JP2013028422A - Article management system and article management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily select a component suitable to be delivered from a warehouse and to allow a worker to specify the position of the component to be delivered.SOLUTION: A tag reader 34 reads the date, month, and year of manufacture of a component and identification information specifying the component from an IC tag attached to each of the plurality of components. The identification information, the date, month, and year of manufacture, and position coordinates where the tag reader 34 has read the identification information are stored in an inventory DB 82 in association with each other. When the identification information of a component to be delivered from a warehouse is received by an input receiving part 68, a selection part 70 extracts the components of the same or similar type as that of the component to be delivered on the basis of the identification information of the component stored in the inventory DB 82, and the oldest component from among the extracted components is selected as the component to be delivered on the basis of the date, month, and year of manufacture, and a light source control part 74 illuminates the selected component with light from a light source 50 to perform the notification.

Description

  The present case relates to an article management system and an article management method.

  Conventionally, various techniques for managing the position of an article to be managed managed in an office or a warehouse have been disclosed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for determining the positions of articles to be managed that are irregularly arranged in an office. In the technique of Patent Document 1, an IC tag storing identification information of an article is provided in the article to be managed. Then, the identification information is read from the IC tag by scanning the IC tag reader, and the distance to the management target article is measured by scanning the ultrasonic distance measuring device accompanying the IC tag reader. Thereby, in patent document 1, the position of the management target article can be determined based on the scanning position when the IC tag reader reads the identification information and the distance measured by the measuring instrument.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an RFID tag sensing system for using a tag for warehouse management. This patent document 2 is a technique for causing a user to recognize a selected product by causing a light emitting unit to emit light when an RFID tag having a light emitting unit is selected by a reader / writer.

JP 2010-21167 A JP 2010-266470 A

  By the way, when goods that deteriorate with time (batteries, etc.) are managed in the warehouse, if there are multiple goods to be dispensed in the warehouse, the goods are paid out according to the first-in first-out principle. It is preferable to select an article. However, such first-in / first-out payout processing is currently performed by field workers confirming the date of issue (manufacturing date) of the labels affixed to the goods, and paying out in order from the oldest one. The fact is that it relies on human work.

  In order to increase the payout work efficiency, site workers are making improvements by, for example, arranging them on the shelf in order of date when the goods are received. However, since it is necessary to confirm the label with the eyes of the person at the time of warehousing, work efficiency is poor, and there is a possibility that the storage method is not thoroughly implemented by all field workers. The verification for such a problem is not sufficiently performed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  Further, according to the inventor's verification, it is possible to easily specify an article that is randomly stored on a shelf and dispensed by an operator without specifying the storage position of a plurality of articles having the same specification. For example, it is speculated that the work efficiency in the warehouse can be improved. Furthermore, according to the verification by the present inventor, it is presumed that if goods can be received randomly on the shelf, the dead space of the shelf can be reduced and efficient storage and management of the goods can be achieved.

  Therefore, the present case has been made in view of the above problems, and an article management system capable of appropriately selecting a management target article to be delivered and allowing a user to easily specify the position of the management target article to be delivered. And an object management method.

  The article management system described in this specification includes date information including the production date and time of the management target article stored in the tag, from the tags provided in each of the plurality of management target articles after warehousing, and the management target article A tag reader that reads the identification information that identifies the type, a calculation unit that calculates position information of the article to be managed based on a position where the tag reader has read the identification information, the identification information, the date information, and the position The storage unit that stores information in association with each other and the identification information of the goods to be delivered that are to be delivered are the same as or similar to the goods to be delivered based on the identification information of the goods to be delivered. The type of article is extracted from the storage unit, and based on the date information stored in the storage unit, an article with the oldest manufacturing date is extracted from the extracted articles. An article management system comprising: a selection unit that selects a management target article to be managed; and a notification unit that notifies the management target article selected by the selection unit based on the position information stored in the storage unit. .

  The article management method described in the present specification includes date information including the production date and time of the management target article stored in the tag, from the tags respectively provided on the plurality of management target articles after warehousing, and the management target article Identification information for identifying the type; a reading step for reading; a calculation step for calculating position information of the article to be managed based on a position at which the tag reader reads the identification information; the identification information, the date information, and the A storage step of associating the position information with the storage unit, and when receiving the identification information of the goods to be delivered to be delivered, based on the identification information of the goods to be delivered, The same or similar types of articles are extracted from the storage unit, and based on the date information stored in the storage unit, the date of manufacture is the oldest among the extracted articles. An article executed by a computer including a selection step of selecting an article as a management target article to be issued, and a notification step of notifying the selected management target article based on the position information stored in the storage unit It is a management method.

  The article management system and the article management method described in this specification have an effect of appropriately selecting a management target article to be delivered and allowing the user to easily specify the position of the management target article to be delivered. .

It is a perspective view which shows the state in the warehouse in which the article | item management system which concerns on one Embodiment was provided. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the storage shelf unit, and FIG. 2B is a view showing components. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of a light source. It is a figure which shows the control system of an article | item management system. It is a hardware block diagram of a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the components request | requirement input from an input device. It is a figure which shows the specific example of stock DB. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a compatibility table. It is a figure which shows the specific example of incident DB. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the delivery instruction | indication slip which a printer outputs. It is a flowchart which shows a database creation process. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows payout processing. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows payout processing. FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are diagrams showing modification examples (No. 1 and No. 2). It is a figure which shows a modification (the 3). It is a figure which shows a modification (the 4). It is a figure which shows a modification (the 5). It is a figure which shows a modification (the 6).

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an article management system and an article management method will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a warehouse 200 in which a parts management system 100 as an article management system according to an embodiment is provided. The parts management system 100 has a plurality of storage shelf units 10, and the plurality of storage shelf units 10 are arranged in the warehouse 200 along the XY directions as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the storage shelf units 10 that make a pair are in a state in which the back surfaces are aligned. Further, a portion other than the storage shelf unit 10 in the warehouse 200 is a passage through which an operator passes.

  In FIG. 2A, the storage shelf unit 10 is shown enlarged. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the storage shelf unit 10 includes a storage shelf 12, a reading unit 30, and a moving unit that moves the reading unit 30 in the XZ two-dimensional direction on the front side (+ Y side) of the storage shelf 12. Drive device 20 and a plurality of light sources 50 (two in FIG. 2A).

  The storage shelf 12 has a plurality of storage spaces (five levels in FIG. 2A), and various components 14 as articles to be managed are stored (stored) in each storage space (see FIG. 1). The component 14 is assumed to be stored in the outer box 19 as shown in FIG. It is assumed that a tag 16 on which the component specifications and the date of manufacture are visible is attached to the outer box 19. The outer box 19 is affixed with an IC tag 18 on which information of part specifications, version number, part management number, and date of manufacture is recorded. As an example, the IC tag 18 is an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the reading unit 30 includes a camera 32 and a tag reader 34. The camera 32 images the outer box 19 of the component 14 stored in the storage shelf 12. The image taken by the camera 32 is used for exterior check (appearance check) in the control device 60 (see FIG. 4). The tag reader 34 is an RFID reader and acquires information from the IC tag 18 located in the vicinity of the tag reader 34.

As shown in FIG. 2, the driving device 20 includes Z guides 22Z ₁ and 22Z ₂ extending in the Z-axis direction fixed to the + Y side surfaces of the left and right side plates of the storage shelf 12, and the Z guides 22Z ₁ and 22Z ₂ . Z moving parts 24Z ₁ and 24Z ₂ that move in the Z-axis direction along the Z-axis direction. The driving device 20 also has an X guide 26 that is fixed to the Z moving parts 24Z ₁ and 24Z ₂ and extends in the X axis direction, and an X movement that holds the reading unit 30 and moves along the X guide 26 in the X axis direction. Part 28. The Z moving units 24Z ₁ and 24Z ₂ move in the Z-axis direction (+ Z direction and −Z direction) in response to driving force from a stepping motor, a pulse motor, or the like. Further, the X moving unit 28 moves in the X axis direction (+ X direction and −X direction) in response to a driving force of a stepping motor, a pulse motor, or the like. Note that a stepping motor, a pulse motor, or the like can detect the movement amounts of the Z moving units 24Z ₁ and 24Z ₂ and the X moving unit 28. For this reason, a stepping motor, a pulse motor, etc. have the function of the position detection apparatus 40 (refer FIG. 4) as a detection part which detects the position of the reading part 30 in the two-dimensional direction. As the position detection device 40, another device may be adopted. For example, as the position detection device 40, a laser interferometer, a linear encoder, or the like can be used.

  According to the drive device 20 configured as described above, the reading unit 30 can move in the XZ two-dimensional plane along the front surface of the storage shelf 12. Further, the position detection device 40 can detect a position where photographing by the camera 32 or information acquisition by the tag reader 34 is performed.

  The light source 50 is fixed to the side wall of the storage shelf 12 via the angle adjustment unit 52. The light source 50 includes a spotlight or a laser light source. The angle adjustment unit 52 changes the irradiation direction of the light source within a range of approximately 360 °. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the light source 50 illuminates one of the components 14 stored in the opposing storage unit 10. The light source 50 may be provided on the back surface (lower surface) of the shelf plate of the storage shelf 12.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control system of the component management system 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the parts management system 100 includes an input device 42, a printer 44, and a control device 60 in addition to the devices shown in FIG.

  The input device 42 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a scanner, and the like, and is used by an operator or the like to input a component request as shown in FIG. An operator inputs information indicating that the work has been completed to the control device 60 via the input device 42 when the operation of entering or delivering a part to or from the warehouse is completed. The input device 42 includes a device (network interface) that can acquire a component request as shown in FIG. 6 from an external PC or the like. A person who needs a component makes a component request by inputting information from the external PC to the double-line frame portion of FIG. 6 as appropriate.

  The printer 44 prints out a delivery instruction slip as shown in FIG. 10 based on an instruction from the control device 60.

  FIG. 5 shows a hardware configuration of the control device 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 60 includes a CPU 90, a ROM 92, a RAM 94, a storage unit (here, HDD (Hard Disk Drive)) 96, a portable storage medium drive 99, and the like. Each component is connected to a bus 98. In the control device 60, the CPU 90 executes the program stored in the ROM 92 or the HDD 96 or the program read from the portable storage medium 91 by the portable storage medium drive 99, thereby realizing the functions of the respective units shown in FIG. Is done.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in the control device 60, when the CPU 90 executes the program, the control unit 62, the information receiving unit 64, the position coordinate calculating unit 66 as the calculating unit, the input receiving unit 68, the selecting unit 70, and the slip issuing unit. 72 and the light source control unit 74 are realized. In FIG. 4, the inventory DB 82, the compatibility table 84, and the incident DB 86 as storage units stored in the HDD 96 and the like are also illustrated.

  The control unit 62 controls the drive device 20, the camera 32, and the tag reader 34, and controls the overall processing of the control device 60. The information receiving unit 64 receives information acquired from the IC tag 18 attached to the component 14 (outer box 19) by the tag reader 34 and stores it in the inventory DB 82. Further, the position coordinate calculation unit 66 acquires the position coordinates of the tag reader 34 when the tag reader 34 acquires information from the position detection device 40 and stores it in the inventory DB 82 in association with the information acquired by the tag reader 34.

  Here, the inventory DB 82 is a database as shown in FIG. The inventory DB 82 has fields of “part specification”, “version number”, “part management number”, “manufacturing date”, and “position information”. Among these, the position coordinate acquired by the position coordinate calculation unit 66 is input to the “position information” field. The information input in the “position information” field in FIG. 7 represents the shelf number, the number of steps, and coordinates. For example, the value “A11-03-0101” represents the X coordinate “1” and the Z coordinate “1” of the number “3” of the shelf number “A11”. On the other hand, information acquired by the information receiving unit 64 is input to the four fields other than “position information” in the inventory DB 82. The information input to these fields is all information stored in the IC tag 18. The “component specification” functions as identification information that identifies the type of component to be managed. Therefore, in the following, the component specification is also referred to as “identification information”.

  The input reception unit 68 receives information input from the input device 42 and transmits the information to the selection unit 70 and the control unit 62.

  The selection unit 70 uses the inventory DB 82, the compatibility table 84, and the incident DB 86 to select a part to be paid out (shipped) from the part request in FIG. And the selection part 70 changes a part request | requirement (FIG. 6) with the selected content (it may not change), and produces the delivery instruction | indication slip shown in FIG. A specific method for selecting a part by the selection unit 70 will be described later.

  Here, the compatibility table 84 is a table that defines the specifications of compatible components (compatible specifications) for a certain “component specification”. The compatibility table 84 in FIG. 8 also stores “version number” and “component management number” of compatible components. As shown in FIG. 9, the incident DB 86 is a database that records whether or not there has been a complaint from a customer for past payout processing (see the “claim” field in FIG. 9).

  The slip issuing unit 72 causes the printer 44 to output (print out) the exit instruction slip (FIG. 10) generated by the selection unit 70. The light source control unit 74 controls the light source 50 and the angle adjustment unit 52 based on the delivery instruction slip (FIG. 10), and irradiates the delivery parts described in the delivery instruction slip.

  Next, based on FIGS. 11-13, the process of the control apparatus 60 is demonstrated in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the creation process of the inventory DB 82 performed after the parts warehousing process is completed, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the payout process (shipping process) from the warehouse 200.

(Inventory DB 82 creation process)
First, the creation process of the inventory DB 82 by the control device 60 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the process of FIG. 11, first, in step S <b> 10, the control unit 62 waits until the part warehousing operation is completed. In addition, as a premise, it is assumed that the part dispensing work (shipping work) is not performed while the parts are being loaded into the warehouse. In addition, the worker inputs information indicating that the warehousing has been completed from the input device 42 at the stage where the warehousing of the storage shelf unit 10 units or the warehousing into the warehouse is completed. The control unit 62 proceeds to step S12 when receiving the information indicating that the warehousing is completed from the input receiving unit 68.

  Next, in step S12, the control unit 62 executes a scanning process (parts arrangement information collection). This scanning process is a process executed in the storage shelf unit 10 unit or in all the storage shelf units 10 in the warehouse 200. In the following description, a case where the scanning process is executed in all the storage shelf units 10 in the warehouse 200 will be described.

In step S <b> 12, specifically, the control unit 62 controls the drive device 20 to scan the reading unit 30 (tag reader 34) along the X guide 26 in the X direction. The control unit 62 slightly shifts the X guide 26 in the Z direction along the Z guides 22Z ₁ and 22Z ₂ every time scanning in the X direction is performed once. By repeating such driving, the reading unit 30 is moved in the XZ two-dimensional direction along the front surface of the storage shelf 12. Further, during the movement, the control unit 62 controls the tag reader 34 to read information from the IC tag 18 that the tag reader 34 is closest to. The reading result of the tag reader 34 is transmitted to the information receiving unit 64. The position information of the tag reader 34 is transmitted from the position detection device 40 to the position coordinate calculation unit 66 at the timing when the tag reader 34 reads the information from the IC tag 18. The position coordinate calculation unit 66 calculates position coordinates based on the received position information. Through the above scanning process, it is possible to acquire information on each component 14 stored in the storage shelf 12 and the position coordinates of each component 14.

  Next, in step S <b> 14, the information reception unit 64 and the position coordinate calculation unit 66 execute a data writing process to the inventory DB 82. Note that step S14 is a process executed when information of one component is acquired in step S12. As a result, information of one component 14 stored in the storage shelf 12 in the warehouse 200 is written in the inventory DB 82 of FIG.

  Next, in step S <b> 16, the control unit 62 determines whether all of the parts stored in all the storage shelves 12 in the warehouse 200 have been written in the inventory DB 82. That is, it is determined whether the scanning process for all the storage shelves 12 has been completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S12, and the processes and determinations of steps S12 to S16 are repeated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S16 is affirmative, the entire process in FIG. 11 (the process for creating the inventory DB 82) ends.

  At the stage where all the processes in FIG. 11 are completed, the information (including position coordinates) of the parts 14 stored in all the storage shelves 12 in the warehouse 200 after the warehousing process is written in the inventory DB 82. Yes.

(Payment processing)
Next, payout processing (shipping processing) by the control device 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the processing of FIGS. 12 and 13, first, in step S <b> 20 of FIG. 12, the selection unit 70 waits until the input receiving unit 68 receives the input of the requested part (FIG. 6) (until a payout instruction is issued). It is assumed that the input of required parts is executed from the external PC or the like via the input device 42 as described above.

  When the requested part is input and the process proceeds to step S <b> 22, the selection unit 70 searches the inventory DB 82. Specifically, the selection unit 70 selects one of the specifications required by the component request in FIG. 6 and selects a component (compatible specification) compatible with the specification (required specification) in the compatibility table in FIG. 84. That is, the selection unit 70 extracts parts of the same type or similar to the parts for which a request for delivery has been issued. For example, when the selection unit 70 selects the required specification (CA06444-K013) in the item “2” in FIG. 6, “CA06444-K050 (version C0)” or “CA06444-K013-R” is used as the compatible specification. (Version number AA) "is extracted. Then, the selection unit 70 refers to the inventory DB 82 and determines the priority of dispensing in order from the oldest manufacturing date including the required specifications and compatible specifications. The selection unit 70 executes this process for all required specifications.

  Next, in step S24, the selection unit 70 executes a search process for the incident DB 86. Specifically, the selection unit 70 determines whether or not the name described in the item “user name” of the component request in FIG. 6 is a customer whose complaint is “present” in the incident DB 86 in FIG. 9. Search for.

  Next, in step S26, the selection unit 70 determines whether or not the customer has a complaint. If the determination here is affirmative, that is, if the customer has a complaint “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S28.

  When the process proceeds to step S28, the selection unit 70 extracts parts in descending order of priority determined in step S22 (in order of manufacture date) and acquires image information of the extracted parts. In this case, the selection unit 70 acquires the position of the extracted part from the position information in the inventory DB 82. Further, the selection unit 70 controls the driving of the driving device 20 via the control unit 62 and positions the camera 32 in the vicinity of the extracted component. Then, the selection unit 70 controls the camera 32 via the control unit 62 and acquires (photographs) image information of the extracted outer box of the parts. Furthermore, the selection unit 70 performs an appearance check based on the acquired image information. In the appearance check, check whether the outer box 19 of the extracted part is damaged or not by comparing the image information with a template image prepared in advance or by detecting the deformation of the edge part of the outer box outer shape. To do.

  Next, in step S30, the selection unit 70 determines whether or not the appearance check result is OK. When judgment here is affirmed, it transfers to step S32. On the other hand, if the determination in step S30 is negative, that is, if the appearance check result is NG, the process returns to step S28. When the process returns to step S28, the selection unit 70 extracts a component having the next highest priority, and executes the processes of steps S28 and S30 for the extracted component.

  When the determination in step S30 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S32, the selection unit 70 determines whether or not all the parts corresponding to the specifications described in the part request in FIG. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S28, and the processes of steps S28 and S30 are executed for the next required part. On the other hand, if all required parts are available and the determination in step S32 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S34. If the customer does not have a complaint “Yes” in step S26, the process proceeds directly to step S34 without performing steps S28 to S32 (that is, omitting the appearance check).

  In step S34, the voucher issuing unit 72 outputs a voucher for final outgoing parts (exit instruction instruction in FIG. 10) based on the payout priority order and / or the appearance check result. The exit instruction slip in FIG. 10 is a part request (input) in FIG. 6 in which the specification of the part, the version number, etc. are changed.

  Next, in step S36, the light source control unit 74 performs irradiation from the light source 50 based on the slip contents. In this case, the parts described in the delivery instruction slip are irradiated as shown in FIG. Since the worker only needs to take out the parts irradiated by the light source 50, the payout process can be accurately performed without almost checking the delivery instruction slip.

  In the configuration of FIG. 3, since two light sources 50 are provided in one storage shelf unit 10, a maximum of two components stored in one storage shelf 12 can be irradiated simultaneously. Note that when the number of components simultaneously stored in one storage shelf 12 is large (assumed), the number of light sources 50 may be increased.

  Next, in step S40 in FIG. 13, the control unit 62 waits until the delivery of all the outgoing parts is completed. In this case, the determination in step S40 is affirmed when information indicating that the payout operation from the worker is completed is input to the input receiving unit 68 via the input device 42.

  Next, in step S42, the control unit 62 scans all the storage shelves 12 in the same manner as in step S12 of FIG. 11, and collects component arrangement information (referred to as scanning data). Next, in step S44, the control unit 62 collates the scanning data collected in step S42 with the slip contents. That is, by the scanning process, the parts that have been removed from the storage shelf 12 are collated with the parts described in the delivery instruction slip.

  Next, in step S46, the control unit 62 determines whether or not an appropriate part has been delivered. If the determination here is negative, in step S48, the control unit 62 notifies the operator of an erroneous shipment by an alarm. In this case, the control unit 62 may output information on erroneous delivery from the printer 44. Alternatively, a speaker and a screen may be provided in the warehouse 200, and these may be used to output information on erroneous delivery. Thereafter, the process returns to step S40. On the other hand, if the determination in step S46 is affirmative, that is, if an appropriate part has been delivered, the process proceeds to step S50, and the control unit 62 turns off all the light sources 50 via the light source control unit 74. .

  In step S52, the control unit 62 updates the inventory DB 82 with the scanning data acquired in step S44. With the above processing, the payout processing of FIGS. 12 and 13 is completed.

  As can be seen from the above description, in the present embodiment, the light source control unit 74, the light source 50, and the angle adjustment unit 52 implement a function as a notification unit that notifies the parts to be delivered.

  As described above in detail, according to the component management system 100 of the present embodiment, the tag reader 34 specifies the date of manufacture of the component and the component from the IC tag 18 attached to each of the plurality of components 14. The identification information (part specifications) is read, and in the inventory DB 82, the identification information, the date of manufacture, and the position coordinates where the tag reader 34 has read the identification information are stored in association with each other. And when the selection part 70 receives the identification information of the parts to be delivered by the input receiving part 68, the selection part 70 selects an article of the same type or similar to the goods to be delivered based on the identification information of the goods to be delivered. In addition to extracting, the article having the oldest manufacturing date among the extracted articles is selected as an article to be managed, and the light source control unit 74 illuminates and notifies the selected part with light from the light source 50. (Point to). Thereby, in this embodiment, while being able to select a part suitable for delivery (part with the oldest manufacturing date) based on the date information read by the tag reader 34, the operator can select a part to be delivered. The position can be easily specified. In this case, it is possible to easily specify the parts to be delivered even if the worker randomly enters the storage shelf 12 without specifying the storage positions of a plurality of parts having the same specifications. In addition, it is possible to expect an improvement in work efficiency, and it is possible to reduce the dead space of the shelf and to efficiently store and manage parts. In addition, by taking out old parts, it becomes possible to perform payout processing by accurate first-in / first-out of parts (particularly parts that deteriorate over time).

  In the present embodiment, in the payout process, the selection unit 70 refers to the compatibility table 84 that stores the compatible parts in association with each other, extracts the compatible specification parts, and manufactures the required specification part year. The part to be paid out is selected based on the date and the date of manufacture of the compatible specification part. As a result, it is possible to select an appropriate outgoing part based on the date of manufacture, including compatible parts.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of components 14 are arranged along the two-dimensional direction (XZ direction) on the storage shelf 12, and the driving device 20 moves the tag reader 34 along the two-dimensional direction (XZ direction). Drive. The position detection device 40 detects the position where the tag reader 34 reads information from the IC tag 18. Thereby, it becomes possible to associate the information and position of the components arranged along the two-dimensional direction on the storage shelf 12.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the case of delivery (payout) to a customer who has made a complaint in the past, an appearance check is performed based on a captured image of the camera 32, and a part for which the appearance check is OK is delivered. It is said. As a result, it is possible to issue an appropriate part according to the customer.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the IC tag 18 is used as a tag has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is sufficient that it can hold at least part information, and for example, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, a three-dimensional code, or other tags may be used.

  Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, the light source for illuminating the storage shelves 12 positioned at the + Y and −Y direction ends among the storage shelves 12 arranged in the XY two-dimensional direction is It can be attached to a wall. Further, the light source 50 may not be provided in the storage shelves 12 located at the + Y direction end and the −Y direction end.

  In the above-described embodiment, the component 14 is notified by directly illuminating the component 14 stored in the storage shelf 12 using the light source 50 provided in the storage shelf 12 facing the Y-axis direction (directly indicated). ) (See FIG. 3). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, an arm portion 56 may be provided in the storage shelf 12 and the light source 50 may be provided in the arm portion 56. Thereby, it is possible to illuminate and indicate (point to) the components stored in the storage shelf 12 using the light source 50 provided in the storage shelf 12.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the components were directly pointed and notified using the light source 50, it is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, a monitor 102 may be provided in the storage shelf 12, and the monitor 102 may be indirectly pointed and notified.

  Further, for example, a lighting component 104 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a light bulb as shown in FIG. 15 is provided on the shelf portion of the storage shelf 12, and the component is indirectly pointed and notified using the lighting component 104. It is good to do. In the example of FIG. 15, the hatched part is the second part from the bottom of the shelf, so the second lighting part 104 from the bottom of the row of lighting parts whose X direction coincides with the part. Is going to light up.

  When the warehouse 200 is large and a large number of storage shelves 12 exist in the warehouse 200, it may not be clear which part of which storage shelf is illuminated by the light source 50. In consideration of such a case, a lamp 54 as shown in FIG. 16 may be provided on the top of the storage shelf 12 or the like. In this case, if the lamp 54 of the storage shelf 12 where the parts illuminated by the light source 50 are lit, the worker can more easily find out the parts to be delivered.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the reading unit 30 moves in the XZ direction has been described. However, in addition to this, the reading unit 30 may be moved in the XY direction. In this case, as the driving device, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the Y guide 29a fixed to the X moving unit 28 and the reading unit 30 are held, and the Y slides in the Y direction along the Y guide 29a. A driving device 20 ′ having a moving part 29b can be employed. Thereby, it is possible to acquire information from the IC tag 18 of the components stored in the back side of the storage shelf 12, and it is also possible to photograph the outer box 19 from the Z direction. When components are stored in the Z direction on the back side of the storage shelf 12, the height of the component (position in the Z direction) is detected based on the strength of the radio wave received from the IC tag 18. It is good as well.

  In addition, when pointing the components of the back | inner side of the storage shelf 12 using the light source 50, it is good also as controlling the light source 50 and changing the color of illumination. For example, white light may be used when pointing to the frontmost part, blue light when pointing to the second part from the front, red light when pointing to the third part from the front, and the like. By doing in this way, even if it stores in the back | inner side of the storage shelf 12, since the components which should be delivered can be specified easily, the work efficiency in a warehouse and the space efficiency of the storage shelf 12 are improved more. It becomes possible.

  In addition, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where the components which should be delivered were illuminated simultaneously, it is good also as not only this but illuminating one by one or plurality in order. In this case, after illuminating one component, the component nearest to the component may be illuminated.

  In addition, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where a worker performs receipt of components, it is not restricted to this. For example, as shown by a thick line in FIG. 18, a loader device (arrangement unit) 80 that arranges components on the storage shelf 12 in the order of receipt (randomly) may be provided. As described above, even when parts are randomly received by the loader device 80, according to the embodiment, the operator can easily specify the position of the part to be delivered.

  Note that the configuration of the driving device shown in the embodiment and the modification is an example. If the reading unit 30 can be moved in the two-dimensional direction or the three-dimensional direction, various configurations can be adopted as the driving device.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the article management system of the present invention is adopted for managing parts in the warehouse 200 has been described. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the article management system is adopted in various situations such as in an office. It is possible.

  The above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In that case, a program describing the processing contents of the functions that the processing apparatus should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing functions are realized on the computer. The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  When the program is distributed, for example, it is sold in the form of a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is recorded. It is also possible to store the program in a storage device of a server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via a network.

  The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. Further, each time the program is transferred from the server computer, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In addition, the following additional notes are disclosed regarding the above description.
(Additional remark 1) From the tag provided in each of several management object goods after warehousing, the date information containing the manufacture date of the management object goods memorize | stored in the said tag, The identification information which specifies the kind of this management object goods, , Read tag reader,
A calculation unit that calculates position information of the article to be managed based on a position at which the tag reader reads the identification information;
A storage unit that stores the identification information, the date information, and the position information in association with each other;
When receiving the identification information of the goods to be delivered to be delivered, based on the identification information of the goods to be delivered, extracts from the storage unit the same or similar type of goods to be delivered. A selection unit that selects, based on the date information stored in the storage unit, an article having the oldest manufacturing date and time among the extracted articles as a management target article to be delivered;
An article management system comprising: a notification unit that notifies a management target article selected by the selection unit based on the position information stored in the storage unit.
(Additional remark 2) It is further provided with the compatibility table which links | relates and memorize | stores compatible management object articles among these management object articles,
When the selection unit receives the identification information of the goods to be shipped, the selection unit refers to the compatibility table, acquires identification information of articles compatible with the goods to be shipped, and the goods to be shipped and the compatible The article management system according to appendix 1, wherein an article of the same type or similar to the article to be delivered to be delivered is extracted based on the identification information of the unique article.
(Supplementary Note 3) The plurality of management target articles are arranged on a shelf along at least a two-dimensional direction, and the moving unit that moves the tag reader along at least the two-dimensional direction; The article management system according to appendix 1 or 2, further comprising: a detection unit that detects a position where the identification information is read.
(Supplementary note 4) The article management system according to supplementary note 3, further comprising an arrangement unit that arranges the management target articles on the shelf in the order of receipt.
(Additional remark 5) The said notification part is a light source which irradiates the management object goods which the said selection part selected, The article | item management system in any one of Additional remarks 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.
(Additional remark 6) From the tag respectively provided in the some management object goods after warehousing, the date information containing the manufacture date of the management object goods memorize | stored in the said tag, The identification information which specifies the kind of this management object goods, Reading process,
A calculation step of calculating position information of the article to be managed based on a position where the tag reader reads the identification information;
A storage step of associating the identification information, the date information, and the position information in a storage unit;
When receiving the identification information of the goods to be delivered to be delivered, based on the identification information of the goods to be delivered, extracts from the storage unit the same or similar type of goods to be delivered. A selection step of selecting, as the management target article to be delivered, an article having the oldest manufacturing date and time among the extracted articles based on the date information stored in the storage unit;
An article management method, wherein a computer executes a notification step of notifying the selected management target article based on the position information stored in the storage unit.
(Additional remark 7) When the identification information of the said goods for delivery is received in the said selection process, with reference to the compatibility table which links | relates and memorize | stores compatible management object goods among these management object goods. The identification information of the article compatible with the goods to be delivered is acquired, and an article of the same type or similar to the goods to be delivered to be delivered based on the identification information of the goods to be delivered and the compatible goods. The article management method according to appendix 6, wherein the article management method is performed.
(Supplementary note 8) The article management method according to any one of supplementary notes 6 to 9, wherein in the notification step, the selected management target article is irradiated using a light source.

14 Parts (managed items)
18 IC tag (tag)
20 Drive unit (moving part)
34 Tag reader 40 Position detection device (detection unit)
66 Position coordinate calculation unit (calculation unit)
82 Inventory DB (storage unit)
84 Compatible table 70 Selection unit 74 Light source control unit (part of the notification unit)
50 Light source (part of the notification unit)
52 Angle adjustment unit (part of the notification unit)
80 loader (arrangement part)
100 Parts management system (article management system)

Claims (6)

Tag reader that reads date information including the date and time of manufacture of the management target article stored in the tag and identification information that identifies the type of the management target article from tags provided for each of the plurality of management target articles after warehousing When,
A calculation unit that calculates position information of the article to be managed based on a position at which the tag reader reads the identification information;
A storage unit that stores the identification information, the date information, and the position information in association with each other;
When receiving the identification information of the goods to be delivered to be delivered, based on the identification information of the goods to be delivered, extracts from the storage unit the same or similar type of goods to be delivered. A selection unit that selects, based on the date information stored in the storage unit, an article having the oldest manufacturing date and time among the extracted articles as a management target article to be delivered;
An article management system comprising: a notification unit that notifies a management target article selected by the selection unit based on the position information stored in the storage unit. Among the plurality of managed items, the table further includes a compatible table for storing and managing compatible managed items.
The selection unit includes:
When receiving the identification information of the goods to be delivered, referring to the compatibility table, to obtain the identification information of the goods compatible with the goods to be delivered,
The article management system according to claim 1, wherein an article of the same type or similar to the article to be delivered to be delivered is extracted based on identification information of the article to be delivered and the compatible article. The plurality of management target articles are arranged on the shelf along at least a two-dimensional direction,
A moving unit that moves the tag reader along at least the two-dimensional direction;
The article management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a detection unit that detects a position at which the tag reader reads the identification information from the tag.   The article management system according to claim 3, further comprising an arrangement unit that arranges the articles to be managed on the shelf in the order of receipt.   5. The article management system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a light source that irradiates a management target article selected by the selection unit. A reading process of reading date information including the date and time of manufacture of the management target article stored in the tag and identification information for identifying the type of the management target article from tags provided for each of the plurality of management target articles;
A calculation step of calculating position information of the article to be managed based on a position where the tag reader reads the identification information;
A storage step of associating the identification information, the date information, and the position information in a storage unit;
When receiving the identification information of the goods to be delivered to be delivered, based on the identification information of the goods to be delivered, extracts from the storage unit the same or similar type of goods to be delivered. A selection step of selecting, as the management target article to be delivered, an article having the oldest manufacturing date and time among the extracted articles based on the date information stored in the storage unit;
An article management method, wherein a computer executes a notification step of notifying the selected management target article based on the position information stored in the storage unit.

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