JP2008285250A - Package management system using id tag - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a package management system using an ID tag capable of performing a more efficient package management compared to a conventional one. <P>SOLUTION: The package management system (100) where a forklift (F) performs loading and unloading packages in the warehouse under the supervision of a host computer (10) comprises a plurality of packages, pallets loaded with the packages, racks for storing the packages and the pallets, an ID tag (T<SB>P</SB>) for the pallet for holding pallet data capable of identifying the pallet, an ID tag (T<SB>R</SB>) for the rack for holding rack data capable of identifying the rack, the forklift (F) for performing loading and unloading the packages and pallets in the warehouse, and tag reading means (4, 5a-c) for reading the pallet data and/or the rack data during loading and unloading the packages in the warehouse. At the host computer (10) side, the packages loaded and unloaded in the warehouse, the pallet data and the rack data to be read are managed in association with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a luggage management system using an ID tag, and more particularly, to a luggage management system capable of efficiently loading and unloading a luggage by a forklift by reading an ID tag attached to each luggage.

  Normally, loading / unloading work of a luggage in a warehouse or the like is performed by a forklift that receives an instruction from a host computer. In such a package management system, for convenience of giving an instruction or receiving an instruction, it is necessary to add identification information for identifying the package to each package.

  One of identification information adding means conventionally used is a barcode. Bar codes are used in various fields because they are inexpensive and easy to create. On the other hand, when reading barcodes, it is necessary to bring the barcode reader close to the surface and perform fine positioning, so when pasting on each package with the above package management system, Each time, the worker got off the forklift and performed reading work, which was very time-consuming. Moreover, since barcodes are difficult to read when the surface is dirty, they are not suitable for long-term use.

Therefore, in recent years, ID tags have come to be used as means for adding identification information that solves the above-mentioned problems, and various pallets for loading luggage to which ID tags can be attached have been studied. (For example, Patent Document 1). The ID tag is resistant to dirt, can be read in a non-contact manner without bringing the reader close to the ID tag, and can be read and written repeatedly.
Moreover, the recently developed 2.4 GHz band ID tag can be directly attached to a metal pallet, and its application to a luggage management system is being further promoted.
JP 2001-278270 A

  By the way, in the conventional luggage management system using the ID tag, identification information by the ID tag is added only to the luggage or the pallet on which the luggage is placed. In such a package management system, only instructions relating to packages to be stored or received can be issued from a host computer to a forklift that performs storage / unloading work. Therefore, in the conventional luggage management system, it cannot be said that the host computer always gives an appropriate instruction to each forklift to efficiently manage the luggage.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a package management system using an ID tag that can perform more efficient package management than the conventional one.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a luggage management system according to the present invention is a luggage management system in which a forklift capable of mutual communication with a host computer performs loading and unloading work under the management of a host computer, A) a plurality of packages, ii) a pallet on which the packages are placed, iii) a rack for storing the packages and the pallet, and vi) a pallet data attached to the pallet and capable of identifying the pallet. A pallet ID tag, v) a rack ID tag that is attached to the rack, and holds rack data that can identify the rack, and vi) performs loading and unloading operations of the luggage and the pallet with respect to the rack. A forklift, vii) provided in the forklift, the pallet data and / or Comprises a tag reading means for reading the rack data, and viii) a database in which the package name and type of the packages associated with each other, the pallet data, and the rack data are stored and can be accessed from the host computer, When the forklift picks up the cargo to be stored, the pallet data read by the tag reading means from the pallet on which the cargo is placed is transmitted to the host computer, and the host computer receives the pallet data The rack in which the package is to be stored is determined based on a predetermined standard, and the rack data of the rack is transmitted from the host computer to the forklift.

  Preferably, the host computer that has received the pallet data of the package to be stored should access the database, identify the package by the pallet data, and store the package according to the type of the package The rack is determined.

  More preferably, the type of the package is a storage period, a recommended storage temperature, a customer name entrusted to store the package, or a combination thereof.

  Another package management system according to the present invention for solving the above-described problems is a package management system in which a forklift capable of communicating with the host computer performs loading / unloading operations under the management of the host computer. And i) a plurality of packages, ii) a pallet on which the packages are placed, iii) a rack for storing the packages and the pallet, and vi) identifying the pallets attached to the pallet. A pallet ID tag that holds pallet data to be obtained; v) a rack ID tag that is attached to the rack and holds rack data that can identify the rack; and vi) the package and the pallet for the rack. A forklift that performs loading and unloading work; vii) provided in the forklift, and the pallet during the loading and unloading work. And tag reading means for reading the rack data and / or the rack data, and viii) from a database in which the package name and type of the packages associated with each other, the pallet data, and the rack data are stored and can be accessed from the host computer When the forklift scoops up the cargo stored in the rack, the pallet data and the rack data read by the tag reading means are transmitted to the host computer, and the pallet data and the rack data are received. The host computer accesses the database, identifies the package by the pallet data, and confirms that the received rack data matches the rack data stored in association with the package. After sure, by deleting the rack data stored, remove the association of the luggage and the rack.

  Preferably, the tag reading means is a) a first antenna disposed toward the pallet ID tag and receiving the pallet data; b) disposed toward the rack ID tag; and the rack data. Including a second antenna.

  According to the present invention, ID tags are attached to both the pallet on which the luggage is placed and the rack in the warehouse where the luggage is stored, and identification information is added to each, and the information is associated with the information about the stored luggage. By managing, it is possible to provide a package management system using an ID tag that can perform more efficient package management than the conventional one.

[Outline of Luggage Management System According to the Present Invention]
First, an outline of a luggage management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The luggage management system 100 according to the present invention mainly includes a host computer 10, a forklift F, an ID tag attached to a pallet (hereinafter referred to as a pallet ID tag T _P ), and an ID tag attached to a rack (hereinafter referred to as a rack ID). consisting of tag _{T R).}

  The host computer 10 and the forklift F can exchange data with each other via the transceivers 1 and 11. In the warehouse, a plurality of forklifts F carry out loading / unloading work in parallel, and the host computer 10 can transmit instruction data only to a specific forklift F among them. The forklift F that has received the instruction data performs a loading / unloading operation of the luggage based on the contents of the instruction.

The forklift F includes a transceiver 1, an in-vehicle terminal 2, a display 3, a tag reading device 4, and an antenna 5a. If necessary, a plurality of antennas (5a, 5b...) Can be provided. Tag reader 4 via the antenna 5a, pallet ID identification information tag T _P is held (hereinafter, palette data), and rack ID tag T identification _{information R} is held (hereinafter, rack data) read the . The in-vehicle terminal 2 controls and manages the instruction data from the host computer 10 and the pallet data and rack data read by the tag reading device 4, and appropriately displays these data on the display 3. An operator who rides on the forklift F can see the instruction from the host computer 10 and the status of the current work by looking at the display 3.

[Forklift used in the present invention]
Next, the forklift used in the luggage management system will be described with reference to FIG.
The front portion of the forklift F is provided with an upright mast 30, a fork holding portion 32 that moves up and down along the mast 30, and two forks 31 that are fixed near both ends thereof. Near the operator's hand, a transmitter / receiver 1, an in-vehicle terminal 2, a display 3, and a tag reading device 4 are provided and connected to each other. In addition, a handle and various levers for operating the forklift F are also provided near the operator's hand.

  At the center of the fork holding part 32, an antenna 5a for receiving identification information (pallet data or rack data) held by an ID tag located in front of the forklift F is attached. The antenna 5 a is connected to the tag reading device 4. If necessary, a plurality of antennas can be attached to the fork holder 32.

[Pallets and racks used in the present invention]
The pallet and rack used in the transaction system according to the present invention are shown in FIG.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a pallet on which a load is placed. The pallet P includes a load placement surface 22 on which the load B is placed, a front surface 23 that faces a forklift F that performs operations on the pallet P, and a back surface 24 that faces the front surface 23. Further, the pallet P is formed with two fork insertion portions 21 penetrating from the front surface 23 to the back surface 24. Further, at the center of the front surface 23 of the fork insertion portion 21 is an ID tag T for pallet. _P is attached.
In the warehouse, the luggage B is always placed on the pallet P and moves.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a rack for storing the luggage B and the pallet P shown in FIG. The rack R is mainly composed of a plurality of storage stands 25 and a frame 26 that connects and supports them. The luggage B and the pallet P are placed on the storage table 25 and stored. The approximate center of the front surface 27 of the storage mount 25, rack ID tag T _R is attached.

[Goods receipt work]
Subsequently, as an embodiment, a description will be given of an operation procedure for loading a cargo into a warehouse by the cargo management system according to the present invention using the forklift, the pallet, and the rack.

  The luggage B waiting for receipt is placed on the pallet P and placed in a temporary storage place before entry. Information relating to the package B is, for example, associated with the pallet P in advance at the time of inspection and stored in a database on the host computer side.

  The database 12 shown in FIG. 1 has, for example, a data structure as shown in FIG. 4, and stores at least pallet data and rack data in association with the package name as a reference. FIG. 4 showing an example of the database 12 is a rack in which the package “A” is placed on a pallet to which a pallet ID tag having identification information “(1)” is attached and has identification information “(i)”. It shows that it is stored in the rack in the warehouse where the business ID tag is attached. In FIG. 4, the rack data (*) corresponding to the package “B” is blank, which indicates that the package “B” is in a state before warehousing that is not stored in the rack.

In addition to the package name, pallet data, and rack data, the database 12 stores the type of package (for example, storage period, recommended storage temperature, customer name entrusted with storage, etc.).
The database 12 may have a data structure based on a pallet or a rack. For example, when a rack is used as a reference, when luggage and pallets are stored in the rack, the rack data of the rack is associated with information on the luggage (package name and type) and pallet data of the pallet. Stored.

The worker who enters the warehouse stops the forklift F in front of the arbitrary pallet P placed on the temporary storage site (the front surface 23 side). And as shown to FIG. 5 (A), the height of the fork 31 is adjusted according to the fork insertion part 21 of the pallet P which should be stored. The antenna 5a and pallet ID tag T _P of the forklift F has a certain communication range, the state shown in FIG. 5 (A), i.e., before inserting the fork 31, the ID tag T antenna 5a pallet _P palette data is never received.

Subsequently, the worker advances the forklift F toward the luggage B and the pallet P. When the fork 31 is inserted about half the fork insertion portion 21 (see FIG. 5 (B)), the antenna 5a receives pallet data pallet ID tag _{T P.} This data is sent to the in-vehicle device 2 via the tag reading device 4 and displayed on the display 3.
In the present embodiment, the antenna 5a and a communication distance of the pallet ID tag _{T P} is about 10 to 50 cm.

After scooping up the luggage B and the pallet P, the worker stops the forklift F in front of any vacant rack R in the warehouse (the front 27 side of the storage platform 25). In this example, the rack for storing the scooped luggage is determined by the operator himself.
Subsequently, the operator adjusts the height of the fork 31 according to the storage table 25. Antenna 5a and rack ID tag T _R also has a certain communication distance, at the time of advancing the forklift F to the extent shown in FIG. 5 (C), the antenna 5a is racks rack ID tag T _R Receive data. This data is sent to the in-vehicle device 2 via the tag reading device 4 and displayed on the display 3.

  The operator refers to the display 3 and confirms the pallet data of the pallet P on which the package B to be stored is placed and the rack data of the rack R in which these are stored. If any data is not displayed, the data held in the ID tag has not been read normally, and the rereading operation is performed, for example, by reinserting the fork 31.

  An operator who confirms that both pallet data and rack data are displayed on the display 3 presses a transmission button provided on the display 3 or the in-vehicle device 4. These data are transmitted from the forklift F to the host computer 10 side. The host computer 10 retrieves the received pallet data from the database 12, and stores the received rack data in the corresponding rack data column.

  Specifically, when the package “B” placed on the pallet “(2)” is placed in the rack “(ii)” and the send button is pressed, the rack data column (see FIG. 4 (*) stores “(ii)”, and the warehousing operation is completed.

[Outgoing work]
Next, an operation procedure for unloading a package from a warehouse using the package management system according to the present invention will be described.

  In the delivery work, first, the host computer 10 transmits instruction data relating to the cargo to be delivered to the forklift F that is to perform the delivery work. When the package “A” shown in FIG. 4 is issued, the instruction data includes at least rack data “(i)” and pallet data “(1)”. The in-vehicle terminal 2 of the forklift F that has received the instruction data displays this on the display 3.

The worker moves the forklift F to the front of the instructed rack R according to the display 3. And as shown to FIG. 6 (A), the height of the fork 31 is adjusted according to the fork insertion part 21 of the pallet P which should be delivered. An antenna 5a of the forklift F, the pallet ID tag T _P and rack ID tag T _R has a certain communication range, the state shown in FIG. 6 (A), i.e., before inserting the forks 31, antenna 5a does not receive the data stored in the pallet ID tag T _P and rack ID tag T _R.

Subsequently, the worker advances the forklift F toward the luggage B and the pallet P. When the fork 31 is inserted about half the fork insertion portion 21 (see FIG. 6 (B)), the antenna 5a receives palette data pallet ID tag _{T P,} and the rack data rack ID tag _{T R} . These data are sent to the in-vehicle device 2 via the tag reading device 4 and displayed on the display 3.

The operator confirms whether or not the instruction data (pallet data, rack data) regarding the package to be delivered displayed on the display 3 matches the received data (pallet data, rack data) regarding the package to be delivered. . If they match, that is, if the exit operation is about to be performed according to the instruction from the host computer, the worker presses the transmission button provided on the display 3 or the in-vehicle device 4.
In parallel with the confirmation by the worker, the in-vehicle terminal 2 may determine whether the instruction data and the received data match, and the result may be notified to the worker by a warning sound or display 3 display. .

  By pressing the transmission button, pallet data and rack data relating to the cargo to be delivered are transmitted from the forklift F to the host computer 10 side. The host computer 10 searches the received pallet data from the database 12 and identifies the package. The host computer 10 confirms that the rack data stored in the rack data column corresponding to the package and the received rack data match, and then deletes the stored rack data. , Unlink the package from the rack.

  Specifically, when the package “B” stored in the rack “(ii)” is picked up and the send button is pressed, the rack data column (* in FIG. 4) corresponding to the package “B” is displayed again. It becomes blank and the shipping operation is completed.

  As described above, in the package management system according to the present invention, the data related to the luggage and the pallet and the data related to the rack in which the package is stored are associated and stored in the database. The stored rack data is updated at any time with the leaving work and the receiving work. Therefore, since the worker who performs the unloading operation can obtain the rack data as the instruction data together with the data related to the pallet on which the package to be unloaded is placed, it is troublesome to search for the pallet on which the package to be unloaded is loaded. It is possible to perform the delivery work efficiently.

[Modification 1]
According to the luggage management system of the present invention, since rack data is managed together with pallet data on the host computer side, it is possible to give appropriate instructions to each forklift, and more efficient loading and unloading work of luggage. Is possible.

For example, in this example, when the fork 31 is inserted into the pallet P on which the cargo B to be stored is placed and the antenna 5a receives the pallet data, the data is automatically or the transmission button is pressed. Thus, the data is transmitted from the forklift F side to the host computer 10 side.
The host computer 10 that has received the pallet data determines a rack R in which the package B is to be stored based on a predetermined standard. For example, the host computer 10 refers to the database 12 and classifies the type of the package B placed on the pallet P (for example, stored in the warehouse for a long period of time or is immediately released. Or not). Then, for example, if the luggage is stored for a long time, the rack data related to the rack at the back of the warehouse is transmitted to the forklift F. The display 3 of the forklift F that has received this data displays the rack data of the rack at the back of the warehouse where the parcel is to be stored, and the worker performs the warehousing operation accordingly. That is, in this example, the rack in which the parcel is to be stored is determined by an instruction from the host computer 10, not by the operator himself / herself.

In this way, it is possible to give instructions to each forklift from the host computer on which rack in the warehouse it is appropriate to store in accordance with the type of luggage to be stored. Warehousing and unloading work can be performed.
In the above example, a rack corresponding to the storage period of the package is instructed, but other types of package include, for example, recommended storage temperature, customers entrusted with storage of the package, etc. A rack may be indicated. In addition, an empty rack at the back or front of the warehouse may be simply designated in order without depending on the type of luggage.

[Modification 2]
Moreover, in the forklift F shown in FIG. 2, one antenna 5a is attached to the fork holding part 32, but this may be a plurality of antennas 5a, 5b,.
In the forklift shown in FIG. 7, the antenna 5a corresponding to the pallet ID tag T _P (first antenna) slightly antenna 5b corresponding to the ID tag T _R rack mounted inclined downward (second Antenna).

Since the 2.4 GHz band ID tag that can be attached to metal has a certain degree of directivity, each ID tag can be more reliably and highly sensitive by providing a plurality of antennas for each ID tag. Tag identification information can be read.
Also, by keeping a plurality of antennas, the original ID tag T _P at a position shifted from the _position, even when T _R is attached, it can be read reliably pallet data and rack data.

1 is a block diagram of a luggage management system according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of a forklift used in the present invention. (A) is a perspective view of a pallet and a load used in the present invention, and (B) is a perspective view of a rack used in the present invention for storing a plurality of pallets on which the load is placed. It is a figure which shows an example of the data stored in the database. It is sectional drawing which shows the warehousing operation | work process of a load, Comprising: (A) is the state which stopped the forklift in the front of the load which should be stored, (B) is the state in the middle of lifting a load, (C) is racking the lifted load It is a figure which shows the state which is going to mount. It is sectional drawing which shows the delivery operation | work process of a load, Comprising: (A) is the state which stopped the forklift in the front of the load which should be discharged, (B) is a figure which shows the state in the middle of lifting a load. It is sectional drawing which shows the aspect which attaches a some antenna to a forklift.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmitter / receiver 2 In-vehicle terminal 3 Display 4 Tag reader 5a-5c Antenna 10 Host computer 11 Transmitter / receiver 12 Database 30 Mast 31 Fork 32 Fork holding part 100 Luggage management system B Luggage P Pallet R Rack F Forklift TP ID tag for _P pallet ID tag for T _R rack

Claims (5)

A luggage management system in which a forklift that can communicate with the host computer under the control of the host computer performs the loading and unloading work of the luggage,
i) multiple packages;
ii) a pallet on which the luggage is placed;
iii) a rack for storing the luggage and the pallet;
vi) A pallet ID tag that is attached to the pallet and holds pallet data that can identify the pallet;
v) a rack ID tag attached to the rack and holding rack data capable of identifying the rack;
vi) a forklift that performs loading and unloading work of the load and the pallet with respect to the rack;
vii) a tag reading means provided in the forklift for reading the pallet data and / or the rack data during the loading / unloading operation;
viii) a package name and type of the packages associated with each other, the pallet data, and a database in which the rack data is stored and accessible from the host computer,
When the forklift picks up the cargo to be stored, the pallet data read by the tag reading means from the pallet on which the cargo is placed is transmitted to the host computer, and the host that has received the pallet data The luggage management system, wherein the rack for storing the luggage is determined by a computer based on a predetermined standard, and the rack data of the rack is transmitted from the host computer to the forklift.   The host computer that has received the pallet data of the parcel to be received accesses the database, specifies the parcel by the pallet data, and the rack to store the parcel according to the type of the parcel The package management system according to claim 1, wherein the package management system is determined.   The package management system according to claim 2, wherein the type of the package is a storage period, a recommended storage temperature, a customer name entrusted to store the package, or a combination thereof. A forklift capable of communicating with the host computer under the management of the host computer is a luggage management system for carrying in and out of luggage,
i) multiple packages;
ii) a pallet on which the luggage is placed;
iii) a rack for storing the luggage and the pallet;
vi) A pallet ID tag that is attached to the pallet and holds pallet data that can identify the pallet;
v) a rack ID tag attached to the rack and holding rack data capable of identifying the rack;
vi) a forklift that performs loading and unloading work of the load and the pallet with respect to the rack;
vii) a tag reading means provided in the forklift for reading the pallet data and / or the rack data during the loading / unloading operation;
viii) a package name and type of the packages associated with each other, the pallet data, and a database in which the rack data is stored and accessible from the host computer,
When the forklift scoops up the cargo stored in the rack, the pallet data and the rack data read by the tag reading unit are transmitted to the host computer, and the pallet data and the rack data are received. The host computer accesses the database, identifies the package by the pallet data, and stores after confirming that the rack data stored in association with the package and the received rack data match. A package management system characterized in that, by deleting the rack data that has been set, the package and the rack are disassociated. The tag reading means
a) a first antenna disposed toward the pallet ID tag and receiving the pallet data;
b) a second antenna disposed toward the rack ID tag and receiving the rack data;
The package management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

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