JPH02270701A - Storage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of signal lines of a storage device in a computer centralized control system by providing a means for confirming received data of opening, a picking instruction transmitting means, a picking detecting means and a picking completion transmitting means, in each of opening units in the storage device. CONSTITUTION:Date of opening read by an opening data reading means in a host controller is transmitted, for every opening, to an opening unit from an opening data transmitting means. In the opening unit, this data of opening is confirmed by an opening confirming means and is then transmitted to a picking instruction transmitting means which then transmits an instruction to turn on a lamp at the corresponding opening, and transmits a picking instruction to the host controller. Further, a picking detecting means detects a picking work, and a picking completion transmitting means transmits a picking completing signal to the host controller in accordance with data from the picking detecting means so as to complete the picking work. Thereby it is possible to reduce the number of signal lines.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a storage device having a plurality of 11 items, such as a sorting shelf, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a storage device having a plurality of 11 items such as a sorting shelf. The present invention relates to a storage device in which confirmation of IJ picking work is centrally managed using a computer.

[Conventional technology]

This type of device is equipped with an indicator light and a confirmation switch at each frontage, and by lighting the indicator light, the target frontage for picking is indicated by a command from a controller such as a personal computer, and picking is performed at the designated frontage. A storage device was developed in 1983-15 in which a controller determines whether or not the opening for picking is correct by activating a confirmation switch after picking, thereby preventing picking mistakes.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4508.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the storage device, an output line for outputting a picking instruction signal from the controller to each frontage and an input line for inputting a picking end signal from each frontage to the controller are shared. Therefore, compared to a picking system using a personal computer as seen in [Unmanned Technology J19B6, No. 11 (Ryutsu Kenkyusha)], the number of input and output lines is halved. However, at least 16 atlus wires, 2 control wires, and 2 power wires are still required.

If the number of lines increases in this way, the reliability of the system cannot be said to be sufficient because there will be many incorrect connections during on-site installation, and as the diameter of the electric wires becomes smaller, there will be a risk of wire breakage.

Furthermore, since the controller determines whether or not the frontage for which the confirmation switch has been pressed matches the frontage for which the instruction has been issued, picking errors due to misidentification of the frontage can be prevented. However, if the confirmation switch is pressed before the picking operation, it becomes impossible to determine whether or not picking has actually occurred, and although there are sufficient measures to prevent picking errors, The reality is that there is not.

The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that can significantly reduce the number of signal lines without deteriorating the picking management function.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that prevents picking errors and simplifies the picking operation in combination.

The first device of the present invention achieves the above first object, and
A plurality of frontage units 7 are installed in each frontage and centrally controlled by one signal line by a host 1 controller. The post controller includes an opening reading means for reading a frontage number based on an external input, and a frontage information transmitting means for transmitting information about the frontage read by the frontage reading means to the frontage unit for each frontage. and a transmission management means that steps up the frontage number when receiving a signal from each frontage unit. a confirmation means, a picking command transmission means for transmitting a picking command based on the result confirmed by the frontage confirmation means, a picking detection means for detecting a picking operation, and an end of picking based on the information detected by the picking detection means. and a picking end transmitting means for transmitting a picking completion signal.

The configuration of the first device of the present invention is shown in a block diagram in FIG. 1(a).

The second device of the present invention achieves the above second object, and
It includes a plurality of pyroelectric sensors attached to each frontage, and a plurality of frontage units attached to each frontage and centrally managed by a host controller. The host controller is equipped with a frontage reading input means for reading a frontage number based on an external input, and a frontage information transmitting means for transmitting information about the frontage read in the frontage reading stride to the frontage unit, Each frontage unit includes a transmitting means for transmitting a picking command based on information transmitted by the host controller, a picking detecting means for detecting a picking operation based on a change in the output of the pyroelectric sensor, and a picking detecting means for detecting a picking operation based on a change in the output of the pyroelectric sensor. and a picking end transmitting means for outputting a picking end signal based on the result.

The configuration of the second device of the present invention is shown in a schematic diagram in FIG. 1(b).

[For production]

In the first device of the present invention, information about the frontage read by the frontage reading means is transmitted from the frontage information transmitting means to the frontage unit for each frontage.

When the transmitted frontage information is verified by the frontage confirmation means at T111 in the width direction of the corresponding frontage, a picking command is transmitted from the picking command transmission means. As a result, the picking command is displayed in the corresponding frontage by a lamp indicator, etc., and the host controller receives the picking command from the corresponding frontage unit.

After transmitting the frontage information, the host controller remains in a receiving state until it receives a picking command from the frontage unit. When a picking command is received from the frontage unit, the transmission management means stamps up the frontage number and transmits information regarding the next numbered frontage to the frontage unit.

As a result, even if the host controller and each frontage unit are connected by a single signal line, signals can be exchanged without interference on the signal line, and picking commands can be sent to all the read frontages. Is displayed.

After picking is performed according to the picking command, a signal transmitted by the picking completion transmitting means is received by the host controller. Similarly to the frontage information signal, the picking end signal is transmitted through one signal line, and the transmission management means detects the end of picking for each frontage, and confirms the picking operation.

In the second device of the present invention, when a picking operation is performed in the frontage where a picking command has been received, the picking detection means automatically detects the operation from a change in the output of the pyroelectric sensor. The signal is transmitted from the picking completion transmitting means to the host controller as a picking completion signal. Therefore, even if the person performing the picking operation does not operate a button to confirm the operation, the end of the picking operation is comprehensively and automatically managed by the host controller.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to its embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage device of the present invention has a 1°2...
It has a plurality of frontages 1 identified by consecutive numbers.

A frontage unit 2 is attached to the upper edge of each frontage l. As shown in FIG. 3, each door opening 2 has a terminal section 3 consisting of three terminals, a power line, a signal line, and a GND line, on the side, and an LED display section 4 on the front for displaying the frontage to be picked. , a segment display section 5 for displaying the picking quantity, and a setting switch 6 for setting the frontage address. Also, each frontage l
A pyroelectric center (not shown) is provided on the ceiling surface of the center to detect picking operations.

Each frontage unit 2 has a three-core wire 7 connected to its terminal portion 3.
and is serially connected to the host controller 10. The three-core wire 7 is composed of three wires, one for the power line, one for the signal line, and one for the GND, corresponding to the terminal portion 3 of the frontage unit 2. The host controller 10 utilizes a personal computer 11 and is connected to each frontage unit 2 via a signal converter 12. The personal computer 11 and the signal converter 12 are connected by a cord provided in the personal computer 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the personal computer 11 provided in the host 1-controller 10 has a well-known structure equipped with a CPU. Note 13
sends and receives signals between the Further, a signal from the keyboard 14 is input to the CPU via the input/output port 15, a serial signal from the barcode reader 16 and a serial signal from the signal converter 12 are input via the serial input/output interfaces 17 and 18, respectively. The signal is input to the CPU via the input/output port 15.

The CPU uses these input signals to perform calculations according to the procedures stored in the ROM, outputs the calculation data to the CRT via the input/output port 15, and also outputs the calculated data via the input/output port 15 and the serial input/output interface 18. The signal is then output to the signal converter 12 as a serial signal.

A signal converter 12 provided in the host controller 10 matches serial signals between the personal computer 11 and the frontage unit 2, and is a microcomputer system equipped with a CPU. C.P.
U performs calculations on serial signals input from the personal computer 11 via the serial communication port 21 and the input/output port 22 while exchanging signals with the RAM based on information stored in the ROM. Do the following. Then, the calculation data is output to each frontage unit 2 via the input/output port 22, the serial communication port 21, and the signal conversion @path 23.

On the other hand, the CP tJ performs calculations on serial signals input from the frontage unit 2 to the CPU via the signal conversion circuit 23, serial communication port 21, and input/output port 22, and transfers the calculated data to the input/output ports. 22 and the personal computer 1 via the serial communication port 21.
Output to 1.

The signal conversion circuit 23 provided in the signal converter 12 is a circuit that converts the level of a passing signal, and is a circuit that converts the level of a passing signal.
For the output signal, the signal is level-assigned from the signal voltage level within the computer (usually 5V) to a voltage level suitable for signal transmission (for example, 24V). Conversely, for a human input signal to the host controller 10, the signal level suitable for signal transmission is lowered to the signal voltage level within the computer.

As shown in FIG. 5, the signal conversion circuit 23 consists of three main circuits: a receiving circuit 30, a transmitting circuit 31, and an FET control circuit 32. Depending on the combination of the circuit states, either the receiving state or the transmitting state is selected for the communication line.

When the program of the microcomputer 33 is in the receiving state, the data output control line is inactive, and the FET
F E 'r31 of the transmitting circuit 31 through the control circuit 32
a and the FET 31b are disconnected, and the received signal is input only to the operational amplifier 30a of the receiving circuit 30. The input signal is subjected to voltage conversion from 24V to 5V-. and shaping into a rectangular wave by the operational amplifier 30a, and is sent to the manual boat of the microcomputer 33. In the transmitting state, the data output control line is activated by the program of the microcomputer 33, and the FET control circuit 32 controls the FET of the transmitting circuit 31.
ET31a; 31b is set in a controllable state. When the communication data output line is Ov, FET31b is in a conductive state, and FET3
1a is cut off, and the communication line becomes 0■. Conversely, when the communication data output line is 24V, FET31b is cut off, FET31a is conductive, and the communication line is 24V.
becomes. As described above, the O■ or 5■ signal sent from the output port of the microcomputer 33 is converted into an O■ or 24V signal on the communication line.

The frontage units 2 provided in each frontage l of the storage device are serially connected to the signal converter 12 of the host controller 10 by a three-core wire 7, as shown in FIG.

Each frontage unit 2 is a microcomputer system equipped with a CPU. Signals from the address setting switch 6 and pyroelectric sensor 8 provided in the frontage unit 2 are input to the CPU via the input/output port 25, and serial signals from the host controller 10 are input to the signal conversion circuit 26 and the input/output port 25. It is manually powered through the output port 25. The CPU exchanges signals with the RAM based on the information stored in the ROM, outputs the calculated data to the LED display section 4 and the segment display section 5 via the input/output port 25, and outputs the calculated data to the LED display section 4 and the segment display section 5. 25
and the host controller 1 via the signal conversion circuit 26.
Output to 0.

The signal conversion circuit 26 is an inverse circuit of the signal conversion circuit 23 in the signal converter 12 of the cost controller 10, and converts the output signal of the frontage unit 2 from the signal voltage level in the computer to a voltage level suitable for signal transmission. However, the input signal to the frontage unit 2 is lowered from a voltage level suitable for signal transmission to a signal voltage level within the computer.

Such a storage device operates according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. A1-A14 in Figure 6
, 81-B13 in Fig. 7, 01-B13 in Fig. 8
C13 represents a step in the flowchart.

The frontage reading means of the post controller 10 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to steps A1 and A2 in FIG. 6, the frontage information transmitting means corresponds to A3 and A8, and the transmission management means corresponds to A3 and A8.
4 to A7 and A9 to A14. In addition, the frontage confirmation means in the frontage unit 2 is performed in step B in FIG.
1 to B4, and the picking command transmission means are B5 and B.
6, corresponding to B12, picking detection means are B7 to B1
1 and steps 01 to C13 in FIG. Further, the picking completion transmitting means corresponds to step BI3 in FIG.

Personal computer 11 of host controller 10
In this case, the required frontage l for picking and the picking quantity for each model Nα are determined by the floppy disk unit 13.
is remembered through. Barcode code reader 1
When the model number is input to the personal computer 11 through 6 (step A1), the personal computer 11 reads data regarding all frontages 1 and picking quantities corresponding to the model number (step A2).
).

When the reading is completed, the data for the frontage 1 with the smallest number among the read frontages l is transmitted from the host controller 10 to all the frontage units 2 through one signal line of the three-core wire 7 according to the data format l. It is transmitted (step A3).

In all the frontage units 2, as shown in FIG. When format l) is transmitted, it is received (step B2). If there is no error in the received data, it is determined whether the frontage address in data format 1 corresponds to the own address (
Steps B3, B4). When the corresponding address exists in data format 1, it is determined whether a lamp lighting instruction code exists in data format 1 (step B5).

If data format 1 includes a lamp lighting instruction code, the LED display section 4 is
is activated (step B12), and at the same time the picked quantity is displayed on the segment display section 5. Then, the lamp lighting completion signal is sent back to the host controller 10 in a data format (see FIG. 6) (step B6).

In the host controller 10, as shown in FIG. 6, after transmitting a lamp lighting instruction signal to the frontage unit 2, it is determined whether there is a reply from the frontage unit 2 (step A4), and the frontage unit When the signal from 2 (data format 2) is received (step A5)
, the frontage number is incremented (step A6), and steps A3 to A5 are repeated for the frontage unit 2 provided in the frontage 1 with the progressive number.

As described above, the LED display section 4 and the segment display section 5 of the frontage unit 2 operate in all the frontages 1 corresponding to the model numbers input to the host controller 10 through the barcode reader 16.

When no signal is sent from the host controller 10, each frontage unit 2 determines whether or not the pyroelectric sensor 8 provided in each frontage 1 is turned on, as shown in FIG. B7).

As is well known, the pyroelectric sensor 8 is a temperature change detection sensor, and is turned on when a hand is inserted into the frontage l for picking, for example. When the pyroelectric sensor 8 is turned on, a subroutine shown in FIG. 8 is executed in step B8.

When a hand is inserted into the frontage 1, the output of the pyroelectric sensor 8 changes as shown in FIG. 9(a). In the microcomputer system of the frontage unit 2, this sensor output is converted as shown in FIG. 9(b). In the subroutine shown in FIG. 8, the conversion signal t shown in FIG. 9(b) is
l is measured (step CI), and when C is turned off, it is determined whether al<Ll<ax (steps C2, C3). When a hand is inserted into the frontage 1, the output of the pyroelectric sensor changes in a specific pattern, with tl followed by <tz, tz falling within a specific range.

Therefore, when a,<t,,<C2, it is determined that the hand is not inserted (step C4).

When al<Ll<C2 and -1, steps C5 to C8
, it is determined whether or not <t2 <bz, and b<t2<b
If it is not z, it is determined that the hand is not inserted (step C
4). b, when <t2<bz, further step C
9 to CI2, it is determined whether cl<L, l<C2.

and c,<t.

When <L2 is not the case, it is determined that the hand has not been inserted (step C4), and when C1<cz<cz, it is determined that the hand has been inserted (step C13). In other words, the output of the pyroelectric sensor 8 is a, <tl <a, b
, <12<bz, C1<13 <+:.

It is determined that the hand has been inserted into the frontage 1 only when all of the above are satisfied.

al+ az+ I)l+ bz, CIl C
2 is determined in advance based on the picking movement pattern of a certain person.

When the frontage unit 2 detects that the change in the output of the pyroelectric sensor 8 is due to the insertion of a hand (step B9 in FIG. 7),
In the frontage unit 2, the LED display section 4 and the segment display section 5 are turned off (step BIO), and the status code is changed from on to off (step B11). This results in
The data format is changed from 4 to 5 (see Figure 6).

After the host controller 10 sends a lighting command to all the frontage units that have been read in, it sends a status check signal of the frontage unit 2 to the frontage unit 2 in data format 3.

When the frontage unit 2 determines that the signal from the host controller 10 is a status check signal (not a lamp lighting command), the frontage unit 2 determines that the signal from the host controller 10 is a status check signal (not a lamp lighting command).

A state signal is sent to the host controller 10 (step B6). The frontage unit status signal is in one of the data formats 4.5 mentioned above, and when the lamp is on, that is, when no hand is inserted into the frontage, data format 4 is transmitted to the host controller 10,
After the lamp is turned off, that is, after a hand is inserted into the opening, data format 5 is the host controller 1.
Sent to 0.

The host controller 10 determines whether or not the status signal is received from the frontage unit 2 (step A9).
At the time of reception, the data format is taken in (step A10). Then, it is determined from the contents of the data format whether or not the lamp has been turned off (step AI). ), it is determined whether or not the lamp has been turned off in steps A8 to All for the frontage unit 2 with the progressively numbered frontage l. After the lamp is turned off, that is, when the unit 2 transmits the data format 5 during the corresponding period, a process is performed to register that the entry unit 2 has been picked (step A13). Then, it is determined whether data format 5 has been transmitted from all "ζ" of the frontage units 2 corresponding to the read frontage number (step A14), and all the frontage units 2 corresponding to the read frontage number have been picked. Steps A8 to A14 are repeated until .

As a result, it is detected that picking has been completed for all the frontages l of the read numbers.

Since this detection is performed based on the output signal of the pyroelectric sensor 8, picking errors due to careless button operations, which can be a problem when confirming the completion of picking work by pressing a button, can be avoided if the button is pressed before picking. This prevents a situation in which it becomes impossible to accurately determine whether or not picking has actually been carried out in the event that picking has actually been carried out. Furthermore, button operations are no longer required, simplifying the picking work.

Further, since the signal level is level-amplified in the transmission line between the controller 2 and the post controller 10, the resistance to noise is improved and accurate signal exchange is performed between the two.

Furthermore, this transmission line has three core wires 7: power supply, Shingetsu, and GND.
This simplifies the wiring during on-site installation, prevents erroneous connections, and allows the wire to be sufficiently thick, eliminating the risk of disconnection.

Furthermore, even if the transmission line is composed of three-core wires 7, the signal transmission and reception between the CONINIT 2 and the host controller 10 can be reliably performed.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when determining whether the hand is inserted, the insertion of the hand is detected only when a sensor output change that matches the picking movement pattern of the person registered in advance is obtained. However, there is no need to take this much consideration; for example, when turning the pyroelectric sensor 8 on and off
It is also possible to determine hand insertion, that is, picking work, from F or a simple output change.

Further, it is possible to omit the automatic picking determination mechanism using the pyroelectric sensor 8 and use a determination mechanism based on manual operation such as an operation button.

Furthermore, the automatic picking determination mechanism using the pyroelectric sensor 8 can be employed without being restricted by the form of signal transmission between the unit 2 and the host controller 10. That is, it can be used in a picking system other than the signal transmission method using the three-core wire 7 in the above embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In the first device of the present invention, although the host controller and each frontage unit are connected by one signal line, accurate signal exchange is performed between the two. Therefore, the risk of incorrect wiring is eliminated by reducing the number of lines.
Also, wiring work becomes easier. Furthermore, the wire diameter can be increased and the risk of wire breakage is greatly reduced.

Since the second device of the present invention automatically detects the picking operation, there is no need to operate the confirmation pushbutton.This not only reduces the burden of picking work, but also prevents the host controller from operating due to incorrect pushbutton operation. To prevent picking management errors and improve picking accuracy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of the structure of an example of a storage device embodying the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interlocking unit, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram of the control circuit, Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of the signal conversion circuit, Figures 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing its operation, and Figure 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the picking detection means. be. l: Frontage, 2: Frontage, 4: LED display section,
8: Pyroelectric sensor, 10: Host controller, ll:
Personal computer, 12: Signal converter.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A host controller (1) attached to each frontage (1).
It is equipped with multiple frontage units (2) that are centrally managed by one signal line by the host controller (1).
0) includes an opening reading means for reading a frontage number based on an external input, a frontage information transmitting means for transmitting information about the frontage read by the frontage reading means to the frontage unit for each frontage; Each frontage unit (2) is equipped with a transmission management means for stepping up the frontage number when receiving a signal from the frontage unit, and each frontage unit (2) is equipped with a transmission management means for checking the frontage number of the opening information transmitted by the host controller (10). a confirmation means, a picking command transmission means for transmitting a picking command based on the result confirmed by the frontage verification means, a picking detection means for detecting a picking operation;
A storage device comprising a picking end transmitting means for transmitting a picking end based on information detected by the picking detecting means. 2. Multiple pyroelectric sensors (8
), attached to each frontage (1), and a host controller (
10) Multiple frontage units (2) centrally managed by
The host controller (10) includes a frontage reading input means for reading a frontage number based on an external input, and transmitting information about the frontage read by the frontage reading input means to the frontage unit. Each frontage unit (2) is equipped with a picking command transmitting means for transmitting a picking command based on information transmitted by the host controller (10), and a pyroelectric sensor (
8) A picking detecting means for detecting a picking operation based on a change in the output, and a picking end transmitting means for outputting a picking end signal based on a result detected by the picking detecting means. Storage device.