JP4101086B2 - Sorting equipment for returned books - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sorting facility for sorting books returned from a retailer such as a bookstore by a supplier such as a publisher.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, books are in the form of consignment sales. In other words, books are consigned from the publisher, which is the supplier, to a distributor, which is a distributor, and are also consigned to the bookstore, which is a retailer, from the distributor. Returned from the bookstore to the sales company, the sales company sorts the books returned from the bookstore for each publisher and returns them to each publisher within the returnable period.
[0003]
The books returned from the bookstores to the sales companies are sorted by the publishers at the sales companies. About 70,000 new publications are issued every year, and about 35 of the books issued by many bookstores are published. % Of books have been returned and more than 4,000 publishers have required a lot of labor and manpower for such sorting. Therefore, the sorting of returned books has been automated. A magazine return processing system is known as an example of a conventional sorting facility that achieves such automation.
[0004]
In this magazine return processing system, the bar code sensor automatically reads the magazine code number (including information such as publisher, magazine type, month number, price, etc.), and data for the returnable period corresponding to this code number. Based on the above, it is determined whether the magazine can be returned or not, and automatic determination is made based on this determination (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
In addition, some magazines that have been returned are sent to places that are classified by the publisher according to the code number and further divided as needed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-71450
[0007]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No.5-1728
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above magazine return processing system, the target is a magazine and the next magazine is issued in a short cycle such as every week or every other week. Although it is possible to determine whether or not it is possible, if the target is an ordinary book, the conditions for the returned book are becoming more complex, such as the conditions for returning the goods differ for each retailer, and the day of the week for returning to each publisher is set apart Since it is necessary to store the books that are returned every day until the set day of the week, it is not possible to easily sort the books that have been returned, and it is possible to sort the books accurately and store them. Was not realized.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a return book sorting facility that can accurately sort books with complex return conditions and can be temporarily stored.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a sorting facility that sorts a book returned from a retailer in order to return it to the supplier of the book, An input means for inputting information for identifying the retailer who returned the book, a transport means for transporting the inserted book, a reading means for reading the information for identifying the book from the book, and the supplier. A plurality of sorting ports through which the books set in advance based on the entry conditions are sorted, and the sorting means for sorting the books transported by the transporting unit into the specific sorting ports, respectively, and the inspection conditions of each book Remember for each retailer, Storing the sorting conditions for sorting each book into the sorting portStorage meansAnd storage means for storing the books sorted into the sorting port for each sorting port or for each specific sorting port groupWith
  When the information for identifying the book is read by the reading means, the inspection conditions of the book stored in the storage means by this information and the retailer information input by the input meansAnd sorting conditionsTo inspect the returned book according to the inspection conditions for this book,The sorting port is specified by the sorting condition,By using the sorting means, books that are suitable for inspectionSaidSorting to the specified sorting portThe books sorted into each sorting slot are stored in the storage means for each sorting slot or for each specific sorting slot group, and the sorted books stored in the storing means are stored for each supplier or purchase. Sorting by the sorting means again for each destination and book field, or for each supplier and book price rangeIt is characterized by.
[0011]
  According to the above configuration, the inspection conditions for the book stored in the storage unit based on the information for identifying the book read by the reading unit and the retailer information input by the input unitAnd sorting conditionsWill be inspected, and books that have been returned under the inspection conditions for this book will be inspected,The sorting port is specified by the sorting condition,Books suitable for inspection are sorted into sorting ports specified by the sorting means. In this way, books are inspected accurately according to, for example, sales conditions to retailers, etc.According to the sorting conditionsSorted into a specific sorting port.The books sorted into the sorting port are stored in the storage means for each sorting port or for each specific sorting port group, for example, for each sorting port set for each day of the week when the book is returned to the supplier. Further, the sorted books stored in the storage means are sorted again by the sorting means for each supplier, each supplier and book field, or each supplier and book price range, and sent to the supplier. Returned. For example, a book that has been issued from the storage means according to the day of the week when the book is returned to the supplier, and is scheduled to be returned on that day, is sorted by supplier, by supplier, by the supplier and book field, or by purchase. Sorting (secondary sorting) is performed for each destination and book price range and returned.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising a reinspection takeout unit that takes out a book that requires reinspection upstream of the sorting means, and to the reinspection takeout unit. A designated storage means for storing information of a book to be taken out, and when the information for identifying the book is read by the reading means, when the information cannot be read, or the book read by the reading means is read The designated storage means is searched for by specifying information, and when the book is the book to be taken out, the book is taken out to the reinspection taking-out unit.
[0013]
According to the above configuration, when the information for identifying the book cannot be read by the reading means, or the designated storage means is searched for by the information for specifying the book read by the reading means, and the book is taken out by the book At this time, the book is taken out to a reinspection taking-out part arranged at the upstream part of the sorting means. After that, it is reinspected.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a return product take-out unit for taking out a book that does not satisfy the sales conditions for the retailer is provided upstream of the sorting means. The storage means stores the sales conditions of each book for each retailer as the inspection conditions, and when the information for identifying the book is read by the reading means, the information and the input means are input. The sales conditions of the book stored in the storage means are searched based on retailer information, and when the book does not satisfy the searched sales conditions, the book is taken out to the return product take-out unit. .
[0015]
According to the above configuration, the sales conditions of the book that are stored in the storage unit are searched based on the information that identifies the book read by the reading unit and the retailer information that is input by the input unit. If this condition is not satisfied, the book is taken out to a return product take-out unit arranged in the upstream part of the sorting means. The book is then returned to the returned retailer.
[0016]
Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an excluded product take-out section for taking out books to be excluded at the time of sorting is provided upstream of the sorting means. Provided with a book measuring means for measuring at least one of the size, weight or volume of the book being transported by the transport means, upstream of the excluded product take-out section, and the book measured by the book measuring means, When the book is not included in the predetermined size set in advance, or not included in the predetermined weight set in advance, or not included in the predetermined volume set in advance, the book is taken to the excluded product takeout unit. It is characterized by taking out.
[0017]
According to the above configuration, when the book measured by the book measuring means provided upstream from the excluded product take-out unit is not included in the preset predetermined dimension, or is included in the preset predetermined weight. When not present or not included in a predetermined volume, the book is taken out to an excluded product take-out section arranged upstream of the sorting means. As described above, when it is determined that the book has a format or weight that cannot be sorted at the downstream sorting slot, the book is excluded to the excluded product take-out unit.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the book measuring means includes measuring means for measuring the dimensions of the book, and the sorting means is measured by the measuring means. When the book is determined to be a specific format from the size of the book that has been read, the book is taken out to the excluded product take-out section.
[0019]
According to the above configuration, when the book is determined to be a specific format from the dimensions of the book measured by the measuring means, for example, if it is determined that the book is a large book that cannot be sorted at the sorting port of the downstream sorting means, This book is sorted by the sorting means into an excluded product take-out section, for example, a specific take-out section for large-format books.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the book upstream of the sorting means, The sorting means obtains the weight of the book sorted into each sorting mouth by accumulating the weight measured by the weight measuring means, and determines that the sorting mouth is expired when a predetermined weight is exceeded. Is.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, the weight of the book sorted into the sorting slot is obtained by accumulating the weight measured by the weight measuring means. If the weight exceeds the predetermined weight, the sorting slot is determined to be expired, Sorting is completed. When a book is taken out from the sorting port, it can be sorted again into the sorting port.
[0022]
The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a work schedule plan for returning the book to the supplier is set in the storage means. The day of the week to return the book to the supplier, the book format, the supplier, or the name of the supplier in the order of the syllabary, or the name of the supplier or the combination of lines Or whether the book is a new or published book, or a series of the book, or a price range of the book, or whether the book is a single-designated book, or at least one purchase condition from the supplier of the book Alternatively, the sorting condition for setting the sorting port to be sorted according to a combination thereof is stored, and when the information for specifying the book is read by the reading means, the supplier that published the book is specified by this information. , According to the information of this supplier The sorting condition of the book stored in the storage unit is searched, the sorting port of the sorting unit is specified based on the sorting condition of the book, and the book is sorted into the sorting port based on this information. Is.
[0023]
According to the above configuration, when the information specifying the book is read by the reading means, the supplier who published the book is specified by this information, and the information of the book stored in the storage means is stored by the information of the supplier. Based on the sorting conditions, that is, the work day schedule, the day of the week to return the book to the supplier, the format of the book, the supplier, or the supplier name in the order of the Japanese alphabet, or the supplier name is the Japanese alphabet By line or combination of lines in the diagram, by whether the book is new or published, or by a series of books, by the price range of the book, by whether the book is a single book, or from the vendor of the book At least one of the purchase conditions or a combination thereof is searched, and the sorter of the sorter is specified based on the sort condition of the book, and the book is sorted into the specified sorter based on this information.
[0028]
  AlsoClaim 8The invention described in claim 1 aboveClaim 7The invention according to any one of the above, characterized by comprising a cutting means for cutting the book to an upstream position of the transport means.
[0029]
According to the above configuration, the book is cut out to the upstream position of the transport unit by the cutting unit, and the sorting operation is started. Thus, by providing the cutting means, full automation is possible.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of sorting equipment for returned books according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a control configuration diagram of the sorting equipment for returned books. This return book sorting facility is installed in a book sales company (an example of a distributor).
[0031]
In FIG. 1, D is a corrugated cardboard (an example of a container) that has been returned from a bookstore (an example of a retailer) with a returned book and 1 is a cardboard D that has arrived at the sales company, and a sorting path a A book loaded from the loading port is conveyed downstream by a belt conveyor device (an example of conveying means) 2. Further, a display function (for example, a liquid crystal display) for inputting a bookstore code (an example of information for identifying a retailer) and an end of sorting in the vicinity of the slot 1 to a control device 31 (FIG. 2) described later. An input device (an example of input means) 3 with a display) is arranged. Instead of the input device 3, a bar code reader that reads a bar code set for each bookstore from the cardboard D may be provided as input means. In FIG. 1, the sorting route “a” is two routes.
[0032]
Further, as a means for discriminating books along the sorting route a formed by the belt conveyor device 2, data stored in the IC chip of the IC chip mounting label attached to the book B from the upstream and attached to the cardboard IC chip reader (an example of reading means) 8 that reads data stored in an IC chip of a binder V (to be described later in detail), and a barcode of the book B being conveyed (an example of information identifying the book) A barcode reader for reading (an example of reading means) 4, a measuring device (an example of a measuring means as a book measuring means) 5 comprising a photoelectric switch for measuring the size (size) of the book B being conveyed, a book being conveyed Optical character recognition device (OCR; an example of reading means) 6 for reading B's ISBN code (an example of information for identifying a book), a book to be conveyed (An example of the weight measuring means as books measuring means) weight sensor measuring the weight 7 is arranged. When the bar code reader 4 detects the passage of the book, the bar code reader 4 reads the bar code, and outputs a reading signal composed of reading quality information (information indicating whether reading has been successful) and code information. Similarly, when the OCR 6 detects passage of a book, the OCR 6 reads the ISBN code and outputs a reading signal composed of information on whether or not the reading is good (information on whether or not reading is possible) and code information. The book B includes a book to which the IC chip mounting label is attached and a book to which the IC chip mounting label is not attached. The book B is specified as the IC chip of the IC chip mounting label. Bibliographic data consisting of the code of the book title (an example of information for identifying the book), the code of the publisher that published the book B (an example of a supplier), the date of publication of the book B, and various sales information histories Is stored in advance.
[0033]
The binder V is formed of a molded article such as a resin having the same size as a B5 size book, for example, and an IC chip mounting label 9 is detachably attached to the surface thereof. A unique number (for example, a serial number) stored in advance in the IC chip is read by the IC chip reader 8. This number corresponds to each cardboard in advance. When a cardboard is sent from a bookstore, the code (or bookstore name) of the bookstore to which this cardboard is attached is read and a binder V is attached. The code and the number of the binder V are managed by the management computer 10 that manages the receipt of the cardboard from the bookstore. Further, by reading the number stored in the IC chip of the binder V, it is detected that all the books B stored in the cardboard are inserted (one cardboard sorting end) (details will be described later).
[0034]
Further, downstream of the means for discriminating these books, along the sorting path a, the books are sorted according to the sorting conditions described later, the rejecter 11 for rejected goods (atypical product out of the standard), and for the re-checked goods sorting. A rejector 12 and a return product sorting rejector 13 are arranged in succession, and a sorting device 14 for sorting large-sized books is arranged downstream thereof. The rejecters 11, 12, 13 and the sorting device 14 are configured to incline the conveyor device that transports the books, drop the books down, and sort them based on a command from the control device 31. 12 and 13 and conveyor devices 15, 16, 17, and 18 for conveying the sorted books are arranged below the sorting device 14, respectively. A conveyor device 15 below the rejector 11 and a conveyor device 18 below the sorting device 14 are an excluded product take-out section (atypical product line) for sorting books to be excluded at the time of sorting, and a conveyor device 16 below the rejector 12 is A re-inspection take-out section (re-inspection line) that sorts books that need re-inspection, and a conveyor device 17 below the rejector 13 constitutes a return-item take-out section (return product line) that sorts books that do not satisfy the sales conditions for book stores. is doing.
[0035]
Further, an automatic sorting device (sorting) for sorting the book B downstream of the sorting device 14 based on the work schedule plan for returning the book B to the publisher, for example, every day of the week for accepting the return book set for each publisher. An example of means 21 is arranged. The automatic sorting apparatus 21 is configured to sort a plurality of (n) receiving units each having a sortable storage box 20 (FIG. 7) (a book set in advance based on purchase conditions with a supplier). An example of a sorting port) 22 is a device that sorts the books B that have passed through the sorting device 14 into specific receiving portions 22 while conveying the books B, and includes a plurality of sorting conveyors 23 on an endless driving body such as a chain. The receiving section 22 is provided to form an endless transport path b, and to receive books from the sorting conveyor 23 facing the transport path b. Further, there is provided a cutting device 24 that transports the books carried out from the sorting device 14 and cuts out the books one by one to the sorting conveyor 23 in synchronization with the moving sorting conveyor 23.
[0036]
Each receiving unit 22 has a drive unit 25 (FIG. 7) for driving the sorting conveyor 23 to drop the book into the storage box 20 and a storage box for alleviating the impact of the book dropped into the storage box 20. The lift device 28 (FIG. 7) that allows the bottom plate in the storage box 20 that supports the book B to move up and down so that the upper surface level of the book in the book 20 is constant, and the receiving unit 22 (the storage box 20) are expired by the book. The expiration push button switch 26 with a lamp for informing the operator that the change has occurred (FIG. 7), and when the operator finishes taking out the book from the storage box 20, that is, pulls out the storage box 20 from the receiving unit 22 and takes out the book B. An end push button switch 27 (FIG. 7) operated by the operator after returning the storage box 20 to the receiving portion 22 is provided. The lift device 28 lowers the bottom plate (book B) by operating the expiration push button switch 26 so that the storage box 20 can be pulled out from the receiving portion 22, and lifts the bottom plate by operating the end push button switch 27 to receive the book B. Is possible.
[0037]
A conveyor device 29 is arranged along the receiving unit 22 group of the automatic sorting device 21, and an automatic warehouse 30 is provided at the downstream end of the conveyor device 29. When each of the receiving units 22 is expired by a book, an expiration lamp 26 is lit. In response to the lighting of the expiration lamp 26, the books in the receiving unit 22 are transferred to the container C by the operator, and the end button 27 is operated. After that, the container C is placed on the conveyor device 29, conveyed to the automatic warehouse 30, and temporarily stored.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 2, the data of the bookstore that returned the book, the reading signal of the barcode reader 4, the dimension data of the book measured by the measuring device 5, the reading signal of the OCR 6, input from the input device 3. In accordance with the weight data of the book measured by the weight sensor 7, the rejectors 11, 12, and 13 and the sorting device 14 are driven, and “information for specifying the book receiving unit 22 for sorting books” to be described later is stored in the automatic sorting device 21. A control device 31 composed of a computer for outputting to the control device 21A is provided, and a database (an example of a storage unit) 32 is connected to the control device 31.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 3, this database 32 is “for each published book, a book title, its code, a publisher and its code, a publication date, and a designated book (brand) that requires visual judgment. A bibliographic master (also an example of designated storage means) 33 in which “data such as information on the book to be taken out to the reinspection take-out section” is stored, and “for each bookstore that sells books, The bookstore master 34 in which the code for identifying the item is stored, and “for each bookstore, as a sales condition for each book (an example of an inspection condition), a consignment sale product in which a returnable period is set or an order sale Sales master 35 in which the condition of whether it is a product or a sold-out item is stored, and “day of acceptance of returned books of each publisher (sorting of book B based on work schedule plan for returning books to publishers) Assorted And a purchase master 36 stored is an example of the "sorting condition") such as "setting the. In addition to the day of accepting the return book of the publisher (the day on which the book is returned to the publisher) as the sorting condition, the format of the book, the publisher, or the name of the publisher in alphabetical order, or the publisher The name is classified by 50 syllable lines (a line, a line, a line, etc.) or a combination of lines (a line, a line, a line, etc.), or whether the book B is newly published or published, Alternatively, there is a purchase condition from the book B series, the price range of the book B, whether the book B is a single-item designated book (brand), or from the publisher of the book B, and combinations thereof.
[0040]
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, the control device 31 includes a control unit 41 and a tracking unit 42 that execute inspection of the book B input from the input port 1.
[0041]
The tracking unit 42 includes a clock 43, a memory 44 that stores the time of the clock 43 every time a read signal of the OCR 6 is input, and a book from the OCR 6 to each of the rejectors 11, 12, 13, the sorting device 14, and the automatic sorting device 21. Each passing time to be conveyed is set in advance, and when the memory 44 is searched for each scan time and the time is stored, a time obtained by adding each passing time to each time stored in the memory 44 is obtained. When the time coincides with each other, a pulse signal is output, and when a pulse signal is further output to the automatic sorting device 21, an elapsed time detection unit 45 that erases the time of the memory 44 is configured. With the configuration of the tracking unit 42, when the book passes the OCR 6, a pulse signal (timing signal) is output at the timing when each of the rejectors 11, 12, 13, the sorting device 14 and the book passes, and the book is sent to the automatic sorting device 21. A pulse signal (timing signal) is output at the timing when the signal is carried out.
[0042]
The operation of the control unit 41 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that the control unit 41 is set in advance with the size of a book to be sorted as a large format, the size and volume of a book to be rejected (predetermined size / predetermined volume), and the weight of the book to be rejected (predetermined weight). As described above, the book B includes a book to which an IC chip mounting label is attached and a book to which an IC chip mounting label is not attached.
[0043]
First, when a bookstore code is input by the input device 3 (step-1), it is determined whether the bookstore name is registered in the bookstore master 33 (step-2). The information is displayed on the input device 3 (step-3), and the process ends. If the bookstore code is registered in the bookstore master 33, the bookstore name is stored (step-4).
[0044]
Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the reading signal of the IC chip reader 8 is inputted (step-5), and if confirmed, it is confirmed whether or not the data of the reading signal of the IC chip reader 8 is bibliographic data (step-6). Upon confirmation, the bibliographic master 33 is searched by the code of the title that forms this bibliographic data and the code of the publisher, and the title of the book B and the publisher that issued the book B are obtained. , And the issue date of the book B of the bibliographic data is stored (step-7), and when it cannot be confirmed, that is, when it is not the bibliographic data, it is determined that the serial number corresponding to each cardboard of the IC chip of the binder V is read. The data (the data consisting of the bookstore code and the binder V number) composed of the serial number and the stored bookstore name is sent to the management computer 10. To force (step -8). Subsequently, in order to convey the binder V to the re-inspection line, a re-inspection signal to the rejector 12 is output for a predetermined time (step-9), and the process ends.
[0045]
Further, when the reading signal of the IC chip reader 8 cannot be confirmed in the above step-5, it is subsequently confirmed whether the reading signal of the barcode reader 4 and then the reading signal is inputted from the OCR 6 (steps-10 and 11). When the barcode of the book and the ISBN code of the book are both read or not read, check that at least one of them is read (steps -12, 13), and the book barcode and the ISBN code of the book Is not read, that is, in the case of no lead, it is determined that the book is to be conveyed to the reinspection line, a reinspection signal to the rejector 12 is output for a certain period of time (step -14), and the process returns to step -5. Wait for the IC chip or barcode reading signal of the book.
[0046]
When the codes are read together in Step-12, it is checked whether the barcodes of these books are consistent with the ISBN codes of the books (Step-15). If not, the barcodes of the books are correct. (Step-16).
[0047]
When the code of the book is determined in step-13, step-15, or step-12, the bibliographic master 33 is searched by using the code of the book, and the title and publisher are obtained and stored (step-17).
[0048]
Subsequently, the bibliographic master 33 is searched based on the title of the book B stored in this step or the title of the book B stored in step -7 to determine whether it is a designated book (brand) requiring visual judgment (step- 18) If it is determined that the designated book requires visual judgment, step -14 is executed to determine that this book is to be transported to the reinspection line, and a reinspection signal to the rejector 12 is output. If it is determined that the book is not a designated book that requires visual judgment, the sales master 35 is searched for and registered based on the stored title of the book B and the stored bookstore name (step -19). If it cannot be confirmed, step -14 is executed, it is determined that the book is to be conveyed to the reinspection line, and a reinspection signal is output to the rejector 12.
[0049]
When registration is confirmed, sales conditions are obtained and stored (step -20), and whether the sales conditions are "consigned goods" (step -21), is not consigned goods, that is, ordered sales products or sold out products. At this time, it is determined that the book is to be transported to the return product line, the return product signal to the rejector 13 is output for a certain period of time (step -22), the process returns to step -5, and the IC chip or barcode reading signal of the next book is output. Wait for. Also, if it is a consignment item, it is checked whether it is within the returnable period stored as the sales conditions (step-23). If it is not within the returnable period, step-22 is executed and the book is transported to the return line. Then, it determines and outputs a returned product signal to the rejector 13.
[0050]
When the book is a consignment item and within the returnable period, the book size measured by the measuring device 5 and the weight of the book measured by the weight sensor 7 are confirmed, and the book volume is set within a predetermined dimension and a predetermined volume. And whether it falls within a predetermined weight set in advance (step -24). If it is determined that the book is not within a predetermined dimension or a predetermined volume or a predetermined weight, it is determined that the book is to be transported to a variant product line, and a variant product signal to the rejecter 11 is output for a certain period of time ( Step-25), returning to step-5, waiting for the IC chip or barcode reading signal of the next book.
[0051]
When the book is within a predetermined dimension, a predetermined volume, and a predetermined weight, whether the book is a large size set in advance from the dimension of the book measured by the measuring device 5 is confirmed (Step- 26) If it is determined that the size is large, it is determined that the sorting device 14 sorts, and a sorting signal to the sorting device 14 is output for a certain period of time (step-27), and the process returns to step-5, and the IC chip or bar of the next book Wait for code reading signal.
[0052]
Subsequently, if it is determined that the format is not large, the stored publisher searches the purchase master 36 to find and store the return day of the week (step -28), and returns the return day of the week to the control device 21A of the automatic sorting device 21. The weight of the book measured by the weight sensor 7 is output to the automatic sorting device 21 as receiving unit specifying information for specifying the receiving unit 22 that sorts the book (step -29), and the process returns to step -5 to return to the next book. Wait for IC chip or barcode reading signal.
[0053]
When a bookstore code is input by the input device 3 by the operation of the control unit 41, whether or not to sort each book inserted from the insertion slot 1 as a rejected product (atypical product) by the reject 11 is rejected as a re-inspection product. 12 is discriminated whether it is sorted by the reject 13 as a returned product, or whether it is sorted by the sorting device 14 as a large format, and the receiving part specifying information of the normal book that has not been sorted is the automatic sorting device 21 Output as information. Then, when the serial number of the binder V is confirmed, the operation is terminated. Data consisting of the bookstore code and the binder V number is output to the management computer 10, and it is managed that the sorting of the cardboard attached with the binder V is completed.
[0054]
The timing signal output from the tracking unit 42 when the control unit 41 outputs the atypical product signal, the re-inspection signal, the returned product signal, the sorting signal, and the receiving unit specifying information for a certain time due to the operation of the control device 31 having the above configuration. Accordingly, a drive signal is output to each of the rejectors 11, 12, 13 and the sorting device 14, and receiving unit specifying information is output to the automatic sorting device 21. Thereby, each of the rejectors 11, 12, 13 and the sorting device 14 is driven at the timing when the book passes, and the receiving unit specifying information is output to the automatic sorting device 21 at the timing when the book is carried out.
[0055]
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7, the control device 21A of the automatic sorting device 21 is composed of an overall control unit 51 and n receiving unit control units 52 corresponding to the n receiving units 22, respectively. Each of the receiving unit control units 52 includes a driving unit 53 and an expiration detection unit 54.
[0056]
Each time the driving unit 53 inputs a clock 55 and a sorting signal output at the timing when the book is cut out from the cutting device 24 described later, the drive unit 53 stores the time of the clock 55 and the book from the cutting device 24. The arrival time when the book is cut out and the book arrives at the receiving unit 22 is set in advance. When the memory 56 is searched for each scan time and the storage of the time is confirmed, the arrival time is added to each time stored in the memory 56. This time is obtained, and when it coincides with the time of the timepiece 55, a driving signal is output to the driving device 25, and when this driving signal is further output, the elapsed time detecting unit 57 that erases the time of the corresponding memory 56 is constituted. With the configuration of the driving unit 53, when a sorting signal is input at the timing when the book is cut out from the cutting device 24, a driving signal is output at the timing when the book arrives at the receiving unit 22, and the driving device 22 is driven. The sorting conveyor 23 is driven by the drive of the apparatus 22, and the book that has been conveyed is put into the storage box of the receiving unit 22.
[0057]
Further, the expiration detection unit 54 adds the weight of the book output simultaneously with the sorting signal to the current weight, and whether or not the cumulative weight obtained by the adder 58 is equal to or greater than a preset weight. Is constituted by a comparator 59 that outputs a lighting signal to the lamp 26b of the expiration pushbutton switch 26, and the accumulated weight is reset by an operation signal of the end pushbutton switch 27, that is, set to "0". Has been. The accumulated weight is output to the overall control unit 51, and the lighting signal is output to the overall control unit 51 as an expiration signal.
[0058]
In the overall control unit 51, for example, the receiving unit 22 is divided into a plurality of groups, and sorting data in which a return date of the book is assigned to each group by setting a work schedule process is set in advance. When the receiving unit specifying information, that is, the day and weight data of the return of the book is input from the control device 31 to the unit 51, the overall control unit 51 sorts the book into which group from the day of return of the book And any receiving unit 22 in the obtained group is set (specified) as the receiving unit 22 that sorts the books. It should be noted that the number of receiving units 22 in each group is adjusted as needed according to past results. Further, when a book that has been input to the upstream portion of the cutting device 24 is specified when the “day of return” is input and a cut-out signal is input from the cutting device 24 after a predetermined time, the acceptance of the receiving portion 22 that is set to perform sorting is accepted. A sorting signal is output to the section controller 52, and the weight of the book is output. When the overall control unit 51 receives the expiration signal, the overall control unit 51 stores the accumulated weight at this time, stops the setting of sorting to the receiving unit 22, and the expiration signal is turned off (end pushbutton switch 27 And the cumulative weight becomes 0), and the setting of the sorting to the receiving unit 22 is resumed.
[0059]
With the configuration of the control device 21A, when receiving unit specifying information is input from the control device 31, the receiving unit 22 that sorts books based on this information is set. When a cutting signal is input from the cutting device 24, the receiving unit is at this timing. The sorting signal and the weight data are output to the receiving unit control unit 52 in which 22 is set, the driving signal is output to the driving device 25 at the timing when the book passes from the receiving unit control unit 52, and the sorting conveyor 23 is driven, Books are sorted into the receiving unit 22 and the weights of the books sorted into the receiving unit 22 are accumulated. When the weight of the sorted books exceeds the set weight, the receiving unit 22 (storage box 20) is determined to have expired, the sorting to the receiving unit 22 is interrupted, and the lamp 26b of the expiration pushbutton switch 26 is lit. Is done. When the operator operates the expiration pushbutton switch 26 in accordance with the lamp 26b, the book B (bottom plate) is lowered by the lift device 28 in accordance with the operation signal of the switch 26a, and the storage box 20 can be taken out. When the storage box 20 is pulled out from the receiving unit 22 and the book B is transferred to the container C, the empty storage box 20 is returned into the receiving unit 22 and the end push button switch 27 is operated. The 26 lamps 26b are turned off, and the sorting to the receiving unit 22 is resumed. The lift device 28 raises the bottom plate so as to accept the book B when the storage box 20 is returned.
[0060]
Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
When the cardboard D for each bookstore in which the returned books are stored arrives, the operator confirms that the binder V is attached to the cardboard, and then inputs the code of the bookstore previously attached to the cardboard D to the input device 3. To the control device 31. Then, the book is taken out from the cardboard D, the state of the book is visually determined, and if it is determined that there is no problem, the IC chip mounting label, the barcode, and the ISBN code of the book are placed at the front so that they can be displayed at the front. throw into. Then, while being conveyed by the belt conveyor device 2, reading of IC chip, bar code and ISBN code of the book, measurement and weight measurement are executed. Product) is sorted into a different product line by the rejector 11, the re-inspected product is sorted into the re-inspected product line by the rejector 12, and the returned product is sorted into the returned product line by the rejector 13. Sort to apparatus 18 (large format sort line).
[0061]
It is determined that the book B sorted into the atypical product line cannot be sorted by the automatic sorting device 21, the manual inspection and sorting are executed, and the book B sorted into the re-inspection line is re-inspected. The book B sorted to the return product line is returned to the bookstore that has returned it, and the book B sorted to the large sort line is sorted separately on this line.
[0062]
Books that have not been sorted by the above judgment, that is, books B that are judged to be returnable due to their normal outline and weight, are sorted by publisher's return day of the week according to sorting conditions by the automatic sorting device 21. When the receiving unit 22 expires, the lamp 26b of the expiration push button switch 26 is turned on. When the operator confirms that the expiration lamp 26 is turned on, the operator operates the expiration push button switch 26 to store it from the receiving unit 22. The box 20 is pulled out, the book is transferred to the container C, placed on the conveyor device 29, and stored in the automatic warehouse 30. When the transfer of the book B is completed, the operator returns the storage box 20 to the receiving unit 22 and operates the end push button switch 27.
[0063]
When the operator puts all the books on the cardboard D into the slot 1, the binder V is put into the slot 1 so that the IC chip mounting label 9 is at the front, and the cardboard work is finished. . The binder V is transported to the reinspection line and reused.
[0064]
Based on the work plan, the container C stored in the automatic warehouse 30 is delivered from the automatic warehouse 30 in accordance with, for example, the day of return, and the books in the container C (primary sorted books) are automatically sorted. The device 21 or other sorting device automatically sorts again by publisher, or by publisher and book field (brand; general, general, practical, specialized, etc.) or by publisher and book price range (2 Next sort) is executed, or manual sorting is performed by the operator for each publisher, each publisher and book field, or each publisher and book price range, and returned.
[0065]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the book code (information specifying the book) read by the IC chip reader 8 or the barcode reader 4 or the OCR 6 and the bookstore code input by the input device 3 The sales conditions (an example of inspection conditions) of this bookstore / book stored in the sales master 35 of the database 32 are searched, and the book B returned according to the sales conditions is inspected, and the rejector 13 or the like is sent to the bookstore based on the inspection results. It is possible to accurately inspect returned books with complicated sales conditions according to the sales conditions by specifying whether the product is to be taken out as a return product or to be sorted into the receiving unit 22 of the automatic sorting device 21. The adapted book B can be sorted into the receiving unit 22 specified by the automatic sorting device 21.
[0066]
Further, according to the present embodiment, when the book code (information specifying the book) read by the IC chip reader 8, the barcode reader 4, or the OCR 6 cannot be read, or by the book code, the bibliographic master If the book B is a designated book that requires visual judgment, the rejector 12 is driven and the book is taken out to the lower conveyor device 16 (re-inspection take-out unit), thereby performing re-inspection and sorting. Can be performed reliably.
[0067]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the code of the book 32 (information specifying the book) read by the IC chip reader 8 or the barcode reader 4 or the OCR 6 and the bookstore code inputted by the input device 3 are used to The sales conditions (an example of inspection conditions) of this bookstore / book stored in the sales master 35 are searched, and before the books are sorted by the automatic sorting device 21, it is confirmed whether or not the sales conditions of the searched books are satisfied. When it is not satisfied, that is, when it is an order-sold product or a sold-out product, or when the consumable product has passed the returnable period, a drive signal is output to the rejector 13 and this book is transferred to the lower conveyor device 17 (returned product take-out). Part)), books that do not meet the sales conditions can be returned to the bookstore, It is possible to eliminate the risk of refund the money.
[0068]
Further, according to the present embodiment, when the book measuring means provided upstream from the excluded product take-out unit, that is, the book measured by the measuring device 5 and the weight sensor 7 is not included in the predetermined dimensions set in advance. Or when it is not included in the preset predetermined weight, or when it is not included in the preset predetermined volume, a drive signal is output to the rejector 11, and the book is transferred to the lower conveyor device 15 (removing excluded items). The automatic sorting device 21 removes the size B or weight book B that cannot be sorted by the automatic sorting device 21, and avoids the automatic sorting device 21 from being troubled by the book B that cannot be sorted. it can.
[0069]
Further, according to the present embodiment, when the book is determined to be a specific format from the size of the book measured by the measuring device 5, for example, when it is determined to be a large format book, a drive signal is output to the sorting device 14. The book B is sorted into the conveyor device 18 below the book B so that the book B falls without being put into the normal frontage sorting conveyor 23 of the automatic sorting device 21 and the storage box 20 of the receiving unit 22. Can be avoided.
[0070]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the weight of the books sorted into the receiving unit 22 is obtained by accumulating the weights measured by the weight sensor 7, and when the predetermined weight is exceeded, the receiving unit 22 determines that it has expired. When the sorting to the receiving unit 22 is completed, the burden on the operator who transfers the book from the receiving unit 22 to the container C can be made uniform.
[0071]
Further, according to the present embodiment, when the code of the book (information specifying the book) read by the IC chip reader 8, the barcode reader 4, or the OCR 6 is read, the publisher that published the book by this information. The day of the week to be returned to the publisher is determined as the sorting condition for the book based on the information of the publisher, and the information on the day of the week to be returned is output to the control device 21A of the automatic sorting device 21. By sorting to the receiving unit 22 for each day of the week set for each company, books can be collected for each day of the week to be returned, and secondary sorting to more than 4,000 publishers can be simplified. it can.
[0072]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the books sorted into the receiving unit 22 are stored in the automatic warehouse 30 for each receiving unit 22 set for each day of the week, so that the books returned every day are returned. It can be summarized for each day of the week.
[0073]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the primary sorted books stored in the automatic warehouse 30 are used for each publisher or each publisher and book field according to the work schedule plan using the automatic sorting device 21. Or, it can be automatically sorted again for each publisher and book price range, and the number of workers can be reduced. For example, books that are scheduled to be returned from the automatic warehouse 30 (primary sorted books) are sorted by the automatic sorting device 21 for each publisher (secondary sorting) and returned.
[0074]
In the present embodiment, the sales condition set in the sales master 35 is set as a condition of consignment sales, order sales, or sold-out sales for which a returnable period is set. It is also possible to determine the sales conditions by adding other conditions such as handled items or adjusted items.
[0075]
Further, in the present embodiment, it is determined that each receiving unit 22 (storage box 20) has expired with the sorted books B by accumulating the weights of the sorted books B. A weight sensor (weight detection means) for detecting the total weight of the books B sorted in the storage box 20 or a height detection sensor for detecting the height of the books B sorted in the storage box 20 is provided in each box 20. The receiving unit 22 (storage box 20) is sorted by detecting that the predetermined weight is exceeded by the weight sensor or by detecting that the predetermined height is exceeded by the height detection sensor. It may be determined that the book B has expired.
[0076]
In the present embodiment, primary sorting of the book B is performed by the automatic sorting device 21 on the day of the week when the book B is returned to the publisher, but the book B is returned to the publisher based on the work schedule plan for returning the book B to the publisher. The day of the week when the book B is returned, the format of the book B, the publisher, or the name of the publisher in the order of the Japanese syllabary, ) Or a combination of rows (A row, Ka row, Sa row ...), whether book B is a new or already published book, a series of book B, or a price range of book B, or book B is a single book Sorting may be performed according to at least one of the purchase conditions from the publisher of the book B, or a combination thereof.
[0077]
In the present embodiment, the operation of the end push button switch 27 detects that the storage box 20 has been returned to the receiving unit 22 and raises the bottom plate to start re-sorting the books B. However, the end push button switch Instead of 27, it is also possible to provide means for detecting that the storage box 20 has been returned, for example, a limit switch, and raise the bottom plate by the detection of this detecting means to start re-sorting.
[0078]
Further, in this embodiment, the operator puts a book through the slot 1, but it is also possible to install a cutting device (an example of a cutting means) that can automatically put a book to achieve full automation. As a result, the book is cut out to the upstream position of the belt conveyor device 2 by the cutting device, and the sorting operation is started.
[0079]
In the present embodiment, the automatic sorting device 21 is a tilting / belt carrier type sorting device that drives the sorting conveyor 23 and puts the books into the target receiving unit 22. Built-in extrusion mechanism on the surface, sorting conveyor that pushes out while moving with the sorting product) and diverter type sorting conveyor (swivel the guide plate provided outside to form a guide wall on the transport path, and sort the sorting product along the guide wall It is good also as a sorting device of other methods using a sorter conveyor etc. which move.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the inspection conditions of the book stored in the storage unit are searched based on the information that identifies the book read by the reading unit and the retailer information that is input by the input unit. Books returned based on the inspection conditions of this book are inspected, and books that conform to inspection are sorted into the sorting port specified by the sorting means, so that the books can be accurately sorted according to the inspection conditions, and conform to the inspection. Can be sorted into a specific sorting slot.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of sorting equipment for returned books in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control configuration diagram of the sorting equipment.
FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of a database of the same sorting equipment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control device for the sorting equipment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the control device of the sorting equipment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control unit of the control device of the sorting equipment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device of the automatic sorting device of the sorting equipment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 slot
2 Belt conveyor device
3 input devices
4 Bar code reader
5 Measuring device
6 OCR
7 Weight sensor
8 IC chip reader
9 IC chip mounting label
10 Management computer
11, 12, 13 Rejector
14 Sorting device
15, 16, 17, 18 Conveyor device
20 storage box
21 Automatic sorting equipment
22 Reception Department
23 Sorting conveyor
24 Cutting device
25 Drive unit
29 Conveyor equipment
30 Automatic warehouse
31 Control device
32 database
33 Bibliographic Master
34 Bookstore Master
35 Sales Master
36 Purchase Master
B Book
V binder

Claims (8)

A sorting facility that sorts books returned from retailers in order to return them to the vendors of the books,
Input means for inputting information identifying the retailer that returned the book;
A transport means for transporting a loaded book;
Reading means for reading information identifying the book from the book;
A plurality of sorting ports through which the books set in advance based on the purchase conditions with the supplier are sorted, and a sorting unit that sorts the books transported by the transport unit into the specific sorting ports,
Storage means for storing the inspection conditions of each book for each retailer, and storing the sorting conditions for sorting each book into the sorting port ;
A storage means for storing the books sorted into the sorting port for each sorting port or for each specific sorting port group ,
When the information for identifying the book is read by the reading means, the inspection condition and the sorting condition of the book stored in the storage means are searched based on this information and the retailer information input by the input means. the return return books inspected by book inspection conditions, and identifying the sorting opening by the sorting condition, sorting books adapted for inspection to the identified said sorting opening by said sorting means only, each sorting outlet The sorted books are stored in the storage means for each sorting mouth or for each specific sorting mouth group, and the sorted books stored in the storing means are stored for each supplier, or for each supplier and book field. Or a sorting facility for returned books, characterized by sorting again by the sorting means for each supplier and book price range . Provided upstream of the sorting means is a reinspection take-out unit for taking out a book that requires reinspection,
Comprising designated storage means for storing the information of the book to be taken out to the reinspection take-out unit,
When the information for specifying the book is read by the reading means, when the information cannot be read, or the designation storage means is searched by information for specifying the book read by the reading means, 2. The return book sorting facility according to claim 1, wherein when the book is the book to be taken out, the book is taken out to the reinspection product take-out unit. Upstream of the sorting means, a return product take-out unit for taking out books that do not satisfy the conditions for sale to retailers,
The storage means stores the sales conditions of each book for each retailer as the inspection conditions,
When the information for identifying the book is read by the reading means, the sales conditions of the book stored in the storage means are searched based on this information and retailer information input by the input means, and the book is searched. The return book sorting facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the sales conditions are not satisfied, the book is taken out to the return product take-out unit. Upstream of the sorting means, provided with an excluded product take-out section for taking out books to be excluded at the time of sorting,
The book measuring means for measuring at least one of the size, weight, or volume of the book being transported by the transporting means is provided upstream from the excluded product take-out section,
When the book measured by the book measuring means is not included in a predetermined dimension, or is not included in a predetermined weight, or is not included in a predetermined volume. 4. The return book sorting facility according to claim 1, wherein the book is taken out to the excluded product take-out unit. As the book measuring means, comprising a measuring means for measuring the dimensions of the book,
5. The returned book according to claim 4, wherein, when the sorting unit determines that the book is a specific size from the size of the book measured by the measuring unit, the sorting unit takes out the book to the excluded product take-out unit. Sorting equipment. A weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the book is provided upstream of the sorting means,
The sorting means obtains the weight of the books sorted into each sorting mouth by accumulating the weight measured by the weight measuring means, and when the weight exceeds a predetermined weight, the sorting mouth judges that the weight has expired. The sorting equipment for returned books according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A work schedule for returning the book to the supplier is set in the storage means, and the day of the week to return the book to the supplier, or the book format, the supplier, or the name of the supplier. In order, by supplier name, by line or combination of lines, by book, by whether the book is new or published, or by the book series, by the book price range, or by the book Storing the sorting conditions for setting the sorting port so as to sort according to at least one of the purchase conditions from the book or the purchaser of the book, or a combination thereof;
When the information for specifying the book is read by the reading means, the supplier who published the book is specified by this information, and the sorting condition of the book stored in the storage means by the information of the supplier is determined. 7. The search according to claim 1, wherein the sorting port of the sorting unit is specified by searching, the sorting port of the sorting unit is identified, and the book is sorted into the sorting port based on this information. Sorting equipment for returned books. The return book sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising: a cutting unit that cuts out the book to an upstream position of the transport unit .

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