JPH01214502A - Article collecting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a detection mistake from occurring by providing kind indicating marks on articles, a work reading means, means for verifying taking- out indicating information and a sound informing means in case of disagreement on a moving vehicle and making verifying operation after taken-out by different operator from an operator for article taking out operation. CONSTITUTION:A bar code reader 23 taken in a moving vehicle reads the mark m of an article to be taken out and a verifying means verifies the information of the article to be taken out input from a host computer HC. In case of disagreement between the article to be taken out and the taken out article, a sound output device 21 informs that effect. Accordingly, an operator can take out the article correctly so that check after taking-out can be omitted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a shelf comprising a plurality of shelf portions for storing a plurality of types of articles in different categories, on a travel path of a moving vehicle equipped with an article storage section. storage means for storing positional information of a shelf section in which articles to be collected are stored and article retrieval information consisting of the type and quantity of articles to be taken out from the shelf section; destination information indicating means for instructing position information of the shelf portion based on storage information of the means; and article retrieval information for specifying article retrieval information based on the storage information of the storage means and position information of the currently located shelf portion. The present invention relates to an article collection facility provided with a retrieval information indicating means.

[Conventional technology]

This type of article collection equipment described above extracts articles based on article retrieval information while moving a mobile vehicle over each of a plurality of shelves storing articles to be taken out, and stores the retrieved articles. The work will be carried out according to the procedure of storing it in the department.

By the way, since multiple types of articles are stored in different categories on each of the plurality of shelves, it is important to check whether the type of article taken out from the shelf matches the type of article to be taken out as instructed. It is necessary to carry out inspection work to confirm whether or not the item has been removed, but in the past, for example, after the item removal process, a different worker from the one performing the item removal process was forced to perform the inspection process manually. .

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, the worker responsible for the article retrieval work has been responsible for inspecting whether the type of article taken out from the shelf matches the type of article instructed to be taken out. Since this was done manually by another worker, it was not only time-consuming, but also there was a risk of product inspection errors.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to omit inspection work after taking out an article.

[Failure to solve the problem]

The article collecting equipment according to the present invention is characterized in that the articles stored in the shelf portion are provided with a mark indicating the type of article, and the moving vehicle includes a mark reading means for reading the mark; A verification means that verifies whether the type of article read by the mark reading means matches or does not match the type of article currently indicated by the article retrieval information indicating means, and the collation means do not match. The present invention is further provided with a notification means for notifying the mismatch state upon detection of the discrepancy.

[For production]

In other words, each item stored on the shelf is provided with a mark that indicates the type of the item, and the mark is read by a mark reading means installed on the moving vehicle, and the item is removed from the shelf. It is checked whether the type of article matches the type of article currently indicated by the article retrieval information indicating means, and if a mismatch is detected, the mismatch state is notified.

[Effect of the invention] Therefore, during the article retrieval operation, not only can the inspection operation to determine whether the type of the retrieved article matches the article for which retrieval is instructed to be performed be performed at the same time, but also the checking operation can be performed on the article side. Since the inspection is performed using marks, it is possible to prevent inspection errors from occurring. As a result, it has become possible to omit the inspection work after the work of taking out the goods, thereby saving labor and reducing the work cost in the work of collecting the goods.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

As shown in Figure 1, the article collection equipment includes a mobile vehicle (A
) and a plurality of shelves (B) for storing a plurality of types of articles in separate categories and arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the travel path of the moving vehicle (A).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each column (B) is divided into a plurality of sections along its longitudinal direction, and each sectioned shelf section (2) has four upper and lower loading stages. A storage area is provided,
Then, each of the loading sections has three kinds of articles (
X) can be stored.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile vehicle (A) includes a pair of left and right free wheels (3) arranged at each of the front and rear ends, and a pair of left and right handles (4) for steering. , which is constructed in the form of a so-called handcart, and is provided with a display panel (5) that also serves as a setting panel for displaying article removal information near the handle section (4).

The storage frame (1) is provided with four upper and lower shelf sections, and each shelf section can store two article storage containers (6) in the horizontal direction.

Note that each container (6) corresponds to a respective shipping destination.

In Fig. 2, (7) is a quantity indicator that displays the quantity of articles to be stored in each container (6), and (8) is a quantity indicator that indicates the completion of storing articles in each container (6). The illuminated storage completion button (23) for inputting the information for each container displays the type of article affixed to each article (X) stored in each shelf section (2), as will be described in detail later. This is a pen-shaped barcode reader as a mark reading means for reading a barcode (m) as a mark.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the worker loads the empty container (6) into the moving vehicle (A
) After loading the data into the storage frame (1), proceed to the data receiving point (F).
Then input the work data for collecting goods to instruct the moving vehicle (71) with the IC card (14), the destination information, the above-mentioned goods retrieval information, and the goods storage information described in 11''lJ, and then clear the shelves. 2) Take out the article based on the article retrieval information, read the barcode (m) attached to the taken out article and inspect it, and then place the taken out article in the desired container (6) based on the article storage information. Then, when all the work is completed, at the container unloading point (E), the container (6) containing the goods is fed to the collection conveyor (10). become.

Next, based on the block diagram shown in FIG. 3, the article collection work will be explained while describing the control configuration.

That is, when the contents of an order form (11) issued by a customer etc. are input into the post controller (IIC), a purchase order form (12) is created according to the contents of the host controller document (11). The goods are purchased according to the contents of the purchase order (12), and the warehousing data (13) of the purchased goods are also input into the host controller (IC).

The host controller (HC) receives the order form (12
) and the warehouse data (13), while managing the inventory of various goods based on the contents of the previously entered order form (13).
Based on the contents of 1), the article retrieval information consists of the position information of the shelf part (2) where the items to be collected are stored, information indicating the type of article to be taken out from the shelf part (2), and the quantity to be taken out. The system is configured to create work data for collecting articles and output the work data to a work controller (SC). However, the said work data is
- The type and quantity of articles to be stored in each container (6) mounted on the moving vehicle (A) can be divided into 4 categories according to the amount of work performed by the moving vehicle (A), and each container (6) will be formed in a state that can be distinguished from each other.

The work controller (SC) is configured to comprehensively manage the goods collection operation while exchanging various information such as work data with a mobile vehicle controller (IC) provided in the mobile vehicle (A). There is.

Information exchange between the work controller (SC) and the mobile vehicle controller (IC) is carried out through a read/write control controller (148), R O M (14B), and RA
This is carried out while using an IC card (14) equipped with M (14C) as a storage means for storing work data as article retrieval information, and a card writer (14) that writes work data into the IC card (14). 1
5a) and a card reader (15b) that reads out the written work data; and the work controller (SC).
A card reader (16a) for reading information stored in the IC card (14) and a card writer (16b) for writing are attached to the mobile vehicle controller (IC).

In other words, the IC card (14) contains the position information of the shelf section (2) where the items to be collected are stored, and the location information of the shelf section (2) where the items to be collected are stored.
) corresponds to a storage means for storing article retrieval information consisting of the type of article to be taken out and the quantity to be taken out.

In FIG. 4, (17) is a printer that creates article slips to be attached to each container (7) stored in the mobile vehicle (A), and is connected to the operation of the card writer (15). They will be operated in conjunction. The article slips are placed into the container (6) in a predetermined order when loading the empty container (6) into the storage frame (1).

The display panel (5) includes a monitor (1) using a CRT display and a touch panel (19) installed on the front side of the monitor (18), and is configured in a so-called touch screen type.

Note that the touch panel (19) is connected to the monitor (18).
Various types of devices can be used, such as the previous model, which projects a plurality of optical signals across the display screen in all directions and reads the contact position based on the position of the area where light is blocked when the worker touches the screen.

The mobile vehicle controller (IC) stores the above-mentioned work data, storage information of articles stored in the shelf portion (2), and
Destination information for driving the moving vehicle (A) based on classification information for sorting which of the shelf portions (2), and the shelf portion (2) on which the moving vehicle (A) has traveled. information on taking out the article from the container (6) and storage information indicating the quantity to be taken out and the container (6) in which the article is to be taken out. In addition to outputting to the barcode reader (
23) is configured to automatically inspect the removed article based on the read information of the barcode (m).

In other words, using the mobile vehicle controller (IC),
The destination information indicating means (100), the article retrieval information indicating means (101), the article storage information indicating means, and the type of article and the article retrieval information read by the barcode reader (23) as the mark reading means. Each of the verification means (102) is configured to verify whether or not the type of article currently designated by the designation means (101) matches.

The mobile vehicle controller (IC) is configured using a microcomputer, and has a memory (2
0), and when the IC card (14) is set in the moving vehicle, the IC card (14)
The work data stored in the memory (20) will be transferred to the memory (20).

That is, the mobile vehicle controller (IC) controls the shelf portion (
The location information (2), that is, the destination information, and the article removal information are controlled to be displayed, and the selection of the display state is controlled based on the input information from the touch panel (19).

In FIG. 3, (21) is an audio output device for audio outputting information corresponding to the display content displayed on the monitor (18), and as described later, the collation means (1)
02) is also configured to serve as a notification means for notifying the discrepancy when it is determined that the type of the item to be taken out and the type of the item for which removal has been instructed do not match.

To explain the display state on the monitor (18), only the part corresponding to the shelf part (2) where the taken out article is stored is lit, and the entire shelf part is lit in a state corresponding to the layout of the shelf (B). (2) is displayed at the same time (see Figure 5 (a)) and the loading area where there is an item to be taken out within one shelf part selected and instructed in that shelf position display state; An article display state in which one shelf section is graphically displayed with only the part corresponding to the article lit (see Figure 5 (b)), and one loading section, that is, a take-out section selected in that article display state. Quantity display state that displays the type and quantity of goods (
It is possible to switch between three states (see FIG. 5(c)).

Note that each display state is determined by the touch panel (1) as described below.
Based on the detection information of the worker's contact position read in step 9), the position corresponding to the shelf section (2) or the loading section that is displayed in a lit state is selected and instructed, and the next work is performed. The display state will be switched to the corresponding one.

Next, based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the operation of the mobile vehicle (A) will be explained while controlling the control operation of the mobile vehicle controller (IC).

First, a work data reading process is executed to read the information of the set TC card (14).

After reading the information, a shelf part display process is executed to display all shelf parts graphically in a state corresponding to the layout of the shelf (B), with only the shelf part with work lit up, and the worker can perform the work. The mobile vehicle (Δ) is driven to a certain shelf section and waits until the evening shift (19) selects the shelf section where the work is to be performed (see FIG. 5(a)).

In other words, the process of graphically displaying the entire shelf section (2) where the work is performed is the destination information of the moving vehicle (A), that is, the destination information indicating the position information of the shelf section (2) where the items to be collected are stored. This corresponds to the instruction means (100).

As the shelf section where the work is to be performed is selected, only the loading section of the selected shelf section (2) where the item to be taken out is lit, and the display state changes to an article display state in which the entire shelf section is displayed. After switching, in the same way as the selection of the shelf section (2), the process waits until one of the displayed loading sections is selected on the touch panel (19) (see FIG. 5 (I+)).

Incidentally, if the entire shelf portion (2) cannot be displayed, for example, the four upper and lower loading sections may be displayed divided into two upper and lower stages.

As the loading section with work is selected, the shelf section number and loading section No. to which the selected loading section belongs are displayed.
Switching to a quantity display state that displays the product number and product name indicating the type of article to be picked up, the quantity to be picked up, and a pick completion input frame (22) indicating a contact position for inputting an instruction to complete picking up the article, and outputting the voice. Device (21)
is activated to output the article retrieval information displayed on the monitor (18) also by voice (see FIG. 5(c)).

In other words, as the shelf section where the work is to be performed is selected, the shelf section is displayed graphically with only the loading section of the selected shelf section (2) where the item to be taken out is lit up; As the loading section where the work is to be performed is selected, a process of displaying the product number and name indicating the type of the product to be taken out and the quantity to be taken out is carried out using the IC card (1) as the storage means.
This corresponds to the article retrieval information instruction means (101) that instructs article retrieval information based on the stored information in step 4) and the position information of the currently located shelf section (2).

However, when taking out an article from each of the selected loading sections, use the barcode reader (23) to read the Hercoat T" (m) affixed to each article, The type of the article to be taken out is compared with the type of article currently being instructed to take out, and when it is determined that there is a mismatch, the voice output device (21) is activated to confirm that the item is undamaged. At the same time, the process returns to the process of displaying the name of the article to be taken out and the quantity to be taken out.

In other words, the process of inspecting the removed article based on the information read by the barcode reader (23) is based on the type of article read by the mark reading means and the process currently instructed by the article removal information instruction means (101). This corresponds to a verification means (102) that verifies whether the type of article matches or does not match the type of article.

Although illustration is omitted, the storage quantity for each of the containers (6) is displayed on a quantity indicator (7) installed corresponding to each shelf part of the storage frame (1). By pressing the storage completion button (8), the storage of the articles in each container (6) is manually completed. Therefore, the input of pick completion using the pick completion input frame (22) is as follows:
This is carried out after the distribution and storage of the articles to be taken out into all the containers (6) is completed.

In other words, in the process of switching to the above-mentioned article display state and quantity display state, the article retrieval information is instructed, and in conjunction with the switch to the quantity display state,
In the process of displaying the quantity stored in each container (6) for each container, physical crystal storage information is designated.

Thereafter, when it is detected that the worker has touched the position corresponding to the pick completion input frame (22), it is determined that the article retrieval work in one loading section is completed, and the pick completion input frame (22) is detected. It is determined whether there is an article to be taken out in the section.

If there are items to be removed on other loading areas, turn off the display of the loading area where the item removal work has been completed.
Transition to the article display state.

If all the items on the selected shelf have been taken out, it is checked whether there is any remaining work on other shelves, and if there is, the shelf where the work has been completed is displayed. With the light turned off, the process from the above-mentioned shelf position display state is repeated (see FIG. 5(d)).

However, if work has been completed on all shelves,
This will complete the entire process.

[Another example]

In the above embodiment, a barcode (m) is used as a mark to indicate the type of article stored in the shelf portion (2), and a barcode reader (23) is used as a mark reading means. However, the specific form of the mark and the specific configuration of the reading means for reading the mark can be changed in various ways.

Further, in the above embodiment, when there is a mismatch between the article to be taken out and the article for which the instruction has been given to take out, the mismatch information is announced by voice. It may be possible to display a certain fact or to notify using an alarm buzzer, etc.
The specific configuration of the notification means can be changed in various ways.

Further, in the above embodiment, the display panel (5) is configured using a CRT type monitor (18), and the touch panel (19) is configured using a CRT type monitor (18).
) is used to change the display state and input various information. Along with instructions, one shelf part (
A display panel (5) is installed with a number of illuminated push buttons corresponding to the loading area in 2), which is configured to indicate the item to be taken out, and a numerical display to indicate the quantity to be taken out. , and the destination information indicating means (1
00) and the article retrieval information instruction means (101) can be modified in various ways.

Further, in the above embodiment, the moving vehicle (A) is constructed as a hand-cart type, but the specific construction can be modified in various ways, such as by being equipped with electric propulsion wheels.

Further, in the above embodiment, the container (6) is used for collection, but the storage frame (1) may be used to collect the materials directly.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the instruction for article retrieval information is given only on the moving vehicle side is exemplified, but the instruction may also be made on the shelf side.

In addition, when transmitting work data for collecting goods to the moving vehicle,
Instead of using the IC car 1'' (14), various changes can be made, such as transmitting information through communication between the work controller (SC) and the mobile vehicle controller (IC).

In addition, various changes can be made to the specific configuration of each part necessary for carrying out the present invention.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the article collection equipment according to the present invention, and the first
Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the article collection equipment, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the shelves and moving vehicle, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the control configuration, Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the control operation, Figure 5
Figures (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams of display states. (A)...Moving vehicle, (B)...Shelf, (
+n)...Mark, (1)...Goods storage section, (2)...Shelf part, (14)...
・Storage means, (21)...Notification means, (23)
... Mark reading means, (100) ...
. . . Destination information instruction means, (101) . . . Article removal information instruction means, (102) . . . Verification means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Multiple shelves that store multiple types of items in a separated state (
2) is provided along the travel path of the moving vehicle (A) including the article storage section (1), and
) is a storage means (
14), destination information indicating means (100) for instructing the position information of the shelf portion (2) based on the information stored in the storage means (14), and the information stored in the storage means (14) and the current position. article retrieval information indicating means (
101), the goods stored in the shelf part (2) are provided with a mark (m) indicating the type of the goods, and the moving vehicle (A) is provided with a mark (m) indicating the type of the goods. , mark reading means (23) for reading the mark (m)
and the type of article read by the mark reading means (23) and the article retrieval information indicating means (101).
A matching means (102) for matching or mismatching the type of article currently indicated in , and as the matching means (102) detects a mismatch, the state of the mismatch is detected. An article collection facility is provided with a notification means (21) for notifying.