JP3916732B2 - Picking data creation method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating picking data for managing a lot of forms in a picking system that sorts a lot of forms for each specific destination.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a desired number of forms are collated (superimposed) and sent to a specific destination. For example, at the head office, print data stored in the host computer is printed out in a continuous form, and the continuous form is separated into individual forms (including e-mail forms) by a form processing device such as a burster or mail sealer. , 5 a forms and 5 b forms are sent to a certain destination (A branch), 10 a forms, 10 b forms, and 10 c forms are sent to other destinations (B branch). Sending sheets is being done. Then, a picking system has been developed for efficiently carrying out sorting for collating a required number of forms of a desired type for each specific destination, and is disclosed in JP-A-7-032762.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 5, the picking system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-032762 is arranged along a conveyor 2 that conveys a pallet 1 for accommodating a form for one destination, and the conveyor 2. And a plurality of mounting table devices 3, a boxing device 4, an envelope sealing device 5, and the like disposed downstream. As shown in FIG. 6, each mounting table device 3 includes a plurality of, for example, four mounting tables 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 d, and each mounting table 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 d is different from each other. The types of forms 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are collated in advance for each destination and stored with a step for each destination. Also, a display device 15 is provided below each mounting table 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d to display the type and quantity of the form that is taken out from each mounting table and put into the pallet 1 on the conveyor 2. Are connected to a management device 20 for managing The display device 15 includes a picking lamp 15a indicating a mounting table in which a type of form to be taken out is stored, and a quantity display 15b showing the quantity to be taken out. Further, the mounting table device 3 is also provided with a station lamp 17 indicating an operating state.
[0004]
Further, a first reader 25 is provided between the conveyor 2 and each mounting table device 3 to read out information on completion of taking out the form from the bar code attached to the form, and this information is managed by the management device. 20 is output. The first reader 25 includes a destination information display unit 25a that displays destination information, a confirmation button 25b that is pressed when the document input operation to the conveyor 2 is performed without any trouble, and the conveyor 2 There is provided an ejector button 25c that is pressed when trouble is caused during the document insertion operation. Further, a second reader 26 is provided on the downstream side of the first mounting table device 3 and above the conveyor 2, and the form 12 is placed in the pallet 1 and conveyed downstream. The conveyance position information is read from the bar code, and the conveyance position information is output to the management device 20.
[0005]
The management device 20 stores information indicating the type and number of forms to be sent to each destination, that is, picking data, and manages the picking system based on the picking data. In the following, a form sorting operation by this picking system will be described.
[0006]
First, the pallet 1 for the destination A is sent by the transfer conveyor 2 before the first mounting table device 3. At this time, in the mounting table device 3, based on the picking data from the management device 20, for example, the mounting lamps 11 a, 11 b, 11 c of the mounting table in which the types of forms to be loaded on the pallet 1 are stored. Lights up and indicates the quantity to be taken out by the quantity display 15b. At the same time, the station lamp 17 of the mounting table device 3 in the operating state is turned on. The destination information “A” is displayed on the destination information display unit 25 a of the first reader 25. The operator first takes out the form 12a for the destination A from the mounting table 11a whose picking lamp 15a is lit, confirms the quantity with the quantity display 15b, and uses the barcode attached to the form 12a as the first reader. Let 25 read. The first reader 25 reads out the extraction work end information from the barcode of the form 12a and sends it to the management device 20. The management device 20 confirms the completion of the extraction operation, and outputs the extraction operation end confirmation information to the display device 15 for picking. The lamp 15a is turned off, and the quantity display on the quantity display 15b is also turned off. Then, the worker confirms this, and puts the form 12a into the pallet 1. Thereafter, the same operation is performed on the other mounting tables 11 b and 11 c, and the forms 12 b and 12 c are put into the pallet 1. When the work is finished, the worker presses the confirmation button 25b. This information is also output to the management apparatus 20, and all the work completion confirmation information is output from the management apparatus 20 that has confirmed this, the station lamp 17 is turned off, and the display on the transmission destination information display section 25a displays the transmission destination information “A "Is changed to display of destination information" B "for work to be performed next.
[0007]
Next, the pallet 1 after the conveyance conveyor 2 has loaded the form is sent in front of the second mounting table device 3, and again, the form for the destination A is similarly loaded by the operator. Thereafter, by carrying out the same operation in each of the mounting table devices 3 further downstream, a predetermined number of all types of forms to be sent to the destination A are put into the pallet 1 for the destination A, and then further downstream. And is boxed by the boxing device 4 or is sealed in the envelope by the envelope sealing device 5. As described above, the operator performs an operation of inputting all the forms for the same destination to one pallet based on the picking data, thereby preventing an input error.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in order to operate this picking system, it is necessary to input picking data. The picking data can be created by processing the print data before the host computer prints out the built-in print data in a continuous form, and this method is conventionally used. However, processing the print data on the host computer to create the picking data involves a host computer program change, so to introduce a new picking system, the host computer program must be changed significantly. For this reason, the load on system introduction was large, which was an obstacle. In addition, the picking data created by the host computer can be used even if a missing document occurs due to a jam or the like in a subsequent process (a process for processing a printed continuous form by a form processing device such as a burster or mail sealer). There was also a problem that the information about could not be reflected.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is possible to create picking data reflecting the absence of a form in the subsequent process without accompanying a change in the program of the host computer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a picking data creation method and apparatus.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention burster for preparing a form to be set in the picking system, when subjected to a predetermined processing to form the form processing apparatus such as a mail sealer, picking reads information such as a bar code attached to each document Information is extracted, sent to a management device of the picking system, and information sent from a plurality of form processing devices is edited by the management device to create picking data. As described above, in the present invention, information relating to picking is extracted from each form in the step of preparing a form to be set in the picking system and edited to create picking data, so that there is no load on the host computer. Even when a form omission occurs due to a jam or the like in the form processing apparatus, data relating to the omission form is not incorporated in the picking data, and correct picking data relating only to the form set in the picking system can be created.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the processing steps for a form set in the picking system. Reference numerals 31a, 31b, and 31c are continuous forms created by printing out print data built in the host computer. Here, three types of forms (a form, b form, and c form) are shown as examples. . These continuous forms 31a, 31b, and 31c are processed by form processing devices 32a, 32b, and 32c such as a burster and a mail sealer, respectively, and are integrated into individual forms 33a, 33b, and 33c. It is an aggregate that is sorted by the same destination. These forms 33a, 33b, and 33c are set in the picking system 35 and sorted for each same destination. The picking system 35 is the same as the conventional picking system shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and is managed by picking data.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for creating picking data for managing the picking system 35. Reference numeral 40 denotes a management device for managing the picking system 35, and includes a management terminal 41 and a storage device 42. The management terminal 41 has a function of creating picking data (details will be described later), and a function of managing the picking system 35 based on the created picking data in the same manner as the management device 20 shown in FIG. ing. The management terminal 41 is connected to picking information extraction means 44a, 44b, 44c provided in each form processing device 32a, 32b, 32c (only three shown as an example), and each picking information extraction means 44a, 44b, The information from 44c is input.
[0013]
The picking information extracting means 44a, 44b, 44c is for reading information such as a barcode attached to each form processed in the form processing apparatus in which each is incorporated, extracting information on picking, and transmitting the information. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 schematically shows a form processing device 32a, which is a burster, and picking information extraction means 44a provided therein. In FIG. 2, the continuous form 31 a is pulled out by the pin tractor 48, and is cut into individual forms 33 a between the supply roller 49 and the feed roller 50 by the difference in feed speed between the rollers 49 and 50, and is accumulated in the stacker 51. It is the composition which becomes. Further, along the travel route of the form, a first sensor 54 for detecting depinning at the pin tractor 48, a second sensor 55 for detecting burst miss, and a third for counting the number of processed sheets and detecting an exit jam. A sensor 56 and the like are provided, and each signal is output to the apparatus control unit 57. The apparatus control unit 57 has a function of performing control such as stopping the form processing apparatus 31a by an abnormality detection signal from each of the sensors 54, 55, and 56. Further, a bar code reader 53 for reading bar code information attached to each form constituting the continuous form 31 a is provided on the running path of the continuous form, and its output is also input to the apparatus control unit 57. The apparatus control unit 57 also has a function of extracting information related to picking (for example, form type, destination, number of sheets to be sent, etc.) from the signal from the barcode reader 53, and outputs the extracted information to the temporary storage device 58. The data is output to the management terminal 41 of the management device 40 through the temporary storage device 58. Therefore, the bar code reader 53, the device control unit 57, the temporary storage device 58, and the like constitute the picking information extraction unit 44a.
[0014]
Next, a picking data creation method and picking operation by the above apparatus will be described.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 4, continuous forms 31a, 31b, and 31c are created by printing out print data built in the host computer. Bar codes indicating information related to picking of each form are simultaneously printed on the individual forms in these continuous forms. These continuous forms 31a, 31b, and 31c are subjected to predetermined processing by the form processing devices 32a, 32b, and 32c, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, continuous forms 31a are drawn out, cut into individual forms 33a, and accumulated. During this processing operation, the barcode reader 53 reads the barcode of each form, and the device control unit 57 extracts information related to picking from the signal. For example, as shown in data (1) of FIG. 3, information indicating the relationship between the form code a indicating the type of form, the ID number indicating the destination, and the number of sheets is extracted. If a burst error or an exit jam occurs during the form processing, the device control unit 57 stops the device, and the operator takes care of the trouble and restarts the device. If it has occurred, the device controller 57 is manually operated to correct the information related to picking. Therefore, when all the processes of the continuous form 32a are finished and the form 33a accumulated in the stacker 51 is taken out, the information regarding picking extracted by the apparatus control unit 57 and stored in the temporary storage unit 58 is actually stored in the stacker 51. It corresponds to the accumulated form 33a.
[0016]
In the other form processing devices 32b and 32c, the form processing is performed in the same manner, and at the same time, information related to picking as shown in data (2) and data (3) in FIG. 3 is extracted. These pieces of information are sent to the management terminal 41 of the management apparatus 40. The management terminal edits the input information, and for a specific destination (ID number) as shown in data (4) of FIG. Create picking data that indicates how many types of forms to send. Thus, it is possible to create picking data by collecting picking information from each form processing device and editing it without using a host computer, and the picking data is added to the actually processed form. It corresponds correctly. Thereafter, the forms 33a, 33b, 33c and the like that have been processed by each form processing apparatus are set in the picking system 35, and the picking system 35 is managed based on the picking data created earlier to perform the picking operation.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in each form processing apparatus, when performing predetermined processing on the form, information on picking is extracted by reading information such as a barcode attached to each form, and the information Is sent to the management device of the picking system and edited by the management device to create picking data, so that it is not necessary to create picking data on the host computer as in the past, and the host computer program needs to be changed Therefore, the load on the introduction of the picking system is reduced, and even when a form omission occurs due to a jam or the like in each form processing apparatus, picking data reflecting the omission of the form can be created.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a picking data creation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a form processing apparatus and picking information extraction means used in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a processing process of a form. FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing a conventional picking system. FIG. Schematic perspective view of a part of the picking system shown [Explanation of symbols]
31a, 31b, 31c Continuous forms 32a, 32b, 32c Form processing devices 33a, 33b, 33c Form 35 Picking system 40 Management device 41 Management terminal 42 Storage devices 44a, 44b, 44c Picking information extraction means 53 Bar code reader 57 Device control unit 58 Temporary storage

Claims (2)

A transport conveyor that transports a pallet for storing a form for a single destination and a transport conveyor arranged along the transport conveyor, each of which is a different type of form, and stores a predetermined number of forms for each destination in advance. A method of creating picking data for use in a picking system including a mounting table device including a plurality of mounting tables ,
In the step of preparing the form to be set in the picking system by a form processing device such as a burster or a mail sealer , information on the barcode attached to each form when the form processing device performs a predetermined process on the form To extract information related to picking such as form type, destination, number of sheets to be sent, and send that information to the management system of the picking system,
In the management apparatus, and edit information about the picking transmitted from a plurality of the document processing apparatus, create the picking data is information indicating the type and number of the form should be sent to each destination Picking data creation method characterized by this. A transport conveyor that transports a pallet for storing a form for a single destination, and a plurality of sheets that are arranged along the transport conveyor and store different forms that are collated in advance for each destination . An apparatus for creating picking data used in a picking system including a mounting table device including a mounting table ,
Picking information extraction means provided in a form processing device such as a burster or a mail sealer in the step of preparing the form to be set in the picking system ;
And a management device for managing the picking system,
The picking information extraction means includes
A barcode reader that reads the barcode information attached to each form that has undergone predetermined processing;
A function that extracts information related to picking, such as form type, destination, number of sheets to be sent, and stores it in a temporary storage device, a function that stops the form processing device due to an abnormality detection signal from various sensors, or a case where a slipout occurs due to a problem A device control unit having a function of correcting information regarding the picking by manual operation, a function of transmitting to the management device, and the like;
A temporary storage device that temporarily stores information related to the picking ,
The management device
A management terminal and a storage device ;
Information relating to the picking transmitted from the picking information extracting means is input to the management terminal and edited to create the picking data which is information indicating the type and number of forms to be sent to each destination. Picking data creation device characterized by the above.

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