is the weight per product, in association with each other.
As shown in FIG. 3 (e), in the placed product storage unit 6d, the type, unit weight, number, and the like of the product in the container Ci for each measuring instrument 13a, 13b and for each container Ci are mutually. Associated and stored.

CPU5:
The CPU 5 includes weight comparison means 5a, inspection means 5b, counting means 5c, and counting means 5d.
The weight comparison means 5a has the same or approximate weight as the product to be loaded when another product is loaded on the same weighing machine 13a (13b). It is determined whether or not the container Ci is already loaded.
The inspection means 5b inspects the product. The inspection means 5b determines whether or not the product to be loaded is a product to be loaded at the time of loading. On the other hand, at the time of sorting, it is determined whether or not the product distributed to the sorting destination store is the product to be distributed to the sorting destination.

  The counting means 5c counts the product based on the change in the measured value measured by the measuring device 13a (13b) and the unit weight of the product. In other words, the counting means 5c obtains the number of products by dividing the change in the measured value by the unit weight.

  The counting means 5d determines whether or not it coincides with the number to be loaded at the time of loading based on the counted number of products. On the other hand, the counting means 5d determines whether or not the counted number matches the number of products for the sorting destination during sorting.

Loading products with the sorting system:
When loading a product, there are a case where a container in which a product is stored in advance is loaded on the cart 1A, and a case where a product is loaded on the container Ci placed on the cart 1A of FIG. In the following description, a case where an operator loads products from the product shelf 2 into the container Ci of the cart 1A will be described.

When a worker selects a product at will:
In FIG. 1, an operator takes out a product from the product shelf 2, scans a product code composed of a barcode attached to the product Mi with the barcode reader 7, and scans a container barcode B1 of the container Ci to be loaded. Thereby, the product Mi and the container Ci loaded with the product Mi are associated with each other. Thereafter, the worker loads a predetermined number of products of that type into the container Ci. The container Ci is preliminarily set and input to which measuring instrument 13a, 13b.

Other loading methods:
Furthermore, the type and number of products to be loaded may be indicated by the system. A loading method in such a case will be described with reference to a flowchart showing a work procedure shown in FIG.

  First, when a worker performs a predetermined operation from the operation display means 9 of the cart 1A of FIG. 1, the product information of the products to be loaded including the type and total number of products is transmitted from the host computer 3 to the microcomputer 4 of the cart 1A. Is done. Based on the product information, the type and number of products are stored in the product total number storage unit 6b, and the microcomputer 4 displays an instruction to load products on the operation display means 9 for the products to be loaded. Starts.

When the loading operation starts, in step S1, the microcomputer Mi in FIG. 3 reads the commodity Mi to be loaded from the total commodity storage unit 6b. In response to this, the shelf lamp Li (FIG. 1) of the product shelf 2 corresponding to the product Mi is turned on, and the type of the product Mi and the number to be put in the container Ci are displayed on the operation display means 9, and step S2 Proceed to
In step S2, the worker takes out the product Mi from the storage location of the product shelf 2 whose shelf lamp Li (FIG. 1) is lit, scans the product code of the product Mi with the barcode reader 7, and proceeds to step S3. .

  In step S3, the product is inspected by the inspection means 5b. That is, the inspection means 5b determines whether or not the type of product input from the barcode reader 7 matches the type of product to be selected, and outputs the inspection result. Based on the result, the microcomputer 4 displays on the operation display means 9 that the product is wrong when the type of the input product is not a product to be loaded, and alerts the worker.

  In the next step S4, the operator scans the container barcode B1 attached to the container Ci using the barcode reader 7, thereby specifying the storage container Ci for the commodity Mi, and proceeds to step S5. As described above, each container Ci and the measuring instrument 13a (13b) are associated in advance. Accordingly, the loaded product Mi and the weighing instrument 13a (13b) are associated with each other by the scan of the product code in step S2 and the scan of the container barcode B1 in step S4.

  In step S5, the worker loads the product Mi of the type into the container Ci by the number displayed on the operation display means 9, and proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the product is counted by the counting means 5d.
Product count at loading:
The counting means 5c calculates the weight of the product Mi put into the container Ci based on the change in the weight signal from the weighing device 13a (13b), and calculates the number of products from the weight. First, the counting means 5c calculates the change in the measured value by subtracting the weight before product introduction from the weight after product introduction. Next, the counting means 5c calculates the number of products Mi by dividing the change in the measured value by the unit weight of the product read from the unit weight storage unit 6c.

  The counting means 5d reads the total number of the products from the product total number storage unit 6b, and further determines whether or not the number of products counted by the counting means 5c matches the total number.

If the number of products is too small as a result of the counting, the fact is displayed on the operation display means 9 to alert the worker. If the number of products is correct, the microcomputer 4 stores the product type (product number), unit weight, number, etc. in the placed product storage unit 6d in association with the container number of the container Ci, and in step S7. move on.
Therefore, the type, unit weight, number, and the like of the product loaded this time are stored in the placed product storage unit 6d in association with the loaded container Ci and the weighing instrument 13a (13b).

  When the steps S1 to S6 are repeated and the cart 1A is full, the operator performs a predetermined operation, finishes loading, and moves to sorting.

For products with approximate weight:
Here, when the product Mi selected by the worker to load is, for example, a product of a different color such as a product of different colors, a CD, a beverage, or the like (for example, the product in FIG. 1). M1 and product M4). When such products are placed on the same weighing machine 13a (13b), the weights are approximate, so even if another type of product is unloaded (sorted) by mistake, it will be unloaded. It is difficult to check by the weight of the product. For this reason, it is preferable to place commodities with approximate weights on separate weighing machines 13a (13b).

  As described above, the product type, total number, and unit weight of the product are sequentially stored in the placed product storage unit 6d each time the product is loaded. In step S2, when the product code is scanned, the weight comparison unit 5a searches the stored content of the sorted product storage unit 6a, and the product having the same or approximate weight as the product on the same measuring instrument 13a (13b). It is determined whether or not there is.

  If the result of determination by the weight comparison means 5a is that the weight is the same or approximate, and a different kind of product has already been stored, the microcomputer 4 determines that the product Mi is a different meter 13a (13b). Warning display on the operation display means 9 as shown in FIG. The worker reads the container barcode B1 attached to the container Ci on another weighing machine 13b (13a), and loads the commodity into the other container Ci.

When loading the entire container:
A container Ci in which products are stored in advance may be loaded on the cart 1A. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, you may attach frontage barcode B4 for every mounting place of the container Ci on the measuring device 13a (13b). In such a case, the front-end bar code B4 is scanned when the container Ci is loaded, thereby associating the product with the placement location of the container Ci (so-called association).

sorting:
Next, the sorting will be described with reference to the flowchart showing the work procedure shown in FIG.
The host computer 3 transmits in advance merchandise sorting information about the store that performs unloading to the microcomputer 4 of the cart 1A. The microcomputer 4 stores the product sorting information in the sorted product storage unit 6a shown in FIG.
After the loading, when the worker pushes the cart 1A to arrive at the collecting location Si shown in FIG. 2 and performs a predetermined operation, sorting starts and the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, when the operator performs a predetermined operation on the cart 1A, the microcomputer 4 reads the store number from the sorted product storage unit 6a and displays the collection location Si corresponding to the store number on the operation display means 9. . The worker scans the store bar code B2 of the collection place Si where the unloading is performed, and proceeds to step S12.

When the frontage barcode B2 is scanned, the microcomputer 4 confirms whether or not it is a store to be unloaded based on the read store barcode B2. If the accumulation location Si is different, the fact is displayed on the operation display means 9 to alert the worker. On the other hand, when the accumulation place Si is a store that unloads, the operation display means 9 displays the name of the product to be unloaded to the store and the number of the products.
On the other hand, the microcomputer 4 reads the container Ci loaded with the product to be unloaded (sorted) from the store from the placed product storage unit 6d, and any one of the container instruction lamps 14a to 14f corresponding to the container Ci. Display above.

  In step S12, the worker takes out the product Mi from the container Ci corresponding to the lit container instruction lamps 14a to 14f, scans the barcode attached to the product Mi on the barcode reader 7, and proceeds to step S13. move on.

In step S13, the product is inspected as described below.
Inspection of products in sorting:
The inspection means 5b determines whether or not the product type input from the barcode reader 7 matches the product type to be distributed to the sorting destination. On the basis of the inspection result, the microcomputer 4 displays on the operation display means 9 that the product type is wrong when the input product type is not the type of product to be input, Call for attention.

  In the next step S14, as many items of that type as the number displayed on the operation display means 9 are put into the stacking place Si to unload them, and the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the product is counted as described below.
Product count in sorting:
When the product is unloaded, the counting means 5c calculates the change in the measured value by subtracting the weight after the product is unloaded from the weight before the product is unloaded, and the change in the measured value. Is divided by the unit weight of the product read from the unit weight storage unit 6c to calculate the number of products.
The counting means 5d determines whether or not the calculated number of products matches the number of products of the sorting destination stored in the sorted product storage unit 6a.

  If the number of products is too small as a result of the counting, the fact is displayed on the operation display means 9 to alert the worker. If the number of products is correct, the unloading result is transmitted to the host computer 3, and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, when there are a plurality of types of products per store, steps S12 to S15 are repeated.

  In the next step S17, it is determined whether or not all the products out of the products loaded on the cart 1A have been unloaded. When unloading of all the products is completed, the above-described products are loaded again. On the other hand, if there is a product that has not been unloaded, the process returns to step S11.

  In the above description of the sorting, after the store is specified in step S11, the product to be unloaded is specified in step S12. First, after the product is scanned and the product is specified, the store is specified. The code may be scanned to sort the products of that type for each store.

  In the above-described embodiment, the container indicating lamps 14a to 14f are provided. However, instead of the container indicating lamps 14a to 14f, clips 15a to 15f with lamps may be provided as shown in FIG. Good. As shown in FIG. 6B, each of the clips 15a to 15f is provided with a display lamp 16 and a number display section in which an operator writes a container number.

As described above, the preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand various changes and modifications within the obvious scope by looking at the present specification.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the system for sorting products into stores has been described. However, the present system can be applied to procurement of parts in a factory, for example.
Accordingly, such changes and modifications are to be construed as within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

  The present invention can be applied to a product sorting system.

It is a schematic block diagram of the goods shelf and trolley | bogie used for the sorting system concerning one Example of this invention. It is the general | schematic plan view and side view of the collection place and cart regarding the sorting of the sorting system. (A) is a schematic block diagram of a sorting system, (b)-(e) is a table | surface which shows the memory content. It is a flowchart which shows the work procedure of the loading by sorting. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | work procedure of the sorting by sorting. (A) is a schematic block diagram of the trolley | bogie concerning a modification, (b) is a schematic front view which shows the clip attached | subjected to a container. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the trolley | bogie concerning a modification.

Explanation of symbols

1A: Cart 5a: Weight comparison means 5b: Inspection means 5c: Counting means 5d: Counting means 6a: Sorted goods storage section 6c: Single weight storage section 6d: Placed goods storage section 7: Barcode reader (of type input means) One case)
9: Display means (an example of type input means)
13a: 1st measuring device 13b: 2nd measuring device Mi: Commodity Si: Collection place

Claims (3)

A sorting system for placing a plurality of types of products on a weighing instrument mounted on a carriage and sorting the products for each sorting destination,
A unit weight storage unit for storing the unit weight of each product type;
For each sorting destination, a sorting product storage unit that stores the type of products to be sorted and the number of the products,
Display means for displaying the work content;
A type input means capable of inputting the type of the product when taking out the product from the measuring instrument, and capable of inputting the setting of the sorting destination;
It is determined whether the type of the product input from the type input unit is a product to be distributed to the sorting destination set by the type input unit among the sorting destinations stored in the sorted product storage unit Inspection means for outputting the inspection results;
When the product is taken out from the weighing instrument, information on the type of the product is obtained from the type input means, and the unit weight stored in the unit storage unit for the product and the measurement measured by the weighing unit. Counting means for counting the quantity of goods based on the relationship with the change in value;
Whether the number of products counted by the counting unit matches the number of products for the sorting destination set by the type input unit among the sorting destinations stored in the sorted product storage unit for the product. A sorting system comprising a counting means that discriminates and outputs the counting result. The placed product storage unit for storing the product placed on the measuring instrument for each measuring instrument according to claim 1,
When placing a product on the measuring instrument, it is determined whether or not there is another type of product having the same or approximate weight as the product stored in the above-mentioned storage product storage unit for the measuring instrument. Sorting system further comprising weight comparison means for outputting.   In Claim 1 or 2, when a plurality of the measuring instruments are provided on one carriage and it is determined that the product has the same or approximate weight as the weight comparison means, the product is not placed. A sorting system further comprising output means for instructing to place the product on the other measuring instrument.

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