JP4975346B2 - Article sorting system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of an article sorting system that sorts articles according to each store in response to ordering of articles from a plurality of stores, for example, in a distribution warehouse or a distribution center.

  As is well known, in recent years, a centralized management system using computers has been introduced for sorting work in which goods are sorted for each store in response to order requests from a plurality of stores. Accordingly, it is possible to automatically instruct the sorting worker how many articles are delivered to which store, and the efficiency of the sorting work can be improved.

  By the way, in an article sorting system that is centrally managed by a computer, a plurality of sorting workers can perform parallel work. In this case, a dedicated color is assigned to each sorting worker, and a store-specific indicator is installed corresponding to the article storage unit prepared for each store.

  In this store-specific display, a plurality of push buttons and quantity display sections corresponding to the colors assigned to the respective sorting workers are installed. Among these, each of the plurality of push buttons has a lamp function that can be lit in a corresponding color. The quantity display unit displays the quantity of articles stored in the article storage unit.

  Then, when a predetermined sorting worker reads the barcode of a specific article with a barcode reader, the push button of the color assigned to the sorting worker of the display by store corresponding to the store where the article has been ordered is displayed. Illuminated. For this reason, the sorting worker operates the push button in which the color assigned to the store-specific display is lit.

  Then, the quantity of articles to be delivered is displayed in the quantity display section of the store-specific display where the push button is operated. As a result, the sorting worker stores the specific article in the article storage unit by the quantity displayed on the quantity display unit, and the sorting operation for the specific article is performed here.

  However, in the current article sorting system described above, when the sorting worker actually operates the push button in which the color assigned to the store-specific display device is lit, it erroneously corresponds to another color. An undesired situation of operating the push button is likely to occur, and the work efficiency is deteriorated, for example, a sorting error is found in the inspection process and the sorting operation is performed again.

Patent Document 1 discloses an article sorting facility that can reduce the work burden on an operator when sorting articles and can improve the operating rate of the sorting work. Further, Patent Document 2 relates to picking rather than sorting, and can perform an efficient picking work suitable for practical use even in the case where article takeout requests are concentrated on a specific picking zone, There is disclosed a picking instruction device capable of substantially improving the efficiency of picking work.
JP-A-8-225119 JP 2001-122410 A

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, so as to prevent erroneous operations by sorting workers, eliminate the occurrence of sorting errors due to erroneous operations, and effectively promote the efficiency of sorting operations. An object of the present invention is to provide an article sorting system.

The article sorting system according to the present invention is installed corresponding to each of a sorting zone having a plurality of article storage areas and a plurality of article storage areas of the sorting zone, each of which is simultaneously provided with a quantity display section. A plurality of display means having a plurality of display lamps with different display colors, which are selectively driven, and a plurality of article storage areas in the sorting zone, respectively. A plurality of first tags storing information related to the article storage area and a plurality of display lamps included in the display means are identified in correspondence with the respective colors, and each of them is selectively assigned to the plurality of first tags. A plurality of wristband readers that read and transmit the information stored in the approached first tag, and identification and sorting of the wristband readers The first means for associating the article to be performed, and the display means corresponding to the article storage area for storing the article associated with the identification of the wristband reader by the first means; second means for driving the display lamps of the corresponding color, a wristband reader corresponding to the color of the indicator lamp driven by the second means, the display means having a display lamps which are driven by the color By approaching the first tag installed corresponding to the corresponding article storage area, the wristband reader receives information read and transmitted from the first tag, and corresponds to the article storage area. third means for displaying the quantity the quantity display unit of the installed display unit Te, with the quantity the quantity display unit of the display means by the third means is displayed, corresponding to the display means When the wristband reader corresponding to the color of the display lamp driven by the second means is brought closer to the first tag installed corresponding to the article storage area, the wristband reader Receiving the information read and transmitted again from the first tag, and including a fourth means for bringing the display means into a non-driven state .

According to the above-described invention, the first tag in which the wristband type reader corresponding to the predetermined color is installed corresponding to the article storage area corresponding to the display means in which the display lamp corresponding to the color is driven. The display means installed corresponding to the article storage area displays the quantity, and the wristband reader is again approached to the same first tag to display the quantity of the display means. the in the so that stopped, since the sorting operator has to do not have to things like to selectively manipulate the push button color allocated to itself to prevent erroneous operation by the sorting personnel, It is possible to eliminate the occurrence of sorting mistakes due to erroneous operations and effectively promote the efficiency of sorting work.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The article sorting system described in this embodiment is constructed at an article sorting place prepared in, for example, a distribution warehouse or a distribution center. The article sorting place is divided into a plurality of sorting zones.

  FIG. 1 shows one sorting zone 11 of the plurality of divided sorting zones. Since the other sorting zones have almost the same configuration as the sorting zone 11, the description thereof is omitted. In this sorting zone 11, up to five sorting workers SS can perform sorting work at the same time.

  That is, in the sorting zone 11, a plurality of (five in the illustrated case) shelves 12 are installed with their frontage 12a facing in the same direction. Each shelf 12 is provided with a plurality of article storage areas divided for each store in order to store articles ordered by each store. In addition, each shelf 12 is provided with a bay indicator lamp 13 for notifying a plurality of sorting workers that there is an article storage area as a sorting destination in the shelf 12 by color.

  Further, in the sorting zone 11, a transport conveyor 14 is installed so as to face the frontage 12a of each shelf 12. The conveyor 14 is installed across a plurality of sorting zones, and carries articles 15 to be sorted and transports them in one direction. In this case, the articles 15 are conveyed in a form in which a plurality of articles 15 of the same type are put together in a box or the like, that is, in predetermined unit units.

  Here, a station conveyor 16 is installed in the sorting zone 11 in parallel with the transport conveyor 14 passing therethrough. Of the articles 15 transported by the transport conveyor 14, the articles 15 sorted in the sorting zone 11 are automatically branched from the transport conveyor 14 and mounted on the station conveyor 16.

  For this reason, each sorting worker SS in the sorting zone 11 instructs the unit-unit article 15 mounted on the station conveyor 16 to the designated article storage area of the designated shelf 12 based on the sorting instruction described later. Sorting work can be performed by sequentially storing the same number.

  In the sorting zone 11, a work instruction PC (personal computer) 17 is installed. The work instruction PC 17 is provided with a display monitor 17a, a fixed scanner 17b for scanning the article 15, an IC (integrated circuit) tag 17c storing identification information of the work instruction PC 17, a confirmation indicator lamp 17d, and the like. Yes.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which one of the plurality of shelves 12 installed in the sorting zone 11 is viewed from the front 12a side. It is assumed that the other shelves 12 have substantially the same configuration as that shown in FIG.

  In other words, the shelf 12 includes a top plate 12b and four columns 12c, and a plurality of shelf plates 12d that are horizontally installed between the columns 12c and a plurality of columns that are vertically installed on each shelf plate 12d. The partition plate 12e is divided into a large number of article storage areas 12f.

  In addition, the bay indicator lamp 13 is installed on one pillar 12c on the shelf 12a side of the shelf 12. The bay indicator lamp 13 has five display lamps 13a having different emission colors, each corresponding to a maximum of five sorting workers SS performing sorting work in the sorting zone 11.

  These five display lamps 13a are selectively lit including a plurality of them simultaneously. As a result, each sorting worker SS sees the bay indicator lamp 13 and, if the indicator lamp 13a of the color assigned to himself / herself is lit, he / she sorts to the shelf 12 having the bay indicator lamp 13 by himself / herself. It can be recognized that there is an article storage area 12f for performing the operation.

  Further, each shelf board 12d of the shelf 12 is associated with a plurality of article storage areas 12f, and stores-specific indicators 18 and IC tags 19 in which position information (addresses) of the article storage areas 12f are stored. And are installed in close proximity.

  FIG. 3 shows the store-specific display 18. This store-specific indicator 18 includes a confirmation lamp 18a, five display lamps 18b having different emission colors corresponding to a maximum of five sorting workers SS performing sorting work in the sorting zone 11, and a six-digit quantity. A display unit 18c, an auxiliary button 18d, and the like are provided. These five display lamps 18b are also selectively turned on including a plurality of them simultaneously.

  FIG. 4 shows a control system of the article sorting system. That is, in FIG. 4, reference numeral 20 is a host computer. The host computer 20 comprehensively manages all physical distribution operations such as loading / unloading, picking, and sorting in a distribution warehouse or distribution center where an article sorting place is constructed.

  A sorting management PC 21 is connected to the host computer 20. The sorting management PC 21 comprehensively manages sorting operations in all sorting zones at the article sorting location based on the control of the host computer 20.

  In this case, the sorting management PC 21 functions as a database storing the sorting instruction data for each sorting zone, and at the same time, controls the station conveyor 16 and each sorting work in each sorting zone based on the sorting instruction data. A work instruction is issued to the worker SS. The sorting instruction data includes, for example, information that instructs which articles 15 are supplied to which sorting zone, information that indicates how many articles 15 are stored in which article storage area 12f, and the like. .

  The sort management PC 21 is connected to a block operation unit (BOU) 22 and the work instruction PC 17 for one sort zone 11. These are configured so that necessary information can be exchanged between them. Although not shown, a BOU and a work instruction PC are also connected to each sorting zone other than the sorting zone 11. These are also configured to exchange necessary information with each other, as described above.

  Among these, the BOU 22 incorporates a CPU (central processing unit) (not shown) and the like, and based on the sorting instruction data given from the sorting management PC 21, the bay indicator lamps 13 for all the shelves 12 in the sorting zone 11 and The store-specific display 18 is controlled. As described above, the IC tag 19 storing the position information of the article storage area 12f corresponding to the store-specific display 18 is installed in the vicinity of each store-specific display 18.

  The work instruction PC 17 includes a PC main body 17e connected to the sorting management PC 21. The display monitor 17a, fixed scanner 17b, confirmation indicator lamp 17d and the like are connected to the PC main body 17e, and a wireless communication unit 17f for wireless communication with the wristband reader is connected. Has been. The work instruction PC 17 is provided with the IC tag 17c storing the identification information as described above.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, each of up to five sorting workers SS who performs sorting work in the sorting zone 11 is equipped with the wristband type reader 23 described above. The five wristband type readers 23 worn by each sorting worker SS can be identified by different colors (for example, red, yellow, green, blue, white) and store their own color information. .

  The wristband reader 23 has a function of reading the identification information stored in the IC tag 17c by approaching the IC tag 17c attached to the work instruction PC 17, and via the wireless communication unit 17f. It has a function capable of wireless communication with the PC main body 17e.

  Further, the wristband reader 23 has a function of reading position information stored in the IC tag 19 by selectively approaching the IC tag 19 installed on each shelf plate 12d of the shelf 12, It has a function capable of wireless communication with the PC main body 17e described above.

  6 and 7 show a flowchart summarizing the sorting process operation of the article 15 in the sorting zone 11. First, when the process is started (step S1), the sorting management PC 21 registers sorting instruction data in the BOU 22 and the PC main body 17e of the work instruction PC 17 in step S2.

  Thereafter, each sorting worker SS in the sorting zone 11 wears the wristband type reader 23 on the arm in step S3. In step S4, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to a predetermined color (for example, red) brings the wristband type reader 23 closer to the IC tag 17c attached to the work instruction PC 17. .

  Then, the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red reads the identification information from the IC tag 17c, and wirelessly transmits information indicating that the identification information has been read. The transmitted information is supplied to the PC main body 17e via the wireless communication unit 17f of the work instruction PC 17. As a result, the PC body 17e determines that there is a request for sorting work from the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red, and the confirmation indicator lamp 17d of the work instruction PC 17 is displayed in step S5. Light up.

  Then, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red confirms that the confirmation indicator lamp 17d is turned on, and then, in step S6, any article mounted on the station conveyor 16 in units. 15 is scanned by the fixed scanner 17b. Thereby, the identification information of the article 15 is supplied to the PC main body 17e, and the PC main body 17e can associate the color of the wristband type reader 23 with the article 15.

  Thereafter, the PC main body 17e, based on the sorting instruction data, in step S7, as shown in FIG. 8, the article storage area 12f (store) for storing the articles 15 scanned by the fixed scanner 17b on the display monitor 17a. Are displayed, that is, each shelf 12 accessed by the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband reader 23 corresponding to red is displayed.

  In this case, the layout of each shelf 12 in the sorting zone 11 is displayed on the display monitor 17a. Each shelf 12 in which the article storage area 12f for storing the articles 15 is present is displayed in a layout with a color corresponding to the wristband reader 23, that is, red (indicated by hatching in FIG. 8).

  For this reason, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red can reconfirm that the color assigned to himself is red, and also to which shelf 12 in the sorting zone 11 It is possible to grasp in advance whether to access and to consider an efficient order of going around each shelf 12.

  In step S8, the BOU 22 sorts the worker SS wearing the respective shelf 12 in which the article storage area 12f for storing the article 15 scanned by the fixed scanner 17b is present, that is, the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red. The red indicator lamp 13a of the bay indicator lamp 13 provided in each shelf 12 to be accessed is turned on.

  Thereafter, in step S9, the BOU 22 displays the store-specific display 18 corresponding to each article storage area 12f for each shelf 12 in which the article storage area 12f that stores the articles 15 scanned by the fixed scanner 17b exists. The confirmation lamp 18a and the red display lamp 18b are blinked.

  For this reason, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to the red color is selected from the store-specific indicators 18 in which the confirmation lamp 18a and the red display lamp 18b are blinking in step S10. And the wristband reader 23 is brought close to the IC tag 19 provided in proximity to the selected store-specific display 18.

  Then, the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red reads position information from the IC tag 19 and wirelessly transmits the read position information. The transmitted position information is received by the work instruction PC 17 and the information is transmitted to the BOU 22. In the BOU 22, it is possible to determine which color of the position information is supplied from the wristband reader 23. For this reason, the BOU 22 can associate the color of the wristband reader 23 with the article storage area 12f (store) that stores the articles 15.

  Thereby, the BOU 22 displays the red display lamp 18b of the store-specific display (store-specific display corresponding to the IC tag 19 whose position information is read by the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red) 18 in step S11. Switch to lighting. Further, the BOU 22 refers to the sorting instruction data given from the sorting management PC 21 and the correspondence relationship between the color of the wristband type reader 23 acquired by the work instruction PC 17 and the article 15 and displays the display by store. The quantity display unit 18c of the container 18 displays the quantity of the articles 15 to be stored.

  For this reason, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to the red color has the articles 15 scanned by the fixed scanner 17b by the quantity displayed on the quantity display section 18c by the quantity displayed on the quantity display unit 18c in step S12. The goods are stored in the storage area 12f, and a sort operation of one kind of article 15 is performed on one article storage area 12f (store).

  When the sorting operation is completed, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to the red color approaches the store-specific display 18 corresponding to the article storage area 12f that has performed the sorting operation in step S13. The wristband reader 23 is brought close to the IC tag 19 provided.

  Then, the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red reads position information from the IC tag 19 and wirelessly transmits the read position information. The transmitted position information is received by the work instruction PC 17 and the information is transmitted to the BOU 22. The BOU 22 determines that the sorting operation of the article storage area 12f corresponding to the position information has been completed by receiving the same position information twice, and displays the store-specific display corresponding to the article storage area 12f in step S14. The confirmation lamp 18a and the red display lamp 18b of the container 18 are turned off, and the quantity display on the quantity display section 18c is stopped.

  Thereafter, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red has, in step S15, whether there is another store-specific display 18 in which the confirmation lamp 18a and the red display lamp 18b are blinking. That is, it is determined whether or not there is another article storage area 12f to which the same article 15 is to be delivered.

  If it is determined that it exists (YES), the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to red repeatedly executes the processes of steps S10 to S14, and if it is determined that it does not exist (NO) ), The sorting process is terminated (step S16).

  Thereafter, when another article 15 is mounted on the station conveyor 16, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to the red color repeats the processes of steps S4 to S14.

  Note that the above-described sorting process operation can be similarly executed by each sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to other colors (yellow, green, blue, white). In other words, each sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to the five colors can execute the sorting work described above in parallel.

  However, when the storage of the articles 15 from the plurality of sorting workers SS occurs in one article storage area 12f, for example, the position information is obtained from the IC tag 18 corresponding to the article storage area 12f. Control is performed so that the storage operation for the article storage area 12f can be performed in the order read by the wristband reader 23.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the sorting worker SS wearing the wristband type reader 23 corresponding to a predetermined color displays the store-specific display in which the confirmation lamp 18a and the display lamp 18b of the color corresponding to the self are blinking. The wristband type reader 23 is brought close to the IC tag 19 provided in the vicinity of the container 18 so that the store-specific display 18 displays the quantity.

  Further, when the sorting worker SS completes the delivery of one kind of article 15 to one article storage area 12f, the IC tag 19 provided in the vicinity of the store-specific display 18 is attached to its own tag. By approaching the wristband type reader 23, the BOU 22 is notified that the sorting operation for the article storage area 12f has been completed.

  In other words, the sorting worker SS can perform the sorting work without performing any operation on each store-specific display 18 provided on the shelf 12. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation by the sorting worker SS, eliminate the occurrence of a sorting error due to the erroneous operation, and effectively promote the efficiency of the sorting work.

  The sorting worker SS can read information by bringing the wristband reader 23 attached to the arm close to the IC tag 19. That is, the sorting worker SS can read information from the IC tag 19 even when the article 15 is held in both hands. For this reason, the sorting operation is facilitated and the safety of the worker can be sufficiently ensured.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sorting worker SS is provided in the vicinity of the store-specific display 18 when the storage of one kind of the article 15 is completed in one article storage area 12f. If the IC tag 19 is not brought close to its own wristband reader 23, that is, if the BOU 22 is not informed that the sorting operation for the article storage area 12f has been completed, Even if the own wristband reader 23 is brought close to the IC tag 19 provided in the vicinity of the separate display 18, it is possible to prevent the store-specific display 18 from displaying the quantity.

  As a result, it is possible to sequentially promote the sorting operation for each article storage area 12f for which sorting is requested while confirming the completion of the sorting work for one article storage area 12f, thereby preventing the occurrence of sorting mistakes. Will be able to.

  In the above embodiment, even if the sorting zone 11 has a large space and the wristband reader 23 reads the position information of the IC tag 19 and transmits the information, the transmission output of the wristband reader 23 is not If it does not reach the work instruction PC 17, it is considered that each sorting worker SS possesses a handy terminal as a repeater.

  That is, the sorting worker SS holds the handy terminal in its own pocket or the like. Then, it is conceivable that the handy terminal receives the information transmitted from the wristband type reader 23, and the handy terminal transmits it at a high output so as to reach the work instruction PC 17.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by variously modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements according to different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The figure which shows embodiment of this invention and is shown in order to demonstrate an example of the sorting zone in an article sorting system roughly. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the state which looked at one of the shelves installed in the sorting zone in the embodiment from the frontage side. The figure shown in order to demonstrate one of the display according to stores respectively installed in the article | item storage area | region of the shelf in the embodiment. The block block diagram shown in order to demonstrate the control system of the article | item classification system in the embodiment. The figure shown in order to demonstrate the wristband type reader used with the article | item classification | category system in the embodiment. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate a part of sorting process operation | movement of the goods sorting system in the embodiment. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate the remainder of the sorting process operation | movement of the goods sorting system in the embodiment. The figure shown in order to demonstrate an example of the image displayed on the monitor for display by the sorting process operation | movement of the goods sorting system in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Sorting zone, 12 ... Shelf, 13 ... Bay indicator lamp, 14 ... Conveyor, 15 ... Goods, 16 ... Station conveyor, 17 ... Work instruction PC, 18 ... Display according to store, 19 ... IC tag, 20 ... Host Computer, 21 ... PC for sorting management, 22 ... BOU, 23 ... Wristband reader.

Claims (6)

A sorting zone having a plurality of article storage areas;
A plurality of display lamps having different display colors, each of which is installed corresponding to each of a plurality of article storage areas of the sorting zone, each of which is selectively driven including a quantity display unit and a plurality of display areas simultaneously. Having a plurality of display means;
A plurality of first tags each storing information related to the corresponding article storage area, each of which is installed corresponding to a plurality of article storage areas of the sorting zone;
Each of the plurality of display lamps included in the display means is identified corresponding to each color, and each is stored in the approaching first tag by selectively approaching the plurality of first tags. A plurality of wristband readers that read and transmit the received information;
A first means for associating the wristband reader with an article for sorting;
A display lamp of a color corresponding to the identification of the wristband type reader is provided to the display means corresponding to the article storage area for storing the article associated with the identification of the wristband type reader by the first means. A second means for driving;
Said wristband type reader corresponding to the color of the second means driven display lamp, is installed in correspondence with the article storage area corresponding to a display means having a display lamps which are driven by the color the By approaching the first tag , the wristband reader receives information read and transmitted from the first tag, and is displayed on the quantity display section of the display means installed corresponding to the article storage area. A third means for displaying the quantity ;
In a state where the quantity is displayed on the quantity display section of the display means by the third means, the second tag is attached to the first tag installed corresponding to the article storage area corresponding to the display means. When the wristband reader corresponding to the color of the display lamp driven by the means is again approached, the wristband reader receives the information read and transmitted from the first tag again, and the display means An article sorting system comprising: a fourth means for bringing into a non-driven state . The first means includes
A second tag that causes the wristband reader to read its information when the wristband reader is approached;
A scanner that reads information about the items to be sorted;
Control for associating an article for identifying and sorting the wristband reader based on information read and transmitted from the second tag by the wristband reader and information on the article read by the scanner The article sorting system according to claim 1, further comprising: means.   The control means is driven by the information read and transmitted from the second tag by the wristband reader, and a confirmation display indicating that the information from the article can be read by the scanner The article sorting system according to claim 2, further comprising a lamp. The third means does not display the quantity on the quantity display section of the other display means unless the display means whose quantity is displayed on the quantity display section by the fourth means is not driven. The article sorting system according to claim 1 .   A layout of a plurality of article storage areas in the sorting zone is displayed on a screen, and on the layout screen, identification of the wristband reader by the first means and association with an article to be sorted are performed. 2. The article sorting system according to claim 1, further comprising fifth means for displaying the article storage area for storing the article in color with the identification of the wristband reader.   In the third means, the wristband reader corresponding to the color of the display lamp driven by the second means is placed in the article storage area corresponding to the display means having the display lamp driven by the color. 2. The article sorting system according to claim 1, wherein information transmitted by reading information from the corresponding first tag installed is relayed through a handy terminal.

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