JPH02136964A - Commodity checking device for commodity collecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the commodity checking time by checking mechanically and number of commodities to be delivered for each item. CONSTITUTION:A deciding means D decides the overs or shorts of commodities to be delivered to the due destination for each item based on the reading frequency of each code of the commodities in a container which are read by a code reading means A and the unit number data on each item to the due destination received from a host controller B. Then an output means E outputs the deciding result for each commodity. In this case, the commodity codes and the number of overs and shorts if detected are delivered. As a result, the manual check of the commodities to be delivered can be substantially automated. Thus the commodity checking time is shortened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an improvement in a product collection system in a product distribution process, and particularly to an inspection device for checking the number of products that have been picked or sorted.

(Prior Art) At product distribution centers for supermarkets and chain stores, so-called picking systems and sorting systems are introduced to stock the ordered number of various products in response to orders from each store. In this picking system, a single or multiple picking zones are provided along a conveyor that transports containers, and each picking zone has a number of pockets for storing products by item, and a number of pockets are provided corresponding to each pocket. For example, when a container for collection of products destined for store A is transported to the picking zone by the above-mentioned container, the number display of ordered products in that zone is displayed with a number display for store A. When the number of items to be picked is displayed and a worker placed in the picking zone picks the indicated number of products displayed on the number display and collects them in the container, the container will be removed from the end of the conveyor. When the products are discharged, the products destined for the store A are collected for all ordered items in the order of the ordered number.

On the other hand, in the sorting system, containers for each destination are placed on the product shelf, and a number display is provided corresponding to each container, and when the control device is instructed as to the products to be sorted, The quantity ordered by each destination is displayed on the quantity display of each container.
While transporting the designated products, they are sorted into each container according to the displayed number, so that each container collects the ordered products for each destination in the order number.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) By the way, in such a collection system, the work of putting products into each container is done manually, so there may be errors in each item due to misreading of the displayed number or mistakes in taking out the products. There may be cases where the displayed number of products is not correctly collected into the container. Therefore, conventionally, an inspection worker placed at the end of the conveyor checks the number of products in the container by comparing it with the delivery slip, etc., but this work is extremely tedious and takes a long time. Therefore, the advantage of speeding up the work by adopting a computer-based product collection system is lost, and there are also problems in terms of inspection accuracy, such as items being overlooked during checking.

The present invention addresses the above-mentioned situation in manual product collection systems, and aims to provide an inspection device that can shorten this type of inspection work and improve inspection accuracy.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a container transport means for transporting containers for product collections at each destination, and a container transport means for transporting containers along the transport route of the containers by the transport means. established,
It has a product storage section that stores products by item, and a number display that displays the number of products picked from the product storage section for each item, and stores the products in the container on the transport means according to the display on the number display. In a system configured to collect products, the system also includes a container for collecting products on each destination side, and a number display that displays the number of products input into each container, and a number display of the number display. A system configured to sort products into containers according to displays is characterized in that an inspection device having the following means is placed near the end position of the container transport route. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, this inspection device includes a code reading means A that reads the product code attached to the product, and a code reading means A that reads the product code attached to the product, and a code reading unit A that reads the product code attached to the product, and a code reading unit A that reads the product code attached to the product, and a code reading unit A that reads the product code attached to the product, and a code reading unit A that reads the product code attached to the product, and a An input means C for inputting the number data, and a number of times of reading for each item by the reading means A and the number data inputted through the input means C for each item of the products scheduled to be delivered to the destination. It has a determination means for determining excess or deficiency, and an output means E for outputting the determination result. In this case, the determination operation by the determination means may be performed each time a product code is read by the reading means A, or may be performed all at once after all product code reading operations are completed. It's okay.

(Function) According to the above configuration, the determination means is the code reading means A.
``'C'' Delivery to the destination based on the number of times the product code for each item of the product in the container is read and the number data for each item for the destination input from the host control WB. After determining the excess or deficiency of each scheduled product item, the output means E outputs the determination result for each item.At this time,
If there is an excess or deficiency, the product code and the quantity of excess or deficiency are output.

In this case, since the determination of excess or deficiency of each product is made without human intervention, human error is eliminated and inspection accuracy can be improved. In addition, the checking of the number of items for each item to be delivered, which conventionally relied on manual labor, is almost automated, so the inspection work is greatly shortened.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described regarding a picking system.

First, the overall configuration of the picking system according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. As shown in FIG.
It has a conveyor 1 that tact-transfers a plurality of containers a... A picking zone 2 (21 to 2, o) is provided.

In these picking zones 2 (21 to 21o), product shelves 4, 4 are arranged in two rows in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor 1 with the central work space 3 in between. In addition, a work control device 6 is installed at the container supply position 5 near the starting end 1a of the conveyor 1, and a container discharging position 7 near the terminal end 1b of the conveyor 1 is equipped with a work control device 6 for inspection in this embodiment. A device 8 is provided. Further, a container stand 9 is provided at this container discharge position 7, and a shipping container b is placed on this container stand 9. He gets fucked.

Here, the pitch of the tact conveyance of the collection containers a... The pitch corresponds to zones 21-2526-210. As shown in the figure, in the case of the national side, a total of 12 workers C...C are placed in each of the above-mentioned picking zones 2,...210, the container supply position 5, and the container discharge position 7. There is.

On the other hand, each of the two rows of product shelves 4.4 in each of the picking zones 21...210 is provided with a large number of pockets 10...10 for storing and storing products by item. These pockets 10...
10 is provided with number indicators 11...11, respectively. This number display 11 includes a display section 12 that digitally displays the number of pieces to be picked, and a picking instruction lamp 13.
and a picking completion key 14. When m items are to be picked in a pocket 10 consisting of, for example, one item, the picking instruction lamp 13 of the number display 11 for that pocket 10 lights up, and at the same time the display unit 12 shows the item number. Number m
is now displayed digitally. Here, when the products are picked in a case of a plurality of products and as individual products, the display unit 12 is configured to display the number of cases and the number of single products to be picked.

Further, this picking system is provided with a control system as shown in FIG. This control system has a host computer 15 and a data bus 16 extending from the host computer 15, and the work control device 6 is connected to the data bus 16, and each picking zone 2! . . . 11 on the product shelves 4, 4 in 210, the ledger issuer 17 for issuing delivery slips, etc., and the inspection device 8 are connected, and various signals are transmitted between them. They are now able to receive and receive from each other.

When explaining the inspection device 8 at Uni, this inspection device 8
is a CP that performs various calculations and controls, as shown in Figure 5.
U18, one barcode scanner, and O upon completion of inspection.
The inspection completion key 20 that is operated by N, the journal printer 21, the label printer 22, the display device 23 such as a CRT display, and the I that connects these to the CPU 18.
10 interface 24, a memory 25, and a communication interface 26 connected to the host computer 15 via the data bus 16.

The operation of the above embodiment will be explained below.

Operator C at the container supply position shown in FIG.
For example, when a container a for collecting goods for store A is placed on the starting end 1a of the store A and the work control device 6 performs an operation to start picking work, the host computer 15 receives a message from the work control device 6 indicating this. After receiving the execution command, the first . Order data in the second picking zones 21...26 is read. In addition, at this time, conveyor 1 is
It operates by the pitch, and the product collection container a for store A placed on the starting end 1a is transported to the first stop position 11.

Second, the host computer 15 is connected to the first stop position 11 of the conveyor 1 provided on both sides of the first stop position 11. Quantity indicators 11...1 for each pocket 10...10 in products WA4...4 in the sixth picking zones 21, 26
1, the number data indicating the number of items picked at store A is transmitted.

In this way, the first one closest to the starting end 1a of the conveyor 1. Once the transmission of data to the sixth picking zone 21.26 is completed, picking operations will begin in these zones 21.26. In this case, upon receiving a command to display the number of pieces to be picked from the host computer 15, each piece number display 11 lights up the picking instruction lamp 13 and displays the number of pieces to be picked sent from the host computer 15 on the display unit 12. do.

As a result, the workers c and c in the first and sixth picking zones can display on the display section 12 the products in the pockets 10...10 for which the picking instruction lamps 13 of the number displays 11...11 are lit. In this case, when the workers c and c pick the products, the picking is completed on the number display 11. Turn on key 14.

As described above, the store A located at the first stop position 1 of the conveyor 1 is placed in the first and sixth picking zones 2, 2, and 3 for the product collection container a. ．． 2. The picking work is completed. When the worker C at the container supply position 5 confirms the completion of the work in both zones by the work completion message sent from the host computer 15 to the work control device 6, the worker C at the container supply position 5 For example, for store B, the next collection container a for collecting products is placed in the section 1a, and the work control device 6 performs an operation to start the next picking work. As a result, the collection container a for store A placed at the first stop position 1□ of the conveyor 1 moves to the second stop position 12, and the collection container a for store B placed at the starting end 1a moves to the second stop position 12. 1 stop position 11, and the second stop position 11. 7th picking zone 2□, 27
The number of items picked in these zones of store A is transmitted to the number displays 11...11 of the first . 6th bitking zone 2+, 26 piece count display 11...
- The number of items picked in these zones of store B is transmitted to 11. And the former collection container a
Regarding the second and seventh picking zones 2□ and 27,
Regarding the latter collection container a, see 1. In the sixth picking zone 2!26, picking work for each store is performed in the same manner as described above. By repeating these operations, all picking zones 2, ~2□. The collection container a destined for store A, for which the picking operation has been completed, is discharged to the terminal end 1b of the conveyor 1.

On the other hand, in the case of a sorting system, the configuration is the reverse of the above-mentioned picking system, and containers for collection of goods by destination are placed on each product shelf 4...4, and the product shelf 4...4 corresponds to each container. . . 4 is provided with a number indicator 11 and a river 1 for the number of products to be put into each container. Then, the products to be sorted are placed at the starting end 1a of the conveyor 1.
When the code of the product is input into the work control device 6, the conveyor 1
The product is transported to the first stop position 11 by the pitch movement, and the product is transported to the first stop position 11. Data on the number of products to be put into each container is transmitted to the number indicators 11, . . . 11 in the sixth zones 2+, 26.

When sorting in these zones 2+ and 26 is completed, the next product to be sorted is placed on the starting end 1a of the conveyor 1, and the product code of the product is input to the work control device 6. Then, the product placed first is
Products placed later on at the second stop position 1□ are transported to the first stop (apparatus 1, respectively) and number indicators 11...11 in the second and seventh zones 2□ and 27. for,
For the sorting of the products placed first in the corresponding zone 22.27, the number data is transmitted, and the first... 6th zone 2+,
26 number display devices 11...11, the number data for sorting the products placed later in the corresponding zone 21.26 is transmitted.

In this way, while the various ordered products are being conveyed by the conveyor 1, they are sorted into the number of products displayed in each container in each zone 21...2.0.

When all the products have been sorted, the containers are transferred from the product shelves 4...4 to the conveyor 1 in the order of delivery, and are sequentially conveyed to the terminal end 1b of the conveyor 1.

At the terminal end 1b, the worker C takes out the products from the collection container a and repacks them into the shipping container b. At this time, the worker C uses the barcode scanner 19 of the inspection device 8 to check the barcodes attached to the products. The barcode is scanned and the barcode data is input to the inspection device 8. Note that this barcode displays a product code and the like as a symbol. In this case, the CPU of the inspection device 8
1.8 operates as follows according to the flowchart in FIG.

That is, the CPU 18 performs a predetermined initialization in step S1, and then waits for the host computer 15 to transmit the inspection and shipping data of the store from which the terminal end portion 1b has been discharged from the host computer 15 in step S2. In the case of sorting, for the containers discharged to the terminal part 1b,
Enter the store code affixed there using a barcode scanner or keyboard, and
Wait for the inspection and shipping data of the store to be sent from 5. When the CPU 18 determines that data has been received, the CPU 18 stores the inspection and shipping data received in step S3 in the memory 25 and waits. This inspection/shipping data includes items common to inspection and shipping, such as the store name and code of the destination store, inspection-related items such as the product name, product code, and quantity, and flight number and route. In addition to shipping-related items such as order, vehicle number, etc., it also includes product location numbers that are useful for additional picking.

Next, the CPU 18 performs step s4. In S5, the input from the barcode scanner 19 and the ON operation of the inspection completion key 20 are checked, and when it is determined that there is a scanner input in step S4, step S6 is executed to store the barcode data in the memory 25, and then step Return to S4. This barcode data is stored in the memory 25 each time a barcode scan result is successfully input.

When the CP[J18 determines that the inspection completion key 20 has been turned on in step S5, it executes step S7 and compares the inspection and shipping data stored in the memory 25 with the barcode data to determine the product scheduled for delivery. Determine excess or deficiency of each item. If the CPU 18 determines that there is an excess or deficiency in step S8, it transfers the excess or deficiency data, etc. to the journal printer 21, prints out a correction instruction sheet, and displays a picking error on the display 23 (step 89, S+o ). For example, as shown in Figure 7, this correction instruction sheet displays the delivery destination store name and store code as headings, and for each product code, the product name, quantity of excess or deficiency, and the location of the corresponding product on the above-mentioned shelf. The location is displayed in detail. The inspection worker C reads the correction instructions and removes the excess products from the shipping container b, while instructing the picking worker C in charge to allocate the missing products. When step SIO is executed, the CPU 18 prints out a container label from the label printer 22 in step Stt, and then returns to step S2 to wait for the next data reception. The container label issued by the label printer 22 is attached to the delivery container conveyance means by the inspection worker C.

On the other hand, when the CPU 18 determines that there is no excess or deficiency in step S8, it executes step S12 and displays the information on the display 23.
Display the path. Then, for example, the words 'OK' are displayed on the screen of the display 23.

By the way, some products do not have barcodes, and when such products are included, the following process is performed. That is, in this case, when inspection worker C confirms that a barcode is not attached to a product taken out from collection container a, the product is stocked without placing it in shipping container b. Since the product code is not input to the inspection device 8 for the product, the journal printer 21 prints out a correction instruction sheet containing the product code of the product and the missing quantity. Therefore, the inspection worker C compares the correction instructions with the stocked products, checks the corresponding items, and then places the products into the shipping container b. In this case,
Since the above correction instruction sheet usually has very few item columns in which surplus/deficiency data are written, the above inspection work can be easily performed.

Note that in this embodiment, barcode data is compared with inspection and shipping data after all barcode scans for products for one store are completed, but such a comparison is performed each time scanning is performed. It's okay.

Further, in this embodiment, the label printer 22 is attached to the inspection device 8, but these may be provided as separate devices.

Furthermore, by repacking the products from the collection container a to the delivery container b as in this embodiment, it is only necessary to line up the products and put them into the delivery container b during the refilling process. Since the products to be sorted can be collected into the collection container a with plenty of time, there is an advantage that the collection work can be carried out quickly.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, most of the inspection work is automated, eliminating human error and improving the inspection accuracy. Since the product check is performed mechanically, the inspection work can be significantly shortened.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the present invention. Figures 2 to 7
The figures show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 2 is a schematic layout diagram of the collection system, Fig. 3 is a partial front view showing the configuration of product shelves in the system, and Fig. 4 is a control of the system. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the inspection device, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the inspection device, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a correction instruction sheet printed out by a journal printer. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Container conveyance means (conveyer), 15... Upper control device (host computer), 18... Judgment means (CPU), 19... Code reading means (barcode scanner), 21.23. ... Output means (21... journal printer, 23 display), 26... Input means (communication interface). Applicant: Ishida Kouki Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Figure 4 Figure 6 Figure 6

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Container transport means for transporting containers for product collections for each destination; a product storage section provided along the transport path of the container by the transport means for storing products by item; and a number display that displays the number of products to be picked from a product storage section for each item, and a collection system configured to collect the products into containers on the conveying means according to the display on the number display. The inspection device is installed near the end of the transport route, and includes a code reading means for reading the product code attached to each product in the container, and a code reading means for reading the product code attached to each product in the container, and a code reading means for reading the product code attached to each product in the container, and An input means for inputting the number data for each item of the product scheduled for delivery, and the product scheduled for delivery to the destination based on the number of times each item is read by the reading means and the number data input via the input means. 1. An inspection device for an item collection system, comprising a determining means for determining excess or deficiency of each item, and an output means for outputting the determination result. (2) It has a container for collecting products on each destination side and a number display that displays the number of products put into each container, and the products are sorted into each container according to the display on the number display. The inspection device in the configured collection system includes a code reading means for reading the product code assigned to each product in the container, and a code reading means for reading the product code assigned to each product in the container, and a code reading means for reading the product code assigned to each product in the container, and a code reading means for reading the product code assigned to each product in the container, and a code reading means for reading the product code assigned to each product in the container, and a code reading means for reading the product code assigned to each product in the container, and a code reading means for reading the product code assigned to each product in the container. An input means for inputting quantity data for each item, and an input means for inputting quantity data for each item for each item of products scheduled to be delivered to the destination based on the number of times each item is read by the reading means and quantity data input via the input means. 1. An inspection device for an item collection system, comprising a determining means for determining excess or deficiency, and an output means for outputting the determination result.