JP2020175985A - Management device and management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a management device and a management system capable of easily managing a storage place.SOLUTION: A management device manages a storage place of a storage article, and comprises a storage part and a communication part. The storage part stores the storage article. The communication part has a unique identification code.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a management device and a management system.

Conventionally, for example, in a facility such as a parts warehouse, there is a parts management program that facilitates the management of sales of parts. In such a parts management program, the carry-out of a part is identified by reading an electronic tag installed on the part at the carry-out port of the part (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-280943

However, in the prior art, the storage location of each part has not been controlled. For this reason, in the prior art, there is a risk that a large amount of time may be spent searching for the desired component by the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a management device and a management system capable of easily managing a storage location.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the management device according to the embodiment is a management device that manages the storage location of the stored items, and includes a storage unit and a communication unit. The accommodating portion accommodates the contained object. The communication unit has a unique identification code.

According to the present invention, the storage location can be easily managed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a management system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the management system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of management information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a notification mode by the notification unit. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the management device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the management server. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mounting example of the management system according to the modified example.

Hereinafter, the management device and the management system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

First, the outline of the management system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a management system. In the following, a case where the management system is provided in the parts warehouse will be described, and a case where the contained object is a part P such as an electronic part will be described as an example.

By the way, at a product development site, a wide variety of parts P having different specifications and sizes may be stored even if they are of the same type. In this case, the types of each part P may be as many as several thousand, and as the number of types of parts P increases, it is not easy to manage the number of parts P in stock and the storage location.

In this case, it is not easy for the user to find the desired component P because there are a plurality of components P of the same type when the rough storage location of the component P is known. Further, when the user counts the inventory number of each component P and manages the inventory quantity of each component P or the like, a huge work cost is incurred. In this way, efficiency is required when managing each component P.

Therefore, in the management system 1 according to the embodiment, it was decided to improve efficiency by mechanically managing these. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the management system 1 according to the embodiment includes a management device 10 and a management server 100.

The management device 10 is a device for accommodating the component P and managing the inventory number (accommodation number) of the component P and the like. For example, the management device 10 is appropriately housed in a storage space such as a rack S. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the management device 10 includes a control unit 20 and an accommodating unit 30.

The control unit 20 has a communication function with the management server 100 and a sensor function for detecting the insertion and removal of the component P of the accommodating unit 30. For example, the control unit 20 has a notification function for notifying the location of the management device 10 such as a light or a buzzer, and notifies the surroundings of the location in response to a response request notified from the management server 100 or the like. Is also possible.

The accommodating portion 30 is a bag body for accommodating the component P. In the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 30 is not particularly limited, but for example, a bag or cardboard that wraps the component P at the time of purchasing the component P can be appropriately used.

The management server 100 has a communication function with the management device 10, and is a server that manages component information such as the number of stocks notified from each management device 10. Further, the management server 100 can turn on the light of the management device 10 or buzzer by notifying the management device 10 accommodating the component P desired by the user, for example, in response to an operation by the user. Can be sounded. This allows the user to easily find the desired component P.

As described above, the management system 1 according to the embodiment can easily manage the storage location of each management device 10 by the management server 100 by providing the management device 10 with a communication function.

Next, a configuration example of the management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the management system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the management system 1 according to the embodiment further includes a position detection device 150.

The position detection device 150 is a device provided in a parts warehouse that houses the parts P and detects the position of each management device 10, that is, the storage location. For example, the position detection device 150 has various sensors and can detect the location of each management device 10.

For example, when a tag such as an RFID tag is provided in the management device 10, the position detection device 150 includes a plurality of readers for detecting the tag, and detects the position of each management device 10 by detecting the tag. Can be done. In this case, the tag detection area of each reader is a narrow range, and the tag position is determined by the position of the reader that detected the tag, or the position of the center of gravity of those reader positions when multiple readers detect the tag. Just do it.

Further, for example, when the position detection device 150 has an image sensor, it is possible to detect the storage location of each management device 10 by following each management device 10 in the parts warehouse.

For example, it is assumed that a plurality of management devices 10 are simultaneously carried in (or carried out) into the parts warehouse. In this case, for example, each management device 10 is made to emit light in a different color, and the position detection device 150 can identify each management device 10 by such a color.

The position detection device 150 detects each accommodation location such as the rack S in which each management device 10 is stored, and notifies the management server 100 of the information corresponding to the accommodation location. The position detection device 150 may have only a function of detecting whether each management device 10 is inside the parts warehouse or outside the parts warehouse, or the position of each management device 10 may be roughly positioned. It may be detected in.

That is, the management system 1 according to the embodiment includes the position detection device 150 that detects the position of each management device 10, so that the storage location of each management device 10 can be easily managed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the management device 10 includes a control unit 20, an accommodating unit 30, a sensor unit 40, and a notification unit 50. Further, the control unit 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

The communication unit 21 is a communication module that communicates with the management server 100, and has a unique identification code. For example, when the management device 10 is accommodated in a relatively limited range such as a parts warehouse, the communication unit 21 communicates with the management server 100 via short-range wireless communication. That is, the communication unit 21 may have a minimum communication function with the management server 100.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the case where the communication unit 21 is attached to the accommodation unit 30 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication unit 21 cannot directly attach the accommodation unit 30. You may. That is, the communication unit 21 may be attached to the accommodating unit 30 via a predetermined component.

The control unit 22 is a microcomputer provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls the entire management device 10. For example, the control unit 22 can notify the location of the management device 10 itself by using the notification unit 50 in response to a response request notified from the management server 100 via the communication unit 21.

Further, the control unit 22 updates the information stored in the storage unit 23 based on the number of parts P taken in and out of the accommodating unit 30 notified from the sensor unit 40, and also updates the updated information (hereinafter, the updated information). To be described) is notified to the management server 100.

The storage unit 23 is, for example, a storage medium such as a data flash, and stores information about the component P housed in the storage unit 30. Examples of the information stored in the storage unit 23 include the number of parts P stored in the storage unit 30, the type of the parts P, and the like.

The sensor unit 40 is various sensors that detect the number of contained objects (parts P) taken in and out of the accommodating portion 30. For example, the sensor unit 40 is provided in the opening of the accommodating portion 30, and is composed of sensors such as a magnetic sensor and an image sensor.

The sensor unit 40 may be a weight sensor that measures the weight before and after the component P is taken in and out. In this case, for example, it is possible to register the weight of each part P in advance and grasp the number of parts P taken in and out based on the weight before and after the part P is put in and taken out.

For example, when the component P is added to the accommodating unit 30, the sensor unit 40 notifies the control unit 22 of a signal corresponding to the number of the added components P, and the component P is taken out from the accommodating unit 30. In this case, the control unit 22 is notified of a signal corresponding to the number of the taken-out parts P.

The control unit 22 can update the information stored in the storage unit 23 based on both signals. That is, the management device 10 according to the embodiment can easily manage the number of parts P in stock by detecting the number of parts P in and out of the accommodating portion 30 by the sensor unit 40.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 40 is provided in the management device 10, but the sensor unit 40 may be provided in another place such as the management server 100. That is, the sensor unit 40 may be shared and used by the plurality of management devices 10.

In this case, for example, when returning the management device 10, the user may measure the number of stocks using the sensor unit 40.

The notification unit 50 is a unit that notifies the location in response to a response request notified via the communication unit 21 based on the identification code of the communication unit 21. For example, as will be described later in FIG. 4, the notification unit 50 includes a voice output unit 50a and a lighting unit 50b.

When the management server 100 notifies the management device 10 of a response request, the notification unit 50 emits a predetermined voice from the voice output unit 50a or lights or blinks the lighting unit 50b based on the control of the control unit 22. You can make it.

That is, when the user searches for the component P, the notification unit 50 notifies the user of the location of the management device 10. This allows the user to easily find the desired component P.

Next, the management server 100 will be described. The management server 100 is a server device that collectively manages the component P managed by each management device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the management server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a storage unit 130. The communication unit 110 is a communication module that communicates with each management device 10. The communication unit 110 can also be connected to an external network such as the Internet.

The control unit 120 is a microcomputer provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls the entire management server 100. The control unit 120 transmits a response request to the management device 10 in which the component P desired by the user is housed, based on the operation by the user.

As a result, the management device 10 that has received the response request can notify the user of the location by the notification unit 50. At this time, the management server 100 can also display the location (storage location) of the management device 10 desired by the user on a display unit (not shown). It is possible for the user to easily grasp the position of the management device 10.

Further, the control unit 120 can also update the management information for managing each component P stored in the storage unit 130 based on the update information transmitted from each management device 10.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of management information. As shown in FIG. 3, the management information is information in which an "identification code", a "product code", a "quantity", an "order threshold", a "storage location", and the like are associated with each other.

The identification code is information for identifying each management device 10, and in the present embodiment, the identification code is an identifier assigned to the communication unit 21 of each management device 10. The product code is information for identifying the part P. For example, the product code is registered in each management device 10 by the user when the management device 10 is registered.

The number indicates the number of parts P accommodated in the corresponding management device 10, and the ordering threshold is a threshold when ordering the parts P. For example, the ordering threshold can be arbitrarily set by the user.

When the number of corresponding parts P falls below the ordering threshold value, the management server 100 places an order for such parts P via an external network such as the Internet. That is, in the management system 1 according to the embodiment, when the number of parts P in stock is low, such parts P can be automatically ordered.

The management server 100 may set the order threshold value based on the frequency with which each component P is used. That is, the ordering threshold may be set high for frequently used parts.

Further, the management server 100 may set the order threshold value based on the number of days from the ordering of the component P to the delivery. In this case, the management server 100 sets the order threshold value higher, for example, as the number of days until delivery is longer.

The management server 100 may place an order for the component P based on the user's operation without setting the ordering threshold.

The storage location is information indicating the storage location of the corresponding management device 10, that is, the current location. For example, the storage location is information regarding a rack number or the like assigned to the rack S. Further, for example, the storage location may be set to "take-out" as shown as the storage location of the identification code "CCCCC". Here, "taking out" means that the corresponding management device 10 does not exist in the parts warehouse. In addition, the location of the take-out destination may be displayed in the storage location.

It should be noted that the storage location may store information about the user who took it out, in addition to the information taken out. In this case, for example, it is possible to identify the user based on the search history for the component P. Further, the management server 100 may send a message prompting the user to return the terminal device when the take-out period is long.

Next, an example of the notification mode by the notification unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, in the management system 1 according to the embodiment, the notification mode can be changed according to the distance between the user U and the management device 10.

Specifically, for example, as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 4, when the distance from the user U to the management device 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a distance) is long (distance> threshold value), the management device 10 Notifies the location of the management device 10 to the user U by emitting a sound from the voice output unit 50a.

That is, when the distance is long, the rough position of the management device 10 may be notified to the user U, and the rough position is notified to the user U by voice. That is, the direction of the management device 10 and the sense of distance to the management device 10 may be transmitted to the user U. It should be noted that, for example, it is possible to adjust the volume of the voice according to the distance. That is, when the distance is long, it is possible to increase the volume.

On the other hand, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 4, when the distance is short, that is, after the user U recognizes the rough position of the management device 10, it is necessary to further notify the user U of the detailed position.

Therefore, in such a case, the location of the management device 10 is notified to the user U by lighting the lighting unit 50b. That is, even if the user U knows the storage location of the management device 10, a plurality of management devices 10 may be accommodated in the storage location.

In such a case, by visually informing the user U of the location of the management device 10, the management device 10 desired by the user U can be easily found. In this way, by appropriately using voice and lighting, it is possible to appropriately notify the user U of the storage location while suppressing power consumption. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and the notification may be performed by using voice and lighting at the same time.

Further, the method of measuring the distance between the user U and the management device 10 is not particularly limited, but for example, the distance is measured by specifying the position of the user U by using a predetermined image process from the image captured in the parts warehouse. It is possible.

Next, the processing procedure executed by the management device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the management device 10. The processing procedure shown below is repeatedly executed by the control unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, the management device 10 determines whether or not the response request transmitted from the management server 100 has been received (step S101), and when the response request is received (step S101, Yes), the notification unit. A notification instruction is given to 50 (step S102).

Subsequently, the management device 10 determines whether or not the notification is completed (step S103). For example, in the determination in step S103, when the user U performs a predetermined operation on the management device 10 (for example, when the user U picks up the management device 10), the notification is completed.

When the management device 10 determines in the determination of step S103 that the notification is completed (steps S103, Yes), the management device 10 stops the notification (step S104), and determines whether or not the removal work of the component P by the user U is completed. (Step S105). In the determination of step S105, the replenishment work may be performed instead of the take-out work.

For example, in the determination process of step S105, it can be recognized that the work is completed when the management device 10 is returned to the parts warehouse. It should be noted that the determination as to whether or not the product has been returned can be determined based on, for example, the information notified from the management server 100.

In the determination of step S105, when the taking-out work is completed (steps S105, Yes), the management device 10 updates the number of parts P accommodated in the accommodating unit 30 (step S106), and updates the update information to the management server 100. Send to and finish the process.

If the management device 10 has not received the response request in the determination process of step S101 (steps S101, No), the management device 10 ends the process as it is. Further, in the determination process of step S103, if the notification is not completed (steps S103, No), the management device 10 continues the process of step S103 until the notification is completed.

Further, in the determination process of step S105, if the take-out operation is not completed (steps S105, No), the management device 10 continues the process of step S105. The process of step S106 may be performed every time the component P is taken out.

Next, the processing procedure executed by the management server 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the management server 100. The processing procedure shown below is repeatedly executed by the control unit 120.

As shown in FIG. 6, the management server 100 determines whether or not the search request for the component P by the user U has been accepted (step S201), and when the search request is accepted (step S201, Yes), the component P A response request is transmitted to the management device 10 that houses the server (step S202).

Subsequently, the management server 100 determines whether or not the user U has returned the management device 10 (step S203). For example, the management server 100 can determine whether or not the device has been returned based on the information notified from the position detection device 150.

When the management server 100 determines that the return has been completed in the determination process of step S203 (step S203, Yes), the management server 100 acquires the update information from the returned management device 10 (step S204), and obtains the management information based on the update information. Update (step S205) and end the process.

The management server 100 may determine whether or not to place an order after performing the process of step S205. Further, when the management server 100 does not accept the search request in the determination process of step S201 (steps S201, No), the management server 100 ends the process.

Further, in the determination process of step S203, if the management device 10 has not been returned (steps S203, No), the management server 100 continues the determination process of step S203 until the determination condition of step S203 is satisfied.

As described above, the management device 10 according to the embodiment is a management device that manages the storage location of the stored items, and includes a storage unit 30 and a communication unit 21. The accommodating portion 30 accommodates the component P (an example of the contained object). The communication unit 21 has an identification code. Therefore, according to the management device 10 according to the embodiment, the storage location can be easily managed.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the management system 1 manages the storage location and the like of the component P has been described, but the present invention can be applied to, for example, a truck. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a mounting example of the management system 1A according to the modified example. Note that FIG. 7 shows the truck bed of the carrier.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the management system 1A, each management device 10 is attached to a load (for example, corrugated cardboard) carried into a truck. That is, in the management system 1A shown in FIG. 7, the accommodating portion 30 is corrugated cardboard.

In this case, each management device 10 can communicate with the terminal device 200 of the truck driver. For example, the driver can operate the terminal device 200 and send a response request to the management device 10 attached to the package desired to be carried out from the loading platform.

Then, the management device 10 that has received the response request can notify the driver of its location by using a notification unit 50 (not shown). That is, the management system 1A according to the modified example makes it possible for the driver to easily grasp the load desired by the driver.

Another effective method is to display a simple map of the truck bed (cargo compartment) on the driver's terminal device 200 and display the position of the corresponding luggage (accommodation unit 30) on the map. In this case, the driver However, the terminal device 200 can grasp the approximate position of the luggage, and the management device 10 can reliably grasp the luggage in the vicinity of the luggage, so that quick and reliable unloading work can be performed. It should be noted that such a terminal function is also effective in the system in the parts warehouse described above.

In this way, the management system 1A can improve the work efficiency of the driver. In the management system 1A, for example, when the luggage is taken out from the loading platform, the management device 10 and the luggage can be removed, and the removed management device 10 can be reused.

In addition, although the explanation has been given by taking a truck as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a container or the like, or, for example, a plurality of containers are carried into a ship or the like. In this case, the container may be regarded as the storage unit 30.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the contained object is the component P has been described, but the contained object may be a liquid, a powder, or the like.

Further effects and variations can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details and representative embodiments described and described above. Therefore, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1,1A Management system 10 Management device 20 Control unit 21 Communication unit 22 Control unit 23 Storage unit 30 Storage unit 40 Sensor unit 50 Notification unit 100 Management server 150 Position detection device

Claims (5)

It is a management device that manages the storage location of the contents.
A containment unit that houses the contents and
A management device including a communication unit having a unique identification code. The management device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the location in response to a response request notified via the communication unit based on the identification code. A sensor that detects the number of items in and out of the container,
The management device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a storage unit that stores the number of contained items based on the detection result of the sensor. The management device according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
A management system including a management server that manages information about the management device. A position detecting device for detecting the position of the management device is further provided.
The management server
The management system according to claim 4, wherein the position of the management device is managed based on the position detected by the position detection device.

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