JP2010241571A - System and method for sorting loads - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for sorting loads capable of appropriately controlling weight data in sorting work. <P>SOLUTION: The system 11 for sorting loads upon detecting a box 33 for putting an acquired load 31 from the identification information of the load 31 and the identification information of a box 33 and detecting that the load 31 is in the detected box 33 measures the weight of the box 33. The identification information of the put load 31, the identification information of the box 33, and the weight information of the box 33 are associated with one another to be stored. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a package sorting system and a package sorting method, and more particularly to a package sorting system and a package sorting method using an RFID tag.

  As part of logistics operations, there is a sorting operation that sorts the packages stored in the warehouse by destination. In the sorting operation for sorting the packages, each package is sorted and put into a plurality of boxes, for example, logistics containers, arranged in the sorting space and provided for each destination.

  Conventionally, such sorting work has been performed manually by visual inspection. Specifically, the destination information attached to the package is visually read, the box corresponding to the destination is visually searched, and the package is put in the box corresponding to the destination. In some cases, sorting is performed while confirming whether sorting is correct using a handy terminal in which destination information is recorded. Furthermore, when a sorting instruction is given by the system, the sorting destination may be displayed on a display or the like, and the sorting operation may be performed while an operator watches the sorting instruction. A technique relating to sorting work using a system including an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag that transmits and receives data is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3690953 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-273492 (Patent Document 2). Has been.

Japanese Patent No. 3690953 JP 2006-273492 A

  According to the conventional manual and visual sorting, there is a very high risk of erroneous sorting when sorting packages due to an operator's misjudgment or the like. Further, in the sorting work accompanied by the confirmation work by the handy terminal, the work efficiency is very poor because one hand of the worker is closed. Further, according to the method of indicating the correct destination on the display or the like, the worker must memorize the correct destination until the package sorting is actually finished. Such a method increases the burden on the operator and also causes misclassification.

  Here, in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the possibility of erroneous sorting, a display device with a wireless communication device is attached to a pallet indicating a sorting destination, a cargo tag is read with a wearable reader / writer, and the reading result is displayed. The destination is determined and the pallet display is turned on. However, according to such a configuration, it is not possible to record data in the package sorting operation. Specifically, for example, it is not possible to obtain historical data such as “when”, “in which box”, and “what was put in”, and tracking data and confirming after sorting work, etc. I can't.

In recent years, in particular, management of weight data for each piece of luggage and weight data for a box containing a plurality of packages is important as the management of the basic data for calculating CO ₂ emissions during transportation of each package and a box containing a plurality of packages. Is being viewed. Such management of weight data is particularly important at the start of transportation, that is, at the time of shipping work, from the viewpoint of calculating the corresponding CO ₂ emission amount from the transport distance of the transported cargo. Here, if it is configured to measure the weight of each package at the time of package sorting operation at the time of shipment work, it takes a long time for the shipment work. Further, in the case where the weight of only a box containing a plurality of packages is measured, it is not possible to obtain weight data of each package placed in the box. That is, according to the configuration described above, weight data cannot be properly managed during sorting work.

  According to Patent Document 2, an RFID reader including an antenna unit that reads information from an electronic tag, a memory that stores information read from the electronic tag, and a communication unit that communicates information read from the electronic tag with an external device. Disclosure. However, even with such an RFID reader, weight data cannot be properly managed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a package sorting system capable of appropriately managing weight data during sorting work.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a package sorting method capable of appropriately managing weight data during sorting work.

  The package sorting system according to the present invention is a package sorting system that sorts a package having identification information by putting it in a box having identification information, a package identification information acquiring means for acquiring package identification information, and box identification information A box identification information acquisition means for acquiring a package, a detection means for detecting a box into which the package is placed, from the identification information of the package acquired by the package identification information acquisition means and the identification information of the box acquired by the box identification information acquisition means, and a detection A baggage detecting means for detecting that the baggage is put in the box detected by the means; a box weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the box if the baggage detecting means detects that the baggage is put in the box; Storage means for associating and storing the package identification information detected by the detection means, the box identification information, and the box weight information measured by the box weight measurement means.

  According to the baggage sorting system configured as described above, if a box to put a baggage is detected from the acquired baggage identification information and box identification information, and if it is detected that the baggage is put in the detected box, the weight of the box is reduced. taking measurement. Then, the identification information of the loaded luggage, the identification information of the box and the weight information of the box are stored in association with each other. Then, in the work of putting the package into the box, the weight information of the box can be stored in association with the identification information of the package and the identification information of the box, and the weight of the entire box and the weight of the package put in the box can be calculated. Can do. Therefore, such a package sorting system can appropriately manage weight data during sorting operations.

  Preferably, the box weight measuring means measures the weight of the box before the operation of the luggage detection means, and subtracts the weight of the box before the operation of the luggage detection means from the weight of the box after the operation of the luggage detection means. A load weight calculating means for calculating the weight of the loaded load is included.

  More preferably, a box weight storage unit is provided which is attached to the box and stores box weight information measured by the box weight measurement unit.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a baggage sorting method is a baggage sorting method for sorting a baggage having identification information into a box having identification information, the step of acquiring the baggage identification information, and the box identification information From the acquired package identification information and box identification information, a detection step for detecting a box into which a package is to be placed, a detection step for detecting that a package has been placed in the box, and a detection step for If it is detected that a package has been inserted, the method includes a step of measuring the weight of the box, and a step of storing the package identification information, the box identification information, and the box weight information detected by the detection step in association with each other. .

  According to the baggage sorting system and the baggage sorting method configured as described above, if a box to put a baggage is detected from the acquired baggage identification information and box identification information, and it is detected that the baggage is put in the detected box, Measure the weight of the box. Then, the identification information of the loaded luggage, the identification information of the box and the weight information of the box are stored in association with each other. Then, in the work of putting the package into the box, the weight information of the box can be stored in association with the identification information of the package and the identification information of the box, and the weight of the entire box and the weight of the package put in the box can be calculated. Can do. Therefore, such a package sorting system can appropriately manage weight data during sorting operations.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the package sorting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows a part of external appearance structure of the package sorting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a part of the luggage sorting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the system transition state of the package sorting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of detecting a box with a box detection sensor in the package sorting system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a package ID is read in the package sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a package is detected by a package detection sensor in the package sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a package sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a package sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the external configuration of the luggage sorting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a part of the luggage sorting system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 corresponds to a cross section including an RFID tag to be described later and a box to be described later cut along a plane extending in the vertical direction.

  1 to 3, a package sorting system 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a package 31 and stores identification information of the package 31, that is, data of a barcode 32 storing a package ID. A barcode reader 12 as a package identification information acquisition means to be read, a computer 13 for acquiring data read by the barcode reader 12, a database 14 for storing a master and a table composed of various data and data, and a box 33 is attached to the RFID tag 15 for a box as a first RFID tag for storing the identification information of the box 33, that is, the box ID, and the nameplate 25 for displaying the destination of the box 33. RFID tag 16 for destination as second RFID tag to be stored, RFID tag 15 for box and destination A reader / writer 17 as a box identification information acquisition means for reading and writing data with respect to the FID tag 16, a photoelectric sensor 19 as a box detection sensor for detecting that the box 33 is installed at a predetermined position, and a box 33 A picking sensor 20 including a baggage detection sensor 21 as a baggage detection unit for detecting that a baggage 31 is put in the box, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 22 as a box position notifying unit capable of turning on light; And a sensor control device 18 for controlling the picking sensor 20. The barcode reader 12, the computer 13, the database 14, the reader / writer 17, the sensor control device 18, the photoelectric sensor 19, the picking sensor 20, and the like may be connected by wire or configured to be able to communicate wirelessly. Good. Further, by adopting a configuration in which the package ID is stored in the barcode 32 as described above, the package sorting system 11 itself can be configured at low cost.

  The box 33 is a box as a general distribution container, and has an opening 34. The luggage 31 can be put in from the opening 34, and the loaded luggage 31 can be taken out from the opening 34. The box RFID tag 15 described above extends in the vertical direction and is provided so as to be attached to the outside of the wall portion 35 constituting the box 33.

  A nameplate 25 that displays a destination is detachably provided on the box 33. On the nameplate 25, characters and the like corresponding to the destination are displayed. The nameplate 25 has a shape that is folded so that a thin plate-like member is folded back, and is provided with a substantially U-shaped cross section. The nameplate 25 is attached so that the bent portion 28 is placed on the wall portion 35. In this way, the box 33 can be selected from various boxes 33 having different sizes and shapes according to the amount and shape of the luggage 31 to be put, and the nameplate 25 can be attached to the selected box 33. it can. The destination RFID tag 16 described above is provided so as to be attached to one surface of the nameplate 25 located outside the box 33 when the nameplate 25 is attached to the box 33.

  The photoelectric sensor 19 and the picking sensor 20 described above are attached to a work table 24 that is framed using an angle, an iron pipe, or the like. Specifically, the work table 24 is framed in a table shape with a plurality of pipe members so that a plurality of boxes 33 for accommodating the luggage 31 can be placed thereon. A base portion 23 is provided below the area on which the box 33 is placed. The reader / writer 17 is placed on the base unit 23.

  The work table 24 is provided with an antenna 26 so as to be positioned on the rear side of the box 33 when the box 33 is placed. When the box 33 is placed at a predetermined position of the work table 24, the antenna 26 transmits and receives data to and from the box RFID tag 15 attached to the box 33 and the destination RFID tag 16 attached to the nameplate 25. It is provided in a possible position. The antenna 26 and the reader / writer 17 are connected by a wire 27. By doing so, information such as a box ID can be easily and reliably acquired.

  The picking sensor 20 is provided so as to be positioned beside the box 33 when the box 33 is placed on the work table 24. A luggage detection sensor 21 included in the picking sensor 20 detects the loading / unloading of the luggage 31 into / from the box 33. That is, a configuration in which the baggage 31 is put into the box 33 from the opening 34 through the detection region of the baggage detection sensor 21, and the baggage 31 is taken out from the box 33 through the detection region of the baggage detection sensor 21. It is. Further, the LED 22 included in the picking sensor 20 can be lit with various lights. That is, lighting, blinking, lighting of light of different colors, and the like are possible.

  The picking sensor 20 is attached according to the number of boxes 33 to be placed. That is, the picking sensor 20 is provided according to the number of boxes 33. Similarly, the photoelectric sensor 19 is provided according to the number of boxes 33 to be installed.

  As the sensor control device 18, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC) is used. The sensor control device 18, the reader / writer 17, and the computer 13 are each configured to exchange data, that is, to transmit / receive data.

  Here, the package sorting system 11 includes a weight sensor 29 as a box weight measuring unit that measures the weight of the box 33. The weight sensor 29 is arranged on the work table 24 on the lower side where the box 33 is installed. That is, the box 33 is installed so as to be placed on the weight sensor 29 in the work table 24. The weight sensor 29 measures the weight of the box 33 placed thereon. Control of the weight sensor 29 such as acquisition of the weight information of the measured box 33 is performed by the connected sensor control device 18.

  Next, the transition state of the package sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a transition state of the package sorting system. Referring to FIG. 4, the system transition states include a worker registration waiting state 41, a box detection sensor detection process 42, a package detection sensor detection process 44, and a package barcode reading process 43. In the worker registration waiting state 41, the worker ID of the worker who performs the sorting work is input or deleted. The flow of processing in the box detection sensor detection process 42, the package detection sensor detection process 44, and the package barcode reading process 43 will be described later. In the following description, the association of information is appropriately referred to as “linking”. That is, in this specification, association and association are synonymous.

  Here, the configuration of the sorting master stored in the database 14 will be described.

  Table 1 is a table showing an example of the configuration of the sorting master. Referring to Table 1, the sorting master stores destination ID data and destination data corresponding to the destination ID data. Here, specifically, when the destination is “destination 0”, the destination ID is stored as “0000” correspondingly. Similarly, in the case of “destination 1”, a destination ID “0001” is stored, and in the case of “destination M”, a destination ID “MMMM” is stored. That is, a destination ID is stored in a plurality of registered destinations so as to uniquely correspond to each destination.

  Next, the structure of the sensor master similarly stored in the database 14 will be described.

  Table 2 is a table showing an example of the configuration of the sensor master. Referring to Table 2, the sensor master includes a box detection sensor ID as identification information of the photoelectric sensor 19, a package detection sensor ID as identification information of the luggage detection sensor 21, and a display ID as identification information of the LED 22. Is stored. The box detection sensor ID, the package detection sensor ID, and the display ID are uniquely associated with each other. Specifically, when the box detection sensor ID is “0000”, the package detection sensor ID is “0000” and the display ID is “0000”. When the box detection sensor ID is “0001”, the package detection sensor ID is “0001” and the display ID is “0001”. When the box detection sensor ID is “XXXX”, the package detection sensor ID is “XXXX” and the display ID is “XXXX”.

  Here, the configuration of a box / destination / display state table indicating which box is associated with which destination will be described.

  Table 3 is a table showing an example of the configuration of the box / destination / display state table. Referring to Table 3, the box / destination / indicator state table includes, as elements, “box detection sensor ID”, “box ID”, “destination ID”, “display lighting state”, and “work place ID”. Stores data for five elements.

  Next, the structure of the package ID reading status table indicating the reading status of each package ID will be described.

  Table 4 is a table showing an example of the package reading state table. Referring to Table 4, the package reading state table stores data on three elements of “package ID”, “destination ID”, and “reading time” as elements.

  Next, a description will be given of the structure of the linking state table that shows the result of sorting each package.

  Table 5 is an example of a linking state table. Referring to Table 5, the associating state table stores, as elements, data for five elements of “package ID”, “box ID”, “destination ID”, “weight”, and “sorting time”.

  The weight of the box 33 itself is measured in advance and registered in advance in the box weight information master. Table 6 shows an example of the box weight information master. That is, data of “box ID” and “box weight” corresponding to the box ID is stored.

  Further, the weight data of the measured box and the weight data of the package put in the box are stored in a box current weight table, an example of which is shown in Table 7.

  Next, the process flow in the above-described box detection sensor detection process 42 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in this case. Referring to FIG. 5, first, it is detected whether or not box 33 is installed at a predetermined location (in FIG. 5, step S11, hereinafter, steps are omitted). The detection of the box 33 is performed by detecting whether or not the box 33 is installed at a predetermined location by the photoelectric sensor 19. If it is detected that the box 33 is installed (YES in S11), information from the RFID tags 15 and 16 attached to the box 33 and the nameplate 25 via the antenna 26, specifically, the box 33 and the nameplate. The ID of 25 is read by the reader / writer 17 (S12). Thereafter, the IDs of the read box 33 and the nameplate 25 are analyzed (S13). Next, it is determined whether or not the destination ID and the box ID are read one by one (S14). If it is determined that the data is read one by one (YES in S14), the database 14 is inquired about the destination RFID tag (S15). Thereafter, the box / destination / display state table is updated (S16). On the other hand, if it is determined that the destination ID and the box ID are not read one by one (NO in S14), an error message is displayed (S17). The display here is performed, for example, by displaying an error on a screen on a display (not shown) connected to the computer 13 or the like.

  If no box 33 is detected (NO in S11), the absence of the box 33 is registered in the sorting history database, and the box / destination / display state table is updated (S18). That is, the box / destination / display unit is released.

  Here, an example of a box / destination / display state table storing a plurality of data is shown in Table 8. Table 9 shows an example of a box current weight table storing a plurality of data.

  Next, the process flow in the above-described package barcode reading process 43 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in this case. Referring to FIG. 6, first, the destination label attached to the package 31, specifically, the bar code 32 attached to the destination label is read, and the database 14 is inquired via the computer 13 (S 21). Then, the destination judgment analysis of the luggage 31 is performed (S22). Here, the computer 13 or the like operates as detection means. Next, it is determined whether or not the box 33 corresponding to the destination, that is, the box 33 associated with the destination exists (S23). If it is determined that the box 33 exists (YES in S23), the LED 22 of the picking sensor 20 associated with the box 33 is turned on (S24). Thereafter, the box / destination / display state table is updated. Here, Table 10 shows an example of the box / destination / display state table after this update processing is performed. Table 11 shows an example of the box current weight table after this update process is performed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no box 33 corresponding to the destination (NO in S23), an error message is displayed as described above (S25).

  Next, the flow of processing in the above-described package detection sensor detection processing 44 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in this case. With reference to FIG. 7, it is first determined whether or not the LED 22 is lit (S31). Next, it is determined whether or not the LED 22 corresponding to the picking sensor 20 is lit (S32). Then, it is determined whether there is a package ID associated with the picking sensor 20 (S33).

  Next, the change value of the weight sensor 29 is acquired from the data of the weight sensor 29 (S34). In this case, the weight of the box 33 before the operation of the detection means is subtracted from the weight of the box 33 before the operation of the detection means, ie, the weight of the box 33 after the operation of the detection means is subtracted from the weight of the box 33 before the operation of the detection means. The change value is calculated, and this change value is set as the weight of the luggage 31 put in the box 33. Here, the computer 13 or the like operates as a load weight calculating means.

  Thereafter, the box / destination / display state table is updated (S35). Here, the computer 13 and the like operate as storage means.

  After that, the weight data is written in the box RFID tag 15 taken by the box 33 (S36). In this case, writing is performed by the sensor control device 18 using the reader / writer 17 via the antenna 26. Here, the box RFID tag 15 or the like operates as a box weight storage means.

  On the other hand, if the LED 22 corresponding to the picking sensor 20 is not lit (NO in S32), or if the package ID associated with the picking sensor 20 does not exist (NO in S33), an error message is displayed. (S37).

  Processing is performed in this way. That is, the package sorting method according to the present invention is a package sorting method for sorting packages having identification information into a box having identification information, the step of acquiring the package identification information, and acquiring the box identification information A detection step for detecting a box into which the package is to be placed, a detection step for detecting that the package has been placed in the box, and a detection step for detecting whether the package has been placed in the box from the acquired package identification information and the box identification information. If it is detected that the container has been inserted, the method includes a step of measuring the weight of the box, and a step of storing the package identification information, the box identification information, and the box weight information detected by the detection step in association with each other.

  In this way, a box into which a package is put is detected from the acquired package identification information and box identification information, and if it is detected that a package has been put into the detected box, the weight of the box is measured. Then, the identification information of the loaded luggage, the identification information of the box and the weight information of the box are stored in association with each other. Then, in the work of putting the package into the box, the weight information of the box can be stored in association with the identification information of the package and the identification information of the box, and the weight of the entire box and the weight of the package put in the box can be calculated. Can do. Therefore, such a package sorting system can appropriately manage weight data during sorting operations.

  In this case, since the box corresponding to the destination of the package is detected from the acquired package identification information and the box identification information, and the position of the detected box is notified by the LED, there is a large risk of erroneous boxes corresponding to the package destination. Can be reduced. Therefore, the possibility of erroneous sorting can be reduced.

In this case, since the weight data is written in the RFID tag 15 for the box, specifically, the weight data of the luggage 31 linked to the luggage ID of the luggage 31 put in the box 33, the luggage 31 is entered. The weight data of each package 31 can be obtained also at the transport destination that transports the box 33. The weight data can be used as basic data for calculating the CO ₂ emission amount together with the data on the transport distance of the luggage 31. In particular, this is effective when it is desired to acquire the weight data of a package for each shipper when the packages of a plurality of shippers are mixed and transported in a box.

  In the above embodiment, the weight data of the luggage 31 placed in the box 33 is obtained by subtracting the weight of the box 33 before and after the operation of the detection means, that is, before and after the detection by the luggage detection sensor 21. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the weight of the entire box 33 may be accumulated and stored, and the package ID of the loaded package 31 and the weight data of the package 31 may be calculated as necessary. Further, the configuration may be such that the data is transmitted from the computer 13 or the like as needed without providing a configuration for writing the weight data of the luggage 31 into the RFID tag 15 for boxes.

  In this case, it is preferable to use a so-called long-distance RFID tag as the box RFID tag. By doing so, the weight data of the luggage 31 can be reliably written.

  In the above embodiment, the bar code is attached to the parcel, and the parcel identification information is stored in the bar code. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a QR code (registered trademark) or the like is used. The identification information may be stored as a two-dimensional barcode, or the identification information described in characters or symbols may be read by character recognition. In addition, an RFID tag storing identification information may be attached to a package, and data exchange with the RFID tag may be performed. Further, for the box and the nameplate, another storage medium capable of transmitting and receiving data may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the LED is turned on as the notification means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification may be performed based on the blinking state of the LED or the blinking state of the LED. May be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the picking sensor including the baggage detection sensor and the LED is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the baggage detection sensor and the LED may be provided separately.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

  The package sorting system and package sorting method according to the present invention are effectively used when it is required to facilitate data management.

  11 Bag sorting system, 12 Bar code reader, 13 Computer, 14 Database, 15, 16 RFID tag, 17 Reader / writer, 18 Sensor controller, 19 Photoelectric sensor, 20 Picking sensor, 21 Bag detection sensor, 22 LED, 23 Stand , 24 Work table, 25 Nameplate, 26 Antenna, 27 Wired, 28 Folded part, 29 Weight sensor, 31 Luggage, 32 Bar code, 33 Box, 34 Opening part, 35 Wall part, 41 State, 42, 43, 44 Processing .

Claims (4)

A package sorting system for sorting packages having identification information into boxes having identification information,
A package identification information acquisition means for acquiring the package identification information;
Box identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the box;
Detecting means for detecting a box into which the package is to be placed from the identification information of the package acquired by the package identification information acquiring unit and the identification information of the box acquired by the box identification information acquiring unit;
Luggage detection means for detecting that the luggage has been put in the box detected by the detection means;
A box weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the box if the baggage detecting means detects that the baggage is put in the box;
A package sorting system comprising: storage means for associating and storing package identification information detected by the package detection means, box identification information, and box weight information measured by the box weight measurement means. The box weight measuring means measures the weight of the box before the operation of the luggage detection means, and subtracts the weight of the box before the operation of the luggage detection means from the weight of the box after the operation of the luggage detection means. The package sorting system according to claim 1, further comprising a package weight calculating means for calculating a weight of the package put in the box. The package sorting system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a box weight storage unit that is attached to the box and stores weight information of the box measured by the box weight measurement unit. A package sorting method for sorting packages having identification information in a box having identification information,
Obtaining package identification information;
Obtaining the identification information of the box;
A detection step of detecting a box into which the package is placed from the acquired package identification information and box identification information;
A detecting step for detecting that the package has been put in the box;
If the detection step detects that the package has been put in the box, measuring the weight of the box;
A package sorting method comprising: storing the package identification information, the box identification information, and the box weight information detected in the detection step in association with each other.

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