JPH01220610A - Picking work backup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To contrive the improvement of work efficiency by feeding an article container transferring by an out-stock request to a takeout location while dis criminating a number of the container and its direction by a discriminating means and, by its information, displaying by a picture a storage section of the request item, in case of the captioned device for a part storehouse or the like. CONSTITUTION:When a worker M inputs by a keyboard 6 an item number of out-stock request article and its quantity, a control part, not shown, searches a storehouse 2 for a container 1, containing the request item, performing its outstock from the storehouse 2. This container 1 is conveyed to a picking loca tion P by a conveyer 4. The worker M reads a bar code label of the container by a bar code reader 12 to be input to the control part. The control part, by this information, displays on a display 7 a plan view of storage position in the container 1 together with the item number 7 of the picking item and its quantity. The worker takes out the item in accordance with the display. In this way, work efficiency can be improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is directed to physical product management, which involves supplying parts from parts warehouses and product warehouses to production sites, shipping products to markets, etc. The present invention relates to a picking operation support device that is applied to operations in which items to be shipped are dispensed from an article container such as a container or a pallet for each process or customer.

(Prior art) Generally, containers and pallets containing parts and products are stored in a container hangar such as a multi-level automated warehouse, a rotary automated warehouse, or a flat storage tank, and designated from the containers taken out from the container hangar based on instructions for unloading. In the task of dispensing items, when multiple items are mixed in a container, a so-called picking operation occurs in which only a designated item is dispensed from among the containers.

Conventionally, in such picking operations, the item number, item name, quantity to be picked out, etc. are instructed to the picker using a terminal such as a display for the container that has been taken out of the warehouse. Efforts have been made to eliminate mistakes in selecting items during picking operations, such as by preparing photo albums to clarify the correspondence between item numbers or names and actual items.

However, if multiple items are mixed in one container,
Furthermore, if there are similar items mixed together, there is a problem that using only the item number and item name as information may lead to people not checking the items due to familiarity, or mistakes in dispensing due to misunderstandings. Ta. There is also the problem that confirming items using photo albums or the like is troublesome and inefficient.

Therefore, a method of storing only one item in a container has become popular because of the ease of system management based on picking operations.

However, although this method can prevent mistakes such as dispensing similar items by mistake, when handling small and medium-sized items and very small items at the same time, that is, when there are variations in the size of the stored items, the container Because there is a large variation in storage volume for each item, storage efficiency (space efficiency) is poor in cases such as multi-level automated warehouses or rotating shelf warehouses where container hangars hold evenly distributed shelf space. Therefore, when there are a large number of items to be handled, the number of containers stored in the zero warehouse increases, resulting in an increase in the space of the entire container hangar.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in picking operations under conditions where multiple items are mixed in one container, delivery errors may occur when similar items are mixed together. This is likely to occur, and as a result, there is a problem in that it is difficult to perform picking operations efficiently.

The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems,
In a picking operation in which a requested item is taken out from an article storage unit that is partitioned into a plurality of storage compartments and different items are stored in each compartment storage unit, which compartment storage of the outputted item storage unit is selected? By informing the worker whether to take out the desired item from the storage area by displaying the plan view of the item storage unit on the screen, the desired item can be taken out more accurately and efficiently, improving picking work efficiency. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a picking work support device that can improve the picking operation.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a system which is partitioned into a plurality of storage compartments, and each storage compartment stores different items. a container hanger for storing the article container in such a way that the article container can be taken out and taken out; an operation input section for making a request for retrieval of the article; An unloading means for unloading from the hangar, a conveying means for conveying the article containers unloaded from the container hangar to a predetermined article retrieval location, and at least the number of the article containers, the compartment contents of each article container, and each compartment storage unit. a storage means having a file containing information on articles stored in the storage means; an identification means for identifying the number and direction of the article container conveyed to the article retrieval location; and a file in the storage means based on the identification result of the identification means. Display means for displaying a plan view of the article storage body transported to the article retrieval location on a predetermined screen while highlighting the section storage section in which the article of the item requested for delivery is stored. be.

(Function) In the picking operation support device of the present invention, first, in response to an article removal request from the operation input unit, an article container containing the corresponding item is removed from the container hangar, and a predetermined delivery device is used to transport the article container. Transport the goods to the place where they are taken out. The number and direction of the article container transported to the article retrieval location are identified by the identification means, and based on the identification result, a file in the storage means is referred to and a request is made for a plan view of the article container. Since the compartment containing the item is highlighted and displayed on a predetermined screen, the desired item can be taken out from the item storage more accurately and efficiently, improving picking efficiency. You can improve your performance.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the entire picking operation support device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the picking location in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a part of FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which abbreviate|omits.

As shown in these figures, the picking work support device of this embodiment is a container that is made up of a plurality of compartment storage parts and that removably stores a container 1 in which different items are stored in each compartment storage part. A hangar 2, an unloading station 3 for unloading containers 1 from the container hangar 2, and a retrieval station 3 for unloading containers 1 from the container hangar 2, transporting containers 1 unloaded from the container hangar 2 to a picking location P where a picking worker M waits, and finishing the picking work. A conveyor 4 for returning the container 1 to the container hangar 2; a receiving station 5 for receiving the container 1 from the conveyor 4 into the container hangar 2; A keyboard 6 for performing various input operations, the item number and quantity of the article to be taken out from the container 1 that has been taken out, and a container plan view for indicating from which section of the container 1 the article should be taken out. It is configured to include a display 7 for instructing information necessary for picking work.

In addition, the container 1 described above is partitioned into each container by a partition plate 8 according to the operation mode and the size of the stored goods, and the number of the container 1 and its orientation (face A barcode label 9 indicating information) is attached. Further, a picking table 10 is provided at a picking place P where articles are taken out from the container 1, and furthermore, on this picking table 10, the container 1 conveyed by the conveyor 4 is placed on the picking table 10. A stopper 11 for temporarily stopping the barcode label 9 and a barcode reader 12 for reading the contents of the barcode label 9 described above are arranged. Further, this barcode reader 12 is arranged so that its reading surface coincides with the contact surface of the stopper 11 with the container 1.

Next, a method of expressing the contents of the sections of container 1 will be explained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of representing the individual compartment housing parts of the container 1.

As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the container 1 is divided into n equal parts in the X-axis direction and m equal parts in the Y-axis direction so that various types of goods can be mixedly loaded in a number of combinations in the container 1. The container 1 is partitioned based on the nXm unit sections so that the final combination becomes a rectangle. In this figure, the container is divided into three equal parts in the X-axis direction and four equal parts in the Y-axis direction (hereinafter, a container made up of such division units will be expressed as (nSm)=(3x4)).

In addition, the internal location of each partitioned compartment housing section is as follows:
Two points on the X axis and two points on the Y axis are respectively (Xl, X2,
It is expressed relative to the reference plane in a coordinate format such as Yl, Yl).

In other words, in FIG. 5, the division unit of container 1 is (n
Sm) - (3, 4), and if the hatched part in the figure is one compartment housing part, the internal position of the hatched compartment housing part is (Xl, X2, Yl, Yl) - (0,
2, 2, 4).

In addition, in FIGS. 6(a) to (h), the division unit is (n
Sm) = (2, 2) It shows all possible partitioning methods for the container 1, and the four-digit number written in each compartment storage part is the internal position of each compartment storage part (Xl , X2, Yl, Yl), respectively.

Next, the control system of this embodiment device will be explained.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing part of the configuration of the control system of this picking work support device. In the figure, 21 is a control section that comprehensively controls the entire device, and 22 is an execution program of the control section 21. , container 1 from container hangar 2
23 is a barcode reader 12; storage unit 23 stores information files necessary for instructing workers through a screen on a display 7 during shipping and picking operations;
24 is a keyboard control circuit that controls the keyboard 6, and 25 is a display control circuit that controls the display 7.

Further, FIGS. 8 and 9 each show the contents of the information file in the storage section 22 in FIG. 7.

The above-mentioned storage unit 22 stores the container number as a key.
The shelf number indicating which shelf in the container hangar 2 the corresponding container 1 is placed in, and which section storage section (of the container 1)
The file F1 shown in FIG. 8 stores information on how many items are stored in each item (internal location), and the container number indicates which container 1 the item is stored in using the item number as a key. A file F2 shown in FIG. 9 is stored in which the number of compartments (internal parts rii) of the container 1 and how many of the items are stored in the container 1 is stored.

Next, a method of displaying a container plan view for instructing the picking operator M as to which section storage section (internal position) of the container 1 to take out the article will be described.

In this embodiment of the apparatus, the compartment accommodating section to be picked is displayed in an emphasized manner using color and shading in the container plan view displayed on the display screen.

By the way, if the container 1 is always transported to the picking location P in the same orientation, the container plan view on the display screen may always be in the same orientation, but the orientation of the container 1 may change due to branching or merging of the transport line during transport. When the plane changes, its direction needs to be changed (rotated) in accordance with the change with respect to the reference plane.

For this reason, in this embodiment device, as shown in FIG. 10, the reference side of the container 1 is numbered 1, and numbers 2, 3, and 4 are attached to the counterclockwise direction, and these are represented by the barcode label 9. This allows the barcode reader 12 to read these numbers and identify the orientation of the container 1 with respect to the reference plane.

In addition, in FIG. 10, the container 1 is divided into sections of (nSm) - (2, 2) and is indicated by diagonal lines (Xl, Xl,
Yl, Y2)■It is assumed that the item to be picked is stored in the compartment storage section at the internal position of (1, 2, 0, 1), and the picking instruction position on the display screen according to the change in the orientation of the container 1. It shows the rotational movement of.

Next, the operation of the picking operation in this embodiment device will be explained.

First, when the picking worker M inputs the item number and quantity of the article to be picked out using the keyboard 6, the control unit 2
1 refers to the information files F1 and F2 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 based on the input item number, and determines the container number of the container 1 in which the item is stored and the container hangar of this container 1. Search for the storage bin in step 2.

Container 1 containing the corresponding items
are taken out from the container hangar 2 via the unloading station 3, and further conveyed by the conveyor 4 toward the picking location P where the picking operator M is waiting.

Thereafter, the container 1 that has reached the picking table 10 is stopped by the stopper 11.

Here, the picking operator M moves the container 1 to the center of the picking table 10 while having the barcode reader 12 read the barcode label 9 attached to the container 1.

As a result, the contents of the barcode label 9, that is, the container number and the number indicating the orientation of the container 1 are read.

Next, the control unit 21 refers to the information file F1 shown in FIG. 8 from the read result of the container number, and uses the information file F1 shown in FIG. Search for.

After that, the control unit 21 controls the display control circuit 25 to display the product number and quantity of the item to be picked on the screen of the display 7, and also to display the number indicating the orientation of the container 1 read by the barcode reader 12. Based on this, a plan view of the container 1 as seen from the picking operator M is displayed with the picking instruction position emphasized.

Then, the picking operator M performs the picking operation based on the content displayed on the display 7, and after completing the picking operation, inputs the fact to the control unit 21 from the keyboard 6.

As a result, the control section 21 reduces the number of the corresponding items stored in the storage section 22 by the picked amount.

After that, the picking operator M sends the container 1 out to the conveyor 4 again and stores the container 1 in the container hangar 2 via the warehousing station 5.

Thus, according to the picking work support device of this embodiment, instruction information about which items and how many items should be taken out from which section of the container 1 is displayed on the screen of the display 7 in the container 1 as seen by the picking worker M. This allows the desired item to be taken out more accurately and efficiently from the container 1 that has been delivered.

Furthermore, since picking can be performed without requiring knowledge of the shape and characteristics of the items stored in the container 1, even those who are not familiar with the work can perform accurate and highly efficient picking, reducing labor costs. It is also possible to reduce costs.

In this embodiment, a barcode label 9 is attached to the outer surface of the container 1 in order to identify the container number and the orientation of the container 1, and the contents are read by the barcode reader 12. The invention is not limited to this, and other reading devices that employ a light reflection method or a character pattern recognition method may be used.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another method of expressing the internal position of each compartment accommodating part in a container.

As shown in the figure, there are other ways to express the internal position of each compartment accommodating part in the container, such as ASB, C
There is a method of expressing absolute values using symbols such as 5DSE. When this method is used, it is also possible to specify the picking position using a symbol without displaying a plan view of the container. In addition, when displaying a container plan using this method, it is only necessary to create a table that associates the above-mentioned symbols indicating the internal position of each compartment storage with the values expressing each internal position in coordinate format. .

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the picking work support device of the present invention, an article storage body is partitioned into a plurality of compartment storage parts, and each of the compartment storage parts stores different items. In the picking operation of taking out the requested item from the container, the operator is informed of information from which section of the outgoing goods storage body the object □ is to be taken out by displaying the plan view of the container on the display screen. Accordingly, the target item can be taken out more accurately and efficiently, and the picking efficiency can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the entire picking operation support device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the picking location in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a part of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view with the 4th section omitted, FIG.
Figures 6(a) to 6(h), which are diagrams for explaining the method for expressing the internal positions of compartment accommodating parts in the container shown in the figure, each have a compartment unit of (n, m) = (2, 2). FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the control system of the picking operation support device shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of the information file in the storage section; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining how to display a container plan view on the display screen;
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining another method of expressing the internal position of each compartment accommodating part in a container. 1... Container, 2... Container hangar, 3...
Incoming station, 4... Conveyor, 5... Outgoing station, 6... Keyboard, 7... Display, 8... Partition plate, 9... Barcode label, 1
0... Picking table, 11... Stopper, 1
2... Barcode reader, 21... Control unit, 22.
...Memory section. Applicant: Toshiba Corporation Patent Attorney Suyama Sa-m Figure 4 Y Figure 5 Y Y (01(b) (C) (d) (e)
1f)Y
Y (9) (h) Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Peaking 1 m (2 digits) Fingernail 1 m [TI contep direction Fig. 10 Container plane Y Fig. 11゜ Memory table diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An article container that is partitioned into a plurality of storage compartments and each storage compartment stores a different item, a container hanger that stores the article containers in a removable manner; an operation input unit for issuing a retrieval request; a retrieval means for retrieving an article container in which an item of the requested item is stored from the container hangar; a storage means having a file including at least the number of the article container, the compartment contents of each article container, and information on the articles stored in each compartment container; and the article retrieval location. an identification means for identifying the number and direction of the article container transported to the article retrieval location, and a plan view of the article container transported to the article retrieval location by referring to a file in the storage means based on the identification result of the identification means. What is claimed is: 1. A picking operation support device comprising: display means for highlighting and displaying on a predetermined screen a section storage section in which an item for which a delivery request has been made is stored.