JP2013252905A - Article storage method and article storage facility - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article storage method and an article storage facility, capable of reducing equipment costs without limitation in layout, and capable of flexibly coping with a cart.SOLUTION: An electronic shelf label 26 with a preset unique identification number is attached to a cart 21 on which a container 14 is placed. A handy terminal 28 reading the unique identification number from the electronic shelf label 26 is provided. An area address (position information) of the cart 21 that has been saved is paired with the unique identification number of the cart 21 (electronic shelf label 26) and memorized. The unique identification number of the cart 21 (electronic shelf label 26) that has been arranged adjacent to the cart 21 to be newly saved is read. The area address of the cart 21 to be newly saved is specified by recognizing the memorized area address of the cart 21 that has been adjacently arranged on the basis of the unique identification number, and is paired with the unique identification number read from the cart 21 to be newly saved so as to be memorized.

Description

  The present invention relates to an article storage method and an article storage facility, and particularly to management of an article storage address.

  As the above-mentioned article storage facility, automatic warehouses and fixed shelves are known. From these automatic warehouses and fixed shelves, articles or containers in which articles are stored (article storage containers) are delivered automatically or manually by workers. For example, it is conveyed to a picking facility by a conveyor.

  However, if there are almost no orders in such automatic warehouses and fixed shelves, for example, if all items such as old-season goods or item storage containers are stored, many storage units for storing these items or item storage containers are provided. There is a problem that required equipment cost is required, and it takes time until the requested article or article storage container is obtained and delivered, and it is not possible to cope with a sudden increase in delivery, resulting in poor delivery efficiency. In addition, when an automatic warehouse is used, there is a problem that it is not possible to issue a product when it goes down.

  As a method to solve such a problem, goods that are hardly ordered or goods storage containers are transferred to other areas from automatic warehouses or fixed shelves and stored, and they are issued from other areas when necessary. Can be considered. At this time, in many cases, articles or article storage containers are loaded on carts or pallets and stored side by side on the floor surface. It is necessary to strictly control whether it is stored at the location. An example of a storage facility for managing such position information is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a storage warehouse in which articles are stacked and stored on each block on the floor. A corresponding first tag is attached to the article, and a first corresponding tag as a position detection unit is attached to the block. Information collected through the first tag reader and the second tag reader, the first tag reader that reads the ID from the first tag, the second tag reader that reads the ID from the second tag, And a management device that centrally manages the devices. When the ID is read by bringing the first tag reader closer to the first tag, the management device transmits and receives a probe signal to and from the second tag to obtain a distance variable, and the article is obtained from the ID of the first tag. The identification information of the second tag, the XY coordinate of the block from the ID of the second tag, the Z coordinate of the article from the distance between the two points calculated based on the distance variable, respectively, to manage the position information of the article Yes.

JP 2010-180008 A

  However, in the storage warehouse disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to attach a second tag (position detecting means) for each block, which requires equipment costs and cannot move the block freely. There was a fear that the empty space could not be used effectively. In addition, since the size of the block is fixed, there is a problem that it is not possible to flexibly cope with articles of various shapes, article storage containers, or carts on which article storage containers are placed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an article storage method and an article storage facility that can reduce equipment costs, have no restrictions on layout, and can flexibly cope with a cart.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an article storage method for an article or a loading platform loaded with an article, which is stored in a predetermined area, wherein the article or loading platform is The position information of the article or cargo bed that is stored by placing it directly on the floor surface of the predetermined area, and the position information of the article or cargo bed that is already arranged adjacent to the storage position of this article or cargo bed is stored. It is specified by information.

  According to the above method, the position information of the article to be newly stored or the loading platform is specified by checking the position information of the article or loading platform that has already been arranged adjacent to the storage position of the article or loading platform to be newly stored.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the position information of the newly stored article or loading platform is specified by the position information of the article or loading platform already arranged on both sides. It is a feature.

  According to the above method, the position of the newly stored article or loading platform is reliably recognized as the intermediate position based on the position information of the article or loading platform already arranged on both sides.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position information of the article or the cargo bed stored first in the predetermined area is the position information of the preset area. It is characterized by specifying by.

  According to the above method, in the case of an article or cargo bed stored first in a predetermined area, since there is no position information of an adjacent article or cargo bed, it is specified by position information of a preset area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article storage facility for storing an article or a loading platform loaded with an article in a predetermined area, wherein the article or the loading platform is arranged directly on a floor surface of the predetermined area. The article or loading platform is provided with identification means in which unique information for specifying the article or loading platform is set in advance, and the reading means for reading the unique information from the identification means is provided. Provide inventory management means for storing the position information of the loading platform in combination with the unique information of this article or loading platform,
The inventory management means stores the unique information when the unique information of the article or loading platform to be newly stored is read by the reading means from the identification means, and is already arranged adjacent to the newly stored article or loading platform. When the reading means reads the unique information of the existing article or loading platform from the identification means, it recognizes the position information of the article or loading platform that is already arranged adjacent to it from the unique information, and recognizes it. The position information of the newly stored article or loading platform is specified based on the position information of the article or loading platform, and the stored unique information and the location information of this article or loading platform are newly stored as a pair. To do.

  According to the above configuration, the position information of the newly stored article or loading platform is identified by checking the position information of the article or loading platform that has already been arranged adjacent to the storage position of the newly stored article or loading platform, It is newly stored in a pair with the unique information of the article to be stored or the loading platform.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein an electronic shelf label is attached to an article or a cargo bed as the identification means, and position information of the specified article or cargo bed is used as the electronic shelf label. It is characterized by being displayed.

  According to the above configuration, the position information of the article or the loading platform is displayed on the electronic shelf label, so that the worker in the predetermined area can confirm the article or the loading platform by displaying the position of the electronic shelf label.

  The invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in claim 5, wherein the color displayed on the electronic shelf label is changed when the article is moved.

  According to the above configuration, the color displayed on the electronic shelf label changes, so that the worker in the predetermined area can confirm the article to be moved or the loading platform.

The article storage method and article storage facility of the present invention have the following effects.
(A). By confirming the position information of the article to be newly stored or the position of the article or the bed already placed adjacent to the storage position of the loading platform, the position information of the newly stored article or loading platform can be specified.
(B). By storing on the floor surface of a predetermined area, an operator can carry in / out goods or a loading platform, and can cope with an unexpected increase in carry-out.
(C). There is no need to set a storage space for storing articles or loading platforms individually in a predetermined area, and the entire space can be used effectively and flexibly, so that it is possible to store articles or loading platforms at a high density. It becomes possible to deal with a large number of articles.

It is a principal part block diagram of the sorting equipment in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of the trolley | bogie of the loading platform area of the sorting equipment, the structure of a trolley | bogie, and the structure of the handy terminal which an operator carries. It is a control block diagram of the loading platform area of the sorting equipment. It is a figure which shows (a) inventory data and (b) container data which are memorize | stored in the inventory management apparatus of the loading platform area of the sorting equipment. The procedure which specifies the area address of the trolley | bogie newly stored in the loading platform area of the sorting equipment is shown, (a) is explanatory drawing of an operation | movement of an operator, (b) is a flowchart of an inventory management apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the warehousing operation | work in the loading platform area of the sorting equipment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the leaving work in the loading platform area of the sorting equipment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the replacement | exchange work in the loading platform area of the sorting equipment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the inventory work in the loading platform area of the sorting equipment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure of the transshipment work in the loading platform area of the sorting equipment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a sorting facility according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which goods are picked up and collected according to orders from a goods arrival area and a store (an example of a sorting destination) or goods by store. A cargo bed area 12 and an automatic loading / unloading area (an example of other equipment) 13 are arranged as article storage facilities along a transfer line 11 that communicates with a packing area for packing the items.

The automatic loading / unloading area 13 is an area for supplying a container (storage container) storing a commanded article to the sorting area automatically and in response to a command from the sorting area. It consists of a delivery conveyor and the like. For example, when an unloading command is input from the sorting area, the automatic warehouse drives the stacker crane to unload the commanded container 14 to the transfer line 11 via the unloading conveyor, and supplies it to the sorting area. It is also possible to supply the container 14 instructed to the sorting area directly by the stacker crane.
In addition, when the warehouse receives a receipt command from the arrival area, the container 14 conveyed by the conveyance line 11 is taken in by the receipt conveyor, and the stacker crane is driven and stored in the automatic warehouse.
In addition, an operation of replacing the container 14 with the loading platform area 12 is performed (details will be described later).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the loading platform area 12 is an area in which the container 14 is loaded on a cart (for example, a handcart; an example of a loading platform) 21 and placed and stored directly on the floor surface 22. A plurality of blocks 24 in which two rows of carriages 21 are stored back to back are set. This block 24 is set within a rough range, and can be expanded and contracted flexibly.

  Further, the carriage 21 is configured to be able to move by loading a plurality of (for example, twelve) containers 14, and each carriage 21 has a unique identification number (ID; unique information for identifying the loading platform) on the front surface thereof. An electronic shelf label (an example of identification means) 26 to which is set in advance is attached. As is well known, the electronic shelf label 26 has a liquid crystal display screen 26a on the surface thereof, and a label 26b printed with a bar code corresponding to the unique identification number is attached to the electronic shelf label 26. (Not shown), and has a function of displaying data received by the receiving device on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.

  Each container 14 is attached with a label 14b printed with a barcode according to a preset unique identification number (ID; an example of unique information for specifying an article). The articles stored in are managed.

  The worker H arranged in the cargo bed area 12 carries a handy terminal (an example of reading means) 28. The handy terminal 28 has a liquid crystal display screen 28a on its surface, keys 28b made up of a numeric keypad and function keys, a scanner 28c for reading a bar code, a wireless data transmission / reception device, and a transmission / reception device. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 28a, and the bar code data read by the scanner 28c and the operation data of the keys 28b are transmitted.

  A first wireless device 31 that transmits / receives data to / from the handy terminal 28 on the ceiling of the loading platform area 12 (or a building wall that constitutes the area), and a second wireless device that transmits data to the electronic shelf label 26. 32 is arranged, connected to the first wireless device 31 and the second wireless device 32, and stored in the loading platform area 12, the area address of the carriage 21 corresponding to the location of the container 14 (storage address; an example of position information) An inventory management device (an example of inventory management means) 33 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inventory management apparatus 33 manages the area address in which the carriage 21 is stored and the unique identification number (ID; barcode) of the carriage 21 as a pair, and further manages the container 14 (ID; barcode). ) Is managed by a unique identification number (ID; bar code) of the carriage 21 and stored as inventory data, and the barcode of the container 14 is replaced with the code of the article stored in the container 14 (information for identifying the article). One example) and the shipment frequency of the article {the frequency of supplying the article to the automatic entry / exit area 13 or the sorting area, or the frequency of delivering the article directly to the packing area}, and managing it as a container data ing. The shipping frequency is set to high frequency or low frequency, high frequency, medium frequency, or low frequency, and is reviewed in units of weeks, months, seasons, or the like.

  A method for specifying the area address (storage position of the loading platform) of the carriage 21 to be newly stored with the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

The worker H stores the newly stored carriage 21 in an empty space of an arbitrary block 24, and first reads a barcode from the label 26b of the electronic shelf label 26 of the stored carriage 21 with the handy terminal 28. The data is transmitted to the inventory management device 33 via the first wireless device 31.
When the inventory management device 33 receives the barcode data of the electronic shelf label 26 of the carriage 21 via the first wireless device 31 (step -1), the inventory management device 33 uses the barcode data, that is, the unique identification number of the carriage 21. Search inventory data (step-2). As a result of this search, when the area address of the carriage 21 cannot be searched (step-3), it is recognized that the carriage 21 is newly stored, and the unique identification number (bar code) of the carriage 21 is stored (step-4). .

Subsequently, the worker H reads the barcode from the label 26 b of the electronic shelf label 26 of the cart 21 </ b> A adjacent to the right of the stored location, and transmits it to the inventory management device 33 via the first wireless device 31.
When the inventory management device 33 receives the barcode data of the electronic shelf label 26 of the cart 21A adjacent to the right side via the first wireless device 31 (step -5), the barcode data, that is, the cart 21 The inventory data is searched by the unique identification number (step-6). If the area address is obtained as a result of this search (step-7), the obtained area address is stored as the first area address (step-8).

Subsequently, the worker H reads the barcode from the label 26b of the electronic shelf label 26 of the cart 21B adjacent to the left of the stored location, and transmits it to the inventory management device 33 via the first wireless device 31.
When the inventory management device 33 receives the barcode data of the electronic shelf label 26 of the cart 21B on the left side via the first wireless device 31 (Step-9), the barcode data, that is, the cart 21 The inventory data is searched by the unique identification number (step-10). If the area address is obtained as a result of this search (step-11), the obtained area address is stored as the second area address (step-12).

  Subsequently, when the first area address and the second area address are stored, the inventory management device 33 assumes that the cart 21 that is newly stored is arranged (stored) between the carts 21A and 21B. Judgment is made to obtain an intermediate area address between the first area address and the second area address (step -13), and this intermediate area address is set as the area address of the newly stored carriage 21, The barcode data, that is, the unique identification number of the carriage 21 and the set area address are stored as a pair (step -14).

  As described above, the area address (position information) of the article to be newly stored is the area address (position information) of the carriages 21A and 21B already arranged adjacent to the storage position (storage position) of the carriage 21 to be newly stored. Identified by confirming.

  Hereinafter, operation | movement of the stock management apparatus 33 is demonstrated with the operation | movement of the worker H for every operation | work in the loading platform area 12. FIG.

“Receiving work” (see Figure 6)
During the warehousing operation, the inventory management device 33 transmits a warehousing command including display data of “warehousing work” and a barcode of the container 14 to be warehousing to the handy terminal 28, and issues a warehousing command to the liquid crystal display screen 28 a of the handy terminal 28. Display.

In response to this warehousing instruction, the worker H first attaches an (unused) electronic shelf label 26 to the empty carriage 21, then moves the empty carriage 21 to the vicinity of the transfer line 11, and starts the container from the transfer line 11. 14 is loaded onto the carriage 21. Note that the liquid crystal display screen 26a of the electronic shelf label 26 is not displayed at all in the initial state (unused).
When the loading is completed, the worker H reads the barcode on the label 26b of the electronic shelf label 26 with the handy terminal 28, and then reads the barcode on the label 14b of each container 14, and stocks it via the first wireless device 31. Transmit to the management device 33.

  Then, the inventory management device 33 forms and stores inventory data (part) by pairing the received barcode of each container 14 with the barcode of the carriage 21, and subsequently stores the inventory data on the electronic shelf label 26. The display data of “in-cargo (red display)” and the display data including the number of boxes of the container 14 loaded on the carriage 21 are transmitted and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.

When the operator H confirms the liquid crystal display screen 26 a, the operator H pushes the carriage 21 and stores it in an empty space (location) of an arbitrary block 24, and first the electronic shelf label 26 of the carriage 21 stored by the handy terminal 28. , And then the bar code of the electronic shelf label 26 of the cart 21 adjacent to the stored location is read and transmitted to the inventory management device 33 via the first wireless device 31.
Then, as described above, the inventory management device 33 searches the inventory data by using the barcodes of the adjacent electronic shelf labels 26 to obtain the managed area address (location), and an intermediate area between these obtained area addresses. It is determined that the carriage 21 is stored in the address, and this intermediate area address is set in the carriage 21. And the display data of “storage-no work”, the set area address, the empty volume ratio (%) indicating the number of containers 14 that can be loaded on the carriage 21, and the articles managed by the barcode of the container 14 Display data comprising the number of empty containers 14 that are not stored is transmitted and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a. At the same time, the barcode of the cart 21 (electronic shelf label 26) and the barcode of each container 14 are stored in the new area address, and the inventory data is updated.

  Thus, the area address (position information) of the carriage 21 to be newly stored is the area address (position) of the carriage 21 that is already arranged adjacent to the storage position (storage position) of the carriage 21 to be newly stored at the time of warehousing work. Information) and is newly stored as inventory data.

  In the case where there is no carriage 21 in the block 24 and the carriage 21 is first placed, the first area address is set by inputting a specific area address through the handy terminal 28. Alternatively, the first area address may be set by placing a label or a sign with a bar code corresponding to the area address in one place in the block 24 and reading it with the handy terminal 28.

“Outgoing work (work of moving containers to other areas or other equipment)” (see Figure 7)
When the stock management device 33 inputs an article delivery command from another area, that is, the automatic entry / exit area 13 or the sorting area, the stock management apparatus 33 executes a delivery operation (container movement work to another area or other equipment).
At this time, the container data is first searched to obtain the container 14 (bar code) storing the goods for which the delivery instruction has been issued, and then the inventory data is searched using the obtained bar code of the container 14, and the cart loaded with the container 14 is loaded. The bar code 21 (unique identification number of the electronic shelf label 26) is obtained, then the area address where the car 21 is stored is obtained from the bar code of the car 21, and the car that performs the delivery work to the handy terminal 28 is obtained. A command including the area address of 21 (electronic shelf label 26) and the barcode of the container 14 to be delivered is transmitted and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 28a. "Instructed (red display)" and the number of containers 14 to be delivered and the number of containers 14 currently loaded. It transmits display data to be displayed on the LCD display screen 26a.

  When all the containers 14 instructed to be shipped are loaded on one carriage 21, an instruction to leave or move the carriage 21 together with the address of the carriage 21 (electronic shelf label 26) is sent to the handy terminal 28. The data is transmitted and displayed on the handy terminal 28, and the display data of “move instruction (red display)” is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 26 and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.

  The worker H moves to the address displayed on the handy terminal 28, confirms that the electronic shelf label 26 is displayed, and is pulling out the carriage 21 and displayed on the handy terminal 28. The bar code container 14 is transferred to a delivery cart (not shown), and the bar code of the transferred container 14 is read by the handy terminal 28 and transmitted to the inventory management device 33. Subsequently, the carriage 21 is stored at the original area address, the barcode of the electronic shelf label 26 is read by the handy terminal 28, and transmitted to the inventory management device 33.

  The inventory management device 33 confirms the delivery based on the received barcode of the container 14, deletes it from the inventory data, and subsequently receives the barcode of the electronic shelf label 26. The display data including the address, the empty volume ratio (%) indicating the number of containers 14 that can be further loaded on the carriage 21, and the number of empty containers with no articles managed by the barcode of the container 14 are transmitted. And displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.

  The worker H moves the cart for delivery to the automatic entry / exit area 13 or the sorting area to end the delivery, or moves the delivery cart to the vicinity of the transport line 11 and transfers it to the transport line 11 to finish the delivery.

  In the case of a command to leave or move the entire cart 21, the worker H pulls out the cart 21, removes the electronic shelf label 26 from the cart 21, reads the barcode on the electronic shelf label 26 from the handy terminal 28, and transmits it. Then, the carriage 21 is pushed as it is to move to the automatic loading / unloading area 13 or the sorting area. The inventory management device 33 confirms the movement based on the received barcode of the electronic shelf label 26, deletes it from the inventory data, and transmits unused display data to the electronic shelf label 26. The liquid crystal display screen 26a of the electronic shelf label 26 is in a state where nothing in the initial state is displayed.

  In this way, the area address of the carriage 21 on which the container 14 of the goods for which delivery is issued is mounted is displayed on the handy terminal 28, so that the carriage 21 on which the container 14 instructed to be delivered is easily found. , Goods issue work is executed quickly.

  In addition, the container 14 is exchanged between the loading platform area 12 and the automatic loading / unloading area 13 by combining the loading work and the loading work.

"Replacement work of carts in the area" (see Fig. 8)
In order to improve the work efficiency of loading and unloading the carriage 21 and the container 14 in advance depending on the shipping frequency, the area address of the carriage 21 is changed in the loading area 12 {the carriage 21 is replaced and the location (storage position) is changed} .
At this time, the inventory management device 33 first searches the inventory data by using the barcode (ID) of the cart 21 (electronic shelf label 26) to be replaced, obtains an area address, and executes the replacement work to the handy terminal 28 (the cart 21 ( A command including the area address of the electronic shelf label 26) is transmitted and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 28a. At the same time, the inventory management device 33 displays display data indicating “move instruction (red display)” to the electronic shelf label 26. Display data including the number of containers 14 currently loaded and the number of containers 14 that can be loaded is transmitted and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.

  The worker H moves to the area address displayed on the handy terminal 28, confirms that the electronic shelf label 26 is “instructed to move (displayed in red)”, pulls out the carriage 21, and moves the electronic shelf label 26. The bar code is read by the handy terminal 28 and transmitted to the inventory management device 33.

  When the inventory management device 33 confirms the barcode of the electronic shelf label 26, the electronic shelf label 26 displays the display data “moving (displayed in red)” and the data (block 24 address) indicating the destination block 24. Send to and display.

The worker H moves the carriage 21 to the designated block 24 and stores it in an empty area address (arbitrary location) of the block 24. First, the electronic shelf label of the stored carriage 21 is received by the handy terminal 28. 26 bar code is read, and then the bar code of the electronic shelf label 26 of the cart 21 adjacent to the stored area address is read and transmitted to the inventory management device 33 via the first wireless device 31. As a result, the inventory management apparatus 33 sets an intermediate area address for the moved carriage 21 as described above, the display data “storage-no work”, the set area address, and the container 14 that can be further loaded on the carriage 21. Display data including the empty volume ratio (%) indicating the number of the empty containers 14 and the number of empty containers 14 managed by the barcode of the containers 14 is transmitted and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a. At the same time, the inventory data is updated, and the barcode of the carriage 21 (electronic shelf label 26) and the barcode of each container 14 are stored in the new area address.
In this way, the area address of the carriage 21 to be replaced is displayed on the handy terminal 28, and the area address where the moved carriage 21 is stored is specified by reading the area address of the adjacent carriage 21 (electronic shelf label 26). .

“Inventory work” (see Figure 9)
When it is necessary to perform an inventory work for checking the container 14 loaded on the cart 21, the inventory management device 33 performs the inventory work.
At this time, first, the inventory data is searched by the number of the cart 21 that performs the inventory work, the area address is obtained, and a command including the area address of the cart 21 (electronic shelf label 26) that performs the inventory work is sent to the handy terminal 28. At the same time, the inventory management device 33 displays on the electronic shelf label 26 the display data indicating “inventory (red display)” and the number of containers 14 currently loaded. Data is transmitted and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.

  The worker H moves to the area address displayed on the handy terminal 28, confirms that the electronic shelf label 26 is “in stock (red display)”, pulls out the cart 21, and displays the bar on the electronic shelf label 26. The code is read by the handy terminal 28, and then the bar codes of all the containers 14 loaded are read and transmitted to the inventory management device 33.

When the inventory management device 33 confirms the barcode of the electronic shelf label 26 and the barcodes of all the containers 14, the inventory management device 33 uses the barcode of the container 14 stored corresponding to the barcode of the electronic shelf label 26 in the inventory data. Compare and check if there are any mistakes, and correct any mistakes. Then, display data “inventory completed” and display data including the number of containers 14 for which inventory has been confirmed are transmitted to the electronic shelf label 26 and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.
The worker H confirms the electronic shelf label 26 and returns the carriage 21 to the original area address.
In this way, the inventory operation is executed by displaying the handy terminal 28 and the electronic shelf label 26.

"Conveyor loading / unloading work" (see Fig. 10)
When the containers 14 in which articles with different shipping frequencies are stored are loaded on the cart 21 separately, in order to increase the efficiency of carrying out / shipping the containers 14, the inventory management device 33 is in accordance with the shipping frequency. The container (article) 14 is replaced. That is, the transshipment work of the container 14 is executed.
Now, a description will be given of an operation of collecting and collecting the containers (articles) 14 storing the “high frequency” articles on the cart 21. At this time, the inventory management device 33 first searches the container data, confirms the shipping frequency for each container 14, obtains the container 14 in which the high-frequency article is stored, and then the container 14 is mounted. The area address of the cart 21 (electronic shelf label 26) is obtained, and a plurality of transshipment instructions including the obtained "area address of the cart 21 (electronic shelf label 26) and barcode of the container 14 to be transshipped" are formed. Subsequently, the inventory management device 33 transmits display data of “transshipment work” and display data including the plurality of transshipment instructions to the handy terminal 28 and displays them on the liquid crystal display screen 28a.

In response to the display on the liquid crystal display screen 28a of the handy terminal 28, the worker H attaches an unused electronic shelf label 26 to an empty carriage 21 (hereinafter referred to as a transshipment carriage 21C), and the bar of the electronic shelf label 26 is displayed. The code is read by the handy terminal 28 and transmitted to the inventory management device 33.
The inventory management device 33 confirms and stores the bar code of the electronic shelf label 26, and displays “in progress of transshipment (displayed in red)” on the electronic shelf label 26 of the carriage 21 having the obtained area address. Display data including the number of data and the number of containers 14 to be transferred is transmitted and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.

The worker H pushes the transshipment carriage 21C, moves to the area addresses displayed on the handy terminal 28 in order, and loads the high-frequency containers 14 onto the transshipment carriage 21C.
That is, the user moves to the area address displayed on the handy terminal 28, confirms that the electronic shelf label 26 is displayed, “Transshipment in progress (displayed in red)”, pulls out the target carriage 21, and The bar code is read by the handy terminal 28, and then the high-frequency container 14 displayed on the handy terminal 28 is pulled out and loaded onto the transshipment carriage 21C. The bar code of the container 14 is read by the handy terminal 28 and the inventory management device 33 Send to.

When the inventory management device 33 confirms the barcode of the electronic shelf label 26 and the barcode of the container 14, the barcode of the container 14 corresponds to the barcode of the electronic shelf label 26 (the transshipment carriage 21C) in the inventory data. Remember.
Then, display data consisting of the display data “Transshipped” and the number of remaining containers 14 is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 26 and displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 26a.
The worker H confirms the electronic shelf label 26 and returns the carriage 21 to the original area address.
Subsequently, based on the transshipment command, it moves to the next area address and executes the loading operation. Then, when the execution is completed, the above-mentioned “warehousing operation” stores the transshipment carriage 21C in an empty space (location) of an arbitrary block 24, and obtains the area address where the transshipment carriage 21C is stored, Inventory data is updated.

In this way, the transshipment operation is executed by displaying the handy terminal 28 and the electronic shelf label 26, and the cart 21 storing the high-frequency articles is formed, so that the automatic loading / unloading area 13 or the sorting is performed from the loading platform area 12. The efficiency at the time of supplying the container (article) 14 to the area or directly carrying out the container (article) 14 to the packing area can be improved.
In addition, although the container 14 in which the high-frequency goods are stored is collected in the empty cart 21, the cart 21 in which the container 14 is already mounted is designated, and the container in which the high-frequency items are stored in the cart 21 14 can also be collected. Moreover, although the transshipment operation | work which collects the container 14 in which the high frequency article | item was accommodated is performed, the transshipment operation | work which collects the container 14 in which the medium frequency article | item was accommodated can also be performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a new storage is performed by checking the area address (position information) of the carriage 21 that has already been arranged adjacent to the storage position (storage position) of the carriage 21 to be newly stored. By specifying the area address (position information) of the carriage 21 to be performed, it is not necessary to previously install a position detection device for identifying the position of the carriage 21 in the loading platform area 12, and the equipment cost can be reduced. The carriage 21 can be freely stored without worrying about the detection device.

  Further, by arranging and storing the cart 21 directly on the floor surface 22 of the loading platform area 12, the cart 21 or the container 14 can be used by the worker H without using an automatic loading / unloading device such as an automatic warehouse or an automatic replenishment crane. Thus, it is possible to cope with an unexpected increase in carry-out, and to cope with a case where the automatic carry-in / out device is down. In addition, since the carriage 21 is arranged on the floor surface 22, the shape is not limited, and various carriages 21 can be used freely.

  In addition, it is not necessary to set in advance a detailed storage space for individually storing the carriage 21, and the space can be used effectively and flexibly, so that the container 14 or the carriage 21 can be stored at a high density and can be used for many articles. It becomes possible to do.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the electronic shelf label 26 is used to display the area address (position information) of the carriage 21 on the electronic shelf label 26, so that the worker H in the loading platform area 12 can move the carriage 21. Can be confirmed by the position display of the electronic shelf label 26. Further, by changing the color displayed on the electronic shelf label 26, the worker H in the loading platform area 12 can check the cart 21 to be worked, such as the cart 21 to be moved.
In addition, according to the present embodiment, by increasing the number of workers H related to the work of the carriage 21, many work can be executed simultaneously, and it is possible to flexibly cope with mass shipment.

In the present embodiment, the area address of the newly-stored carriage 21 is specified by the area addresses of the two carriages 21 that have already been stored on both sides. It can also be specified by the area address of the cart 21.
At this time, one address is specified to be increased or decreased to the area address of the adjacent carriage 21. Therefore, one cart 21 that has already been stored on one side is specified as the next cart 21 on the right side or on the left side, and the area for newly storing the cart 21 is limited to one side.
At this time, the inventory management device 33 displays on the liquid crystal display screen 28a of the handy terminal 28 a display for selecting whether to read the barcode on the label 26b of the electronic shelf label 26 of the cart 21 on the right side or the left side. For example, “Select the right or left neighbor” is displayed, and the label 26b of the electronic shelf label 26 of the cart 21 on the right or left side is selected by a selection signal from the keys 28b of the handy terminal 28. It may be possible to determine in advance whether the barcode is read.
Further, the two carts 21 that have already been stored on both sides may be separated from each other, and a plurality of carts 21 can be stored. This can be done by adding branch numbers.

  Further, in this embodiment, the carriage 21 (hand carriage) is used as the loading platform, but it may be a cart or a non-movable pallet. It can respond to. The container for storing articles is the container 14, but is not limited to the container, and may be a cardboard as long as it can be loaded on the loading platform.

  In the present embodiment, the carriage 21 as a loading platform and the container 14 as an article are provided separately. However, the container 14 or the article can be stored directly on the floor surface 22 without being separated. When the electronic shelf label 26 in which a unique identification number (an example of unique information for specifying a storage container or an article) is attached to the container 14 or the article, the storage position can be confirmed and managed.

In the present embodiment, one worker H is associated with the carriage 21, but a plurality of workers H can be associated.
In the present embodiment, the electronic shelf label 26 and the container 14 are identified by attaching a unique bar code. However, the present invention is not limited to the barcode, and a unique IC tag is attached for identification. May be.
In this embodiment, the sorting destination is classified by store. However, the sorting destination is not limited to the store, and may be classified by area or category within the store, by region, by transport truck, or the like.
In the present embodiment, the color of the liquid crystal display screen 26a of the electronic shelf label 26 is changed to red to display the work vehicle 21. However, it goes without saying that the color is not limited to red.

12 Cargo area 14 Container 21, 21A, 21B, 21C Dolly 22 Floor 23 Passage 24 Block 26 Electronic shelf label 28 Handy terminal 31 First wireless device 32 Second wireless device 33 Inventory management device H Worker

Claims (6)

An article storage method for an article or a loading platform loaded with an article stored in a predetermined area,
Store the article or loading platform by placing it directly on the floor of the predetermined area,
A method of storing an article, characterized in that position information of a newly stored article or loading platform is specified by position information of an article or loading platform already arranged adjacent to the storage position of the article or loading platform. 2. The article storage method according to claim 1, wherein position information of an article or a loading platform to be newly stored is specified by position information of an article or loading platform already arranged on both sides. 3. The article storage method according to claim 1, wherein position information of an article or a loading platform that is initially stored in a predetermined area is specified by position information of a preset area. An article storage facility for storing an article or a loading platform loaded with an article in a predetermined area,
Store the article or loading platform by placing it directly on the floor of the predetermined area,
In the article or loading platform, there is provided identification means in which unique information for identifying the article or loading platform is preset,
Read means for reading the unique information from the identification means,
Provide inventory management means for storing the position information of the goods or cargo bed that has already been stored in combination with the unique information of the goods or cargo bed,
The inventory management means includes
When the unique information of the article or cargo bed to be newly stored is read by the reading means from the identification means, the unique information is stored,
When the reading means reads the unique information of the article or loading platform that is already placed adjacent to the newly stored article or loading platform from the identification means, it is stored from the unique information that has already been placed adjacent to the loading platform. Recognize the location information of the goods or cargo bed
The position information of the newly stored article or loading platform is specified by the recognized article or loading platform position information, and the stored unique information and the position information of the article or loading platform are newly stored as a pair. Goods storage equipment. 5. The article storage facility according to claim 4, wherein an electronic shelf label is attached to an article or a loading platform as the identification means, and position information of the identified article or loading platform is displayed on the electronic shelf label. 6. The article storage facility according to claim 5, wherein when the article is moved, a color displayed on the electronic shelf label is changed.

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