JP2016088712A - Physical distribution system, and method for creating and utilizing information transmission member used in the physical distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a physical distribution system including a transport device, in which a parameter for operating the transport device can be correctly set by simple work.SOLUTION: In a physical distribution system 1, a storage section 23 stores a parameter 25 for operating a stacker crane 3. A control execution section 21 retrieves the parameter 25 from the storage section 23 and controls operation of the stacker crane 3 on the basis of the parameter 25. A reception section 29 receives image data of a code retrieved from a bar code 9. A decode section 31 converts the image data of the code to a kind and a numerical value of the parameter 25. A parameter writing section 35 changes the stored parameter 25 on the basis of the converted kind and numerical value of the parameter 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a physical distribution system, in particular, a physical distribution system in which a conveyance device is used, and further relates to a method for creating and using an information transmission member used in the physical distribution system.

  A conventional automatic warehouse has, for example, a pair of racks and a stacker crane as a self-propelled carriage (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The rack has a large number of luggage storage shelves vertically and horizontally. The stacker crane is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction between the front and rear racks. The stacker crane has a traveling carriage, a lifting platform that can be raised and lowered by a mast provided therein, and a load transfer device (for example, a slide fork that is slidable in the front-rear direction). doing.

JP 2000-62913 A

  The automatic warehouse 2 described in Patent Document 1 is provided with acceleration / deceleration control means 42 for setting the acceleration / deceleration of the self-propelled carriage 10. The work vehicle transmits a set value signal from the terminal 12 to the acceleration / deceleration control means 42. Then, the acceleration / deceleration control means 42 transmits an acceleration / deceleration control signal to the self-propelled carriage 10 to the self-propelled carriage 10 to control acceleration / deceleration of the self-propelled carriage 10.

As described above, when the set value is directly input to the terminal provided in the automatic warehouse, the operator is given a list of addresses and values for setting. However, depending on the operator, an input error occurs, and when there are a large number of rewrite locations, the address is discrete, so that the input operation takes time. In particular, if an input error occurs, for example, the self-propelled carriage will behave unintentionally, which is a problem.
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately set parameters for operation of a transport apparatus by a simple operation in a physical distribution system including the transport apparatus.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of modes will be described as means for solving the problems. These aspects can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

A physical distribution system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transport device and a controller that stores software for controlling the operation of the transport device and controls the operation of the transport device using the software. The controller includes a storage unit, a control execution unit, a reception unit, a code conversion unit, and a parameter change unit.
The storage unit stores operation parameters of the transport device.
The control execution unit reads the parameter from the storage unit and controls the operation of the transport device based on the parameter.
The receiving unit receives the external code read from the information transmission member. The external code is obtained by coding information such as numerical values and characters using, for example, an image such as a one-dimensional code and a two-dimensional code.
The code conversion unit converts the external code into a parameter type and a numerical value.
The parameter changing unit changes the stored parameter based on the type and numerical value of the converted parameter.
In this logistics system, the receiver of the controller reads the external code, then the code converter converts the external code to the parameter type and numerical value, and then the parameter changing unit changes the parameter based on the parameter type and numerical value. To do. And a control execution part reads the changed parameter from a memory | storage part, and controls operation | movement of a conveying apparatus based on the changed parameter.
As described above, the work necessary for the operator to change the parameter is to cause the controller to read the external code using the information transmission member. Therefore, there are no input mistakes, and input is not time-consuming. Therefore, even an unskilled person can set the transport device accurately and in a short time.

The receiving unit may receive an external security code read from the information transmission member. In that case, the code conversion unit converts the external security data into authentication data. Further, the controller further includes an authentication unit that authenticates the external code based on the authentication data.
In this logistics system, the authentication data converted from the external security code is used to prevent unauthorized persons from illegally changing the setting value of the transport device using the external code for parameter rewriting. The

The physical distribution system may further include an operator operation device. The operator operation device includes a remote controller connected to the controller and capable of controlling the operation of the transport device via the controller, and a reading device that reads an external code from the information transmission member and transmits the external code to the receiving unit.
In this physical distribution system, the parameters of the transport device can be set only by reading the external code from the information transmission member by the reading device of the operator operating device. This eliminates the need for the operator to directly access the controller for input.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of creating and using an information transmission member used in a physical distribution system stores a transfer device and software for controlling the operation of the transfer device, and controls the operation of the transfer device using the software. It is applied to a physical distribution system equipped with a controller. This method comprises the following steps.
◎ Preparation step to prepare the parameters of the transfer device.
A code information creation step for creating code information used in the logistics system based on the parameters.
◎ External code creation step of creating an information transmission medium having an external code using the code information.
◎ External code reading step that causes the controller to read the external code of the information transmission medium.
As described above, an information transmission medium used for the physical distribution system is created using an apparatus other than the controller of the physical distribution system, and then the information on the information transmission medium can be read by the controller.

  In the physical distribution system according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately set parameters for the operation of the transport apparatus with a simple operation.

The control block diagram of the physical distribution system as 1st Embodiment of this invention. The top view of the automatic warehouse where the stacker crane as a conveyance apparatus is used. The side view of an automatic warehouse and a stacker crane. The block block diagram of a barcode production apparatus. The flowchart which shows barcode production operation. The flowchart which shows the parameter rewriting control by the controller of a distribution system. The figure which shows the setting of the acceleration ratio before a change. The figure which shows the setting of the acceleration ratio after a change.

1. First Embodiment (1) Overview of Distribution System A distribution system 1 as an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a control configuration diagram of a physical distribution system as an embodiment of the present invention.
The distribution system 1 mainly includes a stacker crane 3, a controller 5, and an operator operation device 7.

The stacker crane 3 is, for example, a device that conveys articles, and is used, for example, in an automatic warehouse.
The controller 5 is a device that controls the operation of the stacker crane 3. The controller 5 is a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and is installed on the control panel of the stacker crane 3. The controller 5 is mounted on the stacker crane 3 and can communicate with a host controller (not shown) that controls the entire automatic warehouse 100 (described later). The controller 5 receives a conveyance command from a host controller (not shown), and executes traveling, raising / lowering, transfer, and other operations of the stacker crane 3 based on the instruction.

  The operator operation device 7 is a device used by the worker in the automatic warehouse 100. The operator operating device 7 can be connected to the stacker crane 3 by wire or wirelessly. The operator operation device 7 includes a scanner 37 (an example of a reading device) and a remote controller 39 (an example of a remote controller). The scanner 37 is a device that can read information printed on paper or the like as image data. The remote controller 39 is a device for controlling the stacker crane 3 and is a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, and RAM.

(2) Overview of Controller The function of the controller 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 5 is realized by computer hardware such as a CPU and a memory. In FIG. 1, the controller 5 is expressed by a functional configuration realized by cooperation of the computer hardware and software.
The controller 5 includes a control execution unit 21, a storage unit 23, a reception unit 29, a digital conversion unit 30, a decoding unit 31, an authentication unit 33, and a parameter writing unit 35.

The control execution unit 21 controls the operation of the stacker crane 3 based on a command from the host controller. The control execution unit 21 reads the parameter 25 stored in the storage unit 23 and performs a control operation based on the parameter 25. The parameter 25 defines the operating conditions of the stacker crane 3. The parameter 25 includes, for example, the acceleration / deceleration speed of the traveling carriage 83 (described later), the maximum speed of the traveling carriage 83 (described later), the position and size of the luggage storage rack 73 (described later) of the automatic warehouse 100 (described later), and the origin of the stacker crane 3. It is the longest laser distance to the reflector (not shown) at the end of the passage at the position.
The storage unit 23 is a rewritable memory and stores software and data. In the storage unit 23, an area for storing the parameter 25 is secured.
The receiving unit 29 receives code image data (an example of code information) transmitted from the scanner 37.

The digital conversion unit 30 converts image data that is analog information into a digital signal.
The decoding unit 31 converts the digital signal into parameters (types and numerical values).
The authentication unit 33 authenticates the reading of the barcode 9 using the security barcode 11 (described later).
The parameter writing unit 35 writes the parameter 25 stored in the storage unit 23 using the converted parameter (type and value).

  Next, the stacker crane 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an automatic warehouse in which a stacker crane 3 as a transfer device is used. FIG. 3 is a side view of the automatic warehouse and the stacker crane 3.

  The automatic warehouse 100 is mainly composed of a pair of racks 2 and a stacker crane 3. The pair of racks 2 are arranged so as to sandwich a stacker crane passage extending in the left-right direction in FIG. The rack 2 is provided on a large number of front struts 67 that are arranged on the left and right sides at a predetermined interval, a rear strut 69 that is arranged behind the front strut 67 with a predetermined interval therebetween, and the front and rear struts 67, 69. A large number of load bearing members 71 are provided. A pair of left and right load bearing members 71 constitute a load storage shelf 73. As is apparent from the figure, the luggage W can be placed on each luggage storage shelf 73. In addition, between the pair of left and right load bearing members 71 is a fork passage gap 75 that allows a slide fork 89 (described later) to move in the vertical direction.

  A pair of upper and lower guide rails are provided along the stacker crane passage, and the stacker crane 3 is guided by these guide rails so as to be movable left and right. The stacker crane 3 is slid in the front-rear direction by a traveling carriage 83, a lifting platform 87 mounted on a pair of left and right masts 85 provided on the traveling carriage 83, and a lifting mechanism 87 (not shown). And a slide fork 89 provided movably.

(3) Bar Code The bar code 9 shown in FIG. 1 is a code read by the scanner 37, specifically, a code printed on paper. Specifically, the bar code 9 is obtained by coding information constituting the parameter 25 of the stacker crane 3.
The creation of the barcode 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the barcode creating apparatus. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the barcode generation operation. As shown in FIG. 4, the barcode creating apparatus 50 includes a PC (personal computer) 51 and a printer 53. The PC 51 is loaded with barcode creation software. The PC 51 includes a reception unit 55, an encoding unit 57, an image editing unit 59, and a transmission unit 61. The image editing unit 59 and the transmission unit 61 correspond to barcode generation software.

The receiving unit 55 receives information on parameters from the outside (step S1 in FIG. 5, an example of a preparation step for preparing parameters of the transport device). Information about the parameters may be input by a PC operator or transmitted via a network. The encoding unit 57 generates an original barcode with parameters set to a predetermined standard (step S2 in FIG. 5, an example of a code information creation step for creating code information). The image editing unit 59 generates an image to be output by embedding the original barcode in the image (step S3 in FIG. 5 is an example of a code information creation step for creating code information). Finally, the transmission unit 61 transmits the image data to the printer 53 (step S4 in FIG. 5). The printer 53 outputs the barcode 9 by printing the image data on paper (an example of an information transmission member creating step for creating an information transmission member having an external code using the code information). The operator can change the setting of the stacker crane 3 by bringing the bar code 9 to the automatic warehouse 100 (an example of an external code reading step for causing the controller to read the external code of the information transmission member).
In this way, a barcode can be created outside the physical distribution system 1 by the barcode creation device 50.

(4) Security Bar Code The security bar code 11 shown in FIG. 1 is a code read by the scanner 37, and is specifically printed on paper. The security barcode 11 is an external security code in which security information used for authenticating the barcode 9 is encoded. The security barcode 11 is used simultaneously with the barcode 9, and if the authentication by the security barcode 11 fails, the barcode 9 is not converted into parameters (described later).
Since the security barcode 11 only needs to confirm that the parameter rewriting by the barcode 9 is valid, the authentication method is not particularly limited.
Since the method for creating the security barcode 11 is the same as the method for creating the barcode 9, the description thereof is omitted here.

(5) Parameter Rewriting Operation The parameter rewriting operation stored in the storage unit 23 of the controller 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing parameter rewriting control by the controller of the physical distribution system. Note that this flowchart is an example, and steps can be added, deleted, and replaced as long as the operation is possible.
A case where the worker performs various operations in the automatic warehouse 100 will be described. An external code including a plurality of barcodes 9 and a corresponding security barcode 11 may be brought from another place by an operator, or may be stored in a specific place in the automatic warehouse 100.

The worker reads the security barcode 11 using the scanner 37 of the operator operation device 7 (step S11). As a result, the image data is transmitted to the receiving unit 29 of the controller 5. The digital conversion unit 30 converts the image data into digital data (step S12). The decoding unit 13 converts the digital data into authentication data (step S13). The authentication unit 33 determines whether or not the user is an authorized person based on the authentication data (step S14). If the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S15, and if the authentication fails, the process ends.
Subsequently, the operator reads the barcode 9 using the scanner 37 (step S15). As a result, the image data is transmitted to the receiving unit 29 of the controller 5. The digital conversion unit 30 converts the image data into digital data (step S16). Further, the decoding unit 31 converts the digital data into parameter types and numerical values (step S17). Here, the authentication unit 33 determines whether or not writing of the parameter is permitted based on the authentication data (step S18). If the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S19, and if the authentication fails, the process ends. If the authentication is successful, the parameter writing unit 35 rewrites the parameter 25 using the converted parameter type and numerical value (step S19).

FIG. 7 shows the acceleration / deceleration speed 25A before the change, and FIG. 8 shows the acceleration / deceleration speed 25B before the change. Thus, the numerical value of the acceleration / deceleration as an example of the parameter is changed by the above operation.
As described above, the code information printed on the paper medium or the like is read to acquire the code information included in the image data, and the code information is converted into character information again, so that the setting information of the device itself Can be obtained in data format.

  As an effect of the present embodiment, since the work is completed by the operator operating device 7, there is no need to open the control panel, that is, the parameters can be changed efficiently. In addition, since the parameters can be set by a single operation, no input error occurs and the input time is further shortened. Furthermore, since it is only necessary to read the barcode 9 with the scanner 37, even an unskilled person can easily execute it.

2. Operation and Effect of Embodiment The logistics system 1 (an example of a logistics system) includes a stacker crane 3 (an example of a transport device) and software for controlling the operation of the stacker crane 3. And a controller 5 (an example of a controller) for controlling the operation. The controller includes a storage unit 23, a control execution unit 21, a reception unit 29, a digital conversion unit 30 and a decoding unit 31, and a parameter writing unit 35.
The storage unit 23 (an example of a storage unit) stores an operation parameter 25 of the stacker crane 3.
The control execution unit 21 (an example of a control execution unit) reads the parameter 25 from the storage unit 23 and controls the operation of the stacker crane 3 based on the parameter 25.

The receiving unit 29 (an example of a receiving unit) receives code information (an example of an external code) read from a barcode (an example of an information transmission member).
The digital conversion unit 30 and the decoding unit 31 (an example of a code conversion unit) convert the code information into the types and numerical values of the parameters 25.
The parameter writing unit 35 (an example of a parameter changing unit) changes the stored parameter 25 based on the type and numerical value of the converted parameter 25.

In this physical distribution system 1, the receiving unit 29 of the controller 5 receives the code information of the barcode 9, and then the digital conversion unit 30 and the decoding unit 31 convert it into the types and values of the parameter 25, and then the parameter document The inclusion unit 35 changes the parameter based on the type and numerical value of the parameter 25. And the control execution part 21 reads the changed parameter 25 from the memory | storage part 23, and controls operation | movement of the stacker crane 3 based on the changed parameter 25. FIG.
As described above, the work required for the operator to change the parameter 25 is to cause the controller 5 to read the barcode 9. Therefore, there is no input mistake of the parameter 25, and input is not time-consuming. Therefore, even an unskilled person can set the stacker crane 3 accurately and in a short time.

3. Other Embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, a plurality of embodiments and modifications described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.
(A) In the first embodiment, the authorized person is authenticated based on the authentication data in step S14, and the parameter rewriting is authenticated based on the authentication data in step S18. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, one or both of step S14 and step S18 may be omitted. If no authentication is performed, the authentication unit 33 may not be provided.
(B) The information transmission member may be a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like.
(C) The information transmission member is not limited to paper, and may be an RFID, for example.
(D) The remote controller and the scanner may be integrated, but may be separate.
(E) The scanner may be connected to the host controller instead of the controller of the transport apparatus. In this case, the configuration such as the digital conversion unit and the decoding unit may be in the host controller or in the transport vehicle controller. The configuration of the digital conversion unit and the decoding unit may be in another controller in the physical distribution system.
(F) The digital conversion unit, the decoding unit, and the like may be in the operator operating device.
(G) One type of parameter may be included in one barcode, or a plurality of types may be used.
(H) The transport device may be any device that transports articles and the like, and is not limited to a stacker crane used in an automatic warehouse. The transport device may be, for example, another tracked carriage or AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle).

  The present invention is widely applied to a physical distribution system having a transport device.

1: Logistic system 3: Transport device 5: Controller 7: Operating device 9: Bar code 11: Security bar code 21: Control execution unit 23: Storage unit 25: Parameter 29: Reception unit 30: Digital conversion unit 31: Decoding unit 33 : Authentication unit 35: Parameter writing unit 37: Bar code reader 39: Remote controller 50: Bar code creation device 51: PC
53: Printer 55: Receiver 57: Encoder 59: Transmitter 100: Automatic warehouse

Claims (4)

A transport device;
Software for controlling the operation of the transport device is stored, and a controller for controlling the operation of the transport device using the software,
The controller is
A storage unit for storing parameters of operation of the transfer device;
A control execution unit that reads out the parameter from the storage unit and controls the operation of the transfer device based on the parameter;
A receiving unit for receiving an external code read from the information transmission member;
A code conversion unit for converting the external code into the parameter type and numerical value;
A parameter changing unit for changing a stored parameter based on the type and numerical value of the converted parameter;
Logistics system equipped with. The receiving unit receives an external security code read from the information transmission member,
The code conversion unit converts the external security code into authentication data,
The physical distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the controller further includes an authentication unit that authenticates the external code based on the authentication data.   An operator operation having a remote controller connected to the controller and capable of controlling the operation of the transport device via the controller, and a reading device that reads the external code from the information transmission member and transmits it to the receiving unit. The physical distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a device. A method for creating and using an information transmission member used in the physical distribution system according to claim 1,
A preparation step of preparing parameters of the transport device;
Based on the parameters, a code information creating step for creating code information used in the logistics system;
Using the code information, an information transmission member creating step for creating an information transmission member having an external code;
An external code reading step for causing the controller to read the external code of the information transmission member;
A method for creating and using an information transmission member for use in a logistics system equipped with a computer.

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